The eldest of four daughters, raised in San Diego until the age of 13; her father moved the family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a final tour in the Navy.  Melissa’s father is a decorated Vietnam Veteran.  Upon retiring from the Navy, the family settled in Pensacola, Florida.  Melissa graduated from Pace High School in 1988 and took a two-year hiatus from school.  She worked at the Jack Eckerd School for emotionally handicapped children.  Using innovative techniques such as reality therapy.  After the two years, Melissa entered the local college to pursue a degree in psychology. She remained in the mental health community running the local crisis line and working with the severely mentally ill population.  During which time she refined behavior modification practices.  Having an empathic personality, Melissa learned to deal with the psyche and physical wills of all her clients.

Melissa Zuniga went back to school receiving a BS, in Exercise Science from Texas A&M University, graduating the top 20 of her class. She has studied, Nutrition and Health related issues for years.  Melissa has 15 years personal training experience and extensive knowledge in behavior modification.  Melissa Zuniga trained for ten years pro bono.  All services were delivered for the better of the clients.  She maintained financial stability by working the sales department for a physical therapist. Melissa held sales positions in several companies as an account executive sometimes exceeding goal by 200%.

Melissa Zuniga not only gives back to her community by working with the poor and impoverished in North Carolina but also has given time working in orphanages through-out Latin America (Brazil and Costa Rica).  Melissa once monthly gives speeches to families that are socio economically challenged and in grave need of information on health and wellness issues.  Melissa also has taught physical education to the children at Our Mother of Guadalupe Catholic School. Melissa Zuniga gives her time freely to all that are in need.  Melissa recently set up classes for adolescence hoping in 2008 to teach children the ins-and-outs of exercise, nutrition and stress management. 

Melissa writes a column “Health Matters” for Capitol Weekly.  Melissa has given several Wellness Expo’s for Capitol Workers’. Melissa is dynamic and direct approach to topics that are often taboo, creates a different approach for an audience that are often adverse to the idea of change.  Melissa puts some comprehensive concepts into bite-size components for all persons to understand all the while keeping her audience captivated.  Melissa will be speaking at Texas A&M University her alumni in November 2008.  All of Melissa’s seminars and literature are used for academia.

Future Goals

Melissa has made it her personal mission to educate all Americans on living a life in balance, through nutrition, fitness and stress management.  The company Melissa Zuniga founded is Fitness Foundation Consultants and they are committed to “Creating a culture of discovering ones’ best self.”