There are so many interesting people involved at Radio Blue Mountains both behind the mic and behind the scenes, that we thought we’d share their stories here on the RBM website. Ilana presents Matters of the Heart every Thursday at 9am.
Q: Hi Ilana, thanks very much for taking the time out to speak with us.
A: It’s my pleasure! I’m so happy that you asked me to be part of this!
Q: Let’s get straight into it Ilana. Tell us about your show on RBM, Matters of the Heart and how it came about that “heart matters” became so important to you?
A: Well, how it came about was I had a major health set back in 2022, so I became fascinated by the connection between our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being and how these elements affect our heart health in different ways.
This became really personal to me when I returned to Australia for a fresh start after living in Dubai for nearly 16 years, and shortly after my return, I ended up in the ICU.
So, I’d only been home a month, when I went on a hike with my mum in the Blue Mountains and experienced shortness of breath, unable to keep up with her. Recognising something was wrong, she took me to the emergency room in Katoomba. There, blood tests revealed I had suffered a heart attack, which was shocking because I had never had any heart issues before. My heart’s protein levels, that should be around 7, were at 36,000, and its function, that should be between 50-70%, had dropped to 10-20%. My body was shutting down—I was literally dying.
I was rushed to Nepean Hospital to their cardiology department, where an MRI revealed I had a rare, serious viral infection of the heart called lymphocytic myocarditis. From there, I was sent to St. Vincent’s Hospital, home to Australia’s best cardiology unit. Shortly after arriving, I had a cardiac arrest and was clinically dead for 7-9 minutes. It took five shocks with a defibrillator to bring me back.
My doctor feared I would suffer brain damage or organ failure, but miraculously, I didn’t.
This traumatic experience ignited a passion in me to help others. I felt a need to support people facing similar challenges. Heart issues affect us all in various ways—emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically.
Heartbreak is not just an emotional phenomenon; it can be as painful and real as a physical ailment. And it hurts! But this pain connects us all in a primal way and many of us use the heartbreak as a vehicle to create music, films, artwork, dance and many other things. So through my show, Matters of the Heart, I am reaching out to those who feel heartbroken and those who don’t, but want to know how to deal with it, how to navigate it, if and when it happens, offering support and guidance so they know they are not alone. Even those with physically healthy hearts suffer from emotional pain that feels just as real.
So, this is what inspired Matters of the Heart. It’s a deep and personal journey for me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help others. Wow we really did just dive right in really deep didn’t we! You asked for it! Ha-ha!
Q: That’s a really serious health scare for you Ilana. Knowing you from around the corridors of RBM, would it be right in saying that your positive attitude got you through this tough time?
A: Most definitely! A health scare like that can either make you sink or swim and I was determined not to let it define me. It made me more driven to get things done, to achieve things in my life and face my fears and past traumas head on. I wanted to live—really live!
Not many people get a second chance at life, and I wasn’t about to waste mine. I refused to dwell on being sick. My positivity and sense of humour were crucial, not just for me, but also for the doctors treating me, and my family. They say it’s often harder for the family, watching helplessly as their loved one goes through illness or disease. But I knew I had to be the one to heal myself, with the support of my medical team, of course.
My diary used to be packed with appointments/ dates with doctors, so I always had to check my busy schedule before making plans with family and friends. No time for real dates back then! Ha-ha!
Q: So a strong, healthy mind, leads to a strong healthy outcome?
A: Absolutely! The mind is such a powerful tool—it can either work for us or against us. I’ve experienced my body turning against me, and then witnessed it healing itself, which has given me a newfound respect for it. So yes, a healthy mindset is crucial for a positive outcome.
As many of you know and have experienced firsthand, stress makes everything worse, and science has proven that the more stressed and unhappy we are, the more it affects our heart function. It can lead to high or low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and even heart attacks. For me, staying calm and positive was essential. That’s not to say I didn’t struggle—I suffered from PTSD after the cardiac arrest, especially at night since that’s when it happened. I had to find ways to cope with the trauma and stress. Music and writing was my remedy; it helped me heal and stay calm, and it helped me understand and navigate the complexities of what had happened. I also kept essential oils by my bed for a calming sniff, and my rescue dog, Bobby, was a huge comfort. He knew when I was scared and would come closer so I could hold him tight. Poor guy got smothered a lot, but I think he secretly loved it, especially since we were apart for two months while I was in hospital. His unconditional love sped up my recovery, and all I wanted was to be strong enough to walk him again. Mind you, he’s 45kg—a real force of nature! He walks me!
Another positive outcome is that my heart is now functioning as well as a normal heart and is stronger than ever. My cardiologist and his team, who I call my angels, asked me to be part of an interview for the St Vincent’s Heart and Lung Clinic Curran Foundation because he considers me one of his success stories. His words, not mine! Haha! It was an honour to take part in it. We have raised over 270K so far! That means they can finish the new and approved Heart and Lung Clinic at St Vincent’s Hospital.
Q: Without wanting to splash your entire private life across the RBM website, it’s fair to say that your heart health is not the only major knock you’ve had in recent years is it? You’ve had career ups and downs to deal with?
A: Yes, that’s right. I’m very open about these things, so I’m glad you asked. I went to Dubai in my twenties to become a flight attendant. My career progressed quickly, and I became an aircraft manager/purser, part-time trainer in the image and uniform department, and volunteer coach and counsellor.
I was part of the Quick Response Peer Support team, which was my passion—helping people navigate traumatic experiences. I was trained in psychological first aid, as well as regular first aid, so if a colleague had an accident or incident on board or in another country, we were called in.
However, after almost 15 years with one of the best airlines in the world, I was made redundant during the pandemic, along with thousands of others. I loved my job and had just received a few appreciations and awards, so it was a real shock! One night we got an abrupt business update email, informing us that we had to come into headquarters the next morning. It literally happened overnight. One day, I had this amazing career, and the next day, it was gone. It was extremely difficult, and my mental health really suffered.
But I had a choice. I could be bitter and resentful, or I could be grateful for the successful career I had and move forward. So, I started my own business, a passion project making organic skincare products. Helping heal people’s skin became my passion, and it helped me heal too.
And yes, I’ve also been through a divorce. If we’re going to be honest, we might as well cover everything! Losing my job was absolutely heartbreaking, like the worst breakup of your life. I was in disbelief. This country that I called home for so many years had turned against me. We had no unions, no support; we were on our own. It was horrible, and my health, both physical and mental, suffered. But the divorce was hard also because of the casualties—family, friends, work, as we worked together as trainers for the airline too. But ultimately, it was my choice, which made it easier. We had some beautiful years together, and I was very grateful for that. But we grew apart and ended up being strangers living in the same house. One day, I woke up and wondered how we got so far off track. We no longer had anything in common and were on different wavelengths.
What I realised is that too many people stay in unhappy, unhealthy relationships, and it destroys us, ages us, and breaks our hearts, reducing our lifespan. It wasn’t fair on my ex-husband or me if I stayed, and I have no regrets. I wanted us both to be truly happy and I wanted him to meet the right person for him, and he did. So I say that I’m ‘happily divorced.’
Q: How did you end up in Dubai? Were you working in the airline industry here in Australia first?
A: You’re wondering how a girl from the North Shore in Sydney ended up in a Middle Eastern Country! Well, I’ll tell you how it all happened. Before heading to Dubai for the most incredible journey of my life, I travelled around the world on my own for three months. It was life-changing, and when I came back, I just couldn’t settle—I’d caught the travel bug. I had never thought of becoming a flight attendant until my sister, a film director, suggested I apply to an airline that was a major sponsor for the AFI Australian Film Industry Awards. So I applied to an airline here and an airline that my sister suggested. She thought I’d be perfect for it.
Before that, I was a sales manager in a tribal gift shop and also a sales manager in the skincare/self-care industry, a PA for a Graphic Design Company, and the final role before coming to Dubai was in real estate. Music was also a big part of my life. In my spare time, I’d sing, write songs, and do gigs around town. Do you remember The Harbourside Brasserie? Now I’m showing my age! Ha-ha!
So, as I said, before going to Dubai, I worked in real estate at an amazing up-and-coming agency. It was going really well, and they promised fast career progression. I’ve always been very driven and get bored easily—I love a new challenge! They gave me some time off and I went for the airline interview with over 500 other people. I wasn’t nervous at all because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it, so the interview process felt easy and quite effortless for me, even though it was intense and lasted two days. Out of over 500 people, they got down to 25 and eventually chose 15 of us. Within a month, they flew us to Dubai. It was very exciting! I had no idea what to expect.
I hope that clears things up for you. It explains how a girl who grew up on the North Shore in Sydney, spending most of her time going to gigs and parties in the Blue Mountains, ended up living in Dubai. It definitely wasn’t on the agenda—it was a surprise that came out of nowhere.
Q: And how did you enjoy life over there? It’s currently the playground of wealthy sportsmen based in Europe, and seems to be all about money, cars, eternity pools and possessions? Is that a misconception? Surely there must be more to life in Dubai than bling?
A: Absolutely, there’s so much more to life in Dubai than just the glitz and glamour. I met some of the most amazing, interesting, and down-to-earth people there. The music scene was incredible, with singer-songwriter nights that were fantastic. It felt like the city never slept; with live music and DJs playing every night until the early hours of the morning.
Working for the airline definitely had its perks. Our accommodation and bills were covered if we lived in company housing, and even after getting married, we received an allowance to cover housing costs, leaving us only to pay for utilities. We also enjoyed 50% discounts at many restaurants, bars, and even some shops.
However, like any country, Dubai has its dark side. The poverty was heartbreaking at times. Many people from different cultures worked for very low wages, yet it was more than they would earn back home, so they were grateful and worked tirelessly to support their families. People rarely see that side of Dubai.
For almost 15 years, I was one of the lucky ones. I loved my job and career and felt supported by an amazing company, but then, during the pandemic, it all came crashing down. The country I called home for so many years let me go without warning. Many colleagues struggled to recover mentally and emotionally due to the lack of support. It was traumatic, especially since I had never been rejected or let go from a job before. But I chose to see it from a different perspective. Why stay bitter? I had a fantastic time, even if I overstayed my welcome.
Yes, there were other traumas I experienced there, but overall, I cherished the cultural melting pot. It opened my mind and allowed me to make lifelong friends. I worked with over 126 nationalities! Living in company accommodation with hundreds of other people was like dorm life—we studied, partied, and took care of each other. Some of the most beautiful love stories and friendships emerged from that time.
And it wasn’t like I was stuck in Dubai all the time. I was flying half the month to amazing destinations. The summers were tough, with temperatures often reaching 50 degrees, but the winters were beautiful at around 26 degrees. Life was full of adventure, and I met people working in various industries, for example the guys in my band worked in oil and gas, safety, security, construction, architecture and engineering.
One of my favourite gigs with them was a charity event at a beautiful sailing club on the water and a birthday party in a friend’s garden on the lake. But the best part was being able to fly my family and friends around the world in business class. That brought me so much joy.
Q: So after 16 yearsover there,some massive life changes come about and you decide to return to Australia. Happy with that decision?
A: Yes, definitely. If I had stayed, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. No regrets!
I had lined up a job with Qantas a few months before I came back. I was flying back and forth, getting things prepared and organised, and I was so happy to have an amazing job to look forward to. It allowed me to keep my independence and continue my passion for aviation in my homeland, my real home.
Coming back made me realise just how lucky we are to live in such an amazing country, especially with our medical system and government support when you’re ill. That kind of support simply doesn’t exist in Dubai. It was hard but also very humbling. It made me appreciate what we have here in Australia even more.
Q: Once back in Australia, you re-located to the Blue Mountains. Why the Mountains?
A: My parents moved to Leura from the North Shore in Sydney and have been here 9 years. I came here to get myself organised and ready for my move to the city as I had an amazing job offer which I was excited about. Unfortunately I couldn’t accept the position due to my health issues at the time. So, I decided to stay up here to heal and recover and I’ve never left!
It’s been such a beautiful place to heal, and I’m very lucky to have such a loving and caring family. I’ve also met some beautiful people up here and made some really special friends.
Not to mention the rain! I just love it, as I longed for it more in Dubai, as it hardly ever rained. When I use to fly to other countries, especially tropical places like Thailand and Singapore, there was nothing like walking in the hot summer rain. The feeling of a storm brewing after a hot sticky day, I’ll never forget that! I use to love the feeling of the rain on my face and in my hair. The rain here is slightly colder! Haha!
Q: And are you an outdoors bushwalking, hiking, or gardening member of the Blue Mountains community?
A: I sure am! I love bushwalking, hiking, walking my dog up to three times a day and exploring all the beautiful spots and sacred sights. And one of my favourite things to do is walk to a waterfall, and in summer I plan to swim in as many as I can!
Q: So you’ve been almost two years in the Mt’s. When did you first tune in to 89.1FM?
A: I think it was in December 2022 as my friend was doing a show so I tuned in and really enjoyed it.
Q: And when did you first make contact with the station about becoming a presenter?
A: I think it was around January 2023 when I asked my friend if she needed any help with her show or around the radio station, and she gave me Ron Green’s details. So I contacted him, our wonderful President at the time. I asked him if they needed my help with anything around the office or studio and when I met with him for the interview we really hit it off. He said ‘right, what kind of show do you want to do!?’ I said, ‘what? Am I going to have my own show?’ And he said ‘yes!’ And that’s how it all began.
Q: You’ve been very tentative about taking on more than a one hour show on RBM. Is there likely to be a time when you’d like to expand your show to two hours, and really have the time to delve into “heart matters”?
A: Oh definitely! I’m enjoying it so much. My family didn’t want me taking on too much, hence the one hour show, as my diary was full of dates with doctors, no not those kinds of dates! Don’t be cheeky! It’s okay, I love a bit of cheeky! Life can be boring without it hey!
I’m also very busy with my start up Skincare business, amongst many other things. But I’ve realised, well I realised very soon after starting my show that it wasn’t really long enough to cover what I wanted to cover and play music, promos, do interviews etc. So, hopefully soon. Initially I thought perhaps two hours might be too long for people to listen to matters of the heart, and I didn’t want to bore them, so I thought one hour was good, as it’s quite an in-depth topic and I know that peoples concentration span can be short at times, so I thought, let’s keep it short and sweet.
But I spend a while preparing my shows and I also realised that I didn’t have enough time to cover everything. So, watch this space!
Q: Moving on now to what makes you tick. Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Lane Cove on the North Shore of Sydney.
Q: When did you leave High School and what happened next? University, travel, a job?
A: I left high school in 1996 with my HSC and a certificate in hospitality and tourism, majoring in Music and Drama. For the last two years, I attended a TAFE high school in North Sydney. It was an arts school with no uniform, attracting students of all ages from across Sydney. It was a unique environment, and I spent most of my time in the recording studio!
At 15, when I was still at school, I started working at a tribal gift shop in Newtown, thanks to a friend who got me the job. My boss, an amazing woman who became like a second mother to me, shared her travel stories and passion for African culture, which included tribal musical instruments and sacred carvings. I managed the shop, trained staff, and stayed there for four years.
I was also passionate about Natural Therapies and Aromatherapy, so I studied that and attended a meditation school, eventually becoming an instructor until I was 22. I recorded meditations, music, and audiobooks, and we had musical nights where we shared our compositions.
I briefly attended Macquarie University for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in music, but I wanted to work and be independent, so I didn’t complete the degree. However, I hope to finish it someday. I worked at The Body Shop, learning about community trade and skincare and personal care, for four years while living on the Northern Beaches. During that time, I joined another band, spending my spare time writing music and jamming with some fantastic musicians, many of whom were surfers and great friends.
Q: What was your favourite Saturday afternoon activity as a teen in Lane Cove. Were you sporty, or were you hanging out with friends?
A: As a child, I was very sporty and loved playing netball, particularly as a goal shooter. I also enjoyed running, swimming, cycling, and dancing—pretty much everything, since my family is quite sporty too.
But around age 15, I discovered my true passion: music. From then on, I spent my weekends with my band, jamming, song writing, and recording. We played gigs all over town in cafes, restaurants, and weddings—though never any funerals!
We actually had two bands: one for jazz and blues and another for psychedelic rock. My bandmates were much older than me, so they became like older siblings. There were six of us, plus any friends who wanted to join in and support us. Those were some of my favourite Saturday afternoons, filled with music, creativity, and great times!
Q: Can you remember the first record you bought?
A: Yes, It was Alice Cooper as I was obsessed with the song Poison. I’ve always been a rock chick at heart, it’s in my blood.
Q: When did you first start to learn guitar (and sing)?
A: I started singing lessons at 14 and picked up the guitar at 15. One of my friends, a talented folk singer-songwriter, taught me guitar, along with my dad, who’s a great folk guitarist. My mom, a jazz and blues singer also helped. She used to sing in the circuit around Sydney with her sister.
I discovered my love for singing at 11 when I auditioned for the lead role of Badger in the play/musical “The Wind in the Willows.” I felt so at ease and ended up getting the part, which sparked my passion for singing and acting. I spent hours learning lines and singing in the shower—it was such an escape from school, where I often felt bored and preferred creative or active pursuits.
My singing teacher, a classically trained performer in well-known musicals, became an amazing mentor. She encouraged me to write poetry, which evolved into song writing. She helped me overcome my fears of singing in higher keys and made me comfortable with my alto voice. Through practice, my range expanded, and I became more confident.
She had such an impact on me—kind, gentle, independent, creative, and wise beyond her years. She was supportive and a true confidant. You know those people who stay with you, etched in your heart and soul? She was one of them. I’ve been fortunate to have many female mentors and later some remarkable male mentors who taught me a lot. I’m very grateful for their guidance. Oh that reminds me, I learnt piano for a while too with a young and successful jazz pianist. This was her profession and she played all over Australia and internationally. That was an amazing experience, and she was a real inspiration as she was dedicated to her passion and took it very seriously, but I needed to practice a lot and I didn’t really have the discipline at 19. I wished I’d learnt when I was a kid as so many people told me I had piano hands! Haha!
Q: What local artist should we be listening to but are not aware of?
A: The Dark Horse is an amazing, unique and brilliant new Australian band. They are phenomenal, I just went to their third single launch, and it blew my mind. They are a mix of rock, pop, jazz, psychedelia, very cinematic with an old world Hollywood charm. A must see live! They are more than a band, they are an experience.
Now, like all of our interviews Ilana, it’s time for some rapid fire questions and answers. Are you ready?
A: I sure am! Fire away!
Favourite Music? Rock.
Favourite Band? Oh that’s a hard one as I love so many! Janis Joplin… and Nina Simone. They’ve just had such an impact on my life and inner world and inspired me. These fierce and strong women inspire me as they were in such a male dominated industry and they were fearless, brave, resilient and made a real impact !
And Sade! I couldn’t leave her out !
Favourite Song? Glorybox by Portishead
Favourite Music era? 60’s and 90’s. Again, I couldn’t decide but I always said that I was born in the wrong era.
Favourite night out 20 years ago? Watching Soundgarden live at Selina’s, the Coogie Bay Hotel.
Favourite night out today? My favourite night out recently was watching The Dark Horse live at Lazybones Lounge Restaurant and Bar a couple of weeks ago.
Another memorable moment was when I won fan favourite at the “Best in the West” competition at The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. It was a local singer-songwriter competition where we had to submit original songs, and I made it to the grand final. That was a real surprise! That was very cool and unexpected! Technically, I came in second overall, as the judge’s favourite was an amazing 16-year-old singer-songwriter from the Blue Mountains. You can often see her busking around town.
Winning the fan favourite was such a surprise because there were so many talented people in the competition. It was a really special moment for me. It wasn’t about winning for me, it was about showing up and having fun.
Favourite Film? The Notebook. It was more than just a love story ! It was a devastatingly beautiful piece of art based on a true story.
Favourite Film Director? Joel Schumacher – The Lost Boys
Favourite Actor? Julia Roberts
Favourite food? Oh definitely Thai food! And I love cooking it too! Yes I can cook even if I do say so myself. Haha! I’m a feeder! I don’t know why but I love seeing people enjoying food, well, my food.
Favourite Drink? Coffee
Favourite holiday destination? Thailand specifically the island of Koh Samui and Africa has my heart.
And finally Ilana, complete this sentence: “If I won a million bucks tomorrow I would . . . organise a family reunion in Tuscany and fly my entire family business class so we could have a week together, playing music, laughing, sharing stories, and of course eating copious amounts of delicious Italian food. I have a really great, fun family and we all have similar sense of humours so we laugh a lot, but we don’t see each other much as everyone lives all over the world, Europe, USA etc.”
Thanks very much for giving us your time.
It was my pleasure! Thanks for asking me to do it. It’s been really fun!
RL.