Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Yukov
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2007 I was diagnosed with IBS and so began my journey of restrictive dieting, supplements galore, and
going from doctors to nutritionists to healers of all kinds to help me, but really my issues started well before 2007. As a child, I had constant rashes and immune issues, and I developed insomnia in high school. I grew dangerously close to not sleeping through college, to the point of hallucinating. Following the IBS diagnosis, my gut was a complete mess. I couldn’t digest even a bowl of soup. I was given other labels/diagnoses along the way which I choose not to mention here as I find detaching from my labels is supporting the healing process. The bottom line was, I was completely disconnected and detached from myself and my needs. Perhaps I was aware, but completely ignored and resisted my inner wisdom.
The process of reclaiming or rebirthing myself began by me improving my diet and taking out irritating foods. I began integrating Ayurvedic practices (ancient Indian wisdom). This was all helpful, but didn’t seem to get at the root of my issues. There was a deeper layer I hadn’t yet excessed. What I was missing was the emotional work which I have come to find out is foundational. When I wasn’t connected, I would resist and self-sabotage, making poor choices. I would use food to fill emotional voids and didn’t have the skills to release stored trauma and emotions. I am now connected to myself and my needs and have gained knowledge in various areas from herbalism, to energy work, breath and vagus nerve work, Ayurveda, visualization, and emotional healing techniques to name a few.
I have come to realize that being a perfectionist, highly -driven, work and goal- oriented, self-critical, constantly going, anxious, negative thinker was leading to guilt and shame which were my real root causes. The journey to change my mind-set, and my relationship with myself and thus with food, has lead me towards true healing and inner peace. I may not be at the top of the mountain but I am the sherpa on my up and taking you all with me.
I have a core set of beliefs based on my healing journey. They are the following:
– 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.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being brave enough to let go of what others think I should do with my life and follow my path. I am currently living my purpose which was ingrained in me isn’t practical and won’t make me money. I had to let go of that to be where I am.
I have also gone through periods of frustration where I just want to be healthy but am still working at it. It is that making peace with ones body and not loosing hope, staying the course, and getting back up. Letting go, taking my hands of the wheel and trusting as kept me going and I continue to work at that.
Leaving behind my life in New York City 11 years ago and taking that trip to Israel to do an herbal program, living in a refurbished chicken coop with strangers and no internet, just us, a compost toilet, plants etc.. It was a great challenge and the best thing I did for myself. It allowed me to connect to plants, nature, and myself in ways I hadn’t and work to live in a community and connect to my culture in ways I hadn’t before. It was life changing.
As you know, we’re big fans of Root 2 Rise Wellness . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I connect people to their roots, nature, and healthy practices through conscious community. I do this by offering herbalism classes and guided plant walks. Herbalicious Explorations are classes that are family based. This year we are focusing on making herbal mocktails, doing guided plant walks, and medicine making with plants. Children are our future and I love educating them as well as adults about plant wonders. My first career and background as a pediatric speech pathologist supports me in working with children. I also lead plant walks where we learn about medicine and edible plants that are growing wild, how to identify them, and how they can be used as medicine.
I empower women with digestive issues and health issues to create balance and harmony in their body using natural and holistic tools to heal physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I do this through my signature Gut Revive Program which draws on various modalities for an all encompassing transformational experience. I empower women to connect to their inner wisdom and use tools that are easy and accessible for true healing and growth. I meet clients where they are at on their journey. If herbalism is a draw and they have already done a lot of emotional work we start there. If they are already eating well then we may go to supplements. I find the emotional and vagus nerve work to be most transformational across the board and use that with most clients. If they want to loose weight and don’t how to make tasty healthy foods we might begin there. As a coach, it is my job to be supportive, provide accountability, and step by step guidance.
What matters most to you?
Continuing to improve my health, helping others, and connecting to nature.
Nature brings me peace and helps me feel grounded. It’s like the chatter of the world goes away and I can come into my own.
I only have this body to work with and want to continue to grow and learn.
I find it rewarding to help others and see them heal and flourish because of something I shared with them from my healing. It provides me with a feeling of connection, purpose, and joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://root2risewellness.org
- Instagram: root.2.rise.wellness
- Facebook: root2risewellenssllc
- Youtube: root2risewellness
Image Credits
pic 5084 and 5083 by Arts Program in Connecticut
