Latest news with #Body+Soul
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aussie comedian reveals pregnancy in adorable post
After seven years struggling with infertility and IVF, Australian comedian Tanya Hennessy has announced she is expecting her first child with husband Tom Poole. The 2020 I'm a Celebrity contestant took to social media on Thursday night to reveal her pregnancy, posting a video of an ultrasound appearing on a television screen. 'After seven years of trying, we finally have our baby on the way,' she captioned the video. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The 39-year-old comedian also shared the news on Instagram — posting a photo of the upcoming cover of magazine Body+Soul, which she often writes for, featuring her in a baby blue dress holding her bump. 'This kid is going to be so uncomfortably loved,' Hennessey said about her pregnancy. The social media star, whose comedy videos have amassed hundreds of millions of views, has been a vocal advocate for infertility over the years following her diagnosis with endometriosis at age 35. Hennessey got vulnerable with her Instagram followers last year during endometriosis awareness month, sharing her thoughts after her sixth round of IVF was unsuccessful. 'We have finished round 6 of IVF with almost nothing to show, it's inexplicably painful, sad, and expensive… but the thought of stopping is even harder than continuing,' she started the post. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. 'It's eating me alive, I'm so embarrassed because every time I hear about this IVF miracle or that natural conception before / after IVF, I think that could be me, but it never is. 'I just wish it was easier, I wish I could be a parent. I wish this didn't take up so much space in my life, I wish I could have a win in this. 'I wish I could have our baby. I wish I didn't have endometriosis.' The popular personality's seventh round of IVF, which costs on average between $9000 to $15,000 per round in Australia, was a success and resulted in her current pregnancy. Comedian and presenter Tanya Hennessy had undergone multiple rounds of IVF over the past years. Credit: Anna Kucera Hennessy's announcement posts were immediately flooded with supportive comments from fellow Australians. 'CRYING FOR YOU,' Netflix's Heartbreak High star Chloe Hayden commented. Australia's Got Talent host Ricki-Lee Coulter chimed in: 'Awwww congratulations ❤️❤️ So so happy for you both!! Xxxxx' 'Oh babe – this is the best. I'm thrilled for you,' AFL WAG Bec Judd wrote. Australian comedian Matt Hey also joined the chorus of support for the mum-to-be: 'It's been a long journey and I'm so very proud of you for getting through it — can't wait to meet the little one, I expect they'll be tap dancing within 6 months.' In true Tanya fashion, the star also took a moment to share a series of snaps of her dog Butter Keith 'reacting' to the news of the newest family addition. butter keith Credit: @tanyahennessy / Instagram 'He's going through it… needs space and time to process this,' she wrote, posting photos of the corgi looking less-than-impressed. 'Butter Keith will be dissociative until further notice.'
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Finally': Tanya Hennessy's huge news after 7-year health battle
Tanya Hennessy has revealed she's 'finally' pregnant with her first child after a gruelling seven-year battle with infertility. The Australian comedian, who rose to viral fame with her 'realistic make-up tutorial' in 2017, has been candid about her struggle to conceive after being diagnosed with endometriosis at 35. Despite undergoing six rounds of IVF, a painful and emotionally challenging fertility treatment that has no guarantee of success, the 39-year-old revealed earlier this year she was still no closer to her dream of becoming a mum. But the popular personality has just revealed that her seventh round, which costs on average between $9000 to $15,000 in Australia, has been successful as she's expecting with her husband Tom Poole. Appearing on this Sunday's cover of Body+Soul, Hennessy can be seen wearing a pale blue gown as she cradled her blossoming baby bump. 'This kid is going to be so uncomfortably loved,' a quote on the magazine's front page reads. She also took to her own social media to share a video of a recent ultrasound, captioning the emotional clip: 'We're having a baby!!! Finally after 7 years!!!' Fans and a stream of well-known Aussie personalities have been quick to send Hennessy their best wishes, with many describing it as 'the best news'. 'NO STOP IT I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU,' wrote former reality star turned podcast host Brittany Hockley. 'Congratulations, you're gonna be the best mumma,' said fitness influencer Steph Claire Smith. While Bec Judd added: 'Oh babe – this is the best. Thrilled for you.' Hennessy's painful struggle with infertility Hennessy, who married long-term partner Tom Poole last year in September, has been vocal about the toll IVF takes – previously explaining that she had assumed it wouldn't be so hard to fall pregnant while undergoing the costly fertility treatment. 'You hear about the destination, and you don't hear about the journey,' she told in March last year after finishing her sixth unsuccessful round. 'I know these doctors are trying their absolute hardest, and I've done everything and I'm trying my hardest, but it hasn't happened.' She also touched on the 'brutal' emotional rollercoaster of hope that comes with undergoing IVF treatment, explaining she has suffered 'rashes from stress'. 'I just don't have much left in the tank to keep doing it. I said I wouldn't talk about (it) anymore. But it's eating me alive,' she said. 'I'm so embarrassed because every time I hear about that IVF miracle or that natural conception before/after IVF. I think that could be me, but it never is. It never is.' Undiagnosed for years The popular comedian struggled to fall pregnant because she has endometriosis, a condition that causes endometrial tissue, which is similar to that which lines the uterus, to grow outside of the uterus – usually in areas like the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well as on organs such as the bladder, bowel, vagina and cervix. In several extreme cases, it has even been found in the lungs and brain. Symptoms and severity varies from person to person, but for many it can lead to crippling physical pain. About one in three women who have endometriosis struggle with fertility and find it difficult to get pregnant. Hennessy has stage four endometriosis, stating she lives with discomfort and heavy periods as a result, but sadly it took many years for her to be diagnosed. 'No one chooses infertility. No one chooses to go through IVF, because if there was any way I didn't have to do it, I would do that,' she told the Today Show previously. 'I am going through it. I'm in a depth of infertility sadness. Because of endometriosis. 'We are on round six on IVF with almost nothing to show. Its inexplicably painful, sad (and expensive). The thought of stopping is even harder than continuing. Cause if I stop I know the outcome.' Weight loss during her infertility journey The comedian has also been open about losing weight as part of her infertility journey, which she discussed on Stellar's Magazine's 'Something To Talk About' podcast recently. 'People are really curious about it. I lost a lot of weight, because I needed to, and I needed to quite quickly, because I've been doing IVF since I was 34 and now I'm 39,' the star explained. 'I feel different, but I also understand why people want to comment on it, because I look different. I get it. 'But also, this is the shape and size I was when I started creating. I gained 50kg within a couple of years because I was prioritising work. I was eating really badly, I was very stressed. I gained a lot of weight in the media, and then I was like, can we just not talk about my body? Can I just be a creative being who isn't their body?' 'A beacon of hope' for others in the pits of infertility News of Hennessy's pregnancy has also bought joy to the approximately 1 in 6 Australian couples who are currently experiencing infertility. Data shows around 1 in every 18 babies in Australia are now born through IVF, with a record high number of births recorded in the annual report from medical researchers at the University of New South Wales. Statistics show a record 18,594 babies were born in Australia as a result of IVF treatment in 2021, while the 102,157 cycles of IVF performed across the country that year was a 17 per cent increase on 2020. 'As someone who has been trying to get pregnant for 4 years, usually pregnancy announcements make me sad, but this one just put a big smile on my face. I'm so happy for you, you so deserve to be a mum,' one fan wrote on Hennessy's recent announcement. 'From someone who has been on this IVF journey alongside you, please take in everyone moment. This brings me so much joy and hope,' another shared. While one wrote: 'Thank you for sharing this journey, it helps the TTC (trying to conceive) community no end.' Others were simply delighted for the star, declaring: 'I've never been so happy for someone I've never met before.' 'OH MY GOD I AUDIBLY GASPED I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU,' said one. 'Never been so happy for a stranger before! You guys deserve this so much,' said someone else.
Courier-Mail
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Running champion Faith Kipyegon on dreaming big and backing yourself
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. When Faith Kipyegon attempted to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes, the world sat up and took notice. Body+Soul was on the ground in Paris to witness history in the making, and spoke to this sporting trailblazer about destiny, dreaming big, and the unstoppable rise of female athletes. There are middle-distance athletes, and then there's Faith Kipyegon. One of the most decorated sportswomen Kenya has ever produced, the four-time Olympian collects world records like other people eat hot breakfasts. Having famously grown up running races barefoot in her home country, the 31-year-old is the current world record holder in both the 1500 metres and the mile, has competed at four Olympics – London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris – and has three gold medals stacked into an ever-growing trophy cabinet. But when she stepped out onto the blue athletics track of Stade Charléty in Paris on June 26, it was an attempt to do something truly audacious – to become the first woman in history to ever run a mile in under four minutes. Since British athlete Roger Bannister became the first person to break this barrier in 1954, more than 2,000 men have gone on to do so. But, until now, no woman had dared try to challenge this iconic sporting signifier – something many say is physically impossible. Sporting giant Nike put everything into backing Kipyegon's epic moonshot, producing a two-part documentary series following her journey to the Breaking4 start line. Months was devoted to its execution, and Paris was precisely chosen as the location to ensure perfect temperature, humidity, wind speed and conditions. But it was Kipyegon's custom-designed race kit – made specifically for this event – that created serious buzz in running circles. A dedicated team of Nike experts, researchers and innovators deployed the full power of sports science to develop high-tech gear built to support maximum speed and performance. The kit included a first-of-its-kind Nike Fly Suit covered in 3D-printed 'aeronodes', custom spikes with a carbon plate and titanium pins weighing just 85 grams, plus a body-mapped, moisture-wicking (and heat-controlling) Fly Web bra so light it's almost undetectable. Then – once the training and meticulous planning was done – this mother-of-one emerged from the stadium tunnel carrying a Kenyan flag on a warm Paris night, surrounded by a fleet of 13 hand-picked pacers, including Aussie running legend Stewart McSweyn. The deafening roar from an ecstatic 2000-strong crowd signalled what it meant. As the gun went off and she followed yellow pacing lights around the track with the kind of focus and intensity that's rare to see – and millions more watched around the globe and willed her on via livestream – it was clear this was a moment that mattered, on and off the track. Lathered in sweat and crossing the finish line in a time of 4:06:46 – Kipyegon smashed her own world record by more than a second – and helped reshape running history. While she may not have broken four (this time), the attempt did something arguably even more important: demonstrating that being bold and backing yourself is the only way to live. You are the world-record holder for the women's 1500 metres and the mile, a four-time world champion and an Olympic Games gold and silver medallist. With so many big moments in your career, how do you prepare for them, and where do you draw your deepest sense of belief from? I would say being mentally strong and believing in everything I do. Believing in the training, believing in everything I've been – from when I was running barefoot [in Kenya], to where I am now. It's really given me that drive. There are challenges in everything a person does. I wake up before everybody else, get up around 5.40am, then go for my run about 6am, and that can be challenging. But it's about dreaming you want to achieve more in your career. What motivates me is knowing we can't limit ourselves – especially as women. That's really helped me to work hard in every training session that I do. Last month you beat your current world record and were just six seconds shy of becoming the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes – an attempt that took an enormous amount of tenacity and grit. Is that something you've learnt from anyone in particular, or has that always been within you? I was so surprised to see an almost full stadium cheering me on [during the attempt], I really didn't expect that many people to be there. The crowd really pushed me to run fast. I feel so proud of myself that I tried. I take this [mindset] from my mentor, Eliud [Kipchoge]. He ran 2.00 in Breaking2 [his attempt to become the first man to run a marathon in under two hours.] Then, on the second attempt in Vienna, he made it to run 1.59. You learn from the mistakes or you learn from the process. And I think for me, Breaking4 was that. It allowed me to see that everything is possible. With your accolades to date, your history-making attempt in Paris and a six-year-old daughter, Alyn, how do you hope to inspire the next generation? This attempt was all about sending a message to women, to the older ones, and to the next generation of young adults that we have to dream big. I didn't want to hold back and regret later that I could have done this better, or I could've done that better. I just wanted to run my race, execute as fast as possible, and see what the finish line could offer. I was just happy that the team believed in me, that I was capable of running below four minutes in the mile. This race was about showing the world that we have to push…you have to wake up in the morning and just go for that thing you want because it will never just come to you. I know that one day, one time, [the world record for running a sub-4 minute mile] will be in another woman's hand. So many people don't discover running until they're adults, but as a child growing up in rural Kenya, you covered 10 miles a day running to and from school. In order to find new athletes, how do we spot and develop new talent? Well, I'm so happy that in my country there are so many youth camps in schools where they develop young talent. Baranaba Korir [head of youth development for Athletics Kenya] is empowering the next generation, and it really gives me hope seeing young girls and boys training, running in school competitions, youth and championships meets. I see the next generation of athletics and believe it will bring another Faith, another Eliud Kipchoge. I think we are in safe hands at the moment. Paris was specifically chosen for Breaking4. What does it mean to you, and what was the most important piece of training that gave you the confidence to take on such an audacious goal? Paris is like my second home, and will always remain in my heart. This is where I broke the 5,000 metre world record after breaking another world record in Florence. For this attempt, it was the track and speed sessions that made the biggest difference. If I can do 62 times eight with a very small recovery, I got so confident and only need a little bit of endurance to be where I am. You've competed at four Olympics – London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris – and countless World Athletics meets. Is there a difference between races like Breaking4 where you're essentially competing against yourself, and races when you're competing against your peers? Well, yes, that's a test of patience. This was totally different compared to when I'm racing in the Olympics or World Championships. There, we are running for a gold medal, to be the first to cross the finish line, but this is life. Rapid-fire round Favourite pre-race pump-up song: 'Try Everything' by Shakira Dream post-run meal: A burger and fries If you weren't a runner, you'd be: Maybe a teacher Most memorable sporting moment: Winning my first Olympic gold in Rio Go-to running shoe: The new Nike Vomero Premium Biggest mentor: My teammate and training partner, Eliud Kipchoge Originally published as Running champion Faith Kipyegon on dreaming big and backing yourself
Herald Sun
14-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Can a cocktail lower cortisol? We asked an expert
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Social media loves to tell us we can eat or drink away our health concerns. Cortisol cocktails are the wellness world's newest obsession, but can you sip your way to balanced hormones? Cortisol is the hormone most in need of a big PR overhaul. The 'stress hormone' essentially keeps us alive in a lot of ways, driving many of our body's functions throughout the day. Nutritionist Brooke Kelly tells Body+Soul cortisol 'kicks in during times of pressure or danger, helping us stay alert, focused, and ready to act. But that's only part of the story…' 'Cortisol cops a lot of blame, but it's actually a hormone we rely on for a whole range of essential functions. It helps manage things like blood sugar, blood pressure, fluid balance, inflammation, and even how we wake up and wind down across the day. It also plays a role in energy production, brain function and how our body responds to exercise.' So why is everyone online telling us how to lower cortisol? Too much of anything can be bad for us, and this is true when it comes to our hormones too. Kelly says, 'When cortisol stays chronically elevated for long periods, it can start to affect the body in all sorts of ways. Some common signs I see with clients are difficulty falling or staying asleep, feeling wired but exhausted (especially in the evenings), intense sugar or salt cravings, stubborn weight gain around the middle, mood swings or heightened anxiety and digestive issues like bloating.' Image: Pexels 'In women especially, a classic sign is irregular cycles or signs of hormonal imbalance. While these symptoms can stem from a range of factors, when a few are showing up together, this is where we start to assess someone more holistically i.e. looking not just at food, but also work pressures, training intensity, sleep patterns and/or emotional stress.' If your cortisol levels are consistently high, there's not really one single thing you can blame. 'Cortisol can spike for all kinds of reasons: not eating enough, overexercising, running on too little sleep, or even just being constantly 'on' without enough downtime (hello smart phone addiction)', Kelly explains. 'It's the body's way of keeping us going under pressure but over time this constant output can start to wear things down, literally.' But naturally, the internet is finding a way to convince all of us that the root cause of many of our issues is chronically high cortisol, driving many to search for ways to bring their levels down. Image: Pexels But naturally, the internet is finding a way to convince all of us that the root cause of many of our issues is chronically high cortisol, driving many to search for ways to bring their levels down. There's a magic recipe to fix every imbalance online, and creators' newest obsession is the cortisol cocktail. Recipes are flooding our feeds, with more and more people telling us the drink helps them feel more energised, sleep better, and reduces their food cravings. There are a few different versions of the cortisol cocktail on social media. Image: Pexels Cortisol cocktail recipe: There are a few different versions of the cortisol cocktail on social media, but they typically contain around: 1 cup of coconut water ½ a cup of fruit juice (typically lemon, lime or orange) ¼ teaspoon sea salt Sparkling water 'I only came across this TikTok trend recently and honestly, I was a bit mortified to see so many people believing a simple drink could lower cortisol on its own', Kelly says. Image: Pexels Can a cocktail lower cortisol? Sadly, it's unlikely that there's a holy-grail drink that can alleviate our stress and restore our energy, according to the expert. 'I only came across this TikTok trend recently and honestly, I was a bit mortified to see so many people believing a simple drink could lower cortisol on its own', Kelly says. 'Now, from a physiological point of view, there's some sense to it. During periods of stress or poor sleep, our adrenal glands do use up more nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, sodium, and B vitamins. Replenishing these can support energy, hydration, and overall resilience - so there's a foundation there. But where it misses the mark is in how it's being used.' So if you're looking for a way to regulate cortisol, the usual go-to stress relievers are ever-popular for a reason. 'When the drink relies heavily on fruit juice, without any slow-burning carbs or protein to buffer it, you get a quick spike in blood sugar followed by a crash. And for someone already dealing with cortisol issues - like fatigue, anxiety, or poor sleep, that rollercoaster can actually make things worse. It can intensify the symptoms it's supposed to help', the nutritionist adds. So if you're looking for a way to regulate cortisol, the usual go-to stress relievers are ever-popular for a reason. Try meditation, working out, journaling, and other mindfulness practices. And when it comes to nutrition? 'To be honest, a balanced meal containing protein, healthy fats, and slow-release carbohydrates would do far more to regulate cortisol and support your nervous system than this drink alone', Kelly says. Image: iStock 'To be honest, a balanced meal containing protein, healthy fats, and slow-release carbohydrates would do far more to regulate cortisol and support your nervous system than this drink alone', Kelly says. 'Personally, I'd rather see people getting curious about what's really driving their stress. Whether that's under-eating, overtraining, lack of sleep, emotional load, and work on supporting the nervous system in a more holistic way.' The nutritionist notes that if the tasty alcohol-free drink still appeals to you, 'please, go ahead and make a yummy cocktail with coconut water and sea salt - it's a delicious way to rehydrate', but know it's definitely not all you need to instantly feel less stressed and more energised. Originally published as Can a cocktail lower cortisol? We asked an expert
Herald Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Are receipts really toxic? We asked a doctor
Many people online will tell you paper receipts are toxic to touch. We logged off and asked a doctor how concerned we should be about holding our grocery store dockets. We all know someone who refuses to touch paper receipts. Whether a result of a sensory issue or the fear spread online about the toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA) on the thermal paper, people are hesitant to accept their dockets from sales assistants. So, should we all be grabbing our receipts with tongs like creators on TikTok? What is BPA? A key selling point of countless plastic food containers, baby bottles, food products, and even pet food, what does 'BPA free' actually mean? Bisphenol A has been used in the production of many plastics and resins since the 1950s, according to Mayo Clinic, including those used to make containers, bottles, cans, and bottle lids. Some research has shown the chemical can seep into foods and drinks from packaging. With the word 'toxic' tacked on to the term more and more, we paused the scary videos online, and spoke to an expert to figure out if we really need gloves or tongs if we're going to be holding a receipt. Dr Michela Sorensen tells Body+Soul BPA 'has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can disrupt certain hormones if consumed in high doses. This can potentially lead to fertility issues, diabetes, obesity and cancer.' What are the risks of touching your receipt? Before you miss out on a refund because you left a store without proof of purchase, according to the GP, our fears may be misplaced. 'The reality is that the doses in receipts are so small that, if simply held as one normally would, handling receipts will not cause any health issues', she said. 'In the context of BPA in receipts, food and beverage products, we know a small amount may leach out. However, in the vast majority of cases, the volume of BPA exposure is significantly lower than the safety threshold.' 'The general scientific opinion is that there is no health or safety issue at the levels people are exposed to in these situations.' So we can leave the tongs at home. What makes something toxic? Aside from plastics, it feels like the word 'toxic' is regularly being linked to a new product from our day-to-day. But what makes something toxic? And do we need to avoid everything classed as such? 'A lot of common products, even naturally occurring vitamins, have the potential to be toxic', Sorensen explains, 'the key to toxicity is the dose it takes to create damage or harm.' 'Some things in tiny amounts can be hard for the body to process and break down, leading to tissue damage. Other 'toxic' chemicals are actually readily broken down, meaning huge doses are needed before harm is done.' Social media and health anxiety We're deeply informed about more health concerns than anyone outside of the medical field previously could have been, and even when we're not looking for it, social media is working hard to convince us we're at risk of another rare disease, or that the products we use every day are going to harm us. Short social video formats also don't give creators the space to share enough information for us to completely understand the health concepts they're explaining. So it makes sense that health anxiety is now relatively common. If you feel like you're constantly worrying about your health, on alert for possible toxins you could be exposed to or concerned that you're missing something, the GP has some advice. 'Avoid 'researching' on social media and common search engines. Algorithms always feed the 'top' stories, which are usually click bait and 'worst case scenario'', she tells B+S. 'If you are worried, go to the experts. That might be your doctor, or it might also be health advice hotlines.' Originally published as Are receipts really toxic? We asked a doctor
