Maria Melo Falcão

Maria Melo Falcão, 32, is the creator of Contigo, an app that helps users adopt a plant-based, mindful, and energised way of living. Portuguese, currently living in Australia, she has spent the last 6 years inspiring a healthier lifestyle through recipes and training routines that support balance and vitality.

How did you find yourself living the dream in Australia?

It started as curiosity. Australia kind of grew on me. The freedom, the nature, the lifestyle… it seemed to match me a lot. And I also love to leave the familiar and comfort behind and explore other possibilities.

Tell us about your life journey.

I was born in Lisbon, but spent 12 years around Porto, and the people there have my heart. I moved there to go to a contemporary dance high school when I was 15. I never pictured myself doing anything but being a dancer. It was something that could allow me to travel a lot. When it started bringing more anxiety than pleasure, I needed a change, but I had no idea what to do next.

I was consuming a lot of YouTube, mainly about a healthy lifestyle for me to be in the best shape to perform better. I felt I also had something to add to the conversation. It was a way to continue to express my creativity and share my knowledge. I always loved to cook as well, it’s been one of my love languages. And, working with social media could be another way to allow me to travel. A lot of YouTubers were Australian, so I started to become curious about their lifestyle, besides the incredible nature I was sure I was going to find. So, here I am, doing jobs I never did before, living full-time in a campervan, and crossing half of Australia, which would be the same in distance as going from Lisbon to Stockholm.

Life lessons learned? Life motto?

Find my freedom in different aspects of life. And contribute to the freedom of others as well. That’s why I position myself as vegan, for the freedom of all living beings.

“Don’t wait. I’m not sure if there’s ever a good moment to do it.”

Best and worst surprise since moving to Australia?

Best: how easy it is to be outdoors here. My mental health has improved because of it. It’s amazing to have some of the most beautiful beaches and landscapes as my garden.

Worst: I feel that all the worst moments are things that could have happened to my life anywhere else. But I would say that as easy as it seems to move to Australia, it is a big adjustment. The Australian lifestyle is different from what I’m used to and there are some cultural differences. I had never lived in my life before.

Favourite spots discovered in the region?

After 3 months of travelling, I’m based in Byron Bay. I still haven’t explored enough, but I feel more tropical compared to the places that I passed by, which I love. That’s why I want to stay for a while and go up North as well. I loved the WA beaches around Margaret River, Albany, Denmark, Esperance. The Great Ocean Road is a completely different landscape and beautiful as well. And Sydney surprised me for how chill it feels for a big city. I spent around 10 days there and I really loved it. I needed to come back to nature asap!

Any culture shocks? Unforeseen challenges?

People are very chill… but it comes to rules. Then suddenly everything is extremely strict. They follow all the rules, which I think is what makes it safe as well. Also the distances. Here, “close” is a 3-hour drive.

How is life as an expat in Australia?

It’s not a constant paradise, and the expectations will always be radically different depending on your expectations, taste, time of the year, and location. Australia is really big and different from place to place. I don’t know if I feel like an expat, as I’m just a traveller passing by. I want the experience. For now, I’m not looking for the feeling of belonging here.

Best piece of advice on travelling to Australia?

Do “van life”. It’s the best place for it.

Three best travel hacks you actually use?

Don’t have a plan. I just knew I wanted to drive across Australia. I never knew where I was going to sleep the next day. Keep your life minimal. Having less stuff makes you realise how easy it is to live with the essentials. Talk to locals. The best spots are not online in blogs, ChatGPT, or Instagram.

Most overrated destination?

Anywhere you go just because Instagram told you to, because it will be full of people who seek the exact thing to show the world who they were, instead of appreciating what they find there.

Best/Worst thing about being away from Portugal?

Best: getting to see and experience different places and ways of living.

Worst: leaving my grandmother more alone.

Any place you’ll be going back to… again and again? Why?

Margaret River, Yallingup, Dunsborough area. I loved the space you have and the beaches there, with the surf vibe. Potentially one of the areas I would like to settle in for my second year here.

In another life I would have been…

I would have loved to be a gymnast or a big-time ballet dancer.

Favourite emoji?

🙌✨

IG: @mariamelofalcao