Meet Melissa Boleslawski | Photographer & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Boleslawski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I love risk taking and I am a huge advocate for it! Risk taking has played a major role in the evolution of my career over the past 11 years. I would not be where I am today without the risks I’ve personally taken…and they weren’t just any risks. They were high risk, high reward type of situations like moving across the country with only $200 to your name kind of risks! I believe as humans we are meant to take those uncertain risks. They show up in our lives and serve as roadmaps to where we’re meant to evolve in life. I feel the only reason risk taking scares many is due to conditioned fear of uncertainty. As cliche as it may sound, the magic truly does happen outside of our comfort zones. Risk is the doorway to becoming who we need to be in order to make the dreams we have an actual reality.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Recently, I started an entirely new business. For the past 11 years, I’ve been a Nutritionist and Certified Personal Trainer specifically helping women heal their Emotional Eating Behaviors. This year I’ve been able to reflect on the past 11 years and came to the conclusion I wasn’t using the appropriate business vehicle to create the impact I wish to create in my lifetime. Just because I have an evolved skillset in the Healthcare Industry doesn’t mean I’m meant to stay in the industry for the rest of my life. So I did a little soul searching this year and came to the conclusion I am more of a visual creator – it’s even more natural for me then the Wellness Industry. Photography was a hobby growing up and something I always held myself back to developing. I never looked at it as a career until this year. Needless to say, I took one of those big risks I’m such an advocate for and jumped all in on building a photography business. I am happier then ever 🙂 Was this an easy decision? Absolutely not. I made an identity for myself in the Wellness Industry and to step out of that identity and into another, was definitely scary. One of those “Who am I?” situations. Thankfully, I’ve had plenty of practice over the years as an entrepreneur to lean into the scary. Eventually, you strengthen that muscle and decisions become easier. There are 3 things I am CONFIDENT sets me apart from others; 1) I influence healthy “rule breaking”; giving others permission to step away from the conventional way of doing things (especially if it doesn’t work for them) and finding a new way that specifically works for them 2) The amount of empathy I’m able to provide to others 3) Being able to offer different & unique perspectives. There isn’t one way to think nor one way to do things. I absolutely offer others the curiosity of doing things differently simply by me sharing another perspective with them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite spots in the city!? I’m not sure I’m the one to be asking since I’ve only lived in California for a year! I’ve been out exploring, however, I know there is so much more to explore. Lets see, if my best friend were coming to town, what would the itinerary be…. Well, first off, I am a person who prefers to cook in most days. However, there are some cute spots for morning coffee, midday snacks, and dinners with a view. I would definitely take her to Moniker Coffee in Liberty Station – great coffee and a beautiful place to take a walk too. The Living Room Cafe in La Jolla is also another cute place to grab coffee. You can either sit and stay with a view over La Jolla or go down to the cove and walk around. Most dinners would be at home with the exception of one dinner out at Jakes in Del Mar. Absolutely STUNNING views while eating. As far as activities go.. so many! I would take her to Dog Beach in Ocean Beach, The Sunset Cliffs in OB, Windnsea Beach in La Jolla, paddle boarding in mission bay, Coronado Island, Soulscape in Encinitas, the list could go on!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, I feel every person I’ve ever come across in the 32 years I have been living deserves credit in my story. If it weren’t for all life experiences I have had (whether solo or with others over the past 32 years), then I would not be who I am and where I am today. I’ve had amazing mentors, coaches, and therapists along the way. I have extremely supporting family & friends. And those who aren’t actively in my life, well, they taught me valuable life lessons which I have been able to use in my business ventures.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_melissa_boleslawski_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaboleslawski/

Image Credits
Image Credits are myself 🙂 They’re my work.