The Sound of Surrender
Mei-lan Maurits on trusting the call before the path appears
Hosted by Catherine Kontos
What happens when the voice you were meant to share does not arrive through performance, but through surrender?
In this episode of the RetreatBoss Podcast, Catherine Kontos sits down with Mei-lan Maurits, an internationally acclaimed singer, sound healer, meditation creator, and recording artist whose music has touched people around the world.
Mei-lan shares the story behind the voice listeners now recognize as deeply healing. She sang as a child, stepped away from singing as a teenager, and years later felt called back through meditation, stillness, and a deeper spiritual nudge she could not ignore.
This conversation moves through purpose, fear, creativity, nervous system care, live performance, and the courage to say yes before the full path is visible.
For Mei-lan, sound is not simply something she performs.
It is something she prepares for.
Listens to.
Move out of the way for.
And through that surrender, music becomes a bridge to healing, connection, and inner remembering.
Read the Magazine Feature
Mei-lan Maurits is featured in RetreatBoss Magazine.
Go deeper into her story, her music, and the way sound can become a pathway to purpose, healing, and transformation.
https://www.retreatbossmagazine.com
About Our Guest
Mei-lan Maurits is a singer, sound healer, meditation creator, and recording artist whose work blends angelic vocals, spiritual connection, and emotional depth.
Her music spans live concerts, original recordings, guided meditations, and a meditation app with new releases each week. Through her voice, Mei-lan creates spaces for emotional release, stillness, nervous system regulation, and connection to something deeper.
Her work is rooted in preparation, presence, and surrender. Whether she is performing live, creating a meditation, or recording new music, her intention remains the same:
Let what is needed come through.
About RetreatBoss the Podcast
RetreatBoss the Podcast, hosted by Catherine Kontos, explores the people, stories, and strategies shaping the future of retreats, wellness, leadership, healing, and experience-based business.
Each episode brings together visionary leaders, facilitators, artists, entrepreneurs, venue owners, and Experience Architects who are designing work that moves people and builds lasting impact.
This is where personal transformation meets business strategy.
Where purpose becomes structure.
Where experience becomes legacy.
Key Timelines / Chapters
00:48 – Catherine introduces Mei-lan Maurits and the healing power of sound
02:03 – Mei-lan shares how singing began, and why she stepped away from it
03:39 – The season of feeling lost and asking deeper questions about purpose
04:27 – Meeting her husband and slowly opening her voice again
05:29 – Creating meditations and discovering the sound that wanted to come through
06:00 – Moving through fear, blocks, and constriction around the voice
08:15 – Trusting the space when you feel stuck, lost, or in transition
09:02 – Preparing the body, then moving out of the way so sound can pour through
10:14 – The love inside the sound and why listeners often feel emotional release
10:55 – The Facebook Live moment that changed everything
13:36 – Mei-lan’s first major concert in London and the energy of the room
16:00 – Food, rest, hydration, and nervous system care while touring
23:16 – How Mei-lan’s music and meditations support calm and connection
24:57 – Lyrics as a conversation with spirit, the universe, and the divine
29:09 – New music, dance elements, the meditation app, and what is coming next
Mei-lan Maurits Podcast
The Sound of Surrender
[00:00:48] Catherine Kontos: Today I’m delighted to welcome Mei-lan, an internationally acclaimed singer, sound healer, and visionary whose music has touched millions of people around the world. Through [00:01:00] her powerful voice and unique blend of music, meditation, and healing frequencies, Mei-lan creates experiences that inspire deep connection, transformation, and inner peace.
[00:01:11] Join us as we explore her journey, the power of sound, and how music can become a pathway to healing, purpose, and personal growth. Welcome, Mei-lan.
[00:01:24] Mei-lan Maurits: Thank you so much for having
[00:01:26] Catherine Kontos: me. I am excited to talk to you. I heard your music. I’m a fan. You have such an angelic voice. It-
[00:01:38] Mei-lan Maurits: Thank you …
[00:01:39] Catherine Kontos: The first time I heard it, it just…
[00:01:42] I became sentimental. I wanted to cry. It really, really affected me and touched me. Wow. And I see why people are just so in love with your voice and what you do, so I appreciate you for the, uh- Thank you … transformation you’re causing [00:02:00] through, through your voice and your sounds and all that you do.
[00:02:03] Thank you for being here. Thank you so much. Oh, thank you for having me. Excited to be here. So where… You must have started… I feel like you must have started really, really young. Tell me a little bit about w- where your- where you discovered your voice and how you knew that this was your, your reason to, to be.
[00:02:23] Mei-lan Maurits: So I did start singing young, and… but not in the way that I’m singing now. This way that I’m singing came through about a decade ago. But I do have a background in singing, and I sang from a child till about 17, 18, and then I didn’t sing anymore, and it… Like I said, it was nothing like what I was singing now, just regular singing, let’s say.
[00:02:47] and then I didn’t want anything to do with singing anymore, I think because I was performing so much that I- Mm-hmm … it wasn’t, I didn’t feel passionate about it. And so I, I s- I left [00:03:00] that, and it was about a decade ago when it called me back. And I really… I honestly, I did not think that sing- I was gonna be singing, you know, as a career or what I’m doing right now.
[00:03:14] And so I think it was really that personal journey of I went through a lot of different things in my life, took many twists and turns, and it wasn’t till about, I think it was around in 2011 where I started to feel this pull to purpose- But I had no idea about direction or anything. I was actually quite lost in my life.
[00:03:39] What, those questions of what is the meaning of life? Is this it? So th- that was really where I was sitting at the time. And then, yeah, the journey just took me. I, I left, um, I grew up in Europe, and I came to Mexico first. I had f- some of my family were living there, and then came to the US, and yeah, it was [00:04:00] about a decade ago where it started to call me back.
[00:04:03] And I think I- at then I was really… I was, I would meditate. I would listen to just instrumental calming music, and that really put me always in a calm state, where I could really tune in and connect. And then during this time, well, 10 years ago, I met my husband, and he’s a sound engineer and a producer.
[00:04:27] And so he was actually quite pivotal; he heard that I could sing, you know, just generally singing. But I didn’t wanna sing. I would wait till he and my daughter were out of the house, and then I would try a little bit because, you know, I haven’t sung for so many years. But I could feel this, this pull.
[00:04:45] And then, and at, at that time, I was doing a lot of meditation. And it just, it, I … It’s so funny ’cause so many people ask me this, “How did you start?” Or, “Where did it start?” And it’s hard for me to even place that because I feel that the spiritual [00:05:00] journey, the call of my soul, was really the beginning before the voi- before the sound really came out.
[00:05:06] And I think that’s something, ’cause I get that question a lot, you know, what is my purpose? Why am I here? And I always say, “Well, tune into the soul because that’s where you’re gonna find it.” And I did a lot of that first, and then, and then it just started coming through. I just started to, I would make meditations, and then, my husband and I would say, “Well, we need music for the meditation.”
[00:05:29] Then we’d make a soundtrack. And I said, “Well, let, what if I just sang over it?” And then it just sort of came through me, and it took a while for me to even, acclimate to the sound because it was such a different way of singing.
[00:05:42] Catherine Kontos: Mm-hmm.
[00:05:42] Mei-lan Maurits: But it felt so natural at the same time. And that in itself was a whole journey of becoming open again to share it because I had to move through a lot of blocks and constriction that I had around myself and my voice.[00:06:00]
[00:06:00] So maybe that’s helpful for the listener if they’re- Mm-hmm … feeling any kind of fear of, you know, your soul is calling you to do something, but then you feel this fear. You know, just, just, uh, lean into that fear because you don’t know what’s on the other side of that. And that was really relevant for me, what was on the other side of that, you know?
[00:06:19] And now it’s- Mm … what, 10 years, and I think I really started to go online about eight years ago, and it just took off from there. And it’s been unfolding for me. Like, I’m just rolling with it, you know, because new things always come up. And, it’s just about saying yes, yes to that soul calling. Yeah.
[00:06:39] Catherine Kontos: One of the things I say is live in, in, live in pur- live on purpose with your purpose, right?
[00:06:45] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:06:46] Catherine Kontos: And a lot of people are searching for their purpose.
[00:06:49] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:06:50] Catherine Kontos: From young to old. Some people actually never find it. They just go along living instead of feeling alive. So- Mm … I’m so happy that you were able to [00:07:00] do that because I don’t think you’d be able to sing. So, how can I say it?
[00:07:06] So deeply that it resonates through you to the other person if you hadn’t done that work- Yeah … that you speak
[00:07:16] Mei-lan Maurits: Of. Yeah, and
[00:07:17] Catherine Kontos: It’s
[00:07:17] Mei-lan Maurits: continuous.
[00:07:18] Catherine Kontos: I don’t think you would’ve… Yeah, I don’t think you would’ve found that voice. You would’ve- Yeah … you always have your voice- Right … but I don’t think you would’ve found that voice.
[00:07:25] Mei-lan Maurits: No, I wouldn’t have. Yeah. Yeah. And I think that’s why it was so scary also in the beginning, and I had to do a lot of work just even opening up my voice again, because it was so many years that I didn’t sing, and just completely put it aside. I was always connected with music. Music is something that I felt, no matter what I was going through, or if I was going through something really challenging in my life, I would almost put it inside of the music.
[00:07:51] I w- you know, where a song speaks to you, and I would put my emotions into that song. And so I always had a connection with music, but singing, I, I really didn’t think [00:08:00] that this is what I would be doing. And I’m so grateful because it feels so in alignment with what I’m here to do.
[00:08:06] And that, I guess, I really wanna say this for anyone that’s listening that feels stuck or feels lost.
[00:08:15] There’s a… I think we all go through that at certain times in our lives, or maybe we feel that there’s a new evolution of what we are already doing, but it’s, it’s really trusting that space, trusting the space where you do feel lost. Because when we give it that space, and we just allow it, I feel that that’s when it can speak, the soul can speak through that,
[00:08:40] and that’s been a lot of my journey is just trusting the process. Trusting the process to open my voice again, you know, at that time. and yeah, it’s… The more that I can lean into that, even if I’m afraid or I feel, “Oh, it’s not, this is not good, or it’s not sounding good.” If I just lean in and lean in, I felt that it [00:09:00] just flows through, and that’s what it’s really about.
[00:09:02] And I think with the singing, it’s the same. It’s when I move out of the way mentally and I just, you know, I know that, okay, my voice is prepared, my body is prepared, and that’s my job. And then when it’s time, it’s really moving out of the way so that the sound can pour through, and that’s where the frequency comes through also in its, in, in its purest form.
[00:09:27] ‘Cause I, if I’m, like, mentally thinking about it, it gets diluted a bit, if that makes sense. Yeah. The sound.
[00:09:33] Catherine Kontos: Yeah, I
[00:09:34] Mei-lan Maurits: think you have to em-
[00:09:35] Catherine Kontos: You have to embody that purpose or that moment- Yeah… that’s happening and just lose yourself in, in, in, in- Yeah… in the sound, in your soul, all of that.
[00:09:43] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:09:44] Catherine Kontos: Mm-hmm.
[00:09:45] Mei-lan Maurits: Definitely.
[00:09:45] Catherine Kontos: I love that so much. Was there… I don’t know if you have an answer to this question, but was there a moment when you first started singing in your new voice, where you can identify that, [00:10:00] “Oh my God, this is it. This is what I was meant to do? Maybe you felt an emotion, maybe you cried, maybe, I don’t know, but you knew that at that moment, like, this could be very impactful not only for me, but for others as well.”
[00:10:14] Mei-lan Maurits: Hmm. I think, yeah, as I was opening it up, I definitely had moments of feeling that… Well, the, the crying for me would come from the love that I feel through the sound. And it’s that connection to source. It’s a connection to the universe that I feel pouring through, and it’s so much love. I think that’s why people have an emotional reaction or can feel m- emotions come up.
[00:10:41] I think it’s just that love that is innate to all of us, and it feels like home. So I definitely would have those moments. There was a specific moment where I… when I really accepted that, okay, I’m gonna do this, and I went online, I think it was on Facebook at the [00:11:00] time, and I just went live. And I, I had the soundtrack playing, and I sang over it, just sang from my heart, and that live just took off.
[00:11:08] And it was just from there, it was- … okay, we’re in it now. We’re going. Like it or not. Like it or not, here we are. Here we are. It was a little overwhelming in the beginning, but I just said, I said yes to the path. Because before that, I was really scared to commit because I didn’t know. I didn’t-
[00:11:25] What is this? What is this sound? What is all of this? And sometimes the unknown can feel uncomfortable or scary. Right. And again, that’s the other lesson that I have for myself, which may be for the listener is important, is to lean into that… as well. That’s because if we only stay in our comfort zone, the soul can’t express when it’s- Yeah
[00:11:45] contained inside the comfort zone. And so it’s always asking a little bit. It’s never gonna ask us more than we can take, but it is gonna ask us to expand a bit, and that has been throughout from the moment I said yes. The moment that live took off, it’s [00:12:00] been a constant expansion, Mm. And saying yes to it.
[00:12:04] Catherine Kontos: Is that first live still available?
[00:12:08] Mei-lan Maurits: It probably… It… I don’t know, actually. I- It should be in the archives, you know, just to be- I, yeah
[00:12:14] Catherine Kontos: Like, this is where I began, right? Yes. This is where it all started.
[00:12:19] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:12:19] Catherine Kontos: That would be nice to see.
[00:12:20] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah. And it’s, it’s also, you can see when I look back on all these years ago, and I tell people that are, are starting, whether it’s with their voice or whatever it is they’re starting with- you can see the progression of your journey as well.
[00:12:35] And I can see that too. From the beginning to now, I can see the, the layers of even fear and all of that I was releasing throughout this, eight, 10-year journey now. And so it’s easy to get really stuck on perfection, but this kind of work and tuning into your soul is gonna, is gonna just take that right out.
[00:12:57] Catherine Kontos: Right.
[00:12:58] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:12:59] Catherine Kontos: When was the [00:13:00] first time, or maybe the question is, the first time you did it in… You did it. You sang in public, right? The first time you sang- Mm … in public with your new voice. I’m gonna keep calling it the new voice because- yeah.
[00:13:13] Mei-lan Maurits: Why not?
[00:13:13] Catherine Kontos: You know? It is. It was at least.
[00:13:15] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:13:16] Catherine Kontos: What was the reaction, and what did you feel at that moment as well?
[00:13:20] Like, what… Did you see something? Did you feel something? Did they see s- did they feel something? Did- Mm. Did it feel different, transformative? Was there emotions? Was there crying? Was there laughter? Tell me that- Mm … first experience out there.
[00:13:36] Mei-lan Maurits: I mean, I had a few smaller live in-person experiences before I did, uh…
[00:13:44] I think it was in 2023 was my first big concert, which was in London, held in the Union Chapel, which is such a beautiful venue. Oh. And, I mean, that was amazing. It felt… I [00:14:00] was performing with my colleague Ali Pervez, and he has the same thing when, when he starts singing. You’re just, oh, my God, brought to a different dimension.
[00:14:09] But we, we performed together, and that was… We always talk about that concert because it was really special. It was our first one, and everything from the sound, from how it came through, the energy from the audience, it was this symbiotic, yeah, connection that was shared in the energy field. Because- now, after doing more concerts and touring and everything, every ti- every concert, e- even if you’re singing the same song, it’s gonna feel and sound a bit different based on the energy that’s in the room.
[00:14:47] And so that’s very interesting, and I think that there’s a soul connection that’s happening or heart connection that’s happening between the singer and the audience, and it’s really special.
[00:14:59] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. Yeah. [00:15:00] I would love to s- to hear you sing at the Notre Dame Basilica in the Old Port of Montreal.
[00:15:06] This is where Celine Dion got married. Wow. Yeah. They do these, these shows in there that are just breathtaking, and I can imagine… It’s called the Aura Show. Look it up. It’s called the Aura Show. Yes. A-U-A-R-A. And it’s half an hour of this light thing that they do in there. Imagine pairing that.
[00:15:30] Like, and y- when you see it online, it’s really not the same as being live there. It really, it doesn’t do it justice. But I could imagine your voice paired up with that.
[00:15:39] Mei-lan Maurits: Wow.
[00:15:40] Catherine Kontos: It’s next level. Let’s talk about that
[00:15:43] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes. Yes. I’m open. Let’s go. It
[00:15:46] Catherine Kontos: Sounds amazing. That would be, that would be phenomenal.
[00:15:49] Anyway, I digress. Let’s go back to the interview. I just… You know what? When I have an idea, I have to express it.
[00:15:56] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes. Thank
[00:15:57] Catherine Kontos: You. But, uh, yeah, that would be stunning. [00:16:00] Okay, so fantastic. Now I know that you are traveling a lot with concerts and, you know, your schedule and all of that. How do you keep healthy, like food-wise, nutrition-wise?
[00:16:13] What does that look like for you?
[00:16:16] Mei-lan Maurits: This is a really big one, and o- over the years has become more and more and more important. I would say… okay, food, I keep a pretty clean diet, and just tuning into what works for my body, you know, and non-inflammatory foods. I don’t eat or drink dairy ’cause that just doesn’t work with my body.
[00:16:35] So just a diet that really suits me and staying pretty consistent with that. And then lots of rest. And the main thing, something that I’m really attuned to now that’s making a very big difference in my lifestyle is being attuned to my nervous system.
[00:16:53] So what causes my nervous system to either spike or what brings it down to baseline?
[00:16:59] If I do [00:17:00] spike, how long does it take to come down to baseline? And having those tools and those practices, that really can bring me down as fast as possible. Because I noticed if I’m, if I am not, if I’m not at baseline and I just keep going, that leads to burnout and other problems. And I’m…
[00:17:22] I think this is a really important topic because I hear it a lot. People just, we push and push, and we’re not aware of what actually the body is asking for, saying. And I’ve done that too, you know, in, in, in my career as well. I’ve just pushed, and then, my body just shuts down and says, “Enough.
[00:17:38] I’m not doing this anymore.” And then it takes more time to recover. And yeah, I think it’s just being really attuned to what the body is asking for in every moment. Is it asking for rest? Is it asking for work to be worked out? And- I try to- like, the basics for me is eat well, sleep well, and work out.
[00:17:58] And then I have my [00:18:00] practices that just help me stay aligned and centered, which is meditation and breathing meditation. And then sometimes it’s even simply just as simple as I’ll s- I’ll sit in my bed and look out at the window, and I’ll light a candle and just look at the trees. And so- something just really simple like that I notice, brings my body and mentally, emotionally just into calm.
[00:18:27] And then when I do that enough, cre- the creation and the creativity just flows really naturally out.
[00:18:36] Catherine Kontos: Is there any diet or regimen that you follow that is more known regimens that are out there? No. Or you just follow what your body- It’s basically- … is craving
[00:18:46] Mei-lan Maurits: or? Yeah, just no gluten for me.
[00:18:50] Gluten-free, just stay light. I don’t know. No dairy. No dairy. Yeah, as much as possible. Like, sometimes I could have maybe a Dutch [00:19:00] cheese or something. I’m half Dutch, so I really like it. But, yeah, the main thing for me is just I don’t eat gluten, and then-
[00:19:07] Catherine Kontos: Okay …
[00:19:08] Mei-lan Maurits: Just keep it just a high-protein diet for me is what works really well.
[00:19:11] Catherine Kontos: Okay. Very good.
[00:19:12] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:19:13] Catherine Kontos: Do you restrain from eating before singing?
[00:19:16] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes, I do. Like a
[00:19:17] Catherine Kontos: spe- Yeah, ’cause I would think you might have to.
[00:19:19] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:19:20] Catherine Kontos: How long, how many hours before, do you stop eating?
[00:19:26] Mei-lan Maurits: So I would say about three. So, say if I, if I’m going to perform, and it depends, ’cause sometimes I- if I’m at a retreat or something, I might perform earlier.
[00:19:40] Catherine Kontos: Mm-hmm.
[00:19:41] Mei-lan Maurits: But I always make sure that I have four hours before time that I start prepping. So that means I wake up, the first thing I do is get into my body, I do breathwork, and then meditation.
[00:19:53] Then I do vocal practice, and then I get ready, and then I’ll go perform, and that’s about a [00:20:00] four-hour- Okay … thing. And so I’ll… Maybe in between that I’ll eat something very light, like right after the workout. Okay. And then that sustains me, and then I’ll perform, and then I’ll eat after.
[00:20:11] Catherine Kontos: Yeah.
[00:20:11] Mei-lan Maurits: So I’ve figured it out now what works for me and- Yeah
[00:20:15] You know, giving the best.
[00:20:16] Catherine Kontos: And of course, I’m sure you’re very well-hydrated, right?
[00:20:19]
[00:20:48] Mei-lan Maurits: Absolutely. You got… Yeah. That is, that is- So important … just a must, yeah.
[00:20:51] Catherine Kontos: Yeah.
[00:20:51] Mei-lan Maurits: And then taking also something that I learned, I think this was last year when I was flying around, [00:21:00] I hadn’t quite calculated the jet lag-
[00:21:03] Catherine Kontos: Mm
[00:21:04] Mei-lan Maurits: uh, in between the flights, and then, so that’s when I really started to work on my nervous system because, of course, if you’re going overseas or something, it’s, you know, you’re ner- you’re on a flight for how many hours, and then you didn’t s- maybe I didn’t sleep, and then there’s jet lag, and then I performed.
[00:21:19] Mm. And so all of that stacks up, you know? And- Right … not as hydrated on the plane, and then time of performance, and you know, when you’re performing, you’re c- you’re on, and that’s, that’s a level of, not stress in the body, but you know, it’s just a different thing than if you’re laying in bed at home or something.
[00:21:38] Mm-hmm. So I notice that when that stacks, then my body will have a… Yeah, it’s just not the same when, you know, if I have many shows in a row, then I notice that the cortisol can be going up. And so I’ve now learned, just, okay, maybe I was jet lagged. That’s okay, but what do [00:22:00] I need to counter that? And get a massage or, um, a breathwork session.
[00:22:04] Just something that brings the nervous system back down to baseline. That, for me, is the number one, you know, and then all the other things. Exercise, stay hydrated, all of those, and eat
[00:22:15] Catherine Kontos: Well. Yeah. So important to be self-aware, and the thing is what I find interesting about now in, in, in today’s time is we are probably more educated than we’ve ever been on- Yes
[00:22:27] Right, wellness and how to keep well mentally, physically, but there’s so much burnout still happening, and I think it’s because- Yes … we’re inundated with so much inf- we’re always on. Yes. Even when we’re not on, we’re on.
[00:22:42] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:22:43] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. It’s insane, right? Like, we know, we have the tools, we have the knowledge, yet it’s just this pull, pull, and push and pull and push.
[00:22:54] And there’s so much more demand. There’s so much, you know, there’s so much happening in the world right now and- [00:23:00]
[00:23:00] Mei-lan Maurits: I know …
[00:23:00] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. So how can people use your music, your voice, your talents to help themselves- … get to the point where they go back to their baseline or at least calm their nervous system a little bit?
[00:23:15] Yeah.
[00:23:16] Mei-lan Maurits: So I make a lot of meditations. I have an app, and every week we release a new meditation. And that, for me, even when I’m creating it, it right away puts me down to baseline. It’s in combination with the music, and then I record a guided meditation over it, and for me, that works really well. And based on the feedback it also, from the listener, they say it works well.
[00:23:44] It’s such a personal thing because for some people, one song might make them cry depending on what they’re going through in that moment. For another person, it might make them very calm. For another person, it might inspire them or bring out a vision, you know. So it’s, it’s [00:24:00] really personal to the listener.
[00:24:02] I, I just do my best that whatever I’m creating comes from that frequency of spirit, which is love, which is peace, joy, light. And my, my invocation or prayer before I create anything or go perform, whatever it is, it’s always whatever is needed for the listener; let that come through me.
[00:24:25] Catherine Kontos: Right.
[00:24:25] Mei-lan Maurits: Because that’s, that’s the, yeah, the service, I guess, that I feel. But I, I feel it’s healing for me too ’cause it’s- Yeah … coming through. Yeah.
[00:24:36] Catherine Kontos: Is there any, instruments that you prefer with your music or any… It, ’cause I’ve noticed there’s some lyrics that you have and sometimes- Mm-hmm … you don’t have lyrics, right?
[00:24:46] It’s just-
[00:24:46] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah. It’s both. Yeah.
[00:24:47] Catherine Kontos: Right. So when you are using lyrics, what’s the message? Is there, is there something behind the lyrics? Is there an intention? Mm. Is there a prayer? Is there, like, what is there behind all that?
[00:24:57] Mei-lan Maurits: So it depends on the song. [00:25:00] All of it, the theme is, for me, it’s oftentimes a conversation between me and spirit or me and the universe.
[00:25:11] And I’m just thinking of the different lyrical songs I have, which has been more in the last, I’d say, year or two is when the lyrical songs really started coming through. And, it’s the ones that really touch me is when I, I’m just singing to the divine, and I f- and it was almost a message from my heart, and then the answer comes back, and there’s a communication- Mm-hmm
[00:25:39] Between me and the universe or spirit or the divine, whatever you wanna call it. That seems to come through my, my lyrical songs quite a bit. Mm. Yeah. Because that’s what I feel when I’m singing- Yeah … even if it’s non-lyrical. There is a communication that’s happening.
[00:25:54] Catherine Kontos: Yeah, because you have to go into r- you have to embody, like we said before.
[00:25:58] Yeah. You have to embody the moment, what’s [00:26:00] happening, maybe even something that you’re going through at that moment. Yes … and it just reveals itself-
[00:26:05] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes …
[00:26:05] Catherine Kontos: Through your voice. That too. Yeah. There are so many- Yeah … things that… And sometimes maybe we, this is just I’m putting it out there- when we’re listening to you, not knowing anything about what was happening in your life at that moment or how you were feeling and thinking, maybe we cry because- let’s say we cry, okay?
[00:26:23] Or we’re happy, we laugh, because maybe we’re feeling that energy through your voice. Yeah. Is that possible?
[00:26:29] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah. Right. I think so. I mean, yeah, I would think so … because
[00:26:32] Catherine Kontos: It’s, ‘
[00:26:34] Mei-lan Maurits: ‘Cause it’s coming through. And, of course, I’m going through my life, and I’m experiencing the joys and the sadness and grief and whatever point I’m in, and that does come through th- through the music as well.
[00:26:46] It’s, you know, if you’re, if you’re going through a heartache, you’re gonna h- you’re gonna feel and hear that. But that’s the universal thing, that we can all, no matter where we come from or what our background is, there’s something that makes us all [00:27:00] human. That’s the humanity of each and every one of us.
[00:27:03] We all know what grief feels like, what loss, what pain, challenges, suffering. We, joy and love. Like, we know that. And I think that that is what comes through in the sound, at least based off the feedback that I hear, is they feel that connection. It’s they feel the connection to source spirit, and they feel the human emotion as well, which touches people from-
[00:27:30] Catherine Kontos: Yeah
[00:27:30] The
[00:27:30] Mei-lan Maurits: feedback. Yeah.
[00:27:32] Catherine Kontos: D- do you feel… this is what I’ve heard. I don’t know. I’m not a singer. I, I’m a creative, but I’m not a singer. And I know for myself the answer, but do you feel as a singer in what you tap into, do you make your best music when you are in pain, grieving, or hurting somehow, or not?
[00:27:51] Mei-lan Maurits: It depends. It can be, yes. Ah, that’s a [00:28:00] hard one because I’ve also, I’ve also made… I feel I’ve created things from a space of just feeling
[00:28:12] So connected to spirit, so connected to the universe that, that I feel has a lot of emotional impact for me, and a lot of creativity comes from that. And then also I’ve had experiences where I was in deep pain. And it, th- that was very inspirational as well musically. And sometimes I have it too, you know, when we’re creating a track, and say there’s a lot of minor notes in it, automatically I can just tap into that feeling of grief or sadness, and it…
[00:28:45] And yeah, to sing on that is, you can feel it really deep in a very deep way. Yeah, I don’t know how to answer that, ’cause they’re both for me.
[00:28:56] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. Do you ever surprise [00:29:00] your audience with something that’s just a general fun, you know, dancing song or something like that? Have you ever done that?
[00:29:06] Or like, do you think you’ll ever do that?
[00:29:07] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:29:09] Catherine Kontos: You have?
[00:29:09] Mei-lan Maurits: Definitely, yes. I- So there’s a… Yeah, I guess I can say I’ve, I… Something that’s on the horizon that I, I’m putting together slowly: I do wanna make a dance album.
[00:29:24] Catherine Kontos: Oh,
[00:29:24] Mei-lan Maurits: Nice. Because I wanna dance, you know? And we do have in our concert, we do have, towards the end of the show, we sort of ramp it up and kinda leave in a very high-energy song, which is so fun.
[00:29:35] And, yeah, I would love to explore putting electronic sounds in there, too, with the angelic sounds. Oh. You know, I think that would be… Imagine people dancing. That’s a vision- Ah … of mine, for sure. Yeah.
[00:29:48] Catherine Kontos: Yes. Oh my goodness, yes. I could totally see that, and that would be fantastic.
[00:29:52] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:29:52] Catherine Kontos: Wow. Oh, I can’t wait.
[00:29:54] I can’t wait to see all that come to fruition. So is that what you’re excited about? Is that the next, like, what’s coming up
[00:29:59] Mei-lan Maurits: For you? Uh, [00:30:00] well, I have a tour coming up, and that’s very exciting, this year starting in September. We’re starting in London, the first place that we had our concert, which is really special to us.
[00:30:10] We’re starting there. And then, we’ll be touring in the US and in Canada.
[00:30:15] Catherine Kontos: Yes.
[00:30:15] Mei-lan Maurits: So I’m very excited about that. And right now I’m working a lot on our app and our, specifically our meditation app. Yeah. And I’m very excited about that because every time that I’m doing it, and I just know the value that’s in there, and for, I know what the listener what they express, what they feel, and how it impacts their life in such a beautiful way is very exciting to me.
[00:30:45] So I would say right now those two. And new music. I’m making new music as well, and some have some dance elements to it, and others are slower and yeah.
[00:30:55] Catherine Kontos: I’m so glad- Yeah … we’re like soft launching some of your things here today.
[00:30:57] Mei-lan Maurits: I know. Thank you.[00:31:00]
[00:31:01] Catherine Kontos: Um, okay, let’s, let’s do some, like, rapid-fire. Let’s see, like, let’s just ask some, like, really quick, fast answers, you know, quick questions, quick answers, uh, that people may not know about you, right? Okay. So, something like what’s your favorite drink, coffee or tea?
[00:31:16] Mei-lan Maurits: Tea.
[00:31:17] Catherine Kontos: Favorite book?
[00:31:23] Mei-lan Maurits: I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
[00:31:24] Catherine Kontos: Okay. We’ll get back to it. Guilty pleasure that you’re like, “Oh my God.”
[00:31:28] Mei-lan Maurits: Chocolate.
[00:31:30] Catherine Kontos: Chocolate? Yeah, me too. Yeah, me too. Uh-
[00:31:34] Mei-lan Maurits: Okay. Chocolate and a really good period piece. You know, Oh … those olden day films? Yeah.
[00:31:41] Catherine Kontos: Yes. That’s- Together.
[00:31:43] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes, together, like Downton Abbey or something with chocolate.
[00:31:46] Yeah. I’d say
[00:31:46] Catherine Kontos: That’s- Absolutely …
[00:31:47] Mei-lan Maurits: A guilty pleasure.
[00:31:48] Catherine Kontos: What about a favorite song that’s not in your, not in your world, like, if, be- beyond what you do, like your favorite song that’s out there? [00:32:00]
[00:32:00] Mei-lan Maurits: Ooh.
[00:32:00] Catherine Kontos: Or band, or both. Why not?
[00:32:03] Mei-lan Maurits: Oh.
[00:32:07] Catherine Kontos: All-time favorite
[00:32:08] Mei-lan Maurits: All-time favorite. I really like Faithfully from Journey.
[00:32:14] Catherine Kontos: Beautiful song.
[00:32:15] Mei-lan Maurits: His voice-
[00:32:17] Catherine Kontos: Yeah …
[00:32:17] Mei-lan Maurits: Wow. Yeah, it’s something else.
[00:32:20] Catherine Kontos: That’s a good song. I haven’t heard this-
[00:32:22] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah, just the lyrics also and, and- Mm … yeah, the melody, the lyrics. I love that song.
[00:32:28] Catherine Kontos: Favorite band or-
[00:32:29] Mei-lan Maurits: There’s a lot. I have, I have a lot.
[00:32:31] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. Favorite band or singer as a teenager growing up?
[00:32:35] Mei-lan Maurits: Ooh, as a teenager.
[00:32:36] Catherine Kontos: Like, where you were really, like, almost a groupie. I’m just saying. Oh. Someone you really loved
[00:32:46] Mei-lan Maurits: So I loved this band called The Corrs. They were an Irish band.
[00:32:51] Catherine Kontos: Okay.
[00:32:52] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah. Yeah. I also love Enya.
[00:32:54] Catherine Kontos: Oh, yes. She’s got an- Who doesn’t love
[00:32:57] Mei-lan Maurits: Enya? …
[00:32:58] Catherine Kontos: incredible, [00:33:00] incredible voice.
[00:33:01] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:33:01] Catherine Kontos: Is truly- And her musicality … truly talented. Yeah, absolutely. Well, that’s it, I guess. You know, like, we’ve covered it all. Is there anything that you want to tell to the listener?
[00:33:10] Li- you know, something to stay with them.
[00:33:14] Mei-lan Maurits: I’d say if you’re feeling the nudge in any way from your soul or a part of you that feels either it’s time to explore something different, or maybe you’re even in a limbo state, just trust that. Trust that place, because it is calling you forward. We’re always evolving, and we’re here to grow and change and grow.
[00:33:37] And so if you’re feeling stuck, just allow that feeling to be there, and then lean in a little bit, because there’s always something on the other side for you, and your soul pulling you to its next exni- Yeah … its next place of evolution for you.
[00:33:56] Catherine Kontos: Thank you. Thank you for that message. Uh, if anybody’s looking [00:34:00] to listen to Mei-lan’s music, you can always go on YouTube or on her website.
[00:34:06] We will post all that under, you know, the podcast. You could find her in any of those. She will be, of course, in the Retreat Boss Magazine at retreatbossmagazine.com. And, uh, and I believe your concerts are all in the events section in your website- Yes… correct? So look forward to seeing… So look forward to seeing her in many, many places across the world.
[00:34:28] And, um, thank you. Thank you so much for being here with me today- Thank you… And gracing us with your presence and this beautiful message of- Yeah… of hope and finding your purpose. I appreciate you so much. Thank you. Thank you.
The Sound of Surrender
[00:00:48] Catherine Kontos: Today I’m delighted to welcome Mei-lan, an internationally acclaimed singer, sound healer, and visionary whose music has touched millions of people around the world. Through [00:01:00] her powerful voice and unique blend of music, meditation, and healing frequencies, Mei-lan creates experiences that inspire deep connection, transformation, and inner peace.
[00:01:11] Join us as we explore her journey, the power of sound, and how music can become a pathway to healing, purpose, and personal growth. Welcome, Mei-lan.
[00:01:24] Mei-lan Maurits: Thank you so much for having
[00:01:26] Catherine Kontos: me. I am excited to talk to you. I heard your music. I’m a fan. You have such an angelic voice. It-
[00:01:38] Mei-lan Maurits: Thank you …
[00:01:39] Catherine Kontos: The first time I heard it, it just…
[00:01:42] I became sentimental. I wanted to cry. It really, really affected me and touched me. Wow. And I see why people are just so in love with your voice and what you do, so I appreciate you for the, uh- Thank you … transformation you’re causing [00:02:00] through, through your voice and your sounds and all that you do.
[00:02:03] Thank you for being here. Thank you so much. Oh, thank you for having me. Excited to be here. So where… You must have started… I feel like you must have started really, really young. Tell me a little bit about w- where your- where you discovered your voice and how you knew that this was your, your reason to, to be.
[00:02:23] Mei-lan Maurits: So I did start singing young, and… but not in the way that I’m singing now. This way that I’m singing came through about a decade ago. But I do have a background in singing, and I sang from a child till about 17, 18, and then I didn’t sing anymore, and it… Like I said, it was nothing like what I was singing now, just regular singing, let’s say.
[00:02:47] and then I didn’t want anything to do with singing anymore, I think because I was performing so much that I- Mm-hmm … it wasn’t, I didn’t feel passionate about it. And so I, I s- I left [00:03:00] that, and it was about a decade ago when it called me back. And I really… I honestly, I did not think that sing- I was gonna be singing, you know, as a career or what I’m doing right now.
[00:03:14] And so I think it was really that personal journey of I went through a lot of different things in my life, took many twists and turns, and it wasn’t till about, I think it was around in 2011 where I started to feel this pull to purpose- But I had no idea about direction or anything. I was actually quite lost in my life.
[00:03:39] What, those questions of what is the meaning of life? Is this it? So th- that was really where I was sitting at the time. And then, yeah, the journey just took me. I, I left, um, I grew up in Europe, and I came to Mexico first. I had f- some of my family were living there, and then came to the US, and yeah, it was [00:04:00] about a decade ago where it started to call me back.
[00:04:03] And I think I- at then I was really… I was, I would meditate. I would listen to just instrumental calming music, and that really put me always in a calm state, where I could really tune in and connect. And then during this time, well, 10 years ago, I met my husband, and he’s a sound engineer and a producer.
[00:04:27] And so he was actually quite pivotal; he heard that I could sing, you know, just generally singing. But I didn’t wanna sing. I would wait till he and my daughter were out of the house, and then I would try a little bit because, you know, I haven’t sung for so many years. But I could feel this, this pull.
[00:04:45] And then, and at, at that time, I was doing a lot of meditation. And it just, it, I … It’s so funny ’cause so many people ask me this, “How did you start?” Or, “Where did it start?” And it’s hard for me to even place that because I feel that the spiritual [00:05:00] journey, the call of my soul, was really the beginning before the voi- before the sound really came out.
[00:05:06] And I think that’s something, ’cause I get that question a lot, you know, what is my purpose? Why am I here? And I always say, “Well, tune into the soul because that’s where you’re gonna find it.” And I did a lot of that first, and then, and then it just started coming through. I just started to, I would make meditations, and then, my husband and I would say, “Well, we need music for the meditation.”
[00:05:29] Then we’d make a soundtrack. And I said, “Well, let, what if I just sang over it?” And then it just sort of came through me, and it took a while for me to even, acclimate to the sound because it was such a different way of singing.
[00:05:42] Catherine Kontos: Mm-hmm.
[00:05:42] Mei-lan Maurits: But it felt so natural at the same time. And that in itself was a whole journey of becoming open again to share it because I had to move through a lot of blocks and constriction that I had around myself and my voice.[00:06:00]
[00:06:00] So maybe that’s helpful for the listener if they’re- Mm-hmm … feeling any kind of fear of, you know, your soul is calling you to do something, but then you feel this fear. You know, just, just, uh, lean into that fear because you don’t know what’s on the other side of that. And that was really relevant for me, what was on the other side of that, you know?
[00:06:19] And now it’s- Mm … what, 10 years, and I think I really started to go online about eight years ago, and it just took off from there. And it’s been unfolding for me. Like, I’m just rolling with it, you know, because new things always come up. And, it’s just about saying yes, yes to that soul calling. Yeah.
[00:06:39] Catherine Kontos: One of the things I say is live in, in, live in pur- live on purpose with your purpose, right?
[00:06:45] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:06:46] Catherine Kontos: And a lot of people are searching for their purpose.
[00:06:49] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:06:50] Catherine Kontos: From young to old. Some people actually never find it. They just go along living instead of feeling alive. So- Mm … I’m so happy that you were able to [00:07:00] do that because I don’t think you’d be able to sing. So, how can I say it?
[00:07:06] So deeply that it resonates through you to the other person if you hadn’t done that work- Yeah … that you speak
[00:07:16] Mei-lan Maurits: Of. Yeah, and
[00:07:17] Catherine Kontos: It’s
[00:07:17] Mei-lan Maurits: continuous.
[00:07:18] Catherine Kontos: I don’t think you would’ve… Yeah, I don’t think you would’ve found that voice. You would’ve- Yeah … you always have your voice- Right … but I don’t think you would’ve found that voice.
[00:07:25] Mei-lan Maurits: No, I wouldn’t have. Yeah. Yeah. And I think that’s why it was so scary also in the beginning, and I had to do a lot of work just even opening up my voice again, because it was so many years that I didn’t sing, and just completely put it aside. I was always connected with music. Music is something that I felt, no matter what I was going through, or if I was going through something really challenging in my life, I would almost put it inside of the music.
[00:07:51] I w- you know, where a song speaks to you, and I would put my emotions into that song. And so I always had a connection with music, but singing, I, I really didn’t think [00:08:00] that this is what I would be doing. And I’m so grateful because it feels so in alignment with what I’m here to do.
[00:08:06] And that, I guess, I really wanna say this for anyone that’s listening that feels stuck or feels lost.
[00:08:15] There’s a… I think we all go through that at certain times in our lives, or maybe we feel that there’s a new evolution of what we are already doing, but it’s, it’s really trusting that space, trusting the space where you do feel lost. Because when we give it that space, and we just allow it, I feel that that’s when it can speak, the soul can speak through that,
[00:08:40] and that’s been a lot of my journey is just trusting the process. Trusting the process to open my voice again, you know, at that time. and yeah, it’s… The more that I can lean into that, even if I’m afraid or I feel, “Oh, it’s not, this is not good, or it’s not sounding good.” If I just lean in and lean in, I felt that it [00:09:00] just flows through, and that’s what it’s really about.
[00:09:02] And I think with the singing, it’s the same. It’s when I move out of the way mentally and I just, you know, I know that, okay, my voice is prepared, my body is prepared, and that’s my job. And then when it’s time, it’s really moving out of the way so that the sound can pour through, and that’s where the frequency comes through also in its, in, in its purest form.
[00:09:27] ‘Cause I, if I’m, like, mentally thinking about it, it gets diluted a bit, if that makes sense. Yeah. The sound.
[00:09:33] Catherine Kontos: Yeah, I
[00:09:34] Mei-lan Maurits: think you have to em-
[00:09:35] Catherine Kontos: You have to embody that purpose or that moment- Yeah… that’s happening and just lose yourself in, in, in, in- Yeah… in the sound, in your soul, all of that.
[00:09:43] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:09:44] Catherine Kontos: Mm-hmm.
[00:09:45] Mei-lan Maurits: Definitely.
[00:09:45] Catherine Kontos: I love that so much. Was there… I don’t know if you have an answer to this question, but was there a moment when you first started singing in your new voice, where you can identify that, [00:10:00] “Oh my God, this is it. This is what I was meant to do? Maybe you felt an emotion, maybe you cried, maybe, I don’t know, but you knew that at that moment, like, this could be very impactful not only for me, but for others as well.”
[00:10:14] Mei-lan Maurits: Hmm. I think, yeah, as I was opening it up, I definitely had moments of feeling that… Well, the, the crying for me would come from the love that I feel through the sound. And it’s that connection to source. It’s a connection to the universe that I feel pouring through, and it’s so much love. I think that’s why people have an emotional reaction or can feel m- emotions come up.
[00:10:41] I think it’s just that love that is innate to all of us, and it feels like home. So I definitely would have those moments. There was a specific moment where I… when I really accepted that, okay, I’m gonna do this, and I went online, I think it was on Facebook at the [00:11:00] time, and I just went live. And I, I had the soundtrack playing, and I sang over it, just sang from my heart, and that live just took off.
[00:11:08] And it was just from there, it was- … okay, we’re in it now. We’re going. Like it or not. Like it or not, here we are. Here we are. It was a little overwhelming in the beginning, but I just said, I said yes to the path. Because before that, I was really scared to commit because I didn’t know. I didn’t-
[00:11:25] What is this? What is this sound? What is all of this? And sometimes the unknown can feel uncomfortable or scary. Right. And again, that’s the other lesson that I have for myself, which may be for the listener is important, is to lean into that… as well. That’s because if we only stay in our comfort zone, the soul can’t express when it’s- Yeah
[00:11:45] contained inside the comfort zone. And so it’s always asking a little bit. It’s never gonna ask us more than we can take, but it is gonna ask us to expand a bit, and that has been throughout from the moment I said yes. The moment that live took off, it’s [00:12:00] been a constant expansion, Mm. And saying yes to it.
[00:12:04] Catherine Kontos: Is that first live still available?
[00:12:08] Mei-lan Maurits: It probably… It… I don’t know, actually. I- It should be in the archives, you know, just to be- I, yeah
[00:12:14] Catherine Kontos: Like, this is where I began, right? Yes. This is where it all started.
[00:12:19] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:12:19] Catherine Kontos: That would be nice to see.
[00:12:20] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah. And it’s, it’s also, you can see when I look back on all these years ago, and I tell people that are, are starting, whether it’s with their voice or whatever it is they’re starting with- you can see the progression of your journey as well.
[00:12:35] And I can see that too. From the beginning to now, I can see the, the layers of even fear and all of that I was releasing throughout this, eight, 10-year journey now. And so it’s easy to get really stuck on perfection, but this kind of work and tuning into your soul is gonna, is gonna just take that right out.
[00:12:57] Catherine Kontos: Right.
[00:12:58] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:12:59] Catherine Kontos: When was the [00:13:00] first time, or maybe the question is, the first time you did it in… You did it. You sang in public, right? The first time you sang- Mm … in public with your new voice. I’m gonna keep calling it the new voice because- yeah.
[00:13:13] Mei-lan Maurits: Why not?
[00:13:13] Catherine Kontos: You know? It is. It was at least.
[00:13:15] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:13:16] Catherine Kontos: What was the reaction, and what did you feel at that moment as well?
[00:13:20] Like, what… Did you see something? Did you feel something? Did they see s- did they feel something? Did- Mm. Did it feel different, transformative? Was there emotions? Was there crying? Was there laughter? Tell me that- Mm … first experience out there.
[00:13:36] Mei-lan Maurits: I mean, I had a few smaller live in-person experiences before I did, uh…
[00:13:44] I think it was in 2023 was my first big concert, which was in London, held in the Union Chapel, which is such a beautiful venue. Oh. And, I mean, that was amazing. It felt… I [00:14:00] was performing with my colleague Ali Pervez, and he has the same thing when, when he starts singing. You’re just, oh, my God, brought to a different dimension.
[00:14:09] But we, we performed together, and that was… We always talk about that concert because it was really special. It was our first one, and everything from the sound, from how it came through, the energy from the audience, it was this symbiotic, yeah, connection that was shared in the energy field. Because- now, after doing more concerts and touring and everything, every ti- every concert, e- even if you’re singing the same song, it’s gonna feel and sound a bit different based on the energy that’s in the room.
[00:14:47] And so that’s very interesting, and I think that there’s a soul connection that’s happening or heart connection that’s happening between the singer and the audience, and it’s really special.
[00:14:59] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. Yeah. [00:15:00] I would love to s- to hear you sing at the Notre Dame Basilica in the Old Port of Montreal.
[00:15:06] This is where Celine Dion got married. Wow. Yeah. They do these, these shows in there that are just breathtaking, and I can imagine… It’s called the Aura Show. Look it up. It’s called the Aura Show. Yes. A-U-A-R-A. And it’s half an hour of this light thing that they do in there. Imagine pairing that.
[00:15:30] Like, and y- when you see it online, it’s really not the same as being live there. It really, it doesn’t do it justice. But I could imagine your voice paired up with that.
[00:15:39] Mei-lan Maurits: Wow.
[00:15:40] Catherine Kontos: It’s next level. Let’s talk about that
[00:15:43] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes. Yes. I’m open. Let’s go. It
[00:15:46] Catherine Kontos: Sounds amazing. That would be, that would be phenomenal.
[00:15:49] Anyway, I digress. Let’s go back to the interview. I just… You know what? When I have an idea, I have to express it.
[00:15:56] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes. Thank
[00:15:57] Catherine Kontos: You. But, uh, yeah, that would be stunning. [00:16:00] Okay, so fantastic. Now I know that you are traveling a lot with concerts and, you know, your schedule and all of that. How do you keep healthy, like food-wise, nutrition-wise?
[00:16:13] What does that look like for you?
[00:16:16] Mei-lan Maurits: This is a really big one, and o- over the years has become more and more and more important. I would say… okay, food, I keep a pretty clean diet, and just tuning into what works for my body, you know, and non-inflammatory foods. I don’t eat or drink dairy ’cause that just doesn’t work with my body.
[00:16:35] So just a diet that really suits me and staying pretty consistent with that. And then lots of rest. And the main thing, something that I’m really attuned to now that’s making a very big difference in my lifestyle is being attuned to my nervous system.
[00:16:53] So what causes my nervous system to either spike or what brings it down to baseline?
[00:16:59] If I do [00:17:00] spike, how long does it take to come down to baseline? And having those tools and those practices, that really can bring me down as fast as possible. Because I noticed if I’m, if I am not, if I’m not at baseline and I just keep going, that leads to burnout and other problems. And I’m…
[00:17:22] I think this is a really important topic because I hear it a lot. People just, we push and push, and we’re not aware of what actually the body is asking for, saying. And I’ve done that too, you know, in, in, in my career as well. I’ve just pushed, and then, my body just shuts down and says, “Enough.
[00:17:38] I’m not doing this anymore.” And then it takes more time to recover. And yeah, I think it’s just being really attuned to what the body is asking for in every moment. Is it asking for rest? Is it asking for work to be worked out? And- I try to- like, the basics for me is eat well, sleep well, and work out.
[00:17:58] And then I have my [00:18:00] practices that just help me stay aligned and centered, which is meditation and breathing meditation. And then sometimes it’s even simply just as simple as I’ll s- I’ll sit in my bed and look out at the window, and I’ll light a candle and just look at the trees. And so- something just really simple like that I notice, brings my body and mentally, emotionally just into calm.
[00:18:27] And then when I do that enough, cre- the creation and the creativity just flows really naturally out.
[00:18:36] Catherine Kontos: Is there any diet or regimen that you follow that is more known regimens that are out there? No. Or you just follow what your body- It’s basically- … is craving
[00:18:46] Mei-lan Maurits: or? Yeah, just no gluten for me.
[00:18:50] Gluten-free, just stay light. I don’t know. No dairy. No dairy. Yeah, as much as possible. Like, sometimes I could have maybe a Dutch [00:19:00] cheese or something. I’m half Dutch, so I really like it. But, yeah, the main thing for me is just I don’t eat gluten, and then-
[00:19:07] Catherine Kontos: Okay …
[00:19:08] Mei-lan Maurits: Just keep it just a high-protein diet for me is what works really well.
[00:19:11] Catherine Kontos: Okay. Very good.
[00:19:12] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:19:13] Catherine Kontos: Do you restrain from eating before singing?
[00:19:16] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes, I do. Like a
[00:19:17] Catherine Kontos: spe- Yeah, ’cause I would think you might have to.
[00:19:19] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:19:20] Catherine Kontos: How long, how many hours before, do you stop eating?
[00:19:26] Mei-lan Maurits: So I would say about three. So, say if I, if I’m going to perform, and it depends, ’cause sometimes I- if I’m at a retreat or something, I might perform earlier.
[00:19:40] Catherine Kontos: Mm-hmm.
[00:19:41] Mei-lan Maurits: But I always make sure that I have four hours before time that I start prepping. So that means I wake up, the first thing I do is get into my body, I do breathwork, and then meditation.
[00:19:53] Then I do vocal practice, and then I get ready, and then I’ll go perform, and that’s about a [00:20:00] four-hour- Okay … thing. And so I’ll… Maybe in between that I’ll eat something very light, like right after the workout. Okay. And then that sustains me, and then I’ll perform, and then I’ll eat after.
[00:20:11] Catherine Kontos: Yeah.
[00:20:11] Mei-lan Maurits: So I’ve figured it out now what works for me and- Yeah
[00:20:15] You know, giving the best.
[00:20:16] Catherine Kontos: And of course, I’m sure you’re very well-hydrated, right?
[00:20:19]
[00:20:48] Mei-lan Maurits: Absolutely. You got… Yeah. That is, that is- So important … just a must, yeah.
[00:20:51] Catherine Kontos: Yeah.
[00:20:51] Mei-lan Maurits: And then taking also something that I learned, I think this was last year when I was flying around, [00:21:00] I hadn’t quite calculated the jet lag-
[00:21:03] Catherine Kontos: Mm
[00:21:04] Mei-lan Maurits: uh, in between the flights, and then, so that’s when I really started to work on my nervous system because, of course, if you’re going overseas or something, it’s, you know, you’re ner- you’re on a flight for how many hours, and then you didn’t s- maybe I didn’t sleep, and then there’s jet lag, and then I performed.
[00:21:19] Mm. And so all of that stacks up, you know? And- Right … not as hydrated on the plane, and then time of performance, and you know, when you’re performing, you’re c- you’re on, and that’s, that’s a level of, not stress in the body, but you know, it’s just a different thing than if you’re laying in bed at home or something.
[00:21:38] Mm-hmm. So I notice that when that stacks, then my body will have a… Yeah, it’s just not the same when, you know, if I have many shows in a row, then I notice that the cortisol can be going up. And so I’ve now learned, just, okay, maybe I was jet lagged. That’s okay, but what do [00:22:00] I need to counter that? And get a massage or, um, a breathwork session.
[00:22:04] Just something that brings the nervous system back down to baseline. That, for me, is the number one, you know, and then all the other things. Exercise, stay hydrated, all of those, and eat
[00:22:15] Catherine Kontos: Well. Yeah. So important to be self-aware, and the thing is what I find interesting about now in, in, in today’s time is we are probably more educated than we’ve ever been on- Yes
[00:22:27] Right, wellness and how to keep well mentally, physically, but there’s so much burnout still happening, and I think it’s because- Yes … we’re inundated with so much inf- we’re always on. Yes. Even when we’re not on, we’re on.
[00:22:42] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:22:43] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. It’s insane, right? Like, we know, we have the tools, we have the knowledge, yet it’s just this pull, pull, and push and pull and push.
[00:22:54] And there’s so much more demand. There’s so much, you know, there’s so much happening in the world right now and- [00:23:00]
[00:23:00] Mei-lan Maurits: I know …
[00:23:00] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. So how can people use your music, your voice, your talents to help themselves- … get to the point where they go back to their baseline or at least calm their nervous system a little bit?
[00:23:15] Yeah.
[00:23:16] Mei-lan Maurits: So I make a lot of meditations. I have an app, and every week we release a new meditation. And that, for me, even when I’m creating it, it right away puts me down to baseline. It’s in combination with the music, and then I record a guided meditation over it, and for me, that works really well. And based on the feedback it also, from the listener, they say it works well.
[00:23:44] It’s such a personal thing because for some people, one song might make them cry depending on what they’re going through in that moment. For another person, it might make them very calm. For another person, it might inspire them or bring out a vision, you know. So it’s, it’s [00:24:00] really personal to the listener.
[00:24:02] I, I just do my best that whatever I’m creating comes from that frequency of spirit, which is love, which is peace, joy, light. And my, my invocation or prayer before I create anything or go perform, whatever it is, it’s always whatever is needed for the listener; let that come through me.
[00:24:25] Catherine Kontos: Right.
[00:24:25] Mei-lan Maurits: Because that’s, that’s the, yeah, the service, I guess, that I feel. But I, I feel it’s healing for me too ’cause it’s- Yeah … coming through. Yeah.
[00:24:36] Catherine Kontos: Is there any, instruments that you prefer with your music or any… It, ’cause I’ve noticed there’s some lyrics that you have and sometimes- Mm-hmm … you don’t have lyrics, right?
[00:24:46] It’s just-
[00:24:46] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah. It’s both. Yeah.
[00:24:47] Catherine Kontos: Right. So when you are using lyrics, what’s the message? Is there, is there something behind the lyrics? Is there an intention? Mm. Is there a prayer? Is there, like, what is there behind all that?
[00:24:57] Mei-lan Maurits: So it depends on the song. [00:25:00] All of it, the theme is, for me, it’s oftentimes a conversation between me and spirit or me and the universe.
[00:25:11] And I’m just thinking of the different lyrical songs I have, which has been more in the last, I’d say, year or two is when the lyrical songs really started coming through. And, it’s the ones that really touch me is when I, I’m just singing to the divine, and I f- and it was almost a message from my heart, and then the answer comes back, and there’s a communication- Mm-hmm
[00:25:39] Between me and the universe or spirit or the divine, whatever you wanna call it. That seems to come through my, my lyrical songs quite a bit. Mm. Yeah. Because that’s what I feel when I’m singing- Yeah … even if it’s non-lyrical. There is a communication that’s happening.
[00:25:54] Catherine Kontos: Yeah, because you have to go into r- you have to embody, like we said before.
[00:25:58] Yeah. You have to embody the moment, what’s [00:26:00] happening, maybe even something that you’re going through at that moment. Yes … and it just reveals itself-
[00:26:05] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes …
[00:26:05] Catherine Kontos: Through your voice. That too. Yeah. There are so many- Yeah … things that… And sometimes maybe we, this is just I’m putting it out there- when we’re listening to you, not knowing anything about what was happening in your life at that moment or how you were feeling and thinking, maybe we cry because- let’s say we cry, okay?
[00:26:23] Or we’re happy, we laugh, because maybe we’re feeling that energy through your voice. Yeah. Is that possible?
[00:26:29] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah. Right. I think so. I mean, yeah, I would think so … because
[00:26:32] Catherine Kontos: It’s, ‘
[00:26:34] Mei-lan Maurits: ‘Cause it’s coming through. And, of course, I’m going through my life, and I’m experiencing the joys and the sadness and grief and whatever point I’m in, and that does come through th- through the music as well.
[00:26:46] It’s, you know, if you’re, if you’re going through a heartache, you’re gonna h- you’re gonna feel and hear that. But that’s the universal thing, that we can all, no matter where we come from or what our background is, there’s something that makes us all [00:27:00] human. That’s the humanity of each and every one of us.
[00:27:03] We all know what grief feels like, what loss, what pain, challenges, suffering. We, joy and love. Like, we know that. And I think that that is what comes through in the sound, at least based off the feedback that I hear, is they feel that connection. It’s they feel the connection to source spirit, and they feel the human emotion as well, which touches people from-
[00:27:30] Catherine Kontos: Yeah
[00:27:30] The
[00:27:30] Mei-lan Maurits: feedback. Yeah.
[00:27:32] Catherine Kontos: D- do you feel… this is what I’ve heard. I don’t know. I’m not a singer. I, I’m a creative, but I’m not a singer. And I know for myself the answer, but do you feel as a singer in what you tap into, do you make your best music when you are in pain, grieving, or hurting somehow, or not?
[00:27:51] Mei-lan Maurits: It depends. It can be, yes. Ah, that’s a [00:28:00] hard one because I’ve also, I’ve also made… I feel I’ve created things from a space of just feeling
[00:28:12] So connected to spirit, so connected to the universe that, that I feel has a lot of emotional impact for me, and a lot of creativity comes from that. And then also I’ve had experiences where I was in deep pain. And it, th- that was very inspirational as well musically. And sometimes I have it too, you know, when we’re creating a track, and say there’s a lot of minor notes in it, automatically I can just tap into that feeling of grief or sadness, and it…
[00:28:45] And yeah, to sing on that is, you can feel it really deep in a very deep way. Yeah, I don’t know how to answer that, ’cause they’re both for me.
[00:28:56] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. Do you ever surprise [00:29:00] your audience with something that’s just a general fun, you know, dancing song or something like that? Have you ever done that?
[00:29:06] Or like, do you think you’ll ever do that?
[00:29:07] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:29:09] Catherine Kontos: You have?
[00:29:09] Mei-lan Maurits: Definitely, yes. I- So there’s a… Yeah, I guess I can say I’ve, I… Something that’s on the horizon that I, I’m putting together slowly: I do wanna make a dance album.
[00:29:24] Catherine Kontos: Oh,
[00:29:24] Mei-lan Maurits: Nice. Because I wanna dance, you know? And we do have in our concert, we do have, towards the end of the show, we sort of ramp it up and kinda leave in a very high-energy song, which is so fun.
[00:29:35] And, yeah, I would love to explore putting electronic sounds in there, too, with the angelic sounds. Oh. You know, I think that would be… Imagine people dancing. That’s a vision- Ah … of mine, for sure. Yeah.
[00:29:48] Catherine Kontos: Yes. Oh my goodness, yes. I could totally see that, and that would be fantastic.
[00:29:52] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes.
[00:29:52] Catherine Kontos: Wow. Oh, I can’t wait.
[00:29:54] I can’t wait to see all that come to fruition. So is that what you’re excited about? Is that the next, like, what’s coming up
[00:29:59] Mei-lan Maurits: For you? Uh, [00:30:00] well, I have a tour coming up, and that’s very exciting, this year starting in September. We’re starting in London, the first place that we had our concert, which is really special to us.
[00:30:10] We’re starting there. And then, we’ll be touring in the US and in Canada.
[00:30:15] Catherine Kontos: Yes.
[00:30:15] Mei-lan Maurits: So I’m very excited about that. And right now I’m working a lot on our app and our, specifically our meditation app. Yeah. And I’m very excited about that because every time that I’m doing it, and I just know the value that’s in there, and for, I know what the listener what they express, what they feel, and how it impacts their life in such a beautiful way is very exciting to me.
[00:30:45] So I would say right now those two. And new music. I’m making new music as well, and some have some dance elements to it, and others are slower and yeah.
[00:30:55] Catherine Kontos: I’m so glad- Yeah … we’re like soft launching some of your things here today.
[00:30:57] Mei-lan Maurits: I know. Thank you.[00:31:00]
[00:31:01] Catherine Kontos: Um, okay, let’s, let’s do some, like, rapid-fire. Let’s see, like, let’s just ask some, like, really quick, fast answers, you know, quick questions, quick answers, uh, that people may not know about you, right? Okay. So, something like what’s your favorite drink, coffee or tea?
[00:31:16] Mei-lan Maurits: Tea.
[00:31:17] Catherine Kontos: Favorite book?
[00:31:23] Mei-lan Maurits: I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
[00:31:24] Catherine Kontos: Okay. We’ll get back to it. Guilty pleasure that you’re like, “Oh my God.”
[00:31:28] Mei-lan Maurits: Chocolate.
[00:31:30] Catherine Kontos: Chocolate? Yeah, me too. Yeah, me too. Uh-
[00:31:34] Mei-lan Maurits: Okay. Chocolate and a really good period piece. You know, Oh … those olden day films? Yeah.
[00:31:41] Catherine Kontos: Yes. That’s- Together.
[00:31:43] Mei-lan Maurits: Yes, together, like Downton Abbey or something with chocolate.
[00:31:46] Yeah. I’d say
[00:31:46] Catherine Kontos: That’s- Absolutely …
[00:31:47] Mei-lan Maurits: A guilty pleasure.
[00:31:48] Catherine Kontos: What about a favorite song that’s not in your, not in your world, like, if, be- beyond what you do, like your favorite song that’s out there? [00:32:00]
[00:32:00] Mei-lan Maurits: Ooh.
[00:32:00] Catherine Kontos: Or band, or both. Why not?
[00:32:03] Mei-lan Maurits: Oh.
[00:32:07] Catherine Kontos: All-time favorite
[00:32:08] Mei-lan Maurits: All-time favorite. I really like Faithfully from Journey.
[00:32:14] Catherine Kontos: Beautiful song.
[00:32:15] Mei-lan Maurits: His voice-
[00:32:17] Catherine Kontos: Yeah …
[00:32:17] Mei-lan Maurits: Wow. Yeah, it’s something else.
[00:32:20] Catherine Kontos: That’s a good song. I haven’t heard this-
[00:32:22] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah, just the lyrics also and, and- Mm … yeah, the melody, the lyrics. I love that song.
[00:32:28] Catherine Kontos: Favorite band or-
[00:32:29] Mei-lan Maurits: There’s a lot. I have, I have a lot.
[00:32:31] Catherine Kontos: Yeah. Favorite band or singer as a teenager growing up?
[00:32:35] Mei-lan Maurits: Ooh, as a teenager.
[00:32:36] Catherine Kontos: Like, where you were really, like, almost a groupie. I’m just saying. Oh. Someone you really loved
[00:32:46] Mei-lan Maurits: So I loved this band called The Corrs. They were an Irish band.
[00:32:51] Catherine Kontos: Okay.
[00:32:52] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah. Yeah. I also love Enya.
[00:32:54] Catherine Kontos: Oh, yes. She’s got an- Who doesn’t love
[00:32:57] Mei-lan Maurits: Enya? …
[00:32:58] Catherine Kontos: incredible, [00:33:00] incredible voice.
[00:33:01] Mei-lan Maurits: Yeah.
[00:33:01] Catherine Kontos: Is truly- And her musicality … truly talented. Yeah, absolutely. Well, that’s it, I guess. You know, like, we’ve covered it all. Is there anything that you want to tell to the listener?
[00:33:10] Li- you know, something to stay with them.
[00:33:14] Mei-lan Maurits: I’d say if you’re feeling the nudge in any way from your soul or a part of you that feels either it’s time to explore something different, or maybe you’re even in a limbo state, just trust that. Trust that place, because it is calling you forward. We’re always evolving, and we’re here to grow and change and grow.
[00:33:37] And so if you’re feeling stuck, just allow that feeling to be there, and then lean in a little bit, because there’s always something on the other side for you, and your soul pulling you to its next exni- Yeah … its next place of evolution for you.
[00:33:56] Catherine Kontos: Thank you. Thank you for that message. Uh, if anybody’s looking [00:34:00] to listen to Mei-lan’s music, you can always go on YouTube or on her website.
[00:34:06] We will post all that under, you know, the podcast. You could find her in any of those. She will be, of course, in the Retreat Boss Magazine at retreatbossmagazine.com. And, uh, and I believe your concerts are all in the events section in your website- Yes… correct? So look forward to seeing… So look forward to seeing her in many, many places across the world.
[00:34:28] And, um, thank you. Thank you so much for being here with me today- Thank you… And gracing us with your presence and this beautiful message of- Yeah… of hope and finding your purpose. I appreciate you so much. Thank you. Thank you.
Author: Catherine Kontos
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