Grab your Keys and Go

Mel & Nat

Ever wondered what it really takes to say a BIG YES?  Join Mel and Nat In Season 5 as we pull back the curtain and talk to mums who’ve done just that (said a big YES) - sharing the messy, magical behind-the-scenes of what it took to make it happen (spoiler: it’s never as simple as it looks).  If you’ve said YES to something that changed your life, we’d love to hear your story. This is you if:  You are a Mum You’ve said a big YES (eg: longer period of time away from your family, something that costs a lot of money, study, life long dream that you have always put to the side, competition etc) Love a good conversationHappy to share your storyInspired by peoples stories  REACH OUT IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE via our DMs on INSTAGRAM or click the APPLY NOW button on insta @grabyourkeysandgo

  1. 4D AGO

    93. Maddy’s Big YES: Surrogacy - A Gift of Life, Love, and Trust

    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/

    54 min
  2. MAR 30

    92.Hazel Ray's Big YES: Music That Moves You, Changes You, Stays With You

    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

    46 min
  3. MAR 17

    91. The Big YES Season: What We’ve Learned So Far

    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/ @splashoflifephotography

    34 min
  4. FEB 26

    90. Kylie’s Big YES: Turning 50 into a Festival of Life

    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/

    43 min
  5. 12/16/2025

    89. Mel’s Big YES: Heart-Led Holidays Through House Swapping

    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

    43 min
  6. 11/18/2025

    87. Meg’s Big YES: Choosing Freedom, Family, and Work That Feels Right

    It’s a familiar scene for so many mums — the laptop open, the emails never-ending, and your child sitting nearby, quietly playing, just wanting you. That’s where Meg found herself one day — her daughter on the floor reading books, patiently waiting, while Meg tried to finish “just one more thing.” It was her day off, but it didn’t feel like one. The weight of responsibility sat heavy, the guilt of not being present pressed harder, and something inside her whispered, “This can’t be it.” That whisper became Meg’s Big YES. After years of building a career and following the rules of success, she realised those rules no longer fit. What she really wanted was time — real, unhurried, everyday time — to walk her daughter to school, have morning chats, say yes to excursions, and be available for the small moments that make childhood magic. So she made a decision that actually became easy in the end: she left her job and said yes to becoming a full-time coach. It wasn’t a leap into ease — it was a leap into alignment. In this conversation, Meg shares what it’s really like to let go of stability for presence, how she worked through the guilt of wanting more family time, and what redefining success looks like when you’re a mum who’s ready to do life differently. This episode is a love letter to every woman sitting in that in-between — craving more of what matters, but not sure how to say yes to it yet. You can find Meg here:  www.newchaptercoaching.com.au Insta:  @newchapter_coaching TikTok: @newchaptercoaching Curious to keep the conversation going? We’ve got a little email love note that lands in your inbox every fortnight, with our latest podcast episode, a past gem on a similar topic, and a little question or idea to get you thinking (and maybe even saying yes to yourself). If that sounds like your vibe, just email us at info@soulpresence.com.au with “Pop me on the list!” and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.

    46 min
  7. 11/05/2025

    86. Heidi’s YES Story - The Burnt Out Mumma Who Chose Herself

    What happens when you finally realise that just 'doing what needs to be done' in life isn’t working anymore? That was the moment our guest, Heidi, reached her own Big YES, the moment she recognised burnout for what it really was, and chose to do something about it. In this episode, we chat with Heidi about how she learned to spot the signs of burnout, the exhaustion that no amount of sleep could fix, the irritability, the loss of joy, and how that awareness became the spark for a completely new way of being. Heidi shares how her own journey through burnout inspired her to create The Burnt Out Mumma Retreat, a 7-day, one-on-one space designed especially for mums to rest, reset, and rediscover themselves. She opens up about the real conversations that take place before saying yes to something like this, the inner dialogue, the guilt, the logistics, and the deep desire underneath it all for peace and presence. We explore what burnout really sounds like in a mum’s world, the constant doing, the invisible load, the ache for space, and what shifts when you finally make yourself the priority.  Heidi also walks us through what her retreat experience looks like, from the calm, nurturing setting to the personalised support that helps women reconnect with who they are beyond the overwhelm. This episode is for every mum who’s ever whispered, “I can’t keep doing this.” It’s a reminder that saying yes to yourself might just start with admitting you’re tired and giving yourself permission to step out for a moment and rest. You can Find Heidi here : https://theburntoutmumma.com Until next time Nat and Mel Curious to keep the conversation going? We’ve got a little email love note that lands in your inbox every fortnight, with our latest podcast episode, a past gem on a similar topic, and a little question or idea to get you thinking (and maybe even saying yes to yourself). If that sounds like your vibe, just email us at info@soulpresence.com.au with “Pop me on the list!” and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.

    43 min

Trailer

About

Ever wondered what it really takes to say a BIG YES?  Join Mel and Nat In Season 5 as we pull back the curtain and talk to mums who’ve done just that (said a big YES) - sharing the messy, magical behind-the-scenes of what it took to make it happen (spoiler: it’s never as simple as it looks).  If you’ve said YES to something that changed your life, we’d love to hear your story. This is you if:  You are a Mum You’ve said a big YES (eg: longer period of time away from your family, something that costs a lot of money, study, life long dream that you have always put to the side, competition etc) Love a good conversationHappy to share your storyInspired by peoples stories  REACH OUT IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE via our DMs on INSTAGRAM or click the APPLY NOW button on insta @grabyourkeysandgo