Bold truth: choosing to face your fears can redefine the entire direction of your life. Anna Robards, a former Bachelor winner, shares how she shed fear, survived a near-fatal emergency, and now looks confidently toward turning 40.
Before stepping onto The Bachelor Australia’s first season in 2013—the show that introduced her to Tim Robards—Anna worked as a criminal lawyer. Since then, she has built a diverse career: Intu Wellness, her health and beauty supplement business, and the In Your Skin podcast. Would she have reached this path without The Bachelor? Likely not. She believes taking that initial risk out of her comfort zone sparked everything; it’s a pattern she sees in friends who stay stuck when risk feels too big.
In the Stellar podcast Something To Talk About, Anna reflects on risk-taking and growth. Early on, she admits, she still battled self-doubt about launching her business and podcast: would anyone want to buy from her or listen to her show? A turning point came from SAS Australia, where a Navy SEAL’s line—"anticipation is worse than participation"—helped her see fear as a predictor, not a prison. The experience pushed her to pursue opportunities she previously avoided and opened doors to conversations with high-profile guests on her podcast, including attempts to link with notable figures from The Diary Of A CEO.
Anna explains that SAS Australia actually changed her life. The call to participate came when she was pushing a stroller with her 10-month-old daughter Elle. She initially declined, but Tim urged her to pursue the growth opportunity. The result was a personal transformation that made her feel freer to speak her truth and be herself.
The story of Ruby, Anna and Tim’s second daughter, reveals another sharp reminder of life’s fragility. A March birth involved a severe postpartum bleed after a C-section, requiring ICU care and a transfusion of about two litres of blood. The ordeal reinforced a commitment to living as fully as possible and maintaining a predominantly positive mindset.
Anna channels her experiences into daily growth and a broader curiosity about health, wellbeing, and longevity. She notes that exploring these topics on her podcast has accelerated her own development and reflects a future full of possibility.
Dream guests for the podcast? Anna has playful ideas, like Kim Kardashian, who’s pursuing a law path, which could offer a fun swap of expertise—Anna’s legal background meeting Kardashian’s business acumen. Meanwhile, Tim’s acting career continues to rise. After Neighbours and a close call with a Baywatch reboot, he now stars in the romantic comedy From Italy, With Love. Anna emphasizes trust between them when it comes to romantic scenes and notes Tim’s perseverance has paid off, even through periods without roles.
Balancing work, two kids, and Tim’s on-set commitments remains a constant negotiation. In recent months, his trips have required extended time away, which can feel challenging for a busy mom. Still, she recognizes that flexible scheduling and future opportunities could create more family time down the line.
Reflecting on The Bachelor experience, Anna says watching The Golden Bachelor brought back memories of uncertainty and competition, but she also notes the similarities with the current generation of reality dating shows. She recalls the moment when she first realized she might not be the obvious frontrunner, and then how outcomes shifted, culminating in her winning.
Asked where she’d be today without applying to The Bachelor, Anna is candid: she might be far less fearless. Over the past five years, she’s learned to stop asking, “Why me?” and start asking, “Why not me?” As she approaches 40, she says she doesn’t have a strict five-year plan. Instead, she aims to keep growing day by day, staying open to opportunities, and maintaining the belief that anything is possible.
For those who want more, the full Stellar cover shoot with Anna is available in the Sunday papers, and the latest interview can be streamed on the Something To Talk About podcast via major platforms.
Would you take a similar leap if your future could unfold in unexpected, exciting ways? Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which risk you’d consider taking this year.
