May 19, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode Elle Cooper shares her journey from energetic childhood, to the worlds of bodybuilding and DJing. She opens up about balancing her passions, overcoming challenges, and dreaming big on stage, behind the decks, and beyond.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Apoja Production. Welcome to Secrets of the Underworld. I am
Neil the Muscle comments.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
And in this episode I speak to l Cooper, a
full time IFBB bikini champion and DJ.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
So even some of the places I've DJed at now
I used to play drums there, for example, Home Nightclub.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
Were used to play there back when they had a
band room.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
So my first comp with the IFBB, I came first
out of twenty girls on stage. Bodybuilding has always been
a sport and also an artwork. It was a female
stir was she bumped into my speaker, landed on my
toe and actually I fractioned my toe and so I
was happily faked DJing meanwhile with a fractioned toe and
broken text.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Thank you for coming on, Elle.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
I was intrigued when I've seen your kind of profile
and what you've done, and I thought, I've got to
have this. And you know what, You're my first female
DJ I've ever had.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
On my thank you so this will be interesting. So
let's get this on the way.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
I'd like to get to know you as a person
growing up before you became a DJ and a bodybuilder
and all like that. So take it away and tell
me how what was like growing up as a child.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Well, I think one of the key words would be hyperactive.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
I've always had a lot of energy, and at home
I was always in trouble for being too noisy. But
half the time I'd actually written a song and I
was like, you know, I'd written a four piece.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Harmony, guys, I need everyone to join in. And basically
I was just sent to the backyard every day for
being too like entertainment, yeah, when I was younger. So
it's always been a thing of mine.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Brothers and sisters. Two older sisters, did they get into
it as well?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
No, they're more on the quiet side, so.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
You kind of so I got it all.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Oh my god, they got the admin skills.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
So where about did you grow up?
Speaker 3 (01:59):
So I grew up in Port Quarry, So it was
a great place to grow up because you know, we're
a wakeboarding or surfing or going forward driving before we
had licenses, you name it.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
We were doing it. Like.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
I was in a band when I was younger. So
I was in an All Originals band and I played drums.
So I played drums growing up. Jesus, So you're very annoyaly,
very noisy growing.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Up So were you the only one into music in
your family?
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Interestingly enough, my mom was my music teacher at school,
and my mom has a university degree in music teaching,
so she's very musical. She's self taught pianos. So I
think from.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
A young age my mom had me, you know, on
the piano chopsticks, and we had all the instruments at home,
like piano, accordion, you name it, we had it. So
I just remember just playing instruments growing up. Wow, creating
sound school.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
What was schooling like for you?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
I was at a small school, and interestingly enough, I
loved to learn, and I was a slight nerd at school,
so I was quiet at school and noisy at home.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
So at school, like I loved physics, but I also
loved music and art as a kid. Well, when I
was in the band, we started off very pop punk
and then we got into the Emos scream O FA
so had the double kick based drum out and everything.
Speaker 4 (03:21):
So that was back then.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Yeah, So you left school at sixteen, No, I finished
at twelve.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
So I left skill at age eighteen, and all I
wanted to do was be in a band.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
So that's what I did.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
So that was your goal. That was what I did.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
That was my dream. I didn't even apply for university.
I just wanted to be in a band. So that's
when I did.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
You say that was that the band that you went
in originally?
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
So I was in that and we were getting paid
gigs in Sydney. Yeah, in fact, we want a songwriting competition.
We played some big shows in Sydney, but we'd be
traveling to Sydney every weekend for paid So even some
of the places i've DJed at now, I used to
play drums there.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
For example, Home Nightclub. We used to play there but
in the bandroom. Oh really, back when they had a bandroom.
Yeah wow. So I take the whole drum kit from
Paul Greater Sydney, set it all up and yeah it
was great fun.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
So what what happened then? So did it just not
happen for you guys with the band? Did you just
got a different direction?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Well, the girls got angry at me because I quit
the band to move overseas and I actually moved to
South Korea and taught English there for a couple of years,
so I stopped playing music.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
So you.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Wow, I thought it was an all girl band too.
I didn't know it was.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
An all girl band and we wrote all original songs,
and there was a large part of me. Look, I'm
not the type to have regrets in life, but of
all the regrets I have, it was stopping playing music
way back then. So hence why I've got back into
music quite recently.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Okay, so what made you go overseas? What was that?
Speaker 4 (04:51):
I had some friends over there teaching English and they
were saving money and traveling and experiencing life overseas, so
I wanted to experience that as well.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So you were over the traveling with the band and
just going into it having small gigs, and you bought
that this is going to change. So that means you
went down the saying Papasi MoMA was a teacher.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Then yeah, that's it interesting. Yeah wow, I never would
have expected that.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Wow. So how long were you overseas for?
Speaker 3 (05:16):
I was in South Korea for two years and then
you came back. And then from South Korea, I then
moved to Hamilton Island and well, I was working as
an island concierge. But it was also a great curriag.
I know, right from one thing to the so hyperactive,
(05:38):
but I was working on boats, and then I ended
up as a snorkeling instructor and I drive the guests
off to island.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
That's really fun.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
And I actually had a boat up there as well,
so we go wakeboarding every day. Once again, I had
friends there and I was like, this sounds like fun.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
I'm like, join did that last?
Speaker 4 (05:59):
I was there for almost two years.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
So it was at that stage that I had some
of my friends start training with me. They were joining
in on my training regime, and so I was training
people before I was qualified as a personal trainer. And
then I thought maybe I should look into this and
get paid for it.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Okay, and then that was your next adventure.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Yeah, that was my next adventure Sydney. So you came
back to correct Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
So how did I kick off? So you came back
and did you have your license? And you came back
and done it?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
I basically I moved to Sydney. I got a job
on at the time reception Fitness first until I got
my qualifications, and then I started in as a trainer.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Wow, that's interesting. So what made you go down the
path of bodybuilding? What was that then?
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Well, interestingly enough, I started bodybuilding because I was getting
asked by everyone do you compete?
Speaker 4 (06:52):
And I was a bit out of loop. I was like,
do I compete? In what?
Speaker 1 (06:56):
It's funny because they say the same to me and
I just got what you mean competing.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
No, I had just already i started at the gyminal
sixteen and I'd been downloading bodybuilding books and learning about
calories macros way back then when I was at school,
and so I kind of not had it down pat
but I kind of understood what I was doing. So
when I discovered there was a competition for this, I thought,
may as well enter, wow, because I'm kind of already
(07:23):
doing the ratio. So what was your first comp So
my first comp it was with the IFBB before they
had the big split and yeah, that was the Australasian
IFBB and I had a really good coach. I did
exactly what he told me and thanks to him, I'll
give him the credit. I came first out of twenty
(07:44):
girls on stage first time. So I just did what
I was told. Basically, I didn't miss a grain of rice.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Wow, because he said when I first did my competition,
I had an online coach and it was very hard
to do that. Yes, and then I trained by myself.
I didn't have a coach to help me train, so
I did all that by myself. I was very stillborn,
so I can see what what you would do, But
were you very committed in the in the eating past
like this?
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Very I did what I was told. I didn't miss
a heartbeat. And he'd been competing for twenty years, so
I was like, shouldn't I be eating less than this?
Shouldn't I not be eating that? He goes, do what
I tell you, and I was like, okay. He said,
trust me, do what I tell you. And he was
a really good coach because he said, don't stuff your
metabolism up. He said, eat what I tell you. So
(08:30):
I'm here having like steak, eggs, all this stuff that
the other bikini girls went eating.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Yeah, and it worked. So he taught me a lot
about how to nourish your body and have a really
balanced approach.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
You were nervous not going on stage or anything like that, like.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
For a little bit, so part of me because I
used to perform on stage with drums and I grew
up also doing ballet dancing.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
It didn't affect you that cana.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Yeah, it wasn't as much However, like for me, like
being in a bikinian prancing on stage slightly different to
being in a cool out in the background, So it
was a little bit daunting because it wasn't naturally me.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
I'm not going to lie, but for me, bodybuilding has.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Always been a sport and also an artwork, so for me,
it's like presenting a piece of artwork on stage.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Yea.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
I found it hard to be a routine on stage, Yes,
especially when you go because you don't realize it. Like
when you go out and you see the lights are
on you, yes, you see the crowd behind the lights,
and then you can it's very you can hear everything
that's getting said in the crowd.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
There was one time I went on my first one.
I went on and I could hear someone laughing, and
I thought they were laughing at me, which put me off.
But then I realized they weren't laughing at me. It
was just like they were talking in between them. So
but I can hear everything, so kind of I got
put off a lot by that.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
But I found it hard to do the diet because
the commitment in the diet was very hard for me.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
The last eight weeks to ten weeks was very hard.
I was actually getting up like at midnight to two
o'clock in the morning just to smell ice cream. Wow,
you know what I mean. And that's how bad it was.
I only did it for two years, and I said
that's enough for me.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
The last few weeks does get really hard.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
But that's amazing that you want to like in your
first attempt, and.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
I thank my coach for that because I just did
what I was told.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
So what happened? So did you keep up? After that?
Speaker 3 (10:21):
I actually prepped myself for the next show, and then
because I actually had a small stint back on Hamilton Island.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
I missed it so much.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Of plus I did, I missed the boat.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
So I went back and I was taking people sailing.
I was taking the guests of everything water. I was
in water sports, so puddle boarding at Qualia Resorts. I'm
getting paid to go snorkeling at a five star result.
I thought it was fabulous.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Of course you did.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
So I did my comfort from Hamilton Island and then
I moved back to Sydney after that, and I actually
went with a few different coaches, so I started to learn.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
I thought, I'm going to.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Look for the top coaches at the time, but also
the coaches who have competed and won themselves. So I
don't just want a coach, I also want a champion.
So I then prepped with a number of different coaches,
and you'll pick up different things from every coach, and
I kind of just took I took different bits because
they'd all give you a different diet, and I started
(11:24):
to just really listen to my body. So my last
couple of comps, I mean, don't tell anyone. I didn't
really count anything out. I literally just listened to my body.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Well that's why a lot of people don't realize that
everybody's body is different. Yeah, and that's why you know
when someone says, oh he told me to eat this,
but your body different, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
So that's what I was the same as you. Like
when I was prepping.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
I didn't do all this measure and I just knew
that my body needed to take this, this and that.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
So how many comps did you do it all?
Speaker 3 (11:49):
I think maybe I've done ten all together. I think
around ten. I'm one four, one four and got my
pro card.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
When did you stop? Oh you got your pro card?
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Well, a couple of years ago I got my pro
card and then I haven't competed since. But there's a
pre ro show at the end of the year, so
I'm looking to compete in that because a lot of
the shows are overseas now yep, so.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
That means you go overseas. Yeah, that's not.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
So to compete does it take a lot of time
out of your hands for social wise and workwise to
do that, Like it is a full time job for
you unit of being on a pro card to you
know what I mean the pressure.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
I mean, it does take a lot of time and energy.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
I'm the type who when I have a goal, I
don't actually mind missing social time. I feel bad for
my friends. But if I'm on a mission, I'm on
a mission yep. And it's quite my personality type. So
I have to remind myself you need to see your friends, yes,
and right back to people. And for me, for competing,
it's always been I think something I've done for myself
(12:54):
as well. I'm not standing on stage, so oh look
what I've done everyone.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
It's more a.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Personal goal and I like it because I find it
really builds self discipline and you really have to get
to know yourself, Like if you don't make it there
or if you're not lean on stage, you've only got
yourself to blame.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
Really, So it's you and.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
You was that your goal to get the pro card?
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Is that what your goal?
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Yeah? So that means have you been to the Fitness
ex both that they use you there or that that's
not one of the pro things that you do for
the pro card because I know a lot of them
are used around the Fitness exposal like that.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Yeah, I mean things have changed over the years a
little bit. Usually you're approached by different companies. They've actually
just jumped on board with GenTech.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
So I'll be at the Phiteresxpo representing GenTech this year.
And I mean the owners of GenTech they have their
pro cards, They've got amazing athletes and they're a really
good group to be part of.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
So how many years have you been out for when's
the last time you competed?
Speaker 4 (13:47):
It was one and a half years ago.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Wow, So your body's now just relaxed. Is it hard
getting back into we relaxed?
Speaker 3 (13:54):
I mean I didn't think so. I generally go for
my walk every day. I go to the gym five
six times a week. So for me, that's not too hard.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
And like I said, my last couple of comps, I
really didn't do anything too extreme.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Do you find that when you do you are prepping
that like I found that I was getting a lot
tired towards the end, my body which sometimes wanted to
shut down.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Yes, but I had to keep it going, you know
what I mean. Did you find that.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Yes, it does get very tired.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
So you've kind of just got to like tell everyone sorry,
I got to comp I'll see you in a few weeks,
and then they can just leave you alone.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
So how did DJ come into this? Well, how do
you find the time to djslow? Cool? And they're also
body bill?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Yes, well, ever since I stopped playing music, I've been
wanting to play and over the years I've actually done
a couple of gigs just here and there, Like when
friends are like, oh, can you complay the drums here?
Or they've got a paid drumming role they need a
female drummer, and I'm like, yeah, okay, but I've been
you know, sometimes I used to be standing at the
diym with clients when I was personal training.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
I swear I totally tuned out.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
I don't know what wrapped the wrong because I'm listening
to the drums kick the snare, then I'm listening to
the baseline.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
Before you know what they've done their set. They're like, oh,
I'm like sorry, what said?
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Are we up to?
Speaker 3 (15:13):
So music for me is a real passion and I
just missed it so much. And I actually learnt to
DJ over ten years ago.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
It was just.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
Always very hard. So my first DJ teacher was gi Emder. Okay,
do you know Giants Larry Emder's son. Yes, yes, it's amazing.
So Gay taught me to DJ ten or so years ago.
I just always found it hard to juggle with personal
training because the hours are mismatching. So it was a
year or so ago I said, I'm just gonna take
(15:43):
the plunge. I stepped out of the gym started DJing.
I was not going to make it happen. So when
me was your first gig, My first actual gig was
mid last year at Home nightclub.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
So you' oh my god, you've been putting the deep
end for your first gig. Yeah, you were nervous.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
A little bit. I was a little bit nervous, like
I thought you.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Were going to say, oh, some house pad or but
like that just club?
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yeah, I know, I was, well, look not just on
the inside children, the outside.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Blood the hell? So what what were you in at home?
Ight club?
Speaker 4 (16:19):
I was in the fire ballroom.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
So that's where that's going halfway upstairs, that the one
that goes halfway.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
And I actually took my led drumsticks.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
I couldn't help myself and I got them out because
it helps to calm my nerves as well the drumming
because it comes second. There you go, or you could
have a couple of fireball shots or led drums.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Wow. So that was your first gig?
Speaker 3 (16:44):
Yeah, and it was just I just had so much
fun because I just love music.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
It's just real passion of mine.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
What music do you prefer to play when you're DJing?
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Great question? So at the moment, I'm actually loving the
Afro house.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
And like I've been loving playing on boat parties because
you can house and it's still them a real baby
as well. So I'm like on the boat, I love boats,
ocean music, bikmi.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
You know what more could you want to my friends?
Speaker 1 (17:14):
So yeah, so is this going to be a long
time passion of yours to DJing?
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Definitely?
Speaker 1 (17:19):
You sure? Now you're going to go a lot.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Longer than two years.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Absolutely, So what to Where else have you been playing
since old my Club?
Speaker 3 (17:27):
So I've been doing a lot of private functions actually parties.
I've been playing at restaurants. I've been doing a lot
of weddings as well. I've played it a few, say,
just hotels and local venues and things like that.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Have you have you ever like, because I asked a
lot of DJs this day, is there any DJ that
you've looked up to and you go, you know, yeah,
he's inspiration or she's inspiration who it.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
Would be for you?
Speaker 3 (17:49):
So for me, I mean Havannah Brown's really inspirations for me.
Also DJ Tiger Lily she's just had a baby and
she's still DJing, Yes, and now she's pregnant and DJing
still in Hills And I'm like, I don't know how
they do it.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
So they're really inspirational for me.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
Okay, Yeah, would you like it?
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Is there a venue you'd like to play at and
have a resident DJ home? Is there is there any
way you look.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
At great question? I mean I would love to go
to I beat them.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Everybody typical, I would probably never come back.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
We don't know. The name's not one l now wow,
so be it would be the ultimate.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
I think that would be amazing. I mean I do
have the trouble bug.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
I love Australia as well, but I love to explore,
I love to meet new people and I love to
see the world.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
There's so much more to see.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
See in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
I've actually got one of the biggest nightclub owners in
ib for coming on my podcast, which is Wayne Lineker.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
So yes, so maybe I'll have to put a plug in.
What about Sydney? Is there a resident home there? You'd
like to be at Sydney or Melbourne or even Gold Coast? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Great question? I mean for me, I mean I do
prefer Sydney.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
Yep, I love Sydney probably once again on all like
the boat parties or any of the boat clubs.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
I think that would be my idea.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Do you think the nightlife has kind of changed now
for DJs?
Speaker 2 (19:19):
We're the vibe is different because I don't go out
in Sydney much anymore because the vibe has changed for me, Yeah,
I prefer like Melbourne or Gold Coast now because I
feel like Gold Coast is what Sydney used to be
like even though it's a young crowd, and Melbourne's never changed,
Melbourne's Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Melbourne's always happening, yes.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
But Sydney to me, the nightlife has has gone down
a bit now where people just want to chill at
restaurants now instead.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Of going Yeah, that's true as well.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
So how did you feel for a DJ kind of thing?
Like you like the boat, which is it will never
change because got's a chill factor and everyone likes to
go on boats. But when it comes to winter, yes,
what would you do for DJ? And then yeah, that's.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
A good question. Well that's where I might need to
go to the Gold Coast.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
I've never played the Gold mind No, I.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Haven't, but I've got a lot of friends up there
who are DJ, so I'm thinking I might need to
take a.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
Trip up there this winter.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Wow, so you've played that you mostly play a boats,
But is there a festival that you'd like to player?
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Is there any kind of have you ever played, like,
you know, like a festival.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Like to I mean that would be a dream.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Oh wow, Yeah, look out when I'm playing at Tomorrowland,
I can come back in for a podcast.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
So DJ name, who comes up with a DJ name
for kind of like for someone like you, you know what
I mean? Like who who thoughted that one?
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Like?
Speaker 1 (20:37):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Well, that's a great question.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
So I actually took ages to come up with my
DJ name because I have my Instagram handlers BONDI L.
But I'm also wanted to keep that for my health
and wellness because I do have other plans going forward
for that. So I wanted to separate it because I thought,
not everyone wants to see all this DJ content and
vice versa.
Speaker 4 (20:58):
Yes, not everyone who wants to see DJ content wants
to see me with the green juice.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
Yes, sorry, like I need to separate this, but also
I want to paro it.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
My idea was to pair my DJ name with a
fashion label, say for Binis. Yeah. So I actually came
up with my DJ name, which is Elie b L
E E L L I E.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Yes, I've been on the page. I've seen it. I've
seen it.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
That's been quite recent.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
So one of my friends in New York is a
fashion designer, and he's a top fashion designer. He will
designed for j Lo for her jeans and Zimmerman.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
And I was like, I have a situation. I'm like,
what should it be?
Speaker 3 (21:37):
So he was actually thinking, he said, no, not Bondel,
he said, but it has to be similar, So he
said Ellie b because that would also look nice written
out of the machinis and things. And actually I was
up last night measuring up things. One of our first
products is going to be head scuff Sparkley head Scuffs
Van Dennis.
Speaker 4 (21:57):
Yeah, so that's how that one came about.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
So are you telling me now that slowly, slow, you're
going to go down the fashion line, because this.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Is the you're already two years are going to be.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
So I was a DJ two years ago, but now
I'm a fashion designer.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Oh my god, what's the what's the worst experience you've
ever come across.
Speaker 4 (22:18):
Being a DJ? That's a really great question.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
So I think the worst would have been when somebody
spilled alcohol on my decks. But it was the hen
at the Hen's party, and I was on a boat,
and I'm like, I don't want to ruin her party,
so I'm just gonna plug on in my phone and
pretend I faked DJ for three hours with my phone
off a Spotify No I noticed she didn't know she'd
(22:41):
broken my decks, and I'm like, they're like flashing at me,
not working.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
So I'm just all happy.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
And then I had it was a femaleester, but she
bumped into my speaker, landed on my toe and actually
I fractured my toe. It's still sore right now, actually
my toe. This is months ago. And so I was
happily faked DJing meanwhile with a fractured toe and broken decks.
That would have been the worst.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
God.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
Yeah, but I thought, I don't want to ruin the party.
I don't want to ruin her night.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
But no one knew that you were fake DJing with
the night And what was that party? What was that
party for?
Speaker 4 (23:15):
It was a Hen's party? On No, they didn't notice.
In fact, the funniest thing was at the end of
the night, she came behind the deck. She's like, can
I put a song in? And I was like, yeah, sure,
just choose one of Spotify. She goes, now, how do
I put it?
Speaker 3 (23:31):
She thought it was going from my phone into the decks,
and she thought she was mixing it in and I
was just running with it because they thought I don't
want to ruin Hen's party. It was actually really funny,
not so funny after when I had to go fix
my decks and hobble around.
Speaker 4 (23:46):
For the next couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
But is there a DJ you'd like to play with?
Speaker 4 (23:50):
I think it would be fun to play with Tiger Lily.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
Oh, Tiger, Okay.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
I think she's fabulous and I haven't met her in person,
but we've got a lot of mutual friends and they
just speak so highly of her as a person. They
say she's actually the most you and down to earth
nice girl. But she's also very talented, like she knows
how to mix and produce, so she's not some push
button DJ like she's Actually.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
You look at you.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
When I've seen some of your footage of you DJing,
you're very elegant when you're you're DJing.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
Yes, I like it, you know.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
I mean I was trying to find because I was
trying to put things together to promote this, and I'm thinking,
she's very elegant, like you know.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
It's it's probably all the years of posing practice. That's
what I was thinking.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
Oh my god, So what does the future hole for you? Then?
Speaker 3 (24:41):
Well, I'd like to just keep playing music, and for me,
I enjoy it so much where if I'm at a
small gig or a large gig, I'm just having the
time of my life. So I'm going to start to,
you know, get into the music production side of things.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
Yeah, so you would like to, I'd love to.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
Well, I did music for year eleven and twelve at
school as well, and look, it's changed a lot since,
but I do remember we were doing some sort of
songwriting on the computers and I just loved it. I'd
sit for hours creating songs. And when I was in
the band, you know, I helped to write the songs.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
So it's so you enjoy mixing, you do enjoy mixing.
I love it.
Speaker 4 (25:18):
It's something I love to do.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
Like I'll play a five hour gig and I'll have
to turn the music of at two am. I could
keep going and I'm not even drinking. What's your first
regret in life or Well, for me, it was stopping
playing music. But also when we were in the band,
we were invited to play on the band's Warp tour
(25:40):
and I was only eighteen at the time, and we
didn't go because we didn't have the funds. That for
me was my biggest regret because I'm like I had
the chance to play music overseas with my own song
and I said no. So even recently I went to
DJ and Singapore and that for me was like oh,
I almost felt like I'd made up for that regret.
So that's probably I have. I was in Singapore a
(26:03):
few weeks ago for a gig. I ended up playing
at two other places, so three.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
Okay, so you are kind of adventures. So you haven't
been to Gold Coast yet, but you've been over to
I actually got.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
Offered a job in molds the other day. The pay
wasn't high enough. I thought they don't understand how much
it costs to be a girl, so I said sorry.
I asked for double what they said and they said no.
And I'm like, okay, how.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Did you dribe yourself at one word?
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Well, at the beginning, it was hyperactive, but we should
probably look for another word, right, Yeah, I think adventurous
would describe me ambitious.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
Okay, that's yeah, that's that's a good one. I like
that one.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
Going back to your your when you were in the
band and you wrote music, there is that kind of
music that you could actually put into your DJ work
or you couldn't do that you couldn't. You couldn't kind
of mix that in or anything like that.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
Look, I don't think so. At the time, it was
very emo screamer yeah yeah type stuff, and we were recording,
you know, into a mix we'd record in the studio
and stuff. But it was a very different style to
what's out now.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
You would never get together the girls again.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
I've asked them, but they have they've all got kids now,
They're like, sorry, that ships sailed and.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
I'm stop shift, Like, come on, really, I would You
wouldn't go solo.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
Well as a drummer. Look, I always wished I could sing.
But I think there must have been a reason. My
mum booked me in for drums. She was my quiet
teacher at school. Next minute I'm in drum lers.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
I think, so, oh my god, you know what, like
you've opened a lot of things because I actually, when
I looked at you, you you come across as very
quiet and elegant, but you're actually kind of fun and
that's that's cool. As I said, for a DJ, you
need that. And I've listened to some of the music
that you've played on your boats and all like that,
and it's and that's the kind of mine that are
(27:58):
like anyway, so the next five years, where can you
see you being in the next five years.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Well, I'd like to play it large festivals overseas as
well as Australia with my own songs, collaborating with other artists.
It's something I'd love to do. Is also collaborate with
other artists and you know, include some of my friends
who are vocalists, include some other friends who play the trumpet.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
That type of thing.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
Me myself adding the drumming element into it, whether it's
bongos or congress or with the drum pad or just
something that makes it a bit more exciting and interesting.
Speaker 4 (28:34):
But I like to get everyone involved. It's like, if
you've got a talent, let's all come together and have
more fun.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
So yeah, but I'm gonna ask you one question here.
Let's see, Okay, what you like better DJing or bodybuilding? Look,
no offense to my body.
Speaker 3 (28:55):
I prefer DJing. Yeah, I'm I prefer DJing. I mean,
my sleepers have really changed. Sometimes I go to bed
at form now.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
The old met was up it for it to train.
Speaker 4 (29:09):
Yeah, but I'd much prefer to be just discussing. Oh,
listen to this tune and isn't that a fat drop?
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Then?
Speaker 4 (29:14):
So how many cabs are you eating at the moment?
It just kind of does your head in a little bit,
like I don't really care whatever I eats for breakfast.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
It's not something I love to discuss, but it's cool,
you know, when you're with your DJ friends and we're
talking about new little tricks to do on the decks,
that's fun. Yeah, so I'm going to run with DJing.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Okay, as much as I.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Love bodybuilding, but even though you're going to do a
comp soon, would you still DJ while you're doing the comp?
Speaker 4 (29:40):
I'm going to do both.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
Yeah, yeah, okay, Well, thank you for coming in. Thank you,
and said I.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Reach out to you in a way where I'm pretty
sure that you will gain what you want. I think
you'll be a fashion designer the way you're talking to me.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
We're two years to go. Like you seem to jump
to jump to jump to jump, but when you get comfortable,
then you enjoy what you're doing, you know what I mean.
But as long as you don't go back to Hamilton Island,
go to our defriends dead right.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Yeah, thank you all take that advice.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
Thank you but now thank you for coming on and
sharing your story, thank you for having mem
Speaker 4 (30:26):
HM
Apoja Production. Welcome to Secrets of the Underworld. I am
Neil the Muscle comments.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
And in this episode I speak to l Cooper, a
full time IFBB bikini champion and DJ.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
So even some of the places I've DJed at now
I used to play drums there, for example, Home Nightclub.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
Were used to play there back when they had a
band room.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
So my first comp with the IFBB, I came first
out of twenty girls on stage. Bodybuilding has always been
a sport and also an artwork. It was a female
stir was she bumped into my speaker, landed on my
toe and actually I fractioned my toe and so I
was happily faked DJing meanwhile with a fractioned toe and
broken text.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Thank you for coming on, Elle.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
I was intrigued when I've seen your kind of profile
and what you've done, and I thought, I've got to
have this. And you know what, You're my first female
DJ I've ever had.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
On my thank you so this will be interesting. So
let's get this on the way.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
I'd like to get to know you as a person
growing up before you became a DJ and a bodybuilder
and all like that. So take it away and tell
me how what was like growing up as a child.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Well, I think one of the key words would be hyperactive.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
I've always had a lot of energy, and at home
I was always in trouble for being too noisy. But
half the time I'd actually written a song and I
was like, you know, I'd written a four piece.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Harmony, guys, I need everyone to join in. And basically
I was just sent to the backyard every day for
being too like entertainment, yeah, when I was younger. So
it's always been a thing of mine.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Brothers and sisters. Two older sisters, did they get into
it as well?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
No, they're more on the quiet side, so.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
You kind of so I got it all.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Oh my god, they got the admin skills.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
So where about did you grow up?
Speaker 3 (01:59):
So I grew up in Port Quarry, So it was
a great place to grow up because you know, we're
a wakeboarding or surfing or going forward driving before we
had licenses, you name it.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
We were doing it. Like.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
I was in a band when I was younger. So
I was in an All Originals band and I played drums.
So I played drums growing up. Jesus, So you're very annoyaly,
very noisy growing.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Up So were you the only one into music in
your family?
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Interestingly enough, my mom was my music teacher at school,
and my mom has a university degree in music teaching,
so she's very musical. She's self taught pianos. So I
think from.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
A young age my mom had me, you know, on
the piano chopsticks, and we had all the instruments at home,
like piano, accordion, you name it, we had it. So
I just remember just playing instruments growing up. Wow, creating
sound school.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
What was schooling like for you?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
I was at a small school, and interestingly enough, I
loved to learn, and I was a slight nerd at school,
so I was quiet at school and noisy at home.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
So at school, like I loved physics, but I also
loved music and art as a kid. Well, when I
was in the band, we started off very pop punk
and then we got into the Emos scream O FA
so had the double kick based drum out and everything.
Speaker 4 (03:21):
So that was back then.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Yeah, So you left school at sixteen, No, I finished
at twelve.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
So I left skill at age eighteen, and all I
wanted to do was be in a band.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
So that's what I did.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
So that was your goal. That was what I did.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
That was my dream. I didn't even apply for university.
I just wanted to be in a band. So that's
when I did.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
You say that was that the band that you went
in originally?
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
So I was in that and we were getting paid
gigs in Sydney. Yeah, in fact, we want a songwriting competition.
We played some big shows in Sydney, but we'd be
traveling to Sydney every weekend for paid So even some
of the places i've DJed at now, I used to
play drums there.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
For example, Home Nightclub. We used to play there but
in the bandroom. Oh really, back when they had a bandroom.
Yeah wow. So I take the whole drum kit from
Paul Greater Sydney, set it all up and yeah it
was great fun.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
So what what happened then? So did it just not
happen for you guys with the band? Did you just
got a different direction?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Well, the girls got angry at me because I quit
the band to move overseas and I actually moved to
South Korea and taught English there for a couple of years,
so I stopped playing music.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
So you.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Wow, I thought it was an all girl band too.
I didn't know it was.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
An all girl band and we wrote all original songs,
and there was a large part of me. Look, I'm
not the type to have regrets in life, but of
all the regrets I have, it was stopping playing music
way back then. So hence why I've got back into
music quite recently.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Okay, so what made you go overseas? What was that?
Speaker 4 (04:51):
I had some friends over there teaching English and they
were saving money and traveling and experiencing life overseas, so
I wanted to experience that as well.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So you were over the traveling with the band and
just going into it having small gigs, and you bought
that this is going to change. So that means you
went down the saying Papasi MoMA was a teacher.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Then yeah, that's it interesting. Yeah wow, I never would
have expected that.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Wow. So how long were you overseas for?
Speaker 3 (05:16):
I was in South Korea for two years and then
you came back. And then from South Korea, I then
moved to Hamilton Island and well, I was working as
an island concierge. But it was also a great curriag.
I know, right from one thing to the so hyperactive,
(05:38):
but I was working on boats, and then I ended
up as a snorkeling instructor and I drive the guests
off to island.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
That's really fun.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
And I actually had a boat up there as well,
so we go wakeboarding every day. Once again, I had
friends there and I was like, this sounds like fun.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
I'm like, join did that last?
Speaker 4 (05:59):
I was there for almost two years.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
So it was at that stage that I had some
of my friends start training with me. They were joining
in on my training regime, and so I was training
people before I was qualified as a personal trainer. And
then I thought maybe I should look into this and
get paid for it.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Okay, and then that was your next adventure.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Yeah, that was my next adventure Sydney. So you came
back to correct Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
So how did I kick off? So you came back
and did you have your license? And you came back
and done it?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
I basically I moved to Sydney. I got a job
on at the time reception Fitness first until I got
my qualifications, and then I started in as a trainer.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Wow, that's interesting. So what made you go down the
path of bodybuilding? What was that then?
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Well, interestingly enough, I started bodybuilding because I was getting
asked by everyone do you compete?
Speaker 4 (06:52):
And I was a bit out of loop. I was like,
do I compete? In what?
Speaker 1 (06:56):
It's funny because they say the same to me and
I just got what you mean competing.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
No, I had just already i started at the gyminal
sixteen and I'd been downloading bodybuilding books and learning about
calories macros way back then when I was at school,
and so I kind of not had it down pat
but I kind of understood what I was doing. So
when I discovered there was a competition for this, I thought,
may as well enter, wow, because I'm kind of already
(07:23):
doing the ratio. So what was your first comp So
my first comp it was with the IFBB before they
had the big split and yeah, that was the Australasian
IFBB and I had a really good coach. I did
exactly what he told me and thanks to him, I'll
give him the credit. I came first out of twenty
(07:44):
girls on stage first time. So I just did what
I was told. Basically, I didn't miss a grain of rice.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Wow, because he said when I first did my competition,
I had an online coach and it was very hard
to do that. Yes, and then I trained by myself.
I didn't have a coach to help me train, so
I did all that by myself. I was very stillborn,
so I can see what what you would do, But
were you very committed in the in the eating past
like this?
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Very I did what I was told. I didn't miss
a heartbeat. And he'd been competing for twenty years, so
I was like, shouldn't I be eating less than this?
Shouldn't I not be eating that? He goes, do what
I tell you, and I was like, okay. He said,
trust me, do what I tell you. And he was
a really good coach because he said, don't stuff your
metabolism up. He said, eat what I tell you. So
(08:30):
I'm here having like steak, eggs, all this stuff that
the other bikini girls went eating.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Yeah, and it worked. So he taught me a lot
about how to nourish your body and have a really
balanced approach.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
You were nervous not going on stage or anything like that, like.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
For a little bit, so part of me because I
used to perform on stage with drums and I grew
up also doing ballet dancing.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
It didn't affect you that cana.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Yeah, it wasn't as much However, like for me, like
being in a bikinian prancing on stage slightly different to
being in a cool out in the background, So it
was a little bit daunting because it wasn't naturally me.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
I'm not going to lie, but for me, bodybuilding has.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Always been a sport and also an artwork, so for me,
it's like presenting a piece of artwork on stage.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Yea.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
I found it hard to be a routine on stage, Yes,
especially when you go because you don't realize it. Like
when you go out and you see the lights are
on you, yes, you see the crowd behind the lights,
and then you can it's very you can hear everything
that's getting said in the crowd.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
There was one time I went on my first one.
I went on and I could hear someone laughing, and
I thought they were laughing at me, which put me off.
But then I realized they weren't laughing at me. It
was just like they were talking in between them. So
but I can hear everything, so kind of I got
put off a lot by that.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
But I found it hard to do the diet because
the commitment in the diet was very hard for me.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
The last eight weeks to ten weeks was very hard.
I was actually getting up like at midnight to two
o'clock in the morning just to smell ice cream. Wow,
you know what I mean. And that's how bad it was.
I only did it for two years, and I said
that's enough for me.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
The last few weeks does get really hard.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
But that's amazing that you want to like in your
first attempt, and.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
I thank my coach for that because I just did
what I was told.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
So what happened? So did you keep up? After that?
Speaker 3 (10:21):
I actually prepped myself for the next show, and then
because I actually had a small stint back on Hamilton Island.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
I missed it so much.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Of plus I did, I missed the boat.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
So I went back and I was taking people sailing.
I was taking the guests of everything water. I was
in water sports, so puddle boarding at Qualia Resorts. I'm
getting paid to go snorkeling at a five star result.
I thought it was fabulous.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Of course you did.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
So I did my comfort from Hamilton Island and then
I moved back to Sydney after that, and I actually
went with a few different coaches, so I started to learn.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
I thought, I'm going to.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Look for the top coaches at the time, but also
the coaches who have competed and won themselves. So I
don't just want a coach, I also want a champion.
So I then prepped with a number of different coaches,
and you'll pick up different things from every coach, and
I kind of just took I took different bits because
they'd all give you a different diet, and I started
(11:24):
to just really listen to my body. So my last
couple of comps, I mean, don't tell anyone. I didn't
really count anything out. I literally just listened to my body.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Well that's why a lot of people don't realize that
everybody's body is different. Yeah, and that's why you know
when someone says, oh he told me to eat this,
but your body different, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
So that's what I was the same as you. Like
when I was prepping.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
I didn't do all this measure and I just knew
that my body needed to take this, this and that.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
So how many comps did you do it all?
Speaker 3 (11:49):
I think maybe I've done ten all together. I think
around ten. I'm one four, one four and got my
pro card.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
When did you stop? Oh you got your pro card?
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Well, a couple of years ago I got my pro
card and then I haven't competed since. But there's a
pre ro show at the end of the year, so
I'm looking to compete in that because a lot of
the shows are overseas now yep, so.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
That means you go overseas. Yeah, that's not.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
So to compete does it take a lot of time
out of your hands for social wise and workwise to
do that, Like it is a full time job for
you unit of being on a pro card to you
know what I mean the pressure.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
I mean, it does take a lot of time and energy.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
I'm the type who when I have a goal, I
don't actually mind missing social time. I feel bad for
my friends. But if I'm on a mission, I'm on
a mission yep. And it's quite my personality type. So
I have to remind myself you need to see your friends, yes,
and right back to people. And for me, for competing,
it's always been I think something I've done for myself
(12:54):
as well. I'm not standing on stage, so oh look
what I've done everyone.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
It's more a.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Personal goal and I like it because I find it
really builds self discipline and you really have to get
to know yourself, Like if you don't make it there
or if you're not lean on stage, you've only got
yourself to blame.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
Really, So it's you and.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
You was that your goal to get the pro card?
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Is that what your goal?
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Yeah? So that means have you been to the Fitness
ex both that they use you there or that that's
not one of the pro things that you do for
the pro card because I know a lot of them
are used around the Fitness exposal like that.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Yeah, I mean things have changed over the years a
little bit. Usually you're approached by different companies. They've actually
just jumped on board with GenTech.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
So I'll be at the Phiteresxpo representing GenTech this year.
And I mean the owners of GenTech they have their
pro cards, They've got amazing athletes and they're a really
good group to be part of.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
So how many years have you been out for when's
the last time you competed?
Speaker 4 (13:47):
It was one and a half years ago.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Wow, So your body's now just relaxed. Is it hard
getting back into we relaxed?
Speaker 3 (13:54):
I mean I didn't think so. I generally go for
my walk every day. I go to the gym five
six times a week. So for me, that's not too hard.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
And like I said, my last couple of comps, I
really didn't do anything too extreme.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Do you find that when you do you are prepping
that like I found that I was getting a lot
tired towards the end, my body which sometimes wanted to
shut down.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Yes, but I had to keep it going, you know
what I mean. Did you find that.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Yes, it does get very tired.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
So you've kind of just got to like tell everyone sorry,
I got to comp I'll see you in a few weeks,
and then they can just leave you alone.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
So how did DJ come into this? Well, how do
you find the time to djslow? Cool? And they're also
body bill?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Yes, well, ever since I stopped playing music, I've been
wanting to play and over the years I've actually done
a couple of gigs just here and there, Like when
friends are like, oh, can you complay the drums here?
Or they've got a paid drumming role they need a
female drummer, and I'm like, yeah, okay, but I've been
you know, sometimes I used to be standing at the
diym with clients when I was personal training.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
I swear I totally tuned out.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
I don't know what wrapped the wrong because I'm listening
to the drums kick the snare, then I'm listening to
the baseline.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
Before you know what they've done their set. They're like, oh,
I'm like sorry, what said?
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Are we up to?
Speaker 3 (15:13):
So music for me is a real passion and I
just missed it so much. And I actually learnt to
DJ over ten years ago.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
It was just.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
Always very hard. So my first DJ teacher was gi Emder. Okay,
do you know Giants Larry Emder's son. Yes, yes, it's amazing.
So Gay taught me to DJ ten or so years ago.
I just always found it hard to juggle with personal
training because the hours are mismatching. So it was a
year or so ago I said, I'm just gonna take
(15:43):
the plunge. I stepped out of the gym started DJing.
I was not going to make it happen. So when
me was your first gig, My first actual gig was
mid last year at Home nightclub.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
So you' oh my god, you've been putting the deep
end for your first gig. Yeah, you were nervous.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
A little bit. I was a little bit nervous, like
I thought you.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Were going to say, oh, some house pad or but
like that just club?
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yeah, I know, I was, well, look not just on
the inside children, the outside.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Blood the hell? So what what were you in at home?
Ight club?
Speaker 4 (16:19):
I was in the fire ballroom.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
So that's where that's going halfway upstairs, that the one
that goes halfway.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
And I actually took my led drumsticks.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
I couldn't help myself and I got them out because
it helps to calm my nerves as well the drumming
because it comes second. There you go, or you could
have a couple of fireball shots or led drums.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Wow. So that was your first gig?
Speaker 3 (16:44):
Yeah, and it was just I just had so much
fun because I just love music.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
It's just real passion of mine.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
What music do you prefer to play when you're DJing?
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Great question? So at the moment, I'm actually loving the
Afro house.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
And like I've been loving playing on boat parties because
you can house and it's still them a real baby
as well. So I'm like on the boat, I love boats,
ocean music, bikmi.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
You know what more could you want to my friends?
Speaker 1 (17:14):
So yeah, so is this going to be a long
time passion of yours to DJing?
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Definitely?
Speaker 1 (17:19):
You sure? Now you're going to go a lot.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Longer than two years.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Absolutely, So what to Where else have you been playing
since old my Club?
Speaker 3 (17:27):
So I've been doing a lot of private functions actually parties.
I've been playing at restaurants. I've been doing a lot
of weddings as well. I've played it a few, say,
just hotels and local venues and things like that.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Have you have you ever like, because I asked a
lot of DJs this day, is there any DJ that
you've looked up to and you go, you know, yeah,
he's inspiration or she's inspiration who it.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
Would be for you?
Speaker 3 (17:49):
So for me, I mean Havannah Brown's really inspirations for me.
Also DJ Tiger Lily she's just had a baby and
she's still DJing, Yes, and now she's pregnant and DJing
still in Hills And I'm like, I don't know how
they do it.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
So they're really inspirational for me.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
Okay, Yeah, would you like it?
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Is there a venue you'd like to play at and
have a resident DJ home? Is there is there any
way you look.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
At great question? I mean I would love to go
to I beat them.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Everybody typical, I would probably never come back.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
We don't know. The name's not one l now wow,
so be it would be the ultimate.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
I think that would be amazing. I mean I do
have the trouble bug.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
I love Australia as well, but I love to explore,
I love to meet new people and I love to
see the world.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
There's so much more to see.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
See in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
I've actually got one of the biggest nightclub owners in
ib for coming on my podcast, which is Wayne Lineker.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
So yes, so maybe I'll have to put a plug in.
What about Sydney? Is there a resident home there? You'd
like to be at Sydney or Melbourne or even Gold Coast? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Great question? I mean for me, I mean I do
prefer Sydney.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
Yep, I love Sydney probably once again on all like
the boat parties or any of the boat clubs.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
I think that would be my idea.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Do you think the nightlife has kind of changed now
for DJs?
Speaker 2 (19:19):
We're the vibe is different because I don't go out
in Sydney much anymore because the vibe has changed for me, Yeah,
I prefer like Melbourne or Gold Coast now because I
feel like Gold Coast is what Sydney used to be
like even though it's a young crowd, and Melbourne's never changed,
Melbourne's Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Melbourne's always happening, yes.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
But Sydney to me, the nightlife has has gone down
a bit now where people just want to chill at
restaurants now instead.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Of going Yeah, that's true as well.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
So how did you feel for a DJ kind of thing?
Like you like the boat, which is it will never
change because got's a chill factor and everyone likes to
go on boats. But when it comes to winter, yes,
what would you do for DJ? And then yeah, that's.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
A good question. Well that's where I might need to
go to the Gold Coast.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
I've never played the Gold mind No, I.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Haven't, but I've got a lot of friends up there
who are DJ, so I'm thinking I might need to
take a.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
Trip up there this winter.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Wow, so you've played that you mostly play a boats,
But is there a festival that you'd like to player?
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Is there any kind of have you ever played, like,
you know, like a festival.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Like to I mean that would be a dream.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Oh wow, Yeah, look out when I'm playing at Tomorrowland,
I can come back in for a podcast.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
So DJ name, who comes up with a DJ name
for kind of like for someone like you, you know what
I mean? Like who who thoughted that one?
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Like?
Speaker 1 (20:37):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Well, that's a great question.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
So I actually took ages to come up with my
DJ name because I have my Instagram handlers BONDI L.
But I'm also wanted to keep that for my health
and wellness because I do have other plans going forward
for that. So I wanted to separate it because I thought,
not everyone wants to see all this DJ content and
vice versa.
Speaker 4 (20:58):
Yes, not everyone who wants to see DJ content wants
to see me with the green juice.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
Yes, sorry, like I need to separate this, but also
I want to paro it.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
My idea was to pair my DJ name with a
fashion label, say for Binis. Yeah. So I actually came
up with my DJ name, which is Elie b L
E E L L I E.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Yes, I've been on the page. I've seen it. I've
seen it.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
That's been quite recent.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
So one of my friends in New York is a
fashion designer, and he's a top fashion designer. He will
designed for j Lo for her jeans and Zimmerman.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
And I was like, I have a situation. I'm like,
what should it be?
Speaker 3 (21:37):
So he was actually thinking, he said, no, not Bondel,
he said, but it has to be similar, So he
said Ellie b because that would also look nice written
out of the machinis and things. And actually I was
up last night measuring up things. One of our first
products is going to be head scuff Sparkley head Scuffs
Van Dennis.
Speaker 4 (21:57):
Yeah, so that's how that one came about.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
So are you telling me now that slowly, slow, you're
going to go down the fashion line, because this.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Is the you're already two years are going to be.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
So I was a DJ two years ago, but now
I'm a fashion designer.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Oh my god, what's the what's the worst experience you've
ever come across.
Speaker 4 (22:18):
Being a DJ? That's a really great question.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
So I think the worst would have been when somebody
spilled alcohol on my decks. But it was the hen
at the Hen's party, and I was on a boat,
and I'm like, I don't want to ruin her party,
so I'm just gonna plug on in my phone and
pretend I faked DJ for three hours with my phone
off a Spotify No I noticed she didn't know she'd
(22:41):
broken my decks, and I'm like, they're like flashing at me,
not working.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
So I'm just all happy.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
And then I had it was a femaleester, but she
bumped into my speaker, landed on my toe and actually
I fractured my toe. It's still sore right now, actually
my toe. This is months ago. And so I was
happily faked DJing meanwhile with a fractured toe and broken decks.
That would have been the worst.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
God.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
Yeah, but I thought, I don't want to ruin the party.
I don't want to ruin her night.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
But no one knew that you were fake DJing with
the night And what was that party? What was that
party for?
Speaker 4 (23:15):
It was a Hen's party? On No, they didn't notice.
In fact, the funniest thing was at the end of
the night, she came behind the deck. She's like, can
I put a song in? And I was like, yeah, sure,
just choose one of Spotify. She goes, now, how do
I put it?
Speaker 3 (23:31):
She thought it was going from my phone into the decks,
and she thought she was mixing it in and I
was just running with it because they thought I don't
want to ruin Hen's party. It was actually really funny,
not so funny after when I had to go fix
my decks and hobble around.
Speaker 4 (23:46):
For the next couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
But is there a DJ you'd like to play with?
Speaker 4 (23:50):
I think it would be fun to play with Tiger Lily.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
Oh, Tiger, Okay.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
I think she's fabulous and I haven't met her in person,
but we've got a lot of mutual friends and they
just speak so highly of her as a person. They
say she's actually the most you and down to earth
nice girl. But she's also very talented, like she knows
how to mix and produce, so she's not some push
button DJ like she's Actually.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
You look at you.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
When I've seen some of your footage of you DJing,
you're very elegant when you're you're DJing.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
Yes, I like it, you know.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
I mean I was trying to find because I was
trying to put things together to promote this, and I'm thinking,
she's very elegant, like you know.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
It's it's probably all the years of posing practice. That's
what I was thinking.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
Oh my god, So what does the future hole for you? Then?
Speaker 3 (24:41):
Well, I'd like to just keep playing music, and for me,
I enjoy it so much where if I'm at a
small gig or a large gig, I'm just having the
time of my life. So I'm going to start to,
you know, get into the music production side of things.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
Yeah, so you would like to, I'd love to.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
Well, I did music for year eleven and twelve at
school as well, and look, it's changed a lot since,
but I do remember we were doing some sort of
songwriting on the computers and I just loved it. I'd
sit for hours creating songs. And when I was in
the band, you know, I helped to write the songs.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
So it's so you enjoy mixing, you do enjoy mixing.
I love it.
Speaker 4 (25:18):
It's something I love to do.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
Like I'll play a five hour gig and I'll have
to turn the music of at two am. I could
keep going and I'm not even drinking. What's your first
regret in life or Well, for me, it was stopping
playing music. But also when we were in the band,
we were invited to play on the band's Warp tour
(25:40):
and I was only eighteen at the time, and we
didn't go because we didn't have the funds. That for
me was my biggest regret because I'm like I had
the chance to play music overseas with my own song
and I said no. So even recently I went to
DJ and Singapore and that for me was like oh,
I almost felt like I'd made up for that regret.
So that's probably I have. I was in Singapore a
(26:03):
few weeks ago for a gig. I ended up playing
at two other places, so three.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
Okay, so you are kind of adventures. So you haven't
been to Gold Coast yet, but you've been over to
I actually got.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
Offered a job in molds the other day. The pay
wasn't high enough. I thought they don't understand how much
it costs to be a girl, so I said sorry.
I asked for double what they said and they said no.
And I'm like, okay, how.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Did you dribe yourself at one word?
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Well, at the beginning, it was hyperactive, but we should
probably look for another word, right, Yeah, I think adventurous
would describe me ambitious.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
Okay, that's yeah, that's that's a good one. I like
that one.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
Going back to your your when you were in the
band and you wrote music, there is that kind of
music that you could actually put into your DJ work
or you couldn't do that you couldn't. You couldn't kind
of mix that in or anything like that.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
Look, I don't think so. At the time, it was
very emo screamer yeah yeah type stuff, and we were recording,
you know, into a mix we'd record in the studio
and stuff. But it was a very different style to
what's out now.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
You would never get together the girls again.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
I've asked them, but they have they've all got kids now,
They're like, sorry, that ships sailed and.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
I'm stop shift, Like, come on, really, I would You
wouldn't go solo.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
Well as a drummer. Look, I always wished I could sing.
But I think there must have been a reason. My
mum booked me in for drums. She was my quiet
teacher at school. Next minute I'm in drum lers.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
I think, so, oh my god, you know what, like
you've opened a lot of things because I actually, when
I looked at you, you you come across as very
quiet and elegant, but you're actually kind of fun and
that's that's cool. As I said, for a DJ, you
need that. And I've listened to some of the music
that you've played on your boats and all like that,
and it's and that's the kind of mine that are
(27:58):
like anyway, so the next five years, where can you
see you being in the next five years.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Well, I'd like to play it large festivals overseas as
well as Australia with my own songs, collaborating with other artists.
It's something I'd love to do. Is also collaborate with
other artists and you know, include some of my friends
who are vocalists, include some other friends who play the trumpet.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
That type of thing.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
Me myself adding the drumming element into it, whether it's
bongos or congress or with the drum pad or just
something that makes it a bit more exciting and interesting.
Speaker 4 (28:34):
But I like to get everyone involved. It's like, if
you've got a talent, let's all come together and have
more fun.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
So yeah, but I'm gonna ask you one question here.
Let's see, Okay, what you like better DJing or bodybuilding? Look,
no offense to my body.
Speaker 3 (28:55):
I prefer DJing. Yeah, I'm I prefer DJing. I mean,
my sleepers have really changed. Sometimes I go to bed
at form now.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
The old met was up it for it to train.
Speaker 4 (29:09):
Yeah, but I'd much prefer to be just discussing. Oh,
listen to this tune and isn't that a fat drop?
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Then?
Speaker 4 (29:14):
So how many cabs are you eating at the moment?
It just kind of does your head in a little bit,
like I don't really care whatever I eats for breakfast.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
It's not something I love to discuss, but it's cool,
you know, when you're with your DJ friends and we're
talking about new little tricks to do on the decks,
that's fun. Yeah, so I'm going to run with DJing.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Okay, as much as I.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Love bodybuilding, but even though you're going to do a
comp soon, would you still DJ while you're doing the comp?
Speaker 4 (29:40):
I'm going to do both.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
Yeah, yeah, okay, Well, thank you for coming in. Thank you,
and said I.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Reach out to you in a way where I'm pretty
sure that you will gain what you want. I think
you'll be a fashion designer the way you're talking to me.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
We're two years to go. Like you seem to jump
to jump to jump to jump, but when you get comfortable,
then you enjoy what you're doing, you know what I mean.
But as long as you don't go back to Hamilton Island,
go to our defriends dead right.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Yeah, thank you all take that advice.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
Thank you but now thank you for coming on and
sharing your story, thank you for having mem
Speaker 4 (30:26):
HM
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