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IN: GirlBossing, Lifestyle, Yoga

How Yoga Changed My Life

April 9, 2022 By Melanie 4 Comments

How Yoga Changed My life

(*This post was originally written in May 2017 and has been updated in April 2022)

Every story has a beginning… and this is mine. It’s something I’ve been hesitant to share because let’s be honest, it’s very personal. But as I reflect on this past decade of my life, I felt that it was important to share how yoga has shaped who I am today and how it was the catalyst to so much personal growth.

Whether you’ve been following “Headstands and Heels” since it’s inception or if you’re brand new to my page, I’m so happy you’re here. I’m truly honored to share my story with you.

Without further adieu, let’s begin.

Chapter 1: Heartbreak and Healing

How It All Started

It was July 2013. I had just turned 24 years old and my life had simultaneously turned upside down with it. My dog, a feisty and loving Dachshund of thirteen years, had passed away from heart complications just five days after my birthday. Only two weeks after that, I came to find out my fiance had cheated on me. After calling off the wedding and breaking off my relationship, I was left completely broken.

I’m honestly not sure why I decided to go to my first yoga class. Regardless of the reason, I found myself at a local studio and after an intense flow, cried so hard during savasana that I’m sure the other classmates thought I was a complete weirdo. Despite the outpour of emotion (or maybe because of it) something inside of me lit up that day.

Why I Started Posting on Instagram

After that day in the studio I started following a few inspiring yogis on Instagram including Rachel Brathen (@yoga_girl), Laura Kasperzak (@laurasykora) and Kerri Verna (@beachyogagirl). I was in awe of the physical strength and flexibility that these yogis possessed but more importantly loved their positive messages of self-love and empowerment. They just seemed so incredibly happy and I wanted that for myself.

After about 8 or 9 months of following from a distance, I decided to create my own yoga centric Instagram account where I could participate in daily challenges and document my progress. @MelYoga1 was never meant to turn into a blog. And I think that’s the incredible thing… this one small step was the beginning of something bigger that I couldn’t even fathom at the time.

How It Helped Heal My Heart

I used my yoga practice as a physical outlet for stress and to channel my emotions in a positive way — but more importantly the time spent on my mat was also one spent in prayer. I attribute the healing of my heart to God, not yoga, but yoga was the vehicle that He used to help me through a tough time in my life. And for that I’ll be forever grateful.

Practicing yoga daily helped me become more self-aware. The positive affirmations and mantras pushed me to focus on the many blessings I had in my life instead of lingering on negative thoughts. Self-love and mindfulness were the themes of my first few months of practice and they have carried through in a different capacity ever since.

Chapter 2: Moving to New York City

How Yoga Changed My Life

How My Practice Changed

December 2013, I met a man at a random bar in Brooklyn during an even more random visit with one of my girlfriends. Needless to say, we hit it off really well and it wasn’t long until we were in love. Bay (no, not b-a-e) and I dated long-distance, alternating visits to NY and FL respectively each month for a little over a year. Then in May 2015 I decided to make the move from a small beach town to the Big Apple for my career and for love.

Transitioning from the laid back lifestyle of Florida to the hustle of the big city was not an easy task. My first post-college job at a social media boutique agency allowed me to work from home every day and suddenly I found myself working at a global PR firm on the 19th floor of a skyscraper in Manhattan. My yoga practice came to a screeching halt for a good 5 months and I was considering deleting my Instagram account altogether.

Why I Started My Blog

Thankfully, that didn’t happen. Instead a few colleagues of mine who happened to be bloggers convinced me to turn @MelYoga1 into a yoga and lifestyle blog the summer of 2016. After some serious thought, Headstands and Heels was born, and with it a reignited passion for yoga.

I started making a point to get on my mat and practice after work a few times a week at home. Eventually I joined ClassPass and started attending various yoga studios in the city. I was incredibly excited for the small physical changes I started seeing as a result of a routine practice and other fitness classes worked in. It wasn’t long before I started to work with brands and more importantly, started to connect with various fitness enthusiasts. I honestly have to say that’s my favorite part about this entire yoga journey. The relationships I’ve made along the way have been invaluable and have kept me sane when life is the most chaotic.

Chapter 3: Yoga Teacher Training

What Inspired Me To Pursue My Certification

After nearly 4 years of practicing yoga on my own, I realized that I was craving the opportunity to go beyond sharing it on a screen. As much as I love solo practice, I get the most joy when I practice with other people. I love the feeling of walking people through a flow, demonstrating how to correctly do a pose, and watching their faces light up when they do something they’ve never thought they’d ever be able to do before.

The feeling that I needed to take my practice to the next level had been lingering inside me for over a year. That’s why on New Year’s Eve 2016, I made it my resolution to make it happen.

Yoga Vida 2017

I debated doing my training in some place tropical but in the end decided that staying in NYC was the right decision for me. After some extensive research, I opted to do my 200 hr YTT program at Yoga Vida. It was one of the first yoga studios I practiced at after moving here. I really love the style of teaching, the airy studio space in Dumbo, and the fact that it lacks the pretentiousness that some other studios tend to get.

When I saw that they were offering a Summer Intensive, I went straight to my boss to see if my job would be willing to let me take the month off. I’m so incredibly grateful that they did and was sure I’d return to work with a new sense of invigoration in July.

After speaking with the kind folks at Yoga Vida, I officially enrolled and immersed myself through the 200 hours of training. If you’re curious about my time in YTT, I shared 5 of the most important things I learned from my experience in this blog post.

Chapter 4: Taking Headstands & Heels Full Time  

Yoga Practice at Home
Yoga Class at MindBody HQ in San Luis Opisbo

After taking that month off work to get my teacher certification, I kept my promise and returned to my job as a digital strategist at the same PR firm. Outwardly everything seemed the same. Internally, a new spark had been ignited and with it a desire to pour more time and energy into Headstands & Heels whenever I wasn’t at work.

This meant waking up at 6am to create content before heading into the office and staying up late to knock out blog posts, answer H&H emails and do brand work. But I was determined to hustle as much as I could to see what would happen.

In May 2018, after much thought and a few emotional breakdowns, I decided to take the leap of faith to leave my traditional career and pursue entrepreneurship full time. Now, 4 years later, I can officially say that was the best decision I could have ever made for myself.

Being a full time “influencer” has come with it’s fair share of ups and downs. However I can say with full confidence that the highs have absolutely outweighed all of the lows. This job has brought me so much fulfillment, opened doors to opportunities I could never have imagined possible, and has connected me to so many incredible, inspiring people.

How my practice changed

After going full time with Headstands and Heels in 2018, my yoga practice shifted. I still kept a home practice and it will always be the foundation of my love for movement and mindfulness. However, between 2018-2019 I fell in love with the boutique fitness scene in NYC. This was inclusive of yoga studios but I also loved mixing things up with cardio dance, sculpt, barre and more. Physically, I was in the best shape of my life and emotionally I was gaining more confidence with both my online career and how I could still share my love for teaching in person during various events.

It was the best of both worlds and I enjoyed the flexibility of teaching when it was on my own terms rather than within a studio.

What’s To Come

Yoga class at OXB Denver

As I wrap this post up I’m overwhelmed with emotion. This journey that started with so much pain nearly a decade ago has truly changed me — in every possible way. Here I am, editing this post from my home in Denver. I’m married and have two rescue pups who I love dearly. I recently signed on with a new management agency and my Marketing Assistant, KellyAnne, just passed her two year mark of working with me. I’ve taught yoga classes during some incredible events for brands like Adidas and MindBody and just taught yoga at my first co-hosted wellness retreat last month.

And it’s humbling to know that this all started because I decided to step into that yoga class all those summers ago.

I don’t know exactly what’s to come but I do know that I’m so incredibly grateful for the messages, comments and conversations I’ve had with so many of you through these years. You are the reason why I’m able to do what I love and knowing that I have been able to help inspire, motivate and encourage a few of you to make positive changes in your own lives is 100% the biggest motivation I have to continue this career.

So thank you. Thank you for supporting me, many of you from the very beginning of this journey. I’m forever grateful and excited to continue sharing pieces of my story with you as it continues to unfold.

With lots of love,


Filed Under: GirlBossing, Lifestyle, Yoga

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Francine says

    May 25, 2017 at 7:41 pm

    Loved this post and so excited for you, Mel!! Can’t wait to follow your journey!! Much love!!
    Xo Fran ❤️❤️

    Reply
  2. Kayla says

    May 25, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    I’m SO excited for you — the June intensive last year was amazing and I loved being fully immersed into YTT. Can’t wait to read / hear all about it ❤️

    Reply
  3. Christelle says

    July 1, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    Lovely to read your story Mel. Hope to see you soon in Paris XO

    Reply
  4. stephanie says

    April 11, 2022 at 11:15 pm

    I’m just wrapping up my 200 hr ytt and stumbled across your blog! very inspiring! so happy for you! I’m going to follow Your journey now. maybe yours will inspire and influence mine. we have many similarities. xoxo

    Reply

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New Meet Melanie

New Meet Melanie

Hi and welcome to Headstands & Heels! I’m Melanie — a Digital Strategist turned Wellness Entrepreneur, certified yoga instructor (RYT 200), dog mama, and content creator based in Denver. I hope to encourage others to follow their dreams and cultivate a healthy, balanced lifestyle filled with mindfulness and positivity. 💕 Send me a note at: mel@headstandsandheels.com or Read More

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It’s #workoutwednesday and the theme today is al
It’s #workoutwednesday and the theme today is all about MOBILITY. (requested by @e__marie__ )🤍 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Mobility is the ability for your joints to move actively through their entire range of motion and requires a level of strength, stability and flexibility. Good mobility makes exercises (and every day life activities) so much easier and helps prevent injury. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
There are lots of different #mobilityexercises you can add into your routine but the ones in the video are some of my personal favorites that I’ve included in yoga classes 🧘🏻‍♀️✨
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Move SLOWLY through each one (the video is sped up) and repeat each movement for 30 seconds before moving onto the next. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Leave a comment with what you’d like to see next week! 👇🏼
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#homeworkout #fitnessroutine #shapesquad #healthylifestyle #fitnessmotivation #workoutoftheday #myyogalife #mobilitydrills #workoutroutine #warmupexercise #yogapractice


Recent happy snaps from my #cameraroll vol. 150 📸💕


Hey Denver friends! It’s been a hot min since I’ve shared a roundup of Denver favorites so if you’re searching for things to do in the #MileHighCity SAVE this post 💕✨
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Swipe to find my top five picks for coffee shops, fitness studios, wellness spots, scenic walks, experiences, vibes bars, and more 🥂 
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I can’t believe I’m coming up on 2 years of calling Colorado home after moving here from NYC. If you’re new to the area as well and looking for friends, be sure to check out my women’s community group @denverfitfriends and join us for fitness/wellness events throughout the year.
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I hope you all find this helpful! There are plenty more spots listed on my Denver Guide on Headstandsandheels.com 🌸
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#denverfitfriends #thingstodoindenver #denverblogger #denverlife

Choosing to focus your ✨energy✨ on the habits,
Choosing to focus your ✨energy✨ on the habits, rituals and relationships that make you feel like your healthiest, happiest self is one of the most valuable things to embrace as you get older. 💕 How are you choosing to focus your intention and energy right now? 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy habits, routines, intention, mindfulness, self care, positive mindset} 
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#positivemindset #intentionsetting #healthyhabits #healthylifestyle #healthyliving #wellnessblogger #wellnesstips #selfcare #selfcaredaily #morningroutine #motivationalreel #colorfulaesthetic #healthyandhappy #balancedliving #healthyroutines

Introducing… the perfect Spring sourdough for yo
Introducing… the perfect Spring sourdough for your next garden party (and yes, the paint is edible 😋)
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Major shoutout to my husband for baking this homemade loaf of bread for me to experiment on. The food coloring was a bit more runny than expected but nevertheless, I LOVE how this turned out and it might just be one of my favorite lil diy projects ever 🌸🎨 And bonus, we now have a yummy loaf of bread to eat for the rest of the week! 
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Painting is such a lovely mindful activity and I hope this inspires you to get creative with your next art session too 💕. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be giving this a go! 
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{ inspired by @lovealldesignco} 
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#paintedsourdough #springinspiration #springDIY #romanticizeyourlife #mindfulactivity #arttherapy #paintinginspiration #sourdoughbread #paintwithme #mindfulroutines #springideas #springflorals #springbaking

The votes are in from yesterday’s story poll and
The votes are in from yesterday’s story poll and no equipment core exercises won! If you’re tired of doing basic crunches these six variations are my favorite way to level 👏🏻 up 👏🏻! 
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SAVE THIS POST so you can add them to your next workout! 
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If you want to turn these 6 into a circuit, one way o do that is to do each one for 30 seconds with a 10 second rest in between for 3 sets. 
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I figured this could be a fun little #WorkoutWednesday series where I’ll share some of my favorite exercises, yoga poses, and stretches with you all based on whatever you vote for each week. 🔥
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If you have any specific requests drop them below 👇🏼 
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#fitnessroutine #homeworkout #coreworkout #coreexercises #fitnessblogger #shapesquad #abworkout #fitnessmotivation #workoutoftheday

Coming in hot with 5 of my favorite simple, plant
Coming in hot with 5 of my favorite simple, plant based breakfast ideas! #ad 🫐🍌🍓This is how I remix my breakfast by swapping dairy products for @silk Almondmilk! You’re gonna want to SAVE this for later! 
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Most of you know that I follow a very plant-forward diet and swapping out dairy for plant milk, especially in recipes like the ones you see here, has been one of the easiest switches I’ve made. In fact, I actually much prefer almond milk in things like my smoothies and oatmeal because the consistency and taste are better IMO. 
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✨Pick up Silk AlmondMilk at your local Target and get 10% off with Target Circle between 3.19-4.1.23✨
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I’d love to know which of these breakfast ideas you’ve already made the swap for and I’d love to see how you remix your own breakfast with Silk Almondmilk by using the tag #silkremix! https://lnk2.io/wJWd5yF #silkalmond #silktarget

🌸 Happy First Day of Spring 🌸. If the endles
🌸 Happy First Day of Spring 🌸. If the endless winter has been affecting your mental health, here are a few ways to bring a little ✨joy✨ into your life and boost your mood as we welcome a new, fresh season. 
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Which one of these is something you’re focusing on or wanting to try? 
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{wellness, healthy habits, healthy lifestyle, well being, self care, positive mindset, happy feelings, self love} 
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EAT THE RAINBOW 🌈
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EAT THE RAINBOW 🌈 
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A #nourishing roundup of some of my fav quick & easy meals I had recently: 
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🍓Greek yogurt with berries, almond butter, chia seeds and granola 
🥬 Tuna salad lettuce wraps with cherry tomatoes
🍣 Salmon & Quinoa rainbow bowl with feta, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, onion and Pearl peppers 
🍌 Green Smoothie with banana, frozen mango, vanilla protein powder, baby spinach, and almond butter 
🍅 Chicken & Quinoa bowl with feta, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes and tzatziki 
🫐 Creamy chia pudding with Greek yogurt, berries and candied walnuts 
Sidenote — what are your thoughts on “what I eat in a day” videos? I want to find more ways to share roundups like this but would love to know what format you find meal inspo the most helpful? 
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#melsmeals #healthyrecipes #healthylifestyle #mealprepideas #wellnessblogger #wellandgoodeats #wellnessinspo #balancedeating #simplerecipes #healthyroutine #colorfulaesthetic #eatcolorfully #eatyourveggies #healthymeals #weekdaymeals #happyandhealthy #healthyhabits

All green everything & a healthy spin on #stpattys
All green everything & a healthy spin on #stpattysday ☘️ 
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Not gonna lie, I could make Friday morning yoga sculpt & shamrock smoothie dates with friends a weekly thing because I am now in the ✨best✨ mood and totally weekend ready! 
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💚 Happy Friday, lovely friends 💚
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{wellness, healthy lifestyle, Morning routine, healthy habits, positive mindset, balanced living, yoga girl} 
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#morningroutine #healthylifestyle #healthyroutine #mindfulness #yogasculpt #morningyoga #morningworkout #colorfulaesthetic #healthyhabits #morningvibes #fridayenergy #wellnessblogger #yogawithfriends #fitnessjourney #fitnessfriday #makefitnessfun #healthandwellness

Our response when people tell us to start acting o
Our response when people tell us to start acting our age 🤪👯
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But for real, life is better when you stop taking yourself so seriously and just have fun. ❄️ #dancingduo #twinthings #skiday #breckenridge

NEW ON THE BLOG: 10 lessons from 5 years of entrep
NEW ON THE BLOG: 10 lessons from 5 years of entrepreneurship. ✨🪩 
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This month marks five years since I left the corporate marketing world and my position as a digital strategist in favor of being a full time content creator. 
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What started as a fun side hustle while I worked at a busy PR firm in NYC has transformed into a multiple six-figure business. Something that my younger self, the girl who grew up without wealth and worked several retail jobs to help pay for college, could never have imagined was possible. 
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In my blog post, I’m giving you an inside look at some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned while building this non-traditional career. From dealing with loneliness, creative burnouts, and crippling imposter syndrome, to the joys of hiring a team, dream partnerships, beautiful friendships, and connecting with over 150k people across multiple platforms.
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I know so many of you also have chosen a non-traditional career and I hope my learnings can be helpful as you continue on your path. If you continue to trust in yourself and put in the work, there is truly NOTHING you can’t accomplish. 
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I’m feeling all kinds of emotional so want to say a big thank YOU for your support 💕. Whether you’ve been here for a few minutes or since my @melyoga1 days, my only hope is that my little corner of the internet has brought you something of value or a tiny bit of joy. 
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I have no idea what the next 5 years will bring but for now, I’ll take it day by day and am grateful to be sharing it with all of you ✨


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It’s #workoutwednesday and the theme today is al It’s #workoutwednesday and the theme today is all about MOBILITY. (requested by @e__marie__ )🤍 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Mobility is the ability for your joints to move actively through their entire range of motion and requires a level of strength, stability and flexibility. Good mobility makes exercises (and every day life activities) so much easier and helps prevent injury. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
There are lots of different #mobilityexercises you can add into your routine but the ones in the video are some of my personal favorites that I’ve included in yoga classes 🧘🏻‍♀️✨
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Move SLOWLY through each one (the video is sped up) and repeat each movement for 30 seconds before moving onto the next. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Leave a comment with what you’d like to see next week! 👇🏼
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#homeworkout #fitnessroutine #shapesquad #healthylifestyle #fitnessmotivation #workoutoftheday #myyogalife #mobilitydrills #workoutroutine #warmupexercise #yogapractice
Recent happy snaps from my #cameraroll vol. 150 📸💕
Hey Denver friends! It’s been a hot min since I’ve shared a roundup of Denver favorites so if you’re searching for things to do in the #MileHighCity SAVE this post 💕✨
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Swipe to find my top five picks for coffee shops, fitness studios, wellness spots, scenic walks, experiences, vibes bars, and more 🥂 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I can’t believe I’m coming up on 2 years of calling Colorado home after moving here from NYC. If you’re new to the area as well and looking for friends, be sure to check out my women’s community group @denverfitfriends and join us for fitness/wellness events throughout the year.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I hope you all find this helpful! There are plenty more spots listed on my Denver Guide on Headstandsandheels.com 🌸
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#denverfitfriends #thingstodoindenver #denverblogger #denverlife
Choosing to focus your ✨energy✨ on the habits, Choosing to focus your ✨energy✨ on the habits, rituals and relationships that make you feel like your healthiest, happiest self is one of the most valuable things to embrace as you get older. 💕 How are you choosing to focus your intention and energy right now? 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy habits, routines, intention, mindfulness, self care, positive mindset} 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#positivemindset #intentionsetting #healthyhabits #healthylifestyle #healthyliving #wellnessblogger #wellnesstips #selfcare #selfcaredaily #morningroutine #motivationalreel #colorfulaesthetic #healthyandhappy #balancedliving #healthyroutines
Introducing… the perfect Spring sourdough for yo Introducing… the perfect Spring sourdough for your next garden party (and yes, the paint is edible 😋)
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Major shoutout to my husband for baking this homemade loaf of bread for me to experiment on. The food coloring was a bit more runny than expected but nevertheless, I LOVE how this turned out and it might just be one of my favorite lil diy projects ever 🌸🎨 And bonus, we now have a yummy loaf of bread to eat for the rest of the week! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Painting is such a lovely mindful activity and I hope this inspires you to get creative with your next art session too 💕. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be giving this a go! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
{ inspired by @lovealldesignco} 
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#paintedsourdough #springinspiration #springDIY #romanticizeyourlife #mindfulactivity #arttherapy #paintinginspiration #sourdoughbread #paintwithme #mindfulroutines #springideas #springflorals #springbaking
The votes are in from yesterday’s story poll and The votes are in from yesterday’s story poll and no equipment core exercises won! If you’re tired of doing basic crunches these six variations are my favorite way to level 👏🏻 up 👏🏻! 
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SAVE THIS POST so you can add them to your next workout! 
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If you want to turn these 6 into a circuit, one way o do that is to do each one for 30 seconds with a 10 second rest in between for 3 sets. 
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I figured this could be a fun little #WorkoutWednesday series where I’ll share some of my favorite exercises, yoga poses, and stretches with you all based on whatever you vote for each week. 🔥
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If you have any specific requests drop them below 👇🏼 
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#fitnessroutine #homeworkout #coreworkout #coreexercises #fitnessblogger #shapesquad #abworkout #fitnessmotivation #workoutoftheday
Coming in hot with 5 of my favorite simple, plant Coming in hot with 5 of my favorite simple, plant based breakfast ideas! #ad 🫐🍌🍓This is how I remix my breakfast by swapping dairy products for @silk Almondmilk! You’re gonna want to SAVE this for later! 
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Most of you know that I follow a very plant-forward diet and swapping out dairy for plant milk, especially in recipes like the ones you see here, has been one of the easiest switches I’ve made. In fact, I actually much prefer almond milk in things like my smoothies and oatmeal because the consistency and taste are better IMO. 
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✨Pick up Silk AlmondMilk at your local Target and get 10% off with Target Circle between 3.19-4.1.23✨
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I’d love to know which of these breakfast ideas you’ve already made the swap for and I’d love to see how you remix your own breakfast with Silk Almondmilk by using the tag #silkremix! https://lnk2.io/wJWd5yF #silkalmond #silktarget
🌸 Happy First Day of Spring 🌸. If the endles 🌸 Happy First Day of Spring 🌸. If the endless winter has been affecting your mental health, here are a few ways to bring a little ✨joy✨ into your life and boost your mood as we welcome a new, fresh season. 
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Which one of these is something you’re focusing on or wanting to try? 
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{wellness, healthy habits, healthy lifestyle, well being, self care, positive mindset, happy feelings, self love} 
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#mentalhealthmatters #springselfcare #selfcareseason #selfcareideas #selfcaretips #selfcareinspo #positivemindset #healthylifestyle #wellnessblogger #wellnesslifestyle #wellbeing #happyandhealthy #goalsetting #mindsetmatters #moodboosters #mondaymotivation
EAT THE RAINBOW 🌈 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ EAT THE RAINBOW 🌈 
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A #nourishing roundup of some of my fav quick & easy meals I had recently: 
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🍓Greek yogurt with berries, almond butter, chia seeds and granola 
🥬 Tuna salad lettuce wraps with cherry tomatoes
🍣 Salmon & Quinoa rainbow bowl with feta, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, onion and Pearl peppers 
🍌 Green Smoothie with banana, frozen mango, vanilla protein powder, baby spinach, and almond butter 
🍅 Chicken & Quinoa bowl with feta, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes and tzatziki 
🫐 Creamy chia pudding with Greek yogurt, berries and candied walnuts 
Sidenote — what are your thoughts on “what I eat in a day” videos? I want to find more ways to share roundups like this but would love to know what format you find meal inspo the most helpful? 
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#melsmeals #healthyrecipes #healthylifestyle #mealprepideas #wellnessblogger #wellandgoodeats #wellnessinspo #balancedeating #simplerecipes #healthyroutine #colorfulaesthetic #eatcolorfully #eatyourveggies #healthymeals #weekdaymeals #happyandhealthy #healthyhabits
All green everything & a healthy spin on #stpattys All green everything & a healthy spin on #stpattysday ☘️ 
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Not gonna lie, I could make Friday morning yoga sculpt & shamrock smoothie dates with friends a weekly thing because I am now in the ✨best✨ mood and totally weekend ready! 
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💚 Happy Friday, lovely friends 💚
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{wellness, healthy lifestyle, Morning routine, healthy habits, positive mindset, balanced living, yoga girl} 
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#morningroutine #healthylifestyle #healthyroutine #mindfulness #yogasculpt #morningyoga #morningworkout #colorfulaesthetic #healthyhabits #morningvibes #fridayenergy #wellnessblogger #yogawithfriends #fitnessjourney #fitnessfriday #makefitnessfun #healthandwellness
Our response when people tell us to start acting o Our response when people tell us to start acting our age 🤪👯
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But for real, life is better when you stop taking yourself so seriously and just have fun. ❄️ #dancingduo #twinthings #skiday #breckenridge
NEW ON THE BLOG: 10 lessons from 5 years of entrep NEW ON THE BLOG: 10 lessons from 5 years of entrepreneurship. ✨🪩 
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This month marks five years since I left the corporate marketing world and my position as a digital strategist in favor of being a full time content creator. 
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What started as a fun side hustle while I worked at a busy PR firm in NYC has transformed into a multiple six-figure business. Something that my younger self, the girl who grew up without wealth and worked several retail jobs to help pay for college, could never have imagined was possible. 
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In my blog post, I’m giving you an inside look at some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned while building this non-traditional career. From dealing with loneliness, creative burnouts, and crippling imposter syndrome, to the joys of hiring a team, dream partnerships, beautiful friendships, and connecting with over 150k people across multiple platforms.
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I know so many of you also have chosen a non-traditional career and I hope my learnings can be helpful as you continue on your path. If you continue to trust in yourself and put in the work, there is truly NOTHING you can’t accomplish. 
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I’m feeling all kinds of emotional so want to say a big thank YOU for your support 💕. Whether you’ve been here for a few minutes or since my @melyoga1 days, my only hope is that my little corner of the internet has brought you something of value or a tiny bit of joy. 
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I have no idea what the next 5 years will bring but for now, I’ll take it day by day and am grateful to be sharing it with all of you ✨
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