Melissa obtained her BA in Human Movement Science from the University of Potchefstroom in 2009. She went on to complete a BSc Honours in Biokinetics at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2011, followed by her internship in 2012 at Danie Linde Biokinetics in Johannesburg. She then opened her own practice at Hoërskool Kempton Park, where she focused on injury prevention programmes, sport-specific conditioning and injury rehabilitation for a variety of sports.

In 2017, Melissa shifted her focus more towards the clinical side of biokinetics and joined Stuart McDade Biokineticists, working across several practices in Johannesburg. Since then, she has grown significantly in her field and has worked with numerous high-profile sportsmen and women across a range of sporting codes.

Melissa is also a keen golfer and a member at Centurion Golf Club. In 2019, she combined her passion for golf and biokinetics by becoming an accredited medical practitioner for the South African Professional Golf Association. In this role, she provides specialised biomechanical and rehabilitative advice on golf-specific injuries and performance enhancement.

Beyond her work in golf, Melissa has pursued her own interest in endurance sports following the COVID-19 pandemic. She has since completed multiple full and half Ironman events around the country, as well as the Comrades Marathon.