Staff Spotlight: Meet OHI San Diego Staff Member, Reina Padilla

Reina Padilla has had a long career in food preparation. “I raised my son in Visalia, California, for ten years,” said Reina. “I had my own Mexican restaurant there for six years, and it was very successful. When COVID hit, restaurants all over the world suffered, and mine was no different. I was a single mother, and I had to make tough choices to keep my family afloat. Closing the restaurant felt like such a loss. Fortunately, an opportunity to sell the restaurant came my way, and I was able close that chapter of my life in a way that felt satisfying.

After moving on from my restaurant, I worked in school transportation for a year while my son finished high school. When he was accepted at San Diego State University, we decided to move to San Diego. Once there, I took work in cleaning, but that was very hard on me physically. I have suffered from chronic back pain for many years. I wanted to get back into food preparation, so when I saw the role of Kitchen Assistant at OHI was available, I jumped at the chance to apply.”

Reina joined the staff at OHI San Diego four months ago. “While I have many years of experience in food preparation, I think my real passion has always been interacting with people,” said Reina. “Working at OHI gives me the opportunity to work with food as well as support guests. The guests that come to OHI are so interesting, and I have learned so much from talking with them. Every day I come to work with the goal of providing each of them with the best wellness experience possible. I help guests with anything they need and answer all their questions about food preparation and juicing. In my experience, food is what brings people together. And here, people come together to create a new relationship with food. They learn to use food as medicine to heal and nourish their bodies. For guests with a health opportunity, I have seen how this food has changed them for the better. Inflammation and pain leave the body, and they heal themselves through food. It’s astounding.”

Reina quickly learned how to prepare the recipes that are part of the OHI diet, and she’s fascinated with all that OHI has taught her about nutrition. “OHI has had a huge impact on diet and on my personal health,” said Reina. “I eat much healthier now, and I’ve stopped consuming sugar entirely, which I’m very proud of. I didn’t realize how addicted to sugar I was, but now that I’ve eliminated it from my diet entirely, I feel physically stronger and mentally clearer. My back pain has greatly subsided. I never expected this benefit, but it is a blessing.”

This is the first time Reina has worked in a wellness retreat during her career. “I am fascinated by OHI,” said Reina. “It has been a wonderful experience in every sense of the word. The energy here is so relaxing and peaceful. I put in 100% effort at OHI I feel like I am immediately rewarded with this sense of peace. It’s really beautiful.”

OHI’s spiritual education has impacted Reina as well. “After working at OHI for four months, I feel like I’ve gotten clarity on my true values,” said Reina. “My priority has always been the well-being of my son, but now I see how necessary it is to prioritize my personal health and wellness as well. OHI has also inspired me to lean into my own spirituality. I have started to meditate and journal to organize my thoughts. I never expected to see my spirituality blossom because of my job, but guests talk about their beliefs openly here, and it makes me want to examine my own beliefs. It’s very rewarding.”

While Reina considers herself a newcomer to OHI, she can see how the classes make a big impact on the experience the guests have. “If I had one piece of advice to share, I would recommend you make the most of your stay at OHI,” said Reina. “Don’t miss any of the classes or activities offered. They matter. The food combining classes, the dehydration, sprouting, and fermented foods classes, and the menu planning classes all help you make the most of the diet once you get home. The meditation classes, the mental detoxification classes, and the self-esteem classes all help give you mental clarity.”

“If you’ve never experienced a wellness retreat at OHI, I hope you give it a try. You won’t regret it. I have seen so many guests leave lighter, happier, and healthier after a three-week stay. It is life changing for everyone who comes here. And it’s life changing for me to witness their health journeys. I am inspired!”

If you have always yearned for a career where you can make a difference by helping and serving others, then contact us today: (800) 588-0809