Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Castillo.
Hi Carmen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Peru as the oldest daughter, and caring for others has been a part of my identity since childhood. One of my earliest memories of this is taking my first cooking class at nine years old — I was the youngest cooking in a room full of older Peruvian women. That class wasn’t just about food; it was about learning how to nourish people, create comfort, and make others feel at home. That feeling stayed with me my entire life.
But growing up, I also struggled quietly with depression and anxiety. I often felt the pressure of being the strong one, the person who held everything together. On the outside I was responsible and capable, but on the inside I carried a lot that I never talked about. Those early struggles shaped the way I look at wellness — not as something surface-level, but as something that helps you reconnect to yourself when life feels heavy.
When the pandemic hit, everything I had been pushing through for years caught up with me. I was dealing with uncertainty, fear, financial pressure, and my own mental health all at once. But it also forced me to pause and ask myself what I truly wanted my life and work to feel like. It pushed me to stop living on autopilot and start building something meaningful.
That’s where One Moment Wellness was born: in the middle of chaos, but also in the middle of clarity.
I wanted to create something that felt genuine, warm, human, and personalized. Not just a traditional spa. But an experience where people feel cared for in the way I naturally care for others — with intention, comfort, and presence.
Through massage therapy, holistic knowledge, and my background in nourishment and creativity, One Moment Wellness became a way to help people feel supported in a way that feels authentic to them. When someone finds me and chooses to work with me, everything we do together is customized. I want to learn who they are, what they need, and how to create a session or plan that makes them feel truly looked after.
My Peruvian roots, my love for cooking, my holistic yet grounded approach, and my passion for creating experiences all blend together in the way I show up for clients. One Moment Wellness represents resilience, creativity, and the belief that even during the hardest seasons, something beautiful can be built.
This company was created in a moment of struggle, but it continues to grow with intention — helping people feel seen, understood, and cared for in a way that is personal and deeply human.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Launching One Moment Wellness during the pandemic came with financial challenges, limited resources, and the uncertainty of building a business for the first time. Those obstacles pushed me to be strategic, creative, and client-focused, and they ultimately shaped a business model that is flexible, personalized, and designed to deliver real value to the people we serve.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I run One Moment Wellness, a personalized wellness experience that blends massage therapy, holistic nourishment, and self care. I specialize in creating sessions that are fully tailored to each person, so they feel genuinely seen, supported, and cared for.
One Moment Wellness celebrates five years this month, and I’m at a pivotal moment in the business. After closing my small suite studio and reflecting on my lifestyle, I’ve redefined what I want to offer. I’m focusing on community and the people who resonate with my work — I’m not trying to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I know the right people will find me.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Many people don’t know that I have a background in theatre and immersive production, and I’m still actively involved. I like to think of wellness a bit in a theatrical way but always authentic and grounded. Theatre has taught me so much about life, human connection, and presence, and showing up this way in my work has been a blessing. My artist’s soul is still very much part of who I am, and the sensitivity I once thought was a weakness has become my superpower, allowing me to truly connect with empathy and care for the people I work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onemomentwellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onemoment_wellness
Image Credits
Karina Kennedy
Christiam Villa
Dmitry Zhitov
