Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Webb. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Melanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I used to say that I knew what I’d accomplished working for others and now it was time to take the risk to believe in myself. But I no longer see pursuing my own path as a risk. In fact, the way I see it, it’s riskier to put all my eggs in the basket of another employer!

Going into the pandemic of 2020 I’d already been “sitting the bench,” as I like to call it, for about 8 months. I’d had two mTBI’s (that stands for mild traumatic brain injury, aka ‘concussion’) within a month of each other, and I had my hands full with a far-reaching and complicated healing process. Once the pandemic hit it became even more clear to me that my business wasn’t diversified and that everything was taking place in-person. Something had to change, my business needed to evolve.

My mindset was to stay alert and open to opportunities to add a technological component to my fitness practice. Serendipitously, I was contacted to provide input on the development of a new app created especially for fitness and wellness professionals. I recognized the invitation immediately and without hesitation, I said, “I’m in!”

Did I have deep pockets or know how to develop an app? The answer, of course, was No. But could I learn and apply the skillsets to a new platform? Yes, of course I could! As I evaluated my level of risk I realized my career path had been leading in this direction all the while. The moment of decision had arrived, and it was time to take the leap.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been named “The person to call for guided travel in Utah” by DEPARTURES Magazine, “a leader in the adventure travel industry” by Norie Quintos of National Geographic Traveler, and “one of the top trainers in the industry” by The Sports Club/LA (now Equinox). I’m the founder and creator of WebbWell and the WebbWell fitness app. A sought-after industry and corporate retreat facilitator and speaker, my course Mother Nature’s Gym Outdoor Fitness Guide is approved for 1.6 CEC’s from American Council on Exercise.

I like to say that I’ve spent my career working at the intersections where health and wellness meet the outdoors. I’ve performed distribution and monitoring surveys of sensitive and endangered native aquatic species as a wildlife biologist in southern Utah; represented the largest independently owned outdoor clothing brand in the fight to protect Bears Ears National Monument; been named to multiple Top Ten lists in the fitness and adventure travel industries; and most recently launched my own app WebbWell to make my Body+Mind+Nature fitness methods accessible to more people. My course Mother Nature’s Gym Outdoor Fitness Guide is approved for 1.6 CEC’s from the American Council on Exercise.

As a fitness practice, WebbWell specializes in guiding what I call “Power Players” through their recovery and healing practice, so they can feel more connected and return to maximum productivity. Everyone has a chapter in life where they are coming off of a setback that has impacted their relationship with their health. With a little guidance I can help them channel the successes they’ve had in their business or career for success in reaching their fitness goals. I love this work and the team approach of working with my clients.

What I’d like people to know about me and my brand is that I’ve been there too. I’ve felt the loss of my health due to accidents and illness, and I know what it feels like to be so caught up in the hamster wheel of career life that you think if you step off for one minute to take care of yourself, everything will fall apart. WebbWell is the culmination of not only the last 25 years of working professionally to perfect my trade, but of a lifetime of applied experience and mis-adventures in the Body+MInd+Nature arts.

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

My first business was operating a boutique fitness adventure travel business that specialized in curating customized active vacations for wellness-minded travelers. My specialty area was the National Parks in Utah. Yoga trips are hot now, but imagine doing this in the early 2010’s! It was exciting and fun–and extremely demanding.

I soon realized that I had created a business model that wasn’t scalable, and I was wearing myself out. Come to find out my body didn’t need 20 week-long active vacations a year! What I needed was some recovery time. I went to Miami for 3 weeks on my own healing fitness retreat, followed by a 10-day silent Buddhist Vipassana Meditation. Both did wonders for my tired body, and I felt revitalized.

Shortly after that break I receive an invitation to go to work for an outdoor clothing company as Editor at Large of an ambitious storytelling project. I’d never dreamt of working for a clothing company, but I realized I’d been in a parallel universe for quite some time and I knew I had a lot to offer. Further, taking the break from working in my own company would keep me in cash flow until I decided what my next step should be.

At times I’d think about what it meant to set aside my own business ambitions and vision of a healthy workplace in order to help another entrepreneur accomplish his dreams. I’d hoped he’d see my desire to learn and be mentored. I don’t think he ever did, and that was okay. The role I’d been hired to fill ended up expanding into opportunities I hadn’t dreamt of, and it was clear that I was in the right place at the right time. Until it was no longer the right place or the right time, and it was time to go.

I left to finish writing my book, and within a year began putting the framework up for WebbWell. That pivot was a good move, one which I’ve never regretted taking.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The question of resilience takes me back to my story about recovering from post-concussive syndrome during the global pandemic. It was a time of serious reckoning for me. I wasn’t allowed to work, which caused a lot of introspection. Who am I when I can’t feel a sense of worth from my accomplishments? What was I supposed to do with my time all day? Further, being in a chronic pain cycle really chipped away at my joy.

By the time of the shut down I’d already had 8 months of healing and time off under my belt. I’d entered into an interesting contract to provide wellness retreats at a high end resort property near my home in Park City and I was excited to get back to work. When the hotel was forced to close it felt like the rug had been pulled out from me. But my thoughts immediately went to everyone else. I remember thinking, “people are going to need help.”

In that moment I knew how much I’d healed, and I felt immense gratitude that when others were suffering, I was in a position to help. I guess that’s at the core of who I am, and why I enjoy working with people on their own healing journeys. I can credit my family, and especially my grandparents who lived through World War II, with the DNA that has made me a survivor. But it’s also my willingness to take risks and do hard things that prepared me for what was the hardest chapter in my own life. Resilience is not a given, it must be forged.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://webbwell.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webbwellco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebbMelanie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieawebb/
• Other: Apple Store: https://www.facebook.com/WebbMelanie

Image Credits
Image of group of women outside: Credit Dean Tutor Image of group outside on redrock: Credit Cari Gray Image of me lunging: Credit Sascha Milara Headshot of me: Credit Sascha Milara Image of me on the beach: Credit Pascal Dangin, West Coast