Fearless Fabulous You

Have you been saving a special bottle of wine to drink or a piece of fine jewelry to wear for "that special occasion?" Why wait for a day or event that may or may not occur? After opening three "special occasion" bottles of wine one night that were all past their prime, Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young says, "why wait?" Use your best silver and china. Wear your good jewelry and clothes. Plan...

Scientific research has shown a direct link between alcohol consumption and reduced health risks, including several cancers. The World Health Organization says no amount of alcohol is safe. Wine writer and cancer survivor Melanie Young share her decision to continue drinking wine in moderation while accepting her risks. She notes ultra processed foods, those high in nitrates, saturated fats, sugar...

"After being single and successful on my own, I refuse to be a Plus One in a couple and in a society where men still receive preferential and deferential treatment over women. Stand up for being the One and Only You," says FFY Host Melanie Young. She addresses the frustration of being treated as an "invisible woman" and subtle- or not so- indignations. "Defy Invisible. Remain Invincible," she says...

It is important to give someone a hand to lift them on their way up in life/career through mentoring, referrals and encouragement. It is also important to offer your support when someone is struggling to keep up or who appear to be spiraling downward in their life and career. Whether it is job loss, divorce, health challenge or being "aged out" of a career, be there to lend hand and lift a spirit....

"If I could have a frank discussion with my younger self, this my advice to her," says Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young. "Prudent planning and setting priorities are key to navigating life and having no regrets." She shares pragmatic steps to prepare for your future life while enjoying your present one and says: "Live for today with No regret Be prepared for challenges you have not met Life i...

It's a fact that many older Americans are not financially prepared for retirement. That's why staying in the workforce longer, securing a new job or finding gig work may be necessary. But how do you deal with job rejection because you are considered over-qualified or "advanced" (age matters whether left unsaid). FFY Host Melanie Young discusses way navigate a job search after age 55, promote your...

Patience may be a virtue, but it's becoming scarce in the era of instant gratification and "I need it now" mentality. Feeling impatient and dealing with impatient people adds to stress. Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young admits her own challenges keeping her patience and addresses how to calm down and slow down. She provides tips to handle impatient people from friends and family to work collea...

How many times has someone asked to "pick your brain" or meet to gather information. Offering free advice is helpful and generous. But sometimes people cross the line and take advantage of your time and expertise. FFY's Melanie Young says giving your free time can be beneficial but know when to draw the line. If someone is asking you to do something that you normally charge for, be honest with you...

A life-changing trip to Italy with her mother and sister after her father's death, a life-altering traumatic personal experience, and a life decision to become an entrepreneur all shape Susan Gravely's story. Founder of Vietri, a global brand built around imported hand-crafted Italian tabletop products and garden accessories for the home, and author of the book, "Italy on a Plate,” Susan shares he...

Slowing down can be beneficial for your overall health, including inner calm, cognitive and physical well-being, enhanced bonding with others and feeling comfortable in your environment. Slowing down can also take adjusting after living a fast-paced life of multi-tasking. Fearless Fabulous You Host Melanie Young shares insights on slow living. Self-care, exercise and mindfulness are important, als...

"Did you eat all that?" "You eat like a bird!" " Good girl! You cleaned your plate." "Why did you order that?" Has anyone said these words or similar to you when you are eating? How did it make you feel? Food shaming- judging and commenting to someone about how or what they are eating - has no place at the table. As a young girl, food shaming led Fearless Fabulous You's Melanie Young into unhealth...

Regret is a feeling of remorse about a decision or action we made, or did not, that we wished we could have done better or differently. Many people at the end of their lives express regrets over putting work over pleasure and not spending more time with family and friends, or choices they made. FFY Host Melanie Young shares how she has dealt with her own regrets to reframe her mind. She says, “You...

Estate sales liquidate items in a house, notably in the event of the 4 "D's"- Death, Divorce, Debt, Disease, Downsizing. Hiring an estate sale company to manage details helps. Many take 40% (average) of the sale income. Fearless Fabulous You Host Melanie Young chose to manage her own estate sale and shares her experience on staying focused, organized and sane while dealing with hagglers, resellers...

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder second only to Alzheimer's. Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with PD which can affect people of all ages, genders and ethnicities. Dr. Hiral Shah, a neurologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, discusses symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and genetics. Denise Coley was diagnosed with PD in 2017. She discusses living...

Are you bombarded with lists of things Not To Do After You Turn Age 50 or 60? Well, so is Fearless Fabulous You Host Melanie Young who says to turn "Do Nots" into "Just Do Its!" #1 Do Treat Your Self as a Precious Gemstone and Take Care of Your Self-Health and Well-Being. #2 Do listen to Your Intuition and Inner Voice rather than to Critics and Naysayers telling you what Not To Do. #3 Do embrace c...

“Manifest"= Envision the life you want. Take Action to Create and Realize an Outcome. As the Rolling Stones sang, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you'll find You get what you need.” You Can “dream it and do it,” but it requires focus, patience and a reality check. Sometimes, you need more training, education and mentoring. This episode addresses manifestation techniqu...

Decluttering your house may not be for everyone, but it can be transforming for many. In Sweden, the decluttering process is called döstädning, dö meaning “death” and städning meaning “cleaning.” The concept is to clear your life of unnecessary things before you leave this world rather than leaving decluttering to your family. Fearless Fabulous You’s Melanie Young shares her experience and tips on...

While "imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery," Fearless Fabulous You Host Melanie Young says, "Why be a copy when you can be an original?" Be in control of deciding changes in your life. Learn the differences between intentional change and incidental change and how to cope and stay focused. Also learn to identify the warning signs of unhealthy changes that are against your will and best...

Life isn't perfect, but neither are any of us. Appreciate what you have rather than lamenting what you may lack, says Fearless Fabulous You Host Melanie Young. Learn to live with serendipity and gratitude. Make each day matter and keep yourself open to letting things happen naturally. Why save your silver, jewelry and nice clothes for special occasions? Bring them out to enjoy and share with loved...

Competitive para surfer, Heather C. Markham, is no stranger to rough waters. At age 34 she was diagnosed with progressive muscular dystrophy and would eventually require a wheelchair. Heather has defied the odds as a wheelchair user through sports (para surfing and golf), her photography and her advocacy work for individuals living with a disability through her company, Making Waves for Good. Her...

After her mother died in 2020, Stephanie Franklin, re-thought her life and purpose. She left her job at an AdTech company and took time to travel and embrace her curiosity about wine. Along the way she took an interest in the small, independent producers she met. Stephanie’s journey inspired her to launch FlyWines, an import business and subscription wine club. Stephanie shares insights as a caree...

Holiday celebrations can trigger unhealthy habits like overconsumption of food and drink, nervous noshing and social FOMO (fear of missing out). Wine & Food Industry pros Melanie Young, Host of Fearless Fabulous You & The Connected Table, and Michelle Lawton, Founder of Joyful Plate LLC, share tips to Eat, Drink and Be Mindful. Lawton is author of "Moderating a Love Affair with Food: 10 Ti...

Why toss those vegetable stems and stalks and fruit pulp and peels? Repurpose them into tasty dishes that are good for you and help reduce food waste. Food columnist/author Lindsay-Jean Hard shares tips in her book, "Cooking with Scraps: Turn Your Peels, Cores, Rinds and Stems into Delicious Meals." Virginia is for wine lovers! Melanie tastes wines with Maya Hood White, Lead Winemaker at Early Mou...

World-class wines are made in New York State, the third largest production region in the U.S.A. The picturesque Finger Lakes region (named for its narrow glacial lakes) is renowned for its cool-climate Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir (among others). Located on Keuka Lake, Konstantin Frank is one the most historic wineries, whose namesake founder, first planted vinifera grapes in Ne...

Nikki Vargas has spent her life traveling world as a writer. But her life took a detour and a new journey of self-discovery after she called off her wedding to a longtime beau, quit her job and decided to pursue a full-time career in travel, now as Fodor's Travel Senior Editor. Along the way she founded the first feminist travel publication, Unearth Women, and learned about a mysterious family mur...