Australian fitness influencer Ashy Bines has faced a fierce online backlash after a social media post in which she discussed the Bondi terror attack was perceived as promoting her paid subscription wellness content.
Social Media Post Sparks Outrage
The 37-year-old shared a post on Thursday morning, reflecting on the emotional impact of the attack that shook the Australian community. Fifteen people were killed and forty injured in the mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, marking it as the nation's second-worst such incident.
"I feel everyone in Australia is waking up feeling sick just thinking about everyone impacted by Bondi," Bines wrote. She urged mutual support and highlighted "the power of kindness in times like these."
The Promotion That Crossed a Line
The controversy arose when Bines directly addressed those feeling emotionally "wobbly" due to the tragedy. She suggested they could find solace by subscribing to her Rise Inside podcast and wellbeing programme, providing a link to the platform. The membership costs $50 Australian dollars per month (approximately £40).
"If I'm ever feeling anxious or want to feel more calm, it's nice to know that in less than five minutes that can all change," she added, promoting "four nervous system calming meditations all less than ten minutes."
Furious Public Reaction
The response from followers was swift and condemnatory. Many accused her of exploiting a national tragedy for commercial gain.
"Does anyone else find it really bad taste and just gross that Ashy Bines is using the awful terrorist attack in Bondi to advertise her Rise Inside subscription?" one person asked online.
Another stated: "Any influencer using this tragedy to pivot or push a business or product should go straight in the bin. Absolutely foul."
Further criticism included: "To make money off this is utterly disgusting. This is the lowest of the low. This must stop," while another sarcastically noted: "Yes, that's exactly how the people affected by the Bondi tragedy are feeling today, 'wobbly'."
The Daily Mail has approached Ashy Bines for comment.
Details of the Bondi Attack
The attack, which occurred in the Bondi area, resulted in numerous fatalities. The victims included a 10-year-old girl, British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, and Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, among others.
The alleged gunmen were identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. Naveed Akram, who is recovering from bullet wounds in hospital, has been charged with 59 offences related to the attack.
