Melinda V King
Coach, Meditation Teacher, Speaker, Facilitator, Research & Engagement
Survivor of addiction, I have learnt to flourish & thrive. I now dedicate my life to helping others to heal & building change
Hi, I'm Melinda King
I’m so happy you are here!
Whether you are an individual looking for support (through coaching to navigate life or seeking peace in meditation), a researcher in health & social care looking for lived experience input, or an organisation looking for mindfulness to support your staff & clients, I’m here to help.
After feeling lost and alone as a child, I sought to fill the hole inside of myself through alcohol – even though I didn’t know that was what I was doing at the time. Recovery has been an ongoing journey with new challenges along the way, dealing with my underlying trauma and patterns, ending unhealthy relationships, meeting my grief and journeying through chronic insomnia, bereavements, redundancy, injury, illness, menopause, and of course the Covid pandemic. I learnt to self-care the hard way, finding my feet and building my own wellbeing, whilst fending off all the unhealthy coping mechanisms and quick fixes marketed at me by society. At each stage I built on what I learnt, gained greater resilience, and whilst life's challenges don't stop I gained the equilibrium to weather any storm and create the life I want to live. If you're getting curious subscribe below for my free self-care resources and check out my Coaching page to read about some of my Top Life Lessons I've learnt along the way!
Having done this hard work, I uncovered my true life purpose and meaning – to use what I’ve learnt and where I can, to help make the lives of others a little bit easier, even to prevent others going through the same pain as I have.
I went on to fully train with internationally renowned teachers. And so now here I am, to be alongside you, and am at your service!
I currently work in three ways: through my meditation and coaching work for individuals, my work with organisations, and my work with researchers. See below, and also the relevant page for each area of work.
Please do get in touch! Email hello@melindavking.com or via the contact page.
My Values
Whether I'm working with you as an individual or organisation, guiding you in a meditation, collaborating with you on a project, facilitating a group or supporting your funding bid - two key values underlie all that I do
- Authenticity - my work is deeply rooted in my own lived experience and I share genuinely from that starting point
- Warmth - my approach is inclusive, friendly, down to earth and supportive.
Meditation and Coaching
Mindfulness meditation and practices were central to own my own healing, enabling me to honour my emotions and let them pass through, observe my thoughts rather than getting so caught in them, keep myself in the present moment to find the joy that is here, and to connect to myself grow my self love. After finding such huge benefits for myself, I trained in the international Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Programme so that I can help others. I offer individual and group mindfulness sessions - I can help you learn how to meditate or build your practice and find your way to a greater sense of peace and balance.
And if you are looking for some rest, deep healing and restoration, check out my Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep) meditations on the free Insight Timer app. Yoga Nidra is a type of meditation practiced lying down, training the brain to let go and relax (and much more!) and has been crucial in overcoming my own insomnia, creating my passion for this profound practice which I now teach to others. Find my recordings by clicking here: Melinda V. King (for yoga nidra meditations)
As a life coach I am also here to help you through whatever life is throwing at you. Taking a personalised approach I will help you build your own self-care, in the way that is right for you, so that you can weather any storm and build the future you want to live. I work in one-to-one online sessions. Email now to arrange a free introductory call to see how I can help!
Lived Experience Work with Researchers
Having healed from own addiction and journeyed through wider health issues, I am passionate about health and social care research, preventing others from going through the same suffering as I have, and bringing positive change. I have extensive experience working in Public & Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), in roles ranging from public contributor, to PPIE Lead, to Public Co-applicant. I sit on several committees including for the NIHR and am co-applicant on several successful funding bids.
Whether you want lived experience input into your work, a facilitator for your focus group, feedback on your patient facing documents or to put in a bid together - drop me a line! I can't wait to hear from you.
Mindfulness Work with Organisations
My work with organisations is currently focused on Mindfulness for Staff - my tailored sessions support staff in their own wellbeing, as well as increasing awareness of mindfulness tools for work with your clients and communities. After fully qualifying as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher my current clients now include The Royal College of Psychiatrists. Whether you would like a 10 minute mindfulness exercise at the start of a meeting, or hour long lunchtime awareness session - email me and let me know what you need!
From October I will be rolling out Mindfulness for Recovery Workers awareness sessions to help you support your clients - hit subscribe to stay updated
I'm also available for public speaking opportunities and collaborative projects, just get in touch!
We're all just walking each other home.
Ram Dass
Subscribe
Subscribe for my free wellbeing resources: Your Safe Harbour resource for challenging times, and the Workplace Wellbeing Guide. You will also receive new session dates and resources - occasional emails, no spam! And just a note to check your email after you sign up for the confirmation, where you'll need to verify your email address in order to hear from me! Thank you :)
Testimonials
5 Star Reviews for Recorded Sleep Meditations
"This relaxed me into a peaceful sleep!! Thank you so much!!"
- Marie, United States, Insight Timer Listener
"I love this meditation! I listen most nights"
- Renee, Insight Timer Listener
"A very lovely nidra which helped me become calm and relaxed. Thank you, Melinda."
- Caroona, Germany, Insight Timer Listener
"Thank you for this yoga nidra...The ongoing reference to the stars allowed for expansion into oneness"
- Catherine, United States, Insight Timer Listener
Testimonials for 121 Yoga Nidra
"I've had guided meditation before but this experience stood out to me as I was taken to a really special calm place that I felt in my whole body. I felt like I was on a magical adventure, like a beautiful dream. Melinda's voice is soothing and comforting, I felt calm for the rest of the day and slept well that night"
- Helen, Bristol
"Melinda spent some time talking to me before the yoga nidra practice so she could tailor it to be just right for me at that time. So the session was really balanced and relaxing."
- Lucy, Brighton.
Testimonials for coaching
"The coaching sessions with Melinda were most beneficial for me. They flowed organically and easily allowing me to express myself without over thinking. Thank you"
- Dean, East Sussex
"Mel’s coaching provided me with a supportive and open space for me to explore some career goals. With Mel’s ability to ask the right questions and reflect my thoughts back to me I have been able to set clear targets for myself. I am feeling much more optimistic about my career future!"
- Indi, Brighton
Testimonials for Collaborative Work
"It has been a real pleasure to work with Melinda King. She is an excellent facilitator and was in invaluable for the public involvement work on my research project."
- Dr Sarah Cook, Epidemiologist
"I had the privilege of collaborating with Mel on a documentary project exploring the lived experiences of people with alcohol addiction. Mel brought valuable expertise in addictions research while maintaining a collaborative spirit that honoured the authentic voices and stories we were working to share. Her ability to bridge academic knowledge with real-world experience made her an invaluable partner in creating meaningful film."
- James Rattee, filmmaker
Melinda V. King
hello@melindavking.com