Her Story
About Melissa O.
Melissa O. Standish is the founder and life coach of The Reclaimed Woman, a coaching practice and program that helps women come back to themselves after growing up in dysfunctional family, enduring toxic relationships, and facing loss of a child, and addiction . Her work centers on restoring a woman's sense of identity and worth, guiding clients to find love within rather than seeking it from others. That nothing is outside of yourself. Her approach is grounded in faith and a God-centered perspective, and she uses coaching as a mirror to help women see where they feel stuck and reconnect with who they are. Standish's ability to connect with people was shaped over many years in the service industry, where she worked as a waitress and as a hairstylist and spent countless hours listening to the stories of others. She holds an Associate in Business Administration from Niagara County Community College and a cosmetology education from MarJon School of Beauty Culture Ltd. She has also completed numerous coaching courses and continues to train in coaching techniques. Her own path of personal growth, including significant loss and a spiritual walk, taught her the importance of filling her own cup first, and she reflects that lesson back to the women she serves. Looking ahead, Standish hopes to travel empowering other women to recognize their worth, and value to come home to themselves, and use their voices with confidence. She encourages the next generation of women to prioritize self-care and their spiritual lives, speak up, and embrace their inherent value. Based in Lewiston, New York, she is committed to creating a space where women feel seen, heard, and supported as they write their next chapter.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa O.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the life experiences and the hardships I endured and lived through, which gifted me lessons, blessings, knowledge and wisdom I gained through each and every experience. All of them served a great purpose in my life, along with the many years I spent in the service industry connecting closely with people, and my spiritual journey with God. That journey brought me clarity and the ability to connect with and support other women. I wouldn't have become the women I am today without any of them. I am grateful for everything I went through good and bad because it was building me all along for something greater than myself.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To never give up on yourself or the dreams that you have for yourself. Nothing beautiful in life comes easy, it comes from rising through the ashes and knowing the power you carry with in.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage them to learn to use their voice and to fill their own cup before giving to others. I would also tell them to know their worth and never be afraid to be seen, heard, and valued. To believe in themselves, have courage, and be resilient because no one will fight for you, you have to be your own voice.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I see is that many women have lost themselves trying to be everything for everyone else while feeling empty on the inside and so disconnected from themselves. They've been running on auto-pilot for so long they don't know who they are anymore. They've lost their voice, their passion and self-worth in the crossfire.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are my faith in God , my family, self-worth, love, being a service to other's, and giving other's a voice to be seen, heard, loved and valued .sure every person feels seen, heard and loved.
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