Melon was raised in upstate New York and has been a competitive swimmer since age 7. She received a B.S. in Exercise Science and Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst and an M.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Michigan. She coached women’s and men’s swim teams at Keene State College in New Hampshire as a graduate student, and was an assistant coach of the women’s swim teams at Harvard, Michigan, and University of California/Berkeley. After thinking about it all for two years as a chauffeur / administrative assistant for an orthopedic surgeon in Berkeley, CA, she opened her swim school in 1983 because adults in swimming lessons were stuck: they were afraid, and they weren’t learning.
In Berkeley, she took a psychic class where she “downloaded” The 5 Circles, which clearly explains panic. Many years later, she discovered that it also explains learning. The system has never failed. Its implications are vast.
She’s spoken at World Aquatic Health Conferences and meetings of the U.S. Swim School Association, American Swimming Coaches Association, National Recreation and Parks, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and local organizations.
Her convictions are that:
1. Fearful adults learn to swim beautifully and joyfully on their first try when comfort is made top priority
2. The definition of “I Can Swim” must change globally to mean “comfort in deep water,” replacing the current definition: “being able to do freestyle or a stroke.”
3. People are spirit first, before mind and body: teach the spirit first.
Melon held an Eastern Collegiate Championship in 100 yard butterfly in 1975, (60.7), New England collegiate records in 100 yard butterfly and 400 Freestyle Relay and world rankings as a master swimmer in three events.
Her current goals are to finish writing three books and give a TED talk.
Her work has been featured in the New York Times several times, NPR, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, Tampa Bay Times, Sarasota Herald Tribune, Sarasota News Leader, Pelican Press, Athletic Business, Aquatics International, Recreation, Elle, Real Simple, The Today Show, TGI4 , The Suncoast View, local news stations, and numerous others.