Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Salinari.
Karla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a Certified Holistic Health Coach who specializes in the plant-based lifestyle. I work with clients to meet their health goals through a highly individualized approach that yields transformative, long-lasting habits. Through my popular Instagram account @TheLatinaHealthCoach, I inspire others to reconnect with their favorite cultural dishes more healthily.
The enthusiastic response from my followers led to my upcoming cookbook, Abuela’s Plant-Based Kitchen Vegan Recipes Inspired by Latin & Caribbean Dishes (Skyhorse Publishing a Division of Simon & Schuster, April 2023). I earned a certification in Holistic Nutrition from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City. I’m a regular TV guest expert on Telemundo and NBC. Born in California and raised in Miami, I now live in Brooklyn with my husband and daughter.
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?
To be honest, it hasn’t been that difficult for me. I share what has helped me transform my health which is understanding food vs categorizing it as “good” or “bad” and how to cook these foods in a way that will benefit our health. I don’t believe in eliminating our cultural foods to lose weight and “feel healthy”. I believe in embracing our cultural foods and traditions and enjoying healthier versions of them and that’s what people want!
Most people don’t want another fad diet, they want to improve their health while enjoying the flavors they grew up with. They want a lifestyle that is sustainable 5 years down the line and that’s what I teach my clients and my community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I offer different ways my community can work with me.
1. I teach monthly cooking classes where I guide my students on how to recreate their favorite cultural dishes in a healthier way using a plant-based approach. While we cook I also teach them about nutrition. Working in a group setting is great and I love it! it helps build community and they don’t feel like they are making these changes on their own.
2. I offer 1:1 coaching where I design a personalized program based on my client’s specific health goals. Most of my 1:1 clients come to after being diagnosed with a food-related condition. I help guide them through dietary and lifestyle changes while understanding our emotional connection with our cultural dishes. I work mostly with the Latin community and learning how to prepare rice and beans more healthily is always part of the many things I teach.
3. I also offer online programs for those who are interested in a plant-based lifestyle but are not diving fully into it yet. These programs are easy to follow and allow them to go at their own pace until they feel ready to take it to the next level.
I want to be the health coach the community comes to for science-backed nutrition advice and easy Latin dishes. I want my community to feel they have a safe space where they can learn, connect, and implement a healthier way of life.
I’m proud of the loyal community I have built. I’m proud of the cookbook I wrote which is being published by one of the biggest publishing houses in the country. I’m proud of the air time Telemundo and NBC give me each month to continue to educate the community and share my recipes.
I want readers to know I’m just like them, I’ve struggled with my weight most of my life and I’ve struggled with body image, I get it and I am here to remind them that there is light at the end of the tunnel. That’s what sets me apart from others.
The services and support I provide are what I needed when I was going through my health transformation. I built the community I wish I had back then because I know how impactful it is to have someone by your side who understands your culture.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
We have to be open to change and sometimes that means taking risks. When I first started, I was baking healthier cakes and selling them online. While that was great, I knew my community needed more. My community needed to learn more about food so they could make healthier choices for themselves and their family.
Based on that, I started offering 1:1 nutrition coaching. I wanted to give my community what they needed most, food education. Risk-taking can be scary but it’s necessary to grow your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KarlaSalinari.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelatinahealthcoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLatinaHealthCoach
- Other: https://karlasalinari.com/featured-on/
