You have enjoyed a long and successful career in the media. Can you tell us a bit about your background, and what you’re doing now?
I've been a TV News Reporter and Presenter for some 30 years and have worked for the ABC, Seven Network and, more recently, Sky News Australia. After starting my career as a Reporter in Canberra, I joined ABC TV in Darwin presenting the 7pm news. I was a Reporter for the ABC's 7.30 programme in Sydney - via a stint in Canada and London - and also had the privilege of presenting the inaugural ABC Asia Pacific News across 50 countries.

While at Sky News Australia, as well as anchoring live rolling news and interviews, I created, produced and hosted Change Makers. Here I interviewed people and organisations that were making a positive difference in the world. It was my attempt to balance the airwaves with inspiring and uplifting content.

I have also written columns and articles for various publications along the way, including The Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Life, The Sydney Morning Herald, Escape and, most recently, Body+Soul. I'll soon be qualified as a life coach, empowering women (mainly) to align with their purpose. I feel like everything in my career and life has led to this point.

Your new monthly column in Body+Soul explores spirituality. How did your spiritual journey begin?
I’ve long been drawn to the concept of "universal law" and the potential we all have to create our lives but, as a journalist used to peddling facts, I kept that side of myself on the down-low.

I learnt to meditate when I was pregnant with my first child who is now 11-years-old, and my perspective completely shifted. I could see unequivocally the impact that this simple practice had on my own well-being, and the world around me. The benefits of meditation are backed up by science - stress reduction and increased positivity and focus (among other things) - but it’s also a profound spiritual practice that heightens our interconnectedness and sense of purpose.

Spirituality used to be considered a bit "out there", especially in mainstream media. But there has been a seismic shift of late - a kind of spiritual revival - as we yearn for more meaning and connection in our lives, and we are realising the traditional models of struggle and unmet striving are not working. I felt the time was right to share this type of content with a wider audience, and Body+Soul is the perfect fit.
 
What kinds of topics does your column cover?
I’m chronicling my own pursuit of spiritual transformation each month as I explore different spiritual modalities, research concepts and breakthroughs in personal evolution. I’ve written about how meditation changed my life and who I was before and after I started practising meditation.

I have also shared my attempts at surrendering to the flow of life and struggle as a gateway to growth. As I write this, I’m in the midst of a "breath work" class, using breath to transcend self-limiting beliefs. There’s an infinite well of stories in this burgeoning genre as I look deeper into spiritual practices and share my experiences and insights with readers.

I’ve had many people contact me since I started the column to say it has helped them see that transformation is possible in their lives, so it seems we’re on the right path.

Your fifth book "The Single Mother’s Social Club - Inspiration and Advice for Embracing Single Parenthood" was recently published by Murdoch Books. What made you decide to write this book?
I wrote The Single Mother's Social Club because it’s the book I needed. When I became a single mother, after leaving home with my two young boys, I was struck by the outdated stigma that persists against women who are raising children on their own (or part thereof) and hopefully the book will help shift that.

I interviewed dozens of single mothers for the book - separated and divorced, widowed and single mothers by choice - and they are the most resourceful, empowered, warrior women. This is the side of the story I wanted to share. My intention was to help single mothers feel seen and validated while emboldening those who might be contemplating leaving a relationship or having a baby on their own, and as a resource for others to step up for the single mothers in their lives.

I can't take credit for the title of the book. That was suggested by my friend, ABC News Presenter, Juanita Phillips, who has also written so eloquently on her own single mother insights, and generously let me "borrow" it.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I wish I had worked out sooner how to go with the flow. I spent much of my career hustling and agitating to make things happen, without even stopping to question if it was what I really wanted. I was predominately governed by my ego - equating my self-worth with outside "success" and what others thought of me - than my inner truth. It’s a delicate dance.

Now that I know it's possible to "go within", my entire outlook has changed. If I could tell that to my younger self, I would have saved myself a lot of suffering. And yet that suffering has led me here.

Are you open to receiving PR pitches?
Yes. I’m open to receiving relevant pitches on spirituality and personal growth.

Answers submitted by Jacinta Tynan, Columnist at Body+Soul.