
Loading summary
Tamsen
Today's podcast is sponsored by Midi Health. So many women tell me the same thing. They finally speak up about brain fog, exhaustion or anxiety and they're brushed off or told it's just stress or age. That kind of dismissal makes you question your own body. MIDI changes that by offering expert insurance covered virtual care that actually understands midlife and treats women like they matter. Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit joinmitty.comtamsin today to book your personalized insurance covered virtual visit. That's joinmitte.com Tamsen Midi the care Women deserve.
Progressive Ad Voice
You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you may not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions and and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates national average 12 month savings of $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.
Tamsen
Welcome back. Well, today is Family day at the Tamsen Show. It's not Ira, my husband. It's not my dad either, though I'm still working on getting him on the show. But my next guest is my cousin who is basically my sister and you probably actually already know her, Shannon Elizabeth. And I'm going to take a second to brag about her for a little bit. The 90s are having a moment right now and in 1999, Shannon was the moment. She starred as Nadia in American Pie and went on to appear in Scary Movie love actually, and that 70s show. We're gonna talk about all of that in this episode and we're also gonna talk about what we do when we're together. Family, friendships, talk about aging. Well, Shannon and I have been together through a lot of it, from breakups and divorce to major career changes and now menopause. We get into all of it in the episode and I think you're gonna love it. Not only because Shannon is really incredible, but because you're gonna see a side of her and and me that you've never seen or heard before. We get into it though. If you love the Tamsen show podcast, please leave us a review. It takes about 30 seconds and genuinely really helps us grow and reach more People in this community. Let's get this started. Shannon, it's so funny to be sitting across from you with a microphone.
Shannon Elizabeth
No, I know. We haven't done it like this before.
Tamsen
We never have. So full disclosure. I can't believe you're sitting up. Right. Because you came in last night from a long trip.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes.
Tamsen
Right.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. I got four hours sleep.
Tamsen
Four hours sleep. Because we laid on the bed and talked for, like, four hours after you
Shannon Elizabeth
got there, which seemed like five minutes.
Tamsen
Which seemed like five minutes. We have so much to talk about, I think. But I always want to start kind of where we are today. And we talked about this a little bit last night. Right. I remember. I don't know. I remember not too long ago, we were playing with, like, these big dolls that were as tall as we were.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes.
Tamsen
Right.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
At our grandmother's house.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes.
Tamsen
And today we're sitting here as women in our 50s, and I think, I don't know about you, but I feel more powerful than I ever have.
Shannon Elizabeth
I don't know about me either, to be honest. I don't know. I don't know if I feel more powerful, but I am. I do feel like I am stepping into such a new chapter for me, and it's so new. Like, it's really new. It's just started, like, in the past week.
Tamsen
Yeah.
Shannon Elizabeth
So I. I think I'm getting my power back.
Tamsen
And it's interesting because I don't know about you, but. And we have talked about this for years, but, like, through my 30s, I thought I was, like, totally. Like, I had it under control, and I got it. And I didn't know 50 was going to be. Like, I was really scared of those ages. Like, I remember we've talked about this. Like, 50. What the hell happens then? And, yeah, I did it in front of TV cameras. You did it in Hollywood. So those are, like. Those are a lot of different pressures that happen during that. Yeah. Today, when you look at where you are and you look at, like, the pressures on all of us, we have social media that we didn't have before. We have all these different things going on. How do you feel about who you are today?
Shannon Elizabeth
That's a loaded question.
Tamsen
It is. I don't. You know, I'm.
Shannon Elizabeth
I'm much more comfortable in my own skin today than I used to be. I feel like whatever I want to do, if I just put my mind to it, I can go tackle it. But sometimes I get lost in, well, what do I want to do? Like, there's almost. So there's so many things you can do, and there's so many directions you can go with your life. And I get a paralysis sometimes where it's like, well, if I put all of my energy over here and I neglect other things, maybe I should have been doing the other things, and should I do that instead? And then I do nothing.
Tamsen
I get it, though. But I think a lot of women listening are gonna completely resonate with that, because I feel the same way. I feel like, oh, no, what if I miss this opportunity or that or what if I do this? But I should be doing that. And I do think that's this time of life, though, because we realize that we're in our second half of life, like, whatever next chapter is, we realize that this is sort of our someday. You and I have talked about that a lot.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, we have.
Tamsen
We can't wait for someday anymore. And this is it.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
And we have to take control of it. Do you feel like you're. You know. I think a lot. I talk a lot about aging on the show, obviously, and we talk a lot about not being like, I want to anti age, because that's not really words that people use anymore. But we do want to be healthy.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
And that has been a huge part of who you are through the years. You have more supplements that you take than I've ever seen anybody in my life. She comes, by the way, full disclosure. Anytime Shannon comes to visit, my entire counter is full of, like, supplements and pills and, like, powders and things. And then I go buy them all, and I'm like, I'm going to take them like Shannon did. And then I don't.
Shannon Elizabeth
And then I can't find them. Like, I was looking for your supplements this morning because I wanted her in the bottom drawer. I wanted some MCT oil. I'm like, she must have it somewhere. And I couldn't find it. I'm like, why does she not have MCT oil here?
Tamsen
I did have that, but I think I needed cleaning. Yeah.
Shannon Elizabeth
So this is tamzin. I've used it once, and I'm not sure I want it. Throw it up, Throw it up. Throw it up. Throw it up. Why can't I find anything? Cause you threw it up.
Tamsen
Well, we're very different in that respect.
Shannon Elizabeth
Right?
Tamsen
We're very different. So I am the. Gotta be organized, clean, and minimalist. Minimalist. All my shit's gotta be put away. And this morning, I walked into. And this is just like insider baseball. She rolls in last night. I want to get back to what we were Talking about. But she rolls in my apartment last night with a minimal amount of suitcases for you. Honestly, like, that was the latest I've
Shannon Elizabeth
ever seen because I'm only here and a half.
Tamsen
Okay.
Shannon Elizabeth
In the U.S. in the U.S. so
Tamsen
she rolls in and usually it looks like she has a body bag. Like, you have these big suitcases. Look like a body has been transported in them.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes.
Tamsen
And you roll into this thing. And I was like, she doesn't have very much. And then this morning, I went into your room and it was like everything exploded across.
Progressive Ad Voice
But you know what?
Tamsen
You have learned how to do that. You've learned how to travel. You travel a ton. You're on the road all the time. And despite the fact that we have very many differences, we have a hell of a lot of similarities that we really do. We think about this stage of life lot, I think. Right.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. I mean, people always say that we're sisters, you know, like, we have sister energy. And I love that because I don't have a sister, except for you.
Tamsen
And I don't have my sister. So I love that. That's why I was so excited. I said, will you come on the podcast? And you're like, yes, I will. And I said, will you come on with four hours of sleep? And she said, yes, I will. And I was like, I don't know. Is she gonna bail on me?
Shannon Elizabeth
She's only had four hours. I'm teasing you.
Tamsen
I would have probably been like, shannon, I'm doing it another time.
Shannon Elizabeth
No, because. Because you have pretty lighting. I came.
Tamsen
Thank you. It is beautiful lighting, and you are beautiful. Well, let's talk about where you are right now. So you have this new chapter.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes.
Tamsen
Can we talk about it? Because it's been all over the headlines. So we. Yeah, people might know, but if you don't know, you in the 90s, you know you were the it girl of the 90s, right?
Shannon Elizabeth
More like 2000.
Tamsen
2000.
Shannon Elizabeth
People are saying 90s, but it was not. American Pie was 99. And that's when it started.
Tamsen
But that's the 90s.
Shannon Elizabeth
I know, I know. But then everything else came in the 2000s.
Tamsen
Okay, all right, so I'll give you the 2000s. And it sounds like you're younger.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, yeah.
Tamsen
So you're much younger in the two. So in the early 2000, late 2000s, 2000s. American Pie, that was your first big movie, Is that right?
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, first studio film.
Tamsen
Okay. And then what happened? You played Nadia.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes, and then I got a three picture deal with Miramax and played Scary Movie and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back with Kevin Smith directing and did 13 ghosts. And I just had a slew of things, and I just. It started rolling and.
Tamsen
Do you remember that girl back then? Were you excited? Scared? Can't believe where you are? Look back at that person now and go, what? I was so young.
Shannon Elizabeth
What was I doing?
Tamsen
What did I know?
Shannon Elizabeth
I realized that I was very tough coming out of high school. Like, when I was in high school, I had this protection layer around me where I felt like to survive, I had to be quite, like, almost bitchy to stand up for myself, because I got bullied a lot. I really did. And look, it's. There are people that will hear this, that went to school with me that will say, no, you didn't. But I did. You know, everyone has their own experience. And I put on a really good front so that people wouldn't know. And I got this very hard exterior because of it to just. I was. I'm an only child. I felt like I. I didn't have anyone but myself. So I was. I was very tough, and I talked a big game, but I luckily never had to follow through with that. But then as I got older, I was. I still had that in me, that fight, you know, Like, I remember almost. Almost felt more comfortable in the fight. And I knew that wasn't me. And it took me quite a long time, I think, to let those walls down, let that go, and become who I think I am now, which is not that person. I'm not the fighter. I'm very much the nurturer. I like to take care of people. I love to take care of animals and nature, and that's more me. And so when I look back, I know I had that side of me then that. And then also everything just started happening. You kind of go into this machine and you're just on the ride. It's not even you. It's everyone around you making the decisions, and you just go. So you get taken here and you do this press and you get taken there, and you do that film, and you get taken there and you just go. So it's almost like you miss that period of your life because it just happens so quickly, and you're just on autopilot. And, you know, I think we don't enjoy those moments enough. And it's only when we get older that we realize we need to stop and breathe and look at where we are and look at what we're doing and try to really enjoy that moment. Because the minute you enjoy that moment. That moment's gone, and you're on to the next moment. And you really have to. Because how many moments do we have left?
Tamsen
I know. I think about that a lot. I really. As. As we get older and, you know, we both suffered losing. Losing parents in our lives. We know what that's like. We know how precious and short life is. You know, I think about some of those times because I think that you and I were both on our career trajectories, right on opposite sides of the country doing our thing, and. And we would come. We'd see each other at family. Family events or Thanksgiving or Christmas or whatever it was. But I remember that. Like, I remember the tough side of you, and I remember that it was. I think. I guess I didn't know it at the time. It was a protective layer, because me, I was like, oh, my God, look what she's doing. It looks so fun. But I. But then when we started getting closer again, you know, I don't even know how many years ago now, and reconnected in New York and, like, lived in the same city, and then we were going back and forth from LA to New York to see each other.
Shannon Elizabeth
Ye.
Tamsen
I realized how tough some of that stuff was for you. I didn't know that I went through,
Shannon Elizabeth
you know, you mentioned my, like, 30s. Our 30s.
Tamsen
Yeah. Yeah.
Shannon Elizabeth
And I didn't think my 30s were great. A lot of what I was going through was more in my twenties and the beginning of my thirties. But then things kind of started to slow down, and things weren't necessarily still going the way I had hoped in acting in Hollywood. Yeah. And I mean, I went through a marriage and a divorce and things, you know, I just wasn't in a good space. And looking back, if I really analyze my life up until this point, my 30s and 40s both weren't amazing, but my 20s were great, and I'm making my 50s great.
Tamsen
I love that so much. That makes me so happy to hear.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
And I'm excited that we're doing it. Like, you know, we've talked about this. We're gonna get on the phone every week. We're gonna, like, stabilize each other to where we are, because I do think you need those people in your life. And I didn't think that community was as important. And I always knew how important family was, but I think now more than
Shannon Elizabeth
ever before, you know, I didn't even know how important family was, to be honest. I kind of had this. Maybe because I was an only child, this, like, okay, well, I'VE left home and I'm on my own and I'm doing my own thing and I need to prove that I can do it on my own. And I think just pushed so far the other way. I mean, there was also some personal issues with my family as well that caused me to do that. And it's only been, I don't know if I want to say, since we've reconnected or even maybe since my dad passed, like, I've started realizing community and family and friends are so important. And I mean, before that, I had this Persona of like, I don't need anybody. I'll do it myself. I don't need anybody.
Tamsen
Okay, the summer's almost here and I want to plan what I'm going to be doing, not worrying about where the money's going to come from, especially when it comes to vacation. So I'm organizing my finances so I can enjoy the summer knowing that's all taken care of. Monarch is a personal finance app that tracks everything. Accounts, investments, saving goals and spending. And get your first year off Monarch Core for half off just $50 with promo code Tamsin here's what I love. This app monitors my money so I don't have to and it makes it so easy. It shows you whether or not your monthly savings rate is quietly fallen short as your lifestyle expenses creep up. It takes that mental load off of tracking your finances. Plus it's like literally having a financial advisor in your pocket. I love the weekly AI recap showing my spending spike before it becomes a problem. By the way, most apps only tell you what you've already spent. Monarch helps you set goals, map out the big purchases and see if you're actually on track so you can adjust. Use code tamsen@monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core Half off at just $50. That's 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code TAMSEN. Oh gosh, I love this time of year. There is something about this time of year where I just want to move. I want to walk, I want to get outside, I want to just get in motion. Long walks, workouts, being outside again, it makes me rethink the basics I'm wearing every day. I've been getting back into my lifting workouts and bomba Sports socks have been such a game changer. They're cushioned where you need them. They stay in place and I'm not distracted by like adjusting everything all the time. I can just focus on moving. And you know, I love my morning walks and you know what happens when I put my boots back in the closet? Then I'm all about comfortable footwear. Bombas has warm weather footwear, and it's back in rotation. It's lightweight, supportive, and perfect for travel days or for just running out the door, especially when it comes to their sandals. Even their basics, though, have surprised me overall. The tees, the underwear, they're soft, they're breathable, and they just feel like an upgrade from what I was wearing before. This is also a part that really matters to me. For every item you purchase, an essential clothing item is donated to someone facing housing insecurity. One purchased, one donated. With over 150 million donations and counting, that is pretty amazing to me. Head over to bombas.com tamsen and use code TAMSEN for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O-M-B-A-S.com TAMSIN code TAMSEN at checkout. We went through our divorces around the same time, so I remember that. And I remember, like, I don't know, I just feel like we kind of clung to each other. Like, oh, my gosh, we're both going through this together. What the hell? How the hell did this happen? Yeah, but I'm with you. Like, I've always been close to my family, but, you know, you were close to my mother.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
You're very close to my mom. I remember that very, very well. So you did always have that want, you know, of that and that love and that nurturing. So, yeah, I'm glad. I'm glad it's back.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, me too. I like this side of me much better.
Tamsen
I like this side of you, too.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
All right, let's talk about today. 50s. You know, I talk a lot about menopause on this show.
Shannon Elizabeth
No, I do.
Tamsen
I know. Are you listening to Menopause? Okay, Kim, am I allowed to ask you, like, where, where? Out loud? I know where you are. I know. I know your entire period. But you're in menopause now.
Shannon Elizabeth
I guess so. I mean, you also told me once menopause was one day.
Tamsen
It is one day. But everything after post menopause.
Shannon Elizabeth
Okay, then I post.
Tamsen
Okay. Do you want to call it post menopause?
Shannon Elizabeth
I don't know. I've always remembered you saying it's only one day. I'm like, well, then I think I did it.
Tamsen
That's the day you did. Congratulations.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. I don't know what day it was,
Tamsen
but yeah, I feel like I need to start giving people a sticker when they come in here. And be like, yeah, I passed. I'm in menopause, but I feel like, better than I have in a really long time. Like, I agree with you. My 20s were really fun. My 30s and 40s were, like, a little bit wonky. At the 50s when I got married to Ira.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
And I feel like my 50s have been kind of kickass. Not always perfect, for sure. Well, nothing is right, but much better.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
All right, let's talk about your new chapter so we can answer any questions people might have about that. You made an announcement, which I'd like to say I knew way before, but I had to keep it secret. You decided you wanted to do something new in this next chapter. What did you announce last week?
Shannon Elizabeth
That I've joined OnlyFans, which, for me, it's a creator site. You know, it's where you share content about your life. When we did American Pie, I did a website. And we were told at the time only porn stars did websites. No actors had websites at that point. I was probably the first or one of the first actors to have a website. Only porn stars had had websites. This was early days for Internet. Can you believe that? I mean, so there was a company I worked with out of San Francisco. They built this website for me, and we had a whole chat room where I could talk to fans and they could do requests and. But the site kept crashing.
Tamsen
I didn't know this.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. But it was such early days, and the technology wasn't quite there, and nobody. It was such a big deal to do any little piece of that. And, I mean, I did. I think it was a live stream with Maxim, and we crashed their site. Like, it just was. I think. I guess it was just ahead of what the technology is, and then, you know, cut to, I don't know, 10, 20 years ago, whatever it was, where all the influencers and creators and people started, like, that started happening.
Tamsen
People were talking about menopause. Yeah.
Shannon Elizabeth
I mean, I wasn't in a great space, and I was like, I don't want to share my life at that point. You know, like, what do I. What do I talk about? Because I wasn't in a good place, so I didn't want to fake that. And, you know, even. Even watching, like, you, like, soar with social media. I mean, we talked about it a bunch of times, and I'm like, I don't know how to do social. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to put out there. And for years, I would say to myself, okay, this year, is the year I'm gonna start creating content and sharing it. And then I was like, well, who cares what I'm doing? Who cares what I'm wearing or eating or. You know, I kind of went through this whole, like, who cares? And now that I'm just in this new chapter, I'm like, okay, I'm finally gonna do this. I'm gonna share everything. Like, no holds barred. And I'm gonna do it in a way. I don't wanna just throw stuff up on Instagram and just haphazardly. Like. It just didn't feel right. So I'm trying to do it correctly. I'm trying to do it right.
Tamsen
I'm going back to what you said. Like, I had no idea. I mean, that was really what this is, right? You had a website. You're talking to people, you have photos, you're communicating with them. That's so before it's time. That's unbelievable.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. Yeah. And so what I'm doing now is kind of what we tried to do then, but it wasn't as advanced. Like, it's advanced a lot now. So, I mean, I'm late to the game, but you know what? I was late to Facebook. I was still understanding MySpace when Facebook, I was like, I just figured out MySpace. Why do I have to do Facebook now?
Tamsen
We created our Instagram accounts in Times Square. Do you remember that? We were. Yes, we were in Times Square in a Starbucks and we were freezing our asses off. And we're like, what is this, Instagram? And we went on it, and that's why, like, you. I think I'm. You might be the first person I followed.
Shannon Elizabeth
I don't remember that.
Tamsen
Yes, that's what we did. Because we. Cause I think that that's what it was. You were like, I just got on Facebook. Now I'm gonna do this.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
And so that's crazy.
Shannon Elizabeth
And I'd gotten on Twitter pretty early, too, which I. I used a lot in the beginning, and then I kind of didn't for a while. But, I mean, I remember because Ashton was connected to it and I had worked with Ash. Like, well, I'll. You know, I'll get on. I'll reserve. Yeah. Ashton Kutcher. I'm like, I'll reserve my name and see. We'll see what happens. But it became one of my best platforms. I just. I've got to, like, I. I have to remind myself, post, post, share, like, do stuff.
Tamsen
Well, now with only fans, you're remembering.
Shannon Elizabeth
I'm assuming I'm getting Better at it. I'm getting better. I was. I was doing content on the way here. I was doing content when I was getting ready today because I'm starting to learn. Like, I'm gonna do all that anyway. So now I just need to remember to put the camera up and, like, film while I'm doing it. And so if, you know, I work out with my trainer, I just film it. And, yeah, I mean, I'm still kind of like, who cares? Like, who wants to watch me do this?
Tamsen
Somebody cares. Because I think it's been very happily received. Were you nervous at all doing it? Based on the fact that a lot of people on OnlyFans are doing a lot of different things?
Shannon Elizabeth
I was a little nervous, but there's. There are a lot of actresses on there that are doing it, but they do it very quietly. Well, I. I mean, I've been living under a rock overseas, so I don't know. I mean, I actually don't know what's quiet. It was quiet to me, but it might have been huge news here. There's all kinds of big news here that I don't always hear about because I'm living in South Africa, but. And I don't, like, listen to the news anymore. I don't look at things. But I was nervous. I was also nervous. Like, do. Do I want to share this far and wide and are people going to, like, criticize me? Like, I don't know, but they were going to say, well, you know, like, why? I guess, why is she doing it and what. What is she doing and what does it mean? And I don't know. But also, on the same token, thought nobody would care. Like. Like nobody would notice.
Tamsen
You thought nobody would care.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, I didn't. I didn't really. I didn't really think this far. But I've got to say, my. My fans that were fans back then are still fans, and they've been amazing and doing the. I do a lot of Comic Con appearances, and I've been able to connect with fans at those. And, I mean, they make me cry. Like, some of the people that come over and talk to me and tell me what a film I did meant to them, I just start crying, like, because everything was so autopilot back then. I had no idea that I was doing something that could impact somebody's life the way they're telling me it did. So I wasn't connected to that then. So I'm connecting to it now when people approach me, and it's made me realize that I want to do things for my fans even more because they've stood by me through everything, and I guess they've kind of waited for me, you know, which is empowering and amazing and exciting, and I really, really love, like, the people that have supported me.
Tamsen
That one role, American Pie. Is it mind boggling how that changed the trajectory of your life? Yeah. Is it mind boggling you're still talking about it today.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, I. I mean, never ever would we have thought about that. That's. I mean, I was just happy to have a job and it was a studio film and. Yeah, it was a little risque and it was a little, like, racy. And I went to the premiere with my parents next to me, and I did. Yeah. And I just.
Tamsen
I was doing the news probably in, like, Philadelphia or somewhere. I don't even know what year.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. I just had to embrace it. I'm like, well, it's what actors do.
Tamsen
What did you do with your dad? Our dad. Our fathers were brothers.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
What did your dad say?
Shannon Elizabeth
I mean, he told me he was proud of me.
Tamsen
Oh.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. He was really, really supportive. And. And other people that knew him back then have told me that he was really proud of me. And he'd have all my magazines there on his desk and I mean, I didn't even know, I don't think how. How proud of me he was, because we were. We were close, but we didn't talk all that often. He was always worried that if he contacted me, he was bothering me. I know, I know. And, you know, I wish now, like, really valuing family and community the way I do. I wish I had him back here now. That's why I think I, like, embrace your dad so much, you know, like, your dad reminds me so much of my dad. And being with him, he's just amazing and thriving and. Yeah, so we. We spoke about my dad and he didn't need to go, you know, it wasn't his time.
Tamsen
They have so much the same spirit.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
They have the same voice and the same, like, everything. Ridiculous sense of humor. Yeah. Not always good sense of hum humor, but sense of humor.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
Yeah. And. And I think is the reason that we are so close. Yeah.
Shannon Elizabeth
Really.
Tamsen
In so many ways.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. And I love that we're opposite in so many ways, but we're alike in so many ways.
Tamsen
And I'll clean your room.
Shannon Elizabeth
It just works.
Tamsen
And that works.
Shannon Elizabeth
No, you'll take my sandwich before I'm done with it. I've got to clean up. Oh, there's one bite left. You don't need that and throw it out. I'll always remember that.
Tamsen
I keep things orderly.
Shannon Elizabeth
I know. I love that.
Tamsen
I. So I know health has always been top of mind for you especially. We've seen, like, our family members sick. We've seen family members pass away. We've watched friends. So that's always been top of mind. But has your relationship with your body and where you are right now changed as you've gotten older? Are you paying more attention to certain things?
Shannon Elizabeth
I am. I am paying more attention as I feel like I need to. I'm very into longevity supplements, longevity protocols. I'm happy to try anything and be a guinea pig, you know? You are.
Tamsen
I'm scared for you to say that.
Shannon Elizabeth
I like. I love all the gadgets. I love, like, I have a bunch of friends in this space that have every gadget at their house. So I'm like, okay, I'm gonna go play with all of your things.
Tamsen
All right. What's a day. What's a typical day look like for you? So you live in South Africa now?
Shannon Elizabeth
I do.
Tamsen
Just for anybody that doesn't know that. And we're gonna go into why. Because you do conservation work in a very real serious way with an incredible. And we'll link all that information, too, in the show notes. But what does a typical day look like for you, especially, like, in the health space and longevity and what you do?
Shannon Elizabeth
I have a supplement list. I don't always follow it, but when I'm settled in my own space, I have a supplement list that goes. There's a. There's a list of things I want to take before I eat food so I can do it with my coffee.
Tamsen
What kind of things? What are we talking about? Like creatine.
Shannon Elizabeth
Creatine. I'll put in my coffee. I put MCT oil, glycine, and cacao
Tamsen
all in your coffee.
Shannon Elizabeth
And raw honey. Yeah.
Tamsen
In your coffee?
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
Well, what does it taste like? Does it taste like coffee?
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. Glycine has a sweet flavor. So you could actually get away with no. No kind of sweetener at all, except for that. And it's really. It's an amino acid, so it's really good for you.
Tamsen
And that starts your day off.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes.
Tamsen
What else do you take? So you got creatine in the morning. That's like the big.
Shannon Elizabeth
I'll take L. Tyrosine, which is good for the brain.
Tamsen
Big protein person.
Shannon Elizabeth
I've been trying to get better at it.
Tamsen
We used to do protein shakes every morning. There were these massive protein shakes, and we would drink Them down. It was like 6 million calories. And I would always get a stomachache at the end of that. After we did that.
Shannon Elizabeth
And for a long time, I just kind of went off of liking protein shakes. I wasn't craving them. I didn't want them. And then there's the brand that you have all of them, too. I don't remember the name of it. Starts with a K. Cachava.
Tamsen
Cachava Kachava.
Shannon Elizabeth
They're a sponsor of the show, right? Yeah. Make sure you get it right.
Tamsen
Yeah, no, of course. I just. Is that the one you love? Love?
Shannon Elizabeth
Oh, yeah.
Tamsen
Because I gave you some bags last time.
Shannon Elizabeth
I forgot. I love every flavor they have. I had bought one at Whole Foods, and then I saw them in your closet, and you're. You're like, yeah, try them.
Tamsen
Take them.
Shannon Elizabeth
And I mean, I could have one every day. They are so good.
Tamsen
They're really good.
Shannon Elizabeth
They're really good.
Tamsen
They're really good. And they have good flavors, too.
Shannon Elizabeth
I mean, and they just taste amazing. And I don't feel bloated, and I don't feel heavy. And it. I mean, on the bag, I think what attracted me was, like, 85 plus, like, vitamins and minerals and, like, clean. Yeah.
Tamsen
Like, good stuff.
Shannon Elizabeth
And so when I'm not taking all the different supplements every day, then I can do something like that and feel like I'm getting it all in. Acetyl L. Carnitine is also one that's really important in the morning. And then I have a list of things. I don't remember them all right now because I've been kind of out of my routine. But then I have a list of things that I take with food that'll be, you know, what is it? Not absorbed by water? But you need the fat to absorb those vitamins. And then I have stuff for later in the day and then the evening. And so, I mean, my. My hormone doctor, who I go to with everything like this, she looks at it. She's like, it's a lot. You probably should rotate things. And I try to spread it out so I don't put too. Put too much work on my liver. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
Tamsen
What else are you doing? Do you do cold plunges? No, no, but I do.
Shannon Elizabeth
But I always tried to end my showers with cold water.
Tamsen
Even when.
Shannon Elizabeth
Even as a little girl, I did that.
Tamsen
Really?
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
Oh, I hate it, but I do it.
Shannon Elizabeth
I know. I don't love it, and it's hard to do it if it's winter.
Tamsen
Yeah, I know.
Shannon Elizabeth
But if I have A hot enough shower, then I'll do a really cold, like, shower at the end.
Tamsen
All right. Your face looks gorgeous. Are you doing red light? Are you doing.
Shannon Elizabeth
I have the current body face, like, light mask.
Tamsen
Yep.
Shannon Elizabeth
I was doing it on the airplane yesterday.
Tamsen
I love that everyone's walking around with their light masks now. Yeah, I mean, it's, like, really cool.
Shannon Elizabeth
I want to get one for, like, hair growth because I was looking at a really good one online. And I really do want to get that because I have noticed my hair is getting thinner, and I just. I really want to jump on that. And I try to do Nutrafol, like, just to help, because I'm sure I've been. I was vegan for so long now I'm vegetarian, but I was vegan for so long, I think I was missing some really important things in my diet. And I think it's catching up to me now. And I feel it in my brain and my memory and just everything. And so when you say, do you pay attention to all of that now? I mean, I'm kind of being forced to pay attention because I feel like my. I need to focus on my memory. You know, we're friends with Jim Kwik, and I'm like, what are the supplements I need for my brain?
Tamsen
I know. I feel like Jim is going to fix my brain all the time. Like, if some. You know what I mean? Like, he is there for it. What surprised you most about your body as you've gotten older? Is it like, are you working out the same way? Are you lifting differently now? Because I used to be a cardio girl, and now I realize that lifting is everything. Are you doing a lot of strength training now?
Shannon Elizabeth
I am. I. When I'm. When I'm stable to do it. What I've noticed a lot in the last couple years is that I'm having more and more trouble putting. Keeping muscle on.
Tamsen
Yeah, me too.
Shannon Elizabeth
And I saw you do a piece on that.
Tamsen
We're gonna do a challenge to gain five pounds of muscle. So how do you challenge it? Well, I mean, where you are, there's a body scan machine. There's an in body scan machine that you stand on and you. You hold the sides of it.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
And have it. Dr. Rosio Salis Whalen, who's been show before, you stand on this, you put your feet on it, and it measures how much is fat, what percentage is muscle, what percentage is bones, or whatever else is there. And it's. It's fascinating to see. It's really fascinating. So if I lose weight, but I'm also losing muscle, then that sucks. Or if I gain weight and I'm not gaining any muscle, that's a problem too.
Shannon Elizabeth
What you're talking about is why I never used to get on a scale because muscle weighs more than fat. So. Yeah, so it doesn't even matter what you weigh, like, to weigh yourself on a scale. I've never done that. I never. Because I always focused on muscle. But now I've talked to my trainer recently. We work out in South Africa online, so anywhere I am. But I said I want to start focusing on muscle. And so he said, okay, you need to get some heavier weights and we're going to start trying to bulk up because I'm just. And also I had talked to a friend's husband who he's mid to upper 60s and he's muscular. I'm like, what are you doing? He gave me a slew of supplements and amino acids. Acids and minerals. And so I kind of rotate through things and because I'm just between places at the moment, it's tough because you travel with everything.
Tamsen
Yes, I know you do. I know you do. This episode is brought to you by IQ Bar, our exclusive snack, hydration and coffee sponsor. IQ Bar Protein Bars, IQ Mix hydration mixes and IQ Joe Mushroom coffees are the delicious, low sugar, brain and body fuel you need to win your day. The Ultimate Sampler Pack is the easiest way to try everything. It comes with nine IQ Bars, eight IQ Mix hydration sticks and four IQ Joe Mushroom coffee sticks. All clean, label certified, packed with magnesium and Lion's Maid and completely free from gluten, dairy, soy, GMOs and artificial ingredients. I am a huge fan and with over 20,000 five star reviews and counting, IQ Bar has officially become part of my day. Vanilla spice, I.Q. joe in the morning. Instead of a third cup of coffee and a mint chocolate chip, I.Q. bar lives in my bag and podcast studio for that afternoon energy dip. And right now, IQ Bar is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off of all IQ Bar products, including the ultimate Sampler pack, plus free shipping. To get your 20% off, text TAMSIN to 64,000. Text TAMSEN to 64,000. That's TAMZIN to 64,000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. This show is sponsored by MIDI Health. I remember it sitting in the doctor's office, listing off everything I was feeling. Exhaustion, brain fog, mood swings, sleep, all of it. And getting nothing but a vague smile. And this is just part of getting older. No test, no plan, just a Brush off. And I thought, is this really it? If you're in midlife and feeling dismissed or unheard of, I want you to know you're not imagining it. And you're definitely not alone. 75% of women who seek care for perimenopause or menopause symptoms, they walk away untreated. That is outrageous to me, and it's why I'm so grateful MITI exists. MIDI is a virtual clinic built specifically for women in midlife by experts who actually get it. They're the only women's telehealth platform covered by major insurance. So it's not just high quality, it's accessible. What I love most, their clinicians listen one on one, face to face. They take the time to understand what you need and create a plan that works. This is the care we have been waiting for. Go to joinmini.com tamsin and finally feel seen. Ready to feel your best and write your second act script. Visit joinmitty.comtamsentoday to book your personalized insurance covered visit. That's joinmitty.comtamsen Midi the Care Women deserve. All right, let's talk about what you want to do next. Is Hollywood in the future is. What are you thinking about all that?
Shannon Elizabeth
I really want to do more acting again, and I really want to direct.
Tamsen
You want to direct?
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah. I've had directing on my radar for a long time and I've done a little bit of it, but I really want to get more and more into directing, you know, telling stories. Maybe it's by women for women, you know, like. And I think this is the moment for women to really step into that light. And I want to be behind the camera. I mean, I remembered when I was younger and I was doing some modeling before I did acting, all I would see, we'd be out in freezing cold and I'd have to be in a bathing suit. And all I could think about is I can't wait to be behind all of the cameras and doing this with jackets on and being warm. Like, I didn't want to be on that side. So I think for a very long time, I've just seen myself on the other side of the camera.
Tamsen
Yeah, I didn't know that, like, producing is anything I would ever want to do. And when I did that with the documentaries, I was kind of shocked myself, But I really loved it. Yeah, so it was weird going from, like, one side to the other.
Shannon Elizabeth
It is powerful and you get to have that creative control. It's a great creative outlet for for you to have.
Tamsen
There's no question. Well, I know that's in the future. There's no question about that. For me, anyway.
Shannon Elizabeth
Well, hopefully we'll get to do something together other.
Tamsen
I would love that. I would love that. Yeah. We're talking about only fans. There is a movie out now or it's like a Netflix movie called Margot. What is it called? Margot Needs Money or something like that. Okay. And it talks. It normalizes only fans.
Shannon Elizabeth
Okay.
Tamsen
And I think that that's a big deal right now. Michelle Pfeiffer's in it. And the reason that I bring that up is that is a woman that is. We've seen Agent Hollywood seen in front of the camera. And it's just been the. This incredible transformation of seeing her go from probably the girl, the young girl.
Shannon Elizabeth
Grease 2. Grease 2 was my favorite movie growing up.
Tamsen
Love it so much. Cool writer.
Shannon Elizabeth
If you really want to know what
Tamsen
I want in a guy looking for a dream on a mean machine with hell in his eyes. Oh, my God, I love it so much. Like, everyone's like, what are they singing? Must be an old fashioned movie.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, totally.
Tamsen
I love that movie.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
But that was where, you know, I first. I don't know, that's where I first saw her.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah.
Tamsen
And now she's like the mom in this. She's this hot mom and she was in the Madison. And so I see this place in Hollywood for women at this age that we never saw in Hollywood before. You were reached out, man. Yeah, it's not like that anymore. Halle Berry, like at the top of her game, like, gorgeous. Yeah. Walked in here and I was like, oh, my gosh. And, you know, seeing her on the big screen and, and just women thriving is really exciting to me.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, it's. It's really amazing that we live in a day and age where it's not all about being super thin, super done up, super pretty, super. Like you could only go into one box. Like now everything goes. And. And that box is almost taboo now. Like nobody, nobody cares about that box anymore because that's not real life.
Tamsen
Do you think you were put in a box for a long time as a sex symbol, as a sexy girl in a movie? Do you feel, did you feel like that?
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, I did. I did. I mean, because there were a lot of offers for the same type of film. Yeah. And yeah, I fought it a bit. But, you know, I think a lot of actors, they'll do something big in a comedy, so then they want to do drama and they want to do other Things. Things. But I think ultimately, whatever you really love and you're good at, you kind of come back to. And I love doing comedy. Like now when I look at films, I'm not looking to do just something completely different. I just want to do a good project. You're just looking for good writing, good directing, good team of people.
Tamsen
And I feel like it's out there now more than ever.
Shannon Elizabeth
It is. There's so many platforms, there's so many opportunities. But with that said, the industry is completely different. I mean, they're not giving picture deals the way they used to, and actors don't even live in Hollywood the way they used to. Now they can live anywhere.
Tamsen
Case in point.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes.
Tamsen
All right. You were in New York. We were in New York together for a few years. And then you went on a trip to South Africa or you were Cape Town directly or South Africa in general?
Shannon Elizabeth
You were traveling around Africa in general.
Tamsen
Africa in general, yeah. And then you decided you were like, I'm moving there, Tamsen. And I went, what? And you go, yes, I'm moving there. And I'm doing this work with animals. And I'm changing the foundation, the charity you had to Animal Avengers to now the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation. Yeah. Can you talk about what you've been doing in Cape Town?
Shannon Elizabeth
So Cape Town is our hub. The work we actually do right now we have a sanctuary in the Eastern Cape where we're near kind of Addo Elephant national park, which is the second biggest park that I think will soon be the biggest. I think it's gonn become bigger than Kruger because they have massive plans of expansion and connecting corridors because, you know, animals naturally migrate east to west. Kruger's north and south. Like, it's very narrow. And so the animals just hit fence, fence, fence, fence. They have nowhere to roam. So I think the Eastern Cape, they're looking to connect everything, and it's pretty amazing. And what Sandparks is doing, that's South African national parks. What they're doing is. Is really incredible. They have amazing plans, and we've been talking with them and, you know, trying to set things up to all work together, because I think that you're more powerful together than everyone working in a silo.
Tamsen
So let's talk about the foundation and what you're doing and. Yeah, anything that you can tell us and where people can help.
Shannon Elizabeth
Well, when I first went out there, I didn't know how I could help. I just knew I wanted to help. There was a video that I had seen of an elephant that the rangers Scanning the scene. And the elephant had been poached and the trunk was off to one side. And then you could see her face. And then she started moving. And that absolutely killed me. I didn't realize what was happening and I didn't realize the suffering that was happening. And once, once I realized that we could lose these animals in our lifetime, I said, that's what I want to do. With the charity. I was looking to help more animals in a bigger way. Animal Avengers was a dog and cat rescue. That's what I knew. And so now I was kind of moving into the next evolution of the charity. And we've done all kinds of things. We've put a girl through her doctorate, we've funded a lot of, of rhino horn trimming so that it, it seems quite cruel, but it actually has kept them from getting poached. In a lot of areas. The numbers just prove like they, the poaching went way down or zero. In some areas we have.
Tamsen
Because there was nothing of value. Right. Is that why?
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean you're taking. There is still some value there for the. Because you have to leave about four fingers worth of horn no matter what. But you know, if you see an animal in the distance and you don't see a horn and you're going to risk your life, most, most of these guys will rather risk their life for a big reward than a little reward. But there are still people and syndicate heads that say we'll kill it anyway because they want them to go extinct. So it's really, it is a war. I mean, I got a bulletproof vest out there. So when I'm on the sanctuary land, I have it there. Because if there is an incursion, I mean, being a foreigner, I'm not allowed to carry a gun there. You have to be a local to get your gun license. And so I feel a little vulnerable when I'm out there. But we, you know, we employ rangers and anti poaching teams and yeah, so we've got Munu, a blind black rhino that we take care of. And we're expanding now to work with the neighbors, neighboring communities and create an orphanage and rehabilitation center and some holding bomas so that animals can get translocated to other parks. And now we've met the neighboring community who is absolutely incredible. I'd never, I'm always hesitant to go into a community that I don't know if they, if they're welcoming, if you know what's going to happen. Do they want you there? And we went in a Couple of weeks ago, and we ended up meeting some incredible chief of the entire valley, a Khoisan chief, and he was telling us that they have 8,000 hectares of land and medicine on the land. The land is full of real natural medicine. And they have so much knowledge, and we have to preserve that. We have to preserve their knowledge, their heritage, and we want to help them do that. So that's kind of the evolution we're going into now is trying to work with this community and help them. They have some. Some really old buildings next to a church there. They want to turn them into Airbnbs. So, yeah, we want to help them with that and find ways that we can bring in income for them so they can start to thrive.
Tamsen
There's so many parts of your life and so many things that are still not finished yet.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yeah, there's a lot of work to be done, you know, and I think that's why it's important to never retire, never be done with. I mean, this is why your dad's thriving. He's so busy. He's what, 86.
Tamsen
86. I'm trying to get him on the show, so I want to get him on the show because I think he'd be really fun to give advice to. Right. Or just.
Shannon Elizabeth
Absolutely, absolutely. Because I think when you're that age, the thing that keeps you thriving more than anything is having purpose.
Tamsen
Yeah.
Shannon Elizabeth
And he's got a lot of purpose.
Tamsen
He really does.
Shannon Elizabeth
You know, and that's. That's when you look at longevity and you look at. You can have all the supplements in the world, but your mindset has to be right. Your mindset has. You have to want to be here. You have to be happy, you have to be excited. You have to have purpose. I mean, you can create disease in your mind, and you can cure disease in your mind. And with or without any of the supplements. I mean, it's all inside of us. The power is there. It's just harnessing that power.
Tamsen
And you gotta have love.
Shannon Elizabeth
I mean, love's the core of all of it. Love for yourself and love for others. Yeah. And love for the environment, for animals, for each other.
Tamsen
I love you. I'm so happy you did this.
Shannon Elizabeth
Thank you for having me.
Tamsen
I've never. I've never interviewed somebody I was so close to, Really.
Shannon Elizabeth
I know. Love it.
Tamsen
I was gonna push the mic aside and come sit over there.
Shannon Elizabeth
I would love that. We'll do that tonight.
Tamsen
I would love it. I would love it. We have a girls night.
Shannon Elizabeth
Yes.
Tamsen
Ira's out. We're gonna be in.
Shannon Elizabeth
That's right.
Tamsen
Thank you, Shannon.
Shannon Elizabeth
Thank you. I love you and I'm very proud of you.
Tamsen
Back at you, my friend. Yeah.
Midi Health Ad Voice
This podcast is supported by MIDI Health. Are you in midlife? Feeling dismissed, unheard, or just plain tired of the old health care system? You're not alone. In fact, even today, 75% of women seeking care for menopause and perimenopause issues are left entirely untreated. But it's time for a change. It's time for Mitti. Mitti's not just a healthcare provider. It's a women's telehealth clinic. Founded and supported by world class leaders in women's health. Their clinicians provide one on one face to face consultations where they truly listen to your unique needs. They offer a full range of holistic, data driven solutions that isn't one size fits all care. This is care uniquely tailored for you. At miti, you will find that their mission is clear to help all women thrive in midlife, giving them access to the health care they deserve. Because they believe midlife isn't the middle at all. It is the beginning of your second act. Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit joinmitty.com today to book your personalized insurance covered virtual visit. That's joinmitty.com MIDI the Care Women Deserve
Monday.com Ad Voice
Monday AI agents took over my work
Shannon Elizabeth
and I absolutely love it.
Monday.com Ad Voice
Chasing deadlines, writing status reports, updating stakeholders, agents handle the daily grind. Now they live inside Monday.com, so they see the full picture. My work, my team, the whole company. And I don't have to worry about the data. It's safe, which means I'm free to focus on the big stuff. Knowing everything runs smoothly in the background. It's completely shifted the way we work. Create your own AI agent in minutes on Monday dot com.
Host: Tamsen Fadal
Guest: Shannon Elizabeth
Date: June 1, 2026
In this intimate, candid episode, Emmy-winning journalist and author Tamsen Fadal welcomes her cousin, actress Shannon Elizabeth, for a warm conversation about reinvention, midlife empowerment, and reclaiming one’s personal narrative. The two share family anecdotes, reflections on Hollywood, struggles with aging and menopause, and the necessity of embracing new chapters—no matter your age. Listeners are offered a rare inside look at the real-life bond between Tamsen and Shannon, with resonant themes for anyone navigating change, self-doubt, or feeling ready to start over.
“I think I’m getting my power back.” —Shannon ([03:33])
“There’s so many things you can do... and then I do nothing.” —Shannon ([04:19])
“We can’t wait for someday anymore. And this is it.” —Tamsen ([05:21])
“Everything just started happening... you kind of go into this machine and you’re just on the ride.” —Shannon ([09:47])
“I kind of had this... ‘I’ll do it myself, I don’t need anyone’ persona. And it’s only been since we reconnected, or maybe since my dad passed, I realized community and family and friends are so important.” —Shannon ([13:33])
“I’ve joined OnlyFans, which for me, it’s a creator site… I’m finally gonna do this. I’m gonna share everything. No holds barred.” —Shannon ([18:41])
“Maybe it’s by women for women… and I think this is the moment for women to really step into that light. I want to be behind the camera.” —Shannon ([38:07])
“It’s almost like you miss that period of your life because it just happens so quickly, and you’re just on autopilot.” —Shannon ([10:29])
“We realized how important family was… now more than ever before.” —Tamsen ([13:33])
“I want to do things for my fans even more because they’ve stood by me through everything, and I guess they’ve kind of waited for me, you know, which is empowering and amazing.” —Shannon ([24:12])
“When you look at longevity… you can have all the supplements in the world, but your mindset has to be right. You have to have purpose.” —Shannon ([48:03])
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:05 | Childhood memories, evolving into powerful women in their 50s | | 04:19 | Shannon on choice paralysis and self-doubt | | 08:27 | Shannon on American Pie and whirlwind fame | | 13:33 | The cousins’ reconnection, and the importance of family | | 17:27 | Open discussion about menopause and aging | | 18:41 | Shannon’s announcement: joining OnlyFans and her reasons | | 28:39 | Shannon’s morning health routine and supplement philosophy | | 32:14 | Health gadgets, cold showers, and wellness hacks | | 38:02 | Shannon’s vision for her next chapter: acting, directing, and impact | | 42:45 | Conservation work, animal sanctuary in South Africa, foundation update | | 48:03 | The importance of purpose, mindset, and love for longevity |
The entire conversation is relaxed, candid, and playful—with moments of deep vulnerability and humor. There’s honest talk about insecurity, self-acceptance, and genuine affection between the cousins. Both speakers emphasize that life’s second act can be the most exciting and meaningful—not a slowing down, but a powerful reimagining.
For More: