What has been amazing is the outpouring of love and good wishes from loved ones and total strangers. People I didn’t expect to reach out sent me the loveliest words of encouragement. After my last diagnosis, I didn’t take many calls because it was just too exhausting, but I read so many notes, letters and messages sent to me through social media.
Thank you, everybody. I felt your love.
What I focus on now is finding peace during my healing. Part of that is reaching for the positive, but with true intention behind that idea. It’s easy to say, ‘I’m just going to be positive.’ That’s lovely, but you need to back it up in a concrete way.
So, be careful what you think.
It creates your reality.
As for me, I’m using this time to slow down and really think about what I want in my future. This has reminded me of the importance of true wellness, which includes taking time to stop, breathe and enjoy.
It has also forced me to remember to simplify whenever possible. I’ve always found happiness in the most simple and beautiful things, such as walking in nature on a beautiful day, playing with my animals or even mucking out the horse stalls! I love to sit outdoors and sip tea with my husband as we welcome a new day.
Each moment.
Liv it.
As I write this, John is standing at the door with one of my special green drinks. My husband brings me my herbs and makes me laugh – a potent combination. Our passion is health and healing – for me, for us, for the world. Everything we do in life revolves around healing of some kind. It not only helps me, but I love that it might also help other people too. It’s our life mission.
‘That’s my wife,’ John says. ‘Her capacity and willingness to genuinely care for people, plants and animals is amazing.’
I’ll close my eyes and give him this next paragraph.
‘Olivia has a great sense of humour no matter what comes her way. We express gratitude every single day for what we have and for our relationship. We focus on that gratitude. What you focus on is what you manifest.’
After all my various treatments, John and I took a month and went to our house in Australia to reconnect with nature. It’s also where I come to heal. I found myself on the grounds of my precious Gaia in the hinterland of Byron Bay, kicking off my shoes and soaking up the warm spring sunshine that felt so good on my back.
This was the perfect place to contemplate life’s constant challenges and changes. My mantra here was simple: live, laugh, love. And, as Gregg tells all our guests at Gaia, surrender.
I took moments to celebrate how far I had already come on this recent journey. There were times when it was simply too painful to walk before I had my herbal IV and photon treatments. Then I could walk a bit, but I couldn’t walk straight. It was only a few months later and here I was in my beloved homeland, on my own two feet, walking up a hill at Gaia. One foot in front of the other.
Five decades in show business have taught me to have staying power. Maybe that power includes the will to just never give in. My will is iron-strong because I still have so much to do. My dream is that I can see an end to cancer. I’d also love to ride horses and play tennis again.
I will.
My vision is: me and John – a garden – and I’m an old, happy lady. I see Chloe and her husband, James. I see the grandchildren, the horses, chickens, cats and dogs.
Health and happiness for all.
Thriving.
Back on my stone bench in the rose garden, it’s early morning and the birds are chirping. John is brewing coffee and I’m giving Raven a quick toss of her ball.
My dog races like the wind. And before I can put my throwing hand down, my husband captures it.
Don’t stop believing!
Love and light,
Olivia
Thank you, Team ONJ: John Easterling ❤, Dana Sharpe, Mark Hartley, Michael Caprio, Randy Slovacek, John Mason, Bernie Donth, Charles Sussman & Associates.
To my road family, thanks to all my band, singers and crew over my long career, especially these lovely folks the last twenty years! Madonna Melrose, Martha Real, Steve Real, Matt Real, Marlén Landin, Weston Mays, Mark Beckett, Dane Bryant, Warren Ham, Kerry Marx, Catherine Marx, Matt McKenzie, Steve Nieves, Andy Timmons, Dan Wojciechowski, Dan Waters, Randy Mitchell, Rex Frasier, Lee Hendricks, Liam Russell and Rick King.
Thank you to my managers throughout the years: Peter Gormley, Peter Hebbes, Lee Kramer, Dan Cleary, Ken Kragen, Roger Davies, Billy Sammeth, Mark Hartley and all at Fitzgerald/ Hartley Management.
Special thanks to Sir Cliff Richard, Jerry Breslauer, Joel Jacobson, Randal Kleiser, Pat Birch, Connie Ortega, Arthur Johns, Kenny Ortega, Brian Grant, Diane and Gary Heavin, Lee and Dianne Moffitt, David Martin, Morris Diamond, Gavin de Becker, Ulli Haslacher, Frank Assumma, Brian Seth Hurst, Ali Goldman, Sunshine Mulford, Michelle Day and Denise Truscello.
Thank you to my producers over the years: John Farrar, Bruce Welch, Sir Barry Gibb, Jeff Lynne, David Foster, Phil Ramone, Richard Marx, Chong Lim, Davitt Sigerson, Giorgio Moroder, Amy Sky, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Tony Brown, Gary Burr, Don Cook, Chris Farren, Randy Goodrum, Randy Waldman, Colin Bayley, Murray Burns, Stephan Elliot, Charles Fisher, Dave Aude, Elliot Scheiner, John Shanks, Brett Goldsmith, Dane Bryant and Steve Real.
To my amazing team who helped to make my dream of the ONJ Cancer Wellness & Research Centre a reality: John Brumby, Brendan Murphy, Professor Jonathan Cebon, Sue Shilbury, Jennifer Williams, Peter Dalton, Tanya Carter, Sharon Hillman, Louise Georgeson, Tottie Goldsmith, Megan Gray, Daryl Jackson, Debbie Shiell, Kim Tsai, Neil Pharaoh, and all our committed and caring doctors, nursing staff, researchers, administrators, wellness teams, volunteers and cleaners.
I am so very grateful to the many people from Australia and all around the world who donate to and fundraise for the ONJ Centre – your contributions make it possible to continue the special research and wellness programs that make our Centre so unique. Thank you all so very much.
Thank you to the Home Team: Yvette Nipar, Antonio and Norma Avila, Autumn Brown, Graeme and Max Fleming, George and Madge Vidler, Rebeca Gonzalez, Mike Stein, Joni Sorita and Tina Totis Yeager.
To those at Gaia Retreat & Spa: thank you to my dear Gregg Cave, Rod Mickle, Warwick Evans, Ruth Kalnin, Leanne and Jeff Schoen and the over sixty other team members and specialty therapists, who all bring magic through the healing cultures of Mother Earth – Gaia!
To my co-writer Cindy Pearlman, whose patience and guidance turned my words and thoughts into a cohesive story! Thank you, my friend!
To Cate Blake and everyone at Penguin Random House.
And, to my wonderful long-time fans and loyal supporters from all over the world – my gratitude for all your kindness and love.
Photographers
James Braund: ONJCRI Board (page 2 of second section)
Kathryn Burke: Olivia & John hugging (page 1 of third section); Raven, Magic, Harry & Winston (page 5 of third section); back cover photograph
Timothy Clary: Olympics Opening Ceremony with John Farnham (page 6 of second section)
Nicole Cleary: Olivia in front of ONJ Centre (page 2 of second section)
Benjamin Couprie, Institut International de Physique de Solvay: Born group shot (page 1 of first section)
Michelle Day: Rona Newton-John (page 5 of first section); Olivia with Dr Bodai (page 4 of second section); Olivia with eagle (page 6 of third section)
Brett Goldsmith: Olivia and family after OAM ceremony (page 6 of first section); Olivia with OAM in front of rainbow (page 1 of second section)
Stu Morley: Wellness Walk & Research Run with family and friends (page 3 of second section)
Brin Newton-John: Olivia on her 23rd birthday (page 1 of first section); family photo (page 2 of first section)
Irene Newton-John: Olivia with baby Chloe and Matt (page 7 of first section); Olivia, Margaret Owings, Nancy and Jim Chuda (page 4 of second section); Olivia with John Travolta and dog (page 3 of fourth section)
&
nbsp; Andrew Raszevski: Great Wall of China Walk (page 3 of second section); Olivia and John on the Wall (page 3 of third section)
Brittany Scott: Group photo with Dr Hongdo Do, A/Prof. Alex Dobrovic, Prof. Matthias Ernst, John, me, Anthony Carbines MP, Prof. Jonathan Cebon and Kim Tsai (page 2 of second section); La Trobe graduation ceremony and with family and friends (page 7 of second section)
Joe Shalmoni: Olivia and Nancy Chuda (page 7 of third section)
Mark Sullivan-Bradley: Gaia Spa & Retreat photos (page 5 of second section)
Denise Truscello: front cover photograph; Olivia and Chloe in white (page 8 of first section); Olivia and Chloe in dotted dress (page 8 of first section); Olivia and Emerson (page 6 of first section); singing on stage against pastel background (page 8 of second section); Olivia in gold dress (page 8 of second section); with Grease car (page 8 of second section); Olivia in original Grease jacket (page 3 of fourth section); Liv On in recording studio (page 5 of fourth section); Olivia with Mark, Glenn, John and Chong in the studio (page 5 of fourth section); Olivia and Goldie the chicken (page 5 of third section)
Kerryn Westcott: Olivia with Campbell Remess (page 4 of second section)
Gregg Woodward: wedding photos in Peru and Florida (pages 1 and 2 of third section); renewing vows in Peru (page 3 of third section)
Lyrics
Lyrics from ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’, ‘Sail Into Tomorrow’, ‘Have You Never Been Mellow’, ‘You’re The One That I Want’, ‘Magic’ by John Farrar, reproduced with kind permission.
Lyrics from ‘I Honestly Love You’ by Peter Allen and Jeff Barry / Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., reproduced with kind permission.
Lyrics from ‘Physical’ by Steven Kipner and Terry Shaddick / Sony/ATV Music Publishing, reproduced with kind permission.
Lyrics from ‘We Go Together’ and ‘Summer Nights’ by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs, reproduced with kind permission.
Lyrics from ‘The Flower That Shattered the Stone’ by Joe Henry and Al Jarvis, reproduced with kind permission.
Gaia’s most outstanding and recent awards
Winner – World Travel Awards – ‘World’s Leading Retreat’ 2016 & 2017 and Australasia’s ‘Leading Boutique Hotel’ 2015, 2016, 2017
Winner – World Luxury Restaurant Awards – Global Winner – ‘Health & Wellness Cuisine’ 2017 , 2018 and ‘Luxury Spa Restaurant’ 2018
Winner – World Spa Awards – ‘World’s Best Day Spa’ and ‘Oceania’s Best Day Spa’ 2015, 2016, 2017
Winner – World Luxury Spa Awards – Continent Winner – ‘Best Luxury Wellness Spa’ 2016 and ‘Best Luxury Spa Retreat’ 2017, 2018
Winner – World Luxury Hotel Awards – 3 Continent Wins – ‘Luxury Spa, Luxury Wellness & Luxury Hotel’ 2015, 2016, 2017
Winner – Gourmet Traveller – ‘Best Health Retreat’ 2011
Winner – Conde Nast Traveller Readers› Choice – ‘Favourite Overseas Hotel/Spa’ 2008
VIKING
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Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies
whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
First published by Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd 2018
Text copyright © Olivia Newton-John 2018
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is my own journey. I am not giving medical advice. If you wish to make any use of information in this book relating to your health, you must consider its appropriateness to your situation and obtain professional advice from a medical practitioner.
Cover design by Alex Ross © Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd
based on an original concept by Michael Caprio
Front cover photograph by Denise Truscello
Back cover photograph by Kathryn Burke
penguin.com.au
ISBN: 978-1-76014-407-4
Don't Stop Believin' Page 26