The Road to Wellness—and Why It Matters

Hi, I’m Maria! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting health advice, struggled to break free from unhealthy cycles, or just wished you had a clear, sustainable path to feeling your best—you’re in the right place.

I’m a Certified Health and Wellness Master Coach (Nutritious Life Studio by Keri Glassman) with additional certifications in NASM CPT, NASM SFC, and NASM WFS. But my journey to wellness didn’t start with a certification. It started with personal battles, self-discovery, and a deep realization: our health is in our hands, but we don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Wellness Isn’t Just My Profession—It’s Personal

I know firsthand how challenging it can be to break free from unhealthy cycles.

For years, I was trapped in a painful cycle of bulimia, constantly battling guilt, shame, and the pressure of what others thought my body should look like. My relationship with food was driven by control, perfectionism, and the need to feel “enough.” No matter how much I tried to fix things externally, the real change didn’t happen until I started healing from the inside out and understanding that:

💡 Your body isn’t the enemy—your thoughts are. The biggest shift came when I stopped punishing myself and started listening to my body with compassion rather than criticism.

💡 Healing takes time, but self-acceptance speeds the process. I had to reframe my mindset: food wasn’t something to fear, and my worth wasn’t defined by my size. When I focused on nourishing rather than depriving, I finally felt at peace.

💡 Ditch the all-or-nothing mindset. True wellness isn’t about being perfect—it’s about balance. Learning to embrace flexibility around food and exercise changed everything for me.

Years later, I was diagnosed with insulin resistance. I remember leaving the endocrinologist’s office with vague guidance and feeling very confused. After months of blood testing, my numbers remained the same. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon Dr. Frank Lipman that I finally felt seen and guided. By adjusting my diet, being more intentional about my nutrition, movement, and daily habits, I didn’t just manage my condition—I reversed it.

What I discovered along the way:

💡 What you put in your body matters. I learned to eat quality, wholesome foods tailored to my body’s needs, balancing blood sugar and fueling myself properly.

💡 Strength training and movement are key. Exercise isn’t just for aesthetics—it’s essential for metabolic health. Once I prioritized strength over cardio obsession, my energy, hormones, and overall well-being transformed.

💡 Consistency beats extremes. No crash diets, no quick fixes. Small, sustainable changes made the biggest difference in the long run.

Just when I thought I had wellness figured out, life threw me the biggest curveball of all.

During my pregnancy, my doctors unknowingly missed a diagnosis of placenta accreta, a rare and life-threatening condition where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. The diagnosis came too late—I hemorrhaged and nearly lost my life during childbirth. The physical and emotional toll was overwhelming, but I leaned on everything I had learned about resilience, movement, and self-care to heal.

This experience reinforced three life-changing truths:

💡 Healing happens one day at a time. There were days I felt weak, days I doubted my ability to recover, and days I just wanted to be “back to normal.” But I learned that progress isn’t about speed—it’s about consistency. Small, daily actions, no matter how imperfect, are what move us forward.

💡 Letting go of perfection is the key to freedom. Before this, I always felt the pressure to do more, to push harder, to get things “just right.” But surviving something so extreme freed me from the illusion of perfection. I realized that true health isn’t about hitting an ideal—it’s about feeling good, showing up, and honoring where you are in the moment.

💡 Wellness is about grace, not just discipline. I had spent years believing that discipline was the key to a healthy life. But recovery showed me that grace is just as powerful. Rest is just as important as movement. Nourishment is just as important as effort. And sometimes, giving yourself permission to slow down is the healthiest thing you can do.

Not too long after, I took my passion a step further and opened my own boutique fitness studio, where I got to coach women every day. What they gifted me were some of my biggest takeaways:

💡 Community is everything. There’s something powerful about sweating, struggling, and succeeding together. Accountability and support make wellness sustainable.

💡 It’s not just about working out—it’s about feeling empowered. I saw women gain confidence, strength, and a sense of self-worth beyond aesthetics. Fitness should build you up, not break you down.

💡 No single approach works for everyone. I worked with women of all backgrounds, and one thing became clear—personalized wellness is the key to lasting results.

Through every challenge I’ve faced, one thing has remained true: wellness isn’t about restriction, extremes, or quick fixes. It’s about building a sustainable lifestyle that makes you feel strong, confident, and alive—and evolves with you. And I’m here to help you transform your life.

At Vango Wellness, my mission is simple:
👉 To EMPOWER women and families to be HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, and more VIBRANT in their daily lives.
👉 To help you cut through the clutter, so you can regain control of your health with ease.

Let’s Take This Journey Together

I’d love to be part of your wellness journey! Here’s how we can stay connected:
✔️ Follow me on Instagram for wellness tips and inspiration.
✔️ Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive insights, resources, and motivation.
✔️ Book a free consultation to start taking action toward your wellness goals.

Your health is in your hands—but you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s build a life where you feel your absolute best—mind, body, and soul. 💛