By: Womaness Editors
Melanie Griffith is a reminder that life is a journey—and you should take advantage of every twist and turn. Originally from Lenox, Massachusetts, she found a home in NYC in the late 80s, attending Columbia University and going on to complete law school. After a “brief and exhilarating” career as a lawyer, she pivoted to a purpose-driven career centered around fitness and mindfulness. A mother of three young adults, Griffith lives in the West Village with her girlfriend. As a two-time cancer survivor, she is far from slowing down, serving as Senior Director of Brand Experience and Master Instructor for SoulCycle. We asked this powerhouse woman to reveal a bit more about her inner journey.
Name & Occupation:
Melanie Griffith, Master Instructor, SoulCycle
First thing I do each morning
“Mentally make a statement of gratitude for something simple or something expansive.”
Three things I always keep in/on my nightstand
“Reading glasses!, smooth rocks, crystals, sea glass, and muscle-soothing lotion.”
My go-to beauty hack or wellness ritual
“My beauty hack is all about self acceptance and love and practicing gratitude. I am embracing my curly hair these days. I leave coconut conditioner in my wet hair and go. Recently, a makeup artist told me about soap brows...so I’ve been playing around with that sculpted eyebrow look.
I also love rituals...candles and incense and epsom salt baths when I need recovery; mindful meditation and visualization when I need calm; and a rotating chorus of mantras for always. And the ocean breeze!”
“I feel 52 because I am 52. I feel other things more than I feel my age. I feel strong, grateful, proud, clear, compassionate, accomplished, alive, playful, humble, hopeful, grounded, open.”
My inner age (the age I really feel) and why
“I feel 52 because I am 52. I feel other things more than I feel my age. I feel strong, grateful, proud, clear, compassionate, accomplished, alive, playful, humble, hopeful, grounded, open... and on and on. My inner age is both ageless and exactly the age I am.”
Advice I would give to my younger self
“That’s such a deep question. She and I are one. So the message remains... Lead with love. Don’t let fear be the root of your choices. Life is hard and you can do anything one step at a time. Everything you need, you have. Peace exists in the present moment. There is joy, despite any challenge or heartbreak or loss. Resilience and compassion are superpowers. Love is love.”
We don’t believe in the pause. Tell us, what are you not pausing on?
“I am not pausing on being awake and alive! I am not pausing on being grateful for my life. I am not pausing on experiencing joy and love and connection and learning despite any hardships. Life is and forever will be full of challenges and unexpected twists and turns and I practice being as present and purposeful as I can in as many moments as I can. I do believe in the power of the mindful pause—the deep breath that gets me grounded. And then on I go, one step and one choice at a time—heart open, back strong, eyes bright. "
Word that best describes my Womaness
“Inspiredness.”
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