In The Deep End
Women's Health South Africa|September 2019

Olivia Munn – Actress and Activist – Reveals Why She Trains for Every Aspect of Her Life, the Power of Martial Arts and Her Unique Take on the Meaning of Strength. (Oh, and Don’t Forget Her Closetful of Alternative Therapies, Like Magnets, Tuning Forks and Crystal Healing Mats.) Come on, Dive in

Kelsey McKinney
In The Deep End

OLIVIA MUNN IS HOT.

Or maybe heated is a better word. For a little over two hours, the 39-year-old actress and I have been chatting while she feeds her small dog, Frankie, organic peanut butter from a tiny spoon in a hotel lobby in Norfolk, Virginia, in the US, where she’s wrapping up the filming of a movie.

It happens quickly, this transformation from banana-toast-eating starlet to passionate activist. Her tone changes, her posture straightens and she appears lit from within.

She wants the rest of Hollywood to realise that merely repeating “Time’s up” isn’t enough. She wants people to actually listen to those who’ve made accusations and suffered hardships. “It’s infuriating. We can’t tell stories about people and then not care about them,” she says, reflecting on the current reckoning in her industry. “You can pretend to be a real-life hero in movies and TV shows and on Instagram, but the real advocates are the ones who stand beside the people who make a difference in the world.”

Olivia happens to be both kinds of hero. She played telekinetic warrior Psylocke in 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse and, in real life, she’s had to be what she calls a “silence breaker.” In 2017, she joined five other women in bringing accusations of sexual harassment and assault against director Brett Ratner. Then in 2018, she discovered one of her scenes in The Predator had featured an actor who was a registered sex offender and reported it to the studio. She was the one left to answer media questions about the decision to cut the scene.

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.

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.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMEN'S HEALTH SOUTH AFRICAView all
Irreconcilable Differences?
Women's Health South Africa

Irreconcilable Differences?

You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.

time-read
4 mins  |
July - August 2024
Hot And Bothered
Women's Health South Africa

Hot And Bothered

Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
Self-esteem under the microscope
Women's Health South Africa

Self-esteem under the microscope

The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.

time-read
7 mins  |
July - August 2024
the reset
Women's Health South Africa

the reset

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2024
Mind Over Muscle
Women's Health South Africa

Mind Over Muscle

Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?

time-read
2 mins  |
July - August 2024
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Women's Health South Africa

ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE

Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.

time-read
4 mins  |
July - August 2024
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
Women's Health South Africa

Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free

The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*

time-read
7 mins  |
July - August 2024
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Women's Health South Africa

FUEL YOUR SKIN

Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
How To Be Decisive
Women's Health South Africa

How To Be Decisive

You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
Build A Strong Base
Women's Health South Africa

Build A Strong Base

You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2024