1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

My name is Melanie Cobb. I am 31 years old. I am a Life Purpose Coach. You know how people sometimes get stuck in soul-sucking jobs just to pay the bills, and then they watch what they love slide off of their schedule? Well, I help them by designing custom strategies to get them living a life centered around their passions. My clients experience more freedom and more time to do what they really love.

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

My mother inspired me to be emotionally healthy, which had a huge impact on my physical health.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

She taught me to feel my feelings. She told me that if I felt it, it was important and I was safe to express it. Also, she was committed to never dying her hair. She was so proud of each gray streak as they came. And finally, she used to throw away the teen clothing catalogs when they came in the mail before I could look at them. I was mad about it at the time, but now I appreciate it. She said, “I don’t want you thinking you have to look like those sickly skinny girls in the catalogs. You’re beautiful exactly as you are.”

4. How did their lesson change your life?

Her allowing me to feel my feelings kept me from bottling them up, which can lead to disease. It also sent me the message that I matter in this world; that I was important. Her telling me I was beautiful no matter what, and then modeling it for me by loving her own body as it changed over the years both gave me the freedom to love and accept myself. I am positive this has had a huge impact on my overall health and wellbeing.

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

Absolutely. Before I founded my Life Coaching business, I was a middle school teacher for eight years. I was passionate about making sure the students felt safe expressing their feelings, as well as loving their bodies exactly as they were.

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

In addition to being mindful about the kind of food you put in your body, be mindful about the kinds of messages you put in. Watch how you think about yourself. When your body hears you say, “You’re so fat/stupid/ugly/whatever” often enough, it becomes true, and then you’re trapped. Be courageous enough to go against the crowd and say things like, “Wow I love my legs!” or “I’m so smart!” It’s not bragging. It’s self-love. And anyone who doesn’t support you saying things like that isn’t someone that needs to be in your life.

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

journeytowildness.com