GRAZIA Exclusive: Melissa Coulier & Melanie Samuels Discuss How Prioritizing Health is Changing the Game for Women in Power
Photo courtesy of Live Well Lead Well
In an era where women are breaking barriers and rising to leadership positions at record rates, a critical conversation is unfolding: How can female leaders sustain success without sacrificing their health?
As the demands of high-powered careers intensify, a new paradigm is emerging — one that redefines leadership through the lens of well-being. At the forefront of this movement is Live Well Lead Well, a holistic wellness company founded by Melissa Coulier and Melanie Samuels, dedicated to equipping female leaders with the tools to thrive professionally and personally.
The Crisis of Burnout Among Female Leaders
As reported by Catalyst in 2023, women now hold 32% of senior leadership roles globally, yet the weight of these responsibilities often comes at a cost. According to a study done by McKinsey in 2022, 53% of female executives report experiencing burnout compared to 41% of their male counterparts. The reality is stark: As women climb the corporate ladder, many are running on empty, neglecting the very foundation of their success — their health.
Enter Live Well Lead Well, a movement that challenges the outdated belief that relentless hustle equals leadership. Through functional movement, bio-individual nutrition, and mindfulness, Coulier and Samuels are proving that self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a leadership strategy.
From Personal Struggles to Industry Solutions
Coulier, a Function First Pain-Free Movement Specialist, and Samuels, a certified Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Holistic Nutritionist, founded Live Well Lead Well after navigating their own health crises. Coulier, having battled chronic illness, discovered the transformative power of functional movement, while Samuels, overcoming disordered eating, became an advocate for personalized nutrition. Together, they saw a glaring gap in resources tailored to high-achieving women and set out to bridge it.
Their programs range from personalized wellness coaching to immersive retreats, all designed with one goal: to help high-performing female leaders sustain energy, resilience, and clarity in their careers by integrating wellness practices into their busy, demanding lives and recognizing that effective leadership begins with personal well-being.
Their approach emphasizes sustainable shifts rather than drastic changes, helping clients achieve balance, energy, and long-term health. Looking at their case studies reveals the profound impact that small, intentional changes can have, not only on individual health but also on leadership effectiveness and workplace culture.
Case Study #1: Empowering a High-Pressure Executive to Lead with Energy
The first case study features a 45-year-old entertainment network executive who was juggling the demanding responsibilities of a high-profile career with the pressures of motherhood. Her schedule was chaotic, her eating habits disordered, and her movement often left her depleted. The solution wasn’t a complete overhaul but rather a series of small, impactful changes that supported her wellness and leadership.
The first adjustment involved starting her day with hydration and a balanced breakfast, stabilizing her blood sugar, and improving her focus. She also embraced hunger cues, keeping nutritious snacks at hand to maintain consistent energy throughout the day. Recognizing the value of short breaks, she incorporated “movement snacks” like walking meetings and squats between calls to stay active without burning out. Most notably, she redefined health as a leadership strategy, allowing her to set boundaries and model well-being for her team.
These shifts led to remarkable results: a more balanced mood, a healthier relationship with food, and increased focus and energy at work. Importantly, her team embraced these values, too, creating a culture where wellness became a shared priority, proving that well-being is essential to strong leadership.
Photo courtesy of Live Well Lead Well
Case Study #2: A Law Firm Leader’s Journey to Rediscovering Health
In the second case study, Live Well Lead Well worked with a 64-year-old head of a law firm who had spent decades prioritizing her high-stress career over self-care. This left her feeling disconnected from her body, struggling with unhealthy eating habits, and experiencing chronic pain that seemed inevitable with age. Rather than a complete reset, the focus was on simple, sustainable changes tailored to her unique needs.
The first step was improving her eating habits — she learned which foods were most beneficial for her body, alleviating stomach pain and emotional eating. Preparing meals in advance helped her avoid the temptation of takeout, and small swaps allowed her to enjoy her food without guilt. Movement was also approached with sensitivity to her body’s needs — functional exercises replaced intense workouts, and walking meetings replaced painful exercise classes. Over time, she discovered joy in movement and began to see food not as a source of stress but as a tool for nourishment and empowerment.
The results were impressive: She lost weight without dieting (going down three pant sizes), canceled her knee surgery due to improved mobility, and found herself better able to manage stress both at work and in life. Through this process, she learned that it’s never too late to prioritize health — and that doing so can make one not only a better leader but a more fulfilled person overall.
Leadership 2.0: Redefining Success
Traditional leadership models glorify overwork and burnout, but the next generation of female leaders is rewriting the script. Coulier and Samuels argue that when women prioritize their health, they lead with more clarity, creativity, and confidence. Companies, too, are taking note. Studies show that wellness investments lead to higher productivity, better decision-making, and reduced turnover.
Live Well Lead Well isn’t just about fixing burnout — it’s about preventing it altogether. Their work is proving that resilience isn’t built through pushing harder but by leading smarter.
As more women step into leadership roles, the conversation must shift from merely surviving success to thriving within it. The future of leadership isn’t about sacrificing health for career growth; it’s about integrating the two. Live Well Lead Well is paving the way for a new kind of success story — one where women don’t just lead well, but live well, too.
A Call to Action for Companies
Organizations play a crucial role in shaping the future of leadership. Companies must go beyond surface-level wellness initiatives and embed health into their corporate culture. This means offering flexible work arrangements, access to wellness resources, and leadership training that prioritizes sustainability over sheer output. When companies invest in the well-being of their female leaders, they invest in long-term success.
The shift toward Leadership 2.0 is already underway. With pioneers like Coulier and Samuels leading the charge, the next generation of female executives will no longer have to choose between thriving in their careers and maintaining their health. Instead, they will redefine success — one that prioritizes well-being, longevity, and sustainable leadership.
GRAZIA‘s InteRview with Live Well Lead Well Founders Melissa Coulier and Melanie Samuels
GRAZIA: You both turned personal struggles into a movement that’s redefining leadership. If you could go back and give your younger selves one piece of wellness advice before burnout hit, what would it be?
Pictured: Melissa Coulier; Photo courtesy of Live Well Lead Well
MELISSA COULIER: “Your worth is not measured by how much you can endure.”
I spent so many years proving myself — proving that I belonged in the room, proving that I was more than just someone’s partner, proving that my success was earned. But in that relentless pursuit, I ignored the loudest voice of all: my body. I thought pain was something to push through, a minor inconvenience on the way to success. What I didn’t realize was that ignoring those warning signs wasn’t strength — it was self-betrayal.
If I could go back, I would tell myself to listen. To recognize that rest isn’t weakness, that healing is just as productive as hustling, and that I didn’t need to earn my place in the world by running myself into the ground. I would tell myself to celebrate the wins, to stop measuring my success against others, and to understand that real leadership isn’t about how much you can push — it’s about how well you can sustain. Because if you don’t take care of yourself, eventually, your body will force you to. And trust me, it’s much better to listen before you have no choice.
Pictured: Melanie Samuels; Photo courtesy of Live Well Lead Well
MELANIE SAMUELS: “Listen to your body — it’s always speaking to you.”
For so long, I ignored its signals. I pushed through hunger, ran on fumes, and dismissed exhaustion as just “part of the grind.” But hunger, fatigue, and emotions weren’t inconveniences; they were warning signs and invitations to intervene. Signs that I needed fuel, rest, or space to breathe. I would tell her that honoring her body’s cues isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s the smartest, strongest thing she can do for herself and her future.
GRAZIA: A lot of women wear exhaustion like a badge of honor, believing success requires sacrifice. What’s one common but overlooked habit that keeps high-achievers stuck in this cycle — and what’s a simple but powerful way to break free?
COULIER & SAMUELS: There is so much truth to this. We have placed such an emphasis on the actual hours clocked, not necessarily the impact or intentionality of the work. Female leaders are often over-extending themselves, over-functioning for others while under-functioning for themselves. This is particularly common for women because of the societal pressure to “do it all” and take on so many roles. (It’s also one of the reasons that make women incredibly strong and resilient!).
Women, especially in leadership roles and caregiving positions, tend to take on the emotional and physical load around them, whether it’s for their colleagues, children, partners, or all of the above. In order to break free of this cycle, it’s important to set boundaries and remove the guilt that is often attached to them. This could look like scheduling a mid-day walk on your calendar, just as you would for a meeting. Or it could mean closing the door to your office so you can enjoy your lunch without distraction or disruptions — even for just 15 minutes. The more you can carve out moments for yourself to tune into your body and connect with your thoughts, the more you can free yourself of the constant pressure to be everything for everyone, allowing you to show up as your best, most present self.
GRAZIA: The idea of self-care is often glamorized, but real wellness doesn’t always look like green juices and yoga retreats. What’s an unconventional or unexpected practice you swear by for staying grounded amidst chaos?
COULIER & SAMUELS: You are absolutely right — wellness is so much more than the usual clichés. While those can be restorative, true wellness should feel simple, attainable, and accessible at all times. This starts with rewriting the narrative about what this really means.
To us, self-care is about how you make sustainable, intentional choices throughout the day, choices that support rather than deplete you. It means fueling your body instead of depriving it, moving in a way that flows with your life instead of pushing to extremes, managing stress with purpose rather than running yourself into the ground, and setting boundaries without guilt. Protecting your peace is so important.
Sometimes, self-care is as simple as stepping outside for a few deep breaths after a stressful call in the office, stretching to release tension in the morning before your commute, or taking 10 minutes to journal at lunch. It’s also cooking a nourishing meal for yourself or your family because food is one of the most powerful forms of care and connection.
One of our favorite grounding practices is the “Pause Before Yes” rule. So often, chaos comes in the form of constant demands and obligations. Instead of immediately agreeing to something, take a beat and ask yourself: “Does this align with my priorities? Does this add to my energy or drain it?” If it’s the latter, consider saying no or passing it along to someone else who may be better suited to handle it.
The stories we tell ourselves shape our reality. The beauty of self-care is that we get to define it. We get to decide how it feels and fits into our lives in a way that works for us. Ultimately, wellness is about living in alignment with your values, showing up fully and authentically, rather than bending to outside expectations.
GRAZIA: If leadership in the next decade is defined by well-being rather than burnout, what do you envision that looking like? And what role do you see Live Well Lead Well playing in shaping that future?
COULIER & SAMUELS: We envision redefining the way we work, challenging the culture of burnout, and redefining productivity as something rooted in health, not hustle. At Live Well Lead Well, we believe true wellness starts with three key pillars: bio-individual nutrition, functional movement, and intentional mindfulness.
In the workplace, this means creating an environment where well-being isn’t just encouraged, it’s built into the culture. It’s swapping stagnant conference rooms for walking meetings, offering nourishing meals that fuel both body and mind, and fostering connection through shared meals, which research shows can strengthen team bonds and create a healthier relationship with food. It’s also normalizing stress-management practices, whether that’s breathing exercises in tense moments or learning each other’s communication styles to enhance emotional awareness and collaboration.
We hope Live Well Lead Well shapes a world where wellness in the workplace isn’t an afterthought, it’s a leadership essential. Our mission is to equip female leaders and corporations with the tools to cultivate energy, resilience, and empowerment. Instead of surface-level wellness trends, we’re tackling burnout at its core. It starts with helping women discover their bio-individuality blueprint and weaving it into a workplace culture that supports health, productivity, and leadership longevity because when leaders thrive, everyone thrives.
Practical Steps to Incorporate Wellness into Leadership
For women looking to adopt this integrated approach today, here are some actionable strategies to prioritize well-being while still excelling in your careers:
Reframe Productivity: Understand that rest and recovery are just as important as action. Schedule breaks, embrace deep work periods, and avoid burnout cycles.
Set Boundaries: Clearly define working hours and protect personal time. Avoid checking emails late at night and create a separation between work and home life.
Adopt Functional Movement: Rather than relying solely on high-intensity workouts, incorporate movement throughout the day — standing desks, stretching, and walking meetings can make a difference.
Personalized Nutrition: Recognize that every body is different. Work with professionals to determine what foods best fuel energy and performance.
Prioritize Mental Well-Being: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or gratitude exercises. A calm and centered mind leads to better decision-making and leadership.
Foster a Culture of Well-Being: Leaders set the tone. Encourage team members to prioritize their health and create an environment where wellness is valued.
You can also join Melissa Coulier and Melanie Samuels, the dynamic co-founders of Live Well Lead Well, in person at ELEVATE YOUR WELL-BEING on March 26 at Emagine Palladium in Michigan. This empowering event will help you reset, recharge, and reclaim your energy — without compromising your success. Discover science-backed strategies to beat burnout, boost your vitality, and lead with clarity and resilience. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today and unlock the tools to elevate your well-being.
It’s time for women to stop just surviving and start thriving.
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