I am holistic wellness coach with a passion for supporting women who are overwhelmed with chronic health conditions like IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), so they can eat without fear of painful flares and bloating and feel good in their bodies again.

Melissa Brunello

I am a holistic wellness coach with a passion for supporting women who are overwhelmed with chronic health conditions, like IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), so they can eat without fear of painful flares and bloating and feel good in their bodies again.

Melissa Brunello

Areas of Expertise

  • Holistic Wellness Nutrition and Weight Loss Certification

  • Fitness Certification

  • Psych K Facilitator

  • Graduate of The Health Professional Academy

  • Emotion Code Practitioner

  • Body Code Practitioner

After 13 years of struggling with Crohn's Disease, I know firsthand the pain, overwhelm, and debilitation of this condition can cause. By cutting through conflicting information and diets, I ultimately restored my gut health through a holistic, mind-body-spirit approach. Today, she is devoted to supporting those with chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to feel better and reclaim their lives. Melissa's mission is to help women whom are overwhelmed with chronic conditions like IBD to avoid flares and bloating—so they can eat without fear and feel good in their body again.

My Story

When I was a busy hairstylist working 40-plus hours a week and raising 2 little ones, my body, mind, and spirit started to break down. I felt exhausted, inflamed, and disconnected. The bloating, belly pain, bloody stools, and constipation were just the physical symptoms—underneath it all, I was silently battling depression, anxiety, and panic attacks.

In 2007, after a colonoscopy, I received a diagnosis I never expected: Crohn's disease. I felt shocked, angry, and deeply lost. My life shifted overnight, and so began my healing journey.

I tried every diet—raw, vegan, plant-based—you name it—and I was exercising regularly, doing everything I thought I was supposed to do. Some things helped a little, but the flares, inflammation, and emotional weight always returned. My doctor even warned that I might need part of my intestines removed. And when my youngest child asked "Mom, are you going to die?"—that was my wake-up call.

I remember thinking: There has to be more than this. There has to be another way.

That moment sparked a deeper journey—one that went far beyond food. I realized my body was stuck in survival mode. I began looking within, healing the emotional wounds, shifting my energy, and clearing the inner blocks I didn't even know I was carrying. That's when the magic began.

Today, I've been flare-and symptom-free for over 6 years, and I can eat the foods I love again—with joy and ease. (And as an Italian women, that means everything!) But even more than the physical relief, I now feel peace, freedom and deep trust in my body.

Now, I'm on a mission to support those who are overwhelmed with chronic illness—Crohn's, colitis, IBS, autoimmune, or those other mysterious gut symptoms doctor's can't explain—to reconnect with their body's wisdom, release what's weighing them down, and feel safe, vibrant, and alive again.

If my story speaks to your soul, click the button below. Your body is not broken. And healing is not just possible—it's waiting for you.

(I live in Cleveland, Ohio, with my amazing husband and our three beautiful kiddos, and I'm so grateful for the journey that led me back to myself.)

IMPROVE YOUR GUT HEALTH Starter Kit Includes

  • Gut Inflammation Quiz

Could inflammation be the root of your IBD or chronic illness symptoms? Take the quiz to find out—and start gaining clarity on what your body's been trying to tell you.

  • 8 Tips To Reducing Gut Inflammation

Easy-to-follow, nourishing strategies to help calm gut pain, reduce bloating, and support your body's healing—especially if you are navigating IBD or chronic illness. These tips are designed to gently decrease inflammation, boost your energy and bring clarity to both body and mind.

  • 7 Day Healthy Habit Tracker

I'll share with you some tools and shifts I used to live symptom free from IBD—and how you can use these same approaches to lower inflammation, soothe your gut, and break free from the daily struggles of IBD or chronic illness.

Jen C.

My main problem before starting with Melissa was I needed to heal my gut. I was never clear on which eating habits or meals worked best for my stomach. I felt bloated, had joint pain, struggled at my workout and always had low energy. My unhealthy gut also affected my mood. Always sad; felt depressed. After working with Melissa and jump starting a healthy eating and lifestyle, I feel amazing! I have no bloating, I'm bursting with energy, but most importantly, I'm striving on eating to live rather than living to eat. I have never enjoyed so much putting healthy, yummy fresh vegetables and foods that are bursting with flavor and awesome health benefits. Not only changing my eating lifestyle, my energy and mood have become a ray of sunshine. I see and appreciate life in a new light! I have also lost 15 pounds, which alone is a great accomplishment for me :)

Have a question?

If you’re tired of feeling like you're doing everything "right" but still stuck in flares, bloating, or exhaustion...you're not alone.

Let's chat. I'd love to hear your story and support you in finding what your gut is really asking for.