About Melanie & Stretch Therapy & Wellness
Melanie Genest-Dardanou is a dedicated healthcare professional, entrepreneur, and competitive athlete with a track record of excellence across diverse industries. As the founder of Stretch Therapy & Wellness, established in 2020, Melanie has been at the forefront of innovative therapeutic approaches that emphasize mobility, recovery, and optimal performance. Her expertise was recognized on the national and international stage when she earned the bronze medal in Freestyle Massage at the 2024 Canadian & International Massage Championship in Laval, Quebec.
A proud ambassador for the upcoming 2025 Canadian & International Massage Championship & Summit, Melanie brings years of expertise to the massage therapy community. Since graduating with honors from Kikkawa MCT School of Massage Therapy in 2022, Melanie has consistently combined advanced certifications—including Fascial Stretch Therapy, cupping, and facial massage—with her passion for enhancing clients’ well-being.
Before becoming a Registered Massage Therapist, Melanie made waves in the fitness industry as an award-winning personal trainer at GoodLife Fitness (2019-2021).
With a brown belt in Taekwondo, Melanie’s background in competitive sports fuels her understanding of biomechanics and recovery. She is the creator of Tae-She, a Taekwondo-inspired fitness program for women, and has competed in the Bikini class of the Ontario Physique Association, showcasing her personal commitment to fitness.
Beyond hands-on expertise, Melanie has shared her insights through multiple guest appearances, including on the 2 RMTs & a Mic Podcast and Stretch to Go Podcast. She is also a published contributor to Inside Fitness Magazine, recognized in their prestigious Hot & Fit 100 list in 2015 and 2017.
With a career foundation in marketing and business, Melanie combines her entrepreneurial acumen with her therapeutic skills, making her a sought-after authority in the wellness industry. Her passion for education, holistic care, and empowering others continues to inspire professionals and clients alike.
Since March 2020, Stretch has grown into a thriving, multi modal therapeutic practice, offering bespoke Massage Therapy treatments for the face and body, FST, cupping and hot stones.
Melanie’s approach aims at addressing the body holistically, whether for general wellness or therapeutically focused treatments. She believe’s in addressing the root cause of mobility and pain, with assessment, indivdualized treatments and therapeutic exercise being the cornerstones of her approach.
Stretch is an RMT owned and operated boutique clinic that offers a soothing hands on experience and impactful therapeutic results. By providing evidence-based therapy that focuses on results, our goal is for Stretch to be the place my community knows they can trust for quality care.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions via email at Melanie@melaniedardanou.com