Ana Tavela is a sport enthusiast currently training for a triathlon. She balances this with raising two children and working in her own Health consultancy. Based near Chicago, USA, she has lived in Portugal, England, and Brazil, where she was born and raised.
Ana earned a degree in Pharmacy and Biochemistry from the prestigious University of São Paulo. She spent 10 years working in Clinical Research for Pharmaceutical Companies. During her time in Portugal, she took a career break to dedicate herself to her first child and adapt to life in a new country. It was during this period that she started running with her baby in a stroller, sparking a lifelong passion for fitness.
Since moving to the USA in 2018, Ana has shifted her career focus towards longevity and prevention. She established her own health consultancy business, serving clients worldwide. Using functional blood work analysis, she understands and suggests lifestyle interventions for a healthier life. She prioritizes prevention, intervening before a medical diagnosis is necessary, which is crucial for those seeking optimal health and longevity.
Her main areas of study include longevity, perimenopause, menopause, supplements, functional blood exams, and epigenetics. She shares her studies and triathlon training routine in the Instagram profile @AnaTavela.
Ana, tell us a little about who you are 🙂
I’m 41 year old, mom of two kids, triathlon enthusiast, love to travel, read and study.
What is your job like?
With a background in Pharmacy and Biochemistry, I decided to start my own business after maternity leave and several country relocations due to my husband’s career. This decision was sparked by a shift in perspective towards preemptive health interventions. Lifestyle Medicine embodies this approach by promoting health before illness sets in. To support this venture, I earned certifications in Nutrition Health Coaching, Functional Blood Analysis, Supplements, and Lifestyle Medicine.
We know that diet has a great impact on our lives, but especially for women, what can you tell us?
We need to prioritize the quality of our food, particularly as we age. Healthier eating habits significantly influence our health and how we experience the later years of our lives. For women, menopause represents a significant health transition. Therefore, it’s vital to make improved nutritional choices to minimize symptoms during menopause.
Do you think women are becoming more aware of the importance of having healthier habits?
Yes and no, it depends. On one hand, we have access to a wealth of information about nutrition and how to stay healthy. However, the abundance of information can be confusing and potentially misleading. The good news is that we now understand that occasional walking and vegetable consumption alone are not sufficient for disease prevention and longevity. More comprehensive efforts are required to truly enhance longevity. For example, improving your VO2max is a strong predictor of healthier ageing. However, achieving this requires consistent training. Occasional walks and abstaining from smoking are insufficient. While we have this knowledge today, turning it into a lifestyle can be challenging. It may seem daunting, especially to those who hesitate to try.
What impact do you expect to have on people’s lives with your work?
The goal is to inspire individuals to be proactive about their own health. This involves understanding how their bodies function and react to different interventions, and how to adopt healthy habits for life to prioritize prevention. Chronic diseases do not develop overnight. They start taking root in our bodies, often many years before diagnosis. Hence, it’s possible to implement lifestyle interventions early on to prevent these diseases from fully establishing. My mission is to interpret and understand the body’s signals before it falls ill.
Ana is part of Team W+ and will be collaborating with us by bringing knowledge and value to our articles with a monthly column dedicated to health, well-being, and, of course, sports.
If you want to know more about her work or even schedule a consultation, here is her website: https://www.anatavela.com/
