About Manana
My journey into functional medicine began with my own health transformation in 2020.
For many years, I experienced persistent digestive challenges, including bloating, digestive discomfort, and irregular digestion. Despite multiple medical consultations, the solutions offered were temporary and did not address the root cause.
A defining moment came after eating what I believed to be a healthy meal. Shortly afterward, I experienced severe bloating that forced me to step away from my workday.
Sitting at my desk later, searching for answers, I asked myself a pivotal question:
“If this food is considered healthy, why is my body reacting this way?”
That question became the starting point of a deeper exploration into gut health and nutrition.
Through extensive research, I discovered the work of Dr. Steven Gundry, a renowned heart surgeon who has performed over 10,000 heart surgeries.
His research on the gut microbiome introduced me to a new way of understanding the relationship between food and health.
I gave myself just three days to apply a targeted nutritional approach — and within that time, I noticed significant improvements in my digestion.
Motivated by these results, I immersed myself in learning — studying his books in depth and exploring every detail of nutrition.
This experience transformed how I felt in my body. For the first time, I experienced consistent energy, mental clarity, and a level of wellbeing I hadn’t realized was possible.
Looking back, I realized I had been functioning at only a fraction of my full potential — often feeling tired and depleted.
That transformation became a turning point.
Real-Life Impact
As I continued learning, I began applying these principles within my own family.
Without initially realizing it, I was guiding my mother through simple nutritional and lifestyle changes.
Once introduced to healthier alternatives she genuinely enjoyed, she gradually shifted her habits — leading to significant improvements in her health.
She previously required insulin injections four times per day.
Today, she no longer uses insulin and has reversed her type 2 diabetes at the age of 74.
This experience reinforced my belief that it is never too late to improve health through informed lifestyle change.
Measurable Results
After more than two and a half years of following a science-based, anti-inflammatory lifestyle, I completed advanced gut health testing.
My microbiome diversity scored 98, with gut lining markers approaching optimal levels.
This was a powerful confirmation that daily lifestyle and nutrition choices create measurable change within the body.
It became a defining moment — reinforcing my commitment to this work and inspiring me to share this approach with others.
From Personal to Professional
Working as a retail executive and creative director in fast-paced environments, I understood the need for health solutions that are not only effective — but also practical and time-efficient.
Driven by creativity and a deep understanding of anti-inflammatory nutrition, I began developing simple, nourishing meals using clean, supportive ingredients — designed to be prepared in just 2–5 minutes.
Encouraged by my family’s appreciation, I started sharing these recipes on platforms such as YouTube and Instagram, where they quickly resonated with a global audience of over 9,000 followers.
I began receiving messages from people around the world describing the meals as simple, enjoyable, and easy to integrate into daily life — often sharing how these recipes made healthy cooking feel achievable and even life-changing.
Education & Expansion
In 2024, while walking past the beautifully designed Hudson Table kitchen in Hoboken, I had a clear vision — to teach both children and adults how to cook and live a healthier lifestyle.
Soon after, I was invited to begin teaching in schools, bringing that vision into reality.
Recognizing the importance of formal training, I enrolled in the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, where I deepened my expertise in:
• Functional medicine
• Behavior change
• Positive psychology
• Functional nutrition
• Mind–body medicine
• Motivational interviewing
Today
Through Optimize With Manana™, I help individuals build sustainable habits through nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset — supporting long-term health, energy, and overall wellbeing.
My Mission
My mission is to help individuals develop practical lifestyle skills that support gut health, mental clarity, and long-term vitality — in a way that feels simple, realistic, and sustainable.
Through lifestyle education, healthy cooking as a life skill, and functional medicine principles, I guide individuals in making small, consistent daily choices that lead to meaningful and lasting health improvements.
When gut health is supported, mental clarity improves — and with clarity comes better decisions, creativity, and performance in life.
Beyond My Work
Beyond my work in health and education, I am also a jazz singer — a form of creative expression that allows me to connect with others through emotion and music.