The Authentic Me: Hosted by Mel Yu

Mel Yu

A mental health advocate with an honours in Psychology, and no stranger to the commercial world through her entrepreneurial endeavours, Mel is a sought-after empathetic and inspiring speaker.

Mel Yu guides and encourages her community to live a meaningful life through the power of authentic story-telling. The Authentic Me connects powerful stories and life lessons to the ears of listeners by interviewing successful game-changers from all walks of life.

Popular guests include Australian influencers, entertainment artists, life coaches and creative entrepreneurs. Common topics discussed involve self-development, successes, failures, mindset and how to create a life of purpose.

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EducationEducation
Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness
BusinessBusiness
Self-ImprovementSelf-Improvement
Mental HealthMental Health
EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship

Episodes

Is Love Enough and Are You in the Relationship You Deserve? | Dean Blankfield | Ep 43
Oct 13 2024
Is Love Enough and Are You in the Relationship You Deserve? | Dean Blankfield | Ep 43
Is Love Really Enough for a Successful Relationship?In this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into the complexities of love and relationships. I welcome back the world-renowned Relationship Coach, Dean Blankfield, to come and have this wholesome and deep chat with me as I am going through my own healing. Is love truly the key ingredient to long-lasting, fulfilling relationships, or is there more to it than just romance and feelings?We explore key questions and topics that will resonate with anyone who's ever loved, lost, or felt the pain of a broken heart:Key Takeaways:Is Love Really Enough?Love is often seen as the foundation of any relationship, but is it enough to sustain a partnership through the inevitable challenges of life? We discuss what truly makes a relationship thrive—trust, communication, shared values, and emotional connection—and why love alone might not be sufficient.Coping with a Broken Heart:Heartbreak can feel overwhelming, especially when it involves someone we believed was "the one." We explore practical steps to navigate the emotional turmoil, from practicing self-care to reaching out for support, and discuss how to heal and grow from the experience.Struggling with the 'No Contact' Phase:The no-contact rule can be one of the hardest phases after a breakup, but it's also one of the most effective for healing. We break down the psychology behind no-contact, why it’s crucial for moving on, and tips for surviving those tough moments when you want to reach out.How to Move On from ‘Your Person’:Letting go of someone you thought was your soulmate can feel impossible, but it’s an essential part of personal growth. We share insights on how to process the grief of lost love and rebuild your life and identity after heartbreak.Understanding Attachment Styles:Attachment theory plays a significant role in how we approach relationships. Are you anxious, avoidant, or securely attached? We explain the different attachment styles and how they impact the dynamics of your relationships, as well as ways to work toward healthier attachments.Finding and Keeping Yourself in a Relationship:Maintaining a sense of self is critical to a healthy partnership. We discuss strategies for preserving your individuality and independence, even while building a deep connection with your partner, and why it’s important for long-term happiness.Tune in to learn:The real pillars of a successful relationship.Practical ways to mend a broken heart and stay strong during the no-contact phase.How attachment styles shape your relationships and what you can do to foster more secure connections.Why self-love and personal identity are key to thriving in love.This episode is packed with wisdom, personal stories, and actionable advice for anyone navigating the ups and downs of love and relationships. Whether you're healing from a breakup, struggling to understand your attachment style, or looking to cultivate a stronger, healthier relationship with yourself and your partner, this episode has something for you.Connect with Us:Follow us on Instagram - @deanblankfield and @mellieyuJoin the conversation and reshare tagging us on your stories so we can repost!Leave a review and share your thoughts!If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
Unlocking Potential: The Power of Coaching and Its Benefits | Joel Brown | Ep 42
Aug 18 2024
Unlocking Potential: The Power of Coaching and Its Benefits | Joel Brown | Ep 42
Hey guys! This episode was recorded over a year ago in 2023 but it never made it to the podcast live! It's been a wild year and I'm keen on bringing back some episodes and conversations without the pressure of recording one every fortnight. So I will use this platform how I need it and if you check in from time to time, thank-you for your love! This one was with one of my own life coaches - Joel Brown... Enjoy!***In this episode, Mel Yu sits down with Joel Brown, founder of Addicted2Success, to explore the transformative power of coaching. Despite being under the weather during the recording, Mel delivers a conversation packed with insights and practical advice.Key Takeaways:What is Coaching? Joel breaks down the essence of coaching and how it differs from mentoring and therapy.Benefits of Coaching: Discover how coaching can unlock your potential, improve performance, and help achieve personal and professional goals.Joel’s Journey: Insights into Joel’s path to becoming a successful coach and entrepreneur.Practical Tips: Actionable advice on finding the right coach and maximizing the coaching experience.Tune in to hear a reflective and inspiring discussion that will encourage you to consider the profound impact coaching can have on your life.Follow Joel on all his platforms here:https://www.instagram.com/iamjoelbrown/?hl=enhttps://www.iamjoelbrown.com/https://addicted2success.com/Get coached by Joel Brown here: https://www.influentialcoach.com/If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
The Power of Identity and the Difference between Branding and Marketing to Stand out from the Crowd | Matt Purcell | Ep 40
Jun 14 2023
The Power of Identity and the Difference between Branding and Marketing to Stand out from the Crowd | Matt Purcell | Ep 40
Matthew John Kyoo Purcell (known professionally as Matt Purcell), is a South Korean-born Australian entrepreneur. Matt Purcell is Australia's leading personal branding expert and the founder of Australia's only verbal self-defence program, Kung Fu. Matt is on a mission to help doers think and thinkers do.I was lucky enough to sit and have a chat with a fellow Asian- Australian to talk about our unique stories and how important identity is in the way we live our lives. Both Matt and I are passionate about building powerful personal brands that help you unpack your superpower and unique stories.Listen to this as Matt gives some great insight and frameworks for those wanting to make money by being who they are and sharing authentically!Follow the Personal Branding Sensai here (IG: @mattpurcellofficial): https://www.instagram.com/mattpurcellofficial/Matt has an event coming up at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre on July 7th 2023 with some other successful and powerful entrepreneurs.  More info about the event can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/personal-branding-event-tickets-640078170037?aff=MATT If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
I had a $45 million dollar company in Triangl swimwear and can say, "Money Doesn't Buy Happiness" | Erin Deering | Ep 39
May 29 2023
I had a $45 million dollar company in Triangl swimwear and can say, "Money Doesn't Buy Happiness" | Erin Deering | Ep 39
Erin Deering was looking for a bikini to wear on the beach on a second date with her now ex-partner. Craig Ellis, but couldn’t find anything under $100 that didn’t have Hawaain flowers on it. It was either Zimmerman or Billabong back then with no in-between price tag available for women. Little did she know, she would go on to start a multimillion-dollar bikini business known as Triangl – and take it global. Today, Triangl is sold in over 100 countries and boasts 2.4 million Instagram followers. The company has reported selling around 45,000 bikinis a month, and in 2019, both co-founders were ranked on Australian rich lists with an estimated net worth of $35 million.Since leaving the brand in 2018, Erin Deering is now a passionate Holistic Mentor, Educator & Speaker. She supports women to “feel good, look good and do good”.I loved this authentic conversation around business, travel, family and mental health. It's such an important chat and I hope you guys love it!I highly encourage you to stay in touch with this woman and follow her content - she inspires me daily not only in fashion but in mindset!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinkdeering/Love Mel xIf you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
The Confidence Queen – Lessons to Teach our Daughters | Shani Chantel | Ep 32
Oct 21 2021
The Confidence Queen – Lessons to Teach our Daughters | Shani Chantel | Ep 32
WOW! This conversation was SO, SO, SO Powerful! Shani gets down and vulnerable, openly discussing parenthood, finding confidence even through suicidal thoughts and severe moments of depression and sadness. We both cry in this ep!!! So much love for this gal!If something you hear in this conversation causes heightened emotions within you, please, please reach out and also seek professional healthcare advice. Lifeline is available for you 24 hours, 7 days a week on 13 11 14. We love you.Shani Chantel is a 29-year-old plus size model and mumma living in Melbourne who not only embraces but celebrates her body the way it is and encourages women on her social media to do the same. Shani teaches her audience that self and body acceptance begins from your thoughts and the language you use towards yourself. Episode Show Notes:Congratulations on Shani’s divorce! Taking the best out of your lived experiences [6:00]Confidence is an emotion [11:05]How to bring confidence and feeling good every day despite mental health challenge [14:20]The moment that changed her life… Shani makes Mel cry! [15:00]The road to confidence is gut-wrenching [18:00]All things Kindness and to consciously stop bitching/gossiping/speaking badly to yourself [32:00]Lessons to teach our daughters [36:20]Expressing your confidence through fashion and styling [46:10]Stay in touch and follow Shani's journey on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/shani.chantel/ As always, thanks for listening to this platform and growing with me xIf you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
Mental Health is your Own Responsibility – Showing up with Jake O’Brien | Ep 31
Oct 10 2021
Mental Health is your Own Responsibility – Showing up with Jake O’Brien | Ep 31
Quick one! So sorry for the internet stuffing up our conversation a couple of times during this audio. I hope you can be patient and get through the little cracks in conversation to listen to Jake's very important message!Jake is an absolute legend and I was so proud to be able to have this chat with him. Jake is bloody real, nothing else to say! I hope you take some valuable lessons from this during World Mental Health Month. As always, what we say in these conversations are not professional health advice or opinions, these are purely our own lived experience and if you are unsure or concerned for your own mental health and medication intakes, please seek professional advice.Episode Show Notes:Mental health is your own responsibilitySharing stories are so important!‘Rise, shine, rest, repeat’ lifestyle planner (Download here: https://www.jakeobrien.com.au) Jake’s lived experiences that set him to now talk about his mental health journey [9:05]What it feels like when your self-worth is at an all-time low – feelings of suicide [14:00]Stepping into your purpose [16:20]Showing the real you on your social media platform – if it feels truly authentic to you! [22:00]Leading from the front – the highs and the lows [25:00]Building resilience – the hard times make you stronger! [28:00]Changing your script and your story [36:00]Seeking professional help to not feel like you are burdening your personal support network [40:00]An open conversation around medication and your mental health. We have the power to reassess whether the medication is still serving us in the same way [47:00]Don't forget to send us a screenshot that you're tuning in! Love you guys!If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
Why you are the way that you are: Anxiety, Attachment Theory and Trauma | Natasa Adamovic | Ep 29
Sep 16 2021
Why you are the way that you are: Anxiety, Attachment Theory and Trauma | Natasa Adamovic | Ep 29
Natasa Adamovic is a mental health support worker specialising in psychosocial recovery. She manages clients who live with a chronic mental illness ranging from depression, anxiety, autism, OCD to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Tash credits this work to her own lived experience with anxiety to transform and best support her client.With a Graduate Diploma in Psychosocial Science and has also been coached and mentored by yours truly, Tash is now a leading 1:1 coach to help you transform your inner trauma to living in your truth. She runs incredible online masterclasses and is the host on her very own podcast, called 'The Committee' which shines light on key important topics particularly around men’s mental health.  My key takeaway's from this episode:What is generalised anxiety disorder? [8:00]What anxiety feels like and how it is activated to protect you [10:00]Overcoming your anxiety in small baby steps [14:07]What is attachment theory and its four different styles [18:30]The fine line between wanting to be loved or not wanting to be abandoned [25:10]If you struggle to let someone love you the way you deserve to be loved [28:23]What is trauma? [31:29]Ways you can help someone who is vulnerable or going through a tough time [36:00]How do you combat compassion fatigue? [42:20]Looking to get into the mental health industry? Find out how from Tash! [49:01]Follow Tash on her journey through mental health on Instagram:@tashadamovic https://www.instagram.com/tashadamovic/ If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
Never Give Up Hope – A 23-year old Young Suicide Survivor Amputee | Lauren McDonough | Ep 28
Sep 2 2021
Never Give Up Hope – A 23-year old Young Suicide Survivor Amputee | Lauren McDonough | Ep 28
SUICIDE TRIGGER WARNING: If you, or anyone you care for, is in need of professional support, please reach out to Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours a day) or message a Lifeline Crisis Supporter on 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight every night). Lauren McDonough suffered from depression since she was 13. In 2017, when Lauren was just 19, her mental state declined to the point where she made an attempt to take her own life. In this moment, Lauren’s life was to change forever. ***Episode Show Notes:What it feels like to be diagnosed with depression as a teenager [6:55]Self-harming in high school [8:20]The night Lauren jumped in front of a train and how the healthcare system let her down [11:30]How our bodies and mind process traumatic events [16:01]How to find hope when life feels so bleak [20:15]People who suicide, don’t want to die – they want their painful experiences to stop [23:00]The importance of having a strong support network for those who struggle with mental health. A reminder that you are not alone [27:01]Helping people by sharing our stories outweighs worrying about what other people think [29:40]Lauren shares her greatest fear… [30:50]Make sure to wish Lauren a Happy Birthday on R U OK Day this year! (September 9th) [37:10]***Stay in touch with Lauren's Journey over on her Instagram account:https://www.instagram.com/lauren_mcdonough/If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
The Journey to Being True to Yourself: Making Time for Our Inner Work | Yollana Shore | Ep 27
Aug 22 2021
The Journey to Being True to Yourself: Making Time for Our Inner Work | Yollana Shore | Ep 27
Yollana has worked 20+ years in helping founders, executives, entrepreneurs, and individuals to embody their true leadership potential. She uses an approach that is authentic, insightful, supportive and focused on success. Her goal is to understand your leadership goals and context, and how she can add value to your leadership journey.We dive deep into Yollana's life on this episode and I share her transformative program with you all, Heal Your Past Relationships, that I personally completed which assisted my journey immensely.  I am a huge fan and I hope you learn a whole heap out of this conversation, too! Episode Show Notes:How COVID-19 has impacted businesses, mental health and as a collective [2:50]How Yollana’s spiritual upbringing began the early onset of her personal development journey and helping others do the same [11:40]The rebellious side of Yollana in high school, including getting beat up by girls! [16:00] You are not your career path – authenticity is not defined by what you do [22:45]The living process of learning to be yourself and to be more authentic [34:00]The rings on a tree in our life cycle to becoming more human [39:30]Grieving the parts of yourself in your past relationships [45:21]Having a feminine energy and presence through embodying your body [48:54]Yollana’s anatomies of what makes a good leader and what makes a great leader [58:00]Keep in touch with Yollana's work:https://yollana.com/https://www.instagram.com/yollana_shore/If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
The chapters of our lives - Introducing my little sister | Michelle Yu | Ep 26
Jul 29 2021
The chapters of our lives - Introducing my little sister | Michelle Yu | Ep 26
My sister (currently 22 years old) speaks with so much wisdom, so much understanding of self-development and so much awareness! I loved spending this time with my sister and our ability to have these vulnerable, honest and deep conversations.Hear her side of the view within our family dynamics, what it was like for growing up with a broken family and trying to navigate her emotional triggers from being sexually assaulted by a trusted, father figure! I hope this podcast highlights how important it is to have these conversations with your siblings (if it is safe to do so) and seek to do the inner work for your own healing to better your relationships.Super proud of you ‘lil sis and thank you for joining us on ‘The Authentic Me’ Podcast. Podcast key takeaways:Bursting the high school bubble and finding new friends [12:00]How Michelle started to study in the Mental health industry [14:01]Her open discussion around her sexual assault experience and how the school system let her down [15:23]The basic human need to feel seen and heard when opening up to those we trust [19:00]Normalising seeking mental health and asking for help [22:12]How your unhealed trauma projects onto your relationships and those you love [23:40]Learning a new skill and being self-taught through YouTube [26:52]When my sister schools me on having perspective haha [30:00]What an intimate partners role is in your life [31:50]How to be the truest version of you [37:09]Follow her and stay connected on socials:https://www.instagram.com/michhyu/https://www.instagram.com/thebbeautyhub/If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!
THAT GIRL IS CONFIDENT! A conversation between two boss ladies and how you can be one too! | Jada Perfect | Ep 24
Jul 4 2021
THAT GIRL IS CONFIDENT! A conversation between two boss ladies and how you can be one too! | Jada Perfect | Ep 24
Today’s special boss lady, goes by the name of Jada Perfect. Jada is the founder of the women’s social networking community called Boss Lady Events. The platform and community brings together like-minded women in small business to empower, inspire and educate one another through her coaching programs, educational workshops and social events. Jada and her team help navigate other fellow business owners through the highs, lows and inevitable challenges of a business.Outside of this glamorous business, she is one-half, the better half dare I say, of the husband and wife duo business, Sesame Pizza located in Hassall Grove, Sydney. I absolutely loved the boss, feminine and confident energy of this conversation and I really hope you get some amazing takeaways out of it, too! Episode Show Notes: The influence of Jada’s mother on her confidence and values, how important our childhood foundations are [7:20]How to talk to yourself and how important the language we use is [12:13]Projecting beauty and embodying what is beautiful [14:00]How to slide into someone’s DM’s and be authentic! Creating an online network [16:05]People do business with people they trust [19:25]Starting Boss Lady Events and creating an event from 6 people to growing an empire [23:15]How to continuously show up day in, day out [26:19]The common pitfalls of start-ups in business [30:43]Make that money!!! Change your mindset and live in financial abundance [35:30]Jada’s top three tips to living your best life and in fulfillment! [41:45]What authenticity means to the one and only, Jada Perfect [47:55]Keep up to date on all things Jada Perfect and Boss Lady Events here:https://www.thebosslady.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/jada_perfect/https://www.instagram.com/bossladyevents/Email: hello@thebosslady.com.au If you loved this episode, please leave us a quick review as this helps us reach more people that may also love this show! Stay up to date on all things Mel Yu over on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or Facebook. Thanks for supporting!