It’s rare to see a woman at the helm of a superyacht, so watching Captain Sandy Yawn, a boaty with more than 30 years’ experience, lead the charge on Below Deck Mediterranean is something to behold. WHO caught up with the reality TV star when she visited Australia recently, and she had a lot of say about the TV juggernaut, being a role model and her wedding to her long-time love, Leah Shafer. It was a wedding for the ages, held on a superyacht with guests including Chief Stew Aesha Scott. “It feels incredible and I feel like the luckiest woman in the world,” Yawn says. It was also filmed, just like her beautiful marriage proposal, and will be seen on the show that made her a star.
This is your first time to Australia. Why has it taken you so long to come?
It’s a long flight and I’ve never been on a flight this long. Sydney Harbour blew me away and I went to the zoo. I got to see the Aussie animals which was really cool, but I didn’t get to see the platypus which I was really bummed about.
Does it surprise you that in doing the show, you have become a role model as a leader and a mentor?
I just live life how I think I should live it and do the next right thing. And when you do that, people notice. I’ve always been taught [to] be the example. Don’t talk it, walk it. And when you do that, you have a better quality of life. It’s pretty fascinating. And I love that this TV show … I’m making changes in lives which is really great. Our show is so much more than entertainment. It actually offers inspiration, like, “Hey, there are careers in this industry.” There’s so many cool things that come out of it. Besides the hookups and the breakups – but they’re fun to watch.
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It’s rare that you get life lessons from a reality TV show. You pull people up, you don’t push them down – where does that come from?
Someone did it for me. And if they gave up on me, where would I be? Not where I am today. I was a mess back in my younger days.
How have you handled the change in your life with the fame and recognition?
I didn’t have any idea that it would be on this level. I forget. Leah tells me, “You probably shouldn’t be eating that taco like that.” It’s a different life that I wasn’t really prepared for. I have a good tight friend circle. They keep me grounded.
We will see you propose to and marry Leah on the show. Was it a tough decision to have those private moments play out before the cameras?
I thought about it for a long time. Because of same-sex [issues] and everything that’s been happening in the US, it’s been tough. [But] I think it’s important that people see that responsible, educated, professional women can love each other and it’s just about love. And I thought it gives people hope that are struggling to come out. I feel that we also have a responsibility to the viewers that have been a part of my journey with Leah. Why not share that with them?
Do you have an approach, a mantra or a guiding philosophy in life?
Just do the next right thing. That’s it. Every moment you’re faced with, think is it the right thing or the wrong thing. Because we do have that moral compass. If it feels wrong, it is wrong. When it feels right, it’s usually right. But if you make a mistake, say you’re sorry. It’s so much easier. Then you’re free. People will forgive you if you’re humble. I messed up all the time. I say sorry a lot.
Where to watch Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9
Catch all the action above and below deck on Hayu.
StreamBelow Deck MediterraneanonHayufrom $6.99/mth, with a 7-day free trial. SUBSCRIBE NOW.
Naomi Toy
Naomi is the Associate Editor for Who and mum to two boys. Her journalism career began 30 years ago on Sydney’s Daily Telegraph where she worked across all rounds, then specialising in police and court reporting, before taking a sharp turn into the world of celebrity and entertainment as one of the first editors of Sydney Confidential. Reporting from red carpets and interviewing movie stars – not to mention attending the royal wedding of Mary Donaldson to Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik – has been a dream come true. She has worked on the New York Post and Woman’s Day but on Who, a magazine she’s loved since it first launched in Australia, she feels at home. She’s worked as a film and TV extra (Law and Order: SVU was a highlight) and performed improv on stage with the Upright Citizens Brigade. Writing Who’s Drink Notes column is a passion project but she’s all about entertainment. Naomi reluctantly accepts there will never be enough time to read all the books or watch all the TV she wants to.
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