Dr. Carla Pontes
I'm a versatile professional
I'm an integrative health coach with a Ph.D. in health science and a background in research & dentistry.
My mission is to guide individuals to live more vibrant and healthy lives.
My life's journey, including motherhood, divorce, career shifts, and international relocations, has molded me into a compassionate health coach.
History
Born in Brazil, I relocated to Denmark in my 20s. As life unfolded, my journey led me to South Africa in my 30s, where I felt at home. On a personal level, I have mostly been committed to healthy living. I adore animals, particularly dogs, and find joy in home-cooked nutritious meals for my family made to the sound of music.
Nature holds a special place in my heart, and I love immersing myself in its beauty. Staying active is essential, and I engage in yoga, hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. Art therapy is my creative outlet. Spirituality is another vital aspect, with meditation and prayer being central to my life. As an ambivert, I cherish social connections. However, I ultimately recharge at home surrounded by my family.
The foundation of vibrant health is the integration of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a human being.
My family inspiration for healthy living
My parents were my original wellspring of inspiration. Throughout my upbringing, their sensitivity to the artificial colorants in processed foods led them to craft meals from scratch, using natural ingredients—even while my mother managed the responsibilities of a full-time teaching career. Her culinary abilities knew no bounds, transforming every dish into a masterpiece.
​
My mother educated us about the nutritional value of food. Admittedly, I enjoyed junk food during my teenage years, rebelling against my mother's homemade creations. As I transitioned into young adulthood, I rediscovered the path to nourishing my body.
My father was a Latin professor and avid beekeeper. Growing up, I relished raw honey and other bee treasures. His knowledge of the remarkable health benefits of bee products later became a cornerstone of my health journey. I appreciate my parents—providers of love and boundless inspiration—who laid the foundation for wellness.
My grandfather was another inspiration source, a living example of healthy aging. He ate primarily organic, never smoked, and drank rarely on social occasions. As a farmer, his life was filled with physically active days spent in nature. He also loved dancing and laughter, always sharing a good joke. Remarkably, he departed this world peacefully at 101, without chronic illness.
The true fountain of youth is a happy heart, healthy mitochondria, a balanced microbiome, strong muscles, and a sense of gratitude, purpose, community, and belonging.
My passion, mission & vision
The ups and downs in my personal journey made me realize that true well-being can only be attained and sustained when we nurture our lives emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual aspects. When those are balanced, we not just survive but thrive.
My passion for a healthy lifestyle and its impact on longevity led me to become a certified health coach, allowing me to officially enter the space of well-being promotion.
I firmly believe everyone is one choice away from a happier and healthier life.
To guide us along this path, I advocate for an integrated roadmap that embraces seven essential lifestyle pillars: nutrition, movement, emotional and mental health, connection, spirit, sleep and relaxation, and purpose. These elements form the foundation of a vibrant human existence.
When we feel loved, seen, validated, and express our authentic selves, we care better for our bodies, carry less stress, and create beneficial habits. With emotional regulation and a healthy lifestyle comes better immune response, gut health, hormonal health, metabolism, and circulation.
My vision is to explore the multidimensional nature of health through the lens of science, spirituality, and psychology and to share information that inspires transformation.
As individuals, we have the power to create a society with fewer chronic illnesses to rediscover the joy and vitality of aging through a healthy lifestyle.
