We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melissa Gaskin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I have had several defining moments of my professional career. My career in education began in 2009 as a classroom teacher. As I approached five years of commuting 53 miles one way, being the grade level leader, leading technology trainings for my campus, and mentoring new teachers, I was realizing that I had ignored my personal health. I was busy chasing goals and making an impact in my school that I didn’t stop to think about how I was showing up or how my body and mind were feeling, I was plagued by migraines, emotional eating, and getting my dopamine through sugars and carbs. Then, in 2014 I got pregnant. I removed caffeine from my diet but just leaned more into dairy (hello, ice cream) and quick carbs. During that pregnancy, I knew that while my journey began in education that is not my passion. My passion is seeing improvement and growth in those I am working with just not within the confines of the education system.

That was a defining moment:
The birth of my first child and the self-realization that I was not fulfilled within the education system.

My health journey really started with created awareness of chemicals and toxins in my home and on my body. In 2015, my oldest was born and I became a stay-at-home mom. I found plant-powered healing through essential oils and shared my journey with many, simultaneously building an essential oil team. I loved seeing moms become empowered through plant medicine and seeing immediate shifts in the health of their family. I was starting to feel more like myself.

Then, I noticed that many approached essential oils like they would pharmaceuticals. It was a reactive approach for many, which works in some scenarios. But the reality is that lifestyle changes make the biggest impact to your health.

During this time, my sister had been battling a long journey with women’s health concerns and wasn’t finding any answers after seeing countless medical professionals, using alternative modalities, and integrative practitioners. I observed her struggle within the system, her out-of-pocket costs with minimal answers, and even some gaslighting. My youngest was born in 2018 and at that time, I was my heaviest. I was feeling unhealthy and mentally struggling. I knew that if I wasn’t going to improve my health for me, I would for my two growing kids.

So, I dove in. I found an online trainer and worked through her macro program, eliminated foods from my diet, and started creating a healthier relationship with food. I began consistently going to yoga and incorporating mindfulness or meditation into my daily routines. I started to gain energy, lose weight; and I found myself again.

Then, the pandemic hit. At that time, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. This was following a triple bypass the previous fall. That hit close to home. I began really investigating nutrition, prevention of lifestyle diseases, and lifestyle medicine.

Another defining moment:
After these family experiences, I realized, first-hand, that our nation is not getting healthier, we are getting sicker. I want better for my family, my kids and my generation.

These experiences led me to where I am today.

I pursued my health coaching training through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in 2022 and began coaching the same year. In 2023, I completed my prerequisites for the National Board exam as a Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and passed the board exam in 2024.

Aa a National Board Certified Integrative Health and Wellness Coach, NBC-HWC, I empower women to take control of their health, listen to their intuition, and slow down to fully know and understand their bodies. I walk alongside you on your journey to a sustainable lifestyle packed with joy, freedom, and health.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Coaching creates transformation! Discover a world beyond diets and restrictions with health coaching. I take a holistic and lifestyle approach blending whole-health well-being, focusing on fueling your body, moving with joy, and finding balance in life. When working we me, I support your journey in creating sustainable lifestyle shifts that support your health goals. There are three guiding pillars, Fuel, Fit, and Fun, that are embedded into your journey with me. These include:

Fuel: Discover the power of food as medicine. I help you establish a healthy relationship with food, breaking free from the chains of emotional eating and embracing food freedom. As a nutrition guide, focusing on metabolic functions and sugar awareness, I guide you in making informed choices that support your body’s unique needs, whether you’re managing diabetes, lowering cholesterol, or simply optimizing your overall health.
Fit: Experience the joy of movement! I help you incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle. Through personalized and collective fitness discussions, I empower you to build strength, endurance, and confidence while reducing your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Fitness isn’t just about exercise; it’s about finding what truly fits into your world.
Fun: Embrace a life filled with joy, balance, and purpose. My holistic approach nurtures your mind, body, and spirit, helping you cultivate a positive outlook and manage life’s stresses. By prioritizing self-care and healing, you’ll deepen your connection to yourself while having fun along the way.

Experience a transformative journey to a healthier you! Beyond quick fixes, I offers a holistic approach that blends body, mind, and spirit. Discover the joy of nourishing your body with wholesome foods, while shedding the weight of emotional eating. Unleash your inner athlete with personalized fitness plans that boost energy and confidence. Reclaim your balance with practices that nurture your soul. My expertise and unwavering support will guide you towards a vibrant, sustainable lifestyle that you choose and love!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a child, I was often told to “clean my plate”. I would have a decent size serving of food and was expected to eat it before partaking in dessert. Of course, I wanted dessert so I would clear my plate. This became engrained in me and created an unhealthy relationship with eating and ultimately led to over-eating. I’ve had to unlearn this on my journey to better health.
I have taught myself to start with veggies and greens to support a blood sugar balance and to omit the breads with meals. I limit the portions on my plate since I can always get seconds and I substitute dessert with fruit. I’ve mentally been able to shift the thought that I “need” dessert after a meal. These are ways I have supported my “clean the plate” thoughts and is something that I also coach many of my clients through. While I’ve personally made a lot of progress in this area, it’s still a journey!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Growing up I loved caring for others, playing teacher, and leading groups. I knew I wanted to incorporate those passions into my future career and in college, I did just that. I finished my Education Degree and became an early childhood teacher. Years later, I completed my Master’s Degree while I was teaching. I wanted to truly lead change within education but as I dove into the complexity of the system, I knew I didn’t want to get into the legalities within the system. Around this time, I had trouble maintaining a healthy weight, had intense migraines, and felt as if I were just going through the motions each day. The community at my school was toxic with a lot of negativity and gossip among the teachers. The migraines grew worse and I took a prescription that made my feet numb. I knew something had to change and I couldn’t go on feeling that way each day. I found sound healing. This introduction into healing vibrations and frequencies was truly impactful. After just a few weeks, I didn’t have any more migraines. But, I knew I needed a change. Months later, I had a beautiful baby boy.

Thankfully, I was able to step away from my career in education and become full time mom due to my supportive husband. I dove into natural cleaning options and essential oils to support myself and my family. Then I shared them with everyone I knew because they had become an integral part to my own healing journey.

After several months of sharing about the power of plants through essential oils, I was no longer a full time mom. I had a wonderful side-gig that supported my personal health, fulfilled that need to educate and care for others, while stepping into my leadership strengths. Fast forward several years, Covid hits, my family is plagued with emerging health concerns, and the world shuts down.

During this time, I went inward. I navigated my own health, nutritional needs, and found a better balance between my own mental health, being mom, and pursuing my passions. In 2022, I earned my Integrative Nutrition Coaching certification and in 2024 my National Board Certification. Today, I am feeling more aligned than ever as an advocate, public speaker, and guide for my clients.

Each pivot, taught me to slow down and listen, be present and grateful in each day, and remember that life is a journey of experiences that are meant to be enjoyed!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melissagaskin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissagaskin.pursuezen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissagaskin.pursuezen/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagaskin/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MelissaGaskin