Mel G Fit: The Fitness Entrepreneur | The Authors Unite Show #970

Alright everyone, welcome back to another episode. We got Mel G today, so welcome to the show.

What's up, what's up? I'm excited, excited to be here. I love what you're doing already, so I'm excited.

Thank you, thank you. So if you can, start us off and tell us a little bit more about you and what you do.

So I go by Mel G Fits on social media, on my platforms. Basically, I'm a fitness entrepreneur, wellness coach, mindset coach too, kind of getting into that. We'll talk about that. I also, you know, coach online. I do a lot of mentorship, and I have another company called Fit Esteem, which is going to be like the mentorship stuff that we'll get into. But yeah, so fitness entrepreneur, we'll call it.

Perfect. Oh yeah, yeah. So started fitness and now kind of moving towards the— you're going to have both, but moving towards the—

right, exactly. More of that. I think that's what's kind of needed right now in such a dark time. And I've noticed that a lot of respect response from it via social media. So I was like, you know, I'm really passionate about it, really kind of helping people as it was with fitness. So why not get into the mindset aspect? So 100%.

Yeah. So let's, uh, I always like to start like, let's go back to childhood. So, all right, when you were, when you were younger, first question is, did you see yourself kind of doing this fitness mindset type of stuff, or was it, is just not at all?

Like, well, a little background. So, um, I've always was athletic. I ran track, um, you know, I did all the great stuff in high school, played sports, and then I actually got into music. I was in the music industry and I was signed to Atlantic, and then I worked with Interscope, and I just had a very bad experience with the music industry and management. And I don't want to get too deep into it, but it was kind of a nasty separation and it kind of tore away the passion for what I wanted to do. Like, I loved music and I still love it. I love, you know, creating, but there was something that was missing for me. And I noticed that even when I was younger that there was something missing of like helping people. Like, I always felt like I needed to help people. It was very, very strange. And you start to notice, like they say, like success leaves clues. So for me, I started noticing everything I did had some type of influence. Like, I didn't try, it was just kind of like in the works of something falling together, um, and some type of influence. Or it was like people were drawn into me, whatever, if it was music, before I was doing something with athletics, or whatever it was, right? So I was like a leader in this and different clubs in school and stuff like that. So I always noticed there was something there, but I always felt like it was like this burning desire. Like, you know, you're waking up, you're like, man, shit, something is like in me and I don't know what it is. And it kept growing and growing and growing. And then it wasn't until like I was in my late 20s is where I experienced— like, I did network marketing, and everyone always bashes network marketing, but it changed my life, right? So I was going through a lot of stuff financially at the time, and I learned all about personal development through, um, network marketing, right? And then I found myself like recruiting all these people and talking to them. And I used to have these visuals, like it was crazy in my dreams, it was nuts, of me speaking on stage in front of millions of people. Whether— I don't know what it was, but it was some type of relation there, right? Um, subconsciously. And it was just wild. And I always I knew that I had to help people. So it wasn't until like I was in a really dark place and we can get into that a little bit. I don't mind talking about it. I was struggling. I was kind of homeless. I was going through a really, really dark time, suffered with depression, leaving the music industry. I had lost a lot of money, right? So I didn't know what to do. I got into the nightlife business. I was, I was drinking. I was just, it was a really bad, bad time. And the person that I was dating, I met this guy during, then I got into real estate and I met this person and he was a trainer and he was like, well, why don't you start building content? And this is when Instagram was kind of like growing, right? Why don't you build this Instagram and put some content out? And you know, a lot of people are doing it. And there was like the Michelle Llewellyns, you have like the Paige Hathaways, and I always looked up to them. I was like, I can't do that shit. And I was like, well, let me just put something out there. So I started putting out content, growing the page, and this is when I knew that I was supposed to be doing this, just helping people, because I was doing it for free without getting paid. So I was just excited to wake up to do content and like excited. And it wasn't until I started seeing people's response to it, like there was ladies, there was girls, and writing me, wow, that quote changed my life. Wow, that helped me. Wow, you're You're such an inspiration. I was changing people's lives without even realizing it. It was nuts. And it was like this rush, like, you know, when you go to the gym, you get this rush. It was a rush when I would like talk to these girls and there was something that was connected to us. Like, shit, I love this shit. Like, I really, really enjoy it. And then I just started— when you do something and you enjoy it, it just kind of flows and it happens. And then I started studying. Like in any business, you got to study how other successful people are moving and doing what they're doing in your realm, right? In your category, what you want to do. So I started studying people. Like I always say, success leaves clues, right? So if you want to have what other people have, you kind of got to do what they do. So I was just making sure I was like leading by example, doing the right crap, doing this thing in shape. And there was a lot of obstacles that I faced even building Mel G Fit. Like in the beginning, I didn't get paid for— I mean, I've had my platform now for like 5 years and I didn't get paid. I didn't start making money to like almost into the third year. So I was struggling. I was working as a secretary at a real estate office. I was so miserable doing real estate. I loved real estate because you can make money, but I wasn't passionate. I wasn't showing up to the meetings like, I can't, I want to do this shit. This is not for me. Real estate is not for me. I have to do something that I love doing. And that's where I found MLG Fit. And then it started to build. And I mean, I hit obstacles. If you want to talk about when they say failures really create success, it is so true. I went through about even up till now, I have failed probably at least 100 times, 100 times in my lifetime, at least 100 failures. Big failures. I'm talking about how money lost it. Lost my house, lost my car, repossessed, homeless, trying, and then test after test, and I'm like, well damn it, what am I supposed to do here? Like, Lord, what do you want? You know, like I need some type of sign. And I just kept fighting and fighting, and it was just in me, and I was like, you know what? I mean, it's just the craziest things. Like you're building a website, imagine it crashes before your launch date, and you have $5 in your bank account. I literally had an eviction notice on my door, and I literally couldn't, my website crashed the day before I was supposed to launch my first ebook, and I already had like pre-sales and stuff, ready to go. Like, people are ready to go and buy the product when it was done. Crash, lost the ebook. I had to go on YouTube and study how to build an ebook and build my own website. Like, the shit that you would— you just can't fathom what happened to me. And even up till now, like, it's insane. I'm blabbing, blabbing, blabbing. But, you know, just the story about it, it's like when I talk to people on social media, they're like, man, how did you do it? And they think it's all easy. You think a girl's posing on Instagram, but there's so much from content to the business, from even the taxes behind the scenes. Paying people, you know, there's just so much to it. And they think that it's just something, you know, easy peasy. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Finding all the revenue streams, there is a lot to that. So I want to talk about a lot of those failures and we won't go deep into like the, I guess, fallout with the music industry. I'm just curious. So, but that was the— so like singing or like what type of music?

I was a writer and then I did see— I sung also. I was trying to chase the artist being like the solo artist, but then I just— I had lost passion. So then I started just doing the writing. But it was just so much— there's so much dirty things behind the scenes that people don't really see. And we know a little bit of the conspiracy stuff, right? But there's just so much happening in the world and with the music industry, and I just wasn't like— I just felt in my spirit like it just wasn't it.

Not specifically, but like, what are— just curious, like, what are some of— is it like kind of like they take a bulk of the money?

Like, the money part, but it was more of like how the characteristics of the individuals were that were around me in my camp, and I kept hitting a failure too with that because the people that I was surrounding myself with in the music industry. So if I'm going to the studio to create, I mean, I was seeing some nasty stuff inside the studio, and I was getting told like, you know, you got to sleep with this person and be this person and do that. I'm like, it was really rough, you know. And then I had management, you know, I had steal money from me. I lost thousands of dollars, and it just— it was just one thing after another. And then I looked at it saying, okay, maybe this is not what I'm supposed to do, because, you know, at the time you're failing because you're also learning. We know that, right? So I was learning that this was not meant for me and I had to let it go. And that's like, well, it was my childhood dream. Like, who doesn't want to be the star? And you see all this stuff, you know.

I was a big Eminem fan.

Oh yeah, you gotta have— you know, I can see you being an Eminem fan.

You know, I was like, dude, you liked 8 Mile for Halloween? I was younger, dude.

You were— wait, you were Eminem for Halloween?

Yeah. Quick little story because it's funny.

Oh my God.

So my girlfriend in like 6th grade had a Halloween party, and then the mom asked me, what are you gonna be? And I said Eminem. And she thought an Eminem, right? And then I show up, I show up with a visor like flipped upside down.

I'm Eminem, fam.

Like, what's up? Like, I'm Eminem. Either way, that was a sign.

No, that's so funny. I used to remember that. That's what's crazy, you know?

Yeah, no, I was Eminem's biggest fan.

A little bit.

Oh, I still like—

still get fired up for the gym with it on. You put on your headphones.

I do. Yeah, yeah, I do. Yeah, we could go deep in there.

That's a whole nother day. That's a whole other conversation.

Yeah, yeah, I'm a big fan still.

That's Chris.

Write a song.

Yeah, that's fine. Um, so, but then from there, so from the music industry, next came the real estate.

Yeah, so real estate mixed with kind of like the network marketing. Oh yeah, I was doing network marketing at first for the extra income because, you know, they sell you this big dream, right? And I was doing well in it, and I had to put anything— and it worked. So I made some money, but it wasn't what I was expecting. But what I learned more than anything, that's probably the most valuable aspect that's kind of priceless was forget a check. The mindset that I learned, the coaching, the how to, how to actually speak. I learned how to speak because I was presenting in front of like hundreds of people in this room. I learned how to kind of recruit people. I learned how like the influence of it. I learned my etiquette. I know how to— I just learned so much that they don't teach you in school, right? You have all the basic stuff, but the mindset, the personal development, the reading, the, you know, the Tony Robbins and you have all these people and they don't realize like even reading like audios, it's so important for success because when you're having a down day, you have to understand that someone has been there. Another book that changed my life was by Tim Grover called Relentless. Oh, that is an awesome book. It talks about being Michael, Michael Jordan's coach in an epic book. Changed my life. It's talking about being like do or nothing, like do whatever it takes type shit.

Yeah.

And that book changed my life. But yeah, so I did that and then I just wasn't— I was learning so much with network marketing, wasn't making the money. So it's like, what am I going to do here? And it was crazy because I still talk about it, but it wasn't until I started opening the page and doing the stuff that I was doing for Instagram and building And just what I knew, I was in the right spot at the right time. Like everything happens for a reason, was the messages that I was getting in that rush. It was the— I get emotional even talking about it because that rush that you feel when you're helping someone, for me, that's my drug. And I knew when I was doing that, I was like, oh, this is it. So now if I just master the craft and get the audience, this is a wrap.

Yeah.

And that's—

and it wasn't the money.

And it wasn't the money. I was making no money. I was making no money for 3 years. No one knew that. Everyone said, oh, she looks good, you know, she's probably making a lot of money. No, it wasn't until I started launching the ebooks, and it wasn't until I started launching the online coaching, and it wasn't until this, and then I had management, then you get endorsement deals, you know, all these different things. And then I signed a deal with Adidas, um, I did really well. So it started like just building, but it was like, I'm talking about I couldn't even put furniture in my house and no one knew that. People saw me posting, they were like, well, oh my God, she's living this life, but there was no furniture in the house, right? And that was the same place I got evicted from, by the way.

So that was freaking crazy.

Yeah, so it's crazy, you know, and I think that people don't see that side of it, you know, they don't see the side like when I was homeless or You know, and being a— people think that, oh, because you're a good-looking female, you can go get a guy and do that. That's just not my thing. It's never been my thing. I've been very independent, worked very hard because this is my long-term life goal, right? So, you know, and then I bartended, I did some stuff in the nightlife industry, and that tore me apart. That's where I got somewhat addicted to alcohol. I became really depressed and I was really unhappy, and I was just drinking every night, drinking every night, you know, creating this bad habit, and it started consuming me. And I was very borderline, like, just depressed. I was like giving up. Yeah, and it was crazy because it's like then you're on that— that's the brink of everything, right? And you're trying to figure out what you're doing. It's the most hard— I think it's— I give people credit that can really do it because it is probably the hardest. And now I know people suffering with everything that's going on in the world.

Oh, oh yeah.

But now to peel yourself out of that was probably the hardest thing. And then I had stuff happening at the same time. I had people passing away, I had friends, I had this— it was just a crazy time. And it just turned into more crazier times as I started building Mel G Fit. But You know, I think that all that's part of the story, you know what I mean? And the things that I experienced and the things that I've lost just put me up and set me up for like, I think, success now. So I appreciate it more.

I'm curious about your family. So like, while you're going through all this, like, what was that like? Were they like supportive of you going?

Well, well, see, what's that? Well, it's one of those things where like, I don't come from the money. I don't come from that. It was very hard. So my mom had to see me struggle. She's like, I can't even help my daughter.

Okay, but you are close.

Yeah, yeah, I'm very, very close to my mom. My mom was like, do whatever you need to do. She knows I'm kind of like a rebel. I left Tampa, by the way. I'm from Tampa originally. So I got up one day, 19 years old. I said, I'm not going to live like the rest of these people in my town. And I got up, packed my bag, didn't tell nobody, and drove to Miami and stayed with a friend on the couch. Oh yeah, that is awesome. So I've been here for like 14 years now. And like, I was the person that just got away. That's what everybody says because I go back home and everyone's doing the same shit. I'm like, I can't live like this. There's something in me that's just, you know. So I've always been that person that just does everything to get something going. And then so I found Mel G Fit and it's been 5 years now and it completely changed my life. But it wasn't until this past probably 2 years is where my life completely got it and fixed everything.

Yeah, I like what you said too earlier. You were like, you went online and you were like watching videos on YouTube and like talking about school. I feel like that is like way better than school.

Like, oh, absolutely.

Doing something right free time and you take the time to learn it, then you kind of know.

Yeah. And the thing is, that's what it is and everything is out there for you. And this is what people don't understand. Like, as long as you do the work, Okay, it's like energy, right? You got to— whatever you're putting back is going to be reciprocated. You just got to do the work. You got to show up. I think success is like 80% is showing up, just doing it, even if you don't know what you're doing, right? Just doing it, doing the motions and researching. Find it. There's somebody that did it before you. So find out who you want to kind of look up to. Find like, you know, Joe Rogan. He's awesome, right? So it's the same concept where you have these people that have already done what you're doing. So all you have to do is kind of implement it and follow it. And it's like a system and it's literally laid out for you. And it's like if you follow it and then just add— what makes the difference though, I think, with success is now that you understand the concept and the journey and what to do, now you have to add your own twist to it. And this is what I always tell people trying to build social media. What's going to make you different from everyone else? What are you offering as value? You got to be different from what the other person that you think that you— they've already accomplished that thing that you want to accomplish. But now who's going to want to watch you now, right? What are you going to add value to your marketplace? Like, what are you doing to add value into what your niche is? Because you know how many people are fitness trainers online? How many people are doing what I'm doing, being trying to be the Instagram star or whatever they're trying to do or, you know, impact people? You have so many people. It's a saturated market. So what's the niche? And I think this with any business, even if you're a real estate agent, what are you going to offer different? You know what I mean? And I think that's why all these other, you know, a lot of successful entrepreneurs, they stand out because they add value to something. They change what you're, you know, you're the perception of what you think is something and they make it better, right? So I think that's why I've added this mindset concept of what I'm doing with Fit Esteem, which is fitness, you know, obviously meets mindset. So it's building women's self-esteem and kind of showing them like, listen, I did it. I was broke. It's okay. That's the thing. People are so scared to not be okay.

Yeah.

And that's something that I'm trying to like implement. Like, listen, you can do it. And then, you know, building the social medias and kind of taking people along my way. But the main thing is like, what's going to make you—

oh, and you've been sharing that like because you've been doing it for 5 years, right?

Right, right, right. I know I just hit it. It's just kind of big in my face here. So I mean, no, no, let me let that go.

Darn Rogan mics.

Drop the mic.

So I want to ask this. So with being like homeless and everything and all that, like, what— how were you able to like continue, I guess, work? Like, like, what was that like? Were you like sleeping in a car?

And so I was— well, I had my car before, and then after that I got to— oh yeah, I repossessed. So I was like, okay, cool. But the good thing is I had good people in my life. So I think the universe starts to work with you when you're meant for something and you start doing the right thing. I think the act of service of helping other people it's kind of just lined up for you, right? Um, so things started like the last minute, like my faith— and I'm very spiritual too— so like the things started happening. Like I was like, whoa, it was like by the last second I probably wouldn't have survived, and something would happen. Money would come from somewhere, or some friend would reach out, and my friend just let me sleep on the couch for a little bit. But then you become like, okay, well, I'm on someone's couch, and you don't feel, you know, you're not— you don't have your privacy, you can't operate at 150%. And the things just started happening. I said, well, if I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired, I gotta do some shit. Like, this can't be it. This can't be it for me. Like, there's no way. So I just kept fighting, fighting, fighting, doing my research, building, building. And all I did was like, you know what, you love doing this, Mel, just create the content and get good at it. I just started releasing it. So I started— I put one video out, it went viral. I think at the time it had like 200,000 views, and my page just started blowing up from then on.

Oh, so that was like—

that was the thing.

Okay.

It was— I don't know, I looked like I was a jacked up freaking— I don't know, I was just like in a zone, you know. I was just working out, my blood was pumping. And people don't realize, you know, I'm not trying to put myself on a pedestal, but people don't see the face They don't see— they see like a good-looking face, right? Or— and then they don't see like the jacked-up body. So like, what is this machine? So I think people— it was a kind of a different look, right?

Okay.

Because you have these bodybuilders that look a little— sometimes a little tired in the face and stuff. So I try to bring like a glam to the bodybuilding aspect of that world in the beginning, and then I kind of, you know, simmered it down. I'm gonna try to be all jacked up. But the video did really well. It got engagement and it, you know, and it built social media, and that's when Instagram was actually doing really well, you know, you had the algorithms acting right, you know what I mean? So things were just building out, as who knows. But you know, it's—

yeah, so, so that was like the first big— and then that's probably when you started to receive a bunch of messages.

Yeah, like, you inspire me. Yeah, whatever it was, you know, and I was just building. And then I, I had this thing, you know, it was funny because how— it's funny, the things that work for you now, people back then would make fun of. So people would always say like, oh my God, you're always so cheesy with these motivational quotes, you're always so this. And I'm like, what do you mean? I love that shit. Like, you know, and I would get like talked about all the time. Like, even the person I was dating was like, Mel, you're too extra with this motivational stuff and guru. I was like, but that's me. And because I kind of like mix that with that, still to this day I get my clients or people that I work with, wow, Mel, that's inspirational, that quote you posted, or this, or it changed my life. Like, it got so nuts. Now fast forward a little bit here, 2 years into this, as I started coaching people, I was getting late girls from like committing suicide, stopping committing suicide, alcoholism. People were like changing their lives. So I know I was doing that. I said, oh, oh yeah, this is my drug, you know. It's just crazy. It's crazy.

How did you, from the alcohol, like, how did you transition? Like, or at least from making it a bad part of—

well, I kind of got sick and tired, so I knew that I had to make a decision. If I want to look good and be that person, it had to outweigh more than the reason why I wanted to drink.

Gotcha. Okay.

And that's something I think that, you know, and it comes, I think, also for some trauma, like, from the past I've been through, and the trauma responses. And I can get into that a little bit as I'm learning more about it, but You know, I think it's just an outlet. Like, I think people that have trauma or anything, when it comes to depression or even like, you know, addictions, it comes from a trauma response because it's an escape, right? So because your body doesn't want to deal with it, trying to protect you. So the only way you kind of know is whatever— if you have an addictive personality or that trait, you lean on to something like that. And it's just same thing with food. You have people addicted to porn, you have people addicted to, you know, binge eating, not eating, just different things, you know, addicted to social media. It's an addiction, right? Because the brain is being stimulated with dopamine.

Yeah, I think it's like filling the time, right? Filling the time.

And then I love the way alcohol still makes be real, you know. But I had to make a decision because I was literally— I mean, and you know, I was— a lot of people know this too. I was drinking every day, like bottles of wine I was ordering every day.

So I was probably killing 2 bottles of wine a day, like Postmates or something.

Yeah, Postmates. That's— see what I'm saying?

I've been through that.

Yeah, it happened more during quarantine. So we doing this shit again? It's like— and it's so accessible, that's the problem. And then where I live, they have a freaking liquor store and they come deliver it to my door. I don't even got to do Postmates. And they're like, 2 minutes. I was like, well, Postmates or liquor store across the street. I'm like, well, so yeah, well now, yeah, but back then it was just like, it was so accessible, then I was just doing it. And then, you know, I don't know how I was broke and drinking so much. That was even— that's crazier to me. I was just finding a way, but that's what's crazy to me. I'll find it. And I got to the point, like, a lot of my friends know this, I don't mind talking about it. I would get the little Shutter Homes from the gas station, the little red wines.

Oh, okay.

Like $5 to get a 4-pack.

Yeah, there you go.

Yeah, but that's not really— funny to talk about. But, um, I had to pull myself out of it because I knew that at one point, like, it was going to consume me. And it's like, okay, if I want to do this and change people's lives, I got to lead by example. I can't be this alcoholic and being this person that's down and motivating people. It's a contradiction, right? And I still suffer sometimes from, like, anxiety and depression. And I kind of just— what gets me going is just stimulating my mind. That's with anything. And you can get really deep into that by, you know, battling anxiety or depression. You get your body moving, you start releasing endorphins, move your body. That's why fitness was such a big apart and people were losing their mind during, you know, quarantine. And that's something that's interesting because that's what I started noticing. My business exploded because people were like— and that's when I knew that I was building the fit esteem aspect because people were like, Mel, I'm so depressed, I need, I need something. They just want a community. And I was offering that and creating these programs at home, but it was also connecting to mindset. And I was creating this mindset program. So I'm calling it now like the 3— I've renamed it 360 Transformation, where it's like fitness also, but you're getting mentorship of like mindset and keeping you and people love that because you're stimulating them. And that's when I noticed that, you know, I know it's not a really good time for a lot of people during the first kind of lockdown thing, and I don't want to get too much into it, but, um, I noticed that people were just really depressed. Like, it was bad, and they just wanted to talk to somebody. When I created that light in their life, I was like, oh, here we go again, there's my drug, there's my drug.

Yeah.

And it was just crazy to see what, you know, and it helped me launch this other new program that I'm doing and building. So it was insane to see that.

So let's talk about the programs. And right before we do, like, how, how much does like working out impact the mind? Like, like, have you found, like, is it really—

well, that I think that's what saved me. So for instance, if I was suffering from depression or anxiety, fitness— not only obviously I built a platform and changed a lot of people's lives, I probably have transformed a thousand people, more than thousands of ladies, right? Women. I only train women. Um, but what I noticed that what saved me I had to get the same stimulation I think alcohol was giving me, like the rush, in fitness. So it's like when I was working out, I was actually feeling the same type of dopamine and the adrenaline and the, you know, all the stuff that happens in there. Hit the mic again. All the stuff in the, um, smack it. Boom! That's how I feel. I'm so fired up over here. Um, so, you know, I think I was, I was feeling and, and experiencing that same feeling. So I was like, whoa, wait a minute. And that's why you've noticed I say like sometimes people, fitness, working out, has saved a lot of people from addiction and alcoholism. That's why they say people that are recovering addicts, they gotta do movement and they give them a routine. It's another thing. They feel like when they're part of something, they don't feel so down. It's so massive. So the fitness saved me. So I was like, okay, listen, if I work out, I'll get the same rush, but I know I have to look good. If I'm gonna drink, I'm gonna get— I'm gonna blow up. I'm not gonna— I'm gonna lose my physique. And then how can I lead by example and show someone I can give them a result? So then that's what kind of pulled me out. And once in a while now, like, I have more control over it now, but sometimes I like my wine. We're talking about tequila, you know? Yeah, yeah. I love Casamigos, but There's a time and place to have control, but if you ever get to the point where you can't control it, that's when you need to completely stop. Definitely. You know, and if you find like you have a problem, sometimes you don't realize that it's consuming you, right? And then it starts to become a tumbleweed effect. So depression, you know, alcohol, certain alcohols is a depressant. Tequila is a stimulant though, I'll tell you that.

Yeah.

But other wines and stuff will actually cause more depression. It actually affects the frontal lobe of the brain. I started studying all this stuff to see how it was really affecting me. And then, you know, that's why they say people that are bipolar or they have all these other things, um, stay away from alcohol because it taps into their, their brain. It actually flips the switch on them. It's crazy.

But yeah, no, I can totally relate because I feel like that's what running kind of is for. Like, it gets that high. Like, I run very hard.

Yeah, same thing. I love sprinting. Yeah, that's why I love track.

Yeah. Then the rest of the day is just so much easier that I feel like I got that out of the way. And like, alcohol was kind of that out for me to like turn the brain off. And that's what that— it doesn't turn it off, but it's like it stimulates it so much that it's actually calming throughout the day. And that, that's been, I guess, one of my struggles is like I can't, I can't turn it off.

Yeah.

Because I'm always just wanting to work, do something.

Yeah.

And like, you know, it gets to be 10 PM, you're like, time for fucking bed.

Yeah, we like the stimulation of it because then—

yes, I need something, right?

And that's the same thing kind of with me. And I think that's what happens sometimes at night. Like, I'm the same type person. So I'd be like, okay, I got everything done. When you get bored is when you want to drink. Yeah, see, it's weird. And I'm like, well, I'm at home, you know, I'm not really big on TV, but I might watch a show, get in my feelings, drink a glass of wine. One wine turned into a bottle.

Yeah.

So it was like one of those things where I want— it's like I need something. I'm like, I'm an upper person too. Like, I need, I need coffee, I need stimulants, I need to feel like I'm doing something and feeling productive. But as soon as I have idle time— and they say idle time is the devil's playground. So you gotta be very careful. That's a big thing that I always say.

I like that quote. That's a good quote.

What'd I say? No, that was a good one. I gotta remember, I gotta write that down in my notes. No, no, no, no. Idle time is the devil's playground.

Yeah, yeah, we'll flip that one. So let's talk about the program. So the first program is more focused on fitness.

Yes.

Right, so like what does, if somebody comes to you and they wanna work with you, like what does that look like? Like the process that you take them through?

So what I've done, so first I had just regular PDF ebooks, right? Very passive income, boom, boom, boom, people go on the website, they buy it, right? And then I wanted to be in, and I didn't know— this is the craziest part— I had— I was training. I knew how to like kind of train myself and create these ebooks and PDFs and train people to get a result, but I wasn't a certified personal trainer. So here is this girl on Instagram trying to create these programs, and then I finally studied it and learned how to do it. Um, but I was selling programs and I was like, well, I want to get onto online coaching. I want to be more hands-on where it's customized. You know, it's one thing to have the passive income, which is great because you create a PDF, you create— you know, you're not seeing the money just coming in. But it wasn't enough. I said, okay, this has got to grow. And then I started also working with another— with a management company at the time. My manager was like booking me for like different things, and I got to deal with Adidas and did certain things. But the mainstream income was from, you know, the ebooks. And then I wanted to get into online personal coaching, so I studied it, and I even hired a mentor, um, that did what I was doing and taught me kind of a lot of stuff how to do it. And then I started building it, and that's what started changing my life. I literally had went like to six figures in like three months. It was crazy.

That's all.

I went from zero to nothing. I mean, I was making some money with the ebooks, but I was always struggling. And so, okay, well, I'm gonna be this girl struggling on Instagram. I gotta get more certified. I gotta create more streams of income. I gotta create more. I gotta get better, right? So I started doing that, and then I started coaching over 100 girls at a time. And then I created a, um, I created more of like a resi— I think wealth is residual, right? So in a sense, and then we have multiple streams, but I was creating a concept of like residual income because I learned this in network marketing. And then I learned this also in real estate, right? So I wanted to create where wealth was coming in when I was sleeping. So I created a system where I kind of jumped on this app and then I was creating where it's like a, like Netflix, all this, like, like when you subscribe and stuff like that. So women or the ladies were basically paying me monthly for 4 months for this program. So I, when I'm sleeping, you know, money was coming in, but I was also giving a lot of value. So they had me 24/7, right? I mean, that's really important that you got to deliver the product. You can't just think you're set something up and then you don't deliver, right? So it's very, very important, especially when it's connected to my brand. So I started building that, building that. And so now what I've done is with the mindset coaching, I'm creating all kinds of funnels. And that's really important for business too, right? You got to funnel things out. And for sure, you know, you just got to be really smart. So you can have this platform, but if you don't know the business side of it, you're not going to become successful. And what are you just gonna be, another face, right? Um, so I'm building now another module, like different modules with the mindset coaching and stuff like that, where it's going to be based like an app subscribe. They're able to subscribe monthly and they can get motivational stuff, packages. And I'm doing like now the mindset coaching, so I'll be doing one-on-one like high-end ticket, high-ticket valued coaching. So that's gonna be really cool.

So there's kind of like— so there's programs, and then with the 100 women that you said, that's right, is that kind of a group community?

Yeah, it's kind of like a community. Um, so I have the ebooks that are kind of just here, like I'll do like a leg and glute guide, I'll do like a home guide, and then the customized coaching is where I coach you every single single day. I give you workouts, I give you your food, customized meal plan. So that's where that— that's like the main juice and— juice and potatoes, it sounds kind of weird, but the juice of the potatoes.

I like that, you know.

I mean, you know what I mean? Yeah, so it's one of those things. So that's how kind of that, you know, exploded. So, but the ebooks just kind of are like there, you know.

Okay, got on the side.

But I do different ebooks, different body parts, but the customized is different. So there's two aspects. There's that, and how I pulled them was that, like, you know, ActiveCampaign, And this is all like keys, like keys to success. So ActiveCampaign, I would, you know, I accumulate emails and I retarget them, stuff like that. You got to be smart, right? So, and people get value. So I send a lot of emails like, you know, insight tips, you know, like for free because people deserve that value too, right? You want to give them something so they always come back, which is very important. And I learned that now. That's where I'm getting really, really good at because now I'm tackling that and that's how I'm learning to kind of, you know, create more long-term wealth with that.

So. Now for the customized stuff, is it like, do you do stuff where you like send, say it's like a high ticket, high, like will you send them to get like blood work or something?

Like, that's kind of deep. That's actually really good though. Now I think for the older, I kind of want to do something like that because it's really important for like a lot of, I'm starting to coach a lot of older women, which I love. So what's happening is they don't realize that sometimes there could be hormonal problems. So you have to get that blood work checked. And I had a a young lady that she didn't know she had a thyroid problem and she was having the hardest time trying to lose the weight. And then we found out she had a thyroid problem. See, they don't know that and they think that, well, this program is not working, you know what I mean? And I'm like, well, you might want to check your blood work, girl, like, you know.

So that's so—

that's why I'm like, I mean, it's big now.

That's messed up, right?

It's messed up. And there's a lot of stuff too, even older, like the hormone replacement therapy. I'm really— I actually worked with a clinic called Biohacks. Um, they were actually— the gentleman was on Melissa's, uh, the last show that I spoke at. So they have like a clinic where they do hormone replacement therapy. So sometimes I would send people there, like referral stuff, but That's really important too as you're getting older. You don't realize that, even in men too. It's huge. It affects your area, you know, if you can lose or gain muscle and your energy and all that great shit. So, well, you know, the other stuff too. I'm not gonna get that, you know, PG-13, you know, a little bit as much as I can be.

Yeah, no, no, anything goes.

No, it doesn't.

Yeah, yeah, I try like I'm spiritual. Oh, you'll, you know, no, no, no, no, I'm trying to be, I'm still Mel, I'm still Mel.

So, um, Hi. So, and then we'll come back to this, but I wanna talk, let's talk about, or no, before that actually. So can you, you might not be able to name names, but some people that have come through your programs, like where they were and then where they, 'cause we went through your story and obviously very transformational, but like some of your clients, like have you worked with somebody that, I know you have, but like can you talk to some of those stories?

Oh yeah, man, I've had some crazy transformations. Well, the first one, even this was more mentally, I've had though, fit. I got this girl on a program, and, um, and basically how I do is I pull leads off Instagram, right? But now I have the ActiveCampaign, I have a very big database, so I kind of retarget them. But I basically was transforming— I transformed 3 ladies. I said the one first was mentally about the alcoholism. She was addicted to alcohol and pills, and she called me one day crying, and I'm like, I think I picked it up because I'm always— I have like a separate phone for business, right? Um, and I picked it up and she was like, I'm about to commit suicide, I'm over— I overdose on pills, what do I do? I said Me? What am I gonna do? I was like, oh my God. And I had to talk her out of that. She wanted to take more pills. I said, don't do it. I got— I don't know how I— I don't know, by the grace of God. And that's what I knew I'm supposed to be doing. I'm doing— it was just crazy. So I saved this girl's life, and she's been sober, clean now for 2 years. So I got her into the fitness and got her, you know, just doing all these things. And she said it was because she one day opened up my page and she just felt connected. So all these girls that I speak to, that there's some type of connection with them and me. And I'm like, wow, this is big. So then whatever they're feeling is pulling them in there for a reason. So I've had other transformations where women— I think a lady lost like 50 pounds. Like, you know, and I'm coaching a lot of moms, which I love. So I think it's like a niche for me. You know, I'm in my 30s, but I don't really talk about it. But I'm— I don't have any kids. I'm my own kid still trying to figure out life. But, you know, I coach these moms that, you know, I have these— they're all depressed. They don't feel like they're good enough. But I had a mom like lose 50 pounds. She had 2 kids and she lost 50 pounds and they feel so good. And you're creating this good energy. And I believe that. You give someone a transformation, not only they become loyal, they become happy. But you know, when you're feeling good, you attract better. You set yourself up, you're attracting better relationships. When you feel good about yourself, you're attracting good energy. You're, you know, you're waking up with a different mindset. You're feeling good. Everyone is going through something. So when you put fitness in there, you're getting a lot of like, you're getting some heavy stuff. So I was doing these coaching calls with the girls before I set them up. That's how I kind of do it. And the things that I would hear was wild, what they're going through. And they're like, wow, this program saved my life, or this program got me feeling better, this helped my relationship, this program this. And I mean, there's been some crazy transformations where, you know, nowadays girls want the booty and the legs. You know, I'm kind of— that's kind of what I built my brand off of, right? So a lot of these girls want the same thing. So I've seen girls go from 88 pounds. I saw one girl that was anorexic. Now she's 120 pounds. I helped her get out of anorexia. It's crazy. So there's so many different stories, you know, and then there's some that just get the program. They never do anything. I'm like, yo, hello, you just invested in this. That's how people think. You know, sometimes people are, you know, he's like, you know, you got to kind of work towards this. It's not going to fall in your lap. That's anything in life, right?

Yeah.

But the transformations, I mean, I could just name so many. A lot of it was more mental before physical. And that's where I realized, like, okay, here's something. Here it is. This is what it is. It's physical meets mindset. That's where I built the Fit Esteem. But like, first you got to get the mental moving before you get the physical. I mean, think about it. You got to get your mind right to get up and say, do I want to go work out today or do I want to get that bottle of wine? You know, it's a mindset. That's where it starts, right? Do I want to go do this or do I want to go be disciplined? Do I want to read that book or do I want to watch that, you know, Do I want to go like, you know, listen to a podcast? Yeah, you know, I don't get it. It's fine. It's normal. I'm sure a lot of people watch porn, but we're not going to get into that. So, you know, you have—

whoa.

Anyway, where's my coffee real quick? I'm going to get a little sip. So I think that, you know, you have all these different aspects. You have decisions, you have choices, and it's literally your choices that make you. Right? You are your choices. You wake up like, you know, I couldn't have— I might not have brushed my hair today, but I brushed my hair today. You know, I put a little makeup on. I couldn't have put makeup on. I decided to send some emails. I couldn't have done it. No, everything is a choice and a decision, and that's what kind of— you are your choices. And I read this book, you probably know what it is, Awaken the Giant by Tony Robbins. It's my favorite book. I still reread it.

I have to re-listen on audio, right?

Because you gotta— yeah, I mean, I try to do audios, but sometimes if I read, I'm better off. But audio's for sure. Yeah, it just depends on what mood I'm in. But Awaken the Giant is probably one of my favorite books, and it talks about that, right? You are your decisions that you make.

So yeah, I wanted to— oh, I just lost it. I hate when that happens.

Damn, I'm talking so much.

Come back to me.

Come back to me.

Come back to me. Let's go back to the music. Come on, Eminem. So, oh wait, I want to talk about conspiracy theories. So what are some of your favorite—

I can't say too much. Yeah, look it for me.

That, that too.

But I want to say too, because we were talking about the gym and like the mental, um, one of the greatest memes I saw on the mic, yeah, yeah, it was, it was like, um, it's like if you see someone in the gym with no headphones in, you know they're working on like not just their physique, but it's something, you know what I mean?

Oh, that makes sense. Wait, wait, if I don't have headphones, I'm losing my shit. Yeah, I need headphones in the gym. I need— I'm a music person, so I have to have like some type of stimulation. But if I— I mean, there was one one time when my headphones died. I had to do without it. It was very, very treacherous. But I don't— yeah, what do you mean by that? I'm actually curious. Like, like, because I can't do that shit.

If you see someone working out in the gym, right, usually they have headphones. But if they don't have them in, you know, there's something going on inside that they're working out, you know.

Because usually if you have headphones, you mean like there's something that's really triggering them to get that workout in, like they're upset? That makes sense. Like they've had it, like, you know, on the verge of a breakdown, or maybe they feel like they're kind of blowing off some steam. Yeah, yeah, I didn't think about that. It makes sense. I feel bad.

It was like a meme. It was like, if you see someone with headphones in, don't bother them in the gym.

That makes sense, actually. I never thought about that. You're right. Sometimes I look really— I, I kind of picture someone being really upset, and I've seen their faces in the gym, they don't have headphones on.

Totally. Yeah, I think it is because I, I would be pissed if I forgot my headphones. First off, that's not what you mean, but no.

Yeah, no, no, I would be really mad. So you could do that without that's good, fam. I don't know.

So before conspiracy, I remember it as you guys are talking, is momentum. So I think that's one of the biggest things. So I'm like, I'm curious your thoughts on it, because I feel like those choices, right, that Tony's talking about, that you're talking about, they are hard when you're kind of battling the— like, some days you choose the wine, some days you choose the book and/or the workout. But if you choose the workout, like if you get a weekend and it's a full week workout, then like that next week's easier. And then for me, it's gotten to points where like I haven't drank for like, I think my longest is like 6 months or something like that. And it kept getting easier and easier and easier and easier. And the workout every morning, like when we, when we came back from vacation, I think we went 4 months, didn't miss one morning of a workout.

Oh wow.

You know, you occasionally miss one, right?

Right, right, right.

But like we literally went 4 months straight, not miss. And then once you miss one, then it's like that, it's harder.

I can really, really, I can really give some insight on this because this happened to me. So when I was going, the hardest time is when I was drinking and peeling myself out and then getting back on the routine every time. And I have, listen, I have failed so many times, and I, my body has changed so many times. And people think that, oh, they always see like picture perfect, but I have stopped and worked out and stopped. And I, here I am training people, but it has been the one of the hardest things to pick yourself back up when you have gone a couple days or even a week But if you're consistent with it, it becomes easier, becomes habitual. It feels like a habit, right? But the hardest part in my life, I think, between the, you know, being addicted a little bit to alcohol or depression and all these crazy things, anxiety, was the fact that when I was down, I was down. Like, I'm an extremist, so I was down. And then for me to get all the way up, I was all the way up, right? So it's like I'm either one way or the other. But it was the hardest time. And every time I had to transition, I think I've had fallen, like, done that same little rut for at least 20 or 30 times in my Mel G Fit career. And I'll go like, you know, the 2 weeks, like, not training. And people think they see me training, but You know, and then I get back up and I try to fight hard. It's the hardest thing. That's why I say consistency is probably the— that's why they say it's so important in success and life and everything, because if you're consistent, it makes everything easier and it's gonna happen. It's like law of attraction, right? But as soon as you stop, getting back up is the hardest. Peeling yourself up, and then it is like literally painful. It's like, oh yeah, it was hard when I went— I was in Turks for, um, I was in Turks, uh, for New Year's, and I didn't work out for like 5 or whatever, and it was so rough. I tried to do like a little beach workout. I said, screw this. I went to go get tequila. But, you know, I'll be honest, you know, I'm human. So it was hard when I got back recently to get back into a routine. It took me like 3 days even when I came off the vacation, right?

Yeah.

So that's why it's so important. And like, you know, they say like you are what you do, you know, kind of sense. So it's like, it's interesting when you're, you know, doing it, it's easier. But when you stop, that's why it's so important to just say stay consistent.

And that's what me and him said, because we visited family for like 2 weeks for the holidays.

Yeah.

And like we, we still worked out, but like we were drinking and just, we kind of like eating, like you just let it go. And it just makes it so much harder, so much harder. So like, if you— it's not easy to stick to routine, but it actually does get to a point where it becomes pretty— right, it becomes a lot easier than the back and forth.

Yes.

A week off, right? 4 weeks on. Yeah, that's a struggle.

No, it's really a struggle. No, for me, I'm right there with you. It's hard. It's really, really hard mentally. But then I get— I think I'm addicted to, to adrenaline of the rush of fixing stuff. So I started kind of studying myself. So it's weird. So like sometimes I flip the switch and I'm like, that's it. Like I get literally fired up knowing that I'm in a shitty place. It's weird. And then it like triggers and I'm like, okay, it's like, I don't know if I like to self-sabotage because I like to like, I like to fix things, which is weird because I like to fix people. Think about it, right? It's a brain thing. Maybe I like to fix myself and I like to like, you know, recreate. I don't know. It's weird. It's something that comes subconsciously, but I've realized that I get fired up all of a sudden, like, it triggers me and I'm like, okay, I'm going to use it. Like, I get more fired up to see the transformation of myself. Yeah, right. It's like weird, right? You know what I mean?

I get— well, I think it's like— I think people— because I've thought about this exact thing. So I think people, it's like self-sabotage in a sense, but it's also like some— again, it's almost like something to do. So like when things are going like— when I'm sober working out every morning, like, shit is easy, honestly. Like, it's just like, I know what we're doing. It's just simple. And then, and then I'm like, let me fuck this up a little bit.

Yeah, it's just weird.

Let me drink for a week.

Yeah.

And fucking not answer.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And I wonder if that has something to do subconsciously, like yourself, not self-sabotage, but sometimes they say like people fear success. You don't realize that it's there. You get kind of on the verge and you're like, okay, what happens if I'm too good and then everything ends? But if I can pull back and have a reason to fight hard, then I'll be consistent. It's weird. I don't know what it is, but it triggers us. And I don't know how we interpret our brains, but I do the same crap sometimes. And I'm normal, I'm a human. But, you know, people think it's always easy. But I think it's when you get back up is what really, you know, creates character, right? Because if you stay down, you're going to stay down. You're never going to move forward. If you, if you kind of, if you go up and you might want to get better at your— how many times you go up and down. But I think that when you're just, you know, overall can get back up, that's where, you know, they always say take breaks but never quit.

For sure. I think, yeah, and I think we're our own— we are our own biggest obstacle, right? Right. And I think it just, it gets to the point where like when you are on that routine and everything's going so perfectly, it is almost— and it sounds strange because that's what people want, right? They want success, they want things to be easy. But like once it's that way for so long, you— at least for me, I'm just like, let's throw a wrench in this thing.

Yeah, I mean, like, hey, let's just—

yeah, let's just— let's just drink about the 'Let's see what happens tomorrow.' Like, no, because like, shit, I need something to figure out.

Like, it's so funny. I think that also that's why people feel a certain way. They feel purposeful when they're part of something or community. It could be the same concept. Like, you feel like if things are going too smooth, you might— you know, it's funny, sometimes people get bored, and I wonder if that's what it is. Yeah, I think especially if you need a stimulation of something all the time, maybe you get bored and you self-sabotage without realizing to kind of recreate and see if I can fix this again. Maybe you get to like to the point where like, well, I've done this so many times, I can do it one more time. And the thing is, I don't know what it is.

And after I— it's— well, I don't know, but because like afterwards I will regret it because I'm like, oh, things were going and now I have to like fix it, right? But then like, I don't know, but then I think back, I'm like 20/20 hindsight, right? So it's just like, no, I guess I did want to do it. I don't know.

You know, and then you try to blame it on other people. Yeah, it was that scenario.

I mean, like, me, yeah, it's me.

Maybe crazy, something in my brain.

But yeah, so, so talking about crazy, let's talk about—

and so this is—

I want to talk about some conspiracy theories because what's crazy about them is a lot of the times they become accurate.

Yeah, you know, that freaked me out, man. They're gonna come after me, man.

Yeah, so what are— I guess, um, just off top of your head, is there any right now that you are like diving down the rabbit hole in? Or what are some in the past maybe that you've—

well, I always knew that, you know, I don't want to get too much into it, but, um, I always knew something with the music industry or like control and kind of what's happening now with our society. I don't like to talk about politics and things like that, but everything's kind of falling into a, a place where I remember being a little girl and, um, you know, I do believe in aliens. I don't care what nobody says. I thought I saw one when I was little. Y'all might think I'm crazy. Okay, so that's another conspiracy. Everything— I think the control aspect I feel like what's happening with our society is definitely one, right? We'll let that kind of play however you want to play it out in your brain. Um, so, you know, I think there's a lot of control happening, and I think that's one of the biggest conspiracies. And I think, um, you know, not getting into it again, but the aliens— let's talk about these suckers. So yeah, I was younger. I am not crazy. I have spoken, you know, I stopped telling the story because people were like, Mel, you got to lay off the wine, bro. Like, come on now. No, but I was younger, and this was— I wasn't drinking. This is before wine. So, you know, I don't know, couldn't have And so I was— this is so crazy. So I literally was, um, I was with my dad at the time, my stepmother, and we're driving down in Tampa, the street, and there's like this— with the Raymond James Stadium, where the Buccaneers play in Tampa, uh, so there was a big stadium, there's like a park. So I was looking out the window, um, and I always had this fear. And you know, they say sometimes when you have a fear or something, or a phobia, it's connected for a reason, either if it's from like a past life experience or some type of experience that you've had. But sometimes your phobias or your fears are connected to something that has— they say, and I believe in links past stuff. So then it happens, and then it happens. So like, when you— the way you're reacting, your response to it could have something to do with something that you experienced in a past life or something spiritual or something crazy. So I've always had this fear of the aliens. I don't know why. And I don't know if it was Unsolved Mysteries growing up watching that crap, but I remember watching it to see the UFO thing. I don't know if it just freaked me out. It didn't give me a good feeling. So anyway, long story short, driving down Del Mabry, which is a huge highway in Tampa, I look up and I swear to you, I saw a flying saucer, the shape of what they say they look like, uh, you know, whatever that sphere-looking crap thing is that freaks you out. And yeah, it was literally hovering, and I saw it do like a woo-woo, and then it went gone.

Yeah.

And I said, why? Well, I said, Dad, actually. I was like, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, did you see? He's like, what are you talking about? He thought I was crazy. It's like, no, it was like a spaceship-looking thing. And I don't know if it's because I was looking at— I was watching Unsolved Mysteries as a little girl, 8, 9 years old. It's not good because it freaks you out, you know, because they used to talk a lot about aliens on that show, but This is the old Unsolved Mysteries, not the new one they brought back on Netflix. Yeah. So anyway, long story short, I see no one. And then one of my other best friends— this might be why we're best friends— she's in Tampa. She said when she was younger— her name is Tara, I hope she don't get mad at me— so Tara said that she was sleeping one time, and she's very premonistic too, has like a lot of intuition, kind of like me, but we're very, very relative at the things we experience. So she was sleeping one day and she felt like— you only see sleep paralysis— so she was a young little girl and she was sleeping and she felt like someone was holding her down. When she opened her eyes, she saw this figure, like a little whatever you want to call them, an alien thing, a person, I don't know. And it was hovering at the bed, and she seen it, and then she screamed, and she was like awake, but she wasn't. And then she said that she opened her eyes and it was gone, but it was definitely a figure that it looked like, and it didn't look human. Yeah, and it looked like alien-like, you know, different. What alien meaning doesn't have to be like it's a freaking creature. Aliens like different, so it could be— it definitely wasn't normal, right? Um, so that was that experience, and I remember that, and I still think, who knows, but that's one of my big conspiracies I believe in. And then everything that's happening with the world is one, and the music industry, everything, there's something going on.

Yeah, you know what I mean?

I think sleep paralysis is serious. Like, I've had sleep paralysis.

Yeah, I've had it too. I had it recently too, was weird. I'm like, who's in my house? I'm like, yo, spirits, get out! You know what I mean? So I'm like, I don't know, but I've had it.

I don't know, what's that stuff that you burn and you like sage. Yeah, sage.

Yeah, yeah, I tried a sage and then I had— it was weird. I shouldn't say this for my sagers, but I was saging and the next day I had a really bad day. I said, okay, you know what, I'm putting the sage away because it didn't do me no good unless I unraveled. Yeah, I brought them out. I'm like, great, y'all need to go back.

Smelled it.

They were like, yeah, I don't know, it was crazy. But I've had a lot of crazy experiences, so, you know, and I think that everything happens for a reason. For me, I'm very intuitive and like I believe a lot in spirit stuff, so meaning like, you know, like Not more signs, but things happening for a reason. For a reason, like, you know, like being outside and grounding yourself. And there is something bigger happening in our universe. I definitely a big believer on that because I'm very— I've been very intuitive and I've been very premonistic my whole life. So I can feel things and I can feel— and I think that also has to do why I coach people and help them, because I can feel their energy. Like, I can literally— and I'm becoming more in tune that I become more aware of it, which is crazy. So I thought at one point, um, like they call me like an empath apparently. So I can feel things and understand people and I can feel their energy. Sometimes I have to shut it out because then I'll be around friends, I'll be in a good mood, and I can take everyone's energy out at once, and I'll just feel crazy, like insane crazy. And I'll be like, oh my God, I gotta go like isolate. And so I'm noticing— I started noticing myself, I didn't like being around a group of people, so I started to self-isolate. And that's why I think maybe my depression kind of can kick in, or the anxiety, or stuff like that. It's all kind of, kind of tied into one. So I became really premonistic and just intuitive, and like things would happen, the signs. And I'm just very observant too, so I could be a all plays together. But I could be in a room and just feel people's energy. I could feel behind me, like, just crazy stuff, right? Um, and I love that aspect of me because then I'm able to— that's how I'm able to help people. I can feel them even through the phone. It's crazy. Yeah. Yeah. And then it's like I become a chameleon when I talk to these girls. I do coaching calls, obviously, right? So I do, um, when I'm on the phone with them, I can feel their energy and I become a chameleon to what they are, and that's how I can relate to them. It's crazy.

Yeah.

And that's actually— and that's actually a sales thing. So if you become a chameleon, they say when you're in sales, right, you got to kind of be your—

it's like mirroring, right?

Mirroring. It's mirroring, right? Yeah. So yeah, and you naturally—

yeah, I can totally relate to that. So how, like, concerts not your thing maybe then? No, I love concerts, I love music, but even with all the people and everything?

Well, at first when I was younger, I didn't have that problem, but if I were to do it now and I was in a weird state of mind, like with my— if I feel off that day, I wouldn't be able to go. I'd be like, I can't, I can't be in that big group right now. I'll watch it like online and yeah, you know, it just depends, you know what I mean? So, and that's why I've noticed too, like, I stopped really going out a lot and all these things were happening because I just felt like I get weirded out if I was in a bad place and I could just be like, I gotta go, the energy.

Yeah, you can just feel—

I just gotta go. And things have happened like that, right? Yeah. I've even had energy before like where I'll be like getting into a car, um, and I just won't get in the car. I won't get in a car now to this day with someone that's drinking and driving, not if they had one drink. I won't do it. I get this crazy feeling, so I'm like, nope, not me.

Has there ever been a time— I'm sure there has— like where that intuition kicked in and then you found out later that like something, something happened, whether it wasn't extreme as it was?

So like I feel like I'm starting to learn how to kind of channel it in a sense. It's weird because if I feel something, it's either a very extreme feeling or it's like a little off. So I have to be— some— since I'm like an extremist, I have to be careful because I'll be like, okay, maybe I'm overthinking it. And everybody like, Mel, you're overthinking it, stop tripping, and then something happens and I'm like, okay. And then something doesn't happen. So it's either I'm all the way on or all the way off. If I feel something, it's like, okay, I don't know, you know.

So, so the— so I agree with you on the aliens for sure. I think there are. Oh, I think it would be more weird if there wasn't. Like how big the universe is.

Like, I just feel like maybe we are an alien. We don't know. Yeah, maybe we're all like a different form of something, you know what I mean?

We are. So, and don't— isn't that the term they even use too when it, uh, yeah, like a legal alien? Like when somebody— so the word alien is very like, very, very diverse. Um, so, um, uh, what was I going to ask you next? It was about the, um, so it was the aliens and then Oh yeah. So, and I know we won't go too deep into it, but like when you say the mind control of what's happening, like what exactly do you mean there without going to like into the—

well, I believe like everything— media for sure.

Okay.

I do believe there's a lot of control going on, right? With everything. I think that it's me, right? I feel like everything that's working for us right now is also working against us. So I feel like our technology, as much as it's changed my life. I think it's going to destroy us eventually. I think that everything with everything that we're doing, from politics to this to that, to control— it's crazy that the one thing that they know that's working for us is going to be one day used against us, right? It's like, it's a very social media— social media, I know a lot of it's controlled because think about it, if you— and it's true how we have to also monitor things for safety of our, our world, right? But a lot of monitoring is becoming a way of control. So you can put a like for me, my business, I'll be always controlled by social media. Now I'm trying to get away from a little bit, have a team do it for me. But at the same time, it's always going to consume. It's part of our data. It's who we are. Like now you think about when you talk to someone, it's so weird. They'll be like, oh, so what's your IG? Like instead of saying what's your contact number, they'll be like, what's your social media?

Yeah, yeah, weird.

So it's like our identity, right? And it's become this thing where I think that they can manipulate through anything, what we watch, what we—

yeah, because now that we're so accustomed to, right?

And I think also too, like You know, making everything accessible through apps and all that. Yes, again, another example.

Dependent upon it.

Yeah, and now we're dependent, right? But before, right? So how it's so crazy, it's giving us convenience but it's crutching us. So think about the alcohol I can get on Postmates. Wow, this is so cool, I can get it, get a bottle for a party. But guess what? It's slowly killing me. Yeah, see how it's working for me but still against me? So I really big on paradox. Oh no, come on now, I got it, I got it, you know? And I'm giving these vintage crazy. Like, I've just always felt things, so I just know that there's something happening. And I'll get like this inside, this feeling, like I'll just know. Like, for me, like, I can feel like the energy outside. I just— I don't know. And I'm tapping more into as I'm getting older. But yeah, I'm really big on that. And if the thing is, if there could be like— I'm a big Elon Musk fan, so— oh yeah, I'm really big on how he perceives things. And he's amazing, right? And I think he doesn't get as much credit as he deserves, but I think he's smart. He's low-key, as much as he can be, um, genius. He's genius. And I think that— and I also am a very— I— this is kind of weird, but I do believe like people have been here before. And I think they're reclaimed for reincarnation, but also reclothed for a reason. So if you go back in time, they talk about like the Trump stuff, or they talk about this person— I'm not getting into politics, you know, um, but different things, how people have come back and they're used for some type of reason. So I believe some of that, like a conspiracy. Because if you look back in time, like how, you know, if you look at someone, they can look— they were replicated. It's weird.

I think that, but I also think like, I, I used to live in San Diego, and this— it's called Encinitas, very like spiritual community for 5 years.

I need to go over there. Sure, I need to get cleansed.

Yeah, for real, that's what it's really— and like, um, they have a lot of like, uh, spiritual coaches and stuff over there. And I went to one once and she basically, she told me that like I'm a very old soul. So I, I've seen— I got many, many, many, many—

someone told me that too.

One of the— and some people this is like their first time ever, right? Right.

Learning experience.

Yeah, exactly. So I think, you know, the same exact person, I think it could be, but I do think definitely as a— or pieces of a soul, or a soul, like, because you can just tell, like, I think— and that's— I want to ask you about intuition too.

Oh yeah, like, it's big for me, things.

And I don't mean to say like everything's easy for me, that's not what I mean. But what I mean is like, I do— from growing up, I've seen things come naturally to me a little bit more than most, right? And I think that's because it's like this—

there's something—

I feel like I've done it already, right?

So, and I gotta add to that before I forget, because my ADD is a little crazy sometimes. So, um, it's interesting that you say that because I have had— and lately I've been doing this too— I've been having like, I have a lot of déjà vu. I have a lot of dreams. I have vivid dreams. And I'm like, why have I been here before? And I'm like, wow, this just happened to me. Like, and the thing is, you wonder why you're good at certain things. Maybe you've already tackled those tasks in different time, right? Spiritually, you don't know. Like, you've already kind of gone that path. But I have a lot of recurring visions and stuff in my head. And we can get real deep about this stuff, but I'm like, I literally will be like, I've been here before. And I'll be with my friends, they'll be like, Mel, what are you talking about? I'm like, I've been here before. He's gonna flip that card, the card, or like I had this one time with cards and I saw like an ace and I remember like, it's gonna be an ace. It was an ace. It was like weird things. And I'm like, yeah, I've been here before. And then I believe in like the whole stuff too, like the ayahuasca. Have you heard of this stuff?

Yes.

I'm really like, I was thinking one time I'm tempted. So I was, so I saw this documentary, like one of my friends is, I don't want to talk about it too much, but one of my friends, her brother is really suffering from chronic addiction to like heroin, right? So they were like a lot of these addicts or recurring addicts that have these problems were doing this ayahuasca to kind of cleanse them and get this bad spirit out. Well, I was a little virgin. I was drinking. Once I saw this documentary, I was drinking wine, I was lit, and I'm at home like, you know what, I think I had to go to like Peru. I think I gotta go find this shit. And I'm like, I started crying. I called my mom. My mom was like, okay, put the wine down and call me in the morning. And I'm like, okay, Mom. Yeah, and that was fine. But you— but the thing is, I had a calling to it, so I didn't know about it. But like, I feel like when you're searching, you know, universe starts to work in your favor. But Certain things have been like shown up to me and I'm like, whoa, like that was shown to me, like it's crazy. Then I'm able to, you know, implement that and help other people. But the old soul thing, I've definitely been called before. Um, I've had like, I'll be around like a medium or a spiritual person, they'll be like, whoa. And something even crazier, you know, I believe in God and stuff like that, so I don't mind talking about it. But when I was younger, my grandmother even tells a story all the time when I go back to Tampa. Uh, some priest was like on this mission, right? And he came and stopped my grandmother's house, and he told her that your granddaughter— if there's a granddaughter— lives here, like a spiritual guide. Some— and she said she don't know who the guy still to this day was. This was like obviously 30-something years ago. I'm gonna say my age, but 30-something years ago. And, um, she said that she was there, and she was like— he was like a priest. He was going on a mission to go to Dominican Republic to go preach to kids and help them. Well, he stops at my grandmother's house, and he tells my grandmother there's a little girl here with black hair, and that she was going to go through a lot of stuff, a lot of suffering, a lot of pain, but she was going to work for God. That was freaky. He knew exactly there was a little girl in the house. That was me. And I was in my— and she's like, yeah. And this was the time my grandma was completely atheist at the time, like she didn't believe in nothing. But she said that moment is what changed her life and she became like this, you know, spiritual from that point on, 30 years ago. Stopped drinking alcohol. My grandma had like an alcohol problem too, imagine that. Yeah, so, and then she stopped drinking, got really spiritual, got into God and started being like, you know, a missionary too for like helping kids. And now every year she goes to Dominican public because that guy— but he told her like that I was gonna do something special for like helping people, something crazy. So I'm like, well, I'm ready because I suffered a lot. Like, I'm ready for my time to shine, you know? No, but now everything is going better. But it's crazy about stuff like that. I'm really big on that. Like, I think that's huge, you know?

From a religious standpoint, is that— do you feel like natural, or did— was it something that came a little later on?

Well, I don't believe in religion. I don't believe in religion, so we'll talk about spirituality more. So I believe—

oh God.

God, right? Right. So religion is more of kind of like a creation of like kind of a control thing is how I look at religion. I don't really believe in it, but I do like Christianity and I do like Baptist, like the Baptist kind of how they do it because it's more of a relaxed scenario. I don't want to offend anybody because a lot of people are baptized up like that, but I believe you choose your own way. But there is definitely God, there is definitely some type of energy, there's a universe, there is something there, however you want to perceive it, but it is something that is definitely present. And, um, for me, it felt— I felt like it found me. But I've always— well, but when I was younger, I just had it in me. It was like I never really chose to look for it. My mom was always spiritual, my grandmother became more spiritual, my dad, my family, I was around it, but it was never as infused as it is in me. Was— no one taught me, I just felt it. I always felt connected and pulled to it, and that's something real deep like that. It's just— and that's why I feel like what I've done, I've always had this type of influence to help people. There's something there, you know, and I'm still figuring it out. But yeah, we can get real deep.

So, um, and then I want to talk about how people can find you and stuff, but intuition, I'm curious, like, oh yeah, so I feel, you know, for people like me and you, like, naturally. But like, is it something that can be like learned, do you think? Or is it either you have it or you don't?

Well, I think you can practice it like anything, right? So I think that intuition is kind of in you, but being intuitive is also being observant, and you can work on that by being present. I think present in a moment is so big, and it's one of the biggest things. And I talked on other podcasts about this, but being present— and that's what's wrong with society, is no one is present anymore. They're just there. They're not present. They're not in the moment. They don't understand. So they're not really picking up or attracting what they need to do or how to feel or even perceive a situation. So I think intuition can be practiced, but I think if something is in you, as you work on it more, you can be more receptive. I think all of us have it in us, we just choose not to see it. Some of us need like cleansing, some of us need something, some, some of us need to be more in tuned, some of us need to accept reality. I think there's so many aspects to like intuition of learning how to kind of like, you know, hold on to it in a sense. Yeah, but like being intuitive is being— one of the main things is being observant. Like I'm super observant. I noticed I was really observant before I became intuitive. Observant meaning you could pick up on things, like, you know, if something's off, like if I feel like something, you know, just different little things.

Awareness.

Awareness. And being awareness is also being present. And I think that's what's happening. Another conspiracy is they're taking a lot of— a lot of stuff is happening is they're taking our awareness away. They're taking our, um, our observe— being able to observe stuff because we're being distracted. So that causes just not to be present.

Yes.

So it's crazy if you think about it, because all these things, these gadgets, this business life, now we have this going on, and you're at home, you have alcohol. Everything is being a distraction for us, and that's where it goes back— working for us or working against us. Oh, don't get me started, boy, I'm on fire today. Caffeine. No, but, um, no, but yeah, I'm real big on that. So I think it's practice, you know. A lot of people just have that gift though, like empaths or people that can feel things. Yeah, but practicing it more is being more in tune. Like ground yourself. I think being outside, be more closer to nature, believe it or not, that's helped me a lot.

Have we talked about Alan Watts? Like when we talked on the phone? Do you know Alan Watts? No, but okay, you need to check him out.

Oh man, am I gonna freak out?

Yeah, yeah, I'll text you a couple links. Okay, cool. But so last question here, for— because I'm curious— for presence, like when I was in that San Diego space, that's where I really, I feel like, learned how to be present, right? So like the funny thing, it's another paradox about presence is like to be present, you don't really try to be, because trying to be present would actually be out of the presence.

Oh, it makes sense. Right, because you're just there and then you're overthinking it. You're like, okay, well, I'm not really present because I'm not letting it just happen.

Exactly. So it's like this, like, so my question to you is like, how have you learned? Because when people ask me, it's not really like, I don't really know a formula. I just say like, I've just allowed everything to like fall into the place it's meant. And then like right now we're doing an interview, so my mind's not anywhere else.

We're just focused here.

But like, that's actually difficult to do for a lot of people because they'd be thinking about their next thing or bills, problems, everything, you know, this COVID, everything. So do you have— I think like working out definitely helps. Like for me, like if I don't work out in the morning, my presence for the day is screwed, right?

Because you're not really into— so what happens, I maybe has something to do with like the serotonin that's released in your brain.

Yeah.

Because, you know, we need serotonin to sleep and think about it. Serotonin keeps us up and happy, but serotonin is also needed It's high at your sleep time. So imagine when you're sleeping, you can't actually relax and fall asleep because your serotonin might be off too. That's another thing I learned. But it makes sense because, you know, you have so many, again, distractions. But what was caused by the distractions? We have life, we have this, we have problems, we have things that are happening. And I think that causes us to overthink and not be present. I'm actually really present today too, which I love because I love doing this. I think it has a lot to do also with liking and loving what you're doing. So that keeps your attention. Right? It's like— and think about it, when someone's watching football or someone's watching a sport, if they're— are they are glued. Most people are glued in that because they love to watch it. And that's also that they're not— they're present in that moment, but they're not present if they're in a restaurant next to somebody and they're watching a game. So that's where it makes it like a paradox. So yeah, so you're not— you're present, you're here, but you're not really present. You're watching a game, you're present with what you're watching, but you're not present in what you're doing. Yes, it's crazy actually. Yeah, think about it. I just kind of got excited thinking about that, like, whoa, yeah, I gotta, I gotta board myself here. Thank God we got Willie.

No, and everything, everything kind of is a paradox, right?

Really boil it down. Yeah, wild, wild, wild. There's a bunch of different ones, I think, you know. So just live in one big one.

So let's, let's do this. I'm gonna leave it to you. Just tell everybody like where they can find you, like socials, website, books, and anything you have, just so they know where to stay Cool.

So you— everyone can kind of reach me on Instagram. It's Mel G Fit. All my social media handles are the same. Facebook, M-E-L-G-F-I-T. Um, my website is melgofficial.com. Um, I am writing a book. I'm in the process of that, so that'll be out hopefully, you know, when we get to it. But I am working on that, kind of telling my life story and how to pull yourself, um, you know, turning your pain into power.

Wow. So I had that on silent.

It's all right, it's all right. Who does a booty call? No, I was kidding.

2 PM.

You never know. Listen, times are rough. You got to be present. Okay.

That's cool. I like that. Yeah.

Look, you got it. You got it. Now you're like blushing. You're happy over here, Tyler.

I don't recognize this one, but if it is, it might not be.

It might not be present. I don't know. Um, so yeah.

Oh yeah.

Back to that book, Turning That Pain into Power. So yeah, I am working on a book. I'm calling it Turning Your Pain Into Power, kind of like how telling my story of how I'm able to kind of tell my story and get through and all my kind of scenarios, kind of be talking third person because I can't put no names in there, but I might. But anyway, uh, you know, turning your pain into power, that's one of my biggest things. That's what I kind of go by, so that's going to be the name of it, I believe. You know, coming from one point, how to just build a massive, you know, business for yourself, or even just turning it and being a value to society, I think. Right. That, and then that's kind of it. So all my handles are Mel G Fit, and then I have Fit Esteem. You can, I think, I don't even know my own handle for Instagram for it. It's fit.esteam. So it's fit.esteam, S-O-E-S-T-E-A-M. Lord, I better learn how to spell. You're going to call me out. Yeah, so I have that, which I'm really excited about 2021 for Fit Esteem, because that's really, I think, where my calling is really built into, of really mentoring and helping, and then and just kind of speaking and putting it out there, right? And just kind of giving people this hope. And I think as I'm tapping in more into it, I think it's going to be really big. And fitness opened the door, so I'm grateful.

Perfect. Well, thanks for coming on the show.

Yes, I loved it. I had a good time. I'm coming back.

Yeah.

Round 2. Yeah, definitely, definitely. Got to be present. Yeah. Yeah.