frequently asked questions

No—while I specialize in working with dancers, I also work with athletes and active individuals. If you have a consistent training routine or active lifestyle, this approach can be tailored to you. Here are a few examples of who I’ve worked with: Fitness Enthusiasts looking to enhance athletic performance or personalized nutrition recommendations. Athletes and individuals experiencing energy deficiencies or imbalances, such as RED-S, hypothalamic amenorrhea, or reduced energy availability. 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. No matter your background or goals, I’m here to help you build a nutrition strategy that supports your well-being and empowers you to thrive.

A short, 15-minute conversation where we’ll connect, talk through your goals and current challenges, and determine the best next step for you.

No preparation is needed. You can come as you are—we’ll simply talk through your goals, challenges, and what you’re looking for support with.

I’ll recommend the most appropriate next step based on your needs. The most common next step is either 1:1 Personalized Nutrition Coaching for ongoing support or a Personalized Nutrition Strategy.

Yes—this call is completely free and there’s no obligation to move forward afterward.

If you’re active, training consistently, or looking to improve your energy, recovery, or overall performance—this is a good place to start.

I’m not just a licensed dietitian nutritionist—I’m also a professional ballet dancer and athlete. I’ve lived (and still live!) the long rehearsal days, the tight performance schedules, and the pressures of the performance world. My approach is tailored specifically to dancers + athletes, combining my expertise in nutrition with my deep understanding of the art form and what it takes to perform at an elite level. Unlike traditional nutritionists who might offer a one-size-fits-all meal plan, I work with you to create a personalized nutrition strategy that fits your lifestyle and goals.

Pricing depends on the level of support you’re looking for. Most clients begin with a Personalized Nutrition Strategy, with the option to continue into 1:1 Coaching for ongoing support. We’ll walk through what makes the most sense for you during your Discovery Call. 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 I can help, and determine the best next steps. 1:1 Personalized Nutrition Coaching Cost: $475/month for 3 months For dancers, athletes, and active individuals who want support implementing their nutrition in a way that is consistent, flexible, and sustainable. This is where we go beyond the protocol—and focus on how you apply it in real life. For those looking for comprehensive, ongoing support, our 1:1 Personalized Nutrition Coaching is the highest level of care we offer. Together, we build routines that support your performance, adapt to your schedule, and help you feel more confident in how you fuel. What’s Included Comprehensive Intake Session (60 min) Personalized Performance Nutrition Protocol Protocol Review Session (counts as first check-in) 12 Weekly 1:1 Coaching Check-In Sessions (45 min each)  Focus on: adjusting your plan in real time building consistency expanding flexibility with food navigating training + schedule changes Direct Messaging Support (Practice Better)  Ongoing access for: questions quick adjustments support between sessions That Clean Life Access: Optional meal planning tools and recipe support Priority Scheduling Personalized Nutrition Strategy Cost: $450 (one-time) A personalized starting point for dancers, athletes, and active individuals who want clarity on how to fuel their body. This service is designed to help you understand what your body needs to support your training, energy, and recovery—without overcomplicating your routine. You’ll leave with a clear, customized strategy you can begin implementing right away. Your intake and protocol review sessions are designed to be scheduled approximately one week apart to support timely implementation. All sessions must be completed within 3 weeks of purchase. What’s Included Comprehensive Intake Session (60 min) Deep dive into: training schedule current intake + habits energy levels, digestion, recovery lifestyle + routines Personalized Performance Nutrition Protocol  A fully customized plan tailored to you, including: meal + snack structure fueling timing guidance performance + recovery strategies practical, flexible recommendations Protocol Review Session (45 min): We walk through your plan together so you feel confident implementing it Standard Hourly Rates After completing your Initial Intake Session + receiving your Personalized Nutrition Protocol, you can book additional sessions: 45 minutes: $155 60 minutes: $195 These rates reflect the need for follow up work + support, shared resources, up-to-date note sharing, and more. 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.