When Melissa Lori walks into a room, she radiates the kind of energy that makes people feel seen, safe, and open. But this light comes from a place that was once very dark. The Reiki Master, energy healer, and former Playboy model, Melissa Lori, joined “A Healthy Point of View” podcast with Sam Tejada, CEO and Founder of Liquivida®, to share her remarkable journey from struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts to finding her calling in energy work and guiding others to heal themselves.
The Truth About Sex, Energy & Trauma: What They’re Not Telling You | Melissa Lori | Ep. 76
A Life Saved by a Chance Encounter with Reiki
Melissa’s journey into Reiki began at rock bottom. After years of battling anxiety, depression, and physical illness with no lasting relief, she reached a point where she no longer wanted to live. One day, almost on a whim, she bought a Groupon for a Reiki session. That decision, she says, changed everything.
Her first session was transformative, not because the healer “fixed” her, but because she realized healing had to come from within. “I’m not healing you,” she tells her clients today. “I’m guiding you to heal yourself.”
Reiki: The Power Within
Reiki, a Japanese healing modality, works with the body’s energy centers to release blockages, restore balance, and activate the body’s natural ability to heal. Melissa combines Reiki with other practices like sound baths, guided meditation, and tapping techniques to create personalized sessions.
She stresses that belief and openness are essential. “If you think it’s woo-woo or fake, it won’t work. But if you’re open, Reiki knows exactly where to go; it’s intelligent energy.”
Facing the Stigma and Misconceptions
Not everyone understands Reiki, and Melissa has faced criticism from people who label it as “witchcraft” or “dark magic.” She’s quick to clarify: “Reiki is pure divine loving energy and wisdom nothing else. If it’s something else, it’s not Reiki.”
She also points out the differences between Eastern and Western medicine, noting that Eastern practices focus on preventing illness, while Western approaches often treat symptoms after the fact.
The Emotional Release of Healing
Melissa’s sessions can be deeply emotional experiences. Some clients cry for the first time in decades, release long-held trauma, or even experience physical sensations like trembling, yawning, or sweating. She sees all of these as signs of progress: “Any movement means you’re letting go of what’s been stuck inside your body.”
For her, holding space for these moments is a privilege, especially in a culture that often tells people, especially men, to suppress emotions.
Protecting Her Own Energy
As an empath and healer, Melissa has learned the importance of boundaries. Early in her career, she absorbed too much of her clients’ pain and began experiencing anxiety and depression again. Now, she’s intentional about saying “no” when she doesn’t have the emotional capacity to take on new clients, and she practices regular energy-clearing rituals.
The Dark Side of the Healing Industry
Melissa doesn’t shy away from discussing the challenges within the holistic health space. She warns that not all who claim to be healers have pure intentions, especially in places like Miami, where spirituality can sometimes become a facade for manipulation. She advises anyone seeking a healer to research their background, ask for referrals, and trust their intuition.
From Playboy Model to Spiritual Guide
Before becoming a healer, Melissa was a successful Playboy model, a career she pursued after being bullied for her looks as a child. Achieving that dream brought her validation at the time, but she now sees it as just one chapter in her evolution.
“I’m not just a body,” she says. “I’m intelligent, I’m empathetic, and I’m here to help people live better lives.” Her message to others is clear: “Stop listening to what everyone else thinks you should be. Live for you.”
Living by Her Non-Negotiables
Melissa’s daily routine reflects her commitment to wellness:
- Fitness: She works out six days a week, crediting it with boosting both her mental and physical health.
- Clean Living: She avoids alcohol and certain substances entirely, choosing instead to focus on nutrition, hydration, and movement.
- Mindset: She makes time for stillness, reflection, and nature, knowing that rest is as important as action.
- Zero Tolerance for Negativity: “Bullying has no place in my life. Delete, block, goodbye.”
Embracing the Inner Child
Despite her professional success, Melissa never loses sight of play. She dances, laughs, and makes space for her “inner five-year-old,” believing that joy is essential to staying young at heart.
Her mission now is to remind people of the power they already have. “You know your body better than anyone else. Healing starts with you.”