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/

@splashoflifephotography

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.

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 [email protected] with “Pop me on the list!” and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.

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 [email protected] with “Pop me on the list!” and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.

What happens when your body starts whispering, then screaming, for your attention? This is where Rachael's journey began a few years ago.

Rachael is a functional nutritionist with a wealth of experience in health, fitness, and hormones. But her Big YES didn’t come from textbooks, it came from her own health journey. 

After years of “doing it all,” and living in the constant grind, Rachael’s body began to push back. At first it was little niggles, then louder symptoms she couldn’t ignore.

Instead of accepting surface-level answers, Rachael chose to advocate fiercely for herself. She asked for more tests, pushed for the right diagnosis, and refused to settle. That determination turned into what she now calls Project Health, a conscious commitment to make her wellbeing non-negotiable.

Her story is a reminder that health is never a straight line. There were bumps, frustrations, and plenty of lessons along the way. But out of that came clarity, resilience, and a whole new way of living.

Rachael also shares how her father’s sudden passing from a brain aneurysm shaped her perspective. She didn’t want stress, overwork, and burnout to be her story too. So she made the decision to listen, to change, and to say YES to a life that supported her body and her dreams.

In this episode, you’ll hear Rachael’s raw journey of health advocacy, her powerful mindset shifts, and the ripple effect her choices continue to have on her life. It’s a call for all of us to stop ignoring the whispers and start saying YES to the care we truly need.

You can find Rachael here: 

Instagram
@rach_jobling_nutritionist

Email - [email protected]

Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Aeu2n5tTs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Until next time,

Nat and Mel

Sometimes we tick all the boxes of what life should look like, the house, the jobs, the cars, the routine,  only to realise it doesn’t actually feel good. That’s where our friend Lisa found herself.

Her Big YES began as a conversation with her husband: What if this isn’t it? Whatif there’s another way we could live? From there, a bold idea took root, to sell their home, let go of their jobs, and buy a bus they could transform into a tiny home on wheels.

With two young kids in tow, they gutted the bus, rebuilt it from the inside out, and set off to travel Australia together. This wasn’t just about adventure (though there were plenty of those) but about choosing connection: being together as a family, learning about each other, enjoying each other’s company, and making memories that would last a lifetime.

The journey was filled with challenges, unknowns, and plenty of learning curves. But Lisa shares how the most beautiful parts were the people they met along the way, strangers who became friends, helpers who showed up at the right moment, and the joy of community beyond their own little family.

Now, years later, the family still reflects on that season with so much gratitude. The photos, the stories, the shared laughter it was more than a trip. It was a YES to living differently, to trusting their instincts, and to prioritising family over the “shoulds” of modern life.

This episode will leave you asking: What bold YES could create deeper connection for me and my family?

You can find Lisa's adventure documented in her instagram @tinyvoyagers 

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 [email protected] with “Pop me on the list!” and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.

This week’s conversation is one of courage, resilience, and the kind of YES that completely reshapes a life.

Our guest, Sharon Kempton, shares her story of leaving her marriage while raising two children, aged 7 and 11. At the very same time, she faced the shock of being let go from her role at her local Opera House (due to new management) the very place she’d poured her passion and dreams into. Suddenly, she found herself navigating motherhood, moving house, and figuring out how to keep her opera dreams alive, all at once.

It would have been easy to slip into victimhood, to feel powerless in the face of so much loss and change. But Sharon chose differently. She chose to say YES to herself, YES to wanting more for her children, and YES to creating a new path forward.

What made this big YES possible? Community. Sharon speaks beautifully about the power of asking for help, and the angels who appeared in her life when she did. It was her willingness to reach out, to lean on others, and to believe she was worthy of something better that carried her through.

Her story is a reminder that the hardest decisions are often the bravest, and that choosing to step out of what’s not working is just as much a YES as stepping into something new.

This episode will leave you inspired to ask: what would be possible if I trusted myself enough to ask for help, and brave enough to say YES to the life I really want?

Until next time,

Nat and Mel

You can find Sharon here: 

www.sharonkempton-coach.com 

https://sharonkempton-coach.com/5-mindset-shifts-for-auditions

 https://sharonkempton-coach.com/master-your-audition-mindset-mini-course

https://sharonkempton-coach.com/tentipsforyournextaudition-ebook

https://sharonkempton-coach.com/affirmyourpower-ebook

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 [email protected] with “Pop me on the list!” and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.