Celia Cavali is a leading expert in anti-aging, integrative nutrition, and wellness coaching, committed to empowering women to transform their health and well-being. With an early career in beauty and aesthetics, Celia studied at the prestigious Aveda Institute of Minneapolis, where she developed a passion for holistic health. She later transitioned into personal training, gaining certifications in integrative nutrition and fitness nutrition through NASM. Celia’s focus shifted to nutrition as the key to helping her clients achieve lasting results.
In 2018, Celia’s life took a dramatic turn when she became chronically ill with multiple severe autoimmune conditions, leaving her bedridden. After years of research and self-experimentation, she discovered a ketogenic, low-carb lifestyle that completely healed her. Today, Celia is symptom-free and uses her journey to inspire and guide others facing similar struggles.
Celia offers her Glow ebook, a comprehensive guide to her philosophy on nutrition, beauty, and anti-aging. She is also developing virtual courses and a membership program to provide more in-depth guidance. With a focus on longevity, vitality, and overall wellness, Celia’s mission is to help women unlock their full potential and live their healthiest, most vibrant lives.
Celia, I want to begin by giving our audience a bit of background about you. Can you share more about your journey, including your education and the personal experiences that have shaped your work today?
My journey has always been rooted in a deep passion for health, beauty, and wellness. I started out in the beauty industry by attending the Aveda Institute of Minneapolis when I was just 17. Aveda has a strong focus on holistic health, and I became fascinated with how a holistic lifestyle can influence everything—from beauty and skincare to the foods we eat and the products we use. While I initially pursued a career in hair and makeup, I soon realized that wasn’t where my passion truly lay. I was more drawn to helping people achieve long-term health and vitality.
This led me to personal training, where I began working with clients—especially busy women like lawyers and doctors—who wanted to feel their best but struggled to achieve lasting results. I realized that while they could work out with me several times a week, without addressing their nutrition, they weren’t seeing the transformations they wanted. That’s when I decided to get certified in integrative nutrition and fitness nutrition through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), which enabled me to provide my clients with a more holistic approach to health. Nutrition became the missing puzzle piece that transformed their results. I started seeing incredible transformations that went beyond aesthetics—they were achieving lasting health, energy, and confidence.
At what point did your personal health crisis begin, and how did it change the trajectory of your life and career?
Everything changed for me in 2018. I was living in Los Angeles and had adopted a vegan lifestyle, something that felt trendy and in line with the LA wellness scene. After two years of veganism, I began to experience severe health issues. It started with autoimmune symptoms—tremors, memory loss, and chronic vertigo, which made it feel like the room was constantly spinning. I lost the ability to walk and function normally, which was a huge shock because I had always been so active. I went from being a vibrant personal trainer to someone who was bedridden.
The doctors and specialists I saw couldn’t figure out what was wrong, and it was an incredibly dark and frustrating time. I remember thinking, “This can’t be my life.” That determination pushed me to dive deep into research. For over five years, I dedicated myself to learning everything I could about the body, nutrition, and autoimmune diseases. I read every book, listened to every podcast, studied research papers, and began experimenting on myself. Through this, I discovered the profound impact that nutrition and lifestyle have on healing. Eventually, I found a low-carb, ketogenic lifestyle that completely reversed my autoimmune conditions. I have no symptoms today, and my blood work is completely negative for autoimmune markers. It’s been nothing short of miraculous.
That’s such an incredible story of recovery! What advice would you give your younger self, before this transformation began?
I wish I had known about the power of nutrition much earlier in my life. As a teenager, I struggled with severe acne and oily skin, and I spent a lot of time, money, and emotional energy trying to fix it with external products. Now, I understand that so much of our skin health is influenced by our diet, particularly the amount of sugar and carbohydrates we consume. If I had known then what I know now, I believe I could have avoided years of frustration and skin issues. I also would have been more mindful of the foods I was eating and how they affected my hormones and overall health.
What message do you have for women who are currently struggling with autoimmune conditions or other health issues?
I hear from women every day who are going through what I went through—vertigo, chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders—and it breaks my heart. Our modern food system is so broken, and it’s no surprise that so many women are experiencing these health problems. What I want women to know is that they have more power over their health than they realize. Once they dive into the work I share, especially on my Instagram and other platforms, they begin to understand how transformative proper nutrition and lifestyle changes can be. Seeing them make those changes and experience real healing is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. I want them to know they are not alone and that healing is possible.
You’ve mentioned your approach to a low-carb and ketogenic lifestyle. Can you elaborate on how that plays a role in your work with clients?
Absolutely. I discovered the ketogenic lifestyle during my own health crisis, and it was a game-changer for me. A ketogenic diet focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing healthy fats, which helps the body enter a state of ketosis. This is where your body burns fat for fuel instead of glucose. Ketosis is not only highly effective for weight loss but also has incredible benefits for brain health, energy levels, and overall well-being. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this approach is for reversing autoimmune diseases, and I incorporate it into my work with clients. By focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and reducing sugars and grains, my clients experience life-changing results—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.
What are your current offerings for women looking to embark on their own health journeys?
Right now, I’m focusing on my Glow ebook, which is a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn about my approach to nutrition, beauty, and overall wellness. It’s filled with actionable steps and insights into the power of a low-carb, anti-aging lifestyle. I’m also working on developing a membership program and virtual courses, where women can go deeper into their health journey with guided support. In the near future, I’ll be opening up one-on-one coaching sessions again, but for now, I’m putting a lot of free content out on Instagram and YouTube to help as many people as possible.
You’re expecting your first child soon—congratulations! How has pregnancy influenced your approach to health and wellness?
Thank you! Pregnancy has been an incredible experience, and it’s given me even more motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s really reinforced the importance of managing stress and living with intention. I’m more mindful than ever about the foods I eat, getting enough sleep, and taking time for self-care. I’ve embraced a softer approach to life—more walks, more time in nature, and really tuning into what brings peace and joy. It’s been a beautiful experience preparing for motherhood, and I can’t wait to share all these lessons with my daughter.
As someone so focused on longevity and anti-aging, what non-negotiables do you have when it comes to your health routine?
My three pillars of health are avoiding artificial sugars, eliminating seed oils, and staying away from grains. These are key to maintaining my health and keeping my body in a state of ketosis, which I believe is the ultimate anti-aging protocol. I also have a very structured morning routine. I wake up early, around 4 or 5 AM, and start my day with a thorough skincare routine, journaling, and a workout. Skincare is a big priority for me, so I’m very intentional about my routine, which includes medical-grade products and Korean skincare. Staying grounded through journaling and staying active with exercise helps me maintain a clear mind and healthy body.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and manifestations for the future?
I’m passionate about continuing to grow in this space and helping more women transform their health. My goal is to help at least a thousand women feel their best by teaching them how to thrive through proper nutrition, beauty, and lifestyle changes. Long-term, I envision hosting in-person seminars and events, creating a strong community of women who support and uplift one another. I also plan to write a book that dives deep into my journey and offers guidance to those looking to improve their health and well-being. The future is really about expanding my reach and impact to help as many people as possible.
