Navigating Grief, Owning Your Story, & Living Full Out with Kathy Mela

Amber Stitt
Sep 30
3 min read

Owning Your Life: Navigating Grief, Community, and Purpose with Kathy Mela

On a recent special edition of Pathways Unleashed, host Amber Stitt welcomed Kathy Mela—a best-selling author, longtime neonatal nurse practitioner, and self-described "Grief Navigator"—to share her remarkable journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Their conversation touched on the depths of human experience, the power of community, and the importance of embracing our authentic selves.

From the NICU to Navigating Grief

Kathy’s career in healthcare spans an astounding 45 years, primarily in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She spent 20 years at the bedside and 25 years as a neonatal nurse practitioner, witnessing both profound loss and inspiring triumph. This intensive experience led her to observe that grief, though often associated only with death, is actually woven into many facets of life—even moments of survival and joy. “Even if their child survives with no problems, there's still that feeling of loss... it’s the loss of that image, that ideal that they had in their mind,” Kathy reflects.

Her perspective expands the definition of grief to include not just literal loss, but also the letting go of expectations, major transitions like retirement, or emotional milestones such as an empty nest. Grief, Kathy emphasizes, is universal and unique to each person.

The Power of Vulnerability and Owning Your Path

Kathy candidly shares her own journey with grief, from childhood tragedies and family silence around pain, to the anger and turmoil of her own divorce. Becoming a grief navigator didn’t happen overnight—it required a willingness to stop suppressing her experiences and begin to own them fully. “I feel like it's always been in my life, but I wasn't speaking it out. ...And now I'm ready to allow it to be in my life because it is who I am.”

This deep ownership is a recurring theme in her writing and coaching. Kathy admits she once “downplayed” her own first book, 7 Breakthrough Biggies, until a mentor helped her recognize the value of her insights—lessons around fear, self-sabotage, and finding new frameworks to move forward.

Tools for Living Full Out

A central element of Kathy’s approach is her “Live Full Out Guide,” which she introduces in the podcast. It includes practical exercises, such as viewing each day both as if it’s your first and if it’s your last—embracing wonder, curiosity, gratitude, and appreciation alongside humility and connection. Kathy urges listeners: “What if today was your last day? Who would you call? What would you do? ...Maybe one thing to do each day is reach out to somebody, or do something that brings you joy.”

These powerful reframes are designed to break through the compartmentalization that so many of us learn—especially those in the medical field, where “you’re not really encouraged to talk much about it.” By practicing presence and emotional honesty, we can gradually unstick ourselves from old patterns and move forward with more intention and compassion.

The Importance of Community

Throughout the episode, Kathy and Amber highlight the vital role of community in their lives. From supportive friendships with fellow authors to mentorships that encourage stepping into visibility, community is the catalyst for growth, resilience, and self-acceptance. “We get to choose these amazing people that we can spend time with... it’s really neat that I get to do round two with you,” Amber notes.

Kathy’s advice is clear: surround yourself with those who uplift, inspire, and call forth your authentic self. Whether it’s through book collaborations, in-person community events, or a simple outreach to a friend, these connections are where transformation truly begins.

Dare to Be Amazing

Kathy’s parting words encapsulate her philosophy: “Go be amazing.” Her story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, vulnerability, and support in claiming the life you truly want. No matter where you are on your journey—whether healing grief or stepping into new possibility—remember, the path is yours to design.

To connect with Kathy and access her free resources, visit her website for links to her books, the “Live Full Out Guide,” and her ongoing blog. And, as always, keep taking action on your unique path.