We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Stonehill- Caiyem and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Most of people fear taking risks!

The fear of rejection, or failure or any kind of change in routine can be frightening! Adrenaline may start pumping, others may try to talk you out of it…but honestly, what is the worst thing that can happen?

Personally, I had a really bad relationship with fear, I decided that fear was a monster! I then realized that fear was what I had created it to be and that I could also “uncreated” it- disassemble it and see what was there for me in the realm of bravery and courage- intuition and trust.

Taking risks gives me a free ride down the rabbit hole of exploration! I get to try things out and see what works and what doesn’t work. I learn to fail. This is so important. I also learn that I can be completely spot on and successful with my ideas. How would we even know what is possible within us if we didn’t take chances – call it risks- but I call it opportunity.

Take Walt Disney for instance, Did you know he was fired from the Kansas City Star because his editor felt he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas?”

JK Rowling – author of the Harry Potter series, was turned away from 12 major publishing companies ! She was a single mom on welfare- sat in her car and wrote and wrote and wrote.

Michael Jordan – was cut in 1978 from the Varsity BB team in his high school Jordan used his disappointment as fuel to work even harder—an approach that eventually helped him break NBA records and stuck with him throughout his career

These are some of many many stories- Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein , Thomas Edison, Tesla, Benjamin Franklin, and on and on and on.
Everybody who was ever anybody took a chance- saw an opportunity to act upon a thought, failed and failed and failed again. This is greatness! Failing, falling and getting up – Playing it safe is not good enough when our aim is to achieve something new and big.

I love Emerson – here is a great quote “Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ‘Journals Of Ralph Waldo Emerson, With Annotations – 1841-1844’


Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Nothing is really easy- Being a visionary takes effort. I view life from the eyes of an artist. Art was always my launch pad and my passion- Visual arts, performing arts, dance- For me, mothering is an art- and my greatest accomplishment in life, is my children. My personal sculptures so to say.

Professionally, I have been in the health and fitness arena for 40 yrs- starting with my mentor Jack Lalanne in the late 70″s early 80’s. I realized the “art” of living in balance- by being out of balance. When my first child was born, I researched everything I could on nutrition. It was then I came upon people like Jethro Kloss, and Mishio Kushi. I saw food as medicine and became aware of the flaws in eating in the Western world and saw how it parallel with disease.

My journey towards becoming a PhD in Naturopathic Medicine is a long one, but very worthwhile. I want to live to 100+ but not just live, THRIVE!!! Its always going to be an uphill climb- “knowing” or trying to understand the body, health, etc… We are so driven by politics in food! We have to do the research for ourselves- find people along the way that we trust and implement their practices. It’s not easy being non medical or “alternative” as they have called people in my area of practice. I say allopathic medicine is “alternative” Naturopathic healing is truly authentic and ancient – The body has the ability to do amazing things !!

Prevention is key- Joy is essential and moving the body daily is a MUST!

The human body is the greatest work of art under the Sun! I’m simply here to guide people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was to visit the area – the best place to eat is my house lol! Food is my love language. Places to see and to go: Ride a horse through Garden of the Gods, Hike the Barr Trail,  Red Rocks Open Space, Olympic Museum, SunWater Spa to soak, Take the train to the top of Pikes Peak-
Drum circle in Manitou, Yoga in the park, sound baths with friends, and experiencing the Medicine Music Project LIVE
Basically, come to a Healing Wheel Retreat !

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all, I’d like to shout out my father of blessed memory, Arnie Stonehill aka Rabbi Steinberg- My dad always let me know that there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do- that I was capable, smart, beautiful and talented. What an important message to raise a child with!

In my current circle today, I am surrounded by family and friends that believe in me. Yehoshua Caiyem, my husband of 35 years- leads the way with that ( greatest cheerleader ever!); my amazing and talented successful kids, my siblings; my co – creator, business partner, Russ Crouch- My Earth Angel, Julie Speetjens- these are the ones who are by my side every time, whether I fail or succeed!

Sarah Grant and The Essential Wellness Society of Colorado Springs – Sarah runs the greatest networking group I’ve ever experienced – I’m so inspired by her-and the people she’s brought together!

Website: www.healingwheelholistic.com

Instagram: Healingwheelholisic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingwheelretreats/photos/a.104898755187752/267655312245428

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGEmuA9Qdlezogf44aGIQKQ

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