About Me

I empower anxious women over 40 facing reflux to understand their body's needs, rewire their nervous system, and release stuck energy—building the foundation for lasting inner peace and confidence.

I’m a caretaker, a daughter, and a sister. I manage care for my aging mother, who faces the challenges of dementia along with other physical ailments. While witnessing her journey is difficult, it’s also a bittersweet, beautiful experience—one that’s allowed me to connect with a side of my mother I might never have known.

Growing up, my parents raised me on a mix of ethnic and standard American foods. But one day, my mother discovered health. I remember her guiding me in reading labels at the grocery store, ensuring no “hydrogenated fats” made it into our cart. She exercised but struggled to find what worked best for her body, skipping natural ways to support her dietary, emotional, and spiritual balance. She relied on her doctors and rarely explored alternative options. Over time, her ailments worsened, and eventually, her mind changed too.

I’ve come to understand just how essential it is to listen to our bodies, prioritize self-care, and take a holistic approach to well-being—especially in midlife. These are the years where we can prevent or delay the health challenges that come later. That’s why I’m here. I’m here for myself, and I’m here for you, ready to share the wisdom I’ve gained through years of study, experience, and observation.

Let’s age gracefully, and root to rise together.

Melanie’s Core Beliefs

  • Diseases that present themselves are a result of how we digest life.

  • Chronic issues all carry an emotional component that needs to be addressed, and we need the tools to learn how to tap into these emotions.

  • It isn’t the stress or the disease that is the problem, but rather our reaction to it that is most important.

  • Plants and nature have much wisdom and hold a lot of the answers for feeling whole.

  • The body knows how to come back into balance when provided with the right supports.

  • The mind is a powerful force for healing as long as we know how to use it wisely.

  • My role is to support you in being your own healer, by providing you with the tools and guidance for you to help yourself.

  • Daily routine practices we put in place for healing the mind, body, and spirit will be more important than any single diet or supplement because these are grounding practices.

Melanie's Trainings Include

  • Masters in Speech and Language Pathology from Teachers College, Columbia University (May 2007) - Pediatric Speech Pathologist for 16 years

  • Integrative Health Coach training completion by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (January, 2013).

  • Israel School of Herbal Medicine: 5-month live-in training in foundational herbal medicine. (Aviezer, Israel, 2014).

  • Moondance Botanicals: 3 month training in apothecary natural product making. (Denver, CO, 2018)

  • Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism: certificate in Botany completed including skills in positive plant identification, wild-crafting ethics, sustainable harvesting and preservation techniques 68 hours (Lafayette, CO, June 2019).

  • Twin Star Herbal Apothecary Apprenticeship and Mentorship. 6 month study (600 hours of study) including apothecary work, product and medicine making and class attendance in various herbal medicine preparation and training courses (New Milford, CT, December 2019).

  • Twin Star Training in Shamonic Healing and Spirit Medicine. 75 hours earned in practices of ancestral connection, primitive skills, and the five directions (north, south, east, west, and the above) (New Milford, CT, December 2019).

  • Twin Star Flower Essence Practitioner Certification: (Connecticut and Punta Uva, Costa Rica, March 2020).

  • Northeast School of Botanical Medicine Weekend Herbalism Program: 7 intensive weekends (100 hour program) focused on plant identification and clinical herbalism skills (Ithaca, NY, November 2020).

  • Completion of Shift Network Course on Ayurveda for Strengthening your Immune System, Mind, Body, and Soul (September 2020)

  • Completion of Shift Network Course on Tap into Your Vagus Nerve's Healing Power To Rewire your Nervous System for Optimal Health (September 2021)

  • Body By Breath Immersion Course (18 credits of vagus nerve education and breath work) provided by Jill Miller from Tune Up Fitness (November 2023)

  • An Integrative Approach to the Digestive System Course by Thomas Easely from Eclectic Botanica (10 hours) December 2023

Now it’s my turn to share the secrets from what I have learned with you!

Click the link below and get our Masterclass on How to Beat Reflux Naturally! Learn the top plants to banish Reflux for good. Available for a LIMITED TIME!


Ready to apply to join our Root 2 Rise Program? 

We've Moved to a New Location and Continue to Work with Clients Virtually and in Person

410 Millstone Dr, Hillsborough, NC 27278

© 2020 by Root 2 Rise Wellness LLC. All rights reserved

© 2020 by Root 2 Rise Wellness LLC. All rights reserved