My story is your story.
And every story matters
I’m Melanie, and I am an ardent believer that each of us as leaders have a profound story to tell.
Personal stories are so much more interesting and compelling to read than your typical bio. To truly understand a person and what they want to share with the world, we must know their story, and every one of us has one.
Within our stories are pivotal moments that help to shape and define our lives and who we are. Our circumstances, experiences, and lessons are unique to each of us, yet we are all bound by the silent knowledge that we are in this together.
My own experiences took me from being a scrawny, sickly, small-town kid to becoming a successful performer, creator, and producer in the entertainment industry for nearly 30 years, to opening one of the most celebrated wellness centers in the nation, to now being a success and personal development expert.
My personal journey led me to become wildly curious about what stops each of us from reaching our highest potential.
As a devoted lifelong learner, I have spent years studying many different areas of personal transformation, personal development, and human potential.
I have studied psychology, coaching, grief and loss, bioenergetics, archetypes, meditation, yoga, and many alternative healing modalities. I have also devoted years of study to business, behavioral finance, money, branding, artistic development, marketing, and entrepreneurship — but the best part is: I’ve also lived it.
It was from my deepest struggles that I grew in ways I never imagined. I learned, without doubt, that there is nothing we cannot recover from or thrive because of.
As a sick child, I was a deep thinker and I spent a lot of time alone observing life and people. I was a natural writer and poet. By the age of 8 I had already been recognized for my poetry. My first published piece showed my burning desire to understand why we are all here and what is the foundational cause of our struggles.
The world is not a prison house,
But a kind of spiritual kindergarten
Where millions of bewildered children
Are trying to spell God
With the wrong blocks.
~Melanie, 8
Those words set me on a path of calling that I would find far down the road.
However, it would be years before I was published again.
Throughout my careers I remained focused, determined, and committed to understanding people, their pain, and their potential for personal excellence. It was all I really cared about. It is, to this day, what I care about.
You, us, we are what I care about.
I have devoted years to obtaining the knowledge and the science behind what it is that drives us and what it is that throws us off our destined course and natural rhythm. What derails us from our true destination.
Healing and overcoming my own life’s challenges and heartbreaks was an amazing curriculum to gaining wisdom on my quest.
In my early 2o’s, after studying psychology and public relations I went out into the world and quite by accident became an award-winning actress, copywriter, songwriter, jingle writer, and choreographer. It’s funny how life can capture us, and if we let it, take us in a direction that elevates us beyond our own vision.
Then, when I was 27 and starring in the role of Emily Stewart on As The World Turns, one of the oldest and most popular daytime dramas the news came: My mother was dying of a rare and terminal cancer. The news came out of nowhere. It was devastating. She was my best friend.
As The World Turns was my mother’s favorite show. We watched it together religiously during my childhood and now I would leave that very same show to usher her out of our world.
In learning to deal with the loss of my mother, I delved into studying ways to cope, and unbeknownst to me at the time, so began my first steps into becoming a grief and loss specialist and personal development expert. Life had snared me once again.
After long days of filming for shows like Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Star Trek, Melrose Place, and more, I would immediately return to my studies, my books, and my teachers.
I buried myself in the spiritual sciences, depth psychology, yoga, nutrition, and personal growth practices. Going back to school, studying in ashrams, traveling for certifications, and mentoring with some of the greatest teachers in the world…
After the birth of my son, I had to make a decision. I left a successful career in Hollywood to raise Gideon and follow my purpose.
I was on a mission.
In my early 2o’s, after studying psychology and public relations I went out into the world and quite by accident became an award-winning actress, copywriter, songwriter, jingle writer, and choreographer. It’s funny how life can capture us, and if we let it, take us in a direction that elevates us beyond our own vision.
Then, when I was 27 and starring in the role of Emily Stewart on As The World Turns, one of the oldest and most popular daytime dramas the news came: My mother was dying of a rare and terminal cancer. The news came out of nowhere. It was devastating. She was my best friend.
As The World Turns was my mother’s favorite show. We watched it together religiously during my childhood and now I would leave that very same show to usher her out of our world.
In learning to deal with the loss of my mother, I delved into studying ways to cope, and unbeknownst to me at the time, so began my first steps into becoming a grief and loss specialist and personal development expert. Life had snared me once again.
After long days of filming for shows like Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Star Trek, Melrose Place, and more, I would immediately return to my studies, my books, and my teachers.
I buried myself in the spiritual sciences, depth psychology, yoga, nutrition, and personal growth practices. Going back to school, studying in ashrams, traveling for certifications, and mentoring with some of the greatest teachers in the world…
After the birth of my son, I had to make a decision. I left a successful career in Hollywood to raise Gideon and follow my purpose.
I was on a mission.
I knew my work was necessary.
As I became a greater expert in all areas of holistic wellness, emotional healing, meditation, yoga, and positive psychology, I began to find myself in the position of confidant, advisor, teacher, and coach to some of the most highly respected and high-profile people in the country. I was finding out that helping people draft their life blueprint came naturally to me.
It elevated my life and my feeling of true purpose to a whole different level. I was gifted and deeply passionate about it.
My award-winning wellness and lifestyle center was recognized by Vogue, Yoga Journal, Philadelphia magazine, and more as one of the most reputed and respected in the U.S. We graduated over 450 teachers and educated thousands.
I have created and led leadership trainings, written for several national publications, and have spoken to audiences around the globe.
I have overcome divorce, financial restructuring, and walking away from not one, but two major careers in my life among many other events big and small.
I bounced back and found the strength to get through the loss of two sisters and my father. From the ashes of past heartache, I have risen again to build three highly successful businesses, raise a healthy and happy son, and develop profoundly deep and loving relationships.
Everything I have gone through prepared me to lean into what is happening in the moment, and I have never been happier.
I have reinvented myself more than most and succeeded beyond even my wildest dreams.
I’ve devoted most of my life to studying how to not only survive difficult experiences, but how to excel and master life because of them. It is in breaking through the turbulence and the clouds of our life that allows us to soar and shine on the other side.
With nearly 30 years of research and two decades of coaching experience, I can help you no matter the issue.
Whether it is relationships, money, leadership, life transition, getting over a lost loved one, getting over Unfinished Business or if you simply aren’t living your brightest life, one filled with meaning and purpose.
Yes, my story has had sad times, but my life has been rich with wonderful experiences, playing wonderful roles, meeting and loving amazing and brilliant people, sharing my love of living a powerful and vibrant life, and of course the birth of my son, Gideon, who remains my greatest teacher.
This is the story we all have… good and bad, highs and lows, peaks and valleys, wins and losses. Sometimes we get caught up in a particular part of the story and find it difficult to move on or get past it. Or, we lose our way and can’t see clearly what comes next or what’s truly ours.
That is where I come in!
It would be an honor and a privilege to work with you and share in your story.
After all… I am on a mission, and my story is your story.
- 15 Years in Practice
- ICF-PCC
- IC-MCC
- Founding Fellow of Harvard University’s Life Coaching Institute
- Columnist and Contributing Writer for National Health and Wellness Publications
- Nationally Renowned Health and Wellness Entrepreneur
- Board Certified
- Gestalt Trained Life Coach: Gestalt Therapy Institute of Philadelphia
- Holistic Health and Nutrition Counselor: Purchase University
- Coaching in Leadership and Healthcare: Theory, Practice, and Result: Continued Education, Harvard Medical School
- Certification in Therapeutic Lifestyle; Genetic Potential Through Nutrition
- Certified FLT Lifestyle Educator
- Certification in Techniques of Mind Body Integration: Dr. Anodea Judith
- Certification in the Chakras and Body Energy: Dr. Anodea Judith
- Certified Grief Recovery Specialist
- Certification in Positive Psychology: Dr. Tal Ben Shahar
- Certification of Achievement, Entrepreneurship: Continued Education: MIT Sloan School of Management
- Behavioral Economics in Action: Continued Education; Rotman School of Management
- Foundations of Philosophy: University of Pittsburgh
- Music Business Fundamentals: Clive Davis School of Music NYU
- ALT MBA Alumni Seth Godin
- Certified Money Coach
- Certified Business Coach
- Certified Divorce Coach
- Certified Mentor Coach
- HeartMath Clinical Certification for Stress, Anxiety, and Self-Regulation.
- Studies in Aromachology & Natural Fragrancing; Mandy Aftel & Hilde Soliani
- Neighborhood Playhouse
- America Academy of Dramatic Arts
- NY Jazz Academy
- Certified ERYT 500: Yoga Alliance
- Owned and operated one of the country’s most respected yoga and wellness facilities, recognized by Vogue, Yoga Journal, and Philadelphia Magazine among others
- Directed Programs and Produced Wellness Events that graduated hundreds of teachers and inspired thousands globally
- Face and Ambassador for International Wellness Brands
- Award-Winning Actress
- Hit Song Writer
- Jingle/Copy Writer for Major Brands
- Raised an amazing son!
Are you ready for an experience that transforms your soul?
Reach out by completing the form below and I’ll get in touch!
