Women In Wellness: CarolAnn Tutera On The Five Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Help Support People’s Journey Towards Better Wellbeing

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
Published in Authority Magazine

Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing CarolAnn Tutera.

CarolAnn Tutera is the cofounder and CEO of SottoPelle.

SottoPelle® was the brainchild of Dr. Gino Tutera whose wife CarolAnn, is proudly carrying on the legacy and has become the trailblazer in the BHRT industry. The idea behind this medical treatment is focusing on individualized dosing and the proper delivery method using bioidentical hormone pellets. This patient-first approach became known as the SottoPelle® Method and has since established itself as not only the pioneer but also the leader in the field of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?

What I was surprised by when I was first beginning my path to industry leader was the skepticism BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy) faced as an industry. I realized the main issue was the lack of education surrounding Hormone replacement therapy, many believed it to be synonymous with synthetic hormones which is not what we were about. Therefore, I sprang into action and using my background as a teacher and my studies in psychology I understood making the information regarding pellet therapy informative, yet easy to digest was imperative. To top it off I put myself forward as living proof of the wonders of pellet therapy. I was pre-menopausal at 40, it got so bad that my doctors would describe my insides like those of 60-year-old and they were right, I felt 60! I put myself on the pellet and many of my symptoms disappeared within weeks and in a few months, I felt as if I had a second lease at life. Discovering the power of pellet therapy, I knew I had to spread the word as far and as wide as I could, and wouldn’t you know it my efforts weren’t in vain. I am 68 years young, full of vim and vitality and feel like a new and improved person.

My work became pioneering in the field of BHRT. I came away validating my preconceived notion on the value of education and made it one of our company’s missions to facilitate the best possible training and education in pellet therapy. I also became more willing to bet on myself and my goals.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Having a partner was my greatest mistake! We partnered up with someone to build out SottoPelle to be even larger and it ended up being a disaster. When the contract term expired, we split apart, and they took all our information and knowledge with them, essentially competing with us now. I had a marketing piece called CarolAnn’s Story, and ironically, they came out with one too with identical twins of Carol & Ann. Which ended up being a false advertisement for them. They also tried to replicate our research and marketing materials. It showed me that partners are not to be trusted or relied upon. I am just as smart without them and don’t need their help at all.

Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?

Providers are finding us through our good name over all these years. People are feeling better as they age. They are moving more, meaning exercising, they are happier, healthier in their lifestyle choices, their brain is functioning better. Their sex lives are vastly improved and have been responsible for saving many marriages and relationships. By supporting good health and happier lives, we are creating a better lifestyle leading to a better world. Maybe all politicians should check their hormones on a regular basis. LOL

Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better well-being? Please give an example or story for each. 

1. Exercise… get up and move. I walk every morning before the day starts for a good 30 minutes. Gets me and my brain going. I have been doing this for years and I love it!
2. Eat healthy. As I have gotten older, I have given up sugar and white flour. I feel better not having these in my system knowing I am taking care of my health.
3. Journal. I started journaling years ago when I was attending the University. Getting my thoughts down on paper allows me to release anything inside my brain and I can release it.
4. Meditation is great for the soul! Taking the time for me every day is extremely important after my morning walk. I feel refreshed, alive, and happy.
5. Gratitude daily. It’s easy to find the negatives in life. Finding gratitude for one’s life, people, and things in it is extra special when it come from one’s heart. It’s as if I am practicing being joyful.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?

I have already started a movement using the Science of SottoPelle to help people age gracefully. I host podcasts and work with other influencers to eradicate the myths around aging. But I would also start a Joy Movement! We all want to be healthy and happy but what about pure joy. It is intoxicating and exhilarating. Finding out what brings one Joy as you age is a gift because we tend to forget what originally brought us joy. Most importantly, learn to listen and follow your gut! Stay true to yourself! Don’t pay attention to the negatives of the outside world, focus on attracting and connecting with goodness.

What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?

1. BHRT is a male dominated industry. Ironically, it is women who are the most likely to have hormone imbalances. However, the male gender is finally catching up. You have to be strong. Most providers we train are men and the other companies who copied us are all male dominant, very competitive, and they will try to take me and the company down by using their uninformed negative comments to accommodate their egos and boost their sales.
2. There are going to be very long hours every day. OMG at first the hours were very long working with web people, training other providers, answering questions constantly, doing what it takes to stand out and get noticed and accepted but it was worth it.
3. There will be lots of frustration, but the joy and gratitude will outweigh it. To hear that I was copied repeatedly at first was very frustrating, but now I realize it as a compliment. Seeing happy and healthy patients daily is nourishing to my soul!
4. Don’t ever give up! Many times, I was ready to throw in the towel and say ‘Enough’ especially after Dr Tutera passed. Carrying on his legacy and making sure he gets the recognition that he deserved is of major importance to me!
5. Don’t take on any partners! Why? Because, from my experience, potentially, they only want to gain and benefit for their own professional advantages down the road.

Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?

Mental Health is Brain Health. While this is the latest health trend, we were already aware of it and helping patients with neurodegenerative conditions over a decade ago. We have successfully treated former NFL players with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and patients with Parkinson’s disease since 2013… and neuroscientists are just starting to discover now what Dr. Tutera already knew and had put into practice. Dr T used to say if he could only treat the entire population and get their hormones balanced, 80% would not have Brain Health issues today. You need to balance the hormones first before you do anything else because they regulate every function of the body and brain. How do you do that? You must check your hormones with detailed lab work to see what is going on inside the body. I have witnessed many patients who have gotten off their meds to live healthier, happier, and productive lives as they age.

What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?

Go to:www.sottopelletherapy.com online or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sottopelletherapy/

and my personal page: https://www.instagram.com/cattitudewithcat/

Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.