At first glance, Melissa Perlman may appear to be your typical South Florida professional—sharp, polished, and always on the move. But spend just a few minutes with her, and you quickly realize that “on the move” takes on a whole new meaning.
A respected public relations executive and founder of BlueIvy Communications, Melissa is also one of the top masters marathoners in the country. Just days before our sit-down, she had returned from the 2025 Boston Marathon, where she competed in the prestigious women’s professional division and finished 57th overall and 10th among all female runners over 40.
While most runners navigate a crowded field, Melissa tackled Boston’s famed course with a bib that bore her name and the open road ahead—one of only 60 elite women granted that opportunity.
“It was surreal,” she shared. “No crowds, just focus and flow. It’s a completely different race at that level.”
But the discipline and drive it takes to reach those finish lines are the same qualities fueling her success in business. Through BlueIvy Communications, Melissa has helped brands, businesses, and nonprofits across Palm Beach County amplify their voices and build lasting impact. The firm, which she launched in 2011 after a corporate career at Office Depot, blends journalistic storytelling with strategic PR, rooted in Melissa’s background in expository writing and media.
“I’ve always loved helping people share their stories,” she said. “That’s really at the heart of PR—and running, in a way. Both require showing up every day, doing the hard work, and trusting the process.”
Melissa’s approach to training is equal parts strategic and sustainable: 70–80 miles per week, strength sessions at Delray’s Slash Fitness, and a commitment to recovery, nutrition, and, above all else, sleep. She credits much of her continued improvement (yes, in her 40s!) to logging nine to ten hours of sleep a night, taking the right vitamins and listening to her body.
Her story is as much about self-awareness as it is about stamina. From her early days as a Spanish River High School track star to running casually for a decade and eventually returning to competition, Melissa has learned that pace matters—in sport, in career, and in life.
“I always tell people: start small, stay consistent, and give yourself grace,” she says. “Whether you’re building a business or starting to jog at 43, it’s all about showing up.”
Melissa has raced across the globe—from Berlin to Budapest, Israel to Argentina—often turning elite-level competitions into opportunities for cultural adventure. But she remains deeply grounded in her South Florida roots, leading a successful business with an all-local team and mentoring others along the way.
And when asked for that one piece of life advice—the kind you hold onto when the hills get tough and the legs start to burn—Melissa doesn’t hesitate:
“This moment is temporary. Whether you’re at mile 20 or in the middle of a tough season in life, you will get through it. You’ll look back and realize it was just a blip. And you’ll be stronger for it.”
Listen to Paige’s full interview with Melissa on Episode 80 of The Paige Kornblue Podcast | Links to this story and more of PK’s Community, Sports, Travel, and Lifestyle Stories can be found at PaigeKornblue.com and on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube
