For many of us, May and Mother’s Day are synonymous; but lately I’ve been thinking more broadly about the people behind the people we work with. Not just their mums, but their wider support system.
For our athletes, it’s the partners, coaches, best friends and physios waiting at the finish line. For our experts and speakers, it’s the colleagues and loved ones who sit through first drafts, rehearse keynotes, test recipes and help carry the load behind the scenes. Because what I’ve learned is this: to be at the top of your game – in anything – you need a village. And that invisible squad doesn’t get celebrated nearly enough.
Middle distance runner Claudia Hollingsworth has spoken about the lift she feels hearing her family cheering her on in the final stretch of any race – and how it drives that extra gear when she needs it most. Water polo star, Tilly Kearns has spoken about the impact it had having her partner and family in Paris during the Olympics in that brilliant match against the US and how it fuelled her and her team to create one of the biggest upsets of the Games and take them all the way through to the Gold Medal match. And over the years, we’ve loved watching the joy and spirit with which Paralympian Ellie Cole’s family cheered her on with each stroke.
Across our experts, it’s no different. Dr Claire Stevens has shared how her children inspired her latest book Gross Things Animals Eat and remain her most honest (and enthusiastic) audience. Shelly Horton often shines a light on the role her husband Darren plays behind the scenes that allows her to perform at her best; and across her social channels and on her Happy to Health podcast, Dr Preeya Alexander gives a real look at how two frontline doctors (with Dr Willy A making regular cameos) make life, family and career work side by side.
Whether it’s family, colleagues or the wider community, support is everything. So this month, as we celebrate the achievements of our experts, speakers and athletes, let’s also recognise the invisible army behind them – the ones helping make it all possible.
TLS EXPERTS
No topic is taboo for Shelly Horton, so she was never going to shy away from an opportunity to partner with the Jodi Lee Foundation to raise awareness for bowel cancer. In their latest campaign featuring the Poop Quiz – a fun and interactive campaign encouraging people to learn the signs of bowel cancer – Shelly helps us understand how early detection leads to better treatment outcomes. You can access it here – it might just save your life.
Shelly has also recently partnered with natural cleaning products company Enjo Australia, sharing some brilliant content with some fun appearances from husband (and clean freak) Darren.
Chef Simon Toohey was in his element at the Little Food Festival in Melbourne last week, a free event teaching kids how to cook. Supporting kids to learn more about the importance and ease of preparing nutritious food, Simon also got the opportunity to indulge his inner child – something we know this big kid loves.
Also this month, GP Dr Michela Sorensen has launched Elme Health, a preventative health platform to empower Australians to maintain wellbeing for life and genius home reno and design team Michael and Carlene spent some time with Fronius Australia, to produce a podcast giving listeners the lowdown on going solar and implementing sustainable energy systems.
And finally, tradie Bardie Somerville continues to fly the flag for her tradie community. She recently renewed her winning partnership with IMAR Australia, a leading insurer for the construction industry – a testament to the success of this alignment to date.
TLS SPORT
Claudia Hollingsworth‘s blistering form continues, with the middle-distance runner winning the 1500m at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney, and earning her spot to compete at Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Next up Claudia heads to Asia and Europe for a string of Diamond League events. We can’t wait to see what she gets up to on the world stage.
Following her appearance on SBS’s The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, Shae Graham found herself back on court and showcasing a great performance at the 2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Cup in Adelaide, where the Australian Steelers defeated Brazil in a thrilling Anzac Day match to secure a bronze medal for the competition.
Meanwhile, Paralympic hero Ellie Cole donned a white shirt for Witchery’s White Shirt Campaign to drive awareness of and raise funds for ovarian cancer. She’s also starring in Channel 9’s new show Events that Changed Australia. You can catch her episode “Unstoppable: Women’s Sport” on 06th May 2026.
Speaking of Ellie, is there a greater honour than having a school classroom named after you? Ellie didn’t think so after she had the privilege of visiting the recently named Ellie Cole Class at Lansvale Public School in Sydney earlier this month. Ellie had an opportunity to connect with the kids, and read from her book Felix and his Fantastic Friends to excited students who loved meeting their hero in person.
And Olympian and med student, Jemima Montag is gearing up to partner with Camp Quality and The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health for the Conquer Cancer Guinness World Record relay; an incredible 29-day, non-stop effort to raise funds for brain research.
On the partnerships front, water polo champ Tilly Kearns teamed up yet again with Mecca and Charlotte Tilbury showing how she and her CN Mataró teammates glam up for a night out.
2025 F1 Academy driver Aiva Anagnostiadis joined Myer’s Mother’s Day campaign, and graced the pages of Stellar magazine to share what her journey as a young woman in motorsport has been like and the impact her Mum Barbs has had on her career. And finally she’s back in the hot seat; after an ankle injury saw Aiva miss the end of the 2025 and start of the 2026 racing seasons, Aiva is ready to announce her 2026 racing plans. Stay tuned for that news on our channels next week.
And whilst we love to showcase the incredible feats of our TLS athletes, we also love celebrating their achievements outside of sport. A big congratulations to rally driver Molly Taylor, who has announced she’s expecting her first baby with partner, motoring journalist Dan Gardner. This pair are already a tight team in their joint venture MaDGarage, and we know they’ll rock parenthood. We can’t wait to meet affectionately named Mini MaD later this year.
SUITE READS
There’s only one thing we enjoy more than curling up with a good book, and that’s seeing our talent’s books being enjoyed by their fans. Vet Dr Claire Stevens’ book Gross Things Animals Eat is proving a big hit with Aussie kids – grab a copy for a curious kid in your life here.
Meanwhile, psychologist Dr Marny Lishman’s empowering non-fiction book Only You is now on shelves – a powerful reframe on being alone as an unexpected gift, and a starting point for building a life that’s truly yours. Pick up a copy for someone you care about, or as self-care for yourself.
HEALTH CALENDAR
As we launch into May, the big events keeping our talent busy are:
- Heart Week – 4-10 May
- National Palliative Care Week – 10-16 May
- World Family Doctor Day – 19 May
- Food Allergy Week – 24-30 May
If you’re looking for talent for these events, or for our upcoming June campaigns, reach out here.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – All June
So much stigma surrounds this common form of cancer, and GPs Dr Ginni Mansberg, Dr Michela Sorensen and Dr Preeya Alexander, as well as women’s health advocate Shelly Horton, are fighting it by raising awareness.
World Environment Day – June 5
Plant-food advocate Simon Toohey can share practical ways to reduce your impact on the planet – starting with what you put on your plate.
World Blood Donor Day – June 14
If you’ve ever wanted to help save a life, roll up your sleeves. Blood donation is hugely rewarding, and GPs Dr Michela Sorensen, Dr Ginni Mansberg and Dr Preeya Alexander can explain why.
Walk for Him – June 15-21
Share positive messages about men’s health this week, supported by psychiatrist Dr Kieran Kennedy, psychologist Dr Tim Sharp.
World Allergy Week – June 21-27
Bust misconceptions about living with allergy and increase awareness with GPs Dr Preeya Alexander, Dr Michela Sorensen and Dr Ginni Mansberg.