Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Webb.
Hi Melanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Melanie Webb. I’m a Performance Coach who works to guide and support power players through their recovery and healing process so they can get back to maximum productivity and feel more connected.
I was a nature girl and an athlete growing up. My family had a large garden and fruit orchard; my dad was an award-winning life science teacher and I – was his young protege. My entire Way of Life was defined by Bind+Mody+Nature experiences.
Eventually, my career as a wildlife biologist and environmental consultant took me far from my roots, and I spent 7 years in urban Washington, D.C. I adapted to the frenetic pace, but eventually became burned out and drained of my life energy. Longing to reclaim my Way of Life, I headed back out west.
I was determined to claim my territory as a leader in outdoor fitness retreats. Like all young and inexperienced entrepreneurs, I decided I would say “yes” to every opportunity. Exciting jobs did come along, and the stakes were high.
After 5 months of grinding it out, I was exhausted. I couldn’t sleep, everyone else’s needs were a higher priority than mine… I didn’t even recognize my own body anymore. I realized my life was out of balance again. Was this all life was about, was work? Was the money even worth it if I had to lose my health? My go-go lifestyle was unsustainable.
Feeling utterly spent, I went to the doctor and got my diagnosis: Adrenal fatigue. I was like, adrenal what? I’d never heard of it. In simple terms, the stress was taking its toll on my body. I needed a break.
I mentioned my situation to a dear friend who lived at a well-known spa in Florida. She had plans to travel for six weeks and told me I could stay at her place while she was gone. Nobody had ever given me permission to take a 6-week vacation before! How could I accept? I looked at the calendar: Empty. I decided I could receive her kind invitation and turned my full attention to healing myself with a 3-week outdoor fitness retreat.
My recipe was simple: each day I immersed myself in mind/body/nature activities. I got 8-9 hours of sleep; cut out restaurants and limited my screen time. I studied qigong meditation with a master, got back to the gym, added regular hot and cold water immersions — swam in the ocean and basked in the sun as much as possible.
After experiencing my own retreat I discovered a new Way of Life. Sleep came easy, my hormones were balanced and I felt happy instead of hangry.
I know what it feels like to be on the hamster wheel of success. You feel like if you step off to take care of yourself for one minute everything will fall apart. But what I learned is that my health is my wealth. The emphasis of my work with clients shifted to match the slower, rhythmic patterns of nature. Mind+body+nature – what I call Mother Nature’s Gym – is now my formula when I work with clients seeking their own recovery.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, the struggles! How shall I name them all? There is much that I’ve learned the hard way, but I understand that’s how good business leaders become great. I first published my course Mother Nature’s Gym on an interactive digital platform. That was in 2012, long before e-learning became commonplace.
I was creating the content at the same time business negotiations were taking place with two separate but necessary business entities. The marketing and distribution partner broke our agreement right out of the gates, forcing me to break ties completely. A few months later, after the course was created, the digital partner was caught selling my content to third parties–without my name on it.
It was then that a lawyer educated me on the concept of “sunk costs,” a heartbreaking lesson for any artist or creative.
Certainly, the global pandemic has been one of the biggest obstacles for a small business in the fitness and adventure travel industries. It’s forced me to be scrappy, to apply for every PPP, SBA, or grant application I come across. It’s causing me to dig deep at diversifying revenue streams for my business, which is only going to make it stronger for the future.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I like to say that Sol Fitness Adventures is where I’ve been, and WebbWell is where I’m going. Sol was built exclusively on guided active vacations. I was the first to be permitted by the US National Parks to lead stand up paddling in the parks; the first to guide a multi-day backpacking trip near the Zion backcountry; named to Top 10 lists in Outside Magazine and “the person to call” for southern Utah guided trips in DEPARTURES.
I still love a good adventure! But with WebbWell I’m working with Body+Mind+Nature in all its wholeness and building a brand that is diversified, with a global reach. The objective is to guide others to move the body in a way that prepares the mind to have an immersive, restorative experience in nature.
Programs include Mother Nature’s Gym Outdoor Fitness for fitness professionals, Immersive Retreats for everyone and Private Performance Coaching for the seriously dedicated. I recently launched the WebbWell app in the Apple Store and Google Play is next. I’m so excited to share my vision of wellness with people who can’t work with me in person through this new digital platform!
It’s beautiful, simple to use, and loaded with Body+Mind+Nature programming to help people stay healthy and rediscover their personal connection to nature.
What sets me apart from many fitness professionals is my dual career as a biologist. While the fitness industry has told us we have to go inside to move, I’m showing people the way to reconnect with their innate connection to nature, the ultimate healer. Writing a course and developing an app has been a great balance to the in-person work that I love.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
One of my core values is “business is a team sport.” I spent 7 years early in my career working as a personal fitness trainer in Washington, D.C.
My clients taught me how to network, the value of integrity, and the importance of being excellent at what I do. People can work with, collaborate, and support me by matching me in what I give. If I send you business, say thank you and offer to buy me a drink or dinner.
When you see me mention my app or course on social media, be social, share it with someone who can benefit from what I’ve created. Last, if you want to get involved and be part of the WebbWell community, reach out and offer your skill set or services.
Let’s help each other succeed!
Pricing:
- Adventures in Mother Nature’s Gym – $24.95 Paperback
- Adventures in Mother Nature’s Gym – $9.95 – ebook
- Mother Nature’s Gym Outdoor Fitness Course – $250.00
- Private Training Sessions – From $115
- Corporate Retreats – From $300
Contact Info:
- Email: webbwellco@gmail.com
- Website: https://webbwell.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webbwellco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/440429450406735
- Other: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/webbwell/id1591209764
Image Credits
Robert Seale, Sascha Milara, PD Mel, and Kylie Fly
