Meet Mar De Carlo of International Parenting & Health Institute

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mar De Carlo

Hi Mar, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Mar De Carlo’s Journey: From Overcoming Challenges to Global Impact
Mar De Carlo’s story is one of resilience, determination, and transformation. Born and raised in a low-income home in NYC by her Hispanic immigrant family, she lived in a one-bedroom apartment with her parents and siblings. From an early age, she learned the value of hard work and saw education as her opportunity to break generational barriers.

Mar is a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence, which ignited her passion for helping others overcome adversity, especially in under-resourced communities. She strongly believes in the power of education to transform lives and is committed to providing holistic and practical tools for those facing similar struggles.

From Fitness Enthusiast to Wellness Entrepreneur
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Film & Mass Communications in 1996, Mar initially took a sedentary desk job that left her feeling unbalanced both physically and mentally. A friend introduced her to the fitness industry, and from her very first group exercise class, she knew it was her calling.

Determined to turn her passion into a career, she pursued a group exercise certification in 1998 and began working at multiple gyms and spas, coaching clients of all fitness levels. Soon, she expanded her expertise by obtaining multiple certifications, including:
✔ Personal Training
✔ Pilates, Yoga & Yoga Therapy
✔ Reiki & Stress Management
✔ Health & Lifestyle Coaching
✔ Pediatric Sleep Medicine & Conscious Parenting

Through her work, she witnessed burnout among health and wellness professionals and became motivated to help others build sustainable careers. She invested thousands into her professional development, climbed the ranks to Fitness Manager, and launched her own business, Physical Awakening, in 2005.

A Life-Changing Crossroad
In 2007, Mar’s life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant with her daughter. Navigating the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum as a single mother, she faced emotional, financial, and professional obstacles. After leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, she relocated to Northern California, where she found herself alone, with only $20 left in her bank account and bills due.

Instead of panicking, she turned to meditation and sought answers within. After three days of deep reflection, she received a clear vision of service—one that would revolutionize parenting and holistic health education worldwide.

The Birth of the International Parenting & Health Institute (IPHI)
On August 7, 2009, Mar founded the International Parenting & Health Institute (IPHI)—a global holistic education platform offering certifications for professionals in:
✔ Holistic Adult & Child Sleep Coaching
✔ Pre-Postnatal Nutrition
✔ Baby Planning & Conscious Parenting
✔ Eco-Conscious Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching

IPHI quickly grew into a worldwide movement, now represented in 65+ countries. Mar later founded the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants (2011), further solidifying her leadership in holistic sleep education.

Expanding Her Influence
Mar’s expertise and passion for holistic health garnered international recognition. She authored several books, including:
📖 Awakening Through Sleep: A Transformational and Spiritual Guide to Adult, Pregnancy, and Child Sleep
📖 Green Body, Green Birth
📖 The Baby Planner Profession: What You Need to Know!

She has been featured in major media outlets, including:
📺 Good Morning America
📰 U.S. News & World Report, New York Post, Los Angeles Times, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine

Additionally, Mar has served as:
✔ A Small Business Advisor for SBDC
✔ A Board Member of the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce
✔ A Founder of Multiple Holistic Coaching Organizations

A Lasting Legacy
Mar De Carlo is more than an entrepreneur—she is a trailblazer in the holistic health, parenting, and coaching industry. Her unwavering commitment to education, empowerment, and transformation has helped thousands of professionals and families worldwide.

She continues to expand her impact, including launching a non-profit organization to support under-resourced single mothers, ensuring that everyone—regardless of background—has access to holistic tools for healing and growth.

Her journey proves that every challenge holds the potential for transformation, and through passion, perseverance, and purpose, anyone can turn adversity into an opportunity to create global change.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Mar De Carlo’s path to success has been anything but smooth. Her journey has been filled with challenges, setbacks, and obstacles, yet she has met each one with resilience, determination, and a commitment to growth.

Overcoming Personal Hardships
Born into a low-income Hispanic immigrant family in NYC, Mar worked from a young age to support herself and her family. She is a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence, experiences that shaped her passion for helping others overcome adversity, especially in underserved communities.

As a single mother, Mar faced immense financial and emotional struggles while raising her daughter. After leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, she had to start over from scratch, moving to Northern California alone with no family, friends, or financial security. At one point, she had only $20 in her bank account with rent and bills due. Instead of breaking under pressure, she turned to meditation and self-reflection, which led her to a vision of service—the creation of the International Parenting & Health Institute (IPHI).

Facing Professional Challenges
Beyond her personal struggles, Mar also encountered significant professional hurdles:

✅ Colleagues Copying Her Work & Violating Contracts

As an innovator in holistic coaching and parenting education, Mar developed groundbreaking methodologies that have set the standard in the industry.
However, she has had to fight to protect her intellectual property, as former colleagues and students have copied her work, violated contracts, and created competing programs based on her research.
Rather than let this discourage her, Mar continues to evolve, innovate, and protect the integrity of her work, ensuring that true quality and authenticity prevail over imitation.
✅ Competing in a Growing Industry

As holistic coaching and sleep consulting gained popularity, more organizations entered the field.
Some underpriced their programs or promoted misleading quick-fix solutions, making it difficult for genuine, evidence-based holistic education to stand out.
Instead of compromising her standards, Mar remains committed to high-quality, comprehensive training that ensures professionals are truly equipped to make a difference.
✅ Balancing Single Motherhood & Business Growth

While building a global education platform, Mar was also raising her daughter and son.
Juggling business expansion, professional challenges, and single parenthood required immense discipline, resilience, and sacrifice.
Despite the obstacles, she found ways to balance her work and motherhood without compromising her values.
Turning Challenges Into Opportunities
Each of these struggles has shaped Mar into the leader she is today. Instead of letting hardship break her, she has used every challenge as a lesson and an opportunity to help others.

She has mentored and empowered countless professionals facing similar obstacles.
She has developed training programs that not only teach practical skills but also help professionals build resilience, confidence, and ethical business practices.
She gives back to under-resourced communities, especially single mothers, by providing education, tools, and opportunities for financial independence.
Mar’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and unwavering dedication. No, it hasn’t been a smooth road—but every challenge Mar has faced ahs been transformed to gold and fueled her mission to transform lives.

As you know, we’re big fans of International Parenting & Health Institute. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The International Parenting & Health Institute (IPHI) is a global leader in holistic education, specializing in advanced professional training for parenting, health, and wellness professionals. Established in 2009 by Mar De Carlo, IPHI has pioneered comprehensive, evidence-based, and holistic certification programs that empower professionals worldwide.

What We Do & Specialize In
At IPHI, we offer cutting-edge holistic training programs in:
✔ Holistic Adult & Child Sleep Coaching (The first holistic pregnancy, child & adult sleep program for professionals worldwide)
✔ Pre-Postnatal Nutrition Coaching
✔ Baby Planning & Conscious Parenting Education
✔ Eco-Conscious Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching
✔ Holistic Stress Management & Corporate Coaching
✔ Business & Leadership Coaching for Wellness Entrepreneurs

Our programs integrate science, psychology, integrative health, and holistic wellness, ensuring professionals are well-rounded, highly skilled, and equipped to create lasting transformations in the lives of their clients.

Who We Serve: Trusted by Medical & Wellness Experts
Our certification programs are highly respected and valued by a wide range of health and wellness professionals, including:
✔ Doctors & Physicians
✔ Therapists & Psychologists
✔ Dentists & Orthodontists
✔ Neurologists & Sleep Technologists
✔ Doulas & Midwives
✔ Lactation Consultants & Childbirth Educators

Many medical and wellness professionals have participated in our programs, recognizing the value of integrating holistic methodologies with conventional healthcare to provide a more comprehensive and individualized approach to patient care.

What Sets Us Apart?
✅ The First & Only Comprehensive Holistic Sleep Coaching Program
We introduced the Holistic Science of Sleep Method™, the world’s first holistic pregnancy, child, and adult sleep coaching program for professionals, blending functional science, lifestyle coaching, and holistic wellness.

✅ A Truly Holistic Approach
Unlike conventional programs, IPHI goes beyond surface-level techniques. We combine biological, emotional, environmental, and lifestyle factors to address root causes rather than just symptoms.

✅ Global Impact & Multilingual Reach
IPHI is represented in over 65 countries and offers training in multiple languages, making holistic education accessible worldwide.

✅ Empowering Professionals for Business Success
We don’t just teach health and wellness—we also provide business training, helping professionals build sustainable careers in the coaching industry.

What We’re Most Proud Of
💡 Setting the Global Standard

We are recognized as an industry leader in holistic parenting & health education.
Our graduates have successfully built thriving coaching practices and helped countless families worldwide.
🌍 Making Holistic Education Accessible

We provide continuing education and professional development opportunities.
We support under-resourced communities and single mothers through our non-profit sister organization.

What We Want Readers to Know
IPHI is more than just an educational institute—we are a movement dedicated to reshaping the way health, wellness, and parenting coaching is taught and practiced.

Whether you are a health professional looking to expand your expertise, a parenting coach wanting to make a bigger impact, or someone who wants to build a fulfilling career helping others, our programs provide the most comprehensive, integrative, and forward-thinking training available today.

Join Us in Transforming Lives!
Learn more at: parentinghealthinstitute.com

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Los Angeles is its spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship, and artistic expression. The city is a global hub for innovation, where people from all walks of life come to pursue their dreams, whether in film, music, fashion, business, or wellness. The energy of endless possibilities and reinvention is truly inspiring.

Beyond its cultural richness, LA’s stunning natural beauty makes it even more special. The diverse landscape, from gorgeous beaches to scenic mountains, provides a perfect balance between city life and outdoor escape. Whether it’s watching a sunset in Malibu, hiking in Griffith Park, or walking through the Venice Canals, LA offers an unparalleled blend of nature and urban vibrance.

If I had to pick something I like least, it would be the heavy traffic. The city’s vastness and reliance on cars can make commuting frustrating and time-consuming. While LA offers incredible opportunities, getting from one part of the city to another can sometimes be a challenge. However, I’ve learned to embrace the rhythm of the city, using the time for podcasts, music, or creative thinking to make the best of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://parentinghealthinstitute.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mar_decarlo/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardecarlo/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@parentinghealthinstitute