Introducing ‘Misadventures with Mel’

‘Misadventures With Mel’ is a self-documentary about travelling alone, with Anxiety. 

Hosted by Mel Jacka of AAA Records, also known by her DJ name Melicious, she captures her experiences, activities and feelings, hoping to shed light on anxiety and encourage those who also suffer to get out there too, with the view of “If I can do it, you can too”. 

Mel has suffered anxiety for years but like many, hadn’t been overly vocal about her experiences. Only in the last year or so after opening up on Social Media people began contacting her to talk about their own experiences and how her opening up had helped them in some way. 

“This concept is incredibly scary to me but the more I talk about it the more I know it’s the right thing to do and need to do it to help overcome personal hurdles and try to help others by normalising Anxiety.

I have been a TV show host, MC, DJ and in my younger years did modelling. All of which would indicate to people that I am confident. But I have struggled with every task.

When feeling overwhelmed I can get uncontrollable shakes which can become a massive struggle to get out of my house. Even when I don’t have an event I can become a hermit and not leave. Panic attacks can set in with hyperventilating and uncontrollable crying, although I feel I have got a hold on those now.

I have used lame excuses to not go out as my anxiety has made it too hard. To get through some situations I started to use alcohol to numb it, but became aware that it is not the correct way to handle it as it could very easily become an addiction.”

Having recently travelled to Hawaii (including Maui), Mel documented her feelings while going on adventures and also shared her experience of being on Maui while the horrific fires that devastated Lahaina were happening.

“As uncomfortable as it makes me I feel it needs to be done to be able to see the world, experience some great things and try and help inspire, educate and motivate people to do the same. Why should we miss out on travel, adventures, and life, just because there’s something in our minds that tells us we can’t. Time to work towards taking our lives back I think”.

Mel hasn’t let her lack of professional equipment or experienced editing crew stop her from capturing everything, and learning to edit (very basically) herself, just to be able to get it out there in the hopes of being able to reach people in the same mindset needing help and encouragement.

The web-series will be available on YouTube starting 12th April, with episodes dropping every week.

Mel’s previous works include Push Play Music TV, Ink’d TV and Live at Galatos.