Meet the Team
Meet the Founder
MELISSA CHARLTON
NASM CPT, GGS Menopause Specialist
I am inspired by my mother, who gave it her all to give us a better life. Leaving a bad marriage but still needing to raise four children, my mom did everything she could to make ends meet. This meant learning new skills and working 16-hour days, constantly wearing herself down and pouring from an empty cup. She’s my hero, but she’s also my cautionary tale.
Now I'm a mother and a business owner, and I owe it to my son and my community to prioritize myself while I build a business that supports women just like her. I consider it my honor to teach you how to take better care of YOU. So you can be the leader your people need. Proper self-care makes it possible for you to give the best of you, rather than just the rest of you.
Melanie
I went from hating working out to my life and career goals revolving around fitness!
My journey began when I was at rock bottom. I was severely depressed, broke, and losing hope. I had been through 4 years of continuous sexual traumas while living in a community that was not welcoming of my queer identity.
I had gotten to the point where I knew if I didn’t take action, someone else would have to step in to care for me. So, I found a fun way to work out that kept me accountable. I quickly learned that movement was essential to help me overcome my PTSD, anxiety, and depression. It remains one of the primary ways I manage my mental health today.
Through moving my body, I gained confidence, courage, and strength (mental & physical). I learned how to love myself and my body for the first time. Now I want to pass along all that I have learned and help others to know the strength and resiliency they possess as well!
Hrishikesh Kulkarni
Exercise has always been my greatest medicine, but my path to fitness wasn’t the one I originally set out on. I started as a software engineer, stable, secure, and unfulfilling. My true passion was fitness, and one day, I took the leap.
Leaving tech for fitness wasn’t easy. I faced doubt, setbacks, and even ridicule. But one person never questioned me, my mother. She was my pillar, my strength, the reason I had the courage to chase this dream.
Earning my Master’s in Exercise Science wasn’t just a degree, it was proof that I had fought for what I loved.
Today, I wake up excited to help others transform their lives through fitness. To me, movement is therapy. A healthier body leads to a healthier mind, and just 20 minutes a day can make all the difference.
Success isn’t measured by money, it’s measured by fulfillment. And for me, helping others through fitness is the greatest success I could ever achieve.
Kellen Raether, NASM CPT
My fitness journey has been ever-evolving over the past 20 years. Growing up I developed a passion for professional wrestling, and within my wrestling journey I developed an even greater passion for health and fitness that launched me into my career.
In 2017 I had a mental health crash that spawned into a 6 year depression. I left both wrestling and the fitness industry and spent several years in corporate America in a career path I would describe as anything but "me". By 2023 I decided I had enough of corporate work, and I started focusing 100% of my energy on improving my health and going after my true passion: to help others improve their mental health by way of their physical health
Mia Maria Siler
Operations Manager
I am an indomitable optimist with a passion for health and fitness borne from personal experience navigating my own chronic illnesses.
A client of MBodied Strength for a year before joining the team, I leveraged a toolkit of administrative skills developed during my career as an independent artist and musician.
I am also a Certified Herbalist with 250 hours of training from The Northwest School for Botanical Studies.
Ezra Garcia
Social Media Manager
In my 4 years as a Social Media Manager, I’ve come to realize that the work I do is a lot like fitness—it’s about showing up with consistency, staying open to continuous learning, and pouring creativity into every step of the process. I’m Ezra, the creative mind behind MBodied Strength’s online presence.
Originally, I thought my path would be computer programming. It was my first outlet for creativity, helping me think logically and solve problems in new ways. But over time, I discovered another outlet where people not only appreciated my work but where I could make a real impact—helping businesses grow and connect with their communities through social media. The more I immersed myself, the more I fell in love with creating content and telling stories through visuals and strategy.
Outside of work, I’m not naturally a fitness person, but being part of the MBodied Strength team has opened my eyes to it in a new way. I’m learning alongside the team and discovering how movement and strength can create positive change—not just physically, but mentally too. On the personal side, I love underwater activities. Diving was once just a dream, but after trying it last year, it quickly became something I truly enjoy. I also keep monster fish, a hobby that grounds me and teaches patience.
For me, every step—whether in social media, fitness, or my personal hobbies—is about growth, creativity, and embracing new challenges. That’s the same energy I bring to MBodied Strength every day.
Vinette Han
Client Care Specialist
I'm driven by a passion for innovation, wellness, and fitness.
My professional journey includes more than 8 years of working with tech companies in both technical and non-technical roles finding innovative solutions to help companies and teams excel.
During my time working within tech, I discovered the need to move and workout outside of work hours and my fitness journey began. I've become an avid yogi, runner and rock climber. Additionally, I've become a yoga instructor (RYT-2000) during this time and have taught with several yoga studios and gyms in Washington, California, Arizona and New York.
Through moving and teaching, I’ve learned problem solving, consistency and growth. I bring this mindfulness as I help others in finding their wellness journey.