She wasnt thinking about nutrition, or healthy bodies, or advocating for women.
She was closing business deals for multinational software development companies.
Then, her mother got cancer.
The reason why I got into wellness is because my familys cancer history, Calderon says.
My grandfather died of cancer.
Two of my aunts died of cancer.
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But she only had access to this information thanks to her knowledge of English.
Soon, people were interested in how she was helping her mom survive her very aggressive cancer diagnosis.
And she wasnt going to do it half-heartedly.
I knew I wanted to get proper certification, Calderon says.
Because when youre helping people with their health, its important to have certain certifications.
Its not, Oh, I read some books.
Let me, now, help you with your health.'
Calderon studied at the Institution of Integrative Nutrition, where she was certified in 2014 asa holistic health coach.
Shes still here, in remission for almost 9 years, and still thriving.
Wellness events were catered to a white demographic.
It was not enough.
It was not enough because you could really tell when it was like, Okay.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
Soon, Calderon stopped complaining and realized she could create and amplify voices herself.
You are not alone,' says Calderon.
Its part of so many of us.
The way we grew up, our culture.
Its trendy to support communities of color [right now], she says.
Calderon points to the messaging that needs to happen to be impactful.
Because youre not talking to me.
Youre not addressing me.
Youre not taking in consideration my realities, she says.
Racism is so,so big in the health-care industryas well.
Women of colordie more of childbirth.
We are neglected when it comes to whatever symptoms we have when we talk to our doctors.
So, its different.
Even the access to healthy foods; the access to knowledge.
The challenges we havetheyre different.
(In COVID times, current plans are to keep things virtual.)
Calderon hopes the understanding of inclusivity expands to understand audiences not as niche, but as targeted.
The question for the wellness industry then becomes: Who are you speaking to?
For more information on Candy and the Glow Wellness Tour, head toGlowWellnessTour.com.
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