Melissa Holzman Goldstein is the founder of Zone Yoga & Pilates, where she has been leading Yoga, Pilates, and Wellness instruction since 2004. A Wellness visionary, entrepreneur, and above all a proud mother of two, Melissa began practicing Yoga and Pilates in 1994. Eventually her Yoga and Pilates practice soon became her passion, and she left her career as an attorney to open the studio in Margate, New Jersey. 

After opening ZYP (previously known as NJ Yoga Zone), Melissa became a sought-after instructor. In addition to her daily teaching schedule, she has instructed at several yoga festivals, worked with numerous professional athletes and celebrities during their visits to Atlantic City and Philadelphia, and facilitated mind and body programs for busy professionals.

Melissa inspires the ZYP team with her tireless commitment and passion for movement which she shares with educators and clients alike. Based in South Jersey, Melissa has worked with many corporations and academic institutions to implement mindfulness strategies and wellness plans. In addition, Melissa is an Adjunct Professor at Stockton University where she teaches courses including Persuasive Writing, Oral Argument, Hate Speech, and Holocaust and Genocide Denial. 

During COVID, homeschooling, and her business being severely limited, Melissa was diagnosed with Stage 3 Invasive ER/PR +, HER - Lobular Carcinoma and lymph node involvement, meaning her cancer had already spread to the lymph nodes in her right arm. One month later, Melissa underwent a double mastectomy and a month after that, an axillary lymph node removal. Six months of chemo was followed by radiation. More surgeries came next, along with hormone blocking medications. Finally, after two years of treatment, Melissa was finally ready to move from cancer patient to survivor.

Melissa is most proud of the work she now does to assist breast cancer survivors and raise money for cancer research. Having recently raised over $10,000 to help end breast cancer, Melissa launched a certification program to train Pilates instructors to work with breast cancer patients and survivors. She has also been invited to speak at several conferences on How Mental Attitude Affects Health. Most recently, Melissa gave a welcoming message at the Inspire Women’s Orthopedic Conference hosted by Rothman Institute and Jefferson Health System. Her new venture, The Road Back to You, is a marriage of Melissa’s profound experience in the Wellness industry coupled with her cancer journey. She hopes to educate and encourage people on all things movement and breast cancer related.

This journey offered an incredible gift of perspective. Everything now goes through a filter – is it worthy of time and energy? Does it help/heal others and does it bring joy? Melissa is profoundly grateful to be cancer-free to enjoy the gift of life with her wonderful children and husband and the incredible work she is fortunate to do.