Ellidy Pullin: A story of love, loss, and resilience

In the Gold Coast of Australia, Ellidy Pullin is the epitome of resilience, courage, and hope. She is previously known as the partner of Olympic Snowboarding champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, but has forged her own identity as a model, podcast host, mother, and advocate for grief awareness. Her journey through loss and transformation continues to inspire Australians facing life’s hardest moments.

Who is Ellidy Pullin?

Ellidy Pullin (née Vlug) is an Australian model, influencer, and public figure known mostly for sharing raw stories about grief, motherhood, and resilience. She was raised on the Gold Coast and attributes her grounded nature, natural beauty, and love of the ocean as being influential on her identity growing up.

Although her journey into the public eye became amplified with the death of her partner, her genuine personality and warmth allow many Australians to see her as relatable. She currently balances a career in modelling, podcasting, and property development as well as raising her daughter, Minnie.

The love story with Alex “Chumpy” Pullin

In 2012, Ellidy met Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, Australia’s favourite Olympic snowboarder and two-time world champion, and the two had an instant spark. The two bonded over adventure, shared values, and that chemistry.

Together, they built a beautiful life on the Gold Coast with their dog Rummi. They were making plans for their future, marriage, children, and soaking up every moment of life by the coast, surfing, cooking, and being outside.

Chumpy was an ambitious and disciplined person, and Ellidy was calm and light. They were the kind of couple everyone believed would last forever. But everything changed.

The sorrow that started a new story

In July 2020, Chumpy tragically passed away while spearfishing off Palm Beach, Gold Coast. A life full of promise ended at only 32.

The sudden loss would shatter Ellidy’s world. She described the early days of grief as a blur, summed up as disbelief, sadness, and survival in interviews and in her memoir Heartstrong.

“Grief is not something you get over. It’s something you learn to live with,” she said.

Her ability to articulate loss in a way that resonates with many Australians, especially young widows and solo parents who have drawn strength from her story.

Becoming a mother after loss

Right after Chumpy’s death, Ellidy made a brave choice – she was going to conceive a child by IVF using sperm that had been retrieved after his death. It was an emotionally taxing and medically complex process, but she pursued the brave journey with determination and love.

In October 2021, Ellidy gave birth to a baby girl, Minnie Alex Pullin, named after her deceased partner.

“Minnie is Chumpy’s legacy. She is a miracle – my whole world,” Ellidy said.

Her story caught the attention of the nation and reignited discussion of posthumous conception for love after loss, and women’s reproductive rights within Australia.

By turning pain into purpose, Ellidy redesigned her life, not by wiping out her past, but by growing from it. She began using her platform to speak honestly about grieving, solo parenting, and healing.

Her career and public voice

• Author: Her autobiography, Heartstrong, chronicles the entire arc of her narrative — from falling in love with sports star (and public partner) Stevie, to surviving his loss, to learning to be strong herself. The book quickly became a bestseller in Australia.
• Podcaster: She is the cohost of the podcast, Darling, Shine! In conjunction with her friend, Chloe Fisher, she delves into open, honest discussions about real topics — such as fertility challenges, loss of loved ones, friendship, and motherhood — with humour and heart. 
• Influencer: Ellidy partners with Australian lifestyle and fashion brands while remaining as authentic to herself as a beach girl. Everything from her home on the Gold Coast, to her personal aesthetic and her energy seems to embrace a down-to-earth Australiana vibe.
• Advocate: Compared to her social media work, Ellidy can informally undertake the role of voice for mental health and advocate for women’s empowerment by allowing others to feel seen through their own challenges.

Life by the sea: Ellidy’s Gold Coast story

Currently, Ellidy lives on the Gold Coast with her daughter, Minnie and their dog Rummi. Her lifestyle on the Gold Coast is simple: early morning swims, daily beach walks, and laughing with good friends.

Ellidy has consistently used social media to share little snippets of daily life, not as a highlight reel, but as a rather real diary of a woman juggling motherhood, healing, and finding happiness on the Gold Coast.

Her style exudes relaxed and effortless confidence, in her wardrobe, which perfectly combines surfwear with emerging Australian fashion labels. Ellidy has collaborated with brands such as Ena Pelly and PE Nation to capture her down-to-earth attitude. She carries that same relaxed flair from the surf to sunset drinks.

Why Australians connect with Ellidy Pullin?

Australians are drawn to the authentic, which is exactly what Ellidy represents. Ellidy doesn’t pretend to have a perfect life. Instead, she laughs, cries, and talks about the messy experiences of being human.

The reason Ellidy’s journey feels so real

• Her upbringing in the Aussie beach and community culture.
• Her courage to openly discuss grief, IVF, and motherhood.
• Her relatable conversational style, akin to banter amongst friends.
• Her ability to live life to the fullest despite experiencing pain.

Throughout her podcast, and in her book, she has reminded Australians that it is okay ‘to fall apart’ and more importantly, okay ‘to rebuild’.

Challenges and moving forward

Ellidy has said she will never “move on” from Chumpy. Rather, she will always “move forward” with him in every aspect of her life and parenting.

She has dealt with the waves of grief, the experience of single parenting, and being in the public eye, and has continued to intentionally and actively find joy and gratitude in ordinary moments.

She has spoken about dating again and discovering who she is outside of her mothering role. She has openly admitted it is not easy, but she is approaching it in the same way, with her trademark honesty and humour.

Key takeaways from Ellidy’s journey

• Love continues to exist in death. 
• Grief is everlasting; it transforms. 
• Courage can exist alongside vulnerability. 
• Being a single mother can be empowering, rather than lonely. 
• Healing is about remembering with love; it’s not about forgetting. 

Conclusion 

Ellidy Pullin personifies the heart of contemporary Australia- tough, kind, and unapologetically real. This is not a story of tragedy but transformation. She reminds us that life can still be beautiful, regardless of its unpredictability. Her book, her podcast, and her voice contribute to and inspire Australians to mourn/deal with grief, and to live authentically. 

From the beaches of Sydney to the sand of the Gold Coast, she reminds us that even though a heart is broken, there is always hope — this is what makes this story unforgettable.