We were lucky to catch up with Melanie Rae Perez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Melanie Rae , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned in school and why that lesson is important to you?
In school I learned a myriad of things, however some of the most potent lessons that I have taken from my school experience have happened beyond the classroom. My main takeaway from my years of studies is to trust myself and my abilities. Trusting myself and my path has been a lesson I continually learn but in the past year I have rooted down into what it is to trust fully. For years I doubted myself, my intelligence, and my ability to take on unique opportunities. I spent my time restricted by my own thoughts and beliefs. It was not until I tested my limits and pushed myself to be involved in student organizations and take on my own research project that I finally found a spark of confidence I needed to trust. My ability to trust myself was truly inspired by my peers and mentors. They guided, pushed, and motivated me to take on new heights as well as inspire dreams I never once imagined were possible. Without the slight push from myself and others, I might have never finished school let alone be in a PhD program.
Trusting myself has been vital to my journey and has allowed all areas of my life to flourish and transcend my wildest aspirations. Each time life has thrown me for a loop or became increasingly difficult, it is the trust I have in myself and the trust in my purpose and soul mission that has carried me through. Trust has never come easily to me and it is something I must practice each day; however, since my experience this past year or so, I fully believe that trust is the only way to have my dreams realized and become the person I am meant to be.
Melanie Rae , 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?
My story is a long one with some twists and turns but I would like to start by saying that I am grateful for everything that has happened because it led me to this point in my life that I would have never imagined. Growing up I was a ballerina and good student. I always loved school but never envisioned myself as an academic nor even considered myself “smart”. I was a dancer, a ballet artist, and that is what I poured my time and passion into. Dancing was freedom, it was expression, and fortunately my passion was met with talent as I grew. I danced all throughout my early years and following high school danced professionally as well as attempted to go to college.
When first began college, I quickly felt lost, behind, and like I did not belong. This feeling was overwhelming to the point that I left college and swore off higher education as something that was not made for people like me. I then decided that I should solely stick to dancing. Dancing was everything college was not. I had freedom to travel, meet artists, and explore who I wanted to be in the deepest of ways. However, as wonderful as this part of my life was, it was short lived. In 2018 I injured myself and my life as a dancer ended. In fact, 2018 was the year a lot of things ended for me. Like an unraveling thread, I lost not only my dream career and contract, but I also lost relationships, friends, and every bit of who I was. This was by far the hardest time of my life but looking back, so much growth and beauty came out of it.
Not knowing what to do with the pieces that were my life, I decided to become a yoga teacher. I completed my first training and quickly started teaching at local studios and gyms. In no way did I expect what came from learning and teaching yoga. I found my voice, empowerment, and deep healing from years of toxicity and harmful environments that before I was far too jaded to see. Yoga allowed me to meet myself in new ways as well as see the world in new light. No longer was I consumed by sphere that was dance but, rather the world opened up to me. For the first time I felt like I saw it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. During that time, I explored yogic philosophy in depth as well as became immersed in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, human rights, and women’s rights both domestically and abroad. I volunteered as a trauma informed yoga instructor at schools and other local organizations. Working with women and children marginalized by assault, poverty, and abuse allowed me not only to see the great disparities within our society and throughout our world but also realize that my personal experience dealing with some of these issues is not unique. The humanitarian work and lived experiences I had during this time were fundamental to what became my yearning to return to school and study these subjects in an academic setting.
When I returned, I still felt warry about higher education but determined to finish my degree. It was my involvement with student organizations that strengthened my conviction that pursuing work in academia is for me and that I did in fact, belong. I even began to call myself smart. In the past year and half I spent my time studying, mentoring, taking on different leadership roles in the university and soaking up as many opportunities as I could. These bundles of experiences have allowed me to ignite a passion for using research and writing to make the world a little better. This enthusiasm has led me to the current phase of my life.
I am a PhD student at FIU’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs studying international relations with a focus in international law and comparative cultures. As this journey unfolds, my highest of hopes are to be a friend, mentor, and voice for students as well communities and marginalized people all around the world. I hope my research can make meaning change and impact however, my biggest aspiration is that my work in some capacity can make a positive difference in someone’s life, even if it is only for a minute.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I think my whole story is a journey of relentless resilience. I have grown and become again and again, and I really think that is what life is about. We are presented with obstacles that are meant to challenge, change, and force growth. Each time we overcome these obstacles we are granted two options: grow closer to who we are meant to become or stay fixated on obstacle forever. I have chosen growth every time. While it has been difficult and sometimes tedious to choose growth, each time I do, I enrich myself and my life.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
As I have grown older I realize there are many lessons to be unlearned. Each time I set aside something from my past to accept a new ways of thinking I have become more myself. I think throughout my life, thus far, a lesson I have unlearned and still am is about belonging. For a long time, I believed certain spaces were closed off to me because I did not have a place or match the imposed label of that space. I too often cared about being accepted and feeling like I belonged that I either changed myself to “fit in” or moreover denied myself the opportunity to be involved. My truth now has become that belonging starts with self-acceptance. Believing I am good enough is what gives me the courage to show up in spaces as myself in the most authentic and vulnerable way. Instead of spending time questioning myself, my belonging, and living a false narrative I have created, I have settled into the reality that I belong in any space my heart and mind wants to occupy. I belong, everywhere, always.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melanieraeperez.com
- Instagram: @melanie_rae_perez
Image Credits
All images were taken with an iPhone by either me, family, or a friend. However, I do want to take this opportunity to thank the amazing support system I have. All I am, all I am becoming is because of you. I love you all so deeply.