She’s battling cancer for the third time but Aussie legend Olivia Newton-John isn’t letting it get her down. The hit-maker talks to Paul Ewart about staying positive, medicinal cannabis, cutting out sugar and reveals her most important legacy.
She’s Australia’s original sweetheart. A legend of the stage and screen with four Grammy awards to her name, alongside more than 100 million albums in record sales, making her one of the world’s best-selling recording artists of all time.
But aside from a career that has seen her entertain for five decades, the adored performer has also become an unlikely source of inspiration for millions of cancer sufferers around the world after publicly battling breast cancer following a diagnosis more than 25 years ago. After years in remission, the pop icon revealed last year that not only has the cancer returned to her body, but that she was secretly treated for a second bout of the illness five years ago. Yet despite the blow, the singer is remaining upbeat in the face of adversity and is determined to beat it a third time.
“I have always been the kind of person to look at the cup as half full,” the 70-year-old superstar tells Good Health & Wellbeing. “Positive thinking is so important to living a healthy and happy life, no matter what the challenge. I think just being open to learning and growing through tough times is the way to evolve and become stronger – for yourself and for others.”
Public scrutiny
First diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 at the age of 43, Olivia underwent nine months of debilitating chemo, and surgeries including a partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Later admitting that it was especially tough dealing with the illness in the public eye, the star made the decision to keep a second diagnosis – a tumour in her shoulder – to herself. The tumour got smaller, but unbeknownst to the star the cancer continued to spread and last year doctors discovered that it had returned and metastasized to the base of her spine, later spreading to her back.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unwind your MIND
DOES YOUR BRAIN SWITCH TO YOUR NEVER-ENDING TO-DO LIST WHEN YOU SIT DOWN TO RELAX? TRUDIE MCCONNOCHIE LOOKS AT WHY THIS HAPPENS AND HOW TO PREVENT IT
True Health
FITNESS INSTRUCTOR NATS LEVI TALKS TO ERIN FISHER ABOUT UNREALISTIC BODY IMAGE GOALS AND THE HEALTH SCARE THAT PUT AN END TO HER EXCESSIVE EXERCISING
To the point
ACUPUNCTURE HAS BEEN USED IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. ERIN FISHER LOOKS AT HOW IT CAN BE USED TODAY AS A PATHWAY TO A HEALTHIER BODY AND MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Sonia regains her sparkle
SINCE HER STRICTLY BALLROOM BREAKOUT ROLE TO PRIME-TIME TV PRESENTER, SONIA KRUGER HAS COME FULL CIRCLE. SHE TALKS TO PAUL EWART ABOUT DANCING AS MEDITATION, OVERCOMING ANXIETY AND BECOMING A MUMLATER IN LIFE
Gifts of gratitude
MONIQUE MCKENZIE EXPLAINS THAT OUR GRATITUDE TOWARDS OTHERS AFFECTS HOW WE SEE OUR LIVES, AND HAS SOME IDEAS TO SHOW THOSE WE KNOW, AND DON’T KNOW, OUR APPRECIATION
The Naked Chef Bares All
British food hero Jamie Oliver talks to Paul Ewart about his recent weight loss, struggle to find balance and his mission to inspire healthy eating
Breaking Through
From battling the bulge to dealing with professional burnout, Australia’s first lady of comedy, julia morris, opens up to paul ewart about the newfound health revelations shaking up her life
From Nature To Plate
Michelle Grant is committed to educating others about sustainable food consumption. She talks to erin fisher about what we can all do to lead a positive change
Cocktails With A Twist
At Andrea Waters’ London-based bar, you can drink as many cocktails as you please without suffering the next day. She tells Erin Fisher about her vegan and alcohol-free establishment
Calm Within The Chaos
Our busy editor-in-chief Nicky Dewe travels to India and discovers how our mental, physical, and spiritual health are all connected