Khalyla Kuhn: From swimmer to podcast star

Khalyla Kuhn is more than simply a storyteller, athlete, entrepreneur and cultural voice who has drawn the attention of worldwide audiences, including many here in Australia. Renowned for co-hosting the hit podcasts TigerBelly and Trash Tuesday, Khalyla has created a special place in the digital sphere, where she combines vulnerability, humour and advocacy in a way that speaks to listeners all around.

We investigate Khalyla’s interesting origins, ascent to popularity and why her narrative particularly speaks to Australian viewers in this piece.

Early life and cultural roots

Born on October 31, 1984, in Cebu, Philippines, Khalyla Kuhn has an American father and a Filipino mother. She showed extraordinary talent and will from a young age, especially in swimming. At three years old, she began swimming competitively; by ten years old, she was representing the Philippines internationally—including at the South-east Asian Games.

Later, her family moved to the United States, where Khalyla kept on her academic and athletic path. She supported herself by instructing anatomy, physiology and microbiology, a remarkable feat that displays both her intelligence and discipline. She studied biochemistry at college.

Rise to podcast stardom

Khalyla’s breakthrough came in 2013 when she met comedian Bobby Lee through the Tinder dating app. The couple clicked and their relationship finally produced the hugely popular TigerBelly podcast in 2016.

Together, they established a forum for candid, unvarnished and frequently funny talks about mental health, relationships, culture and identity. TigerBelly developed a strong following fast on sites like Spotify and YouTube. The show’s laid-back yet significant tone especially appealed to Australian viewers who value genuine conversation combined with comedy.

More recently, Khalyla teamed up with comedians Esther Povitsky and Annie Lederman to start Trash Tuesday. Renowned for its unvarnished views on wellness, pop culture, personal challenges and behind-the-scenes tales of life in entertainment, this podcast boasts a cult following. Among Australian podcast listeners, the show is a favourite because of its honest and often sarcastic tone.

Athlete turned ocean advocate

Although many know Khalyla for her podcasting, fewer people would be aware of her competitive swimming background. She started official instruction while a small child, competed internationally at ten, and was renowned for her discipline and mental toughness.

Following her breakup with Bobby Lee in 2022, Khalyla turned free-diving and spearfishing—which she had discovered recently—into a therapeutic tool. Her passion for the sea has grown stronger; today, she actively promotes marine sustainability and mental health by water immersion.

Her change of direction has brought her closer to the ideals many Australians cherish—nature, sports, mental health awareness and environmental preservation.

Entrepreneurial venture: Ebb Ocean Club

Inspired by her time in the ocean, Khalyla started Ebb Ocean Club, a personal care company with reef-safe, cruelty-free hair products meant for sea lovers. Like the environmentally aware populace of coastal Australia, the brand reflects ethical, sustainable principles and is intended for active, health-conscious consumers.

Ebb Ocean Club reflects Khalyla’s personal philosophy—protect what you love and produce goods free of damage—rather than merely another beauty brand. This change is beneficial for Australian customers who are increasingly concerned about the impact of personal care products on marine environments, especially the Great Barrier Reef.

Relationship with Bobby Lee and life after a breakup

Khalyla’s ten-year relationship with Bobby Lee was both quite intimate and publicly evident. Following their 2022 romantic breakup, the duo decided deliberately to keep collaborating on TigerBelly. Many admirers of their post-breakup friendship see it to be a model of maturity and mutual respect.

Their podcast has been able to keep expanding because of this unusual dynamic, free from the normal drama related to famous divorces. Renowned for their integrity and authenticity, Australians have embraced Khalyla’s open approach to change.

Controversy and courage

Khalyla has also demonstrated incredible fortitude throughout the controversy. She candidly shared on her podcast difficult events in the entertainment business, particularly ones involving comedian Brendan Schaub. Audiences all around have praised her eagerness to speak out—even in the face of legal pressure.

Khalyla has shown in a media world that frequently rewards dishonesty that defending your truth is always well worth it. Her courage has won her great respect and strengthened her relationship with worldwide—especially Australian—audiences that appreciate integrity and openness.

Why would Australians relate to Khalyla Kuhn?

These are the reasons Khalyla has drawn in Australian supporters:

• Her ocean living fits Australia’s beach-loving culture with free diving, swimming and reef-safe cosmetics.
• Her podcasts discuss actual problems in an honest, straightforward manner that Aussies value.
• Her Filipino-American ancestry captures Australia’s own cosmopolitan society.
• Her candour about emotional healing and progress fits national dialogues on mental health.
• Australians enjoy supporting small businesses with values of sustainability, ethics, and function.

Fast information on Khalyla Kuhn

Category	Details
Birthdate	31 October 1984
Birthplace	Cebu, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino-American
Education	Studied Biochemistry, tutored anatomy & microbiology
Early Career	Competitive swimmer, represented the Philippines
Podcasts	TigerBelly, Trash Tuesday
Entrepreneur	Founder of Ebb Ocean Club
Relationship Status	Split with Bobby Lee in 2022, still co-hosting together

Conclusion

It is quite remarkable how Khalyla Kuhn went from a top swimmer in the Philippines to a valued voice in podcasting and ethical business practices. She makes herself approachable across countries and continents—including here in Australia—by combining vulnerability, strength and inventiveness.