Former Home and Away star Tammin Sursok has opened up about how a shocking health diagnosis became the catalyst for her achieving the strongest, healthiest,

and most empowered version of herself at age 42. The Australian actress, who rose to fame as Dani Sutherland on the Channel Seven soap from 2000 to 2004, has shared her deeply personal journey to fitness,

strength, and self-confidence, offering a refreshingly honest look at the lessons that changed everything for her.

In a candid video shared with her 1.3 million followers, Sursok revealed how her life took an unexpected turn after she was diagnosed with genetic prediabetes—a revelation she describes as a wake-up call she could not ignore. “It was the moment I realised I needed to take full control of my health,” she said. “I couldn’t just keep going the way I was. I had to act.”

Tammin’s path to Hollywood fame took her across continents. She moved to the United States nearly two decades ago, where she starred in popular shows including Pretty Little Liars, navigated the demands of the entertainment industry, and balanced motherhood across two continents. Now, back in Australia with her husband Sean McEwen and daughters Phoenix, 11, and Lennon, six, she admits that nothing truly prepared her for the barrage of misinformation surrounding fitness, nutrition, and wellness that she had to confront to reclaim her body and health in her 40s.

Her health scare prompted a complete overhaul of her routine. Sursok committed to three months of consistent strength training, a decision she credits with dramatically improving her insulin sensitivity, boosting her metabolism, and reshaping her physique from the inside out. “Strength training changed everything for me,” she explained. “It wasn’t just about losing weight—it was about feeling strong, capable, and in control of my body again.”

Reflecting on her fitness journey, Tammin recalled the moment she decided to transform her life decades earlier. “When I was younger, I weighed 170 pounds (77kg),” she said. “One day I made the choice to focus on whole foods and movement, and I lost 50 pounds (23kg). But even after that, I realised that to feel strong and healthy at 42, I had to rethink everything I’d been told about fitness and nutrition.”

Sursok has since identified ten pervasive myths that held her back for years, sharing them openly with her followers to inspire other women, particularly those over 35, to take charge of their health. First on her list was the misconception that lifting weights makes women bulky. “Building muscle is actually very hard,” she said. “It requires progressive overload and adequate protein. Weights make you strong—they don’t make you bulky.”

Cardio myths were next. Tammin admitted she spent years believing that endless hours of running or spinning were the key to a toned body. “Too much cardio can spike cortisol and actually make you feel worse,” she explained. “Strength training creates better long-term results for energy, metabolism, and body composition.”

Calorie restriction, she warned, is another pitfall many women fall into. “Eating less isn’t always the answer,” she said. “Our bodies need fuel to burn fuel. Cutting calories too low or eliminating whole food groups can stall progress.” She also debunked the carb myth that has long plagued female fitness enthusiasts. “Carbs are not the enemy,” she emphasized. “The right carbs, paired with protein, are essential for energy, hormone balance, and mood.”

Sleep and hormonal health are non-negotiables for Sursok. “Hormones influence metabolism, mood, cravings, and muscle growth,” she said. “Ignoring them makes the journey much harder than it needs to be. Getting enough rest is just as important as any workout or meal plan.”

Beyond physical health, Tammin stresses the importance of mindset and realistic expectations. She urges women to abandon the pursuit of perfection and embrace consistency instead. “Small choices repeated daily create real change,” she said. “It’s not about chasing a number on the scale or trying to look like you did at 20—it’s about feeling strong, energetic, and resilient.”

Sursok’s current routine revolves around strength training, daily walks, and incorporating protein into every meal. “I’ve become relentlessly consistent,” she admitted. “Even on the busiest filming days or while travelling with my family, I stick to these habits. It’s about prioritising health, not finding time to be perfect.”

Her candidness extends to her personal struggles with anxiety and body image over the years. These experiences, she says, make her recent transformation even more meaningful. “I’ve learned that strength isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and mental,” she explained. “Being confident in your body comes from resilience, not from conforming to an aesthetic ideal.”

Tammin’s message resonates particularly with women navigating life in their late 30s and early 40s. She wants them to question the advice they’ve been given, reclaim their health, and approach fitness as a holistic journey. “It’s about listening to your body, making evidence-based decisions, and celebrating the small wins along the way,” she said.

For Sursok, this isn’t just a personal journey—it’s a mission to inspire other women. Her transformation highlights the power of education, consistency, and self-compassion. By sharing both her successes and her missteps, she’s opening a dialogue about the realities of women’s health in midlife, challenging outdated myths, and encouraging a more empowered approach to wellness.

The impact of her story extends beyond just fitness. Tammin’s openness about balancing career, family, and self-care offers a blueprint for women striving to thrive in all aspects of life. Her journey demonstrates that it’s never too late to take control, rebuild your health, and redefine what strength and beauty mean on your own terms.

At 42, Tammin Sursok embodies a powerful message: age is not a barrier to transformation. With commitment, knowledge, and resilience, she has achieved the body, health, and confidence of her life. Her story reminds us that sometimes, the wake-up call we fear most can become the catalyst for our greatest growth.

As fans continue to celebrate Tammin’s achievements, her journey stands as a testament to the fact that real empowerment comes from understanding your body, prioritizing health over aesthetics, and refusing to be defined by outdated myths or societal pressures.

With her newfound strength, both physically and mentally, Tammin is not just inspiring women to take action—it’s a wake-up call for anyone who has ever felt held back by misinformation, doubt, or fear. Her message is clear: embrace the journey, trust the process, and never underestimate the power of consistent, intentional action.