Sometimes our biggest YES doesn't arrive with a grand plan.

Sometimes it arrives as a small nudge.

A feeling.
A curiosity.
A course we can't stop thinking about.

In this episode of Grab Your Keys and Go, Mel shares her Big YES, the journey that began when she enrolled in a Yoga Teacher Training that just kept calling her.

She made the commitment, showed up, and immersed herself in the experience. During the training, her teacher shared a piece of wisdom that would unexpectedly turn into something Mel couldn't even imagine.

She said that Yoga Wisdom can be shared with the world in so many different ways, and she was excited to see how they would each choose to do this.

Something landed.

An idea appeared.

A book began to form.

What started as a personal project quickly became something much bigger than Mel had imagined. It wasn't originally intended to be shared with the world, but as the words continued to flow, so did the possibility of what it could become.

In this conversation, Mel takes us behind the scenes of the writing process, the moments of inspiration, the unexpected ease, and the lessons she learned along the way.

Most importantly, she reminds us that we don't always need to know where the path leads before we begin.

Sometimes the magic comes from taking the first step.

From trusting the nudge.

From being willing to start before you have all the answers.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that when we follow what lights us up, opportunities can emerge that we never could have planned for.

Who knows what might be waiting for you on the other side of your next YES?

You can find Mel and her beautiful book here:

https://www.splashoflife.com.au/splashoflifepublishing

You can find Nat and Mel here:

https://www.instagram.com/grabyourkeysandgo/

https://www.instagram.com/shebreathesnow/

https://www.instagram.com/splashoflifephotography/

Have you ever had that quiet (or not so quiet) feeling that something in your life just… isn’t right?

That was the space Tracey found herself in a few years back, working in a space that no longer lit her up and a niggling, a sense that life could be more, should be more… until it became impossible to ignore.

In this episode, Tracey shares her Big YES, a journey that began when she stopped and listened to that deep yearning for something else.

What followed was a defining moment, one she definitely couldn't ignore it was almost like a sign. She shares this story so beautifully with us with so much emotion. From there, things began to align. Opportunities appeared, connections formed, and a new path started to unfold.

Today, Tracey is creating real impact - supporting women in trades in the Geelong area by building a community of connection, encouragement, and support. She’s also stepping into TAFE spaces, working with young women and helping them explore pathways into trades, opening doors that might not have felt accessible before.

This conversation is about listening to that feeling when something isn’t quite right and having the courage to follow it, even when you don’t know exactly where it will lead.

Because sometimes, your Big YES doesn’t start with a plan…
It starts with a question.

Follow your Passion,

Nat and Mel

You can find Nat and Mel here:

https://www.instagram.com/grabyourkeysandgo/

https://www.instagram.com/shebreathesnow/

https://www.instagram.com/splashoflifephotography/

Episode 93 — Maddy’s Big YES: A Gift of Life, Love, and Trust

This episode is something truly special.

In this conversation, we sit down with our friend Maddy, who shares a Big YES unlike any we’ve had on the podcast before, a YES that came from a deep, undeniable feeling after the birth of their own baby.

Maddy knew they wanted to experience pregnancy again… but not to grow their own family. Instead, they felt called to become a surrogate, to carry and gift a baby to their friends, a gay couple, helping them become parents.

What unfolds is a story of immense love, trust, and commitment.

Maddy takes us through the journey, the emotional layers, the unexpected twists and turns, and the depth of what it means to say YES to something so big, so life-changing, and so deeply connected to others. Through it all, one thing remained steady: Maddy was all in.

This episode opens up a beautiful conversation about what family can look like, beyond traditional definitions. It’s about the relationships created, the ongoing connection, and the way this shared experience has shaped all of their lives.

We talk about communication, vulnerability, and the importance of leaning in, really listening, being honest, and allowing space for each person in the process. There’s a level of care, respect, and openness in this story that is both grounding and inspiring.

More than anything, this conversation is a reminder of what is possible when people come together with intention, trust, and love.

Maddy’s Big YES is not just about surrogacy, it’s about connection, generosity, and the incredible ways we can show up for each other in life.

This one is a gift.

Follow your Passion,

Nat and Mel

You can find Nat and Mel here:

https://www.instagram.com/grabyourkeysandgo/

https://www.instagram.com/shebreathesnow/

https://www.instagram.com/splashoflifephotography/

What does it really take to follow a creative path not just when it’s exciting, but when it’s uncertain, unpredictable, and asks everything of you?

In this episode of Grab Your Keys and Go, we sit down with Hazel Ray, a musician and facilitator who has chosen, again and again, to follow her path in music and creative expression. But this isn’t a story of overnight success or easy momentum. It’s a story of devotion and of staying when at times it could be easier to walk away.

Because the truth about a music pathway, and really any creative path, is that it can be hard to break through.
The gigs aren’t always glamorous.
The rooms aren’t always full.
The growth isn’t always fast.

Hazel shares what it has looked like to keep showing up anyway, from playing at the locals, taking opportunities as they come, and steadily building something that feels true to her.

Over time, this has evolved into deeply immersive experiences that blend music, neuroscience, and her background as a teacher, creating incredible spaces (which Mel and I have had the privilege to witness) that invite people to feel, reflect, and see themselves and life from a different perspective.

At the heart of Hazel’s story is a moment many of us can relate to: the “dark night of the soul.” A time where things felt uncertain, heavy, and unclear and yet, instead of feeling dragged down by life, she chose to share her story.

We talk about the reality of pursuing something that matters, the doubt, the persistence, the moments of questioning, and the ongoing decision to keep choosing it, even when results aren’t immediate.

Because sometimes the path isn’t about a big breakthrough.
It’s about building something, step by step, and trusting that it’s leading somewhere meaningful.

If you’ve ever felt the pull toward something creative, meaningful, or just different… this episode will meet you there - in the in-between - and remind you that choosing it again might be the very thing that changes everything.

You can find Hazel Ray here:

MUSIC

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ZrOVsU9pWY8dtRPrruh0X?si=dVwmgFSqSh2SzrtuPTu-bQ

PODCAST

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdsg-0Sk2HPpN6Gau14B-10ELGkQ9m2vm

WEBSITE

https://hazelray.com.au/

Follow your Passion

Nat and Mel

You can find Nat and Mel here:

https://www.instagram.com/grabyourkeysandgo/

https://www.instagram.com/shebreathesnow/

@splashoflifephotography

Season 5 of Grab Your Keys and Go has been all about the power of a Big YES, those moments where life nudges (or sometimes shoves) us to do something different, and perhaps even something that we are not sure we can do! But we do it anyway.

In this episode, Mel and Nat take a moment to reflect on the incredible stories shared so far this season. From families packing up their homes to travel Australia, to women leaving jobs to build lives that align with their values, to bold personal challenges like creating a “Festival of 50,” each conversation has revealed something powerful about what it really takes to say YES to yourself.

Along the way we’ve heard about the messy middle, the fear, the logistics, the doubt, the planning, and the courage it takes to step outside your comfort zone. But what’s become clear through every story is that these Big YES moments rarely arrive perfectly packaged. They start as whispers… a quiet sense that something in life needs to shift.

Whether it’s saying yes to adventure, health, family connection, rest, work that feels aligned, or simply celebrating life in a new way, this season has shown us that the ripple effects of one brave decision can be profound.

Mel and Nat unpack some of the biggest themes that have emerged from these conversations - what holds people back, what helps them move forward, and why sometimes the biggest YES begins with a simple question: what if?

If you’ve been listening along and wondering what your own Big YES might be, this episode is the perfect place to pause, reflect, and get curious about what could be waiting on the other side of your comfort zone.

Live passionately.

Nat and Mel

You can find Nat and Mel here:

https://www.instagram.com/grabyourkeysandgo/

https://www.instagram.com/shebreathesnow/

Have you ever thought about celebrating you — not just birthdays or milestones, but life itself? That’s exactly what my friend Kylie decided to do with her Festival of 50 — a year dedicated to saying YES to a list of 50 life-affirming experiences she wanted to live before turning 50.

Kylie and I go way back — we met at social work uni and have been friends ever since — so when she told me about this extraordinary idea, I knew right away it had to be a Grab Your Keys and Go Big YES story.

In this episode, Kylie shares how the idea first landed (thanks to a friend’s invitation to think bigger), and how she moved from wondering “could I even pull this off?” to actually doing it. She talks about the intentional way she built her list, the practical steps she took to turn dreams into reality, and the real life adventures that came from it — from the unforgettable to the messy, the planned and the spontaneous.

Along the way you’ll hear about her favourite experiences, her hit-and-miss attempts, and the wisdom she gathered about celebration, courage, and showing up for your own life.

Whether you’ve felt stuck on routine, waiting for something big to happen, or you’re craving a way to intentionally celebrate you, this episode will inspire you to rethink what it means to live with intention and joy.

Tune in for the stories, stay for the encouragement, and start thinking about what your own Big YES might look like.

Live with passion,

Nat and Mel

You can find Nat and Mel here:

https://www.instagram.com/grabyourkeysandgo/

https://www.instagram.com/shebreathesnow/

This week, we’re wrapping up the year with something fun yet practical, and full of heart, because who doesn’t love a good holiday story?

In our final episode of the year (don't worry we will be back with some BIG YESES again next year) Mel shares her Big YES to creating heart-led holidays through house swapping, a simple yet brilliant way to make family travel feel spacious, affordable, and deeply connected.

What started as a creative solution to escape overpriced accommodation soon became a way of life. For Mel and her family, house swapping isn’t just about saving money; it’s about immersing themselves in someone else’s world, getting inspired by how others live, and opening their doors (and hearts) to new experiences.

We dive into what house swapping really looks like, from the practicalities of setting up your home, to building trust through honest communication, and the funny, unexpected stories that always seem to find you when you’re living in someone else’s space.

Mel shares the lessons she’s learned after many successful swaps, including how clear agreements, thoughtful touches, and good-old-fashioned communication can make every exchange a win-win. She also reminds us that saying yes to something unconventional often leads to richer, more meaningful adventures and a deeper connection to what truly matters: time together.

If you’ve been craving a slower, more heart-driven approach to travel, this episode will spark ideas for your next getaway. Whether it’s across town or across the country, maybe it’s time to think beyond hotels and start swapping stories and homes.

Live passionately,

Nat and Mel

You can find more information here about House Swapping:

MEL.O | THE HEART LED HOUSE SWAPPER

Mel is here for those that are ready to say yes to what their heart has been calling them to. Through 'Splash of Life' she has created a collection of offerings for Heart Led Living in Business, Family & Adventure.

Recently expanding into her "Heart Led House swapping" space where she supports families to say yes to free and soulful holidaying through house swapping.

Come follow Mel on her House Swap adventures and access some resources, led by her lived experience of 20 swaps so far, to help you explore this way of holidaying for yourself.

INSTA:https://www.instagram.com/theheartledhouseswap

WEBSITE & BLOG: https://www.splashoflife.com.au/house-swapping

FREE & FULL GUIDE ACCESS: https://splash-of-life-design.systeme.io/splashoflife

Could You Leave It All Behind for a Year-Long Family Trip?

Heather Did.

This week’s episode of Grab Your Keys and Go takes us on one unforgettable adventure, literally! We sat down with Heather to hear about her Big YES: taking her family on a year-long trip around Australia.

What began as a dream turned into a full-blown logistical (and emotional) marathon from renting out the house, packing up, clearing years of “stuff,” to juggling work commitments, and moving life onto the road.

But what she didn’t expect was how the trip would change her family especially the deep, beautiful relationships that blossomed between her children and her husband. Days spent together without the usual noise and distraction created space for connection, conversation, and laughter they’ll never forget.

Heather reflects with us honestly on what it took to get there, the planning, the letting go, and the courage to trust that they could make it work. She also opens up about what she’d do differently next time and what the road taught her about simplicity, family rhythm, and the kind of life they truly wanted to return to.

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking off, maybe not for a year, but just for a reset, Heather’s story might be the permission slip you’ve been waiting for.