Hola, I’m Meli!

True resilience isn’t just about pushing through,
it’s about knowing when to restore.

My journey: from survival to real energy

I didn’t just study resilience, I lived it.

At 11, after losing my father, my world changed overnight. My mother introduced me to functional medicine and holistic health, but I had no idea how deeply I’d need those tools later in life.

In my early 20s, I was unknowingly pushing my body beyond its limits: overtraining, under-fueling, and living in a constant state of stress. I thought I was doing everything right: working out hard, eating "clean," staying productive. But instead of thriving, I was battling panic attacks, chronic fatigue, and metabolic burnout. No amount of exercise or dieting could fix it.

That’s when I discovered that resilience isn’t about pushing harder but learning to recover, restore, and regulate.

Through functional nutrition, nervous system regulation, and movement designed for healing, I finally began to feel like myself again. I rebuilt my metabolism, my nervous system, and my relationship with my body. Now, I help others do the same..

My Credentials & Experience

I hold a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition (MScN), a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition (Dip. IOPN), and I'm a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN), and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT).

Over the past 17+ years, I’ve worked with professionals and athletes from companies like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Kaiser Permanente. I also spent more than a decade leading workshops worldwide as a Zumba Fitness choreographer and global presenter, where I deepened my understanding of how movement, metabolism, and recovery are all connected.

My practice combines clinical insight with lived experience and a whole lot of heart. It's rooted in a trauma-informed approach that respects the nervous system and honors each person’s lived experience.

Why I do this work?

I see so many high-performers, athletes, and driven professionals stuck in the same cycle I was in, thinking exhaustion is normal, overtraining instead of recovering, and believing that feeling “off” is just part of life.

But the truth is: energy isn’t just about food or exercise, it’s about how well your body adapts and recovers.

My Signature Approach

✔ Nervous system regulation to stop the stress spiral
✔ Functional nutrition & fueling strategies tailored to active and athletic physiology
✔ Science-rooted movement plans that work with your energy, not against it
✔ Coaching that balances metabolism, hormones, and lifestyle for real-life results

Projects

  • Bold: Wellness for Active Aging

    Featuring on-demand and live movement classes, functional nutrition support, and practical resources for longevity, like healthy eating blogs and podcast episodes designed to keep you strong, energized, and empowered through every stage of life.

  • Zumba®

    For over 8 years, I led choreography creation, on-demand video content, and instructor trainings for Zumba®, including presenting at the world’s largest fitness conference. I helped bring over 600+ routines to life, impacting more than 5,000 ZIN™ members worldwide.

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  • Education

    Post-Graduate Sports Nutrition | IOPN, London, UK
    MS Clinical Nutrition     | NUNM, Portland OR
    Bachelors of Arts     | UF, Gainesville, FL

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Certifications and Licenses

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Fun facts:

I’m originally from Caracas, Venezuela, and proudly bring my Latina roots into everything I do.

I choreographed and presented at Zumba Conferences for 8 years. Dancing is still my favorite form of therapy.

My playlists are always on point.

I’m an introvert at heart and love recharging with my dog, Blueberry the Havanese.

Personal development is my jam. I’m always learning, evolving, and helping others do the same.