Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Press.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Melissa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Much of my story has been born from bumps in the road that life creates as we live it. I chose to live according to society’s standard – college, corporate job, married and then have children. I don’t regret that path today, but I have recognized that much of the path that led me here was one I chose because it was safe.
In my life, I strove for the unrealistic existence of perfection and it seemed the safest way to do that is just to follow the norm. I didn’t yet have the insight to recognize that the life I was living didn’t bring me joy or light a fire inside of me because I didn’t have the courage to think about living any other way.
This was when the universe and life posed an intervention. One day in early 2017, the first of many life-altering events occurred. First I found out my husband was having an affair and almost days later my father fell ill and was scheduled for a major open heart surgery operation. Over the months that followed I tried everything to fight for and save my marriage while my father was fighting for his health.
Ultimately, I made the best decision for myself and my daughters to end the marriage. My father ended up suffering a major stroke a year after his operation, and sadly 37 days later he lost the fight and passed away. I share all of this because surviving the failures, loss, heartbreak, and death taught me self-love and self-compassion and helped unlock the truest and most authentic version of myself. I embarked on a journey of learning and self-discovery along with a life-changing heart healing trip to the magical island of Bali where my life changed forever. I came home from Bali healed and inspired.
I’ve since launched TRUlife as my business, published my book titled Lost in Perfection – One Woman’s Journey to True Belonging and launched a local Life Club where a small group of us meet once a month. Life Club is a discussion, which I lead and facilitate, fueled by deep and meaningful conversations about the challenging things faced by all of us while navigating daily life.
Each session has a specific topic and prompts to focus the discussion, where members share their own experiences, perspectives, and lessons. Life Club creates a safe space to share thoughts and support one another through this complex life we are all living.
TRUlife will be offering a Life Club mentorship program soon along with branching out to create TRUlife adventures. The first adventure I’m working to create is a hike to Machu Picchu in Peru. It will be a group adventure focused on creating a deeper connection, insight, and exploration of ourselves. My goal at TRUlife is to help others find the courage to be fearlessly authentic and live their TRUlife.
Great, 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?
Not at all. The breakdown of the life I’d exhausted myself to keep up with prior to any hardships alone was a huge struggle. It’s really hard to try to live up to an unrealistic person you have decided you need to be. I was constantly living in the judgment of myself and others without any freedom to just be who I am.
I was unhappy, sad, moody and all around not an amazing person to be around. I still managed to maintain great friendships along the way, but I can tell you after breaking free from perfection and allowing myself the ability to truly connect with other beings on a deep level has made all my friendships even better. I can’t even put into words the meaningful relationships I have today.
Most of the events that were a catalyst to change in my life were really tough emotionally, and sadly grief has no timeline. It is still tough, and I still find myself lost in trying to figure out the next steps of my own life and my business.
BUT, one thing I’ve learned countless times over is that sometimes when you are on the right path and truly living a life aligned with your values, and your purpose that those unanswerable questions always seem to get answered and things will unfold exactly as they are meant to. TRUlife was born from the hard lessons I’d learned through the challenges I faced.
Three distinct principles kept arising whenever I was navigating the unknown next steps in my life:
-Trust the process.
-Realign with your purpose.
-Understand your values.
Every time that it was not clear what I needed to do or I questioned if the next step I was taking was going to be the right one, I’d review these principles as a way to check myself. I’ve found if I’m doing these three things in all aspects of my life then I continue to live in wholehearted happiness which for me is my ultimate goal.
Please tell us about TRUlife.
TRUlife is a wellness company I created to help people who have recently experienced a crisis in their life get their motivation and self-confidence back so that they can move beyond that mess by defining and taking action towards the life they desire and live each day with enthusiasm and purpose.
We are all given unlimited opportunities to choose how we want to live our lives. It’s easy to get caught up living the life others think we should rather than embracing who we are. On the road to discovering your TRU self, you will be faced with many challenges.
Let the response to those challenges be what ultimately defines you. When we are navigating uncertainty or lack of direction on your journey we need to remember to trust, realign and understand or stay TRU. We specialize in creating a community that allows you to connect with other like-minded individuals that will help you learn and grow into exactly who you aspire to be and live the life you always dreamed of.
We all face challenges in life, and no one should ever have to feel isolated in any struggle. TRUlife offers mentorship, group meetings, and adventures that all help you discover exactly who you want to be.
I’m most proud of the fact that this company grew into what it is today organically by choosing to show up and live the life I aspire to which has a very strong desire to help others. It was born from the most authentic space I’ve ever lived in my life, and I think that is exactly what comes through.
My qualifications are my life experiences as I believe they are the best teacher.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have so many great ones but the one that is top of mind almost every day right now is camping with my family. I always loved being in nature, and we had the best time doing the most simple of things. We’d make s’mores, play cards and my dad was always the most relaxed on those trips. He used to sing his favorite song, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” while doing the best “dad dance” by the fire.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.trulifewellness.com
- Email: melissa@trulifewellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trulifewellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TRUlifewellness/
Image Credit:
Paris Karsh Photo, Ashley Gabes Photography
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