Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce.
Hi Joyce, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After graduating with a finance degree, I began my career as a junior trader at a German investment bank. Although finance was a practical choice, I was drawn to creativity. An art history class in college changed my perspective, and I eventually left finance to work in New York’s art world before transitioning into content marketing and becoming a staff writer at a travel publication.
From the outside, life looked exciting, but behind the scenes I was struggling with depression. At my lowest point, I booked a spontaneous trip to West Texas. The quiet landscape around Marfa gave me the space to reflect, and over time I realized I needed to leave New York and rebuild my life.
With the support of my family and a wonderful therapist, I began to heal. I found joy in cooking, practicing yoga, spending time outdoors, and preparing plant-forward meals for my mother, who has type 2 diabetes. Those experiences helped me see that food and lifestyle could be powerful tools for healing.
Today, my work is centered on helping people build healthier lives through evidence-based nutrition, behavior change, and culturally inclusive wellness. Every chapter of my journey has shaped the way I care for others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. Every career transition required me to let go of an identity I thought I was supposed to have. I went from finance to the art world, then content marketing, and eventually health and nutrition. Each step came with uncertainty and plenty of second-guessing.
The biggest challenge, though, was my mental health. While living in New York, I experienced severe depression that forced me to reevaluate my life and what success truly meant. Recovery took therapy, the support of my family, and the courage to start over.
Moving to Texas meant becoming a beginner again. I earned new certifications, worked as a health coach and community health worker, and eventually enrolled in graduate school for clinical nutrition. Looking back, those struggles weren’t detours—they gave me the empathy and purpose that guide my approach.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Kala Health & Wellness was born from my own journey of healing. After navigating depression and eventually discovering the power of nutrition, movement, and behavior change, I realized that true wellness isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about building sustainable habits that honor who you are.
Today, I help adults, with a special focus on women 30+, improve their health through evidence-based nutrition education, health coaching, and lifestyle behavior change. My approach is rooted in science, but it’s also deeply personal and culturally conscious. I don’t believe people should have to give up the foods, traditions, or identities they love to become healthier. Instead, I help them find realistic, lasting ways to nourish themselves within the context of their own lives.
What sets Kala Health & Wellness apart is the combination of my experiences. I worked in community health for about 3 years for Baylor Scott & White Health and Parkland Health. Today, I’m a graduate student in clinical nutrition, a certified holistic health coach, a NASM nutrition coach, a certified yoga teacher, and a community health worker. Together, these experiences allow me to bridge evidence-based nutrition with compassionate, practical coaching.
I’m especially proud that Kala Health & Wellness has become a space where people feel seen rather than judged. Whether I’m leading a workshop, speaking at a community event, or working one-on-one with a client, my goal is the same: to empower people with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their health—without fear, shame, or restriction.
Kala Health and Wellness has a monetized YouTube channel and has appeared thrice on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas. Some of corporate clients include Taylor Farms, Holt Cat, and Loftwall. My company has tabled at wellness events at W Hotel for Jungle Fitness Studios, Kirksey Architecture, and Filipina on the Rise Summit.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is making evidence-based nutrition feel approachable. I want people to know they don’t have to choose between their health and their culture—they can have both.
Pricing:
- Personalized Nutrition Profile (Complimentary) – Complete a brief questionnaire and receive a personalized PDF with your daily calorie, macronutrient, added sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and whole grain recommendations.
- Lifestyle Assessment ($175) – No program commitment required. Includes a comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire, an 80-minute virtual consultation covering nutrition, movement, sleep, and daily habits, plus a personalized health and wellness roadmap with actionable next steps.
- Signature 1:1 Health Coaching ($350/month; 4-month minimum commitment) – Includes two 50-minute virtual coaching sessions each month, a comprehensive nutrition assessment, an 80-minute Pantry Makeover (Glow-Up), ongoing accountability, and personalized strategies to help you reach your health goals.
- Group Health Coaching ($500/month for 2–6 participants) – Includes two 50-minute virtual coaching sessions each month. Topics can include clean eating, plant-forward nutrition, balanced eating, intuitive eating, hydration, movement, stress management, or a customized wellness focus for your group.
- Corporate Wellness Programs (Custom Pricing; 8-participant minimum) – Tailored wellness experiences for organizations, including educational workshops, mini health coaching sessions, body composition snapshots, wellness challenges, and other employee wellness initiatives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kalahealthandwellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalahealthandwellness/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kalahealthandwellness
