Team Spotlight: Melissa Pennington

Get to know Melissa Pennington, LoveYourBrain’s new Retreat Program Manager!

Melissa joined our team in July of 2021 and jumped right in, managing our Fall LoveYourBrain Community Retreat in September! Not only was this Melissa’s first Retreat - it was our first in-person retreat since the pandemic!

We sat down with Melissa to learn more about who she is as a person, and what she’s most excited about in her new role on our team.

what would you like our community to know about you?

As someone who has had a TBI, I personally connect to the TBI community we serve. It is a special connection that this invisible injury facilitates. The first time I felt understood by others was when I participated in the LYB Yoga program in 2018, almost ten years after my injury. It is emotional and comforting to be embraced by those who have compassion for this unique experience. My favorite part about being included in this community is feeling accepted for who I am each day.  

What excites you most about your new role with LoveYourBrain?

I am most excited about connecting with so many incredible people who are part of this community. It is a really special space to be involved with yoga teachers, nutritionists, mental health professionals and so many more that are all collaborating to support brain health. I feel honored to have such a hands-on role in this work. It is truly a privilege to be able to experience an LYB Retreat and have a little part in creating its magic. 

You recently managed our Fall Retreat in Maine! What reflections have you walked away with after that experience?

The impact of love and caring for others is stronger than we might realize. Connecting with someone, sharing a moment has healing powers that are so important to acknowledge. Being able to be in a space where you feel seen and you can believe that you are enough is powerful medicine that I was able to see firsthand. I have walked away with an intention to create moments of love, caring, and connecting as part of my healing journey and for others. 

What is possible at a LoveYourBrain Retreat?

Anything! Is that too cheesy? The wide variety of impact during a Retreat was remarkable. It felt like everyone walked away with something different and the same all at once. I truly believe each person was able to explore deeply and come away from this experience with something that will positively impact their life. A feeling that was echoed throughout the Retreat was how this experience was creating a web of connecting support across the world. Many felt a deep sense of ease knowing that others like them are all around.

What would you share with someone who’s curious about a LYB Retreat?

Someone will be there for you every step of the way. We create these experiences with a focus on each participant's needs, whether that is emotional support, extra rest, dietary needs, you name it! We are here for you on this journey. During the Retreat, we honor different options of participation and engagement, all at your comfort level. Retreats are an exceptional experience for someone who has experienced a TBI and/or their caregiver. A participant shared with me it ‘felt like a week-long hug’.

Interested in a LoveYourBrain Retreat? We offer Community Retreats for people affected by TBI (including caregivers), and an Online Retreat just for Caregivers. Learn more here!