Meet Melissa Furman

NBC-HWC | Lifestyle Medicine Certified for Coaches
Master Certified Health Coach | Plant-Based Nutrition & Cooking Trained

I help midlife women live healthfully & age well.

An equestrian since childhood, Melissa Furman lives an active lifestyle thriving on a plant-based diet

A simple, hope-filled path
to better health

photo: Moonfyre Photography

Hi, I’m Melissa Furman. I’m a Master Certified and Lifestyle Medicine Certified Health Coach, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and plant-centered wellness educator. Since adopting a whole-food, plant-centered lifestyle in 2015, I’ve trained in plant-based nutrition, plant-based cooking, and health coaching so I can help women simplify healthy living and build effective habits that truly last.

Today, through Second Youth Wellness, I guide midlife women toward better energy, better health, and a more hopeful future—without making it complicated or “too science-y.”

Many women come here because they know something needs to change, but they feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice, disappointed by past efforts, or unsure where to begin. My goal is to make healthy living simpler, clearer, and more doable so you can stop guessing, start understanding what works, and move forward with confidence.

I do that through practical teaching, compassionate coaching, and a whole-food, plant-centered approach that supports lasting change without making life feel restrictive or complicated.

Around here at Second Youth Wellness, it’s about progress, not perfection, informed healthy habits not to-do lists and grace not guilt.

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How I got here

Plant predominant cooking at home can improve overall health and prevent chronic illness from developing or progressing

I know what it feels like to want better health and not fully know the best path forward. My own journey eventually led me to discover the power of nutrient-dense, whole-food eating and the difference simple lifestyle changes can make over time.

That experience changed my life and redirected my work. It led me to train in health coaching, plant-based nutrition, and plant-based cooking so I could help other women simplify the process, have a trusted support partner, and build habits that truly last.

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What i do today

Today, I help midlife women use nutrient-dense food and simple lifestyle habits to protect their health, improve quality of life, and feel stronger in this season of life. Through my course, coaching, and educational resources, I guide women step by step so healthy living becomes less confusing and more achievable.

My work is especially helpful for women who are plant curious but nervous, women who want practical support rather than pressure, and women who know they need a better path but do not want to be overwhelmed by extremes.

Training & Expertise

I bring together several layers of preparation so clients receive both compassionate coaching and credible, practical guidance. My training includes National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Lifestyle Medicine Certified for Coaches, Master Certified Health Coach, plant-based nutrition training through the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell, plant-based cooking training through Rouxbe, and ongoing NBHWC-approved learning informed by lifestyle medicine.

Just as importantly, I focus on translating information into actionable, everyday steps. I do not want women to leave with more facts and more confusion. I want them to leave with clarity and a way forward.

Melissa Furman speaks at public events including VegFests

NBHWC certified coaches pass rigorous testing and provide top-tier compassionate & effective coaching services to their clients

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What I believe

I believe women need more than information. They need support, encouragement, and a simple, guided path they can actually follow. Lasting change usually does not happen through guilt or overwhelm; it happens through understanding, consistency, and small steps repeated over time.

We all each get 1 body. And it’s a marvelous creation.

I believe food matters deeply because, from the inside out, it shapes the way we feel, function, and age. I also believe healthy living should not feel like punishment. It should feel practical, life-giving, and rooted in hope.

And as a Christian, I believe better health can help us live with greater strength, joy, and availability for the people and purposes God has given us. That belief foundationaly shapes the heart behind my work.

(Photo by Melissa Furman: Tai Chi Man, Body Worlds; Houston Museum of Natural Science; Houston,TX 2021)

Body Worlds Exhibits illustrate how the body functions as a whole system, and the importance of good health for longevity

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Why women
trust The SYW approach

Women who work with me often say they finally feel less confused, more supported, and more hopeful about what is possible for their health. My goal in my coaching practice, Second Youth Wellness, is not just to teach information, but to help women build a way of living they can keep for a bright future.

And their powerful stories are proof that their informed efforts pay off.

“My focus is on personalizing the shift towards a plant-predominant lifestyle so clients can customize it to fit their unique lives while understanding how food works for the body, without getting too science-y.”
- Melissa Furman

Featured On Vegan Linked YouTube Channel

Melissa Furman was featured in the Vegan Linked You Tube video channel where she shared her story and insight on how simple changes in diet and lifestyle habits and choices help people live healthier

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Ready for your next step?

You do not have to keep piecing things together on your own. Whether you are ready for a guided course, more personalized support, or simply want to hear more teaching before you decide, there is a next step here for you.

Start with the Second Youth Wellness Method if you want a clear path, explore services if you want more personalized support, or spend a little time watching and listening if that helps you build trust first.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ here or reach out anytime via the Contact form.

Contact

I primarily work with midlife women—especially Christian women 45+—who want to take better care of their health, feel better in their bodies, and age well. Many of my clients are “plant curious but nervous.” Others don’t know much at all about a plant-centered eating pattern. And yet others have tried going vegan or plant based years ago but have gone away from that. All want support and a simple, realistic way to eat better and build healthier habits without extremes.
The Second Youth Wellness Method (SYWM) is my step-by-step framework and digital course that helps midlife women use nutrient-dense, whole-food, plant-centered eating and simple lifestyle habits to support healthy aging. It’s designed to cut through confusion, teach you what actually matters, and give you a clear path you can follow at your own pace.
No. I’m Lifestyle Medicine for Coaches certified, Master Certified Health Coach and National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach with additional training in plant-based nutrition and cooking, and I work within the scope of health coaching. I do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe; instead, I help you build day-to-day habits, food patterns, and routines that support the medical care and guidance you receive from your licensed providers. I focus on positive behavior change using the modalities of Lifestyle Medicine.
No. You do not have to be fully vegan (or plant-based) to benefit from my programs or coaching. My approach is “whole-food, plant-centered,” which means we focus on bringing more nutrient-dense plant foods onto your plate in a way that feels realistic for you. I’ll meet you where you are and help you move toward a pattern that supports your health and fits your life.
Most diets focus on short-term rules and willpower. My work focuses on teaching you why (and what) changes matter, helping you practice them in real life. Plus I support you as you build lasting habits, often trouble-shooting where needed. We look at food, routines, mindset, and practical applicaitons in a way that respects your preferences and season of life. We aim at long-term health, not just fast results.
I’m based in the Houston, Texas area, and I work with women primarily online, through my digital course and virtual coaching sessions (phone or Zoom). You can participate from almost anywhere. Some in-person opportunities may be available for local women, but the Second Youth Wellness Method and most coaching support are designed to be accessible virtually, which most people find very convenient.
If you’re in midlife, feel stuck or confused about how to improve your health, and want a simple, encouraging, whole-food, plant-centered approach, you’re likely a good fit. The SYWM course is ideal if you like a step-wise, self-paced program; coaching is best if you want more personalized support and accountability. Note: If you purchase the SYWM, you qualify for Laser Coaching which is streamlined private coaching at a great value.