Featured Blogger: Melissa

This week, we have Melissa!

I actually discovered Melissa’s blog last week after she left a comment on a post on my Facebook Page. It’s amazing how  many different social media platforms that exist to connect with like minded people!

What is the name of your blog and how does it describe you?

The name of my blog is Live Whole Be Free.

In my life so far, I’ve found that the more “whole” I live, the more “free” I become. I apply this “mantra” to everything from eating healthy, whole foods to thinking about life in a broader perspective. For instance, if you truly take care of your body—meaning you exercise daily, get enough sleep and eat well (meaning whole foods and foods full of nutrients)—you free yourself from society’s chains. You are no longer forced to live in the world full of fad-diets, constantly counting calories and waiting for the next magic diet pill to hit the market. When you eat to fuel your body, your perspective on food changes entirely, leaving you with less stress and better able to live a freer, fuller life.

How long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging for about ten years. I have several other blogs; some are purely for entertainment purposes while others are more journalistic in nature. One of the progress journal blogs I’ve created documents a reconstructive ankle surgery I’ve undergone. You can find that one at www.calcanealosteotomy2008.blogspot.com. LiveWholeBeFree.com, on the other hand, will celebrate its first birthday in July of this year.

How many hours a day do you devote to blogging?

I’m currently only able to devote about 3-4 hours a week to blogging—working multiple full-time jobs keeps me quite busy! I plan on devoting much more time to it in the near future.

What helped influence your decision to start blogging and the subjects you blog about?

I have such a deep passion for healthy living that I can’t help but to share it with others. Although I’ve been an athlete my entire life, including a scholarship Division 1 soccer player, I spent most of it extremely uneducated about health, specifically nutrition. After years of relying on not-so-trustworthy sources for advice, I finally decided to educate myself. By making very small changes, one at a time, I am now experiencing the true joy that being healthy can bring. I believe that’s why they call us “health nuts,” because once you experience this, you will never go back! I want to be a trusted source for others and help them to live whole and be free.

As a blogger, what mistakes have you made and what did you learn from them?

When I first launched LWBF, I was so excited, had so much information to share and was so eager to get it all out there that my posts ended up being pretty lengthy. Although all the information in them is pertinent, lengthy blogs are difficult to digest. Today I make my posts shorter and more direct, making them more of a quick read. For those concepts that require more information, I break them down into several smaller topics.

What is the most valuable thing that you have gotten out of your blog?

I truly enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. To know that there are people out there that are not only reading my blog, but benefitting from it makes it that much more worth it. To know that it has made a difference in their lives… is truly the definition of rewarding.

If you could describe your blog in one word, what would it be?

Liberating

Where do you see your blog in 6 months? 1 year?

Six months from now, the posts on LWBF will be much more frequent. A year from now, I will feature guest bloggers and have more content than you could possibly imagine! Virtual training programs are also in the works for clients who are serious about making a change in their lifestyle. Anyone interested?

Has it been worth it?

Absolutely. Knowing that I helped just one person take their first step towards living a healthier lifestyle, it is unquestionably worth it.

Is there anything else you want us to know?

I love you all! I also want you to know that I understand it is not easy to make changes. In fact if it was, everyone would be fit and healthy. It takes time and patience, but if you trust the process, you will absolutely see results. I started this journey without knowing I was even starting any sort of “journey.” I just decided one day to give up soda… and now… well… now you’re reading about it.

Tagged as: Featured Blogger