Melissa Starr Hansen

(SISS)  Hi Melissa where are you from and where are you currently spending your time?  (Melissa)  Hi! My name is Melissa Starr Hansen and I am from Lakenheath, England and I am currently residing in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (SISS)  What was one of the hardest things that you had to go through? What advice would you give someone going through the same struggle?  (Melissa)  Nursing school. A mentally, physically and emotionally draining 16 months of my life. Countess hours spent studying, eating terribly, not working out and giving up your social life. Advice that I would give another person going through the same struggle? Balance. I learned the hard way how important it is to maintain balance in your life. Especially how important it is to maintain your physical well being by eating healthy and engaging in physical activity so you can support your emotional well being, which in turn assists in your learning.  (SISS)  You wrote on Instagram “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” A nurse practitioner! #SISS Tell us more, who is @MelissaStarrXO and what are you most proud of?  (Melissa)  I have been a registered nurse for over 6.5 years and recently graduated with my Masters of Science in Nursing to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I currently manage the care of patients in an ICU setting and I absolutely love it. The greatest feeling in the world is seeing your sickest patient walk out of the hospital at discharge, knowing their alive because you made the right decisions in their care. This career is rewarding on so many different levels and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work in both roles -- the bedside care and the full management of every organ system of a patient. I am 29 years old and am most proud of accomplishing my goal to become a Nurse Practitioner. When I started nursing school in 2009, at 20 years old, I knew that I wouldn’t want to stop at my Bachelor’s degree.  I wanted to go as far as I possibly could in nursing and I accomplished that a few short years later.  (SISS)  One year from now what do you hope to have accomplished (business or personal)?  (Melissa)  In one year from now I would like to feel more comfortable and competent in my professional role as a Nurse Practitioner. I would also like to volunteer my time, in one way or another, to a good cause.  (SISS)  How dedicated are you to fitness?  What is your fitness goal?  On your body, what is your favorite body part and what is your least favorite?  (Melissa)  I am a fitness geek. When I’m not in the hospital, I am at the gym. It is truly my second home. My fitness goals are to feel happy in my own skin. I don’t particularly care about my weight or muscle growth, I just want to feel sexy... naked. My favorite body part is my arms and my back. I’ve worked pretty hard to maintain the muscle that I finally have. My least favorite would have to be my calves. It doesn’t matter how heavy I lift or how much, they remain small. I blame my father for that.  (SISS)  What makes you the happiest? What is fun for you?  (Melissa)  It makes me the happiest when the people who are dear to me are doing well. I love to see my friends and family happy and it is fun for me to help motivate them to get them to that point.  (SISS)  How do you deal with disappointment? How do you Keep Going?  (Melissa)  I am a huge quote lover. When I feel let down or just down in general, I read positive quotes and it pulls me through. It helps keep me going because lets face it, we all can’t have good days every day.  (SISS)  What is your superpower?  (Melissa)  Superpower? I think my ability to inspire others is a superpower. I never really realized that I was inspiring anyone until I started getting compliments from my close friends and family.  (SISS)  What is your weakness and what do you do to overcome it?  (Melissa)  My weakness is that I try to push everyone in my life to be the best version of themselves. I see that as a weakness because not everyone is ready to accomplish that. I also try to see the good in everyone and at times that can also bite you in the behind because you find yourself making excuses for bad behavior.  (SISS)  Can you tell us four things people don’t know about you?  (Melissa)  Yes! I enjoy reading educational books for pleasure. I spend a lot of time in thought. I am very sensitive, even though I don’t come off that way. I also am very strong willed, know what I deserve and never settle for less.  (SISS)  Can you tell us where else can our readers follow your daily inspiration?  (Melissa)  My instagram account is the best place to follow my daily inspiration! @melissastarrxo   (SISS)  What’s your favorite quote?  (Melissa)  Favorite? That’s a tough one because I have so many favorites and my favorite today may be different tomorrow. It just depends on what I am currently going through in my personal life. My favorite one today applies strongly to my personal life... “I hope you aren’t held back because of a number and that you don’t rush into things because it feels like time is slipping by. I hope you do what is right for you. Hold on, slow down, and breathe in. Your age is your age. But more importantly, your life is your life. Don’t change your journey so that it matches someone else’s. We need to walk different paths so that whole world can be explored. Revel in the differences and enjoy where you are in this moment.” -Anonymous  (SISS)  At Smart is so sexy we love to see women who are thriving in their career or business.  What are you most passionate about?  (Melissa)  I am most passionate about helping others. Whether this is in my personal or professional life. It makes me feel good when people around me are doing good.  (SISS)  Who was the most influential person in your life and why?  (Melissa)  My mother. She had nothing and would give the shirt off her back to help someone in need. She taught me so many values as a child that I don’t even think she realized.  (SISS)  Where were you five years ago? What advice would you tell your five years younger self?  (Melissa)  Five years ago I was working in an intermediate care unit as a registered nurse. I was also in party mode and was going out to the club A LOT. Advice I would give my five years younger self? It’s not worth it. Don’t lose sight of your goals because you’re trying to do what the cool kids are doing.  (SISS)  Can you take us through a typical day? From Waking up to going to bed, Can you give us a play by play of a typical day for you?  (Melissa)  My day ALWAYS starts with coffee. There are a ton of studies out there that link drinking coffee and decreasing the onset of progressive neurological diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s (and you know I'm all about health!). After coffee I will typically eat breakfast (the most important meal of the day) then either head to work or head to the gym. Depending on the day of the week I will run errands and make plans with friends. My bed time is usually pretty early because sleep is extremely important to help your body recover.  (SISS)  What is your favorite meal? What is your favorite book and/or the latest one you’ve read?  What is your favorite song?  (Melissa)  Sushi. I LOVE sushi. I don’t have a favorite book but the latest one that I’ve read is the ventilator book (I know, I'm such a nerd). My favorite song at the moment is “For Her” by Chris Lane.  (SISS)  When do you feel the sexiest?  (Melissa)  I feel the sexiest with no make up on, hair in a pony tail and in sweat pants and a tiny little tank top.  (SISS)  Is there someone on social media that inspires you and is a great follow?  (Melissa)  My friends inspire me daily. I couldn’t point out one particular person but @j.ironword is a great quote account that I follow.  (SISS)  What does Smart is so Sexy mean to you?  (Melissa)  Women with brains have power. I believe most men are attracted to a woman who can hold an intelligent conversation and one that can hold her own in life. Smart is so sexy means exactly that to me. A woman who is smart enough to know her worth and doesn’t settle for anything less is the sexiest.  (SISS)  Thank you so much Melissa for sharing with us, your positivity is amazing. Follow her on Instagram @MelissaStarrXO