Meet the Founders
We're Mel and Nate: partners, parents, tech operators, entrepreneurs, and everyday athletes who believe that simple daily rituals can transform your body, your mind, and your capacity to lead a life you are proud of.
Mel
Former NASM certified personal trainer and 2x Boston Marathon qualifier, Mel has always sought to push herself and others to achieve great things. Movement, whether it be long walks in the woods, hours on a dance floor, or a solid strength session, is core to who she is. She brings warmth, structure, and an unwavering belief that taking care of yourself is never selfish.
Nate
Spent years owning and operating boutique fitness facilities in San Francisco, helping hundreds of people succeed. From former athletes to entrepreneurs to engineers who had never stepped foot in a gym before, Nate truly delivered on his mission of "building better humans." He brings systems thinking, discipline, and a deep belief in what daily consistency can unlock.
Our Origin Story
A classic girl-meets-boy story.
Well... kind of.
When they met, Nate was running a boutique fitness facility in San Francisco. Mel, an avid everyday athlete, came to train there and was immediately drawn to his energy, positivity, and passion for the community he was building.
What she didn't know at the time, and later found out, was that Nate was actually living in the gym to bootstrap the business.
Beyond coaching on the floor, Nate was also developing an online course to scale his impact. He had a philosophy he called "building better humans," and he wanted to bring what he was learning about discipline, consistency, and behavior change to more people than the gym's four walls could hold.
That level of belief in himself, his entrepreneurial drive, and the desire to help people live their best lives stood out. It was clear to Mel that Nate was something special.
At the same time, Nate was drawn to Mel's energy and capacity for life. From traveling internationally with friends, to organizing dance nights to see great music, to hiking and adventuring in the Redwoods, Mel was always moving, exploring, and creating experiences. And she did it in a way that brought everyone around her along for the adventure.
After spending more and more time together, in and out of the gym Mel finally convinced Nate that it was okay to spark something up with a gym member.
They've never looked back.
Nearly a decade later, they've built a life together grounded in belief: in themselves, in their dreams, and in the acceptance of growth requiring challenge. Through it all they've held onto unrelenting joy, optimism, and a genuine excitement for building, moving, and experiencing life together.
San Francisco, early days
Executing Operation LTD
We have a family philosophy we call "Operation LTD" (Live the Dream).
For us, living the dream has nothing to do with perfection or fantasy. It's about being intentional with how we spend our time. Choosing experiences over things. And doing the hard things daily to prioritize what matters most: our health, our relationships, and how we show up for our community.
We've been successful at living our dream, personally and professionally, by building systems and rituals that supports the life we want to live. Not saving all the fun for "someday oneday," but folding enjoyment and adventure into today while we build for a tomorrow we're stoked on.
Ritual OS is the practical expression of Operation LTD.
Our Values
Before our daughter was born, we decided to create a list of our family values: things we aspire to live by and instill in her. Here's a sampling!
Find flow. Immerse yourself.
Be here. Be present. Be willing to lose yourself in what you love.
Discomfort Is the Currency of Our Dreams
Growth requires change, and change is hard. Embrace it as part of the process.
Happiness is a choice. Practice positivity.
You are responsible for your reality, so choose to live everyday in joy and gratitude.
Time is the most valuable resource. Spend it wisely.
Be intentional about how you spend your time and with whom. Aim for high ROI.
Your body and mind are capable of hard things. Love and respect both.
Honor the incredible gifts you've been given: challenge, nourish, & cherish yourself.
A Glimpse Into Our World
Ritual OS comes from our real life. These are some of the moments that shape our days and the systems we practice.
