MEET MELISSA CORLEY CARTER, THE BAREFOOT DANCING ROCKET SCIENTIST
Dr. Melissa Corley Carter, The Barefoot Dancing Rocket Scientist, is an actual rocket scientist, 7 continents marathoner, astronaut reject, speaker, award-winning author, and certified professional coach who helps rockstar women own their awesomeness.
Before becoming a coach, Melissa spent twenty years aspiring to become an astronaut. She earned two engineering degrees from Stanford University, was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and earned a PhD in astronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Despite perfect vision after corrective eye surgery, her pre-surgical eyesight disqualified her and shattered her astronaut dream.
In the years since, she’s realized that her astronaut dream emerged from an intuitive knowing of her spiritual connection with the universe, from a desire to inspire people to greatness the way astronauts had always inspired her, and from the vision of a unified and harmonious world.
Melissa’s journey has taught her that identity and goals are not synonymous, that even major disappointments hold gifts beyond imagining, and that every experience invites us to take a small step — or a giant leap — into greater alignment with who we really are.
Melissa is the author and photographer of the award-winning 2021 coffee table book, Running the World: Marathon Memoirs from the Seven Continents. In her book she shares her outer journey across the continents and her inner journey of recovering from shattered dreams and realigning her life with powerful purpose.
Melissa is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, where she serves as an executive coach, strategic advisor, and leadership development facilitator. Prior to joining the reserve, her active duty assignments included laser test engineering, adaptive optics research and development, satellite acquisitions and operations, and aide-de-camp and executive officer to senior leaders.
An inspirational force of nature, Melissa is here to celebrate the power of who you are and to fire you up with passion for the life you live.
MISSION
Shine My Light and Inspire You to Shine Yours
VISION
8+ Billion Humans Loving Themselves and Owning How Powerful, Unique, and Awesome They Are
VALUES
Alignment
Integrate Purpose, Power, and Passion
Joy
Revel in the Dance of Radiant Creation
Courage
Trust Self, Trust Source, and Boldly Go
The Barefoot Dancing Rocket Scientist
"Origin Story"
In my mid 20s, one of my favorite activities was swing and country dancing. In my late 20s, I started running barefoot. A month after I turned 30, I earned my astronautical engineering PhD. The Barefoot Dancing Rocket Scientist emerged from what I did, but it's become so much more. It's an embodiment of who I'm being in the world.
Barefoot
For me, the barefoot piece is about grounding. It's about connecting with the earth, the present moment, the wisdom of our bodies, and all the deep sources of knowing that are available to us. It’s about finding beauty, simplicity, power, and flow in all things natural, whether it’s natural movement, leveraging our natural gifts and strengths, or embracing the most natural, aligned, and fulfilling dream in our hearts.
Dancing
The dancing piece is about connection, artistry, and joy. A strong connection in partner dancing helps you sense signals and timing. It helps you create moving works of art. When it flows, it's pure joy. On a cosmic scale, the universe is our dance partner. Cultivating that cosmic connection sources us with infinite inspiration and creative energy. The signals and timing guide us to take aligned action. Life itself becomes the work of art. And when we allow it to flow, it's pure joy.
Rocket Scientist
The rocket science piece is about exploring our horizons and discovering the universe. It's about expanding our vision of what's possible for ourselves and for the world. It's about igniting our passion for the life we live. “It’s not rocket science,” they always say. Actually, it is. With no math or equations, rocket science is essentially about going from where we are to where we want to be, acknowledging progress and adjusting course, and letting go to lift off. In that light, every aspect of life actually IS rocket science!
Ready for launch?
