“I Found My Why." Wellhub’s CEO Reveals the Passion that Drives His Life’s Work.

Growing up in Brazil, wellness wasn’t a luxury—it was woven naturally into the fabric of everyday life. 

Parks were accessible, gyms abundant, and moments of quiet contemplation easily found. Spending time in nature and connecting with friends didn’t feel like a privilege. Checking in with yourself wasn’t reserved for those with abundant resources. They were universal experiences.

The ease I took for granted disappeared once I entered adulthood. Moving abroad to a bustling city to begin a demanding consulting career, I watched wellness transform from a daily norm into a distant ideal. The serenity and connection I had known in Brazil felt far gone, unattainable amid the relentless pace of urban corporate life. Taking care of oneself was only accessible only to those with abundant time, money, or flexibility. And I was not one of those people. 

This revelation sparked the profound insight that has shaped my life's work to this day. The accessible wellness I experienced growing up was not a shared reality—but it should be. 

This core belief planted the seed from which Wellhub grew. Because of this, the early days of building the startup were deeply personal. This was no mere business idea. It was a heartfelt commitment to break down barriers to wellbeing. 

My deep conviction motivated me to forgo traditional paths. I dropped out of Harvard Business School, too eager to build something meaningful to put off my purpose. I found my why, and there was no going back. 

The journey was full of twists and turns. We started selling subscriptions directly to consumers, for example, but a casual conversation changed everything. One of my first clients worked at PwC. He benefited from Wellhub so much, he said, that he wanted to provide it to all of his employees. We ran with the idea, and growth exploded. Wellhub became a B2B company practically overnight.

But this change revealed a challenging truth: Not everyone shared my belief that wellness is foundational to life. In the business world especially, many thought wellbeing is a secondary consideration, a perk only successful companies could afford. Especially at that time, many struggled to see that wellness is an essential driver of human potential and organizational success. 

These challenges only strengthened my passion. It’s true that our approach flips the script. Historically, many workplace cultures have contributed to stress and burnout. Employees then view employers as a drag on wellness, not a wellbeing provider. But that’s exactly why employers must be part of the solution. We spend a third of our lives at work, so employers are a foundational part of the wellness puzzle. 

Fortunately, wellness is a win for employers too. Companies investing in wellness aren’t doing charity. They were making strategic, financially savvy decisions that create healthier, happier, and—ultimately—more productive teams. 

Wellhub is making that vision a reality. We help employers shift from battling burnout to helping all employees thrive. Our clients treat wellbeing like it’s as business-critical as revenue, because it is. The best companies today understand that a thriving workforce means a thriving business. Companies that fail to invest in wellness will struggle with high turnover, low engagement, and rising healthcare costs. 

Today, Wellhub’s mission remains clear and deeply personal. Our platform is intentionally flexible to make wellness accessible, regardless of socioeconomic background or job title. We champion wellness for workers at every level of an organization. This inclusivity isn’t a business tactic: It’s a reflection of my earliest experiences and strongest convictions. 

This ethos resonates around the world. Today, Wellhub supports the wellbeing of 4.5 million subscribers working at 26,000 companies across 13 countries. Together, they’ve clocked 600 million total check-ins. That’s the definition of accessible wellness. 

In sharing my story, I hope others see wellness for what it is. It is not something reserved for the privileged few. Wellness is inherently human, profoundly universal, and fundamentally necessary. Wellhub’s journey, and my work, continues, driven by the belief that living well should be effortless, empowering—and above all—accessible to everyone.