Melissa Ayres
Objectives: To support the wellness and technique development of performing artists, athletes and fitness enthusiasts, and to guide individuals toward their personal goals for a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle.
Background: Accomplished Nutritionist with expertise in nutrition care planning, counseling, education, and program development. Dynamic consultant, advisor and educator with an extensive background and depth across a wide range of nutrition services and interventions; possesses training and experience in traditional medical models and deeply rooted in holistic perspectives. Notable success in program development, implementation and management as well as health policy and advocacy leadership. Collaborative approach focused on promoting evidence-based nutrition and exercise, health and wellness. Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher® since 1996. Instructor and curriculum designer of group classes and workshops of Feldenkrais®/ Awareness Through Movement® since 1994. Dietetic Technician, Registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Dietetic Internship Program completed in June, 2022 at Bowling Green State University; Registered Dietitian Nutritionist pending upon successful completion of examination in 2023. Candidate, MS in Nutrition with Sports Nutrition major at University of Saint Joseph - Hartford, 2024. Didactic Program in Dietetics (Bachelors of Science in Nutrition equivalent) completion at New York University in 2004. Masters in Public Health in Nutrition and Community Health from New York University in 2005. Graduate Certificate in Food and Nutrition from Bowling Green University in 2009. National Academy of Sports Medicine - Certified Personal Trainer as of January 2015. TRX Suspension Training Level 1 Completion, June 2015. USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach, June 2016. Biomechanics Method - Corrective Exercise Certification 2019.
IDEA MemberAbout Me
Professions
Activities
Specialities
Degrees
- Master's Degree, Public Health Nutrition, New York University
- Post Secondary Certificate, Food And Nutrition, Bowling Green State University
- BA, Humanities, World College West/New College of California
Certifications / Trainings
CPR Certified
AED Certified
Liability Insurance
- HPSO (Healthcare Providers Insurance Organization)
Additional Information
Rate
Payment Methods
Years Experience
Awards & Accomplishments
- Interfaith Medical Center - Primary Care Clinic - Consumer Advisory Board Certificate of Recognition (2010)
- Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center - Labels for Health Certificate of Appreciation: Health Literacy Program (2009)
- American Dietetic Association Public Policy Workshop Grassroots Scholarship recipient for New York State (2007)
- New York State Department of Health - Eat Well Play Hard Certificate of Recognition (2003)
by Susan Sutton on Nov 04, 2020
Melissa has worked with both of us as individuals and together on a fairly regular basis. She is fantastic at meeting us where we are— dealing with injuries acquired at work and in other activities, helping us release stress when that's an issue and push ourselves on strength training when that's the right thing to do instead. She keeps things changed up, but not at the cost of consistency and safety. She's great at following up after sessions with lists of exercises so that we can work on our own as well, and most of all she's an interesting person and very thoughtful.
by kate shaw on Jan 31, 2016
I can't recommend Melissa highly enough.I trained with Melissa for about a 6 month period - in an effort to compel myself to the gym on a regular basis, and to ensure that the time I did spend at the gym was well spent. Melissa and I were matched by the gym's office, and it turned out to be a great fit. Melissa is a fantastic trainer. She knows her stuff, having completed years of both work and study in fitness and nutriion. She knows when to challenge and when to support. She helped me isolate and feel my alignment in a way that years of yoga couldn't compete with. And on top of it all, she's just a lovely person to pass the time with, which, at 7AM, is rather important!
by Fractal Humphrey on Jan 25, 2016
Melissa is such an amazing trainer! I could not be more lucky then to have found her! She is extremely knowledgeable and educated in movement and fitness. I am a dancer and a performer and it was important to me to have a trainer that understood my fitness and movement goals. I had been struggling with turns and balance, and using full body connection when I dance. Specifically some weird disconnection in my back and arms. Within a few months of working with her I started getting compliments from my teachers on how much I was improving. I feel significantly more stable and balanced and I no longer worry about falling apart. I highly recommend her as a training. I plan to continue working with her and can't wait to see where it takes me in the dance world!
by Rati Gelashvili on Sep 06, 2015
Melissa is a great personal trainer. She helped me design a workout plan tailored to my fitness goals and pick up the right techniques. She also gave me helpful nutrition tips, and made me work on my balance and do related exercises that I thought looked easy but turned out quite challenging and useful. I have left San Francisco but am following the plan and the set of exercises and am very happy with the results. I could not be more satisfied that I took sessions with Melissa this summer.
On top of all this, she is an extremely pleasant and naturally helpful person, and it has been great interacting with her.
by Maya Ebsworth on Aug 19, 2015
I trained with Melissa about once a week for 3 months while I was in SF. Melissa is a really excellent trainer - she is very gentle and calm. We started out by talking about my goals, nutrition, and any injuries or special issues. I have some issues with my back, and she was great at tailoring workouts to fit my needs. She's also fun to hang out with, and she would even extend our session past an hour if she had the free time. She would also email me detailed lists of the exercises that she had showed me so I can do them on my own time. I would really recommend training with Melissa!