Meet Melanie Jackson | Personal Trainer & Nutritionist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
The work load has definitely increased over time. Their is no balance. You make time for what is a priority and organize based on that priority.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an online personal trainer and nutritionist that trains nerds over the age of 30.

I’m super proud of the fact that I have helped over 20 nerds lose a combined 1000 pounds in the span of over a year.

I was a paralegal before stepping into the health & fitness realm. I lost 75 pounds within a year and decided to get my certification. The intention was to do it as a hobby but not full time. My intention at the time was to still attend law school. However, the firm I was at laid me off after the namesake of the firm passed away. I started training at a gym, fell in love with the profession and never looked back.

The gym I worked at was not coherent with the principles and values I have as a trainer. There was more of a focus on money rather than the individual and their goals and well being, so I left and decided to go into business for myself. I grinded for 4 years until last year when I really honed in on who I am truly meant to serve and help in this world. Since then, it has been a very transformative year where I have been able to truly start making an impact in the lives of those I train and help in changing their lifestyles.

I want many to know that they matter and have a voice. There is nothing wrong with taking up space and celebrating what your strengths are and to actually brag about that. It’s so easy to focus on the trauma and the drama of your life, so you deserve to focus on the happy. That is what will help you on becoming a better and healthier you. This is what helps you get to the next level just like a video game.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For my generation, arcades were a thing so I’d definitely take them to Cidercade. I like to also push local businesses, so for some comic book reading it’s either Bedrock City Comics or Gulf Coast Comics. If its board games they’re after, we’d head to Asgard Games over in Montrose. For nightlife, it’s either going to be Rudyard’s Pub or the anime bar, Zenaku.

For eats though, I’d recommend Ra Sushi Bar followed by dessert for whatever theme is happening at the Popfancy Dessert Bar in Chinatown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes, my mentors Cole Luis DaSilva and Brian Mark of the Change Lives Academy. My wonderful child, Amelia deserves some recognition too.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geisha_fitness/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.jackson.33234/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIO39_iJJT9S_byT7slmcw

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@geishafitness

Image Credits
Ralph Parrott of Sui Generis Fitness Photos Jai Spade of HotShotsFXMedia.com