Life in Motion: Our Leap Into the Unknown (And Why You Should Listen to Your Own Calling)

Melissa and Jessy in their happy place!

Lately, life has been a whirlwind—sometimes a tornado, sometimes a soft breeze. If you’re still here reading, thank you for sticking with me. Let me catch you up on what’s been happening, because everything has changed.

It all began, really, in 2020. My entire business model—experiential marketing—was crushed overnight. Imagine: years building experiences for iconic brands like Delta, Coca-Cola, Gold Peak Tea, then suddenly, the world shut down, and so did the events. My income disappeared. I pivoted, fast, diving into digital marketing just to keep things afloat. But as the years ticked on and the rise of AI reshaped the marketing landscape, my heart started whispering that it was time to find a new path.

This year, I finally listened. I officially closed Creative Global Branding, a decision that was both bittersweet and—honestly—a relief. I adored my clients, my work, my whole life in that chapter. But something greater was calling. A greater purpose. A calling that’s bigger than me, one I could no longer ignore.

You see, I had a dream—fifteen years ago!—to start a youth summer camp that changes lives. The universe kept nudging, and after years of holding back, Jesse and I sold our house in February 2025. We set our sights on something wild and beautiful: a homestead, a wellness center, a youth summer camp, and a sanctuary where we could nurture healing, creativity, and real community.

My journey into clean eating and holistic living didn’t just start with this move. When I became a bonus mom in 2021, I promised my family I’d do everything I could to help us all eat better and feel better. It’s been a learning curve—kids can be picky!—but I leaned into homemade everything. Marshmallows made from honey and cane sugar. Bread from scratch. Butter, pasta, sauces, even switching flours and learning what truly nourishes. This grew beyond a family mission: it’s now a dream to nourish a whole community, to make good food accessible, to teach and share.

We wake up to beautiful views!

Since February, we’ve been traveling—tent camping, not RVing!—searching for the right land to call home. (And yes, there’s a whole story there for another blog post.) If you’ve met us along the road, you already know: we’re not traditional. And if you know my past—my time surviving on Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid (Season 7, episode 8)—you know I’m no stranger to roughing it. I find so much freedom in grounding, living outside, working, reading, and just being present. Even on rainy days, when the world seems to pause, I find a little magic.

But make no mistake: this journey is not about just Jesse and me. It’s about something bigger. I’m giving up what most people would call “comfort”—a soft bed, a steady roof, the predictable paycheck—because I believe in something more. I believe in a mission that heals, nurtures, and creates space for others to come alive. This isn’t a sacrifice for me; it’s a gift for my family, for my community, for humanity, for the earth, and for all the animals we hope to care for along the way.

It’s not easy. Sometimes it feels huge, almost impossible. And the thing I want most, truly, is support—any kind, in any form. Because, yes, we’re tackling a massive undertaking. Yes, it’s just Jesse and me (and sometimes a little help from above!). But here’s what I know: if you have a calling, you must listen to it. Miracles don’t happen when you stay stuck in fear. Miracles happen when you leap.

This wasn’t an overnight decision. It was years in the making. I spent a long time resisting, trying to control, worrying about what people would think. But now, standing here—sleeping on an air mattress, living out of a tent, dreaming big—I wish I’d listened sooner.

You will never know it's the right path until you take it!

So, here’s my advice to you: Listen to yourself. If you feel that nudge, that urge for something bigger, don’t ignore it. Take action, even if it’s scary. Don’t wait for life to force your hand. The magic happens when you choose it for yourself. Stay open, keep learning, stay hopeful, and don’t let fear or judgment keep you from your dreams. There is so much freedom and possibility waiting on the other side.

I hope our journey inspires you—not to do exactly what we’re doing, but to follow your own truth, whatever it is. Maybe you’ll join us on the road, maybe you’ll reach out and connect, or maybe you’ll simply carry this story in your heart as a reminder to be brave.

We’re here for the long haul. Building. Creating. Healing. And always, always cheering you on to do the same.

With hope and wild gratitude,

Melissa (and Jesse)

Head to www.creativeglobal.rocks to learn more, get involved, sign up for our newsletter and stay connected.