In this deeply personal episode of Pretty Covered, host Jess Silva sits down with mum of three and content creator Fay Mahon, who shares her experience of surviving cervical cancer in her twenties, losing her first husband Karl suddenly at 29, and rebuilding her life while raising two young children.
Fay opens up about being diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer following her first smear test, the complicated pregnancy that followed, and the arrival of her daughter Seren, who Fay describes as her “miracle baby.”
She also shares the devastating story of Karl’s sudden death following a bleed on the brain, and the reality of becoming a young widow with two children. With Karl as the main breadwinner and no wider life insurance beyond their mortgage cover. Fay found herself with no money in her bank account and bills, childcare and funeral costs still needing to be paid.
Now remarried with three daughters, Fay reflects on finding love again, creating a new chapter for her family and why everything she has experienced has changed the way she thinks about life, money and protecting the people she loves.
💗 This episode is brought to you by Polly.
If you need life insurance or critical illness cover, find us here:
👉 www.polly.co.uk
⏱️ Chapters
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05:31) – Fay’s story: cancer, motherhood and becoming a young widow
(
08:14) – Being diagnosed with cervical cancer at 25
(
12:10) – Pregnancy after cancer and fighting to carry Seren
(
16:56) – Welcoming her “miracle baby”
(
23:25) – The morning Karl suddenly collapsed
(
28:24) – Becoming a widow with two young children
(
37:07) – The financial reality of losing the family breadwinner
(
42:03) – How loss changed Fay’s approach to insurance and protection
(
51:07) – Finding love again and rebuilding her family
(
53:11) – How loss changed Fay’s outlook on life and motherhood
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What is Pretty Covered?
Pretty Covered, hosted by Jess Silva, is about holding space for authentic and honest conversations about life, independence, and facing the unexpected. We’re here to help make financial protection feel simple, relatable, and empowering, because small steps today can help make a big difference when life doesn’t go to plan.
Brought to you by Polly.
Pretty Covered is a podcast brought to you by Polly, a trading style of Clark Insurance UK Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our registered company name changed in July 2026. All podcasts episodes released prior to this date will state Candid Insurance Services Ltd and were correct on the date of release.
The content of this podcast is meant to be informational, and it should not be considered as financial advice. Terms and conditions may apply.