Hi everyone! My name is Mel and welcome to the MELSAYS podcast. My goal with this podcast is to bring to life the 5 Questions With interview series from my website (MELSAYS.COM) and to celebrate women. I want to give a platform and a voice to some of the most amazing women out there. Whether an athl…
My guest for this episode is one of the top female surfers around the world. She is currently ranked 8th on the WSL Tour. This week I chat en français with French surfer Pauline Ado.
My guest for this episode is award-winning BC-based artist Jessa Gilbert. She is renown for her colourful murals and works of art that depict beautiful landscapes from her outdoor adventures.
My guest for today’s episode is Mirna Valerio. Mirna is an author, ultrarunner, adventurer and public speaker.
My guest for this episode is Jennifer Hollinshead, she is the founder and also the clinical director at Peak Resilience, a women-run counselling practice located in Vancouver.
My guest is Tofino longboarder Lydia Ricard. She is one of the best long boarders in the country and one to watch out for in the coming years.
My guest for this episode is Valerie Duprat. She is a surfboard shaper, surfer and a mom currently residing in Encinitas but originally from Paris.
My guest for this episode is Lucy Ulmer. She is the co-owner of two of Vancouver’s most coveted fitness studios - Hustle Up and Spin Society.
My guest for today is Danielle Black Lyons, she is the co-founder of, Textured Waves, a community that was founded to propagate the culture, and sport of women’s surfing, towards women of colour, and underrepresented demographics.
Today’s guest is Elaine Fung, she is a Vancouver trail runner who recently launched, along with her friend Linda Barton-Robbins (another BC trail runner and the wife of Gary Robbins) an online platform called We Are Trail.
Today’s guest is Bryanna Bradley, she is a local photographer and visual storyteller from Tofino.
My guest for today’s episode is Filsan Abdiaman. She is a fitness instructor, a Reebok ambassador, an ultra runner as well as the founder of the amazing community called Project Love Run.
My guest for today, is Kat Drew. She’s a local Vancouver runner, who recently took part in one of the most prestigious trail races in the world; the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Race.
Today’s chat is with Farinaz Lari. Farinaz, was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to Canada almost 10 years ago. In addition to being the co-owner of the District Warrior gym in Vancouver, she is also a kickboxing World Champion.
On today's podcast, I chat with Hilary Spires; she is an ultra runner, a coach, a former National Women’s Hockey League player, kick boxer and all-around badass. She also hosts a podcast, called the Trail Running Women Podcast.
Turning the tables around this week. I invite my friend, tv personality and plant-based ultra athlete Mandy Gill to chat about my recent melanoma diagnosis!
On today’s podcast, I chat with a brilliant photographer, and director, her name is Krystle Wright. She was in Vancouver a little while back for the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, and I got to speak to her, in her hotel room, just minutes before she took the stage at the festival.
This week's guest is Kayla Brolly. She’s an ER nurse, as well as a crew member for North Shore Rescue here in North Vancouver. We sat down to talk about the work that she does with them as well as the challenges she’s had to overcome on the job!
My guest for this episode is Sarah MacPherson. She is a Canadian 1500m runner, currently training in Victoria, BC with the Vic City Elite. She is working towards representing Canada at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. I had the chance to meet up with her on a recent trip to Victoria to find out more about her journey as an athlete. Hope you’ll enjoy our chat.
My guest for this episode is Courtney Burt, she is the co-founder of Run Like A Girl. She is a BC-based long-distance runner who has run races anywhere from 50 to 250 kilometers long. Courtney runs all the behind the scenes stuff at Run Like A Girl and also leads some of their retreats. I’m thrilled to have her share more about this awesome community that she has helped create. So without further a due, here’s my chat with Courtney.
My guest for this episode is Sarah Leanne Hart. Sarah is a climber and she was MEC’s first ever ambassador, and still is to this day. She has traveled the world doing some epic climbs and is considered to be an “all-arounder”, climbing at an elite level, in different climbing disciplines. In addition to climbing, she also works as a facilitator for groups of women and girls. I had such a lovely time speaking with her at her home in Squamish a few weeks back, I hope you’ll enjoy our chat.
My guest for this episode is Jen Segger, she is a global endurance coach, an adventure athlete, an expedition run guide and the head coach for Run Like A Girl. She is a badass athlete and incredibly successful coach based out of Squamish, British Columbia. Thrilled to have her on the podcast today, she recently completed the Primal Quest Expedition Adventure Race in British Columbia earlier this fall and placed 2nd with her team. Let’s find out more about her story.
My guest for this episode is Kate Harris, she is a writer and an adventurer who recently published a book called Lands of Lost Borders, recounting her cycling travels across the Silk Road. In addition to being an author, she is also an accomplished scholar with degrees from MIT and Oxford. She also has also written for Canadian Geographic Travel, The Walrus and other notable publications. I’m so thrilled to have this modern-day explorer on the podcast today. Without further ado, here’s Kate Harris.
My guest for this episode is Ellie Greenwood, she is an ultrarunner who began her ultra career in 2008. In addition to being a 2x 100k World Champion, she also holds numerous course records including the Western States 100 miler, the Canadian Death Race, the JFK 50 Mile Run and the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run. She also won the 90k Comrades Marathon in South Africa. I’ve had the chance to see her compete and podium at a few local races here in North Vancouver and Squamish so I’m beyond thrilled to have her on the podcast today. Without further a due, here’s Ellie Greenwood.
My guest for this 10th episode is Kelsey Serwa. She is a Canadian freestyle skier that just recently won, a gold medal at the 2018 Olympics, in ski cross. This is the British Columbia native’s 3rd Olympic games and 2nd Olympic medal, she had won silver at the 2014 Sochi games. I got to speak to her a couple of weeks ago, just a few hours after landing in Vancouver, post-Olympics. I hope you'll enjoy my chat with Kelsey Serwa.
My guest for this episode is Lauren Toyota. She is a former MTV host, turned Youtubber, and vegan chef, and is the author of the best-selling cookbook: Hot Fod Food - Vegan Comfort Classics. She recently came to Vancouver to celebrate the launch of her book and I got to catch up with her and talk about her brand new book and all-things vegan! So without further a due, here’s Lauren Toyota.
My guest for this episode, is Kate Horsman, she is a holistic nutritionist and natural foods chef. She specializes in Women’s Health, Body Image, Eating Disorders as well as plant-based nutrition and athletics. She also leads workshops and retreats in Vancouver and beyond where she shares her passion for helping others. After following her on social media for the past couple of months, I’m thrilled to have her share some of her wisdom on the podcast today. Without further ado, here’s my chat with Kate Horsman.
My guest for this episode is Kaitlyn Burke, she is the founder of the New Heights Basketball Academy in Vancouver. It is the only female focused basketball academy in British Columbia, whose goal is not only to develop female athletes through the sport of basketball but also empower them to become strong leaders in the classroom, on the court and in the community. I hope you'll enjoy our chat!
My guest for this episode is Nicolette Richer. She is the co-founder of very popular Green Moustache Organic Café, located in Squamish and Whistler. She also runs Richer Health, which provides health and wellness workshops, retreats and online programs, that help people heal disease by using food as medicine. She is also a public speaker and recently gave a TED talk last september. I’m thrilled to have her on the podcast this week. Here’s Nicolette Richer.
My guest for this episode is Keltie Hansen. She is a Canadian freestyle skier who made her Olympic debut at Sochi in 2014, where ski halfpipe was introduced for the very first time. She placed 13th at her first games. The Edmonton native now resides in Squamish, British Columbia and welcomed me into her home for a little chat. She is fresh off a weekend competing at the Mammoth Grand Prix in California. I hope you'll enjoy our chat!
My guest for this episode is Genevieve Arnaud. She is the founder Atwell Health, plant-based nutritional counselling and mental health coaching, out of Squamish, British Columbia. In addition to running her private practice, she is also a trail runner and the volunteer coordinator for the Coast Mountain Trail Series out here in BC.
My guest for this episode is Leigh Wall. She is a truck and transport mechanic, a public speaker and also student recruiter. After doing a complete 180 with her career a few years ago, she’s been helping other women break through barriers in non-traditional roles. I’m thrilled to have her share her insight and passion for women in trades today on the podcast.
This week I chat with Indigenous singer Carsen Gray, who hails from Haida Gwaii. She won the award for “Best New Artist" presented by SiriusXM, at the Indigenous Music Awards earlier this year and is about to release some brand new music in the coming weeks.
Micayla Gatto is a professional mountain biker and an visual artist from Vancouver, British Columbia. Micayla has competed at the World Cup and at World Championship events and you may have also seen some of her artwork at Bean Around The World Coffee shops in Vancouver, Movement 108 and on Lululemon tees, just to name a few. Her short film Intersection just won the Best Mountain Sports Film at the Banff Mountain Film Festival and has made it into the Festival World Tour. Hope you'll enjoy our chat!