Tyler Mahoney defies the stereotypical image of a gold prospector, eschewing the traditional portrayal of a rugged, older individual wielding tools and firearms. As a former model turned modern miner, Mahoney, aged 27, has been challenging both gender norms and geological barriers throughout her life. Hailing from Australia, she has risen to fame as the star of the popular Discovery Channel series Gold Rush.
Recently, Mahoney penned a memoir titled “Gold Digger,” chronicling her unique journey from modeling to gold mining and the obstacles she overcame along the way.
In her memoir, Tyler Mahoney recounts her childhood adventures, spent exploring the desert with her family in search of precious treasures. After a brief stint in the big city, she ultimately finds her way back to what she considers her true calling: gold prospecting. Within the pages, Mahoney sheds light on the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry marred by discrimination and workplace harassment, including instances of demeaning requests.
Moreover, the memoir delves into the relentless pursuit of wealth by those gripped with gold fever, portraying the extraordinary lengths individuals will go to unearth untold riches hidden beneath the earth’s surface.
Tyler Mahoney remains captivated by the allure of gold, finding immense excitement in each significant discovery. Describing it as a “dopamine rush,” she likens it to the thrill of winning the lottery or scratching a winning ticket—a sensation she finds addictive, hence the term “gold fever.”
Her most substantial find to date was a 5-ounce nugget, but she also unearthed an ironstone lode that yielded ten times that weight. While their daily finds are typically recorded in grams (valued at about $85 per gram) on average days and in ounces (equivalent to approximately $2,600) on better days, Mahoney emphasizes the lack of stability in her income.
Rather than a fixed salary, Mahoney receives her earnings in gold, making her income entirely dependent on their discoveries. She acknowledges the fluctuating nature of her earnings, remarking that some days they might enjoy simple meals like baked beans while others could afford luxuries like lobster.
Although Mahoney recognizes the prevailing stereotype of a typical prospector—an older man with a beard and pickaxe—she asserts that the internet has attracted individuals from diverse backgrounds to the pursuit. While she doesn’t perceive the initial stereotype as inherently sexist, she notes that people’s behavior after meeting her is the true indicator of any underlying prejudice.
Mahoney highlights the ongoing gender disparity in the realm of gold mining, noting that women still face significant barriers to equality in the industry.
“As a woman, breaking into the field is incredibly challenging, and even when you do, earning respect and being heard can be an uphill battle,” she explains.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Mahoney recalls witnessing her mother’s struggles with sexism. Despite her expertise, her mother was never taken as seriously as her father in prospecting circles.
One incident stands out vividly in Mahoney’s memory: while working at the family dealership, a man entered the shop claiming to have gold to sell. When Mahoney correctly identified the material as not genuine gold, the man became aggressive, insisting on speaking to the “boss,” assuming a man must be in charge.
Even after Mahoney brought her mother into the conversation, the man remained dismissive, demanding to see a male authority figure. It took Mahoney’s father stepping in and firmly instructing the man to leave before the situation was resolved.
Mahoney reflects on the pervasive nature of sexual harassment and discrimination in her field, expressing that the extent of her experiences could fill another book.
“Unless you’ve lived through it, you won’t truly understand the impact,” she asserts. “We deserve to work without enduring comments on our bodies or feeling objectified.”
As a fourth-generation prospector, Mahoney draws inspiration from her family’s legacy, particularly her great-grandfather Ned and grandmother Nola, who both shared her passion for prospecting.
Growing up in remote outback locations, Mahoney’s childhood differed vastly from her peers. Instead of beach holidays, she spent her days exploring the bush, riding dirt bikes, and delving into old mine shafts.
Despite not always envisioning a career in gold prospecting, Mahoney’s upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for the rugged beauty of the Australian outback and the thrill of uncovering hidden treasures beneath its surface.
At 19, Mahoney made a shift from the goldfields to Melbourne, where she pursued modeling and launched her own jewelry design business. She also delved into events management during this time. However, after a few years, she felt a pullback to her roots in the goldfields, recognizing it as her true calling.
Back in the goldfields, Mahoney now works alongside her parents, Ted and Lecky, who are full-time gold prospectors, as well as her brother Reece. Their work involves operating heavy machinery such as excavators and loaders, alongside utilizing metal detectors and conducting research, exploration, panning, testing, and processing.
Mahoney acknowledges the physically demanding nature of their work, often enduring harsh conditions in the outback, including extreme heat and relentless flies. The remoteness of their locations poses a significant challenge, emphasizing the importance of precision and caution as help may not be readily available.
The family’s operations span various locations across the Western Australian goldfields, adapting their activities based on seasonal changes. In winter, they focus on exploration to discover new ground, while in summer, they work closer to home.
Success in prospecting requires a deep understanding of reading the land, tracking gold deposits, and employing effective mining techniques—a skillset honed through years of experience and observation.
How ‘gold fever’ led to a prospector finding a dead body in the desert
According to Tyler Mahoney, the concept of “gold fever” is more than just a saying—it’s a genuine state of mind that can infect individuals during a gold rush.
“Gold fever is the contagious excitement that accompanies a gold rush,” she explains. “And those who have been immersed in the gold world understand just how transformative it can be. We’ve witnessed it strain friendships and change people for the worse.”
Mahoney emphasizes how gold can evoke negative behaviors and amplify individuals’ worst traits. She recounts numerous anecdotes from what she describes as the “gold underbelly,” attributing them to the effects of gold fever.
Due to the negative experiences they’ve faced, Mahoney’s family has implemented a strict rule: they only work with family members, and even then, they’re highly selective.
Mahoney shares a particularly chilling story that she believes exemplifies the dark side of gold fever: A rookie prospector stumbled upon a vial of flakes in an unlikely location deep in the desert. Concerned by the odd discovery, Mahoney’s parents encouraged him to investigate further.
After some time had passed, the prospector returned to the shop looking visibly shaken. He revealed that while exploring the area where he found the vial, he stumbled upon a hidden cave and discovered a deceased individual concealed behind branches.
The encounter had deeply unsettled him, and he left without disclosing further details. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the sinister consequences that can arise from the relentless pursuit of gold.
Tyler Mahoney’s Boyfriend
Australian gold miner Tyler Mahoney recently took to her social media platforms to share her happiness with her boyfriend, Jake Bennet. Despite previous speculation linking her romantically with someone else, Tyler has officially confirmed her relationship with Jake, sharing adorable photos and love-filled posts on Instagram.
From their posts, fans have inferred that Tyler and Jake likely began dating around May 2021. One particularly memorable moment they shared was getting matching tattoos the day after they first met—an indication of their deep connection and commitment to each other.
Their social media is filled with cute moments, including Jake joining Tyler at work and even outdoing her in collecting gold, as well as their adventures together in various exciting locations. Despite the overwhelming positivity surrounding their relationship, some fans couldn’t resist bringing up past rumors involving another individual, but Tyler has made it clear that she’s happily committed to Jake.
While details about Jake remain relatively private, Tyler’s beaming smile and affectionate posts speak volumes about their happiness together. Fans have expressed their well wishes for the couple, who seem to be enjoying every moment of their journey together.