Pushing Limits: Ate Mel on Resilience, Growth, and the Power of Family

Level Up with Jevi

Summary:

In this inspiring episode of Level Up with Jevi, Jevi is joined by Ate Mel, a former guidance counselor turned freelancer and operations manager. A single mom with an indomitable spirit, Ate Mel shares her incredible journey of resilience, growth, and balancing multiple responsibilities. From her humble beginnings to leading her MLVA team alongside her siblings, she talks about overcoming challenges, managing time, and pursuing personal and professional success. Her story is a testament to perseverance, strong family support, and the value of knowing your priorities. This episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice for anyone striving to level up their life, especially single parents and aspiring freelancers.

Highlights:

🎯 Ate Mel’s Pre-Level Up Life

Discover Ate Mel’s journey from being a guidance counselor and IB associate to becoming a freelancer. She opens up about her upbringing, family dynamics, and the challenges of balancing work and studies during her early years.

💡 Transition to Freelancing

Learn how she shifted from the education sector to freelancing, leveraging her experience while navigating the challenges of inconsistent income and demanding schedules.

👩‍👦 Balancing Parenthood and Professional Growth

Ate Mel shares how she juggled single parenthood, freelancing, and eventually building her own team, all while ensuring her son’s well-being.

🌟 Building the MLVA Team

Get inspired by the story of how she and her siblings formed the MLVA team, with each member taking on specific roles to contribute to the team’s success.

📚 Developing Healthy Habits for Growth

From practicing yoga and eating healthy to setting boundaries and listening to her body, Ate Mel emphasizes the importance of self-care in staying productive and motivated.

🧭 Defining Success and Future Goals

For Ate Mel, success is about achieving freedom—time, financial, and emotional—and being able to provide a better future for her son. She also dreams of helping solo parents through her advocacy.

🔑 Advice for Aspiring Freelancers

Know where your heart is, believe in yourself, and cultivate a strong work ethic. Ate Mel’s approach to overcoming challenges and building a stable freelancing career is both motivational and actionable.

Key Takeaways:

✔️ Know your priorities and align your actions with them.

✔️ Build a strong support system, whether it’s family, friends, or your team.

✔️ Take care of yourself first to better care for others.

✔️ Cultivate habits that help you grow, such as setting boundaries and managing time effectively.

✔️ Success comes from persistence, adaptability, and the willingness to learn and improve.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Introduction: Meet Ate Mel and the MLVA Team
• 2:30 - Ate Mel’s early life and education
• 7:30 - Transition from guidance counselor to freelancer
• 12:10 - Juggling multiple roles as a mom and freelancer
• 18:30 - Forming the MLVA team with her siblings
• 23:50 - Building habits for health and productivity
• 35:50 - Defining success and setting future goals
• 44:20 - Advice for aspiring freelancers
• 51:53 - Closing thoughts and gratitude

Connect with Ate Mel:

Facebook Page: MLVA Team

Connect with Jevi 💪😁:

Follow Jevi on Facebook, YouTube, and Podcast Channels: Level Up with Jevi