Ria Vandervis' honest chat about burnout and life after 'Shortland Street'

Join Mike for the latest episode of The House of Wellness with Chemist Warehouse on the Breeze, where he’s joined by TV Personality And Actress Ria Vandervis, Professor Grant Schofield, House of Wellness magazine with editor Vanessa Marshall, Zaynah and our resident pharmacist, Piyara Perera.

Featured Guest: Ria Vandervis

Ria Vandervis has opened up about life after 'Shortland Street', saying her time on 'Celebrity Treasure Island' was a real mix of highs and lows, but overall an experience she’d do again in a heartbeat. She says the show gave her a bit of perspective, helping her back herself more and realise she doesn’t need nearly as much to get by as she once thought.

She also got real about her decision to step away from 'Shortland Street', revealing she hit burnout after years of juggling work, new motherhood, health struggles and a long fertility journey. Ria says therapy and better communication with her husband played a key role in navigating a tough period in her life, alongside finding stability through routine, exercise, and wellbeing habits.

She’s now prioritising fitness and mental health, embracing weight training and F45 workouts, which she credits with helping both her physical and emotional wellbeing. While she’s stepping back from acting for now, she says she’s enjoying life as a marriage celebrant and is even eyeing up a potential renovation TV project for the future.

Plus, you can catch her on the July cover of The House of Wellness magazine.

Featured Guest: Grant Schofield

Professor Grant Schofield joins this week’s episode to chat about his new book Choose Your Hard and the idea that health is built through deliberate, and sometimes uncomfortable, lifestyle choices.

He explains that the concept is rooted in biology, arguing that the body and mind adapt and become stronger when they’re exposed to manageable stress - whether that’s exercise, better sleep habits, or even temperature changes like heat or cold exposure.

He also points to big shifts in public health, saying New Zealand has dropped significantly in physical activity levels over the past few decades, while ultra-processed foods and digital “dopamine hits” have reshaped how people eat, move, and engage with the world. 

He warns that constant easy rewards from technology and food can impact mental well-being, especially in younger people.

Featured Guest: Vanessa Marshall

Magazine Editor Vanessa Marshall says the winter issue is headlined by a feature on Shortland Street star Ria Vandervis, who opens up about everything from burnout and fertility struggles to perimenopause and finding balance through DIY projects like home renovations and even a swimming pool build.

The issue is also packed with wellness advice from big names, including Lisa Carrington, Dan Carter, Irene van Dyk and Nikki Styris, all sharing their tips for staying active and motivated through winter.

On the food front, readers can expect hearty winter recipes from Gretchen Lowe, including bolognese, butter beans and a comforting curry - all designed to be budget-friendly.

And for those feeling the winter slump, the magazine also explores seasonal affective disorder (SAD), with advice on boosting vitamin D, getting outside, and easing the effects of the winter blues.

Featured Guest: Zaynah

Zaynah joined the show to talk about her recent trip to Avène’s thermal spring wellness facility in the south of France. She explained how the skincare brand combines science-backed thermal spring water with a holistic wellness approach to help treat skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis.

During her visit, she saw the science behind the water and how it’s used in both treatments and products, alongside a broader focus on diet and lifestyle. She said the experience gave her a deeper understanding of her own skin condition and how consistent skincare routines can support long-term results.

Resident Pharmacist: Piyara Perera

Resident pharmacist Piyara Perera joined the show to bust the myth that pharmacists only dispense medication, explaining how they can also provide expert health advice, assess common illnesses, administer vaccinations, check blood pressure and help people use medicines safely. 

She also unpacked New Zealand's new Extended Pharmacy Service, which allows eligible patients to access treatment for a range of everyday conditions directly through participating pharmacies without first needing a GP appointment.

Piyara says the service covers things like pain and fever in children, dehydration, conjunctivitis, head lice, scabies, emergency contraception, and UTI medications for eligible people.

“The aim of this service is to make healthcare easier to access, and help people get that treatment sooner so they’re not having to wait for an appointment.”

Obviously, eligibility applies, and it’s not available to everyone, but it’s absolutely worth knowing.

Catch the full episode up top and tune in next Sunday from 8 am for The House of Wellness on the Breeze.