She’s undeniably the poster girl for looking incredible at any age, but supermodel Elle Macpherson, admits that once she hit 50, she suddenly started to struggle health-wise. Saying she didn’t feel like herself anymore, Elle Macpherson sought out advice which then led to one of her greatest passions in life – the formulation of her successful wellness brand WelleCo.
59-year-old Elle Macpherson is now in the prime of her life and lets us in on how she turned her health around as well as her greatest achievement of all – being a mum to her two adult sons.
What was turning 50 like for you?
At 50, I actually began to notice how run down I felt. I was taking a host of vitamins and supplements, but nothing seemed to be working. I was struggling with sleep, my skin was dry and dull, my hair was brittle and I felt unmotivated. I didn’t feel like myself anymore. I wanted answers so I sought the advice of Dr Simone Laubscher PhD, a clinical naturopath, at her Harley Street clinic in London. Simone helped me to better understand my body and its functionality. It turned out inflammation was a severe problem.
How did you address that and how did it spawn a whole new business?
Well, Simone blended a custom anti-inflammatory formula for me which ultimately formed the basis of our iconic super-greens mix, The Super Elixir™. Within weeks, my energy surged back, I felt lighter and leaner, and my digestion improved. My hair thickened, my nails were stronger, and my skin was clear and glowing. It has over 40 ingredients curated to work in synergy with each other to support all 11 systems of the body. It’s so effortless you just take two teaspoons in water every day, consistently.
I was so grateful for such a transformation. It was life-changing. So much so that I felt an undeniable calling to share it with others, so I launched my brand WelleCo in 2014 with The Super Elixir™. We now offer a wide variety of plant-based, vegan supplements made with superfoods, herbal extracts, vitamins and minerals.
Your product The Goddess Elixir is aimed at those in perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. Now you’re in the last year of your 50s, how have you found the journey throughout the decade?
I’ve found there’s a kind of liberation in menopause — a freedom from cyclic responsibilities and uncertainties. It’s a time to fully discover who we are and what we truly love and want in life. Redirecting creativity into realising your personal dreams, this liberation can be one of the most fulfilling times in life.
That’s why The Goddess Elixir was formulated – to support you through this journey. It’s a blend of red clover, agnus castus and Siberian ginseng which supports a healthy mood balance and your nervous system. Taking two capsules daily can help you to awaken your inner goddess. It was a product that was important to me because I was able to cherry-pick the ingredients I most needed to support my journey.
Your sons Flynn and Cy are now 25, and 20 – is it different parenting young men to little boys?
To be honest, I still find myself being hands-on. Naturally, while respecting their freedom and independence, we remain close, and they still come to me when they need guidance. Happily, I don’t think that will change with age. I try and be ‘real’ over laid-back or strict. I tell them what I think, guide them in the best way I know how and don’t pussy-foot around any of it! I’m lovingly real.
WelleCo also has superfood-related products for kids were Flynn and Cy part of the inspiration for that?
Yes, particularly Cy, who had a penchant for white foods! He’s much better now, but I also put that down to The Super Kids Elixir + Protein, developed in his honour. I told Simone I was worried about Cy – his blood sugar was all over the place, and he just didn’t look great, so she packed this powder full of fruit, veggies, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. He’s taller than me now!
WelleCo is exhibiting at the Naturally Good healthy living trade event in Sydney on June 5 -6 which showcases food, beverages, homewares, healthcare and beauty products to industry. What is the business hoping to get out of the show?
It’s a wonderful branding exercise for us. We love connecting with the greater WelleCommunity to not only spread our message that beauty begins within, but also to spark new relationships and maintain existing ones.
You now live in Florida what do you miss the most about Australia?
The boundless nature! WelleCo is the result of my idyllic Australian childhood spent with the dirt between my toes and the salty sea through my hair. Thankfully, I grew up with plenty of fresh air and sunshine and we were often by the sea, surfing and relaxing in nature.
In those years growing up, I learnt a lot about our natural world. Not only did it set the scene of my childhood, but it ignited in me a lifelong devotion to natural methods. For me, the sun and the sea are medicine. It’s not quite the same in Florida but I plan on visiting soon and reuniting with those idyllic Aussie beaches!
For more on healthy ageing, check out:
Disrupting Ageing And Redefining Midlife
