Olivia Bowen: I Lost Myself After Giving Birth & What Love Island Never Showed
Love Island star Olivia Bowen opens up about the show, Alex Bowen, motherhood, body image, mental health and the private experiences that shaped the woman she is today.In this deeply honest conversation, Olivia reflects on growing up after her parents’ divorce, the emotional patterns she carried into her teenage years, and the relationship that changed how she saw herself before entering the Love Island villa. She revisits the overnight fame that followed, the scrutiny surrounding her relationship with Alex, and the moments that helped her understand she was loved in a way she had struggled to believe.Olivia also speaks about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, loss, and the realities of becoming a mother while still learning how to care for herself.Raw, emotional and unfiltered, this is Olivia Bowen ready to tell the truth behind the life everyone thought they knew.Olivia Bowen, We Need To Talk(00:00) Intro(01:34) Olivia's Childhood in Essex and Essex Stereotypes(03:03) How Olivia's Parents' Divorce Affected Her(08:09) Olivia's Relationship With Her Father During Childhood(13:37) Olivia Reads an Emotional Letter From Her Father(19:52) Olivia Opens Up About Her Teenage Mental Health Struggles(30:09) Huel Ad(31:23) Olivia's Modelling Aspirations After Leaving School(33:14) Olivia Opens Up About Her Toxic Relationship Before Love Island(36:32) How and Why Olivia Joined Love Island(39:03) Olivia's Mental Health Struggles in the Love Island Villa(42:18) How Love Island Season 2 Compares to the Show Today(44:49) Did Olivia Fall in Love With Alex in the Love Island Villa?(47:09) Paul Shows Olivia a Photo of Her and Alex on Love Island(51:00) How Olivia Handled the Huge Success of Love Island Season 2(56:23) How Olivia and Alex Stayed Together After Love Island(58:59) Olivia Receives a Surprise Message From Love Island's Tina(01:02:04) Olivia's Biggest Highlights After Love Island(01:05:01) The Story of Alex's Proposal to Olivia(01:08:33) Olivia Reads an Emotional Letter From Alex(01:11:26) Saily Ad(01:12:45) Olivia Opens Up About Pregnancy and Postnatal Depression(01:24:53) Olivia's Experience of Vanishing Twin Syndrome(01:31:33) Paul Shows Olivia a Photo of Her Family(01:39:30) Most Memorable Conversation(01:41:40) Paul's TakeawaysThis episode includes discussion of eating disorders, mental health, and baby loss. If you’re struggling with these themes or your own mental health, remember you’re not alone. You can find help and resources at the links below:MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8bBeat Eating Disorders: https://linkly.link/2dx8yHarmless: https://linkly.link/2lcoq Tommys: https://linkly.link/2feiZ Follow us here:https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Olivia here:https://www.instagram.com/oliviadbowenhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thebowensOlivia’s Book, Lost Until Love: TG Jones: https://www.tgjonesonline.co.uk/product/olivia-bowen/lost-until-love--learning-to-find-myself-again---as-featured-on-olivias-itv2-show-olivia--alex-parenthood/15998524Audiobook: https://open.spotify.com/show/17bItR7WBfaN1EE7F7yLZD?si=d3b67a7511fc437bSponsored by:Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵Huel - Try Huel Lite Ramen - the new lighter instant noodle. Under 230 calories, 25g protein,ready in 5 minutes. Use code WNTT for £10 off at https://www.uk.huel.com/wntt New customers only.Minimum spend required. Offer valid until 30 days after June 30th.Sync ID: MB01ZC6OYFJB81ZLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson
The most powerful conversations are the ones we usually avoid. Hosted by Paul C. Brunson, We Need To Talk is a show that empowers people to have the conversations they avoid by creating a safe, supportive, and insightful space that encourages vulnerability, self-discovery, and real-world connection.
From breakups to breakthroughs, conflict to connection, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the human experiences and relationships that define us.
Instagram: @needtotalk
TikTok: @weneedtotalkpod
- No. of episodes: 149
- Latest episode: 2026-07-14
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