We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melissa Londono. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melissa below.

Melissa , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I came to the United States nine years ago knowing very few people and neither the language nor the culture. It took me a long time to adjust to a new culture and a new city, which made me feel uneasy and lonely. The cultural adjustment was quite challenging for me. However, I took the risk of changing my life because I was sure that in this country it was possible to realize all my dreams. I began taking English classes at the local community college while also pursuing my certification as a health coach. I then earned my Dietitian Technician degree and am currently enrolled in the University of Alabama’s undergraduate program. Additionally, I am a business owner that develops health-related goods, particularly for patients with heart issues to aid in their recovery.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I support people in leading healthier lifestyles so they can feel better and live better, rather than just look better. My work focuses on educating people about the value of everyday physical activity and healthy eating for maintaining both physical health and, more importantly, the impact on mental and emotional well-being. For me, it’s critical that people alter their lifestyles—not because they despise their bodies, but rather because they cherish them. From a very young age, I was interested in the subject of health and nutrition. It started as a hobby but now it is my job and what I spend most of my life doing. First I gave personalized advice and then I joined social networks with the intention of continuing to give tips and information on the subject of health. My goal has always been to create my own brand, something that would have a real impact on people, and seeing how that goal has gradually become a reality with a lot of work and effort fills me with pride.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Being an effective leader requires knowledge of the industry in which you work and the obstacles you will face, as well as confidence in oneself and the capacity to make decisions. Be trustworthy, treat your employees with a strong sense of justice, and assign tasks on schedule. A leader is someone who establishes the vision, communicates the objective, mentors, and works to help others reach their own goals, with balance serving as the primary factor in team members’ success. A successful leader must be able to easily control and manage their emotions as well as maintain composure in challenging or emotionally intense circumstances.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Working with honesty and discipline, and always put a lot of love into what I do! Respect is what we inspire in others through building trust, demonstrating our talents, and credibility. In order to be a professionally respected person, you need to build a career based on solid steps, with values that are demonstrated daily in your daily practice. Respect is earned and given as a result of total congruence personally and professionally, which means that the environment will consider you as someone to listen carefully and take into account. For me it is important that both my clients and my colleagues believe in me and in my work, that is why I do everything with love, professionalism, dedication and discipline.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @better_than_diets
• Facebook: Better than Diets