What happens when a professional dancer in Dubai hits breaking point - and turns her pain into powerful transformation?

Melissa McAllister opens up about the untold truth behind the glamour, the trauma of performing under pressure, and how she rebuilt her life through breathwork, emotional healing, and deep self-reflection.

From being replaced mid-show to sitting with heartbreak during lockdown, Melissa's story is raw, inspiring, and unforgettable.

We cover breathwork, body image, trauma healing, and what it really means to come home to yourself.

This episode is a masterclass in emotional release, healing, and personal power.

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome to the show where we talk to successful people about the bits you don't see. Today we're talking to Melissa...

04:19 - What dancing is like in Dubai nightclubs - and how it really worked behind the scenes

10:05 - "I'd made up all the shows" - and they still tried to replace me

15:51 - Livestreams in lockdown - the moment she realised something deeper was going on

23:04 - "I'd always fly away" - moving to Dubai, Marbella, or anywhere to avoid the pain

30:17 - "People see me now and go... who's that?" - the transformation they didn’t expect

37:30 - What holotropic breathwork really is - and how it rewires your emotional self

46:09 - “Grief is massive” - working with trauma, loss, and suppressed emotion

54:48 - Public slander and standing strong - “you might say I’m sick or stupid”

63:27 - Getting clients to believe - why buy-in matters in deep healing

70:40 - Broke in Dubai - “I had no money, and nowhere to live”

77:53 - “No one can take the piss anymore” - saying goodbye to people-pleasing

83:39 - Sitting with herself - and discovering who she really is

Keywords

Melissa McAllister, Dubai, breathwork, trauma healing, emotional release, body image, holotropic breathing, healing journey, dance trauma, mental health, wellness

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