Marisa Meltzer Marisa Meltzer is a journalist and author based in New York. She was born in Northern California and is the author of books “How Sassy Changed My Life” and “Girl Power.” Her latest book, "This Is Big," is part biography of Jean Nidetch, who founded Weight Watchers, and part memoir about trying to reckon with a lifetime of dieting. She frequently writes first-person pieces about her fitness, beauty, and wellness experiences including the "Me Time" column for The New York Times' Style section. Her work has also appeared in numerous other publications including The New Yorker, The Guardian, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. About Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is a top travel media brand with a mission to inform and inspire passionate travelers. Our expert team includes a network of hundreds of writers and photographers across the globe, all providing a local eye on the best places to stay, eat, and explore. We reach an audience that takes 76 million round trips annually, offering valuable travel tips, ideas and inspiration, and products you need to get you to your destination — whether it’s a small town or big city, beach or lake, national park or theme park, road trip, cruise, or long-haul flight, and everything in between. Learn more about us and our editorial process