Katya Alvarez
Katya Alvarez Taylor is a National Board–Certified Health and Wellness Coach, organizational psychologist, and founder of Katya Alvarez Health Coaching, based in Chula Vista, California. She also works with Karuna Labs, where she supports individuals experiencing chronic pain by helping them understand neuroplasticity and develop tools to reduce pain and improve their quality of life. Through her coaching practice, Katya specializes in stress and pain management, guiding women—particularly those over 40—through life transitions with practical strategies that support physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
Originally from Mexico, Katya began her professional journey studying organizational psychology and working in the corporate world while also competing as a four-time national ice skating champion. Her path into wellness became deeply personal when her middle son faced significant health challenges, including heart surgery and multiple back surgeries. Later, after years of high-level athletic training, Katya herself was diagnosed with severe hip deterioration and was told she would need bilateral hip replacements. Determined to find another way forward, she immersed herself in meditation, functional nutrition, and alternative therapies such as PRP and SCENAR therapy. Within a year, her recovery was so remarkable that it inspired her to pursue formal training and dedicate her career to helping others reclaim their health and resilience.
Today, Katya works with individuals facing chronic pain as well as women navigating midlife transitions, including hormonal changes, caregiving responsibilities, and redefining their sense of purpose. As a mother of three adult sons and someone currently supporting her own mother through serious health challenges, she brings deep empathy and lived experience to her work. Katya creates safe, supportive spaces where clients can pause, process emotions, and rebuild confidence and strength. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is passionate about serving diverse communities and helping people move from feeling overwhelmed and stuck toward renewed possibility, vitality, and self-trust.
• National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach
• Organizational Psychologist
• Functional Nutrition Certification
• Scanner Therapist (Electrotherapy)
• Organizational Psychology degree from university in Mexico
• Functional Nutrition Certification
• National Board Certification in Health and Wellness Coaching (2023)
• Four-time National Ice Skating Champion
• Alliance of Health Coaches
• National Board Certification Organization
• Primal Health Coach Institute (Alumni)
• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Smile Train (Cleft Palate Surgery Organization)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to the example I see in my mom - she's a fighter who doesn't give up, even as she battles lung cancer and COPD. I also credit the incredible support system I have around me with my husband, my kids, and my friends. Having that network makes all the difference. Another huge factor is the possibility of having a safe space, especially now that we're in between wars and everything happening in the world. Being able to have that safe space to work through whatever emotions are coming up has been essential. I also carry with me something my dad told me when I was a competitive ice skater and would fall so many times. He said, 'You know what, it doesn't matter how many times you fall - what matters is how many times you get up after you've fallen.' That wisdom has stayed with me through every challenge, from my son's surgeries to my own health crisis to building my practice. It's about resilience and getting back up, always.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my father. He always told me that it doesn’t matter how many times you fall—what truly matters is how many times you get back up. That perspective has stayed with me throughout my life and career. It has helped me see challenges not as failures, but as opportunities to learn, grow, and continue moving forward with resilience.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to learn to give themselves some space. If they feel that they're carrying a lot, they need to understand that looking after themselves doesn't mean they're selfish. It means that they're only getting stronger to be able to help their families. So many women, especially in the helping professions, pour everything into others and forget about themselves. But you can't serve from an empty cup. Taking time for yourself, creating that pause, releasing your emotions - that's not selfish, that's essential. When you take care of yourself first, you become stronger and more capable of supporting everyone else who depends on you. That's the foundation of everything I teach, and it's what I wish more young women understood from the start.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in my field is the ability to reach Spanish-speaking communities that often have limited access to bilingual health and wellness coaches. Being able to serve both English- and Spanish-speaking clients allows me to bridge that gap and expand access to support. At the same time, many women today are navigating complex midlife transitions while balancing caregiving responsibilities, chronic stress, and disrupted sleep. Helping them manage these challenges while also introducing approaches like neuroplasticity for chronic pain presents both a meaningful opportunity and an ongoing responsibility.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide my life and work are resilience, service, and connection. I believe strongly in creating safe spaces where people feel supported, heard, and empowered to grow. Family and community are also incredibly important to me, and I strive to bring that same sense of care and connection into the work I do with my clients every day.