The True Story Of A Liar: Belle Gibson & Apple Cider Vinegar
Feb 10, 2025
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Dive into the intriguing tale of Belle Gibson, a notorious Australian scammer whose wellness claims were all smoke and mirrors. The chaos surrounding her narrative raises questions about the dangers of alternative therapies and the influence of social media on health perceptions. The mental health crisis in Australia is also dissected, focusing on the mass resignation of psychiatrists and the need for urgent reforms. The conversation shifts to the hot topic of celebrity surrogacy, exploring its motivations, ethical implications, and societal pressures, especially in Hollywood.
Belle Gibson's fraudulent claims about curing cancer through alternative treatments illustrate the dangers of misleading wellness culture.
Australia's mental health crisis is exacerbated by a shortage of psychiatrists, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform in healthcare.
Deep dives
The Rise and Fall of Belle Gibson
The episode delves into the real-life story of Belle Gibson, a mother from Melbourne who claimed to have cured her brain cancer through healthy lifestyle changes and alternative treatments, leading to her substantial fame and success. Gibson's app, The Whole Pantry, offered appealing recipes and garnered a partnership with Apple, showcasing the allure of wellness culture in the early 2010s. However, her deceit was unveiled in 2015 through investigative reports that revealed there was no evidence she had ever had cancer, devastating many who believed in her journey. The discussion highlights the broader implications of her actions on both the wellness community and the emotional fallout for those who supported her during her fabricated narrative.
Complexities of Alternative Cancer Treatments
The podcast explores the tragic tale of Jess Ainscoff, who pursued alternative cancer treatments, opting for Gerson therapy instead of conventional medicine, which ultimately led to her untimely death. Her approach, marked by a strict regimen of juices and coffee enemas, appealed to many on social media due to the supportive online community surrounding alternative health practices. Regardless of her sincerity in sharing her experience, the podcast discusses the dangers of promoting unverified treatments that can mislead vulnerable individuals facing serious health challenges. This narrative underscores the tension between personal choice and the responsibility one has when influencing others about health decisions.
The Mental Health Crisis in Australia
The podcast addresses the alarming mental health crisis in Australia, marked by a significant shortage of psychiatrists and the mass resignation of about 200 professionals from the public health system in New South Wales. Factors contributing to this crisis include inequitable pay between states, high patient-to-doctor ratios, and severe waiting times for urgent care, often exceeding weeks. With youth mental health issues rising and a growing demand for psychiatric care, the remaining professionals are overwhelmed, leading to burnout and compromised patient care. The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for systemic changes, focusing on funding, recruitment, and the integration of alternative support systems to alleviate the crisis.
The Debate Over Celebrity Surrogacy
The podcast highlights the growing trend of celebrity surrogacy, wherein famous women often choose surrogates to avoid the physical and career disruptions that can accompany pregnancy. This trend garners mixed reactions, with supporters praising the options it offers, while critics question the ethics surrounding lifestyle surrogacy and the implications of normalizing commercial surrogacy. The disparity between the experiences of wealthy celebrities and typical individuals seeking surrogacy raises important questions about class, exploitation, and the intersections of motherhood and health. Ultimately, the discussion also touches on the societal pressures faced by women regarding childbirth and the potential consequences that celebrity choices may have on public perceptions of motherhood.
The world is watching one of Australia’s best-known scammer’s story unfolding on the Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar. So what’s true and what’s not about Belle Gibson and the rise of the wellness warriors?
Plus, you might have heard that Australian psychiatrists are quitting on mass. What’s going on with our mental health crisis. We explain.
And… a very famous actress became a mother last month and the world is obsessed with HOW. We’re unpacking Lily Collins and the fascination with celebrity surrogacy.
Hosts: Holly Wainwright, Mia Freedman & Jessie Stephens
Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine
Executive Producer: Emeline Gazilas
Audio Producer: Leah Porges
Video Producer: Josh Green
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.