I never thought I'd be here.
Well not just here—but where I am today. I quit my TV REPORTER job at 26 years old to travel the world. I’ve visited 12 countries in 1 year. AND NOW I'M DEDICATING MY TIME HELPING YOUNG WOMEN how to have the confidence they need to stand tall and LIVE life on their own terms.
Hey girl. I’m Melina Giubilaro, an Italian-Montrealer, who couldn’t live for a 9-5 job, or wait for my well deserved 2-week vacation. I thought to myself, “why do we keep doing this?” So, I embarked on a year of adventure that would change the course of my life forever.
Like everyone, I was taught to go to school, get a full-time job, get married, buy a house, have kids and live happily ever after. Not once did I ever feel like that so-called “life” suited me.
In 2014, when I got my BA in Journalism at Concordia University, I left my hometown and found my first radio and television gig in the countryside—a region 8 hours North from the big city. You might've heard of it: Abitibi-Témiscamingue. I was committed to sharing the story of the community and getting their voices heard. Hundreds and hundreds of conversations later, I've met the most incredible people. But, back in July 2018, I took the liberty to ask my boss for a promotion. I did not get it because he wanted to keep me right where I was. That's the culture of our newsroom: work your editors, reporters and cameramen to the bone. I saw the industry go through multiple layoffs so I got tired and opted for change.
Over the years, I’ve had thousands of conversations. I’ve met the most incredible people and I’m extremely grateful to share their stories and let their voices be heard. Even though I got my start within the journalism community, it was quickly clear that it would never be enough to be my only “career”. Stepping outside my comfort zone, overcoming job rejections, and turning every opportunity into a lesson are just some of the many things that fueled me to keep going. The hardest part was pursuing the dream rather than giving it up. I try to teach that to every young girl who feels like she can’t do it all. BOOK A CALL WITH ME HERE!
Let’s face it, most of us are getting a bad rep just because we choose not to conform ourselves to society. We break barriers and climb glass ceilings because we know we can, and although we can, we still get judged or criticized, but I want to be remembered as the girl who voices her opinion and who isn’t afraid of being disliked.
When I’m not carrying my camera chasing breaking news stories, I spend it helping millennials manage stresses, sort through life’s complications, and realize their strengths, values, and long-term potential. My podcast is based on confidence and being the best version of yourself called Don’t Forget Your Lipstick.
So what is this blog about, anyway?
Making young millennials feel, own, and celebrate their enough-ness. Making young female leaders trust themselves and feel less alone…‘Cause girlfriend, it’s not your job to know whether your dream is realistic, it's being confident and brave enough to know you can choose to live the life you want! Doing the inner work is so important to really build the life you're dreaming of. Confidence will always be a barrier if you don't do the inside work, so let's get to it! BOOK A CALL WITH ME HERE!
THINGS I LOVE: cooking, dancing, SMILING, photography and video, LAUGHING, lipstick, women who support other women, and STORYTELLING. Not necessarily in that order.
