A Performance Nutrition Discovery Call (formerly known as a Strategy Session) is a free 15–20 minute conversation designed to help you take the guesswork out of fueling your dance journey.

During the call, we’ll identify your specific goals and challenges, explore actionable next steps tailored to your needs, and determine the best-fit option for you—whether it’s 1:1 coaching, The eMpower Corps Membership, or The Dancer’s Edge online program.

This is your opportunity to share your story, gain clarity, and start building a personalized plan to help you perform with energy and confidence, recover faster, and develop sustainable habits for long-term success.

Not at all! While I specialize in performance nutrition for dancers, I work with a wide range of clients to support various health conditions and wellness goals.

Here are a few examples of who I’ve worked with:

• Fitness Enthusiasts looking to optimize macros for enhanced athletic performance or personalized nutrition recommendations.

• Women in pre-menopause, peri-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause navigating symptoms and imbalances associated with these life transitions.

• Individuals managing food and nutrition habits to reduce reliance on pharmaceutical medications.

• Clients with gastrointestinal conditions like IBS (constipation or diarrhea), painful bloating, H. pylori, hypochlorhydria, and more.

• Athletes and individuals experiencing energy deficiencies or imbalances, such as RED-S, hypothalamic amenorrhea, or reduced energy availability.

No matter your background or goals, I’m here to help you build a nutrition plan that supports your well-being and empowers you to thrive.

Every dancer’s schedule is unique, from morning classes and afternoon rehearsals to evening performances, cross-training, or those 5 other jobs you're juggling. When we work together, we start by mapping out your daily and weekly routine. This allows us to create a plan that fits seamlessly into your life—whether you have five minutes between classes or need strategies for fueling during a long rehearsal. My goal is to ensure you’re nourished and energized without added stress.

When you schedule your Discovery Call, you’ll complete a short form to share your goals and challenges ahead of time.

To make the most of your session:

• Be ready to discuss your dance schedule and routine.

• Think about your dietary goals and any specific challenges or concerns you’re facing.

This call is a collaborative conversation designed to help us understand where you are now and shape the next steps in your personalized nutrition journey.

Yes, the Discovery Call is completely free!

This 15–20 minute conversation is designed to help you gain clarity on the best path forward for your personalized nutrition journey. Together, we’ll:

• Identify your specific goals and challenges.

• Explore actionable next steps tailored to your needs.

• Match you with the best-fit solution to support your performance, recovery, and long-term well-being.

After the call, you’ll have a clear understanding of how nutrition support can help you take your dancing to the next level. When you're ready to continue, you can choose the option that fits your goals:

• 1:1 Coaching for personalized, hands-on guidance.

• The eMpower Corps for group support and structured accountability.

• The Dancer’s Edge for self-paced, flexible learning.

This call is your first step toward a more empowered and sustainable approach to performance and well-being. The decision to continue is entirely yours—but with so many proven paths to success, you’re bound to find one that fits your needs!

Scheduling your Discovery Call is simple!

1. Click here to access the booking calendar.

2. Choose a date and time that fits your schedule.

3. Receive a confirmation email with all the details you’ll need to join the virtual session.

This free, 15–20 minute call is a friendly and collaborative conversation designed to help us explore your goals and determine the best path for your personalized nutrition journey. It’s the first step toward fueling your performance, recovery, and long-term success.

I’m not just a licensed nutritionist—I’m also a professional ballet dancer.

I’ve lived (and still live!) the long rehearsal days, the tight performance schedules, and the pressures of the dance world. My approach is tailored specifically to dancers, combining my expertise in nutrition with my deep understanding of the art form. Unlike traditional nutritionists who might offer a one-size-fits-all meal plan, I work with you to create a personalized strategy that fits your lifestyle and goals.

At eMpower Performance Nutrition, I believe in making nutrition support accessible while addressing individual needs and goals. I offer a range of services at different price points, and financial assistance may be available based on need or circumstance.

Here’s a breakdown of my most popular offerings:

Performance Nutrition Discovery Call

Cost: Free This 15–20 minute call is your starting point. We’ll discuss your goals and challenges, explore how the eMpower Performance Method can help, and determine the best next steps—whether it’s 1:1 coaching, The eMpower Corps, or an online program.

1:1 Personalized Nutrition Coaching

Cost: $475/month for 3 months This personalized coaching option provides ongoing, one-on-one support to meet your unique goals and challenges as a dancer. Available to those seeking expert guidance anytime of year, outside of The eMpower Corps cohorts. This program includes:

• Personalized nutrition plans.

• Regular coaching sessions.

• Support to help you build sustainable habits, optimize performance, and enhance recovery.

For those looking for comprehensive, ongoing support, our 1:1 Personalized Nutrition Coaching is the highest level of care we offer. This option ensures you receive consistent education, personalized follow-up, and expert guidance to help you thrive in your performance goals. Regardless of your goals, this dedicated service provides the personalized nutrition plan and accountability you need to stay on track, making it the ultimate investment in your success.

Most clients work with me anywhere from 4-8 months and monthly cost adjusts with your session frequency needs.

The eMpower Corps

Cost: $375/month for 3 months An exclusive, application-only program held at specific times during the year is designed for driven dancers ready to take their performance to the next level. The eMpower Corps combines personalized nutrition protocols, accountability sessions, and expert coaching to help you meet the unique demands of a dancer’s life.

Most clients work with me anywhere from 4-8 months and monthly cost adjusts with your session frequency needs.

New Client Bundle

Cost: Starts at $575 Perfect for new clients seeking a structured start to their nutrition journey. Includes:

• A 15-minute Discovery Call.

• Initial Intake Session.

• Personalized Nutrition Protocol.

• 2, 45-minute follow-up sessions (one is your Protocol Review Session and second is a regular follow-up session; both sessions must be used within 45 days).

Standard Hourly Rates

After completing your Initial Intake Session or New Client Bundle, you can book additional sessions:

• 30 minutes: $97.50

• 45 minutes: $135

• 60 minutes: $165

These rates reflect the need for follow up work + support, shared resources, up-to-date note sharing, and more. Discounts are available for ongoing clients.

Clients booking services such as Open Office Hours are expected to come with their questions ready to be answered and follow up resources may be shared depending on the nature of the conversation.

For a complete list of services, [click here]. If you have specific financial concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m happy to explore options that work for you.

Melissa is a Maryland Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, Washington, DC Licensed Nutritionist, Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS), and holds a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. She specializes in working with dancers and performance athletes, combining her extensive expertise with her personal experience as a professional dancer.

What is a Certified Nutrition Specialist ® (CNS)?️

The Certified Nutrition Specialist® designation is credentialed by the American Nutrition Association® through its Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists™. It is the most advanced certification for personalized nutrition practitioners, requiring science-based training and clinical expertise to empower clients toward optimal health.

To earn and maintain this designation, Melissa completed:

• A Master’s degree (or higher) in nutrition.

• The American Nutrition Association (ANA) certification exam.

• Over 1,000 supervised clinical hours.

• 75 Continuing Education credits every 5 years.

Melissa passed the board-certified exam in June 2022 and officially earned her CNS designation in January 2024.

Professional Training and Experience

For her clinical hours, Melissa worked under mentors at The Nutrition & Herbal Collective, including Rebecca Snow, MS, CNS, LDN, RH, and Kate Costello, MS, CNS, LDN. Through this mentorship, she applied evidence-based strategies to support clients in areas such as food-related habits, lifestyle changes, and mindfulness practices.

Melissa also holds the following designations:

• Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN): Regulated state-by-state; Melissa holds this license in Maryland.

• Licensed Nutritionist (LN): Credentialed in Washington, DC.

• Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200): Certified to teach yoga, adding a holistic layer to her approach to wellness.

Melissa is passionate about lifelong learning and regularly engages in continuing education to deepen her understanding of health and wellness.

Find her on Doctors for Dancers.