Meet Melissa

GET TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Meet your newest InspirePilates (and soon-to-be InspireCycle 😏) Instructor, Mel! With years of experience and a passion for athletic training, her classes strike the perfect balance of energy and precision — your abs + Mel are about to be very well acquainted 🤝

TLDR: Meet Mel on the mat

Catch her on the schedule every Wednesday morning, and every other Saturday!

---

Tell us a bit about you!

I’m a Pilates instructor living a luscious life built around my whippet (Fynnigan), fitness, good vegan food, and escaping to remote tropical islands to spend as much time underwater as possible – scuba diving, free diving, and ideally with sharks.

How did you find us here at Inspire?

I’ve always loved rhythm riding – it was my first real introduction to group fitness about 17 years ago. Many years later, I found Pilates, which led to a much-needed career shift from photographic studio to fitness studio as a qualified instructor! I’ve always been drawn to dynamic training, and that’s what my classes are built around. Inspire has been my go-to for Cycle since moving to Brisbane about 5 years ago, so joining the team feels like a full circle moment.

What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?

Oof, there are actually a few haha, but I’ll give you just two: I live on a sailboat, and I spent years as Sea Shepherd media crew, living and working on ships across the world’s oceans.

What can we expect from a ✨ Mel class ✨?

Expect more “drill sergeant” and less “Pilates princess.” I coach athletic classes with a strong focus on form. I’ll challenge you with varied movement patterns, keep it structured, and make sure you’re actually working. You’ll move well, work hard, and leave stronger – all backed by a solid house/techno playlist.

What inspires you? 

A killer playlist. A good track at the right moment can completely change how hard you’re willing to go.

What do you love about Inspire?

The energy. The Inspire members always show up committed and ready to actually work.

Best piece of advice you’ve received on your fitness journey?

I can give you my piece of advice: Prioritise good form and control over everything else – quality of movement always beats chasing reps.

AND A FEW LITTLE EXTRAS...

Outside of Inspire, we will find you...

At one of my many fitness hobbies with friends, doing odd-jobs around my boat or out finding good food nearby – dog & partner in tow!

Favourite time of day to work out? 

I used to be an evening girl, now I’m an anytime girl.

Climb or sprint?

Sprint. Every. Time.

A goal for 2026?

Become an InspireCycle instructor! (... we can help with that! 😉)

Go-to artist or hype song

We Do What We Want - Alan Fitzpatrick

Guilty pleasure

Loco Love choccies, olive oil potato chips and low-key losing hours gaming… 🎮

---

Drill sergeant energy incoming!

Follow Mel on Instagram — @mirrorliss