THIS IS ME

MARLEE SILVA

Marlee

Marlee Silva, a best-selling author, podcast host, keynote speaker (amongst various other accomplishments), proves a force to be reckoned with. In conversation with Marlee, one quickly becomes mesmerised by her eloquent nature, the utter wisdom and knowingness concrete within, and her willingness to share her stories. 

Marlee, how would your friends describe you?  

I think my friends would describe me as extremely busy - my best friend actually requested access to my Google calendar so she could keep track of when I have spare time! They'd probably tell you I'm passionate and shameless - and I hope they'd say I'm loyal, loving and know how to have a laugh too. 

If you were to participate in the Olympics, what would it be for?     

Swimming or surfing! If I could be born with more coordination and sporting prowess in one of those two sports, gliding in the water for a medal would be a dream!

Tell me about growing up in the Sutherland Shire.    

Evolving is the perfect verb to capture what it was like to grow up in the Shire. As a young kid, really only meant that other kids would look at me funny when I told them I didn't go for the Cronulla Sharks in rugby league - then as I got older and we saw things like the Cronulla riots unfold, I realised the community my family and I lived in, wasn't particularly understanding and embracing of other cultures. Being a loud and proud Koori girl (Aboriginal person from NSW), meant I was shown by my peers - and even teachers at high school too - that I didn't really belong and my culture and identity, meant there were (mostly negative) expectations and stereotypes that they held of me. But while I used to have a great distaste for being from here, after being essentially stuck here through the pandemic, I'm finding a new love for it, in the abundance of natural wonders within it - I'm spending all my time in the national park and by the beach and it almost feels like it's dissolving the hurt I faced here as a kid. 

What does being authentic mean to you?    

Authenticity is whatever feels easy and natural to you. It's listening to your gut and trusting your instincts and moving to follow whatever it says, without fear of what others think. Authenticity and realness is so freeing and should help you to live a truly fulfilled life. 

Describe how your identity has evolved over the years.     

I feel there are more layers to who I am and what makes me who I am that weren't as nuanced when I was growing up or fresh out of my teenage years. I feel this fluidity in my beliefs - whether they be political, ethical or spiritual - I also feel it in how I see the world and how I see other people. I used to be someone who felt personally affected or offended by people who disagreed with me and wasted my energy shutting them down or getting angry, now I feel I'm far more open for discussion and ready to constantly change and evolve - and I truly love this new way of being!

   

TALENT: Marlee Silva @marlee.silva
PRODUCTION: SIDE-NOTE @side_note
DIRECTOR/DP: James Campbell @james_cambo
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jake Terrey @jaketerrey
PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT: Luke Schuetrumpf @lukeschuetrumpf
DIGI: Nick Shaw @knickshaw
CAMERA 2: Ady Neshoda @adyneshoda
FILM EDITORS: James Campbell & Ady Neshoda @james_cambo & @adyneshoda
SOUND: Oliver Dibley @oliverdibley
STYLISTS: Emma Kalfus & Karla Clarke @karla_clarke , @emma_kalfus
HAIR: Madison Voloshin @ Assembly agency @badisonv
BEAUTY: Stoj @ The Artist Group @stoj_makeupartist

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