MELT Stories: Amanda's journey of self-discovery

For Amanda Cizek, the MELT Method has become not only a way out of pain, but a path toward discovering her truest self. Along the way, she’s experienced dramatic revelations and wants to share the possibilities with others.

“I look at my experience with MELT in a more spiritual way,” she says. “It’s interesting how we take for granted how complicated the human body is. The more I learn about the human body, the stronger my faith in God. It caused deep reflection in me and has become a true life journey.”

For most of her professional life, Amanda worked in the corporate world, which she eventually combined with work as a personal trainer. The desk jobs she held were not only unfulfilling, the long hours sitting and constant stress were wrecking her body.

Amanda first encountered MELT in 2006 at a fitness conference and was fascinated throughout the four-hour session with MELT creator Sue Hitzmann. She quickly decided she wanted to pursue teaching MELT and became a trained instructor in 2008.

“I’ve had people in tears after classes who said it was the first time they didn’t have the pain they’ve been feeling for most of their life,” says Amanda. “I’ve gotten emails from people who tell me that they can’t believe they slept through the night.”

Amanda credits the MELT Method for being the key to getting out—and staying out—of chronic lower back pain. A visit to a craniosacral therapist provided relief, she says, but MELT gave her the knowledge and the tools to self-treat herself in between such hands-on treatment. She found fulfillment teaching others how they too could live without pain.

“MELT offers a way to improve people’s lives so no one has to suffer,” she says. “I just want to help more people take advantage of something that can be a positive in life.”

Inspired by Sue Hitzmann, Amanda extended her education even further, becoming a licensed massage therapist in 2011 while working her desk job. In 2014 she left the corporate world behind and committed herself to helping others live pain free, a decision that she says has been her salvation. She now operates Consistent Fitness in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a practice that incorporates MELT, massage, and essential oils. (In her spare time, she finds joy as the lead singer in a local cover band.)

Amanda has discovered a passion for connective tissue science, anatomy, and physiology. Now, as one of the six MELT Master Trainers who can train others how to teach MELT, she looks forward to being part of a team devoted to expanding the reach of MELT.

“It’s been great to come from being a practitioner into being an educator,” she says. “It’s so amazing to be part of this group. We are going to collectively create together. This vision and dream is part of the fun and adventure of life.”