How Melvin Morales found his ikigai as a product designer at Mindbody

Melvin Morales is a big believer in finding your “ikigai,” a Japanese concept that means “reason for being.”

“As a product designer at Mindbody, my career harmoniously aligns with my ikigai, manifesting a balance of passion, skills, societal needs, and vocational satisfaction,” he shares.

For Melvin, the process of uncovering his ikigai dates back to his earliest childhood memories and was further shaped throughout his studies and first career steps. We asked him to share more about how he found his full ikigai at Mindbody — and how others can uncover theirs, too.

A mother’s influence

Melvin’s childhood laid the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of health and happiness.

“The struggles we faced as a family, primarily my mother's kidney disease, underscored the crucial importance of health from a very early age,” he shares.

As his mother moved from Puerto Rico to New England to find the best medical care, Melvin found her courage and determination deeply inspiring.

“Her steadfast pursuit of a healthier and happier life, even amid adversity, fueled my proactive attitude toward personal health and wellbeing,” he says. “Seeing her navigate these challenges with grace and resilience ingrained in me a similar spirit.”

This led to a deep sense of purpose as Melvin got older.

“The experiences I had, and the lessons I learned from my mother's journey, laid the foundation for the way I approach life today, with an emphasis on health, exploration, learning, and a desire to contribute positively to the world around me,” he says.

Aligning passion & potential in his career

When Melvin started college, he sought to match his career field to his purpose.

“As I embarked on my studies at Wentworth Institute of Technology majoring in industrial and product design, I discovered a deep-seated passion for the field. I got to bring my ideas to life and create tangible objects. This journey was about more than choosing a major; it was about aligning my passion and potential, thereby paving the way to a fulfilling future,” he shares.

Over time, Melvin started to notice the sustainability and waste generation issues within industrial design. Staying true to his commitment to protect the earth, he decided to shift his focus toward digital design.

“Deepening my understanding of user experience (UX), I was fascinated by how software could be crafted to create intuitive, user-friendly experiences,” he says. “I yearned to be the one who could design these interfaces, curate these experiences, and shape how users interacted with technology.”

Finding ikigai at Mindbody

Melvin found that he enjoyed supporting businesses through the design process, but he also hoped to join a workspace where he could marry his various talents to improve people’s lives — including his own.

Discovering Mindbody allowed him to do just that.

“Mindbody, a company that orbits around health, wellness, and fitness, is a living embodiment of my ikigai. It unites my passion, mission, vocation, and profession. I utilize the skills developed over years in marketing, design, and UX to create accessible digital solutions,” he says with a smile.

A large part of Melvin’s ikigai comes from his life outside of work, and Mindbody is his biggest advocate.

“Mindbody supports this crucial aspect of my ikigai by promoting a work-life balance to be creative and solve problems, while leaving room for personal pursuits. As a remote employee, I have the flexibility to manage my time in a way that accommodates my outdoor activities and fitness regime,” he explains.

Through the company’s client studios, Melvin was introduced to hot yoga, which boosts his physical strength and mindfulness. He’s also taken up meditation, daily morning walks, gym sessions, hiking, mountain biking, and exploring national parks.

“Embracing these activities has resulted in noticeable improvements in my physical health, mental focus, and overall life satisfaction, further enriching my life and solidifying the importance of my ikigai in maintaining a balanced, fulfilled life,” Melvin shares.

4 steps to uncover your ikigai

Melvin points out that finding one’s ikigai is a personal journey.

“It’s important to be patient with yourself during the process,” he says. “It might require continual self-reflection and adjustment as you grow and your interests and skills evolve.”

On your journey to uncover your ikigai, Melvin encourages you to follow these steps:

1. Reflect on what you love. “Begin by identifying what genuinely brings you joy and fulfillment. These can be activities, subjects, or values that resonate deeply with you.”
2. Assess your strengths. “Consider what tasks or activities come naturally to you, where you excel, or where others compliment you. These can provide insight into your inherent skills and talents.”
3. Understand your impact. “Reflect on how you can make a positive difference in the world. This can relate to a problem you're passionate about solving or a way you can contribute positively to people's lives.”
4. Seek alignment and balance. “With these insights, look for the convergence among what you love, what you're good at, and what can meet a need in the world. This common ground is likely your ikigai, guiding you toward a fulfilling life path.”

For now, Melvin knows he’s right where he needs to be.

He smiles as he reflects on his journey with Mindbody, saying, “The company's values echo my own love for an active lifestyle and exploration, and its remote work policy enables me to embody these values daily. In essence, my role at Mindbody perfectly encapsulates my ikigai, making every day rewarding and purpose-driven.”