Tess Talks

Gut health is everywhere — IBS, inflammation, leaky gut, food fear — yet so many of us still feel confused, bloated, exhausted, and unsure where to even begin.In this episode, Tess sits down with board-certified gastroenterologist and bestselling author Dr Will Bulsiewicz for the release of his new book Plant-Powered Plus. Together, they unpack why inflammation has become one of the biggest health issues of our time — and why the solution might be far simpler (and more hopeful) than we’ve been led to believe.Will explains why the gut microbiome is the command centre for human health, how 70% of the immune system lives in the gut, and what’s actually happening when people say they feel “inflamed.” They dive into IBS, leaky gut (aka increased intestinal permeability), histamine intolerance, chronic fatigue, bloating, hormonal symptoms, and why so many women feel dismissed when their tests come back “normal.”This conversation cuts through wellness noise and extremes — from restrictive diets to supplement overload — and brings things back to basics: food quality over food rules, consistency over perfection, and simple daily habits that genuinely support healing.In the episode:Why inflammation is so widespread in modern lifeThe real science behind leaky gut and IBSHow ultra-processed foods quietly disrupt the microbiomeWhy fiber helps some people — and hurts others (and how to approach it safely)The four pillars of a gut-healing dietWhy fermented foods aren’t for everyoneThe surprising gut benefits of coffee ☕How morning light, routine, and circadian rhythm affect digestion and energyWhy healing doesn’t have to be complicated — and can begin quicklyThis episode is empowering, practical, and deeply reassuring — especially if you’ve ever felt stuck in a loop of symptoms, restriction, or overwhelm.Healing is possible. And it often starts in the gut.Find more here:Purchase ‘Plant Powered Plus’ HereFollow Dr Will Bulsiewicz: @theguthealthmdFollow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahanFollow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

What if most chronic illness wasn’t inevitable — but simply detected too late?In this episode of Tess Talks, Tess sits down with Dr Steven Lu, one of Australia’s leading voices in preventative health and longevity medicine. A GP turned entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience across ICU, surgery and general practice, Steven has seen firsthand where modern medicine saves lives — and where it fails people long before they ever reach hospital.Steven is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Everlab, a pioneering health platform using advanced testing, imaging, biomarkers and AI to identify disease risk before symptoms appear.Together, Tess and Steven unpack what actually predicts how well we age — and why “normal” health results are often misleading.In this episode, we cover:Why muscle mass and bone density are two of the strongest predictors of longevity (especially for women)The hidden dangers of visceral fat — even in lean, active peopleWhy BMI and standard GP blood ranges often miss early disease riskHow cardiovascular disease develops silently — and why it’s still the #1 killerGenetics vs epigenetics: how much control do we really have over our health future?Why stress is one of the most underestimated drivers of metabolic and heart diseaseThe difference between biohacking noise and the fundamentals that actually move the needleHow personalised prevention can help reverse or reduce damage from earlier yearsThe biggest “return on health investment” actions most people overlookSteven also shares sobering statistics about ageing and disease — along with practical, empowering steps you can take now to protect your future health without fear or overwhelm.Visit www.everlab.com.auFollow EVERLAB on Instagram: @everlab_healthFollow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahanFollow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

As the year comes to a close, this solo episode is a gentle pause — a moment to reflect, recalibrate, and intentionally step into the season ahead.This year has held immense polarity: expansion and contraction, joy and grief, certainty and surrender. In this episode, Tess reflects on the lessons, growth, and quiet moments that shaped the past year, while offering a grounded and soulful approach to welcoming the new one.Rather than leaning into the typical “new year, new you” narrative, this conversation is about alignment over pressure — closing chapters with intention, reconnecting to your inner compass, and creating space for what’s next.Tess shares her personal practices for:Reflecting on the year that’s passed through journalling and compassionate self-inquiryThe importance of symbolic closure and why it matters for emotional and energetic clarityHow she sets goals rooted in identity, values, and how she wants to feel — not just what she wants to achieveHer manifestation process, combining meditation with intuitive journallingHow vision boards can act as visual anchors for the life you’re consciously buildingThis episode is an invitation to slow down, release what no longer belongs in the next chapter, and step into the new year feeling grounded, clear, and aligned — without hustle, urgency, or reinvention.If you’re craving a more meaningful way to welcome the year ahead, this episode is for you.Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahanFollow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

Today on Tess Talks, I’m joined by Kelli Zakharoff — midwife, author, educator and one of Australia’s most outspoken voices challenging the modern maternity system. After decades working across public hospitals, private practice, alongside obstetricians, and as a home-birth midwife, Kelli has seen both the beauty and the deep fractures within birth care.Her book The Midwife Crisis: From Trust to Trauma exposes the emotional toll placed on midwives, the systemic failures impacting women and babies, and the realities no one wants to say out loud. This conversation goes beyond birth stories — it questions power, autonomy, trauma, and who our maternity system is really serving.In this episode:Why midwives feel “muzzled” and unable to speak openly within the systemThe emotional, physical and psychological toll of being a midwifeHome birth vs hospital birth — autonomy, safety and evidenceCaesarean rates, medicalisation and risk-driven maternity careBirth trauma and the rise of obstetric violenceWhat really happened at the end of Kelli’s midwifery careerThe lack of support for healthcare workers after traumatic eventsCOVID’s impact on maternity wards and frontline staffWhy continuity of care matters more than most women realiseThe myths — and realities — around home birthingEmpowerment, choice, and reclaiming trust in birthWhat midwives actually need to survive in the systemWhy telling these stories is the first step toward changeThis episode will challenge what you think you know about birth, hospitals, and the people entrusted with bringing life into the world. It’s essential listening for women, parents, healthcare workers — and anyone who believes women deserve to be heard.Follow @kellizakRead Kelli's Book: midwifecrisis.com.auFollow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahanFollow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

In this practical and personal episode, Tess sits down with her husband Shaun to unpack what high-performance really looks like, not just in business, but in life, leadership and long-term relationships.From building one of Australia’s most successful consumer brands, Bondi Sands, to navigating marriage, parenthood and loss, this conversation explores the habits, mindset shifts and communication tools that sustain momentum through seasons of growth, pressure and change. Together, Tess and Shaun share how clarity, curiosity and consistency can shape both professional success and a strong, connected partnership.In this episode:What “Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals” really mean, and why long-term thinking mattersHow to break big goals down into executable behaviours and daily habitsWhy focus beats hustle, and why fewer goals lead to better outcomesThe role of curiosity in innovation, leadership and personal growthBuilding high-performance cultures through clarity, candour and trustDelegation, energy management and knowing where your highest impact liesWhy routines, sleep, fitness and organisation underpin sustainable successHow high-performance habits translate into strong relationshipsTreating your partnership like a team — supporting each other through different seasonsPractical communication tools for alignment, including mirroring and weekly check-insThe importance of values, long-term vision and evolving together over timeThis episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about how you live, lead and love along the way.

Today I’m joined by Dr Lynn Burmeister, one of Australia’s most recognised fertility specialists and founder of Number 1 Fertility. Lynn has spent decades at the forefront of reproductive medicine, training under global pioneers and helping thousands of women understand their fertility with clarity and confidence. Lynn breaks down IVF and egg freezing in a way that finally makes sense, simple, honest, science-backed and female-focused.We cover the full fertility foundation: what women should know in their 20s and 30s, how egg quality really changes with age, the true timelines involved, why preparation matters, and what you can actually expect from both egg freezing and IVF. From AI-graded embryos to gut health, supplements, male factor infertility and the emotional side of the journey, this is a must-listen starter guide for anyone wanting to protect or understand their fertility.In the episode:How Lynn entered the fertility world and how rapidly the industry has evolvedThe shift from day-3 to day-5 embryos and how AI now helps grade embryo qualityWhat makes a great fertility clinic (technology, care style, lab quality)Why Lynn built a more holistic, patient-centred clinic environmentWhen women should consider egg freezing: AMH, AFC and ideal timelinesWhy age 30–35 is the window to seriously evaluate your optionsCommon reasons women freeze their eggs (single, career timing, future flexibility)Step-by-step egg freezing: testing, injections, collection & recoveryIdeal egg numbers (why 20 eggs under 35 gives the best chance)Emotional + hormonal changes to expect during a cycleLifestyle prep: 90-day optimisation, supplements, diet, alcohol, smokingHow past drug use or long-term contraception may impact egg qualityEndometriosis & PCOS: why diagnosis matters before starting treatmentIVF 101: what actually happens from Day 2 cycle start to embryo creationFresh vs frozen transfers — and when one is better than the otherEmbryo testing: who needs it and why it increases success after 35Managing expectations when a “perfect” embryo still doesn’t implantSleep, stress, and lifestyle factors that directly affect egg and embryo qualityMale fertility: why 50% of infertility is male-factorSperm decline, microplastics, radiation, overheating and environmental toxinsPractical male optimisation tips (cooling, supplements, lifestyle changes)Gut health, inflammation and the vaginal microbiome — and how they affect fertilityCosts: typical pricing for egg freezing, IVF, storage fees and clinic variationsLow-cost options, superannuation access and when to invest in higher techGender selection, multiples, overseas options and why Australia regulates themLynn’s final advice: protect your fertility early — your future self will thank youFind out more about Lynn here: www.drlynnburmeister.com.au Follow Lynn on Instagram hereFollow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan

After a whirlwind year of weddings, travel, motherhood and heartbreak, Tess is finally back in the studio for a long-awaited solo chat. Fresh off her honeymoon and settling back into life in Melbourne, she opens up about the emotional contrasts of 2025, the joy of marriage and family, and the profound grief of losing her mum.In this episode, Tess gets raw, honest but also offers some candid discussions on her honeymoon recap, wellness, routines, and all the little rituals helping her feel grounded again. She answers your most-asked questions, shares the practical hacks she’s loving, and brings you behind the scenes of what life really looks like right now.IN THIS EPISODE:A full life update post-honeymoon and how Tess has been feeling returning homeWhy she and Shaun aren’t rushing baby number two (but it’s on the horizon)Travelling with a baby — what worked, what didn’t, and the toys that saved themWhy ages 1–3 can be the hardest time to travel (and why it’s still worth it)The emotional reality of her mum’s cancer diagnosisNavigating caretaking, denial, decision-making and rapid declineThe heartbreaking timing around the wedding and rushing homeWhat grief feels like right now and the metaphysical comfort she’s foundThe “rock in your pocket” analogy from Jay Shetty and why it resonatedHow routine is grounding her: slow mornings, movement, simple pleasuresThe wellness habits she’s prioritising for the rest of 2024How she uses ChatGPT to structure her day, meals, supplements and even her pre-wedding glow-upCurrent training routine: lower cortisol workouts, more strength & PilatesHormone-aligned training (why she doesn’t run on her period anymore)Screen-time boundaries and the device that locks her apps at 7:30pmThe peptide stack she’s using now that she’s stopped breastfeedingRed light therapy, sauna routines and creating a consistent weekly rhythmThe sentimental ritual she’s obsessed with: journaling for RomeeThe unexpected gift found in her mum’s apartment — decades of her journalsWhy she’s focusing on slowness, softness and gentleness to end the yearThe Tess Talks “diary entry” message for this week: being kinder to yourselfFollow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahanFollow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

Today on Tess Talks, I’m joined by Kayla Barnes — certified brain health coach, biohacker, and founder of Brain Biohacking Co. Kayla is known globally for helping women optimise their performance, longevity, and wellbeing from the inside out. In a space dominated by male research, she’s carving her own path and becoming one of the most studied women in this field, bringing an evidence-based yet accessible approach to brain health, gut health, and bio-optimisation.In this episode, we dive into how daily habits can reshape your brain and body, the future of longevity, and why true health begins long before the results show up. It’s a chat about discipline, data, and using science to build a life that feels good. Whether you’re deep into biohacking or just curious, this episode has something for everyone.In this episodeHow Tess and Kayla first entered the health world through brain fog and curiosity.Kayla shares her journey to marriage, how she “just knew,” and why being married has been her best biohack yet.Why connection and community are essential for longevity and emotional wellbeing.Kayla’s takeaways from Wanderlust WellspringWhat sparked her interest in biohacking and health optimisation.Becoming an entrepreneur at 17 and exploring human potential.Designing her female longevity protocol after realising women are often excluded from research.Why women have been overlooked in testing and how Kayla aims to change that.The story behind Timeless Biotech and her ovarian age testing breakthrough.Her mission to live past 100 and the daily rituals behind it.Kayla’s morning routine, sleep insights, and supplement stack.Foundational habits: food first, movement, stress reduction.How she manages her protocols while travelling and why she now only travels for work.The value of testing: bloodwork, hormones, genetics, toxic load.Why gut health underpins everything and how environment and products influence it.Microplastics, water filtration, EMFs, and creating a restorative home.Her wind-down rituals, early dinners, and stress management tools.A day on her plate and her love for Heavenly Heat Saunas.Episode sponsor:This episode is brought to you by Olympia, award-winning massage chairs and portable relaxation devices, meticulously designed in Australia to elevate your comfort experience. Visit https://olympia.auIn this episode:Follow Kayla: @kaylabarnesFollow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan & tesstalksofficial  Follow me on YouTube: TessShanahan