Meet Melissa Cohen | Holistic Health Coach

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

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Our biggest challenges can be our greatest gifts. I was furloughed from my corporate job in the fashion industry due to covid-19. I moved back home and didn’t know what my next steps would be. I always thought I was meant to be in the Fashion world and when that was taken away I felt stuck. I didn’t know the relief I was about to feel. I had time to focus on what I really wanted to do with my life and reflect on what was really important to me.

While at home, I realized what had been missing from my life. Working long hours in a corporate world left little time to care for my mind and body. I began to nourish myself with the right foods and took time to do things that contributed to my mental health.

My daily dedication to health led me to question my life in a corporate world.
I enrolled at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to become a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach. During the year of studying for my certification, I learned more about maintaining a healthy relationship with food. I learned that there are other important factors besides food that contribute to wellness. I felt excited to share my knowledge and guide others to create a fulfilling life.

I consider being a health coach the gift I received from the challenge of being furloughed from my job.

When I was offered a promotion at the end of my furlough, I took a scary jump: I turned down the job and decided to continue my wellness journey. I always wanted to be my own boss and find a career that I found joy in while also helping others.

As Nelson Mandela said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

Since I received my Holistic Health Coach Certification, I have met so many great people in the wellness community. I have had the opportunity to share healthy habits that have influenced me in the hope that I can inspire others.

I still wake up some mornings and feel the overwhelm of what’s ahead, but I know this is the right path for me in this moment and that nothing worthwhile in life comes easily.

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?
Club Nourished is a holistic approach to wellness. Holistic means whole. Holistic wellness is about the whole person. In other words, making sure we are taking care of our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. ⁣
The best way to lead a holistic life is by becoming aware of the things that give all those parts of us nourishment.
⁣
The important thing to remember, is that there is nothing wrong and you are already whole, you just have to get in touch with that feeling.
⁣⁣
Look at all the areas of your life and make a daily practice of asking yourself, what needs your attention. It won’t always be the same. By feeding that part, even just a little bit, you are living holistically. It’s that simple.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was coming into town I would have a very fun itinerary planned! First we would wake up and go to Ekam Pilates for some morning movement. After a nice class, we would go to Kit Coffee and chat over some matcha lattes. Then we would hop in my car and take a drive down PCH to grab lunch at Zinc Cafe & Market in Corona del Mar. After that, we would walk a block to the beach and enjoy some sunshine! As the sun sets, we would go to Topside Bar at Lido House and enjoy drinks on the roof.

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?
My parents have been my biggest cheerleaders in everything I do. I don’t know where I would be without them. There constant love and support has helped me get through harder days and push myself to keep moving. It’s not easy leaving a corporate job, but knowing that my happiness comes before anything was very important to me.

Instagram: club nourished