Nora Lamela Melisa Pietrafesa shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Nora Lamela, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
That is a very good question, as oftentimes we find ourselves focusing only on what we do professionally, and do not take enough time to enjoy simple things that bring joy and help us relaxed. So we have being focusing on finding time to do those things we love other than our work.
Nora has been meditating more, trying new healthy recipes, spending time outdoors, traveling whenever she can, and discovering new coffee stores, restaurants, and experiences around the city. Those little adventures keep her inspired and grounded.
And Meli has been enjoying movement that genuinely feels good trying new fitness classes, staying active, and choosing exercise from a place of pleasure rather than pressure.
We’ve also been spending more time with our families, friends, and our dogs, which brings a different kind of calm, joy, and balance into our days. In short, making space to disconnect, laugh, and enjoy moments that have nothing to do with work has felt really special.
Anything that brings us back to presence, connection, and balance has been our biggest source of joy lately.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Melisa & Nora reflect:
We’re Melisa Pietrafesa and Nora Lamela, co-founders of Feel Well Train Better (FWTB), a wellness project born from a shared passion: helping people live more balanced and fulfilling lives, both physically and mentally. Our mission is to support each person in integrating well-being into their daily life in a sustainable and personalized way.
FWTB isn’t just about creating nutrition or workout plans. We design programs that fit your life, your goals, and your rhythm —from adjusting your diet to your daily routines and preferred activities, to building training plans tailored to your level and objectives. We work together with each client as a team, so that change is real, lasting, and fully aligned with their life.
What makes Feel Well Train Better unique is our holistic approach. We know that well-being isn’t just physical; it also involves relationships, work, environment, rest, and emotional health. Our goal is to provide the tools and guidance necessary for each person to balance all aspects of life and achieve comprehensive wellness.
Behind the project are we: Nora, a health coach in integrative nutrition, specialized in gut health and hormonal balance, and Melisa, a certified personal trainer with extensive experience in functional training and movement habits. Two Argentinians who, after traveling different paths across several countries, met in Miami and discovered a shared passion for well-being. It was in that encounter that the spark for Feel Well Train Better was ignited.
We offer online and in-person programs, tailored to each person’s life. We take pride in guiding our clients every step of the way, teaching them to make more conscious choices about how they eat, how they move, and, most importantly, how they live. The results go beyond the body: more energy, better stress management, and a sense of well-being that positively impacts every area of life.
If there’s one thing we want you to know, it’s that this process is completely personalized. This isn’t just another diet or workout routine; it’s about building healthy habits that last and finding a balance that makes you feel good inside and out.
And if we had to sum up our philosophy in one phrase, it would be:
Add wellness to your lifestyle.
Because wellness isn’t a goal… it’s a lifestyle you build every day.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Melisa shares:
Honestly, I don’t think there’s just one person who taught me the most about work. It’s really been a mix of people I’ve had the chance to work with over the years, and each one taught me something different. Some showed me what it means to be truly dedicated, others taught me how to be creative or disciplined, and some helped me figure out how to handle challenges without getting stressed out. But I think the biggest lesson came from seeing people who genuinely love what they do. Watching them reminded me that passion, consistency, and actually enjoying the process are what make the biggest difference. And that’s something I try to carry with me in everything I do, whether it’s at work, with clients, or just in life in general.
Nora shares:
The first people who taught me the value of work were my parents. Not so much through words, but through example: their effort, consistency, dedication, and the way they faced every challenge showed me what it truly means to commit to something and see it through over time.
Over the years, others have also taught me through their leadership, their expectations, or simply the way they approached their work. Each experience helped me understand what works, what doesn’t, and how work becomes meaningful when approached with intention and responsibility. I’ve learned that real work isn’t measured only by results, but by how we honor our time, our energy, and our own growth.
Today, the people who teach me the most are those who choose to let me accompany them in their own processes of change. Every time they allow me to be alongside them and create a safe, supportive space to explore their path, what they work on during our sessions and throughout the process is not only part of their journey, it also reflects back on me, challenges me, and allows me to grow. Each shared experience inspires me to improve my practice and become more aware of how we sustain our own transformation. It reminds me that learning and growing is a shared journey, where teaching and learning are two sides of the same experience something that also guides the work we’re building together with Feel Well & Train Better (FWTB).
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Melisa shares: I’d tell my younger self to be a lot kinder to herself. To stop stressing about fitting into every expectation. I’d tell her to breathe, to trust that she’s going to figure things out, and that her path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. I’d remind her that taking care of her body and her mind out of love, not pressure, is what’s really going to help her grow. And that she doesn’t need to chase any ‘perfect’ version of herself, because the real magic happens when she starts choosing what actually makes her feel good.
Nora shares: If I could say something to my younger self, it would be: ‘Relax, you don’t need to have all the answers or do everything perfectly. Every mistake will be a learning opportunity, and every small habit you choose to take care of yourself from moving and resting to listening to yourself and setting boundaries will prepare you for everything that’s ahead. Trust yourself, your intuition, and your ability to adapt; it will open doors you can’t even imagine right now. Be kind to yourself, because self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation of everything you’re going to build.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Melisa & Nora reflect: Yes, what we show to the public truly reflects who we are: our values, our passions, our way of thinking, and also the areas in which we continue to grow. It is a genuine expression of how we choose to act, relate to others, and prioritize what matters, both personally and professionally.
We give our best in every public space whether in talks, social media, or our work because we believe in sharing an authentic version of ourself that inspires and connects. Yet, like anyone conscious of their growth, we also have moments of deep introspection and self-care, where we keep parts of our inner world private.
This doesn’t mean that the public version is any less real or superficial; on the contrary, it’s the way we choose to express ourselves with integrity. By reserving our most intimate parts, we’re not hiding who we are, we’re simply balancing what we show with what we reflect on privately, allowing us to keep growing with coherence and authenticity.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Melisa shares: I hope people say I was kind, real, and someone who made others feel seen and supported. Would love if they say that they felt encouraged to take care of their bodies and minds, to feel good about themselves, and to enjoy life without chasing unrealistic standards. I’d love them to remember me as someone who brought a little positivity and authenticity into their day.
Nora shares: I hope people remember me as someone who made things feel a little lighter and a little clearer.
That anyone who crossed paths with me clients, friends, anyone felt genuinely seen, supported, and guided toward a more conscious and caring way of living. I believe titles or achievements aren’t what matter most; what matters to me is the quiet impact: a conversation that brought clarity, a moment of calm, a perspective that helped someone place themselves first in a healthier way.
If others can say I added value and made a small but real difference in their lives, that’s the legacy I hope to leave.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.feelwelltrainbetter.com
- Instagram: @feelwelltrainbetter
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