Meet one of our Knight Authors: Melyssa Allen ’12 ’20MA

Tell us a little about yourself!

Hey Knight Nation! I’m Melyssa Allen — a double board-certified lifestyle medicine coach, author, and founder of Melyssa with a WHY, LLC where I help busy people create healthy lifestyles that last and leave them feeling empowered and energized! I am a 2x UCF Alum holding my bachelor’s degrees in biology & psychology, my master’s degree in clinical psychology, and serving as an adjunct faculty for the College of Health Professions and Sciences. Through my workshops, coaching programs, and speaking engagements, I blend the science of lifestyle medicine with the art of behavior change to make wellness practical, empowering, and yes … even fun! I’m also the author and podcast host of Healthy Living Doesn’t Have to SUCK, which is all about helping people drop the struggle, forget the fads, and design a healthy lifestyle they love. Whether I’m leading a keynote, teaching a class, or working with a team, my goal is always the same: to help people feel their best so they can show up as their best — at work, at home, and in life.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

While I enjoyed some creative writing in high school, I never imagined that I would want to write a book! That changed when I began my own health transformation journey and tried following rigid, restrictive fitness and nutrition programs that left me feeling defeated and discouraged … when I first began health coaching, I realized what a powerful solution it is for creating sustainable lifestyle changes and I wanted to write the book that I wish existed based on my professional training and personal experience to support others who felt overwhelmed with embarking on a transformation journey.

What was the biggest thing you learned during your time as a Knight that you apply to your life today?

I learned that you are allowed to make a change in your career journey in order to stay true to yourself – lean on your friends, seek out support from trusted mentors, and give yourself permission to start over as many times as you need to!

Who are some of your favorite authors or books?

Mel Robbins – The 5 Second Rule, The High Five Habit, and The Let Them Theory Simon Sinek – Start with WHY, Leaders Eat Last, The Infinite Game Cara Alwill – Like She Owns the Place, Girl Code, Girl on Fire.

If UCF had a time machine, what moment on campus would you go back to?

I would go back to the moment that I taught my very first group fitness class at the Recreation & Wellness Center! It was a Cardio Kickboxing class that left me feeling energized and unstoppable – and kicked off my journey to become a size inclusive fitness specialist!

Anything else?! What are you currently working on right now?

I am so proud to launch my own signature lifestyle medicine program based on my book! It’s called The Lifestyle Medicine Makeover and provides a comprehensive corporate wellness program for supporting employee health and well-being.