Meet Melanie Avalon

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Avalon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Melanie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fueled by a feverish work ethic in pursuit of my goals. I believe it likely stems from a deeply crystallized sense of purpose and passion. When you feel a radiant, almost incandescent drive to do something meaningful—whatever that may be—the “work” becomes more of a natural byproduct. I’m fortunate to have always felt this indescribable, intangible desire.

During my younger years, I was propelled by an insatiable hunger for knowledge and captivated by the world of performance and theater. For the longest time, I saw these passions as divergent, believing I had to choose between intellectual pursuits or creative expression. But one thing was certain: I wanted to create things that would inspire and elevate others, whether through the emotional resonance of a film or show, or the tangible benefits of an idea I was brewing.

This journey has ultimately led me to my current path as a podcaster and influencer, where I have the unique opportunity to constantly seek knowledge in health and wellness (as well as many fun and productive life tangents!), and share these findings with others. Because I’m so aligned with my purpose, I don’t feel any stereotypical sense of “work.” So when people ask about work ethic, my advice is always this: identify your purpose and align your work with it. When you’re connected to something bigger than yourself, work ethic has a way of materializing effortlessly. Even if you’re doing something to make ends meet, you can reframe it as part of your broader journey.

I’ve also come to understand the importance of working with my brain, rather than against it. The neurotransmitter dopamine is released not when we achieve a goal, but during the pursuit of it. Some people see this as a downside, claiming happiness is fleeting and found only in the journey. I disagree. I think it means you can find joy in the pursuit and the goals —literally every step of the way. As you work toward your dreams, dopamine pushes you forward, and when you achieve something, it feels fantastic. And then you’re propelled to the next milestone! Rinse and repeat! This creates a series of dopamine-infused experiences, each one building on the next, moving you further along your path. In this mindset, work ethic becomes almost addictive because it feels so rewarding.

On a practical level, I’ve designed my work in a sustainable, productivity-friendly way. I structure my day with clear boundaries and self-care practices, weaving in work around those pillars. I prefer tackling tasks in shorter bursts, with regular breaks to recharge. I even turn my breaks into productive moments—like alternating between computer work and physical tasks around my apartment, all of which provide that satisfying dopamine hit of mini-achievements. (If I ever feel the temptation of procrastination seducing me, I immediately pivot to another task that needs attention—so I can “procrastinate” productively!)

I sometimes wonder how much of this is nurture versus nature, as I was always inspired by my Dad’s incredible work ethic and accomplishments. But even if you don’t think you have a natural work ethic, neuroplasticity shows us that you can rewire your brain to cultivate one. Plus, the brain loves habits—it doesn’t care what they are—so you might as well cultivate habits that serve productivity and success!

Find your purpose, embrace the feel-good moments, and watch as your work ethic naturally follows.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m beyond grateful to have one of the coolest jobs on the planet as a podcaster, health influencer, and entrepreneur. I’m a bit obsessed with uncovering the best science-backed tips and tricks for optimizing health and productivity, and I get to dive deep into research, explore new ideas, and interview some of the world’s most fascinating figures on my shows: The Intermittent Fasting Podcast and The Melanie Avalon Biohacking Podcast. I’ve had the honor of discussing cold exposure with Wim Hof, unlocking the secrets of longevity with David Sinclair, diving into the effects of trauma with Gabor Maté (including a mini therapy session!), getting inspired by Tony Horton of P90X fame, and discussing the benefits of coffee with Dave Asprey. It’s just so much fun—not only do I get to optimize my own life, but I get to share what I’ve learned with others, and hear their amazing stories.

As a health and wellness influencer, I’m constantly testing new products, which I take very seriously. While the cultural zeitgeist may pain influencers as product pushers, I try hundreds (if not thousands) of items and only endorse the ones that truly make a difference in my life—whether it’s a cooling blanket, grass-fed meat subscription, Dry Farm Wines, or red light therapy. My audience trusts me, and I never take that for granted.

I also thrive on collaboration. I believe a huge part of my success comes from surrounding myself with the right people. It’s my goal to foster a community of creativity, inspiration, and kindness, and I know that’s not something I can do alone. Collaboration has been key in every aspect of my work—whether it’s my book, supplements, app, or podcasts. After all, what is podcasting but an engaging collaboration conversation between two people?

Currently, I’m working on a dating app that incorporates dietary preferences and food choices. I’d love to meet people who are interested in this concept! So much of dating revolves around food (dinners, drinks, coffee), and entire communities are built around dietary tribes (paleo, keto, carnivore, vegan) or drink preferences (wine enthusiasts, coffee lovers, the sober curious). I’d love to connect with bright souls interested in consumer tech or health and wellness, who might want to be a part of this project!

Also as a brief shoutout, I recently launched my first non-health and wellness podcast, “The Mind Blown Podcast,” and am having the time of my life with my co-host Scott Emmens. Each episode is a mind blowing topic, from the Mandela Effect, to the Dancing Plague of 1518, to Things That Vanished, to the Titanic!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Upon reflection, some key elements in my journey have been conscientiousness, a growth mindset, and an insatiable thirst for unbiased knowledge.

Conscientiousness—which I score extremely high in on personality tests—has been central to my success. Staying organized, planning, respecting others, and showing up are essential. Careers don’t build themselves, and relationships—whether personal or professional—don’t just happen by magic. I take immense pride in the quality of my work and deeply value the time and contributions of others. Even if someone isn’t naturally conscientious, I believe it can be cultivated through intention (see the next point!). It’s important to value everything you do, consistently setting and achieving goals, while also being reliable and dependable. Honor your commitments to both yourself and others. Set boundaries and stick to them, so you can fully engage in the work at hand. Appreciate the details—everything matters.

I also harbor a strong optimistic and growth mindset. I don’t see life’s circumstances as fixed endpoints; rather, I view everything as an opportunity for growth. To me, failure doesn’t exist. You don’t fail—you just haven’t achieved your goal yet. You can truly learn so much from any situation or even, no matter how unpleasant it is to go through. I also I have a practice of turning everything into a win-win situation. For example, say you’re going out and you’re worried it’s going to rain (and don’t want it to). You also don’t want to bring an umbrella, because you don’t want to carry it. The win/win solution is bring the umbrella. Why? If it rains, you brought an umbrella! Win! If it doesn’t rain, it didn’t rain! Win! I honestly feel like most decisions in life can be finagled into win/win situations, with the right mindset.

Finally, I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, especially unbiased knowledge. While it may be ironic to talk about being unbiased, since we literally interpret our biases through our biases, I nevertheless consciously prioritize exploring all perspectives. For example, on my podcasts, I make sure to feature guests with radically different viewpoints, from poignant vegans such as Dr. Michael Greger and Dr. Neal Barnard, to passionate carnivores like Dr. Paul Saladino and Dr. Shawn Baker. Importantly, if ever I feel defensive, I take that as a sign my ego has been challenged, and I lean in further to explore why. That’s where the real growth happens.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

I will be forever grateful for my parents’ unwavering support. From an early age, they made it clear that I could pursue whatever I wanted in life. They nurtured my love for home movies and creativity. My mom tirelessly drove me to rehearsals for community theater (thank you, Mom!), and my Dad attended so many of my performances (I have no idea how he sat through A Christmas Carol so many times and still genuinely enjoyed it!) When I desired to leave high school early and go to the University of Southern California to study film and theater (without a high school diploma – yikes!), they were fully on board. As my Dad always said, “I want to provide the ingredients so you can bake the cake.”

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Image Credits

Adrienne Louise Photography

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