Seven years ago, Tanya Gordon had serious doubts she would ever perform again. Suffering from debilitating anxiety, she didn't pick up a microphone for three years. Every time she walked on stage, she felt terrified - like someone was holding a gun to her head. It was crazy considering she'd spent most of her life on stage.
She began formal dance classes before she started pre-school and went on to perform in concert halls, convention centres, churches, auditoriums and clubs throughout Australia and the US. Her professional singing career began at 14 and, over the next decade, she took every opportunity to develop her formidable talent. At 24, she was in talks with Sony Australia. By 26, she was holed up in her house, trying to recover from physical and emotional exhaustion that sent her into a spiral of anxiety and depression.
She thought her life was over and it definitely felt that way for a long time. She wondered if anything would ever feel "normal" again. Rather than trying to escape the pain though, she ran headlong into it, working through the inner turmoil that had brought her undone. As she has made the long journey back to the microphone, she has clung to faith and family; the two things, she says, that have kept her alive.
Along the way, Tanya has learnt life lessons that she now holds tightly to her chest. Her wrestling with God and with her fears has changed and strengthened her, completely revolutionizing the way she sees herself and the world around her.
Produced by Caleb James, the songs on her brand new EP, Braver Than You Think You Are, are disarmingly honest, chronicling the delight and despair of her amazing journey so far. Tanya’s hope is that her story and songs will encourage others to challenge their fears and hold on to faith no matter how dark or difficult their journey may be.
Tanya and her husband, Dale, are donating all of the money raised through sales of Braver Than You Think You Are to a refuge for abused and abandoned children in Tapachula, Mexico. As well as helping these children, Tanya and Dale hope that their actions will inspire other people to think about how they can serve the poor and motivate them to go out and make a difference.