Testimonials, Stories and Real Life
2024 proved to be a big year for Mindfully Fit with so many new clients, new challenges, and new goals. Watching my clients improve and helping them figure out what their superpowers are was no doubt my FAVORITE part of this year. My clients are the reason I continue doing this and am able to keep growing as a trainer. I can’t remember a time when I felt more of a connection to myself, which has in turn allowed me to have deeper relationships with my clients. Here is what some of them had to say:
Testimonial by Nicole Rietscha
“I have been working with Melissa for over 18 months now and I have never been stronger! I am a busy mom with a full-time job and I met Melissa at a time when investing in myself finally became a priority. She customizes each workout to safely build muscle and improve my balance. I am amazed at what I have accomplished! And it is all because Melissa motivates and inspires me, laughs and celebrates with me, and kicks my butt in the best way possible. As much as I’d like to think that I could be this disciplined on my own, history shows that I end up putting myself last and simply not “finding” the time. The convenience of Melissa’s program makes sure that I never will give up on my own health and wellbeing. I cannot recommend her enough – it is time that you let Melissa show you how strong you really are!”
Testimonial by Elizabeth Dunn, 2024
”Melissa is truly an outstanding trainer, and I have benefited so much from working with her this past year. Not only does she have a huge repertoire of workouts, she also comes to each and every training session with great, positive energy, a fabulous attitude, and support for me no matter what my own energy level might be. She always meets me where I am, manages to bring me up to a higher level, and I always leave feeling so much better-physically, mentally and personally-than when we started. I am stronger and fitter than I have ever been (I am 68), I can do planks until the cows come home, I can do squats for days, and even my grandson begrudgingly admits that I am (nearly) as strong as he is! I attribute this all to Melissa.
Testimonial by Wendy Hile, 2024
“I have been working with Melissa for over a year now. She is both encouraging and tenacious. A key to our workouts is that she can quickly modify any routine based on my day-to-day level of flexibility and arthritis flair ups. This would not be the case in a class or if I were on my own. I so appreciate that she has learned what motivates me and keeps me going. Our times together are enjoyable and she is always prompt.”
Testimonial by Fares Izzeddin, 2024
“I first reached out to Melissa because I needed guidance for myself and for my teenage son. As is the way with many parents, I wanted to do my part to promote healthy habits, instill confidence in my child through fitness, and generally improve my own fitness and lifestyle. We didn’t just end up with a personal trainer in Melissa – we found a mentor, a motivator and an authentic advocate for our success.
What distinguishes Melissa’s approach to fitness training is her special skill in personalizing the program for each client. She does not follow a one-size-fits all program—she carefully watches how each person reacts to each exercise and makes modifications accordingly. The personal touch was vital to this journey for both my son and I as our needs are very different.
Melissa’s approach to physical conditioning is so unique because she takes it all into account. She knows that being fit isn’t only about how we look on the outside, it is also about how we feel on the inside and believing in ourselves. She has got an extraordinary gift of making her clients realize who they really are.
Her training methodology is designed to make a self-driven individual rather than a person dependent on someone to achieve a goal. Empowered with knowledge, understanding, and mental tools, she empowers her clients to be able to work out independently, without her. What I love most about this approach is that it has helped both my son and I form sustainable habits and a real excitement about our physical well-being.
Melissa won me with her authenticity. She’s not afraid to open up about her past battles and personal struggles and to share lessons from the journey she took to overcome them. Her transparency was instrumental in creating a personal connection and showed us that she understands the challenges that we were going through. I really love her willingness to be vulnerable and honest about her life and her experiences, she is an incredibly approachable and trustworthy guide in our fitness journey.
Melissa’s training has extended much deeper than physical improvements. Under her guidance we have learnt the power of consistent effort, how to mentally overcome our perceived limitations, and just how to feel proud of our achievements.
Melissa is an excellent personal trainer for anyone looking for extra above and beyond the traditional role. An ideal fitness professional with her passion for her clients’ success, her ability to motivate and inspire, as well as her full spectrum of mind and body wellness. She builds people’s confidence and helps people to become who they are meant to be. Thank you Melissa for your great work!!!”
Testimonial by Sarah Yoon, 2024
I've always struggled with consistency at the gym and felt intimidated by the whole environment. From figuring out the equipment to feeling self-conscious about certain exercises, it was a constant battle. I knew I needed a personal trainer, but finding one who understood my busy schedule as a working student and made me feel comfortable was a real challenge. Then I met Melissa, and she was phenomenal!
Not only was she incredibly accommodating when I needed to reschedule appointments but her positive energy and personalized approach helped me overcome my fitness hurdles that I began to love working out! Melissa created such a safe and non-judgmental space that I genuinely looked forward to each of our sessions. She was always supportive, adjusting workouts as needed and celebrating every milestone - no matter how small.
Thanks to her positive attitude and dedication, my confidence has skyrocketed, not just in the gym but in other areas of my life as well. I wholeheartedly recommend Melissa to anyone looking to improve their fitness and achieve their goals. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her!
2024 went by in a flash! There was so much time spent hiking, running and enjoying the outdoors. We were blessed with an amazingly mild fall so the winter months hit hard when it finally got cold late November. Those winter runs are not as easy as they used to be, but we stayed moving, and appreciating the fresh air!
I even squeezed in a 10K around the end of September. Much like the rest of the fall, it was unseasonably warm. I gave myself a reasonable goal of well...just finishing the race! It was an amazing way to enjoy a brisk morning, that quickly turned warm with plenty of time to finish off the day with some football!
THE SUMMER OF 2023 was spent being outside as much as possible. Physical activity, especially outdoors can not only challenge your body in different ways, it can provide mental relief and boost immunity. For me, I almost always sleep better when I've spent time outside. Keep moving, keep challenging yourself, and GET OUTSIDE!
2022 also brought lots of running adventures with welcomed challenges!
Below are just a couple pictures from some of my favorite runs so far this year. For me, running helps me reset and reconnect. While there are many physical benefits to running, it has always been more mental for me. Most of my runs take place right here in Michigan! I am thankful for all the trails available to me right outside my backdoor. The changing seasons offer so much variety and adventure, it makes it easy for me to want to get up, get out, and get running!
"This was one of the first snow filled runs I did this year! I always appreciate the beauty of fresh falling snow. There is just something so quiet and peaceful about it! Sometimes, the only sound you can hear is your feet against the crisp snow! I always say, if you are a runner from Michigan, you just know...nothing burns like a 20-degree run! SWEAT IT OUT! "
"Third crack at the Dexter Ann Arbor Half Marathon! The first time I ran this in 2019 was astonishing for me! I honestly couldn't believe it completed it! This year was also tough, but I knew I could cross that finish line. Springtime in Michigan is always very unpredictable weather wise, so I was thankful for the mild temperatures and all the fans cheering us on!"
"Trail runs always pose the risk of falling no matter how prepared you are. In August of 2022, I took a pretty good tumble but kept it moving! It takes A LOT to give up when you are surrounded by such beauty. I stopped to pose by the wrong way sign, because, let's be honest...if you don't go the wrong way sometimes, how do you know when you are
ever going the right way?"
On Christmas Eve 2022, I completed a 5-mile run in negative 9 degrees. I knew that the stress of the holidays would be a lot easier to endure with the mental and physical release and also the feeling of accomplishment. While it was one of my more challenging runs, it still felt amazing, and I was so happy to complete it! Sometimes forcing yourself to do hard things, can result positive benefits you never even expected!
More testimonials from some of my "OG" family, friends and clients from when this all began...
Excerpts from Kyah Mitchell's essay, "My Michigan Hero" January 2020
"To say the least, this powerful woman has been through a lot of hard times and bumps in the road that no one should ever have to go through. And yet, through it all Melissa Matthews Allen still remains one of the most hopeful and joyful women I know. To have the strength to stay faithful and to never put all of her frustration on anyone else is simply incredible. To have the amount of forgiveness for everyone who has caused her pain, and the inspiration to keep going every morning, sometimes not knowing what is going to come her way or where the next step will take her, leaves me in awe. Often times society can put a title on a hero. Someone who is famous, wealthy, beautiful, popular, but in my mind those things don’t always paint the picture of a hero. Melissa, you are the perfect picture to me."
"When I think of Melissa, the words perseverance, forgiveness and dependability come to mind. She just recently completed her first half marathon which took so much time to prepare for. She needed a tremendous amount of physical and emotional strength to complete the race. That race could be looked at as a metaphor for her life story. She becomes stronger and stronger every day, she cannot be taken down, she is as hard as a rock, she is….ready for
anything."
"She has been my super woman, my role model, the woman surrounding me in her unconditional love, flying around me in her red cape. Many pictures flow through my mind, but the picture of my Michigan hero will always stay. My mom’s best friend, and now mine."
By Kyah Mitchell (left side photo was taken at the finish line of my 1st half marathon, and the right side photo is Kyah and my son, Braxson)
Testimonial by Keeley Zabel, June 2020
"I’ve never really been one for ‘working out’. I did plenty of organized sports growing up, but I was never terribly serious about it, and would never train in the off season. It was almost as if I needed an underlying activity to commit myself to any sort of physical exertion. Over the years, I’ve tried different workouts and plans, but have never stuck to them. Early this year, I had a mental breakthrough with taking care of myself – a wake-up-call, if you will.
Cue Melissa. Talk about the right person at the right time. She is one of the most realistic, yet positive people I have ever met. Of course jump squats and inchworms aren’t on top of my list of fun things to do, but Melissa always says that you can do anything for (insert time period here- whether it’s 40 seconds of squat holds or a 2 minute plank). And it is the truth. In the few months we’ve been working together, I’ve noticed a SIGNIFICANT increase in my strength, muscle tone, and overall contentedness and trust with my body, which I did not have before. I am STRONG and I am LOVING IT, thanks to Melissa!
And on a personal note, it is one thing to train with someone who wants the best for you, physically and mentally, but it is infinitely more fulfilling and inspiring to work with someone who wants to be her best self as well. Having someone around who is as interested in your well being as their own is a rare gift."
By Keeley Zabel
Testimonial by Corisa Reed, October 2020
"Melissa has been an inspiration, an encourager, and a pillar of strength in helping me accomplish my health goals! Coming out of 4 years of school, full time mom, full time work, full time life…Melissa has helped me focus on me full time. Her support and encouraging words and “you got this!!” pushes me to my next goal. She is not overbearing and does not make you feel bad if you cannot do a certain move or walk that extra step. Because of that and with her wealth of knowledge, she helps you listen to your body and you find that you do the move and walk the extra step because you have the support and motivation from her. I know and believe that Melissa has my best interest in mind and always seeks to adjust the work out plan to fit my specific needs and goals."
By Corisa Reed
Forks Over Knives article published in the Fall 2020 Edition
I will always encourage plant-based eating! Above is the link to my success story.
PODCASTS!!!
The "Exam Room with Chuck Carroll, 2021
Dr. Laurie Marbas of Mora Health, 2022