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A
Hello, this is Elizabeth Day from the how to Fail podcast. I wanted to share something I'm genuinely excited about. One of my favorite UK wellness brands, Ancient and Brave, has just launched in the us. I've used two of their products in my daily routine and they've made a tangible difference. The first is True Creatine Plus. With added taurine, vitamin D and magnesium, it supports physical performance, energy and cognitive function. It's easy to take at home or on the go, whether I'm working out or or not. I also use their clinically studied True Collagen, a pure, potent and powerful staple that supports skin elasticity and hydration as well as whole body health. It's EU sourced, so free from growth hormones or antibiotics, plus it's neutral in taste and dissolves effortlessly into coffee or smoothies or a cup of tea. I would say that as a Brit, wouldn't I? Ancient and Brave are proud members of 1% for the planet, meaning that 1% of their sales go to environmental causes, wellness that feels good and does good too. Go to ancientandbrave.com planet and use the code howtofail. That's howtofail. No spaces or one word for $10 off any purchase. Masterclass is the streaming platform that makes it possible for anyone to watch or listen to hundreds of video lessons taught by more than 200 of the world's best. Whether it be in business and leadership, photography, cooking, acting, music, sports and more, Masterclass delivers a world class online learning experience. The classes that excited me the most were the ones on writing, so there's a session with actual Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink and the Tipping point. He's done 24 classes on how to find, research and write stories that capture big ideas and it's totally inspiring. I love that you can turn your commute or workout into a classroom with audio mode so you can listen to a Masterclass lesson in anytime, anywhere. Right now, our listeners get an additional 15% off any annual membership@masterclass.com fail. That's 15% off@masterclass.com fail masterclass.com fail Self doubt is a language many of us learn early, shaped by criticism, societal expectations, and our past. And learning to accept ourselves can be the work of a lifetime. But real change happens when we stop trying to become someone else and start coming home to who we are. This episode brings that truth to life through two cultural powerhouses. First, Pamela Anderson, global icon and Golden Globe nominee. She reflects on fame, body image, early trauma, and the long road to self discovery. She also uncovers that the harshest critic is often yourself, but the only approval that matters is your own. Then, Rylan Clark. Since rising to fame on the X Factor, he's become one of Britain's most loved broadcasters. Rylan opens up about growing up feeling different, navigating his sexuality, surviving bullying and the women who shaped him, Experiences that made him exactly who he is today. And we wouldn't have him any other way. We begin with Pamela's story. Let's dive straight in. You spent years dressing for others and you say it was fun at the time, but you're glad it's in the past. So when did dressing for others start for you? Was it when you were in the public eye?
B
Well, I think you start believing what other people see in you and what other people expect of you. And so, I mean, I, again, I didn't have a stylist back then. A stylist wouldn't have let me walk out the door, you know, if I was wearing some of those costumes. It was just me digging through doors and putting things together and, you know, corsets and hats. And even when I first started doing interviews, when I was on tv, I would go to the Playboy studio and pick out pieces of clothing, you know, half pieces of clothing, and have to put them together somehow. And they have a. They had a great, just wild closet to pull from, which is, you know, every color shoe, every color corset, you know, So I just started putting things together myself. I remember I did a campaign for Jacques Mousse and I remember Simon asking me, who styled you back then? It was so genius. I was like, I guess I'm the genius because I put those together. And he had tears in his eyes. He was like, no, don't tell me that. That was incredible. But it was authentic. It was fun. I thought it was. I remember going to La Dome back then and I found, like, polka dot stockings with, like, the seam up the back and a plastic dress and, you know, wearing my hair in a chignon and putting eyelashes on. And it wasn't thought out, it was just kind of what I threw together. But then in my first marriage, you know, rock star marriage, I thought, what does a rock star wife look like? And then I just started playing that character, even though it's been fun to see Beyonce dress up as me and barbed wire and again, those red carpet looks. But I created those characters, which I think is a compliment, because I think you can't create a. You are not just a costume, you're the person in the costume. And I think what people responded to weren't just the bedazzled pants, but the actual young girl having fun.
A
Yes. The character you created in that outfit and you mentioned there that you were creating a character dress wise within your first marriage, but were there other things that you were dressing for other occasions? So when you went to promote a film, for instance, in that era, were you under pressure to wear certain things?
B
Well, Barbed wire. When I went to Cannes, we hadn't even shot a frame of film yet, but I had my workout leggings in my bag and a little black corset and gloves and boots from a photo shoot I had just done. And so I put that together. It wasn't planned. I just came out on the pier and it was funny. Boats were running into each other and people were falling off of boats. And I kept going, who are they looking at? Like, what's going on? And I realized it was. Had no idea. So they're just. I just did that.
A
I remember that. That's so iconic. And it was your workout leggings.
B
It was my workout leggings, yeah. Wasn't that exciting?
A
So exciting. You are, you're a creative genius.
B
Oh, yeah. Well. But all these happy kind of accidents and in the time, at the moment, it was getting a lot of attention, but it wasn't like it was the COVID of Vogue, it wasn't fashion, you know, it was me playing. And so I. I don't know if that was a failure, but in the moment it felt disrespected or didn't felt appreciated. It didn't feel appreciated. But now that this 90s has made this comeback and people are really kind of looking at that time, you know, I guess I was a little bit of a pioneer. I'll just say that I'll look at it as a positive, but in the moment it was courageous because it was just fun and it was playful. But it wasn't fashion. It wasn't. It wasn't cool.
A
Yes. And do you feel that people didn't take you seriously as a result?
B
Oh, no. People weren't taking me seriously. And I think people forget too that I was an actress. I wasn't just a celebrity because of my personal life or my marriage. I was on Baywatch for many years and I was on VIP for many years. I did a movie, Barbed Wire. It may not be the box office hit, but it's a cult hit. And I was married. It was a high profile marriage. And then people became celebrities for just being celebrities. And I kind of got lumped into that category. But I really wanted to be an actress, and I'm so glad I get to do that now.
A
I am, too. You mentioned the 90s there, and we're also living through this era of Y2K resurgence. And there is also this sense that there's a toxicity to it as well in terms of body image. And I wonder what you think about that because you touched on social media and the impact that that is having. What are your thoughts on it?
B
Well, I think people have to realize too, that all these images are retouched or have filters on them and people can make themselves look any way they want their bodies and everything. So it's not a good resource for body image. You know, social media and also, every generation has its challenges with body image and with beauty and with what we think is trendy or looks good, or we try and keep up with the Joneses, or we do what everybody else is doing and there's just always a trade off. You have to support people no matter where they are in their beauty journey. There's no judgment of what people do. It's never too late to look in the mirror and to accept where you are in that moment and to start there, start fresh, start over. It's never too late.
A
I totally agree with you. And I really appreciate this idea that the Dove Self Esteem Project has of bodily autonomy and body realism rather than this constant pressure to feel overwhelmingly positive all of the time about who we are and how we present ourselves. Because that's not realistic, right?
B
Yeah.
A
But I think the most powerful thing for me is as you're doing, stripping back the layers, understanding who I am underneath it all, and not trying to chase trends that change all of the time, because that's the nature of a trend.
B
Or not trying to chase youth.
A
Yes.
B
And that's just been, you know, fed to us is that's to look as young as we possibly can, as long as we can. And I don't know, I think it gets more interesting, you know, it does. I mean, I have my own insecurities and things that I catch myself, but I think that's the challenge, is to embrace those parts of yourself, even the ones you don't necessarily like a lot. It's a journey, it's a challenge, it's a practice, and it's ups and downs. It's two steps forward, one step back. That's just how it is.
A
So knowing that this episode is going out and it's going to reach the ears of women, people of all genders, but young women in particular, what would your message or piece of advice be to them if they are going through a struggle with their own body image, with their own acceptance of where they're at on their beauty journey?
B
I think that we're our own worst critic and nobody else is judging you. I feel like that was my aha moment, was when I realized nobody else is. They're more worried about the way they look and that I can go to the beach in a bathing suit, I can look at myself in a less critical way. And I know it's a practice body image should be based on how do you feel healthiest? And I think that's the most beautiful.
A
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B
Hey, psst. You didn't hear this from me, but
C
Normal Gossip is back for its ninth season.
B
Join me, Rachel Hampton, as I share the juiciest gossip from the real world with some very special guests.
C
This season, we're bringing back some old
B
friends, a Radiotopia buddy, and for the first time ever, a Nobel laureate. That's right, we have Malala.
C
On season nine, Normal Gossip is out
B
on all your favorite podcast platforms.
A
Let's get on to your second failure, which is your failure to fit in at school. And I imagine that there's a lot that ties into how we started this conversation.
C
Yeah, I mean, I. Weirdly enough, I mean, that's quite a vague statement because in primary school, don't get me wrong, I had a lovely time. I had a really, really great time at primary school. But I had these times where I didn't feel like I fit in and that was because I think I was trying to work out who I was and what these thoughts that maybe I was having meant. Because you know, when you're 9, 10 years old back then, I don't know about 9, 10 year olds now but back then I didn't know what the word gay meant, I didn't know what that meant but what I would be doing I was quite stereotypical. So in the playground the boys would be playing football and I'd be with the girls doing bewitched routines and S Club 7 by the church and performing for the dinner ladies like all of these things and as much as I wasn't made to feel like I didn't fit in I think that was a pressure I was putting on myself. Like why am I here? Why am I here and not on that side of the fence with the boys playing football. And that sort of progressed. I remember there was this one time it was this boy from school's birthday and sort of that then you invited the whole class and we all went but he had friends from not our school and me and the girls are sort of outside doing this routine and whatever while these. And I remember his friends that didn't go out of school were like taking the piss out of me which I can understand but I'd been in this sort of bubble of like well they all know what I'm like and then all of a sudden you're out in the what you feel is the big bad world with people from another school, they're like eight, do you know what I mean? But it's just I remember that it's something that I banked and I thought maybe I shouldn't be doing this, maybe I should be with the boys. So it's sort of not a case of not fitting in and being ostracized at the edge of the class more that internal feeling of why am I doing this? What does this mean? And you know, you'd have the odd person say something to you and you think what does that mean? What does gay mean? What does this mean? And then when I moved to secondary school again I was very lucky to go to a really good secondary school and I was a little bit targeted in the early years by some of the older boys and then it got to sort of the age of 14, 15 and I was quite happy with who I was and knew who I was and was like fuck you. And that's when I've never forget someone come up to me and Tried to take the piss out of me. He was two years older. We had all these mates with him taking the mic, and I just went, do you want a fucking blowjob or something? Because you're obsessed. And his face just dropped and his mate sort of took the piss out of him. And then I was like, okay. And then he never said anything to me since. And it was sort of just owning who I was. I wasn't ashamed of who I was. But, yeah, I think taking that ownership meant a lot to me.
A
There's a lot that I want to come back to on that. But I wonder what your thoughts are on the language around, quote unquote, coming out. Because I feel that that often implies there's something that you're coming out from that there's been this sort of darkness that you need to emerge from. And it can be. It can imply something really negative, but it sounds, from what you're saying, you always knew yourself, you just didn't have the language to express it.
C
I totally understand what you're saying and I'm really grateful for you saying that because, I mean, coming out as the term don't offend me in the slightest. Like, and I get why it's called coming out, because it's like I'm telling the world who I am. I'm hoping in 10, 15 years time, no one uses the words coming out because whether you're gay, straight, bi, want to have sex with vegetable, good luck to you. Like, it shouldn't be an issue. The weird thing is I always say this, like, when anyone comes out in the media that maybe has been working in the media for some time and has never spoke about their sexuality or whatever, and then all of a sudden decides to for their own reasons, great, well done. And they get a lot of praise. And people are like, yay. I remember having this conversation with a couple of other people in the industry that are also gay. And it was sort of like a passing jokey comment, but it was like, oh, we didn't get this fanfare, like, because we've always just been who we are. I've never publicly come out. I've just been on tv, I married a man. But I've never said, guys are saying, I've got to tell you yes on X Factor Saint got tell you. Okay? Like, I've never done the coming out video. I've just been myself. And people either presumed or I've said something somewhere and, you know, that's that. So for me, I sit there and go, if someone wants to Tell the world their gender sexual preference were great. I'm here to support everyone. If someone doesn't and they want to keep it hidden again, it's great. It's your personal life. I don't care who you're sleeping with, whatever. But for me, I came out to my mum, but everyone else just knew.
A
Did your mum know when you.
C
Well, that mean it was quite a funny story because I got my friend's mum to tell her because I bottled it and I heard her on. In the background on the phone going, no, Linda, no. And I run away because I thought my mum's gonna disown me. And what my friend's mum actually said, look, he's got something to tell you. And she went, oh, don't tell me he's got a girl pregnant. I mean, I don't know if she knew, but, I mean, she wasn't deaf and blind, but for some reason she thought I might have got a girl pregnant.
A
But, yeah, I love your mum.
C
She's great. She's a nightmare, but I love her.
A
Okay. And growing up, she was a single mother. You have an older brother who you mentioned. Yeah, Jamie Driver. He's quite a bit older.
C
Yeah, he's 14 years older than me. So he was like a dad figure.
A
Okay. Did you ever feel the lack of a dad? And do you think that's part of your need for validation?
C
Do you know what? No, genuinely, hand on heart, didn't. The only times I ever felt odd about it was if when I was younger, you'd have a supply teacher that don't know the kids, obviously, let's say you did something wrong or you did something good, or they were asking you stand up in class and say, so. And if they just said a pass, what do your mum and dad do? I was like, well, I haven't got dad. They're the only times where I'd be like, oh, it's weird. But no, like, now a lot of the public know who my mum is, if they've seen her or listened to her on my radio show. She's definitely strong enough to be a mum and a dad. And my nan lived with us as well because my mum wasn't well a lot of the time. So I sort of had two mums. And then my brother is a father figure. So where my brother was so much more older than me, he was the one that would sort of buy me my first computer or things like that. Things you just don't forget as a kid. So I never felt the lack of a father Figure because I almost had three parents. I mean, it's better than none, isn't it?
A
Yeah.
C
At that age. So, yeah.
A
So there wasn't that need to prove yourself to show yourself to your dad?
C
Absolutely. No.
A
Okay. No, I've ticked that cod psychology box.
C
Yeah, there's a second. Yeah, Like, I really wish. I mean, look, I'm sure if you pick through my brain and certain traits or this and you cross reference it with people that didn't grow up with a man in the house and all of this, I'm sure we can sit there and find something that's like, maybe that is because of a lack of a dad. Like, I have always sat there in full nature and nurture when it comes down to my sexuality. And, you know, growing up in a household with two females, did that make me gay? I don't know, like, but I always do think that. But I genuinely think I could have grown up in a household with the craze and still like Willie. So, you know, like, I genuinely believe that people are who they are. I feel like nurture definitely plays its part in people's character and their characteristics and how they behave, but I do genuinely feel that people were meant to be who they are. I don't know, that might just be like a lovey dovey thing to say.
A
No, I totally agree with you. And that idea of nurture being integral, that mindset that you mentioned earlier of that idea that if you wanted something you'd had to put in the hours and you could achieve it, I'll get it. That's pure nurture and that's clearly something that you inherited from your mum, your gran, your older brother.
C
Absolutely. You want something, you go and work for it and you go and get it. And even now I'm in a very luxury grateful position where I could be places and they'll go, you ain't got to pay for this or you can have this. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you sit there and go, thanks, that's lovely, really appreciate it. But I'll never forget after X Factor, it's about six months after and I, all I wanted to do to me always wanted a Louis Vuitton suitcase. Don't know why it's the stereotype. Oh, you've made it. And I remember going to the shop with my term manager and walking in there and going, I want to buy that. And I'm like, yep, no worries, we'll take you upstairs to the Louis Vuitton apartment. And I'm like, oh my God, this is Amazing. And literally they were like, we've spoke to our press team, they're happy to give this year. And I just broke down and was like, no, I want to pay for it, I want to pay for it. Let me buy this for myself. Like, that sounds so ridiculous. Because if they want to send me one now, I'll take it. But you've made the point now. Yeah, yeah. But literally, like, for my own validation.
A
Yes.
C
That's when I knew I had done well.
A
Yes.
C
To be able to have the money to buy that, like. And that's when I was like, right, I want to do it. And I did. And to this day, like, I rinse it like it's fraying because I use it that much. But every time I pick up that suitcase, even all these years on, I've been lucky enough to earn some money, build my own house, I've got a car, built my mum a house, but every time I pick that suitcase up, I'm like, you don't know why.
A
Symbolic.
C
Yeah.
A
That time of not fitting in at school, you've been, I think, very generous to the people who, as you say, kind of teased you. Because actually, it was very serious bullying.
C
At one point. At one point it was. Yeah, at one point it was quite bad.
A
You fractured your skull.
C
Yeah. So that was the late primary school, that was. And it wasn't actually kids at school. There was this place near our school where everyone went. It was like an adventure playground thing. Not like a playground like a normal one. It was like a purpose built, like rope, swings and you'd have staff there. Like, it was one of those sort of children's places. And, yeah, just one day, this group of kids, I was just on the swing, just grabbed me, threw me down on the floor and kicked me in the head and it fractured my skull. And the next thing I know, I'm in an ambulance. And I remember going past my house, seeing my house through the window, and was like, what? It's weird because I was young and I don't really remember that much, but I remember those snippets. And I remember being in the ambulance and seeing. Seeing my house and being like, that's my house. And then I lay down and I'm like. And then I'm crying because I'm scared. I'm like, what's going on? Like, my parents, like, all of this, like, what's going on? And, yeah, yeah, it fractured my skull. And, yeah, it just turned out these kids had seen me playing with the girls and didn't like it. And that was it. I didn't even know them, but they were just other kids that went there. So, yeah, so that was sort of the final straw for my mom, actually. That's when she went, we're leaving, we're moving, don't want to be here no more. And that's when we moved out. We're the last sort of ones of our family to move out to Essex. We all come from East London. And yeah, that was the final straw for my mum. She just went, no, we're going.
A
Do you think there's something about having Rylan and Ross that dates from that moment where it's safer psychologically for you to keep your truest of truest self protected?
C
You couldn't be more right. That's exactly what I do. And yeah, it probably does come from events of my life when I went on X. Like I said earlier, you have a decision to make. Do you take this and hope to get something, or do you stop and disappear and get nothing? And that's when the brain split into two. I went, right, this is a Bryland Night Foreign. Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra, that's the og. It kicked off this whole zero sugar energy drink thing, but Ultra is a whole lineup now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian Sunrise and Vice Guava. And they all bring the Monster Energy punch. So if you've been living in the White can, branch out. Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe, and every single one is Zero Sugar Tap the banner to learn more Abercrombie's new spring collection has every outfit you need for the season of long weekends, full of linen shirts, sweaters and coastal shorts designed to go from your desk straight to days off. For me, the collection's a must have are the baggy trousers with the casual fit and tailored look for endless versatility. Get your closet ready for spring plans. Shop Abercrombie in the app online and in stores.
Release Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Elizabeth Day
Guests: Pamela Anderson, Rylan Clark
In this episode, Elizabeth Day welcomes Pamela Anderson and Rylan Clark for a heartful, candid conversation about self-acceptance. The episode navigates themes of body image, authenticity, survival, and the lifelong work of accepting oneself amidst societal pressure and personal challenges. Pamela reflects on her journey through fame, public scrutiny, and carving her own style, while Rylan opens up about feeling different, experiencing bullying, and thriving by embracing his true self.
Pamela describes creating her own looks as a young woman in the public eye—often without a stylist, relying on her sense of fun and experimentation. She recounts how she would mix and match outfits, pulling corsets, hats, and shoes from the Playboy wardrobe and simply “playing” with clothes.
She remembers being asked by designer Simon from Jacquemus who styled her in the ‘90s. “I guess I'm the genius because I put those together,” she says. Simon’s emotional response reminded her that authenticity leaves a mark.
“But it was authentic. It was fun. ...But I created those characters, which I think is a compliment, because I think you can't create a. You are not just a costume, you're the person in the costume. And I think what people responded to weren't just the bedazzled pants, but the actual young girl having fun.”
—Pamela Anderson, (04:50)
She emphasizes that, though these creative choices didn’t fit “fashion” expectations, their playfulness and genuineness were courageous.
Despite being perceived as playing a character (like a “rock star wife”), she recognizes the fun and originality in those choices, even if they weren’t always appreciated at the time.
Pamela critiques the unrealistic expectations and toxicity cultivated on social media, noting that many images are filtered and retouched:
“People can make themselves look any way they want... So it's not a good resource for body image.” (08:11)
She shares her belief that every generation faces its own challenges with beauty and trends.
Pamela encourages acceptance and realism with one’s body—“It's never too late to look in the mirror and to accept where you are in that moment”—and stresses that each person’s beauty journey is unique.
“We're our own worst critic and nobody else is judging you. I feel like that was my aha moment, was when I realized nobody else is...body image should be based on how do you feel healthiest? And I think that's the most beautiful.”
—Pamela Anderson, (10:33–11:12)
Rylan recounts his early school years, feeling different or “not fitting in.” He didn’t know the word “gay,” but gravitated toward the girls, joining in dance routines rather than playing football.
He remembers a formative moment at a birthday party when children from another school teased him:
“I think that was a pressure I was putting on myself. Like why am I here? Why am I here and not on that side of the fence with the boys playing football. ...It’s more that internal feeling of why am I doing this? What does this mean?”
—Rylan Clark, (13:36)
In secondary school, targeted by older students, he developed defiance and self-acceptance, retelling a pivotal moment where owning who he was silenced a bully.
“I’ve never publicly come out. I’ve just been on TV, married a man. ...For me, I came out to my mum, but everyone else just knew.”
—Rylan Clark, (16:52)
“I genuinely think I could have grown up in a household with the Krays and still like Willie. So, you know, I genuinely believe that people are who they are.”
—Rylan Clark, (20:37)
“Let me buy this for myself. ...That’s when I knew I had done well. ...Every time I pick up that suitcase, even all these years on...I’m like, you don’t know why.”
—Rylan Clark, (22:13)
“You couldn’t be more right. That’s exactly what I do. ...the brain split into two.”
—Rylan Clark, (24:31)
“You are not just a costume, you're the person in the costume.”
— Pamela Anderson (04:50)
“It's never too late to look in the mirror and to accept where you are in that moment and to start there, start fresh, start over.”
— Pamela Anderson (08:40)
“We're our own worst critic and nobody else is judging you. ...body image should be based on how do you feel healthiest? And I think that's the most beautiful.”
— Pamela Anderson (10:33)
“I genuinely believe that people are who they are. I feel like nurture definitely plays its part...but I do genuinely feel that people were meant to be who they are.”
— Rylan Clark (20:33)
“I never felt the lack of a father figure because I almost had three parents. I mean, it’s better than none, isn’t it?”
— Rylan Clark (19:40)
“I’ve never publicly come out. I’ve just been on TV, married a man...For me, I came out to my mum, but everyone else just knew.”
— Rylan Clark (16:52)
“You couldn’t be more right. That’s exactly what I do. ...the brain split into two.”
— Rylan Clark (24:31)
This episode is a powerful exploration of vulnerability, survival, and the triumph of being yourself—even when the world’s expectations don’t fit. Both Pamela and Rylan offer wit, wisdom, and hope to anyone struggling with self-acceptance.