Former tennis star leads an all-star line-up at The Australian Women’s Weekly Health Summit
Jelena shoot images and bts video
Australian tennis legend Jelena Dokic has opened her heart and laid bare the traumatic series of health crises that she struggled for years to overcome in an exclusive interview in the September issue of The Australian Women's Weekly, on sale today.
The 41-year-old former world number four reveals for the first time how she reached breaking point last year as her busy schedule and fueling up on quick pick-me-up foods to get by caused her cholesterol and blood pressure to reach dangerously high levels at a time when cruel online trolls were taunting her about her appearance.
“I pushed myself to the limit,” she admits. “I have an extremely unpredictable, hectic lifestyle. Sometimes my days are nights, and my nights are days. I’m up at 3am for flights, going to bed at 3am after commentary.”
“I love working – I’m a workaholic, I’d say – took on every single opportunity because I love what I do, but I had no time.”
But today, with a new healthy eating and exercise routine, she is feeling better than ever, and on 31 August will launch the inaugural Australian Women’s Weekly Health Summit in Sydney.
“For me, the three most important things are mind, body and soul,” Jelena says. “It’s about what makes you feel good, what makes you feel comfortable. It’s about embracing who you are but also, as you get older, finding what works for you. To now have found my voice and to believe in myself and not care what other people think and have a really positive mindset – I never thought that would be the case.”
In the wide-ranging interview, Jelena discusses:
- The secrets behind her body and health transformation
- Her battles with bipolar depression, PTSD and eating disorders
- The tennis legend who’s become her closest ally
- Why she’ll be proud of her body whatever her size
She candidly talks about her difficult mental health journey. “Life is not all sunshine and rainbows,” she reflects. “People need to feel like they are not alone in their struggles.”
Jelena is now passionate about advocating for women taking charge of their health both mental and physical so she jumped at the opportunity to deliver a video address to the Health Summit, which features some of Australia’s leading health and wellness experts and takes place at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Saturday 31 August.
“I’m very excited to be taking part in such an inspiring event with so many extraordinary speakers,” she said.
The Health Summit, hosted by The Australian Women’s Weekly Editor Sophie Tedmanson and emceed by media personality Jessica Rowe, will feature inspiring panel discussions on everything from menopause to mental health, healthy eating, exercise tips and live demonstrations.
Highlights include:
- A mental health and wellness panel featuring Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin, Woromi woman and psychologist Dr Liz Dale, Jessica Rowe and former Home and Away actress Jodi Gordon
- A menopause fitness demo by Michelle Bridges
- A financial health presentation by Today Show money expert Effie Zahos
- A menopause discussion with ABC host Myf Warhurst, podcaster Alison Daddo, Sunrise GP Ginni Mansberg and Dr Sarah White, CEO of Jean Hailes.
- A healthy cooking demonstration
The Australian Women’s Weekly Editor Sophie Tedmanson said: “We couldn’t be prouder to lead the national conversation around women’s health with our inaugural Health Summit. We’re committed to breaking stigmas around the needs of women and health care, in doing so, encouraging women to advocate for themselves.”
Women’s Weekly created the summit in response to its 2023 Voice of Australian Women Survey which found women are more focused on mental and physical health than ever before, with many reporting they felt unprepared for menopausal symptoms and uninformed about how to handle such a significant life stage.
Please include a link to Jelena Dokic's health journey, also featured in the September issue of the Australian Woman’s Weekly, on sale August 8. Tickets to the Australian Women’s Weekly Health Summit can be purchased at www.womensweekly.com.au
For more information:
Marlene Richardson | GasbagPR
0409 888 218
