Walking The Dog with Emily Dean - Olivia Bowen (Part Two)

Episode Date: March 20, 2025

We’re in Essex with wonderful Olivia Bowen - and Winnie, her absolutely adorable Frenchie!We find out whether Olivia feels like people underestimate her because she went on Love Island. She also opens up about her recent baby loss, and why she has chosen to speak publicly about vanishing twin syndrome. Olivia welcomed us into her beautiful home - and she told us all about how she expresses her creativity through interior design. She explains why it was so important to build a career for her family beyond the typical reality star trajectory. You can see Olivia’s beautiful home on Instagram on @thebowenhome!Follow @oliviadbowen on Instagram Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Really hope you enjoy part two of my walk with Olivia Bowen and Winnie the Frenchie. Do go back and listen to Part 1 if you haven't already and we love having you with us on our walks. So do also give us a like and a follow so you can catch us every week. Here's Olivia and Winnie. What was the strangest thing when you came out? Because presumably you come out and suddenly you've got hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers. And there's people at the airport. There's crowds at the airport.

What was the most overwhelming thing about all of that? That you hadn't been prepared for. God, it's so long ago, it's so hard to think back. I think it was just that people were interested. We still find it weird that people care or like us. So I think it's just the feeling that people are interested in our story and wanted to know about us. It was just a bit odd and like they wanted to know what I was where.

and like I just thought well I'm just just live it I like from and you see never understood it well you soon became you did a couple of shows you did a few series you did a series about your wedding I cried oh I was I still cry watching that and you did happily ever after which was a kind of series about your you know you settling into about life essentially yeah we had a couple I wonder doing something like that as well you know when you invite cameras into your home it that's more older we've got some dogs coming oh Jesus so what should we do let's have a look hang on winnie I think he's putting his on the lead as well he's putting his on the lead oh what a bloke whatever is it's very large that's fine is it

okay he's a very well he's a very no he's good he's put his on the lead and sometimes people A beautiful dog. What is it, Liv? I know, it's nice, isn't it? I already called you Liv because I felt comfortable with you. Call me what you like. People call me a lot worse. What is that dog? Oh, no, yeah, she's a bit of a nightmare, but I appreciate it. Thank you.

Yeah, she likes a scream. Good girl. Winnie. That wasn't too bad. No, it's just... Sweetheart, we're going to go home with my mommy now. Yeah, it's a good girl. I feel I have a little bit of excitement as well. Yeah, good girl. Good girl. It's all right.

I call this the turkey. That's what you sound like. Good girl. It's okay. I know. You two as a couple became incredibly well known and you started doing a lot more work. You know, you created your own brand essentially. You had a clothing brand originally and you also became, you know, brands wanted to work with you as an influencer. how did it feel was there a process of adjustment to fame or was it something you were quite comfortable with from the get-go? Because I know you've said you get anxiety. I think we were really quite young and dumb, which was a good thing in a way because we just went with it. But we're both nice people.

We're both good people. We don't take anything for granted. We're grateful for everything we've had. All the people we've got to meet. It's been an experience that I never thought I'd have in my life to work with some of the brands I have, meet some of the people, travel to some of the places. And I just think if you're a nice person and you treat people with respect, you're going to do well and you're going to have people come back and want to work with you again. So we just, and we've always been quite grounded because we have all the same friends we had before we went on. We don't really, we're not really in like this celebrity world.

We're not Zed list anyway, you know, no one's going to care. So it's not, I don't feel like we ever, our heads never got big because it wasn't physically possible for us. Well, it could have been possible, if I'm honest. Yeah. I think what was clear to me, watching your shows that you and Alex did, what really stood out about you was that virtually on every episode, you would say something to the effect of we need to make a plan.

for when we're not famous anymore. Or, you know, what are we going to do for our future? And I thought, oh, this is a girl with a really strong business sense. Oh, thank you. No, yeah. That's what made you different, I think, is that I felt you weren't really invested in the red carpet side of it. It was more... Oh, that's the anxiety.

I was like, shit people are looking at me. Well, it's the anxiety, but it's also the having your values in the right place. Yeah, yeah. We always know, like, it can't be forever, like something like that can't be forever, especially as you grow up and, you know, if you decide you want a family or whatever it is, I just, I can't be, you know, selling stuff at 80. Like, have some of this with my wrinkly ass out, can I? Hey, guys.

In Bue Avenue, like. Hey, guys, doing a collab. Maybe for, uh, recliners or something, I don't know. Doing a collab with a walking bar. Yeah. Look at my stair lift. Hey, guys, check out my stuff. Today I'm a be...

Yeah, no. So we always were like that. And I just feel lucky to have had what we've had. Yeah. And we were, yeah, well, like I said, we were young. We just loved it, like to party, like to go out, enjoyed ourselves. And then we'd always sort of make decisions money-wise.

That I've always been into property. My dad's always drummed it into me. Really? always said to me like property like bricks and mortar which i think has changed a little now but you know what with rates and things but he's always sort of said i don't think you'll ever regret it though long term no if you can hold on to it long enough and so you and Alex have moved into well you've got your own sort of property empire really haven't you that you've salted bowen homes yeah so we own four properties in england that we uh rent out um our grandparents live in one of them and then we have

one in Spain that we're building at the moment that eventually will probably become like a... I don't have one in Spain. You're an Essex girl. I mean, you know. Costa del Essex. Yeah, so we... I had a really nostalgic memory

of being abroad in Spain. My dad's boss had a house in Spain. And I feel like some of my earliest memories were spending family holidays together at this villa in Spain. I see it so clearly and I think I was chasing that nostalgia for my children.

So that was an investment that we made recently. And yeah, we started the Bowenheim on Instagram. When we moved into our previous house, which is a complete renovation project, it literally needed everything doing it was. My mum was like, you lot are crazy. Like, what are you doing? But I was like, yeah, this is a good idea.

So then we moved into that. And we created an Instagram page the night we moved in. And the morning we woke up, it was at a quarter of a million followers. And we were like, what the hell? And this is a beautiful eye bottle, it's lovely. You've got your current home, which I've just had the honour of seeing, and it's made me feel slightly sick with envy.

But that's on the Bowen home as well. And that's, you know, you're doing a lot more sort of interiors has always been your thing. And I feel you're getting much more into that now. Yeah, I think when COVID hit is when we moved into our renovation project. And it was like perfect timing. I studied an online interior course and just learned a lot. And then implemented that into that house. and then we sold that house for a bit of profit,

then put the profit into the new houses that we rent out and bought this house to build. But you see, a lot of people in your position wouldn't do that. No. I think it's my dad and my mum just, they always sort of said bits about property. And it's something that I really got into. And I thought, well, if I can do up other houses

and make a bit of a career out of it, then that's what I want to do. But I think when you work in, you know, any form, which is is, of the entertainment industry which you found yourself in. Oh my God, you've still got the poo. I'm so sorry. Let me take the poo back.

No, let me hold the, sorry. I'm so sorry. My producer, by the way, is holding Winnie's poo. And I would... I don't know why I keep saying my poo. Did I say my poo? Yeah, you said it again, my poo. Sorry.

I just wanted to make that absolutely clear. I haven't pooed in a bag. You're pregnant, not incontinent. No, exactly. I might wee somewhere. Come on. So, yeah, the habit. We're in now, I've felt like I've just let my interior brain just go for it and I feel a lot more confident in what I'm doing.

And I think in Love Island, you do get put in a box and a lot of people think you're not capable of changing what you've done or you don't know anything or you can't possibly do something else. Do you think people when you do that kind of show, do you think they underestimate you a bit in terms of? Yeah, and I do get why. they can't know everything about you they don't you know don't own me anything to believe that I can do anything else but you have to show people I guess and I've just absolutely I love doing interiors I think my love for like fashion and creativity sort of transferred into interiors because I feel a little bit older

and want to do that not on my body I want to show my creativity somewhere else and I've just loved it like designing all the bathroom in our house. Like I've gone mad with colour and want to like implement maximalism everywhere in our house and I've just really had fun with it and become a confident version of myself, like happy to trust myself and my decisions and not really care what other people think, which I think comes with age a little bit. Yeah. Well, I'm really pleased for you, Olivia. Thank you. And you spoke earlier and I'm so sorry you've been through some, you've had some tough times

recently haven't you? How are you doing right now? Yeah I mean we lost them we were expecting twins but we knew quite early we stopped eating grass and we found out that we lost one of the twins quite early but that was around sort of two months ago now and I made the decision to speak about it publicly just because when I was going through it at the time I felt so lonely and guilty and vulnerable and I sort of slipped into my old old habits of feeling really depressive and not wanting to get out of bed and not showering. And I just thought, if this can help one person, it's worth it. And it's worth talking about.

And actually, it's a really nice way to honour the fact that our baby did exist at one point. But we're doing so much better now. Thank you. Obviously, we've got a little healthy baby in there. Baby girl. So we're just trying to focus on that. And on Able. And it was a really hard time.

We had all our friends and family around us and now I sort of get to share it with other women in the community that have lost their babies and I just feel like I'm surrounded by really strong women that really actually care for each other. And it's been probably the best decision I've ever made talking about it publicly. I think, as you say, it will be so incredibly helpful. You know, particularly this is a syndrome that not a lot of people wrong about either. Yeah, Vanishing Twin Syndrome. it's up to 35% in twin pregnancies. It's actually a lot more common than I first thought, but no one's really given the name of it when it happens to them,

which I'm surprised at. So I hope this just sort of becomes a bit more known. I had messages from women who were in their 40s, 50s, had older kids and said that they'd been for it and never told a soul until telling me. And I just thought, that's absolutely crazy. The fact that they can finally release that feeling and admit what happened and process it.

It's just amazing. Olivia, I'm so sad that you've had to go through that. It happens to so many women. Although, like, you know, I do. It's sad. It's like a lot of us go through it and a lot of women have stayed silent and it's so much more common than you think.

Well, it's so great that you are opening up that conversation more for people. I'm an overshare anyway. I can't help it. Do you know what I think is interesting? I'm convinced the word oversharing was made up by a man. Yeah. You know, it's a bit like I think the word over sensitive was made up by a man.

Not Alex, by the way. He's not included in this. But you know what I mean? He's excused. No, he's one of us. But I mean, those sort of older generation and where it's like, then we're so bloody sensitive while like, well, can you stop slapping me in the face and I'll stop crying? That's right.

Do you know what I mean? Don't. I know, I do know what you mean. I think you're right. You've been so good, really. She's not been bad. You've been amazing. I'm so impressive.

I wait for this one. I feel protective of you. Come on. I'm going to guard the way. I feel my life is worth the least right now. Well, do you know what, Olivia? I can see why people liked you so much. I'm putting that in the past ends.

Like, they all hate you now. They all do definitely hate me now. But I think you realize the people who break through from those kind of shows, and not everyone does. No. Let's be honest, and goes on to have a career like you and Alex have got. I'm starting to realise it's all about one thing, which is authenticity. No, yeah, you're so right.

And I think people see through things now. Like when sort of Instagram and social media first started, I feel like it was all a bit, no one really know what it was or who was being truthful or who was doing what. But I think you can really tell now. And people really like real people. and someone they can relate to and who's not, you know, living this life of Riley all the time. Well, it's the private jet with the, you know.

Yeah, okay. But there's us with doggie and poo in tow. It's the private jet and the sort of, you know, spotless trainers and co-award. No. Forever, you know. Did you have to be, I think sometimes when you become famous very suddenly, like you did, it's a very unusual type of fame because... Yeah.

you have to very, very swiftly develop a radar for who's real and who's not. Who's here for the ride? Yeah. And like you because you're famous and you've got access beyond the red, the velvet road. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Were you aware of suddenly having to develop that radar, that screening ability, if you like? Um... And who was better at that, you or Alex?

Alex is a really trusting person. So he definitely got done over a couple of times by a few people. And people would take advantage of his like nice nature. Whereas I, like I said, I've always been a bit guarded. So I guess I sort of did a little better in that situation. Yeah. I got horrendously trolled though for quite a while. Did you what when you came out and drawl on?

Yeah, some of the comments were just crazy. Just picking apart my body and my face. and my life and I was always told I wasn't good enough for Alex and I was punching and I got ripped to shreds for a while and still do sometimes but now I just don't really care that much but before obviously when you're like 20 odd you really do care what people think of you so that side of fame was quite difficult to get used to like someone constantly picking apart your image and who you are

it comes with a territory really and I think gradually I wonder if we're starting to realise Olivia that it shouldn't. It shouldn't, but it just kind of did. For years we just said, oh well that's the way it is. And now I sort of feel, well, it's the way it was, but a lot of things used to be that way. And maybe that's... I think people are, I feel like we've got such a lovely community online.

Like, we have so many lovely people that follow us. Like the reaction to the baby news and to losing our other baby, like people could not have been nicer, but I also have a block list as... like as long as anything because I've learned that's how I can deal with things like you pick up a lot along the way and as I've grown up I've learnt that their opinions

aren't you know to do with me they're none of my business so and you realise you know I know you've spoken about this in the past but when you think there have been people particularly from that show that haven't coped so well yeah it's hard I don't want to say the word cope so well

because that you know but what I mean is There are people who have really suffered at the hands sometimes of, you know, public opinion. Yeah, people don't understand the, like, the weight of their words because we've made it so easy for them to be said online. Yeah. So it can be said at the drop of a hand, and there's no weight to them. There's no, like, face reaction. There's no, there's no nothing. So people don't realise what they're actually doing or saying it anymore.

I think it's interesting when you say, I've blocked people. I think it's really important for women to hear other women doing that because it's a bit like we have to learn. I remember my aunt who's very early doors into like self-defense training for women when it wasn't a thing. She used to say to me, you've got to unlearn how to be polite. Yeah. Because women are trained to be likable. You've want to learn to be an asshole. That is what it is.

And it's the block thing is so important because I realize men wouldn't think twice about that. Whereas I think, you know, if a man's behind me, I think I don't want to offend them. I better not cross. Every woman understands that. You tell Alex that you go, what do you mean? Why wouldn't you just cross the road? So I think the block thing is exactly the same principle where even if it's a stranger, I'll prioritise their,

not wanting it to offend them over my own mental health. 100%. And I've always said, like, your social media is an extension of your home. Like that's where you put your pictures on, you put yourself on there. And you would never let someone walk into your home with dirty shoes and cuss you out. So why are you letting people

doing it on your social media? It's the same thing. Can you just remind them to the future? Can you take trainers off and we go back in? Because that was obviously a dig. I know what this one's like. Well, when you bring your dirty socks into my house, love?

A stranger wouldn't allow them to speak to you in a horrible way. So I don't get why people just allow to be, like why are you letting people speak to you like that? Just block them, just shut the door. You're quite boundary then. But you've had, you've spoken quite honestly about the fact that you've had therapy, haven't you? Did you find that helpful, Olivia? Yeah, I recently went back to my therapist, actually, went after we lost the baby.

And sometimes you, like, I've been in therapy a number of times, and I've been in therapy for a few months or a couple of weeks. Like, it always changes, but I feel like it's nice to know you can go somewhere and talk to someone and unload without judgment. And also... My mum's always been very open about therapy. She went to therapy throughout her whole life. So I think she's instilled into me that, like, it's okay. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and it's actually really good for your health.

She was the one that told me to go to therapy after I lost the baby, and it helped me no end. So she's definitely the one that has taught me that. That shows you in a really good life, because I know I have some friends who say their parents are a little bit resistant or when they get therapy their attitude is a bit like

oh what was I not a good parent or something? Not understanding that it's nothing to do with parenting. You need therapy too. You all need it. But it's so hard to get it if you can't afford to have it it's really difficult to get on the NHS so I think all like any

type of talking friends family anyone is going to put them around the front good idea. Do you know what? Do you want to go You've timed it so well, Olivia, because it's just starting to spit. I was thinking we might have a sunny day, but should we go? Is the front open? I can't remember. Should we go in the front? Yeah.

When he's like, get me in bed. What was that about? Let's go in. I'm so lazy. Do you want a cup of tea or coffee? Oh, yeah. We're just going back into Olivia's house. Hello, Wendy.

You can have a quick cup of tea? You can't concentrate when you hear. A bag of treats. Yeah, she's really stolen. I just shubs that one. I'm not good why you kind of stole on my heart. Oh, I love you guys. It's quite a duo of these two girls.

Girl power. No, you're very easy to talk to. I feel like you get me, you know? I love you. It takes two to tango. You know when someone's just got the right humour as well? We've become really good friends. We're besties.

We just had a romantic dog walk. I'm obsessed. Oh, dear, so much. I can't bear it. I'm sorry. Yeah, do you want tea or something? We're still recording Alex, so be very careful what you say. He's like, quick get out before I say it's like wrong.

He's getting out. You've got your golf tough on, honey. Is Alex going to play golf now? Yeah. Do you know what? You've got golf written all over you. Do you think? And I don't think that's a bad thing.

Well, I think you've got the golf like t-shirt and trousers on now. Yeah. And not in a Donald Trump way. Trump way. I remember watching your reality show and you got so excited because you bought a Donald Trump dog toy. Do you remember? Oh my God. Do you remember that? I do remember that. And then he brought it. He was so, oh, I've got this toy. It's so great. For her to attack, basically. And then he was angry because it had a squeaky. He didn't realize. I went, oh, I was going to do a Birmingham. I nearly did a Birmingham accent. But I work with fans here who you might know who's from Birmingham. And I feel I'm allowed to. I've got the only impression I can do is. is Adrian Charles. Birmingham accent is quite hard to do a

or a Wolverhampton accent. What's your impression? I can do it. I can do Adrian Charles and that's it. He's got me, all right, coming up now. After the Ypresker, we're going over to the San Siro Stadium.

I wish that you spoke to me like that the whole way around. You should have done the podcast saying that. It should have been like that. I'm sure he'll be thrilled. Do you want a tea or a coffee? Well, let's have a quick tea and then we'll leave you. Do you want a tea?

Yeah, how do you, sugar? Just a tiny bit of milk would be lovely. Full thing, you know when you and Alex got together, do you think people thought it was like showmance? Oh yeah. Did they? So he proposed to me quite early, didn't he? I think we obviously came out of Love Island in June

and then he proposed to me in December. So we'd only known each other six months. So it was pretty quick. And I think it was then on the front cover of OK magazine and all the comments and all, like everything was like, this is fake, this is fake news, this is a showmats, they're doing it for the money and all that. Obviously, 10 years later, I'm not still doing that for the money.

I think I would have got sick of it right now. So yeah, but no one particularly believed that we actually liked each other or that he liked me, maybe. This is my favourite gadget What is it? You've got a hot water tap. Hot water taps are, oh they're so good. If you drink tea a lot.

Look, let's be honest, there might well be some people that go into that. Oh, for sure. You know, we don't know who and we're not going to talk about it, though. But I just mean some people might go with more of that intention. Yeah, and I don't blame anyone for doing anything that they wanted. I don't, the thing is I just don't care enough to judge anyone. I'm just like, just do you. Yeah.

As long as you're not hurting anyone else. Yeah. Do what you've got to do? Like, people always ask me, oh, what do you think of people going back into Love Island or going in Love Island for fame? I'm like, let, like, let them live. Just let them do what they want to do. It doesn't matter.

Yeah. It's weird that, isn't it? That I think, um, but I think what's interesting about, I always got the impression when you did that show that you were, You did it for a laugh, but I never thought it defined you. Yeah. You know, it was never, and I think that's the key things, that it was clear from watching your reality show that you,

I think whatever you'd have done, probably would have had some profile out of it. You know, I think you just had that business sense. Oh, I appreciate that. Yeah, I think Alex said the same. He went in just because it just looked like fun. Like, imagine you're 22, you've not really, got much going for you, not really doing anything.

And then someone offers you six weeks in the sun in a villa with hot guys. Like, who's going to say no? It's just this a no brain. Shall we say here? Because I'm worried about the laptops. I get paranoid about that. This is your one. It's really hot.

Be careful. Oh, do you know, she makes a good cup of tea. Well, I try. Winnie. Winnie girl. Winnie friends. I'm literally only allowed to have, like, one tea and one coffee a day where I'm pregnant, and it's so rude. Oh, can you point have tea?

Oh, excuse me. Hang on, Olivia's had to make us tea and she can't even have one. No, it's fine. I had a coffee before you came over, but you're only allowed certain amount of caffeine. Oh, is that right? It's all very restrictive. Can't drink. We've got Abel's little bunny.

Oh, I know. Winnie stole that, actually, didn't you, Winnie? So Abel, is how old now? It's two and a half. Oh, look, you got Besty now. Oh, shut up. I think she really likes in an Olivia. I think she does.

I think she does. Look. It's like you're on my special row. I think she knows I'm on her rug but I think she's like dogs know people they don't they and they know she knows that I like dogs I really love her so cute and so Abel you were saying is how old yeah two and a half well he's three in June actually so a little bit over that is he more like you or Alex can you see both of yourselves in him but what traits has he got of yours he is stubborn who's that like maybe yeah he's quite

stubborn he is so loving which is definitely like Alex like he's all about cuddles and kisses I think he sees us like that we're quite affectionate so he's very affectionate he's very funny like he's a bit of a joke already which I think is Alex again um but he's just such a lovely boy he's very energetic very outdoorsy so that's quite like me um but he's a bit crazy he's very on his feet all the time um he's actually got a little bit pony called sausage. That was my fault really. But yeah, she, trying to get him on this year,

teach him to ride. And Alex wants to learn how to ride. What do you think Alex will be like? Is he an equestrian? I don't seem as an equestrian. No, he's never really liked. He's never really like horses that much. But we watch Yellowstone and he decided that he liked yours.

Oh, Kevin sent him out to the edge. It happens to men always. He just fell in love, yeah. But no, it's really, I said I'm so up for that because it'll be so nice for us to have that hobby together. It's such a nice thing to do, like you said, like we said at the start, just being able to go and it's so tranquil and nice and you're outdoors.

You hear I snoring. She's such a snore. Winnie? Daddy's going out. Daddy's going to play golf. It's all right. How dare he? How dare he leave me?

She's got two little teeth sticking out of the bottom. You've always had an underbite. What's Daddy doing? So, yeah, that'll be this year, them learning to ride, which will be fun. Oh. Can you imagine? And then he's going to have a little sister. Yeah, he's very excited.

He's got... Does he understand? Sort of. He's got a eight-month-old cousin who he loves. And when he was a little tot, he was so caring. and he used to mop his mouth with a muslin. Like he's always been really good around babies. So when he told him we were having, he was really excited.

He, like, cuddles my tummy and says, oh, it's so cute and talks to the baby through my belly button and stuff. He's a bit. He's like a little sweet talker. He knows what he's doing. So, yeah, he is it. We're all very excited, like, to have. We definitely just want to stop it too, though.

Do you? I understand that. Yeah, it's a lot. And we were struggling to decide whether to have another one. just it's just a lot on us. Like we're quite independent people. We like having our own stuff as well as being mum and dad. Like we're not, you know, just mum and dad.

We also have our own stuff we like to do. So I guess it's like a big thing having another. But Abel just definitely... What's Daddy doing? Is Daddy coming back in? What's Daddy do? Are you meeting Jake now? And Jake's your brother.

He is. I know about Jake from your reality show. You're so good. Like, I was like, how do you? You know this? Yeah, they're going golf together. Jake used to work for us. Well, I know.

And Jake was great, but he could sometimes, with the boxes in the, do you remember that? He did, he did take his time to unload the packages. Jake's very laissez-faire. He's very chill. He's quite laid back. You're much more, you're the CEO of the. He's very chill. Do you know what though?

Bucklands originally wasn't here. Yeah, he recently started in recruitment and he's literally smashing. it like he's found his thing he's so confident when he's at work is so funny to see him like that now isn't how I'm the younger one? I think it's lovely is that you've got the classic that your husband is going to play golf with your brother and he's choosing to do that

it's not like I've got to do yeah good sake fucking faith but you know what I mean and I think I was really touched one thing that I really picked up on you know just from observing me over the years and also you know watching your shows is that I know Alex was brought up with a, she was essentially a single parent, wasn't she? And I feel, there was a really moving bit where she was almost crying saying,

oh my God, the fact that he's got access to this big family that I always wanted to give him. I know, it's hard, isn't it? She's such a sweetheart as well, like. But it was hard for her that transition, and I got that because she's, but actually she realised it was almost like, I know this is, I'm so happy that you've got this, and this is what I always wanted for you, you know. She's so part of our family though. Like she comes down a lot and Mitch, her husband, comes down.

They, Abel, just adores them. Yeah. And also she's become part of my family as well. She's my brother and his wife were down with their baby and she was looking after their baby. So she's become integrated into the whole family, which I guess after you're saying that, it's so nice to sort of see how things have changed.

Do you know what, Libby? I'm so happy for you. I feel, I've everyone I ever saw on that show. I think I was rooting for you. I don't know why. There was just something about you that felt very real. Yeah, I appreciate that. It's nice to know that that's like seen.

I don't really know how to be anything else. I wouldn't be able to keep it up. I'm too lazy. What do people get most wrong about you? Assumptions people make. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, I think back in the day, I was like this uber confident, like up myself kind of person.

Because I definitely had that, especially in school. And I definitely had that when I come out of Love Island. I think now people have really got to know me because I couldn't be anything else other than myself. I'm like my social media. So they've seen that I'm just a bit of a, you know, just normal. Just normal girls, you know, it is. I don't know how else to put it, really.

Just nothing special, you know, just normal. And I suppose what's great is now that you're moving, moving into, you know, the property and the interior, and you're obviously good at it. You bought, there's obviously something that you both, because you run the business together, you and Alex. We are joint, yeah, we're joint in the business. Like, house, he always chooses houses with me.

Interior stuff, like when it comes down to actual, like, designing of interior things, it's me. And then I just have to, like, run it past him, you know, just to keep him involved. But he's very good, he just lets me go. We have to do that, just to, what you mean is make them feel involved? We know how it works with these men I was my sister used to call it

Make them think it's their idea Secret to a happy marriage He always has this joke that he tells everyone That apparently I ask him A or B And if he says B I'll go with A So that's just what happens But no, like I like him to be involved I like having his opinion

But like I said I'm quite strong and stubborn And know what I want So if I think one thing I'm going to go with it But I like You know I like having us both involved but interior is definitely more my thing.

He does his fitness and he DJs. Isn't it weird? It must be weird, Olivia, to think that just that one decision, which sounds quite random in some ways, that you were just like, oh, fuck it, I'll do this show. You know, I'll do this crazy. That freaks me out. It's the butterfly effect.

It freaks me out that does, like the fact that I was just like, yeah, let's do this, and now my life's weird. I'm like... And you've ended up being able to carve out this kind of entrepreneurial career that you love doing and be your own CEO effect. objectively, even weirder, you've met sort of the love of your life and about to have a second child. I honestly get imposter syndrome because when you say it like that, we're just like, God, how has that happened?

It's not fair for anyone. I mean, does this happen on all shows? Sort of like the 1% club and this happens? Honestly, it is, it is Matt. Like, you can't, you just can't write some stuff, can you? Are you the only sort of really long-term success story? from that show I think... Have it been...

There's quite a lot. There's quite a lot. Camilla and Jamie. There's a... Oh, they're still together. They've done pretty well. They've got three kids. But she's the popcorn and the sort of explorer sort of thing or something.

Yeah. Jamie, they only live from here. Oh, they were nice. Um, but you've got, you know, Kar and Nathan from our series. They've got two kids. They're still together. Oh, yeah. There's quite a few, like Jess and Dom, I think from after us.

They're still together. Do you still watch it? I've stopped watching it now. I don't. watch the normal one but the All-Stars I have a little soft spot for just because a lot of them I do that I have met but the recent series my bridesmaid Tina went on it so I was watching her like oh my god because we're still best friends from our series so she went back on and I couldn't help but watch it a little bit but it is different watching it now because it's a different show now

yeah you know we got the golden years I'm sorry guys back in the day you know they let you get pissed. You smoked? I know. There was a smoking area. I think we're the one that had the most off-com complaints, didn't even smoke before I went in there. I was not a smoker. I could tell from the way you held a cigarette. I thought that's an amateur. Alex, on the other hand, knew what he was doing. I know, he was a smoker. Yeah, it's so weird, isn't it, when you think, but it was just literally a different time. But how your life has changed, and like you say, the butterfly effect is so interesting. But then I also think you may, these things happen and I heard you once say that you were you'd read a book called the chimp

paradox oh my god I this is like my what's my roman empire this book because it literally did change I read it just before I don't even really read that much and I never did only when I was younger I used to read so much and then I stopped but I don't know who gave me that book or if I found it I can't remember but I read it before I would love mine and it changed the whole way I perceived myself, how I've dealt with people, how I dealt with the emotion that came up in me. I honestly do not think I would have held myself the same way in Love Island. I don't believe that I would. Like I give so much credit to that book. He even messaged me the guy that wrote I was like, oh, got well excited. And we should say this is an incredible book. It's mind management

basically. Yeah, and it ties into this idea, doesn't it, that you basically have, you know, essentially a very sophisticated processing machine at the back of your brain and then at the front so that's your hard drive isn't it and then the front is your out of control slightly feral chimp is that right i called mine candy i called her candy because i was like she's a bit of a one she is she she needs some sort of stripper name so that's how i differentiated she's a bit of an aurora Yeah, she, yeah. And Candy, which sounds quite weird, me asking you this,

but if we can say Candy the chimp, what sort of things does Candy do then? She had anger issues, flew off the handles at the littlest things, like Saw Red, I think just very emotionally uncontrolled and be quite emotionally unintelligent and would make decisions that were not good for her because she reacted too quickly.

And like you said earlier, about the whole situation with Alex, and when we went through that bit of a blip in the start, and you said, I reacted so calmly, I'm telling you that's what it was. It was that bloody book it was. So just, you know, learning, like, what matters and what's worth your energy and what's not. And it's really, I remember something very powerful that someone once told me, similar to that, you know, to that chimp paradox thing,

is that your first reaction isn't always your real reaction. So true. I love that so much. And I used to think, but yes it is. Of course. This is what I'm feeling. It's like, no, no, no, it's not. That's often not your real reaction.

And that's why it's like, see how you feel in an hour. Sometimes give it two hours. Sometimes give it 24. Yeah. If you still feel upset or devastated or outraged or wronged, in 24, possibly 48, maybe there's something in that. but an hour even that's not enough to tell

because the chimp's still behind the steering wheel right? That's the best bit of advice I love that I think I need to read it again though just come back with vengeance I think we should just candy come back sometimes yeah I think motherhood probably did that

to me sort of changed the way you're just very the patience wears thin some days when you're tired and it's easier for the chimp to take over I think but no definitely that is my Roman Empire so funny you brought that up because I'm so mad oh well I well you know what I can't see candy anywhere today all I can see is love really and do you know what I'm coming to the end of my cup of tea and we're going to have to leave you in peace she's so cozy with you but

me and Winnie do you think we've bonded quite well look she's literally asleep next to you you could cuddle her all day couldn't you winnie I love you so dearly I'm so dearly I'm so Sorry, she has got you all hairy though in your arm. I love her. A bit multi, aren't you? You're such a beautiful dog. You know, you're the best dog in the whole work. I'm so glad you got to meet her.

It would have been such a shame if you did. Oh, oh. Snoring. I know, my love. We'll let you sleep now. The snoring. Oh, you got a right snore on there, I think. Olivia, we have loved seeing you.

Winnie, I don't know what to do because I have to get up now. Oh, bless her. And do you want to describe what Winnie's doing? I mean, she's got her eyes shut. She's a lovely little walk, lovely chat. She still got food on her nose, though, isn't she? She's all curled up on me, isn't she? She's cozy.

Winnie. On her special rug. Right, I'm going to put the rabbit here and we're going to leave you. Oh, we'll miss you. Oh, we're going to come again. I have loved our walk with you. Have you enjoyed it? I actually really have.

Like I said, it just feels like, you know, when you meet someone and you just get on, you've got the right humor. You just, it's easy, isn't it? It's nice. I really appreciate you coming. Thank you for a bit. We've loved, well, I've loved meeting Winnie, and you're everything I hoped and more. I knew I was going to like you. Makes me really happy. And we've got the Alex bonus.

Oh yeah, he did. We did see him for Goff. Yeah. Well, thank you so much. Can we have a hug? Thank you so much for coming. I really appreciate it. You're so lovely.

You got me out of the house. Oh, I'm so glad. Well, we need to come down again because I think Winnie might be ready for Raymond next. I feel like, you know, around here, I think only 10 minutes away, there's a field that you can hire. And they have like little obstacle courses as well, you know, like the little like doggy agility. Not that agile, Winnie, sorry. Should we hire a field for you? You're worth it. Yeah, they're naked me because I could let her off.

Oh, look at her two teeth, Olivia. I know. Do you know what, though? She did have an extra one last week and it's falling out. Ray's teeth are falling out. How old is he? He's seven, eight. He's about to turn out of eight.

He's knocking on. But you know, we still love them. I love you, Winnie. Bye. She's so tired. Do you know what, Olivia, I feel a bit insulted. This is like leaving a one-night stand. She doesn't care about me.

I'll have to send you pictures. I'm going to have to leave a post-it note on the bed saying thanks. This was fun. She'll send you a voice note, a person or a room. A voice note. I'm just a voice note, yeah. Bye. Bye.

Bye, Winnie. Bye, Olivia. Bye. I really hope you enjoyed that episode of Walking the Dog. We'd love it if you subscribed. And do join us next time on Walking the Dog wherever you get your podcasts.