We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melanie Holder a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Melanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?
An important lesson that I learned at a past job is that sometimes bad things happen to good-even great- people and the journey is not always what you expect, but with hard work and perseverance, it all works out for the best!
The story begins with a well-known private school that was facing lawsuits for not being able to meet the nutritional needs of all students. As a Registered Dietitian, I was hired to help.
I developed, implemented, and standardized several programs and policies that allowed the school to meet that need and to safely serve all students and staff with food allergies and medical conditions. I traveled across the country teaching and helping other private schools’ food service and nutrition programs with the adoption of these programs. In addition, I implemented wellness programs for both staff and students. After these initiatives were in place-I came to a dead end. There was little opportunity and space for growth. I was just there.
Then, one day I was called into the office and told my position was being eliminated and that I was welcome to apply for a lower status job.
It was at this moment when it appeared everything was falling apart that I realized things were really coming together.
The world of opportunity had now opened, and my horizon expanded. As the saying goes, “The sky was now the limit”, and I was no longer stuck. I, now, had the needed courage to step into things I had dreamed about doing-both personally and professionally.
The window was closed, but doors began opening and in less than a week’s time I was on a path that has led me to better job positions and better compensation, introductions to others that would prove to push me further into my greatness, returning to school, and starting my own business.
Melanie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi! I am Melanie and your Guide to Reclaiming Your Confidence and Control in your Health! But, first let me share my why with you and how BE Well Wellness Group came about.
My story begins over 25 years ago when I decided I wanted to help people to eat good foods and live healthier lives. I studied Culinary Arts at the Art Institute of Atlanta in the late 90’s and was a Chef in some of the best restaurants you can dine in. I love good food! After working in the hospitality industry for several years, I decided to take my passion for great food and learn how to teach people that healthy can taste great! It was then that I decided to further my education and studies in Nutrition of Dietetics at Life University.
I became a Board Registered and Licensed Dietitian in 2008. I have practiced clinical nutrition in acute care, outpatient care, long term care, psychiatric care, dialysis, corporate and school settings.
But I felt pieces of the puzzle were missing!
Over the years of empowering people to live healthier lives through nutrition, I started to want to offer people more. This led me to begin researching more holistic and whole health approaches. In early 2018, I, once again, enrolled in school at Energetic Health Institute and this time my focus was on Holistic Nutrition.
In the interim, I began gardening and creating a healthier plate for me and my family. Gardening brought me peace and joy and a discovery of the many varieties of fruits and vegetables. I would love to share some of my gardening tips with you!
And then came my breast cancer diagnosis in late 2018-several surgeries, and months of chemo. This left me lacking confidence, feeling weak and dependent. I was so used to the one being in charge!
However, I was determined not be a victim but to use this as an opportunity to help myself and be the light for others. I struggled, but stayed the course, and used what I was learning in my holistic coursework to help push through the adversities of surgeries, chemo and feeling ill to become a champion in my own health and wellness and to lead by example to others. I began blending herbs to help with getting through the side effects of cancer and to build my immune system and strengthen my body. This led to the creation of BE leaf Wellness Teas, LLC. which offers a wide assortment of herbal teas and infused honeys that can be used to help with many different health and wellness situations.
Delayed, but not denied-
I received my Certification in Holistic Nutrition in 2022 and am extremely proud of my being able to turn my passion of helping others live a healthier whole life into reality-even amidst a storm!
Believing in Life’s Perfection is one of the lessons I learned during my studies. As I reflect on my journey, I was always supposed to be here, helping others.
As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Holistic Nutritionist, I support strong-willed curious leaders just like you who are lacking confidence in themselves and in their health to discover the missing pieces, get a deeper understanding of their body and regain their confidence.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
Absolutely!
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Having a vision and the passion to want to help and serve others coupled with perseverance and the unending willingness to learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youbewell.info
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanie_the_dietitian/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nowbewell.info
- Linkedin: ww.linkedin.com/in/melanie-lester-holder-rdn-ld-chn
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelaniePLester
- Other: www.nowbewell,info https://www.instagram.com/beleafwellnessteas/ https://www.facebook.com/BEleafWellnessTeas