Jan Herdman, the 67-year-old fan favourite from The Golden Bachelor, has made a sparkling return to television, this time in a role focused on health and vitality rather than romance.
From Heartbreak to Health Coach
Making her debut on the Today show on Tuesday, Herdman hosted a new segment designed to help viewers, particularly older Australians, stay fit during the festive period. The age transformation coach kicked off by sharing her personal fitness journey, which began later in life.
"I first started weight training at the age of 40," she revealed to hosts David Campbell and Sarah Abo. After competing in bodybuilding, she spent eight years caring for her mother. "I watched her decline, which really impacted me and I decided to hopefully change the way people age," Jan explained, highlighting the profound motivation behind her new career path.
Building Habits and a Stronger Future
Herdman credits a personal trainer friend with inspiring her start after a traumatic divorce. "She's just gone: 'Jan, put that bitterness and angst into something positive,'" she recalled. She sees the summer holidays as a prime opportunity to build healthy routines.
"Over the next eight weeks, people generally have a little bit more time on their hands and it's a perfect time to create a habit," she advised. Her mantra is simple: schedule activity, start the day with a walk and a protein-rich breakfast. "Let's create a body that is strong enough, is vibrant enough, to stay out of aged care," she stated emphatically.
Sensible Feasting and a Bright TV Future
When asked about navigating Christmas lunch, Jan advocated for a sensible plate and a clever strategy: never arrive starving. "Have a little bit of protein... before you go out," she suggested, also recommending drinking water before and after alcoholic beverages. To host Sarah Abo's query about Christmas pudding, she laughed, "Of course you can. I don't, but of course you can."
Though love eluded her on The Golden Bachelor with Barry 'Bear' Myrden, Herdman's charismatic and upbeat television presence has clearly won her a new audience. Following her reality TV stint, many viewers called for her to star in The Golden Bachelorette. With this new fitness-focused platform, it seems Jan Herdman's future on screen is assured, proving that new chapters can begin at any age.
