Mel Homer is quite the reinvention queen. The former Today FM host, TV morning show The Café presenter and Celebrity Treasure Island contestant, writer, Married at First Sight NZ voiceover artist, sailor and emcee has learned to embrace change.
It’s a skill that’s come in handy again as she becomes the face of three new radio shows, six days a week, across two different stations.
“Every time something happens, like when Today FM closed, you think you’ll never get an opportunity you’ll love like that again,” she explains. “But I’ve learned that while I’m not a big fan of change, I am good at learning to pivot if something isn’t working out. Someone recently called me a hustler and I think that’s fair!”
So when Mel was asked last year to return to the airwaves, on Magic Radio and The Breeze, she didn’t think twice.
“It’s so exciting,” she enthuses. “I’m incredibly grateful to be getting really good radio roles at a time when so many people are struggling in our industry. In media these days, you never quite know what’s going to happen next, so for me, this is the best of all worlds.”
Mel co-hosts the Magic Radio Breakfast show with Marc McCarron from six until 10am on weekdays. Then, she presents Magic Days from 10 until 3pm. She’s also hosting a new Sunday morning show called The House of Wellness on the Breeze from eight until 10am.
“We’ve pretty much got Mel Radio going on at the moment. Life’s become a bit of a rollercoaster!” laughs Mel, 54. She’s tucking into a banana during a quick schedule break when the Weekly catches up with her. It’s the first chance she’s had to eat all day.
While she’s no stranger to the airwaves, taking on the three new shows is a big shift from Mel’s previous role as MediaWorks’ chief reporter and afternoon sub-editor.
“That was a full-time desk role, but now I get to interview all kinds of people and do some super-cool things,” she tells. “The other day, I went belly dancing. I had no idea it was such hard cardio. I felt exhausted!”
Mel’s The House of Wellness show sees her chat to experts about all kinds of health and wellbeing topics. Listeners also call in to share their experiences and ask for advice.
“The show helps you find tools you can use to live well, without being preachy,” explains Mel. The star is mum to three boys, Jesse, 24, Finn, 21, and Tom, 18. “We’ve had guests like Olympian Dame Lisa Carrington, sexologist Morgan Penn and Monica Barnes from menopause.org.nz. Listeners inundated us with calls when she came on! There’s lots of practical advice and plenty of good music, so it’s very relaxed.”
What’s more hectic, however, is Mel’s diary.
“It’s early days. The shows only started in February and there are a few moving parts, so I’m still trying to work out how it all fits together,” she shares. “I’m currently a woman of many lists!
“I’m learning a lot as I go. I listened to a podcast recently with Kate Hudson, who talked about the importance of ‘being where your feet are’. It’s about being present in the situation you are in and not allowing your brain to get too far ahead.”
And it’s not just Mel embracing reinvention. Her husband of 25 years, sailing expert Andy Pilcher, 52, started his own business last year after becoming part of the SailGP team.
“These are big changes for us, but it’s so invigorating,” enthuses Mel. “Andy’s a completely new man – he loved being a sailmaker for 20 years, but he’d been thinking about branching out. Watching him do his own thing, he’s so much happier.”
Big changes, especially in your fifties, can be daunting and Mel acknowledges that with change comes anxiety.
“I do worry I might not be any good. A lot of people are relying on me to do well and what happens if I fail? But it’s important to be brave and try something different. What’s the worst that can happen?”
To keep her anxiety in check, Mel does reformer Pilates and has a personal trainer.
“I’m finding ways of keeping my Zen. I have the Calm app on my phone for meditation, although I haven’t had time to use it yet!” she laughs.
It’s possible she’ll have a bit more time this month as she recovers from ankle surgery to repair the ligaments she tore while on a work trip to Queenstown last year.
“I’m looking forward to that being fixed,” she winces. “But I’m very grateful that right now, my life is pretty cool.”
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