Bonus Episode: Bridget Malcolm on Recovery, PMDD and a Renewed Perspective.
56:40 Share

Bridget Malcolm is an international fashion model whose career has spanned from campaigns with Ralph Lauren to Maybelline to V Magazine to Victoria’s Secret and Harper's Bazaar.

Listen to Dr. Allie in conversation with Bridget Malcolm as they speak on Recovery, Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and a Renewed Perspective on her mental health.

Bridget Malcolm) grew up in South Fremantle, a little beach town just south of Perth, spending most of her days at the beach and ballet class. She was surrounded by music—her dad plays flamenco guitar and her mother the piano – so it was little surprise when on a whim she took up the oboe and fell in love with it. After just six months, she was performing with the local university’s octet and toured Europe with her high school orchestra.

At age 14, she was scouted by her first modeling agency, Vivien’s, “but we had to wait a year or so for me to outgrow my terrible haircut, braces, and general awkwardness.” Her first job was for Harper’s Bazaar Australia, with photographer Nicole Bentley, the woman she credits with teaching her how to model. At 16, she was signed to an international agency, and before she knew it, was juggling high school and modeling work. Upon graduation, she was accepted into the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and WAAPA, but instead decided to move to New York City to pursue modeling fulltime.

Throughout her modeling career Bridget suffered from a wide variety of mental health struggles, including an eating disorder and anxiety, which interfered with her ability to work. She began blogging about her experiences and was humbled by the level of connectivity and overwhelming positive reaction from people around the world. She realized that even though the pressures she faced – working in an image-based industry where the inside often gets ignored – were specific to the modeling and fashion industry, the resulting mental health issues were universal.

Bridget currently lives in New York City. She continues to model and advocate for mental health in the fashion industry and has formed a peer support group for models, while also focusing on “post-modelism” life including working towards a bachelor’s degree with the intention to study public health and writing her memoir.  Bridget is also a classically trained oboist and musician.

“My motto is progress over perfection” – Bridget Malcolm

This episode was recorded in August of 2019.

Please note that the contents of Model Mentality are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on Model Mentality.⁠

As always, if you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.⁠

⁠The views and opinions expressed by guests of the podcast are those of each individual guest and do not reflect the views and opinions of Mind Studios or Dr. Allie Sharma and do not constitute an endorsement of such views and opinions.

Links:

Website https://www.bridgetmalcolm.com.au/)

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bridgetmalcolm/?hl=en)

References:

DSM 5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/modelmentality/support)