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 home
• Why 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 them
• Why 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 diagnosis
• Navigating caretaking, denial, decision-making and rapid decline
• The heartbreaking timing around the wedding and rushing home
• What grief feels like right now and the metaphysical comfort she’s found
• The “rock in your pocket” analogy from Jay Shetty and why it resonated
• How routine is grounding her: slow mornings, movement, simple pleasures
• The wellness habits she’s prioritising for the rest of 2024
• How she uses ChatGPT to structure her day, meals, supplements and even her pre-wedding glow-up
• Current training routine: lower cortisol workouts, more strength & Pilates
• Hormone-aligned training (why she doesn’t run on her period anymore)
• Screen-time boundaries and the device that locks her apps at 7:30pm
• The peptide stack she’s using now that she’s stopped breastfeeding
• Red light therapy, sauna routines and creating a consistent weekly rhythm
• The sentimental ritual she’s obsessed with: journaling for Romee
• The unexpected gift found in her mum’s apartment — decades of her journals
• Why she’s focusing on slowness, softness and gentleness to end the year
• The Tess Talks “diary entry” message for this week: being kinder to yourself

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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 episode

• How 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 Wellspring
• What 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.au

In this episode:

Follow Kayla: @kaylabarnes

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Planning a wedding and don’t know where to start? In this episode, Tess sits down with Brittney from Nuptial Collective; the creative team behind Tess and Shaun’s four-day Beverly Hills celebration, to share practical, actionable tips for planning the perfect wedding, no matter your budget or location.

Together they unpack the real steps of wedding planning: when to book suppliers, what a wedding planner actually does, how to choose your venue, how to build a guest experience people remember, and the small styling choices that make the biggest impact. They also break down destination wedding logistics, timelines, budgeting mistakes to avoid, and how to design a wedding aesthetic that feels timeless and true to you.

Whether you’re newly engaged, drowning in Pinterest boards, or trying to plan without a planner, this episode is filled with expert insights, emotional guidance, and behind-the-scenes detail from Tess’ own multi-day LA wedding.

Show notes:

• Tess chats with Brittney from Nuptial Collective about wedding planning, guest experience and how to bring a vision to life.
• What a wedding planner really handles — logistics, timelines, sourcing, styling, and full on-the-day execution.
• Why hiring a planner frees couples to enjoy the emotional moments instead of the admin.
• The importance of connection and trust between planner and couple.
• How Tess moved from a Byron wedding to Beverly Hills Hotel and why destination weddings can be magic.
• Planning an overseas wedding with a nine-month timeline and mixing Australian + LA suppliers effectively.
• Breakdown of Tess and Shaun's multi-day events: family dinner, rooftop welcome party, wedding day, and recovery pool party.
• Using touchpoints, stationery, gifting, and music to create a cohesive experience for guests.
• Designing an aesthetic based on lifestyle over trends and weaving storytelling through each event.
• Music as a design tool — from Sinatra-style live sets to disco & late-night high-energy moments.
• Practical planning order: book planner, venue, photographer/videographer, then celebrant.
• Ideal planning timeline, budgeting challenges, and using spreadsheets to stay organised.
• Why intentional elements matter more than trends or unnecessary décor.
• Small high-impact touchpoints: personalised notes, welcome gift bags, Polaroid guest book moments.
• Tess’ advice on staying grounded and present on the day, including meditation and going phone-free.
• How pre-planning logistics like touch-ups, handbags and run sheets prevent stress and help you stay in the moment.

Episode Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by Vorfreude Stationary, timeless keepsakes and personalised gifts. Every piece made with love, care, and a deep passion for celebrating life’s most meaningful moments.

Discount code for listeners: 15% off storewide, use TESSTALKS15

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This week, Tess sits down with nutritionist, author, and TV host Zoe Bingley-Pullin for a refreshingly real chat about food, hormones, and feeling your best! Trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London, Zoe is known for making nutrition simple, enjoyable, and actually doable! No fads, just smart changes that last. As WelleCo's newest ambassador, she reveals the supplements she swears by, busts wellness myths, and shares the insider tips that can transform your energy, gut health, and hormones without the overwhelm.

In this episode

• The life shift that inspired Zoe’s latest book
• How food became Zoe’s freedom
• Why gluten feels different in Europe
• Soil depletion, cheap manufacturing & hidden health impacts
• Smart supplementation: gut, energy & hormone health
• Tess & Zoe’s must-have WelleCo products
• The protein myth affecting women’s health
• Hormones decoded: stress, reproductive, and balance
• Tracking kids’ food and surprising insights
• Foods for hormone balance & rethinking intermittent fasting
• The role of zinc, soy truths, and supplement shopping tips
• Navigating perimenopause & menopause with grace
• Liver health, skin “glow-ups,” and Zoe’s favourite recipes

Mentioned:

Episode sponsor: This ep is brought to you by WelleCo premium, plant-based supplements designed to elevate your energy, support your gut, and balance your hormones from the inside out.

Discount code for listeners 15% off sitewide (use code: TESSTALKS15)

Eat your way to healthy hormones! Shop Zoes books here

Follow Zoe on Instagram: @zoebingleypullin

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In Part 2 of my chat with Nick Bell, we dive into the bold moves, biohacking obsession, and business mindset that keep him at the top of his game. From fending off a stalker to buying a company for $289 million in under a month, Nick shares the unfiltered truth about scaling fast, making killer pitches, and investing millions into cutting-edge wellness treatments. It’s part business masterclass, part health experiment and completely unpredictable.

In this episode:

• The stalker story that sparked the launch of Removify
• Selling WME after hitting $300M in revenue
• How he’s now acquiring a business for $289 million in under a month
• What makes a pitch land: confidence, clarity, and knowing your numbers
• Viewing business as the ultimate game and why he’s still hungry to win
• Spending millions on biohacking and wellness
• Stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and self-experimentation
• How an ice bath helped repair his heart after COVID
• Morning and night routines for staying sharp
• The emotional side of success, acne, and taking care of yourself

Mentioned:

Thanks to our sponsor, Wanderlust Wellspring Australia’s biggest biohacking summit. Join world-leading experts on October 25–26 on the Gold Coast for two days. Purchase tickets by clicking this link & follow @biohackau to learn more!

Join the biohacking summit now: click this link

Follow Nicks podcast: @getharderpodcast

Follow Nick Bell on Instagram: @nickbellau 

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Nick Bell is one of Australia’s most successful self-made entrepreneurs, and in Part 1 of our conversation, he shares how he went from a uni dropout with no clear direction to building and selling businesses worth hundreds of millions. We talk about his early failures, the business that crumbled after a personal fallout, and the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership, hiring, and staying ahead in a competitive market. Nick is raw, unfiltered, and full of insights you won’t find in a textbook!

In this episode:

• Dropping out of uni and rejecting the “safe” corporate path
• Launching a skincare brand at 28 inspired by his own skin struggles
• Starting a digital marketing agency from scratch with cold calls
• The collapse of a business after a personal fallout with a partner
• Why he refuses to hire from the corporate world
• Leading over 5,000 staff and the importance of strong leadership
• The near-collapse of a business after stepping away too soon
• Why degrees aren’t always relevant and what he’d tell his 18-year-old self
• The value of upskilling and avoiding complacency

Mentioned:

Thanks to our episode sponsor, NaturoBest! Creating a healthier world, one baby at a time. Use code TESSTALKS15 for 15% off your first order. 

Shop Naturo Best now: naturobest.com.au

Follow Nicks podcast: @getharderpodcast

Follow Nick Bell on Instagram: @nickbellau 

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In this episode, I sit down with Carla Oates, founder and CEO of The Beauty Chef, the brand that pioneered the inner beauty movement. From fermenting whole foods in her Bondi kitchen to building one of Australia’s most iconic wellness companies, Carla shares the story of trusting her instincts long before gut health was a trend. We dive into the challenges of staying true to your vision, the hardest lessons she’s learned as a founder, and how her definition of success has shifted over time. Beyond business, Carla opens up about the rituals that keep her grounded, what’s been feeding her soul lately, and the truths she wishes more people knew about the wellness industry.

• The instinct that led Carla to back gut health before the industry was ready
• Early doubts, resilience, and the turning point where The Beauty Chef became more than just a product
• What the very first kitchen formulations looked like and how hands-on she was
• The hardest “no” she’s had to make as a founder and what it taught her
• How her definition of success and growth has evolved over time
• The one Beauty Chef product that holds a special place for her
• Advice for anyone feeling bloated, burned out, or disconnected and where to start
• Carla’s go-to rituals and hacks that ground her and make the biggest difference
• What’s feeding her soul lately outside of the business
• The truths she wishes more people knew about the wellness industry

Mentioned in this episode 

Shop the Beauty Chef range here  use code TESS20 for 20% off storewide 😊

Follow the Beauty Chef: @thebeautychef

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A solo catch-up where I spill the tea on all all things wedding prep (the good, the chaotic, and the unexpected), share the beauty and wellness rituals I’m loving right now, and get real about routines, body image, and finding balance all through the lens of someone genuinely passionate about health. It’s like a voice note from your best friend.

In this episode:

• Disclaimer: I mention what I eat and take in this episode. This is not advice, just my personal experience!
• A little sneak peek at our wedding location and how prep is going
• Thoughts on routines, why they’re helpful, but also when they become toxic
• Morning rituals and why it’s more important to enjoy them than to “do them perfectly”
• Beauty recommendations I’m loving right now (including my favourite Korean skincare obsession)
• How I am fixing my baby brain!
• LED light therapy and why I swear by it
• My new functional medicine doctor and how it's genuinely changed my health
• Supplement routine and what I’m currently taking
• Fitness update getting back into running and finding flow again
• The importance of body acceptance and how social media messes with our self-image
• Deep dive into hair care hacks products, tools, and what’s actually working (check the “Hair” highlight on my IG)
• A real talk on balance, enjoying life and not taking wellness so seriously

Mentioned

Episode sponsor: Today’s episode is brought to you by Salt Lab a natural magnesium brand I’ve been using for years. It’s a staple in my routine for when I’m stressed or just want to stay calm and grounded! If you want 25 % OFF please use my discount code TESSTALKS25

Follow salt lab on Instagram: @salt_lab

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Ever feel like your house has bad vibes? You’re not imagining it? Kelly went from real estate agent to Feng Shui expert after noticing something strange. Some homes just felt off and guess what? Kelly discovered that weird energy could be messing with more than just your mood. Do you have poor sleep, money blocks, relationship tension or health issues? It might be your floor plan, not your flaws.In this ep, we dive into classic Feng Shui and what it is. Feng Shui makes up 33.3% of your luck. So what’s your house saying behind your back?Hit play it’s time to get your home (and your life) into flow!

• What actually is Feng Shui and why should we care?
• Why the energy in your home might feel off (and how to fix it)
• Feng Shui isn’t just about styling it’s a formula rooted in ancient maths
• Yin and Yang: balancing energy for a calmer, more harmonious home
• How your front door might be affecting your finances
• What is “land healing” and why does the energy around your home matter?
• Are you sleeping in the “death position”? (Yes, it’s a real thing)
• Simple Feng Shui switches you can make today
• Why your stove matters more than you think!
• Clean space = clear energy. 
• Find out Kelly’s non-negotiables!

Mentioned in the episode 

Follow Kelly: @kellymccloskey_fengshui

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Recently featured in Vogue Living, my home was brought to life by the brilliant minds at McKimm. In this episode, I sit down with the Director of Architecture Danica Garizio and Isabella Cini lead Interior Design Manager to unpack the vision, design principles, and process behind the space!

• McKimm’s design expertise and background
• Insights into the Australian interior and architecture industry
• Key design elements that shaped the home
• Challenges faced during the design and build process
• Contemporary features and how they were thoughtfully integrated
• The process of sourcing furniture items 
• The importance of supporting Australian brands and designers
• Isabella shares her expert design tips
• The benefits of using your space 
• Rapid fire hot take questions 

Mentioned in the episode 

Vogue Living Youtube video: view here

MSM stone 

Just Adele  

Fleur Studios 

Harbro local manufacturing of sofas 

Jardan 

Sarah Ellison 

Kustom Timber

Cello toilets 

Mckimm's website: Here

Follow Danica @danicag

Follow Isabella @__Isabelllla__

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