How Samantha X knew it was time to return to escorting.

In October, 2017, Australia’s highest paid escort, Samantha X, announced she had made the decision to quit sex work.

“There it is in black and white folks … October 24th hanging up the heels day. New life awaits,” Samantha, whose real name is Amanda Goff, wrote in an Instagram post.

On her blog, Samantha outlined her plans for the future, writing, “It is with great sadness, but also great excitement, that after six wonderful years as Samantha, I am hanging up my Louboutins to move onto a brand new life and new projects.

“We have pretty much spent every day together since [we met] I fell in love with Amanda, no one else,” the 43-year-old told The Sydney Morning Herald at the time.

But in January, 2018, Samantha announced that the pair had split, telling Daily Mail, “The love was very deep between us, but sometimes love isn’t enough.”

Now, 10 months after Samantha quit sex work, she has shared that “Samantha is back in business”.

I am delighted to announce that Samantha is back in business. It hasn’t been an easy decision to return, and it is the positivity and strength you my supporters, the school mums and good friends have given me that made me realise it is perfectly OK to come back. Life is flexible, plans change and that’s OK. I love what I do and I missed my dear friend Samantha and her clients. You all know by now I choose authenticity rather than living a lie – that’s not who I am. So ladies and gentlemen, may I re-introduce you to our very dear friend Samantha. She’s been gone a while but the time has come to reclaim her crown. Samantha is back!! #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #luxuryhotel #gentlemen #companion #dowhatmakesyouhappy #mybodymychoice

A post shared by Samantha X® (@samanthaxreal) on Jul 24, 2018 at 2:14pm PDT

“It hasn’t been an easy decision to return, and it is the positivity and strength you my supporters, the school mums and good friends have given me that made me realise it is perfectly OK to come back,” the 44-year-old wrote in an Instagram caption.

“Life is flexible, plans change and that’s OK. I love what I do and I missed my dear friend Samantha and her clients. You all know by now I choose authenticity rather than living a lie – that’s not who I am. So ladies and gentlemen, may I re-introduce you to our very dear friend Samantha. She’s been gone a while but the time has come to reclaim her crown. Samantha is back!”

Speaking to Mamamia Samantha added, “I struggled with my heart wanting to go back, but I was worried about what people would think.

“Then I realised it shouldn’t matter what others think – you need to be true to yourself.

“Dating for me these days seems to be like Uber eats for sex – that’s not who I am. I love – and missed – the connection, honesty and comfort of seeing clients and providing them with a safe space.

“It’s time to follow my heart.”

Samantha X and Dr Lauren Rosewarne discuss The Libido Gap on Mamamia’s sex podcast, Sealed Section. 

The former-journalist has a history of fighting for the rights of sex workers who too often feel exploited.

“The four words I live by are ‘my body, my choice’. That’s what I tell my girls: Only you have the right to tell or show someone what they can and can’t do with you body,” she told Mamamia last year.