WoW Woman in Women's Health I Stela Nicol, founder of Everglow Vitality
Stela Nicol is a seasoned digital health professional and the founder of Everglow Vitality. With over two decades of experience in B2B marketing, HealthTech, and the digital health ecosystem, she has a deep understanding of how technology and lifestyle can work together to improve health and wellness outcomes. Having faced her own health challenges, Stela discovered her passion for wellness and nutrition. She is certified in nutrition by ISSA (International Sports Science Association) and holds specialized diplomas in Menopause Wellness, Eating Psychology, and Alkaline Nutrition. Blending professional expertise with personal experience, she helps women in their prime enhance vitality, build confidence, and adopt sustainable wellness habits for lasting well-being.
Everglow Vitality helps women in their 40s and beyond feel energized, confident, and strong through personalized nutrition and sustainable lifestyle changes. Founded by certified nutritionist Stela Nicol, it emphasizes mindful nutrition as the key to long-term well-being. True health comes from within, and with the right support, every woman can feel her best through practical, science-backed strategies. Everglow Vitality integrates nutrition, self-care, movement, and mindset shifts to create lasting transformation.
Tell us a bit about your background and your projects so far.
My journey has been shaped by a blend of professional passion and personal experiences. I hold a marketing degree and have over 20 years of experience in B2B marketing, primarily in the IT industry and healthcare consultancy. Since 2017, digital health has become a central part of my life, and I absolutely love it. I've had the privilege of meeting incredible innovators tackling major health challenges such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, oncology, and cardiology, pushing boundaries to improve lives despite the complexities of regulations.
Beyond innovation, I connect with stakeholders across pharma, health insurance, and healthcare providers, each offering unique perspectives and valuable insights that help shape a more holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare. It’s truly motivating to witness the dedication and expertise of industry players advancing the field.
My personal passion for wellness and nutrition grew from my own journey to better health. Realizing how deeply lifestyle and nutrition choices impact well-being, I became committed to promoting sustainable changes that go beyond quick fixes. This passion led me to found Everglow Vitality in 2024, where I focus on practical lifestyle improvements from mindful nutrition and staying active to stress management. I believe true vitality comes from within, grounded in balance and kindness to oneself.
How did you get into this industry? Has it been an easy industry to get into or have you had many challenges?
Getting into the wellness and nutrition industry felt like a natural progression for me, especially due to my background in digital health and healthcare consultancy. Over time, I realized how many chronic diseases are linked to lifestyle choices, and nutrition emerged as one of the key aspects of this lifestyle shift, playing a vital role in well-being. My own experience overcoming severe anemia and undergoing surgery on both legs made me realize how crucial proper nutrition is not just for recovery but for long-term resilience and mental health. This personal insight fueled my passion for promoting sustainable, balanced lifestyle changes.
The pandemic also heightened the demand for evidence-based, on-demand self-help DTx solutions and behavioral health programs, further solidifying my decision to enter the field. The women’s health space is truly incredible, filled with innovative, driven leaders and a global community of supportive women. Breaking into this space has presented its challenges, as it required overcoming steep learning curves, gaining certifications, and working to establish myself in a competitive market.
As I navigated these moments, I observed the evolution of the health, wellness, and nutrition space, with technology playing a pivotal role in transforming care standards. Digital tools that track dietary habits, physical activity, sleep patterns, and more now enable more personalized, data-driven strategies. Additionally, I’ve seen how collaboration among healthcare teams, including physicians, registered dietitians, nutrition and women's health coaches, and fitness professionals, has been crucial in helping people achieve better outcomes.
How long did it take you to be where you are now? What was the biggest obstacle? What are the challenges of being in the industry you are in?
It took me longer to get here than I initially expected, largely due to my own limiting beliefs. I received my certification in early 2020 and officially founded Everglow Vitality in 2024. There was a lot of behind-the-scenes work and “testing” in this niche. Initially, I thought the market was saturated with excellent nutrition coaches, dietitians, and doctors, which led me to question, "Who am I in this space?" The biggest obstacle was overcoming that self-doubt and embracing the value of my unique story and approach.
A key element of my coaching is my multicultural background. Having lived in Austria, the UK, Cyprus, Russia, Germany, and the USA, along with my Bulgarian roots and growing up surrounded by kids from all over the world, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for how cultures shape wellness perspectives. This diversity enriches my approach, blending empathy, understanding, and evidence-based strategies to help women build sustainable habits and reclaim their vitality.
Being in wellness and healthcare means understanding the fine line of what you can offer versus what lies beyond your scope. Healthcare is rightly regulated, and navigating this space carefully is essential to ensure solutions/services are both safe and effective. Additionally, there’s a flow of contradicting information, particularly in nutrition. The reality is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to well-being, and part of my work is helping my clients navigate this complexity and making sustainable changes that fit their lives.
Looking at the broader picture of women’s health, I believe one of the challenges has been the lack of enough investment and the narrow focus in certain areas despite the growing market. Much attention has been given to menstrual, fertility, and reproductive care, but topics like menopause and vaginal health are only now gaining recognition. It is encouraging to see these conversations finally expanding. These challenges, combined with the importance of building sustainable habits beyond medications like GLP-1 treatments, fuel my passion for promoting balanced lifestyle transformations that last. As I see it, coaching, accountability, and collaboration with healthcare professionals are key to helping individuals build lasting habits and ensure long-term success.
What are your biggest achievements to date?
My biggest achievement to date has been earning the trust of my clients. Although Everglow Vitality is still in its early stages, it has been incredibly fulfilling to witness them make sustainable changes, reclaim their energy, and feel empowered by their wellness journeys. Seeing their shift in focus from the number on the scale to prioritizing being fit and strong brings me joy. Today, we are living longer than ever, and by caring for ourselves emotionally, physically, and mentally, we can greatly enhance our quality of life.
In addition, founding Everglow Vitality itself is a major milestone for me, as it represents the culmination of years of professional experience and personal growth. Creating a space where women can make meaningful, sustainable improvements in their wellness and mindset is something I’m proud of.
What are the projects you are currently working on?
I'm currently developing a boutique wellness program that helps a small group of women build sustainable habits and cultivate a loving mindset on their weight loss journey. True well-being goes beyond diet and exercise; it starts with self-love. When you value yourself, you naturally make choices that support your health. It’s not about strict rules or deprivation but about balance, which is why I believe an 80%-20% approach leads to lasting results while still enjoying life.
With endless healthcare and wellness advice, along with technology tracking everything from heart rate and sleep to daily movement and nutrition, chronic illness rates remain high. This highlights that knowledge alone isn’t enough! It’s about integrating healthy habits into daily life in a way that truly sticks.
I’m also working on creating a wellness program focused primarily on nutrition for corporate environments. Nutrition is the fuel that keeps us energized and supports vitality at every stage of life, whether in reproductive health, sports performance, or menopause. By nourishing the body from within, employees can achieve better physical and mental well-being. Ultimately, it’s about creating lasting change, not just quick fixes, ensuring that people feel their best throughout both their work and life journeys.
Is the #WomenInTech movement important to you and if yes, why?
Yes, the #WomenInTech movement is very important to me. Technology is a powerful tool with the potential to drive positive change across various industries, including wellness and healthcare. Historically, women have been underrepresented in tech and innovation, not because there’s a lack of incredible women innovators, but because the opportunities and visibility for their work have often been limited or unsupported. This makes it essential to support and amplify women’s voices in these spaces.
As a woman working in HealthTech space, I believe diversity in tech is crucial for creating solutions that are inclusive and address the needs of all people, especially women. When women lead the conversation, we bring unique perspectives, problem-solving approaches, and insights that are often overlooked in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Supporting the #WomenInTech movement also inspires the next generation of women, ensuring that the future of innovation is diverse and reflects the world we live in. By advocating for more women in tech, we help break down barriers and empower women to claim their space in digital health, wellness, and beyond.
What will be the key trends in your industry in the next five years and where do you see them heading?
In the next five years, I believe there will be several key trends shaping wellness, digital health and nutrition space.
Preventive Healthcare: Prevention will continue to be at the forefront, with more people recognizing the importance of proactively managing their health. As we move away from a reactive healthcare system, we'll see a stronger emphasis on early detection, lifestyle management, and personalized health interventions to prevent chronic conditions.
AI and Personalized Medicine: AI will continue to advance in analyzing data, from tracking our daily habits to providing actionable insights. We’ll see an increase in wearable technology integrated with AI, offering real-time data and predictive analytics to help all of us make more informed health decisions.
Nutrition and Wellness: I believe more and more, we will move away from quick-fix diets and adopt sustainable, nutrient-dense eating habits that are tailored to their unique needs, lifestyles, and health conditions. This includes a greater understanding of how nutrition impacts every stage of life, from reproductive health to menopause and beyond.
Mind-Body Integration: Wellness will no longer be just about physical health. The focus will shift towards creating a balanced lifestyle that incorporates mindfulness, stress management, and emotional resilience alongside physical wellness.
Telemedicine and Digital Health: Healthcare is become increasingly digital. Virtual consultations, digital therapeutics, and remote monitoring will continue to grow, making healthcare more accessible and efficient. The combination of human expertise and digital solutions will offer people more convenience and control over their health.
Overall, I believe we’ll see a more interconnected approach to health, where nutrition, technology, and mental wellness are seen as essential pillars of overall well-being.
What is the most important piece of advice you could give to anyone who wants to start a career in this industry?
My biggest advice is this: stay curious, take risks, and be open to unexpected opportunities. It may sound cliche, but growth truly happens when we step outside our comfort zone. Confidence comes from action, not perfection.
Whether you are in HealthTech, nutrition, or wellness, adaptability is key in an ever-evolving field. Focus on both technology and the human side, build meaningful connections, and stay patient, as real progress takes time.
Own your ambitions. Your ideas, your perspective, and the work you bring to the table are valuable. Make your mark.
Who are three inspirational women in your respective industry you admire?
When thinking about inspirational women in HealthTech, one of the first names that comes to mind is Ida Tin. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Clue, she coined the term “FemTech” and has played a pivotal role in transforming women’s health. Even back in 2019, when I published an interview with her, I was struck by how she combines innovation with a strong commitment to privacy and user trust. There was no sense of a "profit at all costs" mentality. Instead, she set an important example of how tech companies can innovate while prioritizing ethical responsibility. Clue empowers women with valuable insights about their bodies, making health more inclusive and data-driven.
Another remarkable figure is Susa Monacelli, General Manager of Propeller Health. Her dedication to improving the lives of individuals with chronic respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma is truly inspiring. Under her leadership, Propeller has evolved from a device company into a leader in precision care management, showing how personalized solutions can significantly enhance patient outcomes.
A third inspiring woman in HealthTech for me is Marina Borukhovich, CEO and Co-Founder of YourCoach. A serial entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and passionate health coach, Marina is on a mission to spark the Health Coaching Revolution. After overcoming her own health challenges, she built a platform that combines health coaching with digital tools to help people make lasting changes. Her goal is to bring health coaching to the world by 2030, merging tech and personal support to empower people to improve their health in a sustainable way.
These women not only reshape the HealthTech and digital health landscape, but they also highlight the incredible potential of technology when used with purpose and empathy.
Find out more about Everglow Vitality on their website.
Connect with Stela on her LinkedIn.
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