We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Mayo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I am all about taking risks and following my passion. Ten years ago, everyone laughed at me when I told them that I wanted to retire to Italy. They mocked me telling me it was a crazy impossible dream. But I stayed laser focused and sent daily energy to my manifestation. Three years ago, I opened a gorgeous cooking school, Susina Cucina, in Lucca Italy. During the summers I teach food lovers how to create mouthwatering dishes under the Tuscan sun. I never quit on my dreams and neither should you. The biggest secret to succeeding is to keep showing up. Taking risks, falling, and failing is part of life. The important thing is to make sure you get back up again and keep your eye on the prize. Never doubt yourself. You can bring all your dreams to life. I am living proof of that. In my 6th book and audio book “Miracles Manifested” available on Amazon, I share all the steps and tools I used to create my ideal reality. Miracles are not only possible but guaranteed when you follow my blue print. It will allow you to bring forth your own BIG magic!!!!

Your readers can also win a free trip valued at over $7000. Just click this link and follow the steps to enter the giveaway for a free trip to Italy next summer www.melissamayo.com/book

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After completing my MBA I moved to California. I spent several years cooking for the biggest Hollywood studios, A list celebrities and Oscar winner Hans Zimmer. I also appeared on two seasons of “Private Chefs of Beverly Hills” on Food Network. I believe in savoring every moment and making life delicious. During the summers I host luxury culinary experiences for fodies and travellers in Italy. My goal is to turn my students into Master Chefs in the kitchen, so they never need a recipe again. I teach them how to master kitchen basics so they can create healthy and delicious food for life. Each retreat is a VIP backstage pass to taste and experience the real “Bella Italia”. The one you won’t find in a guidebook. The one made up of under the radar spots instead of overpriced tourist traps. Enjoy hands-on intimate cooking classes, luxurious accommodation, 5-star service, private yachts and tours with top local experts, chefs and sommeliers and the best food and wine of your life. I show guests how to embrace the magic of La Dolce Vita. They can then take this secret recipe home as a souvenir to raise their vibration for the rest of their lives. Italians understand true happiness is found around the table. It’s a place you don’t age. The sweet life is made up of long lazy meals, delicious food, great conversation and exciting adventures. Finding joy, slowing down and savoring every mouthful and moment. The kitchen is the heart of the home. I’m my happiest when I am chopping, sautéing, grilling, roasting and prepping. Building out this brand took a decade of hard work. My advice to anyone wanting to persue their dreams is to do the work and never quit. No matter how long it takes, stay the course. I am also the authour of five cookbooks and my 6th book “Miracles Manifested” shares all the secret tools and steps I have used to bring my dreams to life. I am so excited to see all the miracles readers cook up using the BIG magic inside this book.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
No brainer there. I would take them to Bella Italia…. And to my home town of Lucca in the heart of Tuscany. An hour from Florence, 20 minutes from Pisa and 10 minutes from the ocean. I’ve spent a decade crisscrossing this gorgeous country and eating my weight in pizza. During my retreats I share my favorite secret spots so you can see Italy through the eyes of the locals… because summer memories should last a lifetime.

Soak up the sunshine, swim in the gorgeous Med, learn how to cook all the Italian classics, explore the Tuscan hillsides, wander around the cobble stone Renaissance streets, take in the breathtaking architecture and history and enjoy the best food of your life. There will be lots of food, drinking, relaxing, fun and laugther. Cook, eat, live, love and laugh the Italian way.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to thank my Creator for walking with me. And a shout out to my husband and daughter for believing in me. And my amazing community for all their love, support and trust!

Website: https://www.melissamayo.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelissamayo
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-mayo-948796111/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMelissaMayo/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9uO05Z1O27cx7g2qzlQSUA

Image Credits
Melissa Mayo

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