19. Finding Life and Joy Again After A Traumatic Experience & Infertility With Melissa Jones

By Chance Avenue - Sacred Conversations Around Being Childless, by Chance

In today's episode, we chat with Melissa Jones who along with her husband Erik, decided to embrace a child-free life after six years of struggling with infertility. Their journey included a traumatic medical experience where Erik faced a life-threatening situation due to an infertility-related surgery. Melissa continues to actively support the child-free community, including hosting a monthly walking club for childless women in Los Angeles. This conversation dives into the emotional phases they went through, including grappling with their identity and societal pressures. Melissa emphasizes the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and finding joy in their new way of life. She shares personal practices such as journaling, recognizing cultural pressures, and enjoying the quiet simplicity of a child-free home.

Melissa and her husband, Erik, pivoted into a childfree life following six years of infertility. A few months into their newly childfree life, they struggled to find resources to help them transition into a life without children. That frustration inspired them to launch a podcast. For four years, they turned on the mics and discussed their thoughts and experiences and in turn, heard from listeners who bravely shared their own stories. Although the podcast is now retired, Melissa remains passionate about giving a voice to the experience of living unexpectantly childfree. She has been featured on IVFML, HuffPost, InfertileAF, The Fertility Warriors, The Intense Mind with Imi Lo, and Fertility Smarts. Melissa was honored to speak at two Childless Collective Summits and hosts a monthly walking club for childless women in Los Angeles, CA.

Connect with Melissa:

Instagram: @livechildfree

Connect with Elizabeth:

IG: @bychanceavenue

Stay connected & up to date with all things By Chance

Want to share your story? Apply to be a guest!