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Melissa Wood-Tepperberg Takes Fans Behind the Scenes of Her 2023 SI Swimsuit Rookie Photo Shoot

The mom of two gushed about how looking at the photos months later still gives her butterflies.

Ananya Panchal

Melissa Wood-Tepperberg

Melissa Wood-Tepperberg.

Melissa Wood-Tepperberg is getting sappy about her SI Swimsuit debut. The 2023 rookie dropped a gorgeous series of behind-the-scenes photos and video clips from her photo shoot in Dominica with photographer Yu Tsai alongside a sweet message.

“These bts shots of my first look with @si_swimsuit 📸 @yutsai88 still give me butterflies in my stomach,” Wood-Tepperberg captioned the post she shared Tuesday with her 1 million Instagram followers. “Shooting for SI at the age of 40 has taught me so much about trusting in the process and to never lose trust in myself. It’s amazing where life takes you when you let go of the force and learn to live in the flow of it all.”

The MWH founder recently launched a weeklong workout program on her website detailing the exercise plan she followed to prepare for her SI Swimsuit photo shoot.

“Inspired by my shoot for sports illustrated, I created a 7 day Amped up challenge on @melissawoodhealth that I did right before leaving for Dominica to feel mentally and physically ready to take on my dream shoot,” the mom of two wrote on IG. “For anyone looking to take their practice to the next level - this baby is it 🔥💪🏼.”

“THE BEST FEELING IN ZEEE WORLD 🌍,” soon-to-be five-time SI Swimsuit model Brooks Nader commented.

“LOVE LOVE LOVE gorgeous!! Hot to trott xx,” wrote makeup artist Jodie Boland.

“Lean Mean Sexy Goddess machine!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥,” gushed Ronny Kobo. “MEYONCE here she comes ❤️.”

“I’m going to have to try this amped up challenge,” added Swim Search finalist Sharina Gutierrez.

Meet Melissa Wood-Tepperberg—read the 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie’s full feature profile here.

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Ananya Panchal

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a NYC-based Lifestyle & Trending News writer at SI Swimsuit. Before joining the Swim team, the Boston University Alum worked for culture & entertainment beats at Bustle, The San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When Ananya is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, she can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. 

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