The IIN Community of Well BeIINgs: Karla Salinari, on Embracing Her Latin Culture for Greater Health

Name: Karla Salinari

Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Website: karlasalinari.com

Instagram: @thelatinahealthcoach

Q: What inspired you to enroll at IIN?

A: My own struggles with body image and not understanding how food affects my body. I was a serial yo-yo dieter: I would try any diet on the market, find myself disappointed that I didn’t lose weight, fall off track, and blame myself for failing. I knew there had to be a healthier way to see food and understand how food affected the body in a positive way. I was done feeling ashamed, guilty, and anxious around food.

Q: How are you using your Health Coach Training Program education?

A: I teach the Latin community how to incorporate a whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle without sacrificing cultural flavors. I do this through one-on-one coaching, monthly cooking workshops, and television appearances on Telemundo and NBC. I’m also working on a Latin-Inspired plant-based cookbook, to be published by Skyhorse Publishing.

While working with me, most of my clients have improved their relationships with food, lost weight, and felt more energized and many have even lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a common disease found in the Latin community.

Q: How did your understanding of coaching expand upon taking the program?

A: The coaching calls (called Coaching Circles) helped tremendously. They taught me how to guide the conversation and help my clients in the areas they needed help with the most.

Q: Did IIN help you find a way of eating that works for you? If so, tell us more about that journey.

A: Absolutely! I’m eating fully plant based, and I thank IIN for introducing me to so many of the great doctors and influencers I now follow and have learned so much from. Some of these experts are my peers now, and that’s wonderful! I’m so grateful.

Q: How do you nourish yourself beyond your plate, with primary food?

A: Meditation, forgiving, and letting go. These practices have been transformative for me.

Q: How are you living a life you love? How did the program help you achieve this?

A: I’ve healed my relationship with food and my body and have learned to see food as medicine. I now teach that to others. Thanks to my time at IIN, I’ve built a lucrative business where I help thousands of people in the Latin community and beyond do the same.

Q: Health isn’t a destination; it’s an evolution and a journey. How does this resonate with you?

A: My journey didn’t stop when I graduated from IIN. I continue this journey every single day, learning from my peers and working toward a better version of myself.

Q: If you could tell your pre-IIN self one thing, what would it be?

A: Two things: You can’t change a body you hate, and change starts within.

Q: What’s your morning routine?

A: I wake up at 5am, drink 16 ounces of water, exercise (I aim to exercise three or four times a week), meditate and set my intentions for the day. When I don’t meditate, I feel like something is off. It’s a powerful practice I recommend that everyone incorporate into their day.

Q: What music do you play to get out of a funk?

A: Spanish music! Latin pop, merengue, salsa, reggaeton. I grew up listening to all kinds of music, but Spanish music changes the energy for me, in a good way!

Q: What's your favorite on-the-go snack?

A: Seasonal fruit and nuts. Oven roasted plantain chips and avocado or hummus.

Q: What's one thing you can‘t run your business without?

A: Social media. Thanks to social media, I’ve been able to help thousands of Latinos/Latinas improve their relationships with food, eat more plants, and embrace cultural foods in a healthier way.

Q: We’re calling our IIN graduates and community members Well BeIINgs. How do you embody well-being?

A: By working on the mind-body connection ‒ because one doesn’t work without the other.

You can start living a life you love, right now. Take our free Sample Class to dive in.