Melissa Alcantara Athlete, Influencer

Melissa Alcantara, aka “Fitgurlmel,” isn’t just a fitness coach—she’s a force of nature. From transforming her life to sculpting the bodies of A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Melissa proves that anything is possible with discipline and grit. Known for her no-excuses approach, killer workouts, and empowering mindset, she’s built a global movement that inspires people to chase progress, not perfection.

Body

Melissa Alcantara is such a big name in the fitness world. She has this incredibly athletic and muscular look that just screams dedication and hard work. Her body shape leans towards a mesomorph with muscular curves, particularly noticeable in her shoulders, arms, and legs. Picture strong, defined arms, killer abs, and legs that could run a marathon without sweat. And it's not just her body that’s impressive — she's got this radiant smile and an energetic vibe that’s infectious.

Diet

Melissa Alcantara’s diet is all about eating right and keeping it real but it wasn’t always the case. Growing up, she ate a lot of junk food, thinking lettuce with rice and beans was a healthy meal. She admits to having an unhealthy relationship with food, often stuck in starve/binge cycles. What got her to pay attention to her diet was her pregnancy. She researched and discovered that nutrition was the most important component of weight loss. She started with Weight Watchers and lost 10 lbs., but ultimately dropped 40 lbs. by cleaning up her diet and exercising.

These days, she’s big on intermittent fasting having a coffee first thing, but skipping food until after her morning workout, usually eating after noon and having her last meal by 9 PM. Pizza and doughnuts? Not anymore. It's all about balanced meals with lean proteins like chicken and fish, natural carbs like rice, and loads of veggies. Plus, she stays super hydrated with about a gallon of water a day.

She’s transformed her relationship with food, understanding that what she eats directly impacts her body and performance. Her journey from junk food lover to a clean-eating fitness icon is super inspiring.

Exercise

Melissa has a fitness routine that's both intense and inspiring. She wakes up at 4 AM, hits the gym by 6 AM, and trains for about two hours every day, six days a week. Her workouts are about 85% weight training and 15% other stuff like flutter kicks, hip thrusts, and planks focusing on a mix of cardio, resistance band training, full-body workouts, upper-body exercises, lower-body exercises, and strength training. Melissa also makes a point to walk 10,000 steps each day, which she counts as her cardio.

She confessed that she smoked and binge ate during her pregnancy in 2011, gaining 70 pounds. Her big turnaround started with the Insanity Beach Body program by Shaun T., where she lost 40 pounds in just 60 days. After filming ended, Melissa realized her true passion was fitness. She quit her job as a producer, signed up for an amateur bodybuilding competition, and won in two categories after her training and dieting intensified.

Her dedication to fitness hasn’t just given her an amazing physique; it's turned her into a top personal trainer, working with celebs like Kim Kardashian. Melissa’s journey from struggling with weight to becoming a fitness icon is super motivating. She and her husband even created an 8-week fitness plan available on her website and the FitPlan app.

Bio

Melissa Alcantara, has quite the story. Born in the Bronx, NYC, on March 8, 1985, she grew up in a Dominican family and struggled with weight and unhealthy habits.

She shared on her Instagram page 10 things you may not have known about me: " I didn’t graduate college but somehow still managed to create and grow a business and become successful through pure will, dedication and hard work." also " I was a waitress for 15 years."

Melissa's career gained momentum when she dedicated herself to fitness, ultimately leading her to work as Kim Kardashian's trainer. This opportunity catapulted her into the spotlight and solidified her reputation as a fitness expert.

On the personal front, Melissa is a devoted mom to her daughter, Bella, and lives in Los Angeles.