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#WeAreMore: @melliecay Tells Her Story Around Running and Style with adidas PureBoost X
Hi everyone! My name is Mellie Cay. Among many things, I am a sister, friend, world traveler, system analyst, yoga instructor, and marathoner. My fitness journey started about four years ago. I was in a rough spot in life and I wanted to take control somehow. Even though I wanted to change, it took me awhile to get there. But there is this moment of clarity in every tough situation, when you can’t deny the spot you’re in anymore, and you’re forced into this uncomfortable change. When that day came, I laced up my shoes and went on my first run in years. It was hard, really hard. I remember looking at my watch and realizing that I had only run 1 mile and it took me just a little over 13 minutes to do it! But here’s the thing about change, at that time, all I was focused on was the fact that I did something different that day, I did something good for myself. And just like that, my life changed.
I started to join run groups. Searching for meet-ups anywhere and everywhere around Los Angeles. It wasn’t long until I found my own niche of friends in this wide and vast city. And with minimal convincing, I signed up to run my first half marathon, then my second, then my third, and then finally my first full marathon. Running never came “easy” for me. To this day, I still consider myself an average runner. But I love the way that running makes me feel. It gives me this superpower feeling, that I could do anything and be anything I want to be. And just like that, I became a runner. To date, I have ran 23 half marathons and 6 full marathons. And have Paris Marathon and LA marathon coming up in the spring!
After running for a couple of years, I wanted to learn more about fitness. In 2016, I became a yoga instructor, certified in Yoga Sculpt and Power Yoga, and am currently teaching at Corepower Yoga in Los Angeles. Last year, I became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Certified Instructor, and Spinning Certified Instructor. I plan to complete my USATF Level 1 Running Coach Certification this year. I’m a big believer to never stop learning, and love to put that belief into practice as often as I can.
What motivates me most is remembering that transition period in my life 4 years ago. Remembering where I was and where I am now. That feeling that I was in this hole that I couldn’t seem to climb out of, then taking life into my own hands and creating this happy, healthy, and active life that I live now. See that’s the thing about fitness and happiness, it’s a choice you make. We spend so much time trying to change the outside world, when the most effective and most controllable change comes within ourselves.
My advice to anyone trying to start their own fitness journey? Follow your curiosity and let it change you. My motto: never stop evolving. There will always be some cool workout or new studio that works for “everyone”, but the more you stay true to yourself — what interests you, what helps you grow, what helps you evolve, the more likely you are to stay committed to your journey. Make sure that you are doing workouts that make you look forward to sweating, and it will keep your soul hungry for more moments of sweat! Everyone has their own journey that is unique and wonderful, let yours be yours, and embrace the differences.
Keep up with Mellie on Instagram and check out @finishlinewomen for all things #WeAreMore.
