Before finding her path at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Melinda York was living what many would consider a successful life—constantly giving, constantly showing up for others—yet something was missing. “Before SWIHA, my life felt like I was constantly pouring into others yet still feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from my deeper purpose,” she recalls.
Melinda’s journey to SWIHA began through her own process of healing and self-discovery. Searching for tools to better understand herself and the world around her, she was drawn to the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) Diploma program, where she discovered the transformative power of holistic education and self-awareness.
Discovering Her Purpose Through Presence
It was during her studies that Melinda experienced a defining moment that confirmed she was on the right path. “I knew I was on the right path the moment a client told me, ‘I’ve never felt like this before,’” she shares. “In that instant, I realized my presence and purpose were aligned—and that changed everything for me.”
That powerful exchange reminded Melinda that true healing doesn’t always come from doing, it comes from being. Through her coursework and experiences at SWIHA, she learned to trust her intuition, to hold space for others, and to understand that healing begins when we feel safe enough to be fully seen.
A New Life, A New Mission
Today, Melinda’s life looks completely different. “My world has changed dramatically,” she says. “I’ve moved to a new state and started my life all over.”
Professionally, she’s merging her passions for beauty and healing as both a hairstylist and holistic practitioner. Through her business, Salon Cuttinup, she offers hairstyling with an emphasis on healthy hair, self-care, and empowerment. “I wanted to offer more than just a service—I wanted to create an experience,” Melinda explains. “At my salon, women are seen, supported, and reminded of their inner beauty.”
Her dual paths—coaching, hypnotherapy, and hairstyling—intertwine beautifully, helping women feel whole from the inside out. Each client experience is infused with intention and compassion, guided by what she calls “heart-led, spirit-fed work rooted in the belief that we all deserve to feel whole, free, and aligned.”
Lessons in Trust and Transformation
Among the greatest lessons Melinda learned at SWIHA was to trust herself and her journey. “Everything I need is already within me—I just had to learn how to trust it,” she reflects. She also discovered the profound impact of holding space without trying to fix, allowing others to find their own truth in a supportive and sacred environment.
Her advice for future SWIHA students? “Trust the journey, even when it feels uncomfortable. Every part of it is shaping you into the healer you’re becoming. Show up fully, stay open, and let the work transform you before you try to transform others.”
Living in Alignment
Today, Melinda continues to grow personally and professionally—building her coaching and hypnotherapy practice while staying grounded in her spiritual and physical well-being. She embodies the essence of what it means to live in alignment, proving that transformation doesn’t require perfection—it requires purpose.
“I want you to know that my journey hasn’t been perfect, yet it’s been purposeful,” she says. “Every challenge I’ve faced has given me deeper compassion and a stronger voice to help others walk through their own transformation with grace, truth, and power.”
Are You Ready to Transform Your Life, Too?
Melinda’s story is a powerful reminder that healing begins with self-awareness and trust. If you feel called to help others while deepening your own growth, SWIHA’s Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner Diploma program may be your next step.
✨ Explore your purpose. Empower others. Begin your transformation today.
