After nearly two decades in pharmaceutical sales, Coach Melody McClellan, a member of the Confluence Collaborative’s Community Collaborative, pivoted to a career as an entrepreneur and now Wellness Expert/Strategist.
McClellan founded Unwrap You, a wellness consulting practice that offers corporate programs, motivational speaking, youth programming, and a 90-day course. We spoke with McClellan about her life’s philosophy and the impact of her work.
Tell us about your path to founding Unwrap You.
The whole concept of Unwrap You came as a result of the work I was doing in pharmaceutical sales. I won awards, I loved my work, but after a decade, I started thinking about how people are just getting sicker and bags of medication are getting bigger, and wanted to have an impact on the underlying issues behind these trends.
So, I went back to school and gained my certification to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. After working with professionals with various degrees, I learned that people aren’t doing a good job of taking care of themselves, and I fundamentally think it’s because we have not been taught and have not acquired the right tools to create sustainable lifestyle change.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions you address in your work?
Mental and physical wellness are a pair. They go together. Knowing that, there are things people can do to improve. Something as simple as exercising 30 minutes to an hour a day changes your whole dynamic, your brain, the way your body responds throughout the day, and how people show up. It all impacts your attitude.
Another one is that people miss prioritizing themselves. The priority becomes going to work, family, and all of the other things happening in life. I always say that you have 1,440 minutes per day. How are you using it? Be intentional about carving out 30 to 60 minutes daily for yourself.
And then there’s the fact that people don’t think they need help. They say, “I can do it on my own.” Think about this: people go to school to obtain a degree. How many people study their wellness? That’s why I built my 90-day course. When people are ready to do the work, they’ll get amazing results. The last one is that people have to stop thinking there’s a quick fix. There isn’t. It takes time, it takes lifestyle change, and it takes a mental mindset shift.
You’ve built the FamFun3K childhood obesity walk over the past decade. What inspired it, and what has it grown into?
When I first started, I thought I was just going to coach people and help them lose weight. That was my original thought process. I was going to Missouri a lot for 3K’s and 5K’s. I thought: we don’t have any in Illinois. At that time, the health numbers in St. Clair County were at the bottom. That is how my Family Fun 3K began. A walk to motivate and provide resources to help the community develop healthy habits and move for a good cause — obesity.
I chose a 3K because it’s short and gives the entire family an opportunity to take advantage of this intergenerational walk. We are celebrating our 10th year on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Last year we had people moving on 3 continents and in 25 states, from babies in strollers to senior citizens.
Why does the intergenerational aspect matter to you?
It’s two-fold. From our elders, we get a lot of information from the past and we make an emphasis to value and appreciate their presence and knowledge. Often, our older population feels dismissed once they’re no longer working.
Many young people are leading unhealthy lifestyles for various reasons including lack of movement and greater access to cell phones/social media. Nutrition is another major factor. It is important to watch what’s entering into their bodies because of the impact on their mental wellness. The Surgeon General has said that this generation of young people will be the least healthy if we do not start doing something different for our youth. That’s why I created a youth wellness and life skills division. My team is not only training but advocating for wellness champions in different organizations and schools we partner with to normalize these habits throughout the week.
What do you attribute your success to?
I wake up every morning excited to do this work. Entrepreneurship is not easy. People always say, “Coach Melody, I see your passion. I see your joy.” I’m good and committed to the work because there is a need. I also have to sit back and celebrate my wins. It is a great feeling hearing the impact and people recognizing my work globally.
I have succeeded and achieved all the goals set. I wanted to be on the cover of a magazine. It’s been two. I wanted to author a book. It is five now. I wanted to be a health contributor on radio and TV spreading wellness. I’ve done it all. Although I found my purpose in my 40s, it is great to sit back and see all of my influence and impact around the world. That’s pretty phenomenal to me.
What would you want a WashU researcher or St. Louis community partner to know about Unwrap You and opportunities to connect?
I always welcome new partnerships. If they need someone to speak, lead a training, or create wellness programs for staff or students, I’m available. Dr. Keisha Windham’s team always comes out to the FamFun3K and sets up a table, along with bringing resources. We’d love for others to get involved as well.
If you’re a WashU scholar or a St. Louis community partner interested in connecting with Coach Melody, please reach out to her team at coachmelody@unwrapyou.com.
To learn more about Unwrap You’s programs, wellness course, or the FamFun3K, visit unwrapyou.com.