Where Awesome Book Readers Meet Awesome Writers
About Melanie Rhora
Melanie Rhora was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and now calls Nova Scotia home. Together with her husband, teenage son, and two beloved pets, she is embarking on an exciting new adventure: moving to Costa Rica.
As an author and entrepreneur, Melanie has written seven books, four of which are self-published. Each project has marked a milestone in her personal and professional journey, ultimately leading her to her most meaningful work, The Phoenix Path: A Woman’s Guide to Healing, Rebuilding, and Rising Stronger. She is also a contributing author in the best-selling collaborative book With Grace and Grit: Inspirational Stories for Entrepreneurial Women.
The Story Behind The Phoenix Path
Before writing The Phoenix Path, Melanie faced a period of profound transformation. She had built a thriving digital agency, but success came at a cost. The long hours, constant pressure, and drive for perfection led her dangerously close to burnout.
Then, everything changed. A devastating house fire forced her to confront what truly mattered. In the ashes of her old life, she realized she had built a cage instead of a foundation. That moment of clarity became the spark for rebuilding not just her business, but her entire identity.
Melanie chose to rise. Through healing, self-discovery, and courage, she created a life aligned with her truth. The Phoenix Path emerged from that journey a blend of memoir, guidebook, and toolkit. It includes reflective exercises, affirmations, and somatic practices designed to help women reconnect with themselves and rise stronger.
“I wanted to write the book I wish I had when I thought I couldn’t keep going,” she says. “It’s not just a story; it’s a process for transformation.”
Writing Habits and Creative Process
For Melanie, The Phoenix Path marked her first experience writing from a remote location. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, she retreated to Costa Rica to complete her manuscript.
Most of the book was written poolside, surrounded by tropical beauty. Fellow travelers often approached, curious about her dedication, and soon began bringing her drinks and snacks so she could keep writing. “It was magical,” she recalls. “I barely had to get up except to cool off in the pool.”
Literary Influences and Inspiration
Melanie draws strength and wisdom from leaders in the field of personal development. Her favorite authors include Gabby Bernstein, Denise Duffield-Thomas, and Tony Robbins. She also admires Mel Robbins, whose work she describes as “practical empowerment with heart.”
Her favorite reading experience is sharing self-growth books with her teenage son, such as The Let Them Theory, which sparked meaningful conversations about resilience, boundaries, and emotional growth.
Current Projects and Upcoming Retreat
At present, Melanie is organizing a women’s retreat inspired by The Phoenix Path. Scheduled for late January in Costa Rica, the retreat will focus on helping women who have spent years holding everything together to rediscover their power and rebuild from within.
Drawing from her training as a Master Circle Facilitator, Melanie will guide participants through exercises in boundary-setting, self-trust, and healing. “It’s for women ready to rise from the ashes and become the queens of their own lives,” she says.
Promoting Her Books
When it comes to book promotion, Melanie embraces experimentation. “Some days it feels like I’m throwing spaghetti at the wall,” she laughs. Yet she’s discovered that authentic connection is the most powerful form of marketing.
She reaches her audience through guest speaking, leading women’s circles, and heartfelt content that resonates deeply with her readers. “When a woman sees herself in my story,” she explains, “she wants to read more.”
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Melanie’s advice to new writers is simple: stop chasing perfection. “Even when your book feels finished, you’ll always find something to change,” she says. “If you keep waiting for perfect, it will never be done.”
Citing Sheryl Sandberg’s famous line, “Done is better than perfect,” Melanie shares that she went through sixteen versions of The Phoenix Path before deciding it was ready.
The Best Advice She Has Ever Heard
One of the most impactful lessons Melanie learned came from Tim Urban’s TED Talk on procrastination. Urban describes the “Instant Gratification Monkey” that distracts us from meaningful work until the “Panic Monster” appears before a deadline.
This concept hit home for Melanie when she realized that many of life’s most important goals like writing a book, healing, or rebuilding don’t come with deadlines. “That’s when I knew I had to create my own accountability,” she says. Now she makes daily top-three lists, checks in weekly with an accountability partner, and uses sticky notes to keep herself focused.
What She’s Reading Now
Melanie is currently reading three books, depending on her mood. For fun, she’s diving into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. For communication mastery, she’s finishing The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More by Jefferson Fisher, which she highly recommends. She is also re-reading The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, a book that explores how to break through self-imposed limitations.
What’s Next for Melanie Rhora
Melanie already has three more books in mind, with her next one expected to release late next year. Its working title is The Queen’s Path: Where Self-Abandonment Ends and Sovereignty Begins.
As she continues to inspire others through speaking and coaching, she plans to expand her reach with more retreats, writing projects, and empowerment programs designed to help women rise into their authentic selves.
If Stranded on a Desert Island
When asked which books she would bring to a desert island, Melanie laughs at the challenge of choosing only a few. Her list would include:
- Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins, for its timeless guidance on resilience and focus.
- May Cause Miracles by Gabby Bernstein, offering 42 days of daily spiritual exercises.
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, an epic story long enough to last any adventure.
- And of course, The Phoenix Path, her personal reminder that even in isolation, one can rebuild and rise again.
Connect with Melanie Rhora
Official Website: Melanie Rhora Website
Amazon Author Page: Melanie Rhora on Amazon
Facebook: Melanie Rhora Facebook Profile
Final Thoughts
Melanie Rhora’s story is one of resilience, rebirth, and radical authenticity. Through The Phoenix Path, she offers a lifeline to women who feel trapped by their own expectations, reminding them that the ashes of the past can become the foundation for a stronger, freer life. Her journey from burnout to empowerment is not just inspiring it’s proof that we can all rise again, brighter than before.
