170. What if moving forward means not going back? With Melissa Gough

<p>In this episode, I talk to Melissa Gough, a storyteller, educator, and stroke survivor whose life changed unexpectedly at 48 when she suffered a brain haemorrhage.</p><p>Melissa takes us inside what happens when you believe you may be taking your last breath and find yourself reflecting on the life you&#39;ve already lived.</p><p>We explore what happens when the crisis is over, but life doesn&#39;t simply return to the way it was before. How do you move forward when everything—even your sense of identity—has shifted?</p><p>And do you really need to become the person you were before... or can you learn to value who you are now?</p><p>Melissa shares what it has taken to live with cognitive challenges others can&#39;t see, advocate for herself when she feels misunderstood, and stop allowing other people&#39;s opinions to overshadow her own. </p><p>We also talk about her powerful shift from focusing on her limitations to recognising her strengths and learning to work with her brain, rather than against it.</p><p>And we uncover how curiosity and small acts of courage can take your life somewhere completely unexpected.</p><p>It&#39;s a beautiful conversation about accepting what has changed without letting it define you, owning your value even when life looks different from what you imagined, and recognising that your next chapter doesn&#39;t have to look anything like your last one.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Key takeaways:</strong></p><p>o   What goes through your mind when you think you may be taking your last breath.</p><p>o   What it means to own your strengths without being defined by your limitations.</p><p>o   What happens when surviving the crisis is only the beginning.</p><p>o   How one email can lead you in a whole new direction.</p><p>o   Why moving forward isn&#39;t always about becoming who you were before.</p><p>o   What it means to work with your brain, not against it.</p><p>o   How you can shine in life while living with hidden challenges.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Find out more about Melissa:</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.thebraingamechanger.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">The Brain Game Changer</a>   </p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebraingamechanger/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@thebraingamechanger</a>   </p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gough-68a33869/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Melissa Gough</a>    </p><p>Substack: <a href="https://thebraingamechanger.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">The Brain Game Changer</a>  </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>SOMEDAY to TODAY – </strong><a href="https://kimpayne.com.au/events" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>event</strong></a><strong> </strong></p><p>A one-day transformational experience for women who are done waiting for &#39;someday&#39;.</p><p>Friday 9 October 2026</p><p><a href="https://kimpayne.com.au/events" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Find out more and grab your spot here.  </a>     </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>COURAGEOUS ME – THE BOOK </strong></p><p>Grab your copy of <a href="https://kimpayne.com.au/book/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Courageous Me</a> – The courage to turn someday into today. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Where to find me: </strong></p><p>Website: <a href="www.kimpayne.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Kim Payne </a>  </p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="www.linkedin.com/in/kimpayne9rok/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Kim Payne </a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="www.instagram.com/iamkimpayne/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@iamkimpayne</a>  </p><p>Facebook: <a href="www.facebook.com/KimPayne9Rok/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">KimPayneBiz</a>  </p><p> </p>