Melody Pierce is the current Miss Scottsdale 2019 for the Miss Arizona Organization, an eating disorder recovery and body acceptance coach with her organization S.T.E.P.S. Recovery, and an Account Coordinator at The Knight Agency. She wears a lot of hats and continues to make a difference in the lives of others through her volunteer work with eating disorders and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Read more about Melody Pierce…
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
First job: I was a hostess at Black Angus and I learned my love for steak and bread run deep and wearing all black long sleeves and pants in the summer is miserable. Real talk though – this fueled my love for talking to people which is why I got into the PR/Coaching career fields.
Favorite AZ restaurant: Taco Guild – I could eat the cherry chipotle steak taco every day, easy.
Person who has impacted your life the most: Leann Hull- this woman created a nonprofit organization during her darkest days and was able to honestly save my life through the ‘you matter’ message that the foundation promotes. I was facing some of my own dark days and by Leann speaking into my life with something as simple as telling me that I mattered, I was able to take a step in getting the help that I deserved.
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: Starting my own business. I went from a young girl who was terrified to speak about her eating disorder to now an empowered coach helping people face their own struggles with food and body image. I am so thankful for the opportunity to speak into others lives and grow with so many people.
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: Ever thinking I wasn’t good enough. In the world of pageantry, and just in life, we often play this comparison game and I spent so many years thinking I wasn’t good enough because I wasn’t like the girl next to me. Once I was able to embrace my own truth and accept myself, flaws and all, I realized how insanely amazing life is and how silly I was from keeping myself from living it for so long. Now, every day I wake up and choose to live life to its fullest potential, which is probably the best gift I’ve ever received.
Someone who inspires you: My mother. Not only is she incredibly strong but she is hilarious. My goal is to be half as funny as my mom one day, if I’m lucky. I could not imagine a better best friend and cheerleader to walk through all of life’s ups and downs with.
Favorite quote: “Accept who you are; and revel in it.”- Tuesday’s With Morrie
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Trust your gut, whether you are jumping into your first pageant or PR/coaching career, knowing that you have all of the power and ability already inside of you and that you just have to trust it.
What you think makes someone fabulous: Their strength! Being both mentally and physically strong is invaluable and regardless of what that looks like to you, working on your strength and being confident in who you are is the most fabulous trait.
