My Story: The Path That Led Me to Holistic Health
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open”
My Story to Holistic Health Coaching
Stories are a powerful way to connect, and I want to share mine with you. My hope is that by understanding where I come from, you'll see why holistic health became my passion and life’s work.
Discovering Holistic Health
I’ve always been a spiritual person, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that health isn’t black and white—there’s so much gray area. Holistic health recognizes the connection between mind, body, and spirit, addressing not just diet and exercise but also relationships, stress, and life purpose just to name a few. When I discovered the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, everything clicked. I thought this is was exactly how health should be approached and how I wished someone had taught me this.
My Introduction to Health & Fitness
My first introduction of health came after high school when my mom started going to the gym and eating healthier. I saw the positive changes in her and joined the gym too. Before that, I never saw anyone in my family exercise, and we ate a traditional Mexican diet—lots of tortillas, rice, beans, and soda. In my culture, being on the heavier side is often seen as a good thing. While I was never overweight, I struggled with body image, never feeling “skinny enough.”
As I moved out and built my own life, fitness remained my primary focus for health, but I had no understanding of nutrition. I simply ate whatever I wanted. The more I exercised, the more I learned about food. I bought health books, purchased nutrition programs, hired a trainer, took supplements, counted calories, adjusted my macros, and even became a certified CrossFit trainer. I was fully immersed—and obsessed. I transformed my body, got incredibly lean, and yet, I still wasn’t happy with my physique. Looking back, I realize how sad that is. I see old photos and think, “Wow, I looked amazing,” but back then, I never felt satisfied.
My Health Awakening
Then life hit me hard. In just one year, I lost my mom to an aneurysm, lost my job of eight years, ended a relationship, and had to move out of my condo because I couldn’t afford the mortgage. It was an avalanche of trauma and stress. I decided I needed an escape, so I went to Puerto Rico for a month, indulging in food, drinks, and reckless spending.
When I returned, I tried to get back on track with workouts and calorie counting, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t do it. My cravings were uncontrollable, and I kept gaining weight. Eventually, I developed bulimia—an eating disorder that, in hindsight, I now understand was triggered by unresolved grief, unmanaged stress, and a lack of tools to prioritize mental health and self-care. Food became my comfort, and purging became my desperate attempt to regain control. It was how I coped with everything I was going through, without realizing that my body and mind were manifesting the trauma and stress I hadn’t allowed myself to process. Instead of facing my pain, I ran from it—keeping busy, distracting myself, and never taking a moment to be still, to reflect, or to see myself beyond my struggles. Now, I understand that I needed to go through that painful experience—my lowest point—to develop deep empathy for others struggling with food. I learned that obsessing over every calorie is not health, and that true well-being is about so much more than diet and exercise. Thankfully, during this time, I was attending a Christian church. Eventually, I found the courage to open up to my pastor, who connected me with a counselor. It was a long road—an entire year of healing—but little by little, I emerged from that dark place, stronger and with a new understanding of what true health really means.
Finding My Purpose
When I was finally ready to rebuild my life, I knew I wanted to help others, but I didn’t know how. Then one day, I stumbled upon an ad for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. As I read through their website, I got chills. This was it. Within weeks, I moved in with my brother so I could focus entirely on my studies without the burden of rent or a job. A year later, I became a certified holistic health coach. For the past decade, I have worked in corporate wellness, coached people all over the word via a health app, worked as a community health worker at a clinics, facilitated the diabetes prevention program at universities like UCLA, UCI, and UCSB and serve as a Master Trainer with Temple University’s College of Public Health training new lifestyle coaches.
I have learned so much from my incredible clients and participants. I never take this work lightly because I see firsthand the impact holistic health has on every individual. And although my expertise is in prediabetes and chronic disease prevention, holistic health is for everyone.
The Birth of Live Well With Nubia
I created Live Well With Nubia—to bring together everything I’ve learned and witnessed transform lives. My Prevent Diabetes Now program is my signature offering, built from years of experience. I also run The Wellness Collective, an accountability group where we navigate real-life struggles, overcome barriers, stay motivated, and support each other. While these are my core programs, I also offer one-on-one coaching for those needing personalized guidance.
I’m incredibly excited for what’s ahead and grateful for every person committed to living a healthier, more vibrant life—not just for aesthetics, but for longevity and self-love. Whether you choose to work with me, another coach, or take this journey on your own, know that I wholeheartedly believe in your ability to create a healthier, more vibrant life. Your well-being matters, and I hope my story and work can serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration along the way.
With love and gratitude,
Nubia
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