The Authentic Me: Hosted by Mel Yu

Scaling sounds exciting until you’re in it! Michael Laps breaks down what actually happens when a business starts to grow. More responsibility, harder decisions, and a level of pressure most people don’t talk about. Michael Laps is a marketing strategist and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience helping founders and leadership teams grow. At 25, he founded Yoghurt Digital, building it into...

Okay this one feels different! I finally got Corey on The Authentic Me Podcast. First time ever. And honestly, it’s been a long time coming. You guys see what I do, but you’ve never really seen the man I’m dating and how he actually operates in business. So this episode is me bringing you into his world. Corey is the co-founder behind Reminisce, Tailgate and eventflo. What started as backyard part...

This one’s personal. For the first time, I’m sitting down with my best friend, Olivia Porter, and we didn’t hold anything back. This isn’t a highlight reel friendship. This is the version built through hard conversations, distance, growth, and choosing each other again and again, even when it would’ve been easier not to. We get into what really tests a friendship. The moments that almost break it....

Everyone’s talking about AI right now. Few people are actually telling the truth about it. This episode cuts through the noise. I sat down with Jon Wellman, CEO of Vokke, and we got straight into it. No hype. No buzzwords. Just what actually works when you’re building real businesses with real stakes. We unpack what most founders get wrong about AI, why more tools don’t fix broken systems, and how...

As we close the Year of the Snake and move into the Year of the Horse, this episode is about momentum, identity shifts, and the one thing you know you’ve been avoiding. In this solo episode, I share how I set goals using the four quadrants of life: business, mindset, relationships, and health. I walk you through a simple scoring system to assess where you sit right now and how to move the needle f...

The Privilege of Travel and the Power of Perspective | Mel Yu | Ep 50 In this solo episode, I reflect on my recent trip to Brazil and Peru, from celebrating New Year’s Eve in Rio to hiking the Inca Trail and witnessing Machu Picchu in all its glory. Beyond the beaches, the music, and the views, this trip gave me something deeper: perspective. As entrepreneurs, we spend so much time optimising, bui...

In this episode, we dive into the real story behind Aussietel Technologies and the founder who built it with grit, discipline, and heart. Ange Kallinikos opens up about growing up with a single mum, discovering work ethic through sport, stepping into sales young, and eventually creating a telco company that puts people before profit. We talk about trust, leadership, customer experience, and why AI...

Mel Yu chats with Danny Kennedy , host of the Fitness and Lifestyle Podcast and founder of Younify Active , about the real connection between fitness, mindset, and success. Danny shares his lessons on consistency, self-awareness, and creating space for growth — both in business and life. This one’s packed with honest insights, practical advice, and plenty of laughs. Connect with Danny Instagram: @...

I crossed the million-dollar mark this calendar year in 2025. It didn’t look how I pictured it. It felt real, steady, and earned.  In this ep, I chat with you guys on the 5 things I believe worked for me that got me over the line. Also.... nothing really changes because it's about profit at the end of the day and not just revenue! Crossing seven figures didn’t change who I am. It just showed...

What happens when your dream business collapses? In this episode, Mel sits down with Godwin Hili , founder of luxury tailoring label Godwin Charli , to talk about the lessons behind losing it all and finding purpose again. Godwin opens up about burnout, rebuilding his life, and rediscovering joy through creativity. This raw and inspiring conversation is for anyone who’s faced failure and is ready...

Gratitude is easy when life’s good... but what about when it’s not? Because gratitude and graciousness hit harder when sh*t isn't going to plan. In this solo episode, I share the heartbreaks and changes that forced me to slow down and look at what still mattered. These moments shaped how I hold gratitude in chaos, loss, and rebuilds. I speak about what helped me lead with grace when nothing m...

Chent Thambiah is a startup entrepreneur and high performance coach with over a decade of impact across Oceania, Asia, and the UAE. He blends innovation, tech, and personal development to shape the next generation of founders and industry leaders. In this episode, we dive into his journey from street culture and personal loss, to global influence, coaching, and future tech.  A candid conversation...

The Authentic Me Podcast – Season 3 What started in my childhood bedroom back in 2020 during lockdown is finally returning - and it feels right now! After a year of release and rebuilding in 2024, I’m stepping into 2025 feeling grounded, in love, and genuinely proud of the woman I’ve become. This season, we’re going deeper. Expect raw reflections, honest conversations, and the belief systems that...

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 ther...

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 coache...

On this episode, I have special guest (and my ace coaching client!), Katrina Weller - a Grief & Loss Specialist, Speaker and the founder of the Grow with Grief hub.  We discussed our experiences with grief and loss, reflecting on the impact it has had on our lives and relationships. We share the duality of emotions, the ongoing waves of grief, and the longing for the presence of our loved ones...

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...

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...

A champion for diversity and loving the skin you’re in; Natasha Heal has taken her every experience in life and turned each into a means of growth, acceptance and self love. With a unique ability to recognise the beauty in all things and people, as well as taking hard lessons in her stride, Natasha is an advocate for alopecia awareness, an internationally renowned fashion model and promotes living...

Welcome back guys! Today I am joined by entrepreneur, photographer, designer, mentor, former cross-fit enthusiast, former controversial public figure in the media, the author of ‘6-figure creative’ but most importantly, down to earth legend whom I have only until recently had the privilege to call a friend, Carly Söderström.  Carly is a straight shooter and I love that about her. We talk about the...

Today's wholesome chat is with my high school friend, Jess Jackson (IG: @jessinbondi who I went to Mordialloc College with between 2003-2008! Jess is the founder of health and wellness brand, Australian Made Bio Cellulose Sheet Masks, @goodlivingonly_. She is also a certified meditation teacher who aims to share content to inspire not tire so you're empowered to live a balanced life. Jes...

How important is it to have a loving and supportive partner? For me, it is the MOST important aspect to ensure I maintain wellness, peak performance and dedication to building my life, my career and my health. It's all very much dedicated to this man here I share the mic with today... my partner, Jordan Consoli! To everyone that has been with me through my journey, I appreciate you all so muc...

We are diving in deep here bringing my housemate into the mix! It's been a year of living with Jordan and Beza in my life so what better way to get to know me further and deeper than having her on the show! Beza is an incredible media personality, MC, host and fashion model. She is a freelancer in the creative community and really helps us all give perspective to those who may be struggling t...

Helloooooo world!  I am back after a year and a half from this podcast, The Authentic Me! Life's been busy and when we don't remain consistent and disciplined, things fall off the band wagon... so vola! Nevertheless, I am keen to put energy back into this show to bring you insightful and authentic stories and ideas. This week, I touch on both discipline and consistency to building succes...

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 healthc...