Have you felt it? That relentless tick-tock to get everything done, achieved, and properly ticked off before some looming birthday makes you officially... what? A failure? Someone who missed the memo about how life is supposed to unfold?

Known to many as the graceful, empathetic MasterChef judge, Melissa Leong's memoir Guts reveals the deeper, complex woman behind the screen.

But in this conversation, she opens up about choosing not to have children, the pressure to marry before 35, and shares her empowering guide to confidently dining alone and ordering whatever you want, no apologies.

You can follow Melissa on Instagram and find her memoir Guts here. 

THE END BITS: 

Mamamia wants to hear about your financial wellbeing and how you're feeling about the future. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw! 

Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 

Follow us on Instagram @MidbyMamamia or sign up to the MID newsletter, dropping weekly here. 

CREDITS:

Guest: Melissa Leong

Host: Holly Wainwright

Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman

Group Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Audio Producer: Tina Matolov

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Have you felt it? That relentless tick-tock to get everything done, achieved, and properly ticked off before some looming birthday makes you officially... what? A failure? Someone who missed the memo about how life is supposed to unfold?
Known to many as the graceful, empathetic MasterChef judge, Melissa Leong's memoir Guts reveals the deeper, complex woman behind the screen.
But in this conversation, she opens up about choosing not to have children, the pressure to marry before 35, and shares her empowering guide to confidently dining alone and ordering whatever you want, no apologies.
You can follow Melissa on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fooderati/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and find her memoir <a href="https://www.murdochbooks.com/browse/book/Melissa-Leong-Guts-9781922616760">Guts here</a>.&nbsp;
THE END BITS:&nbsp;
Mamamia wants to hear about your financial wellbeing and how you're feeling about the future. Complete our <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8396145/NEW-Mamamia-Financial-Wellbeing-Study-2025">short survey here</a> for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw!&nbsp;
Share your feedback!&nbsp;<a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-stringify-link="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Send us a voice message </a>or email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@mamamia.com.au">podcast@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/midbymamamia/?hl=en">@MidbyMamamia</a> or sign up to the MID newsletter, dropping weekly <a href="https://midbymamamia.substack.com/">here</a>.&nbsp;
CREDITS:
Guest: Melissa Leong
Host:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/wainwrightholly/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;amp;ig_mid=74644078-8F28-485C-9065-97B07E9DEE99">Holly Wainwright</a>
Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman
Group Executive Producer: Naima Brown
Audio Producer: Tina Matolov
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Welcome to MID - the grown-up conversations women deserve.

Ever wondered what to do when your ducks don't all fit neatly into the row they're supposed to?

Each episode we bring you handpicked compelling stories discussing relationships and wellness.

Fun, frank wisdom from an impressive line up of well loved names, in the second act of life who share it all.

MID goes deep on self-care with zero shame and rich experiences you can cherry-pick for wisdom to share, changes to make and attitude we can borrow.

In MID... we're anything but.

Welcome to MID - the grown-up conversations women deserve.
Ever wondered what to do when your ducks don't all fit neatly into the row they're supposed to?
Each episode we bring you handpicked compelling stories discussing relationships and wellness.
Fun, frank wisdom from an impressive line up of well loved names, in the second act of life who share it all.
MID goes deep on self-care with zero shame and rich experiences you can cherry-pick for wisdom to share, changes to make and attitude we can borrow.
In MID... we're anything but.

Melissa Leong Knows How To Blow Up Her Life

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/c8dd9839-6172-441f-babd-b37c004f7bec/transcript

Advertisement