We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Melyan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Embracing Failure with open arms = my success. I know, it sounds completely counterintuitive, but learning to love failure has transformed my business and ensured my success.

Before taking on this attitude with failure, I was always petrified about missing the mark. I was so stuck in making sure that I appeared to “have to together” that I missed so many growth opportunities. I would perform horribly, lose a client, and not learn from it. I wasn’t taking any responsibility. It was always some external circumstance, out of my control. And, guess what? I went nowhere. My coaching business was a a standstill.

Enter my coach, Jenna Dillon, who showed me how to change my relationship with failure. And I did. Instead of ignoring failure, I leaned into it. I started failing with intention. Failing with curiosity. Failing with excitement and joy. I was no longer afraid of making a mistake. I started getting each time I made a mistake because it meant, after learning, that I didn’t have to make that mistake ever again!

And now, by loving failure, I am successful.

What should our readers know about your business?
Coaching is all about other people’s success and holding their dreams accountable. I am most proud when my clients achieve that which they previously thought was impossible. Some have doubled their income during the pandemic. Others have fired and found new representation in “the biz.” The most exciting and fulfilling parts of the job is to see my clients, hearts open with tears of joy, realize that their dreams and goals are attained AND that there is still more they can achieve.

It was NOT easy to get to where I am today. I have been face to face with rejection after rejection after failure after failure. What helped me overcome each failure was to lean into them and get curious. Initially, I took each failure personally. Woe is me, I’d think. I can’t do it, I’d complain. Everyone is better than me. But then, I was able to turn my attitude around and think about solving the problem. What were the root causes of my failure? Were there actions steps I can take? Who could I ask to mentor and help me? Slowly and surely, I built my confidence and closed some of those gaps. I am still a human and still working on growth. This growth journey will be one that I will continuously be for the rest of my life.

What do I want the world to know about my story? Well, it is ONLY through my biggest suffering and failure and problems that I am where I am today. I freaking love my problems. They are my biggest teachers and gift-providers. Being constantly bullied for being overweight and subsequently developing an eating disorder has lead me a growth and development path I could have NEVER imagined. Can you believe it? I even did plus size modeling! What a turn of events. Now, I help others find their confidence and fulfill their dreams. So, the biggest lesson is, turn towards our problems. They are our teachers. Not all lessons are comfortable but, like the phoenix, we can experience a wonderful rebirth after a burn.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles is filled with so many hidden gems! Well, we would definitely go body boarding (yes! body board, not surf) in Malibu or Will Rogers state park (depending on what the surfline report shows). It is so fun to be out in the surf on a bodyboard, catching the smaller, faster waves that surfers miss.

There are a few fun walks around Griffith Park, including a small cafe by one of the hikes called “The Trails.” It is a fun to go for a walk and a bite. It almost feels like a small retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

I would also take my friends on a long walk at Huntington Library and Gardens. As a member, I can get reservations during pandemic times. I like to envision living the life of a Jane Austen-era nobility whilst wandering amongst roses and rare books.

In terms of food, there is no better place to look than the San Gabriel Valley. I am from Taiwan, so I automatically look for all the great Chinese-inspired and Taiwanese foods. Any little hole in the wall on Valley blvd is worth a visit. There are also the famous locations: Din Tai Fun, Lunasia, and Boiling Point (for hot pot).
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my story to Jenna Dillon and the Executive Performance Institute for Coaching. She and her coaching program are THE reason why I am the coach I am today!

Website: https://www.jennifermelyan.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennmelyan/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-melyan-1b10827/

Image Credits
Professional photos taken by: https://www.instagram.com/oritharpazphotos/ Group photo: https://www.instagram.com/epic_coaching_institute/

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