Started with you in 2016--when the evolution began--and have learned so much from watching your evolution from it's not hard to leading with grace. And the letting us in on the little things like hair, skin care, or tags on the outside makes us feel we "know" you so we really listen to the big things like equity, trauma, etc. Enjoying being with you on the journey!
I’m not sure when I really started to dig into your content but I do know it started around the Banff trip because I also went there that year. I thought it was cool that a celebrity was in a place I’d also been! My sister in law told me about the whole30 and I became a fan of you because you did hard things. I was in a newer relationship, post nasty divorce and trying to find the real me. Thank you for sharing your story and somehow encouraging me to grow unapologetically. I love this version of you and of me! I have zero regrets and I’m at peace, full of happiness and joy. Also on day 26 of my/our first whole30 because now I/we feel strong enough to do it for ourselves and be successful with it. Having a supportive partner on my health journey this time around is a huge change. 🤗🪷😉🧘🏼♀️💪🥰😘
As an “old-timer”, what strikes me the most in the photos is the aliveness in your eyes now and the joy that radiates from your smile.
I’ve always loved emojis, sometimes my sister and I will have entire conversations just in emojis. I was so excited for you when you first started using them. 😂 And lastly, every time a woman fully embodies herself, she helps light the way for the rest of us. Even more so when they do it as publicly as you. Thank you for that.
I have been around since then and like so many others echo here: support your evolution, am so grateful you shared these lessons with us, and see ourselves in your eloquent recap. Selfishly, I'm glad for all the book reviews, I just finished All Our Wrong Today's at your suggestion. ❤️
So relatable. As you know, I just found you recently, so I didn't get to witness your journey to this point, but in hearing about it, I marvel at how similar our journeys have been. Trauma, Addiction, Recovery, Starter Marriage, taking oneself entirely too seriously, lacking confidence, etc. I have a key tattoo on my inner right wrist that has I put there to remind me that I hold the key to the prison I create for myself in my own mind. I hold the key and I can let myself out. Interestingly, one key takeaway (pun not entirely intended) from my first ever Whole 30 (and 30 day yoga journey) is that that I don't _hold_ the key, the key is *ME*. Taking real and true care of myself unlocks my potential. I hear you saying the same thing in this essay. Thanks for sharing.
I have deeply appreciated your modeling over the years - for so many things like ways of showing up in the world, relationships, boundaries, DEI/anti-racist work, etc! - but in this context being so open about your journey normalizes how we can become lose ourselves or become misaligned with who we are and our values, and affirms the work we can do (especially with support!) to find/re-define ourselves again. Thank you for being you! 😊💗🙏🏼
I've been following you the entire time and love this version of you, but also in the little ways you have shaped this version of me. In some ways, your growth is tied to mine, as I know you are one of the few people I have followed the longest. As your language got gentler, it turns out so did mine. When you talked openly about trauma and therapy, that helped me talk about mine. I am grateful every day that I decided in 2011 to do a Whole30, and that has nothing to do with food. :)
I love that you share this, not that it’s any of our business, but it brings perspective. In HS some people thought I was a bitch because I didn’t say hi when passing in the hall. I was just unbearably shy and could not get the hi out unless someone said hi to me first. It’s a good reminder that we have no idea why someone is quiet or private or appears to be a bitch. Thank you for sharing and inspiring. ❤️
Crying because I feel sad that you were going through this and also because I recognize myself in it. Wish we didn't have to live through the shit to get to the other side, but man is it worth it.
Thank you for this post. You pave the way for all of us to continue to become more of ourselves. And better citizens. If it wasn’t for you allowing us to watch and be a part of your journey, it’d be a much less paved path for us all. The example you set of curiosity in your own life and circumstance lifts me up. I can change my mind/view/perspective and not be a hypocrite?! Enlightening. 😉💙 Thank you.
I love this. And I love that we all can grow thru these times of our lives that we look back on and cringe a bit. Learning to live in multiples has been the best learning experience....we are so many things at once! Thank you for your beautiful words. ❤️
Well, I guess this was something I needed to read this today. Thank you for helping me to feel less alone. That last sentiment, that we can be powerful AND talk about not-so-serious/ “frivolous “ things, that we can be A and B and C….that guy me hard. Thank you.
Started with you in 2016--when the evolution began--and have learned so much from watching your evolution from it's not hard to leading with grace. And the letting us in on the little things like hair, skin care, or tags on the outside makes us feel we "know" you so we really listen to the big things like equity, trauma, etc. Enjoying being with you on the journey!
I’m not sure when I really started to dig into your content but I do know it started around the Banff trip because I also went there that year. I thought it was cool that a celebrity was in a place I’d also been! My sister in law told me about the whole30 and I became a fan of you because you did hard things. I was in a newer relationship, post nasty divorce and trying to find the real me. Thank you for sharing your story and somehow encouraging me to grow unapologetically. I love this version of you and of me! I have zero regrets and I’m at peace, full of happiness and joy. Also on day 26 of my/our first whole30 because now I/we feel strong enough to do it for ourselves and be successful with it. Having a supportive partner on my health journey this time around is a huge change. 🤗🪷😉🧘🏼♀️💪🥰😘
As an “old-timer”, what strikes me the most in the photos is the aliveness in your eyes now and the joy that radiates from your smile.
I’ve always loved emojis, sometimes my sister and I will have entire conversations just in emojis. I was so excited for you when you first started using them. 😂 And lastly, every time a woman fully embodies herself, she helps light the way for the rest of us. Even more so when they do it as publicly as you. Thank you for that.
I have been around since then and like so many others echo here: support your evolution, am so grateful you shared these lessons with us, and see ourselves in your eloquent recap. Selfishly, I'm glad for all the book reviews, I just finished All Our Wrong Today's at your suggestion. ❤️
So relatable. As you know, I just found you recently, so I didn't get to witness your journey to this point, but in hearing about it, I marvel at how similar our journeys have been. Trauma, Addiction, Recovery, Starter Marriage, taking oneself entirely too seriously, lacking confidence, etc. I have a key tattoo on my inner right wrist that has I put there to remind me that I hold the key to the prison I create for myself in my own mind. I hold the key and I can let myself out. Interestingly, one key takeaway (pun not entirely intended) from my first ever Whole 30 (and 30 day yoga journey) is that that I don't _hold_ the key, the key is *ME*. Taking real and true care of myself unlocks my potential. I hear you saying the same thing in this essay. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been with you from the beginning and have LOVED the evolution of Melissa. It helped me so much in my own self-discovery.
I have deeply appreciated your modeling over the years - for so many things like ways of showing up in the world, relationships, boundaries, DEI/anti-racist work, etc! - but in this context being so open about your journey normalizes how we can become lose ourselves or become misaligned with who we are and our values, and affirms the work we can do (especially with support!) to find/re-define ourselves again. Thank you for being you! 😊💗🙏🏼
Thanks so much, Lisa! That means a lot ❤️
I've been following you the entire time and love this version of you, but also in the little ways you have shaped this version of me. In some ways, your growth is tied to mine, as I know you are one of the few people I have followed the longest. As your language got gentler, it turns out so did mine. When you talked openly about trauma and therapy, that helped me talk about mine. I am grateful every day that I decided in 2011 to do a Whole30, and that has nothing to do with food. :)
This makes me so happy. And I’m touched. Thanks for the decade-plus of connection ❤️
This is such a great post and a testament to being wonderfully, unapologetically yourself. Love this for you, and it’s truly inspiring for us all.
Thank you so much Leslie! ❤️
I love that you share this, not that it’s any of our business, but it brings perspective. In HS some people thought I was a bitch because I didn’t say hi when passing in the hall. I was just unbearably shy and could not get the hi out unless someone said hi to me first. It’s a good reminder that we have no idea why someone is quiet or private or appears to be a bitch. Thank you for sharing and inspiring. ❤️
This is so true. We never really know what people are going through ❤️
I love this. I’m in the midst of figuring out who this Melisa is (work, live, online) because I don’t know anymore.
The rediscovery can be joyful!! I hope it is for you ❤️
Extraordinary essay. So insightful, so helpful to others. So authentic and honest. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much ❤️❤️
Crying because I feel sad that you were going through this and also because I recognize myself in it. Wish we didn't have to live through the shit to get to the other side, but man is it worth it.
It was sad, and I wouldn’t have it any other way
Thank you for this post. You pave the way for all of us to continue to become more of ourselves. And better citizens. If it wasn’t for you allowing us to watch and be a part of your journey, it’d be a much less paved path for us all. The example you set of curiosity in your own life and circumstance lifts me up. I can change my mind/view/perspective and not be a hypocrite?! Enlightening. 😉💙 Thank you.
I love that!!! For me and for you ❤️
I love this. And I love that we all can grow thru these times of our lives that we look back on and cringe a bit. Learning to live in multiples has been the best learning experience....we are so many things at once! Thank you for your beautiful words. ❤️
Thanks so much Julie ❤️
Well, I guess this was something I needed to read this today. Thank you for helping me to feel less alone. That last sentiment, that we can be powerful AND talk about not-so-serious/ “frivolous “ things, that we can be A and B and C….that guy me hard. Thank you.
We can care about many things at once, and I'd venture to say that makes us human, and relatable, and mentally healthy. XO