Melissa Beatrice recently joined the Next Level Training (NLT) team this year. To find out more about the nutritionist, NLT’s Nicholas Saraceno sat down with Melissa, learning about her personal life and interests, which run beyond fitness.

 

NLT: Why did you decide to become a nutritionist? What inspired you to do so?

 

Melissa Beatrice: I decided to become a nutritionist first and foremost to help myself become healthier. After college, I realized how unhealthy my lifestyle was and I knew I couldn’t continue on the unhealthy path I was on.  I started to want to learn more about what was in the foods we eat and where they come from, while I was trying to lose my college weight.  I think that was really eye-opening for me and made me realize this was my true passion and what I was most interested in.  So I enrolled myself in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.  After I became a healthier person, I knew I wanted to help others do the same thing.

 

NLT: Why do you believe Next Level is a great fit for you? What can you bring to the team?

 

MB: Next Level is a great fit for me because I feel as though I can relate to younger kids pretty well.  I also really think the culture and the passion that everyone here has for their jobs makes it a good fit for me.  I hope that I bring that same passion to the team -- it’s evident everyone here genuinely wants to be here and enjoys what they are doing. 

 

NLT: What is the best part about your profession?

 

MB: When a client reaffirms that what I am doing is helping him or her.  I love hearing clients say they dropped the extra weight they haven’t been able to lose or that they feel a difference in their energy levels based off of our meetings.

 

NLT: What are your hobbies? Any sports that you like to play?

 

MB: Not sure if this would be a “hobby,” but I love to travel, I love experiencing new cultures and foods.  I’m a total foodie and love trying different things.  I love to run -- it clears my head and helps me think.  Nothing better for me than going for a run in a new city or country and taking it all in.

 

NLT: I heard you grew up in a hockey family. What was that like?

 

MB: I did! My brother started playing hockey at age five and my sister and I were dragged to all his tournaments growing up. Looking back on it now, it is probably one of the reasons I love watching the sport so much.  I also wouldn’t have met my husband if my brother never started playing hockey.  My father-in-law was my brother’s first hockey coach so in a way my brother played a big role in my husband and I meeting.

 

NLT: Have you always wanted to be a nutritionist?

 

MB: Actually no, I went to college for business and marketing and thought I wanted to work in the corporate world and climb the corporate ladder.  After sitting at a desk for years, I realized that I needed to do something that would help other people, but wouldn’t have me chained to a desk.  After college is when I really started to have an interest in Nutrition and decided to pursue my passion.

 

We at Next Level sincerely welcome Melissa to the family. Billy Katinsky, General Manager and Head Trainer, was excited about the new addition to the staff.

 

“Melissa is a great addition to the staff and will help us offer another service for our clients,” said Bill. “Her knowledge of sports from being around them her whole life only helps when dealing with our athletes’ nutritional needs. Her brother Matt has trained with us since we opened.”

 

 

 

 

 

By Nicholas Saraceno, Next Level Training