A former celebrity escort who thought she was healthier than ever after a major lifestyle change has revealed she was unknowingly suffering deadly conditions.
Amanda Goff, who used to go by the pseudonym Samantha X, has shared she was last week diagnosed with two life-threatening heart issues.
The 50-year-old was due to board a flight to Canada this week but has instead found herself in the cardiac ward of Sydney’s St. Vincent’s Hospital.
“It’s all happened very fast – diagnosed Friday, in surgery Monday,” she wrote on Instagram.
“NEVER ignore any symptoms. Mine were feeling faint & almost blacking out after exercise.”
The sex and relationships columnist said she has non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) and sustained ventricular tachycardia SVT.
Both conditions affect the heart and can cause rapid rhythms, cardiac arrest or death.
“I am blessed I found this out before not after,” Goff wrote on Monday.
“My body knew something wasn’t right, so I got it checked out.
“If there is anything you can take from this is never ignore what your body is telling you.”
She said she will be able to lead a normal life, and “worst case scenario” may require a defibrillator. Best case is medication, Goff added.
“So there you go, you can be fit, booze free and all the rest, but never, ever be complacent.”
Goff has chronicled her decision to leave the escort industry and turn away from alcohol and drugs in recent years.
She now works as a pilates instructor, podcaster and advocate for mental health issues.
The health scare came just weeks after Goff took to her social media to speak about her health transformation after leaving the party lifestyle behind.
“50 is the new 30 … but I was really unfit and boozed up at 30. 50 is 50. Fitter and happier but it takes WORK: emotional, physical, mental and spiritual hard work,” she wrote.
“I am lucky enough to have a team to help me, therapists, trainers, a very tight small close knit group of girlfriends and my family. Exercise for MENTAL HEALTH not a good body, and the rest will follow.”