From Bonds Model to Yoga Trailblazer: The Inspiring Journey of Sammy Veall

Melbourne yoga teacher Sammy Veall has had a life story that reads like a movie — and one with a powerful twist. After appearing as a Bonds girl in the iconic Australian label’s commercials, a life-altering accident left her with third-degree burns over 35% of her body. It was during her recovery that Sammy discovered her true calling: yoga.

Today, Sammy owns two yoga studios in Australia, specialising in hip hop yoga — a dynamic practice she proudly introduced to the country. She is also an Ambassador for Diabetes Australia and now shares her expertise, energy, and inspiration.

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A Star Is Born

Sammy was just 21 when she landed the coveted role as a Bonds model, starring in a television commercial. But her life would soon take a dramatic turn.

“I was chasing an acting career for about five years after leaving high school,” Sammy recalls. “My first break was the Bonds commercial — we shot it in an old Ford driving back and forth across the Westgate Bridge. I remember laughing with the other girls, doing all these fun little stunts, like accidentally throwing my bra out of the car on a fishing line for one take — we did about 15 takes! The commercial aired on TV and in theatres, but I was already off pursuing my dream in New York.”

She moved to New York to attend the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, immersing herself in everything from ballet to accents, theatre, TV, and scriptwriting.

The Accident That Changed Everything

Just three months into her acting course, homesickness brought Sammy back to Australia for a short visit. One night, at a friend’s 21st birthday party in Deniliquin, a terrifying accident occurred.

“It’s all a bit of a blur,” she remembers. “It was around 3 a.m., and the party was winding down. I walked toward a group of friends sitting near a burnt-out fire. I remember someone shouting, ‘Get petrol!’ and then a flash of orange light hit my face. I spun away, gasping for air, but my legs were on fire. My friend Miranda was yelling, ‘Drop down, Sammy, drop down!’ I kicked my legs and ran to hide, terrified and confused. The smell of petrol and burnt skin is something I’ll never forget.”

Sammy was immediately flown to Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where she spent over a month recovering. She underwent four skin graft surgeries and had to teach herself to walk again. Today, she lives with the scars of third-degree burns over 35% of her body — a daily reminder of her resilience.

Finding Yoga

It was during her recovery that Sammy discovered yoga — not just as a form of exercise, but as a path to healing, strength, and self-discovery. What started as gentle stretches evolved into a deep passion that would shape the next chapter of her life.

Today: Hip Hop Yoga Pioneer and Advocate

Now, Sammy owns two yoga studios, teaches hip hop yoga across Australia, and inspires countless students to embrace movement with joy and creativity. She is also a dedicated Ambassador for Diabetes Australia, bringing mindfulness and wellness into the lives of others.

Photographer: Deanna Gerlach www.deee.co. © TheCarousel.com

“Yoga allows you to feel a sense of release through the poses, and the music elevates this by bringing out other emotions. It’s like dancing! My mind is a lot clearer since yoga entered my life, and I don’t worry about too much anymore. I just take every day as it comes and remind myself that everything passes, and that I’m going to be ok.”

Yoga for Physical healing:

“For me, yoga physically helped because it stretched out all my skin – I was limping because the back of my knee was burnt and had a skin graph on it. In hospital, I had to teach myself to walk again, so yoga was great for me to really get my balance back. My body is now in the best shape it’s ever been. I feel very strong, fit and healthy, and subsequently from this have taken on a very healthy eating approach because my body feels too good to put anything bad in it!”

The birth of Hip Hop Yoga:

“I found music and yoga in LA, and then I made up the name Hip Hop yoga. The hip hop yoga classes we hold at 213 are recommended for yogis that have practiced yoga before, as the class is quite hard. But beginners love it too, as the music makes it fun! The class is 1 hour – it starts with a warm-up, then moves through standing sequence, balancing sequence, arm balances, abs, back bends then pigeon and savasana. We play hip hop music for the first 40 minutes, then listen to relaxing soulful music before playing an instrumental song for savasana.”

Yoga studio 213 Melbourne: The Birth of her business:

“I was in Bali, on my second training, and I had two hours free time. During that time I would sit in my room and write out my business plan. I didn’t know how to write one so I found a template on the internet and starting filling it out with dreams and exactly what I would wanted in a yoga studio, taking lots of inspiration from Steve’s studio in LA. I was originally going to open my first studio in Bali, but I soon realised that I needed to do it at home. I knew Melbourne – I knew the people, my whole family lived there and all my friends and they were the ones that were showing up at 6:15am in the morning when I first opened! So if I didn’t have that support, it would have been a lot harder.”

Daily mantra: “Be happy!”

Advice: “Yoga is what you make it!”

Fave pose: “I like being upside down, so I love going into tripod headstands and handstands. It reminds me of being a kid. My mother says I was born running and haven’t stopped since!”

Stress Beating Yoga Pose:

“Any pose in a YIN class. It’s the only time I completely shut off and hear myself breathe. Pigeon pose held for 5 minutes on each side or happy baby are great. Also, savasana – lay on your back with one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest while listening to yourself breathe.”

Meditation:

“It’s really important to stop the mind for at least five minutes per day. It’s a good way of releasing stored emotions and thoughts that can get ‘stuck’, and keep resurfacing when triggered or you’re stressed.”

Visit Sammy’s website at www.yoga213.com.au or follow her on Instagram at yoga213