Broadway Dreams to Wellness Reality

In the heart of Arizona, Mariella DeAngelis has built a thriving career that blends her natural gift for communication with her passion for health and wellness. At just 28 years old, this Health Coach Institute (HCI) graduate has created a professional life that honors her values while helping others transform their health journeys.

Mariella's path to becoming a health coach wasn’t always clear. After earning a BA in theater performance, she quickly realized the performing arts industry wasn’t her destiny.

"I went to college for musical theater and earned my degree in theater performance, but the moment I had that diploma in my hands, I knew—it wasn’t for me," Mariella says with a laugh. "I went to two auditions, and immediately, I could feel it in my gut. The energy in those rooms wasn’t something I wanted to be part of. This is not where I belong.'"

What emerged instead was a natural affinity for health and wellness—nurtured by her upbringing in an organic, health-focused household and her own experience navigating gut health issues during college.

"I was always the go-to person for health advice," she explains. "Anytime someone brought up wellness, I lit up. It was so obvious to everyone around me—this was what I was meant to do."

The HCI Experience

After graduating college in December 2019, Mariella decided to explore health coaching as a career path. Her research process was refreshingly brief—she enrolled in HCI’s Become a Health and Life Coach program the same day she discovered it.

"I told myself I was going to do extensive research and make an informed decision," she recalls, "but the reality? I found HCI and signed up the same day. It just felt right."

What attracted her to HCI specifically was the program’s comprehensive approach, particularly its emphasis on life coaching skills alongside health expertise. This combination proved transformative for Mariella, who already had substantial health knowledge but needed the coaching framework to effectively help others.

"The life coaching aspect was game-changing," she says. "I already knew a ton about health, but learning how to actually coach, how to integrate the mindset and behavioral aspects—that’s what truly set me apart."

Building on Success with Pathway

After launching her coaching business in July 2020, Mariella’s passion for learning led her to enroll in HCI’s Pathway program, which prepares students for national board certification.

"I’m a lifelong learner, and I wanted to challenge myself," she says. "I was ready for that next level. Pathway was exactly what I needed—it was in-depth, structured, and incredibly valuable."

The program prepared her thoroughly for the national board exam, which she passed on her first attempt in December 2021, earning her NBHWC certification.

"Pathway didn’t just prepare me—it made sure I mastered the material," Mariella emphasizes. "I walked into that exam completely confident. Everything was covered so thoroughly and in the perfect way. I still remember all these technical terms and buzzwords that employers love to hear. That’s how well-prepared I was."

Crafting a Career That Fits

Perhaps most impressive about Mariella’s journey is her self-awareness. Unlike many coaches who aspire to build solo practices, she recognized early that traditional entrepreneurship wasn’t her ideal path.

"I’m an excellent coach. I’m not a marketer, and I have no desire to be one," she says candidly. "I’ve built a successful business, but I also know where I thrive—and that’s not in constantly selling myself."

This insight led her to create a unique career blend that plays to her strengths. Today, she works with Spring Health as a coach using her NBHWC certification, provides nutrition consulting for Clean Juice, and maintains her own practice, MDA Nutrition and Wellness, which focuses on burnout, stress coaching, nervous system regulation, and mental health nutrition.

"Trying to be a one-woman show is exhausting and unfulfilling," she explains. "What I love about my current setup is the balance. I get to focus on my nutrition business while collecting my CNS hours, and I don’t have to juggle a massive client load to make it work."

The Knowledge That Sets Her Apart

Mariella credits HCI’s practical coaching framework for giving her the foundation to build her expertise.

"When I first started, HCI gave us a 12-session program to use with practice clients. That structure was everything," she says. "If I didn’t have that foundation, I wouldn’t have known where to start. It gave me the confidence to grow into the coach I am today."

This foundation has allowed her to specialize in burnout and stress management, creating what she confidently describes as "the most comprehensive burnout recovery program out there."

"Burnout isn’t just about getting more sleep or taking a weekend off. Fixing your adrenals won’t fix burnout because it’s a top-down issue. My program addresses everything—physiological, psychological, and lifestyle factors—because that’s what actually works."

Looking Forward

Since completing her HCI courses, Mariella has continued her education, recently earning a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from Sonoran University of Health Sciences. Now she’s completing her CNS hours to become a Certified Nutrition Specialist.

Her future goals include remote coaching that allows for international travel—particularly to Italy, where her family lives—and potentially establishing a brick-and-mortar office if she returns to New York. She also dreams of becoming the leading expert in nutrition for anxiety and using public speaking to educate younger generations about preventative health.

"If high school students had real, science-backed education on nutrition and stress management, we could drastically reduce chronic illness in this country," she says with conviction. "The impact would be enormous."

The HCI Difference

When reflecting on her experience with the Health Coach Institute, Mariella’s enthusiasm is undeniable.

"I wouldn’t have come back for Pathway if HCI wasn’t worth it," she states. "Both programs were incredibly fulfilling. If you want to be a coach, this is the best place to start."

For those considering a similar path, Mariella’s journey demonstrates how HCI’s programs provide the foundational skills and specialized knowledge needed to create a fulfilling career in health and wellness coaching—whether that means traditional entrepreneurship or, as in Mariella’s case, a custom-crafted blend of roles that honors personal strengths and values.

As Mariella puts it, "I am my priority—always. Especially as someone who specializes in burnout, if my job is burning me out, I’m doing something wrong. That’s non-negotiable."

In finding her unique path through health coaching, Mariella embodies the very principles she teaches—and her story offers inspiration for others looking to do the same.