Melissa Ambrosini is one of Australia’s leading health coaches and wellness bloggers. She is also an inspirational speaker, a guru on health and wellbeing and the founder of the 12 Steps to Wellness program.

It is a great honour to have Melissa share her words of wisdom about health and wellness, self-love and living your best life with the Nourishing Hub.

Q: Melissa, you have been on your own Path to Wellness. Can you elaborate on this a little journey and explain how this has helped you in your coaching today?

A: In my past life, I was a model, actress, TV presenter, and dancer. I was working all over the world, burning the candle at both ends, and ignoring all the bright red warning signs to slow down and look after myself. It wasn’t until I landed in hospital—with a serious viral infection plus a whole cocktail of other issues from adrenal fatigue, thyroid problems, depression, disorder eating, adult acne, eczema, vitamin and mineral deficiency and high levels of mercury (just to name a few) – that I realized I had to take control of my life and start to look after myself. I also realized that I was on an endless search for happiness outside of myself. So, I started that search within.

I believe that everything I have been through—although extremely hard—has shaped me into the person I am today. I would not change any of it for the world.

Q: You are a leading health coach/mentor, for those who don’t know much about health coaching/mentoring can you explain what happens when someone comes to see you?

A: It’s very different for every client. No two sessions are ever the same. I not only work with people around food and health, but I work on healing their relationship with food as well as their emotions and whatever is going on for that person in that moment. I educate my clients on how to tune in and really listen to their bodies so that they never have to diet again. I also work with their mean girl (aka ego). I teach them how they can let go of limiting, mean girl thoughts and step back into control of their lives so they can start to live the life of their dreams.

Q: You have your own eBook called the 12 Steps to Wellness, can you give a little insight into some of the tips you provide in this book?

A: 12 Steps to Wellness is exactly the steps I took to heal my health and life. It’s jam packed with loads of goodness that you can start to implement into your life today. I share awesome ways to create loads more health and happiness in your life.

Q: You talk a lot about ‘self love’ in your talks and writings. Can you share some of your words on this topic with our readers?

A: Self-love is the fundamental base of everything we do in our lives. You can be eating all the steamed kale and broccoli in the world but, if you don’t unconditionally love and accept yourself, there’s no point.

I talk about self-love being a muscle that you need to flex every single day. It takes practice. But, if you do it every day, it gets stronger and stronger.

Q: You recently held a Sydney and Melbourne Event called Hibernation is for Bears not Babes. Can you tell us a bit about what your message was in these events?

A: I created this event because I wanted to shine light on all the areas in which my tribe are hibernating in their life. They might be hibernating in their job, in their relationship, in the fridge, in their friendships, with their family, or under their baggy track pants. This event was aimed at making them aware of this and to allow them to burst through and start to really shine.

Q: You are clearly a very vibrant healthy women, who is full of life. What are your own personal practices that help you feel and look like you do?

A: Thank you so much.

I have a few, actually, but the most important is that I choose to be present in each moment. I choose love over fear. I choose to live from my heart and to be as real and authentic as I possibly can. When I am doing that, I feel full of life.

I also move my body every single morning. I eat and drink all organic, drinks, loads of water. I do yoga, meditate, surround myself with inspiring people, go to bed at 9 p.m., connect with nature, play, laugh, sit in the sun, and try to live as toxic-free a life as possible.

Q: If there were 3 tips on health and wellbeing you could share with the world what would they be?

1. Choose love over fear.
2. What your mean girl tells you isn’t real or the truth.
3. Be you! Everyone else is already taken.

Q: What are 3 health food products you can’t live without?

1. Coconut Oil
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
3. Green veggies

Q: Through your coaching, you often use affirmations to create positive changes in people’s lives. What is an affirmation that you think everyone could benefit from (or one that is your own personal favourite)?

A: “I love and accept myself unconditionally.”

I repeat is over and over whenever my mean girl comes up. Affirmations are a great way to retrain your thoughts. Give it a go.

A big thank you from the Nourishing Hub for sharing your lovely words, Melissa.