Tess Shanahan: The Complete Story of the Melbourne Model Turned Podcast Host
Tess Shanahan has built a career that stretches well beyond the runway. What started as a modelling career in her teens has grown into a multi-platform personal brand spanning social media, YouTube, and one of Australia's fastest-growing lifestyle podcasts. In 2026, Tess is juggling new motherhood, wedding planning, and a podcast that's landed some genuinely big-name guests.
Here's a full look at who Tess Shanahan is, how her career developed, and what she's up to right now.
Who Is Tess Shanahan?
Tess Shanahan is a Melbourne-based model, presenter, content creator, and podcast host. Her modelling career reportedly began at just 15 years old, and she's since walked runways for major Australian fashion events, including Melbourne Fashion Week (VAMFF), where she's appeared in shows presented by Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and David Jones, as well as campaigns for brands like Kookai.
Building an Online Following
Tess created her self-titled Instagram account, @tessshanahan, back in 2012, and has since grown it into a platform of more than 210,000 followers built around beauty, fashion, fitness, and lifestyle content. She's also active on TikTok under @tess.shanahan, with more than 85,000 followers, and runs a YouTube channel featuring glimpses into her travels, health routines, home life, and podcast content.
The Tess Talks Podcast: From Blog to Full Media Brand
The Tess Talks brand has actually been around for close to a decade, starting out as a personal blog before evolving into intimate live events across Australia. In 2024, Tess relaunched Tess Talks as a weekly podcast, describing herself as a certified health coach alongside her modelling and presenting work. The show is structured around five core pillars: Tess Talks Business, TT Health and Wellness, TT Lifestyle, TT Motherhood, and TT Personal.
The podcast has featured guests ranging from gut-health experts to major entrepreneurs, including a wide-ranging business and biohacking conversation with a founder who sold his company after reaching $300 million in revenue. Tess has also used solo episodes to speak candidly about her own life, including detailed reflections on health routines, beauty favourites, and personal milestones.
Example: How Tess Turned Her Birth Story Into Content That Helps Other Mums
A strong example of how Tess blends personal storytelling with genuine value for her audience is a solo podcast episode where she opened up about her full birth story, reflecting on what she described as an empowering and wild experience bringing her daughter, Romee Rae, into the world. Rather than keeping the details private, she used the episode to walk listeners through the realities of labour, the emotional side of becoming a first-time mother, and how it compared to her expectations going in. This kind of episode reflects the core appeal of the Tess Talks brand: turning her own life experiences, good and messy, into relatable, practical content for her audience, particularly other women navigating similar stages of life.
Tess Shanahan's Personal Life
Tess is in a relationship with Shaun Wilson, co-founder of the Australian self-tan brand Bondi Sands. The couple share a daughter, Romee Rae, and have been open about their journey into parenthood, including candid podcast discussions about newborn life as first-time parents. The pair's minimalist family home in Melbourne's Brighton suburb has also been featured in home design coverage. Tess has additionally referenced wedding planning in recent podcast content, suggesting she and Shaun are preparing to get married.
Watch: Tess Shanahan on Newborn Life as a First-Time Mum
FAQs
What is Tess Shanahan known for?
Tess Shanahan is known as a Melbourne-based model, presenter, and social media influencer, as well as the host of the Tess Talks podcast, which covers business, health, lifestyle, motherhood, and personal development.
Who is Tess Shanahan's partner?
Tess is in a relationship with Shaun Wilson, co-founder of the Bondi Sands self-tan brand. The couple share a daughter together and have referenced wedding planning in recent content.
What is the Tess Talks podcast about?
Tess Talks is a weekly podcast hosted by Tess Shanahan, built around five pillars: business, health and wellness, lifestyle, motherhood, and personal growth, featuring interviews with experts and entrepreneurs.
Does Tess Shanahan have children?
Yes, Tess is a first-time mum to a daughter named Romee Rae, whose birth she's discussed in detail on her podcast.
How did Tess Shanahan start her career?
Tess began modelling at around 15 years old and later built the Tess Talks brand, which started as a personal blog nearly a decade ago before evolving into live events and eventually a podcast.
People Also Ask
Where is Tess Shanahan based?
Tess Shanahan is based in Melbourne, Australia, where she lives with her partner Shaun Wilson and their daughter.
Is Tess Shanahan a certified health coach?
Yes, according to her podcast bio, Tess describes herself as a certified health coach alongside her work as a model, presenter, and influencer.
What brands has Tess Shanahan worked with?
Tess has walked runways for brands including Kookai and appeared in shows presented by major fashion outlets like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar during Melbourne Fashion Week.
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