Can you really grow a media and brand partnership business without living in a big city, or even in the U.S.? In this episode, Amy sits down with Melissa Boufounos, a certified holistic nutritionist, mom, and Master the Media coach, who shares how she’s made over $80K in media and brand deals, all while raising her son and living in a small town in Canada. Melissa opens up about how she combined her journalism background with her passion for nutrition, what it's really like to juggle work and parenthood, and why pitching, even when life is messy, is always worth it. This episode is packed with real talk, smart tips, and so many relatable moments.

Melissa Boufounos is a certified holistic nutritionist and media nutritionist based near Ottawa, Canada. She runs MB Performance Nutrition, where she helps teen and adolescent hockey players fuel properly for sports performance. With a background in broadcast and sports journalism, Melissa blends her storytelling skills with nutrition expertise to create content for major outlets like MindBodyGreen, Forbes Health, Shape, and U.S. News. She’s also a media coach for Master the Media, where she helps other health professionals grow their visibility and income through media and brand work.

Connect with Melissa:
Website: https://melissaboufounos.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/melissaboufounos/


Learn how to earn $50,000 in brand partnerships in just 6 months: https://masterthemedia.co/masterclass/


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:02) Meet Melissa and her unexpected path to holistic nutrition
(5:09) What working with a newborn really looked like
(7:11) Writing for major outlets like MindBodyGreen and Fortune
(9:30) Breaking down her $80K in earnings from media and brand work
(13:45) Her favorite brand deals and how they came to be
(15:17) How she works 30 hours or less a week
(19:05) The truth about working in Canadian vs. U.S. media
(25:00) Why she’s careful with brand messaging right now
(28:45) What she's focused on in 2026
(33:03) Melissa’s go-to advice: Always be pitching, even before you feel ready
(35:42) Outro

Support the show

• Master the Media for Dietitians, Physicians & Healthcare Professionals Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mediamasterywithamy
• Dietitians on the Blog Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/789355101157569
• Need a Guest Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/264636544981623

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tip on growing your income and impact through the media! And if you’re feeling extra generous, leave a review—it helps more healthcare pros like you find the show. Thanks for being here—I can’t wait to hang out with you again next time!

What if the best time to show up is actually when things feel the hardest? In this episode of Master the Media, Amy invites you into a real moment from her week, running on little sleep, caring for a sick child, and still choosing to hit record. She talks openly about the pressure to be perfect and why waiting for everything to line up can hold you back. Amy shares encouraging, real-life advice for healthcare professionals who want to get started in media or work with brands, even if they don’t have a polished website or a big social following. This episode is a warm reminder that progress starts with presence, not perfection.

Learn how to earn $50,000 in brand partnerships in just 6 months: https://masterthemedia.co/masterclass/

Master the Media Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mediamasterywithamy

Master the Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterthemedia/


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:21) Amy’s personal week from chaos and deciding to still show up
(3:26) The myth of waiting for the "perfect" time
(5:04) How to make progress without a website or social media presence
(6:59) How Facebook groups and email lists can help you grow
(8:27) Instagram with one post? Yes, it can work
(10:18) Homemade websites vs. fancy ones: what really matters
(13:14) The only things you actually need to be findable online
(13:40) The truth about “perfect” and why it doesn’t exist
(14:39) Outro

Support the show

• Master the Media for Dietitians, Physicians & Healthcare Professionals Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mediamasterywithamy
• Dietitians on the Blog Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/789355101157569
• Need a Guest Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/264636544981623

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tip on growing your income and impact through the media! And if you’re feeling extra generous, leave a review—it helps more healthcare pros like you find the show. Thanks for being here—I can’t wait to hang out with you again next time!

Did you know that brands could be using your name, photo, and video without paying you for it? In this episode, Amy breaks down what “name and likeness” really means and when you should be getting paid for it (spoiler: most of the time!). She walks you through real-life examples with actual numbers, so you know how to confidently quote your worth. Amy also shares when it does make sense to let media use your name and likeness for free, and how that exposure can still open doors to big brand deals down the line. Whether you’re just getting started or want to charge more for what you already do, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and next steps.

Learn how to earn $50,000 in brand partnerships in just 6 months: https://masterthemedia.co/masterclass/

Master the Media Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mediamasterywithamy

Reach out to Amy: amy@masterthemedia.co


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:54) What is name and likeness, and why does it matter so much?
(2:54) What brands typically pay for name and likeness (real numbers!)
(5:30) When you’d offer a discount, and why that still adds up
(6:21) What is “whitelisting” and how does that affect your fee?
(7:02) How a few deliverables can equal a $20K project
(7:20) Pitching to media: smaller use, smaller fee
(9:46) When should you not charge for your name and likeness?
(10:11) Getting paid to be on podcasts
(11:39) Why free media exposure is still a big win for your brand
(13:29) Creating an “As Seen In” section to boost your credibility
(14:08) Final takeaway
(15:10) Outro

Support the show

• Master the Media for Dietitians, Physicians & Healthcare Professionals Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mediamasterywithamy
• Dietitians on the Blog Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/789355101157569
• Need a Guest Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/264636544981623

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tip on growing your income and impact through the media! And if you’re feeling extra generous, leave a review—it helps more healthcare pros like you find the show. Thanks for being here—I can’t wait to hang out with you again next time!