Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Martinez.
Hi Jocelyn , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Jocelyn Martinez, a certified Health and Gut Health Coach, passionate Chef, and founder of SoulSmile Health & Wellness, LLC in Pueblo, Colorado. But my journey into health and wellness didn’t start with credentials—it began with a personal health crisis that transformed my life.
After the birth of my daughter in 2012, I faced a series of debilitating health challenges that took nearly a decade to fully understand and manage. In 2018, I committed to a gluten-free, dairy-free, and anti-inflammatory lifestyle—a decision that became the turning point in managing my autoimmune conditions and chronic pain. Through a holistic approach that focused on what I was putting in and on my body, I began to heal. I am surviving with lupus, and my main focus is living in a healthy body. By eating the right foods, I am able to navigate a healthier lifestyle that supports less flare ups, less pain, and I get to share that passion with others.
Out of this journey, SoulSmile Health & Wellness was born.
With over 10 years of experience in holistic wellness, I now help others reclaim their vitality through food that heals and delights. I specialize in personalized nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle support—offering custom-designed, stress-free meal solutions that honor special dietary needs such as vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free preferences. We started our business with meal prep 8 years ago. Our other services include boutique catering, summits, community events, and traveling retreat chef experiences.
At SoulSmile, we believe that eating well should not feel like a burden. Whether you’re navigating digestive issues, food sensitivities, or just looking to feel better in your body, I’m here to show you that food can be both nourishing and joyful. Every dish I create is crafted with intention—using whole, healing ingredients that support mental clarity, reduce inflammation, and promote overall well-being.
Most importantly, I know firsthand how overwhelming health challenges can feel. That’s why my mission is rooted in compassion, education, and empowerment. I meet clients where they are, and together, we create sustainable habits that support their goals and lifestyles—without sacrificing flavor or fun.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been a lot of struggles and pivots along the way. I signed the lease for my brick and mortar four days before the COVID lock down. I had a choice to stay with my lease or cancel. I took this as a sign that this opportunity would help me pivot and grow my business. During this time, I was able to still continue to provide services to the community during the lockdown and provide those within the rehab centers nutritious meals during their treatment and healing time. It was extremely rewarding and I know that’s where God wanted and needed me to be, to be of service at such a pivotal crisis time in our world.
Then a year and half later I found out that Health Solutions was moving in a different route and was turning my bistro space into another medical office and I had thirty days to find a new space. Which commercial kitchen and affordable spaces were very limited in Pueblo at that time. So unfortunately I had to find another way, and out of the box way! In that time, I found a 45-foot food trailer fully loaded with equipment, it was more cooking space and better equipment than I had in my brick and mortar. I purchased it and put on property next to my home, after that I started with zoning and planning where I quickly learned that this was going to be NO easy feat. I started the long process and was closed for 7 months; I had to change a city law and change zoning to do this project. I had to go in front of city council three times and change a lot of perspectives to make this work.
In that time, I was able to build wonderful relationships, partnerships, and opportunities within our community. I was asked to become one of the seats for the Pueblo Historic Preservation Commission. I am currently the Board President of the Pueblo Food Project, and our business does a lot of work with nonprofits and government services within our Colorado and Pueblo communities. We are blessed to have been able to grow our business in ways we had thought were dreams, we now cater many summits and big events in Pueblo and for clients all of all over the state of Corado and the US. Many of these events we have been a part of for consecutive years now building great partnerships. We cater Pueblo Food Project’s Sun, Water, Soil Summit, Palmer Land Conservation’s Bike to Bessemer, Colorado State Fair’s Commissioner’s Graze. We feel so blessed be able to work with so many wonderful companies year after year.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a certified Health and Gut Health Coach, I received my coaching certifications including my Master TCM Coaching from Health Coach Institute with four years of schooling on the subject. SoulSmile Health & Wellness, LLc is a proud member of Colorado Proud, which means we focus on local farms, produce, ranchers, business, and local products.
I have over 30 years of restaurant and service industry experience and training; I started working in restaurants when I was 16 years old. I lived in Denver for 10 years where I worked in some of the best restaurants and learned from some of the best chefs. Even though I was front of the house I always loved talking and learning from great chefs. I worked at Samba Room on Larimer Square where I learned about Latin cuisine, Osteria Marco where I learned how to make homemade Burrata from Chef Frank Bannano, and I was one of the bartenders at Root Down where I fell in love with Vegan food and flavor profiles.
I then was called back home to Pueblo where I took the Director of Food and Beverage position for Global Spectrums Pueblo Convention Center. I held this position for 5 years before leaving to pursue my 6-year career at Sysco Foods. It was there that I learned and deepened my business skills and learned so much from our Sysco chefs and about how our food is made and where it comes from. It was after 6 years and my health started to really take a turn for the worse that I left corporate America and was the Director of Operations for a local coffee shop, where I helped them open one new store and purchase their 3rd before leaving and it was this shift that created an opportunity to open my own business. Through my ups and downs in my business I have been able to grow from meal prep into large catering and traveling retreat services where I get to travel all over the US and private chef for retreats.
Something else I am so proud of is our trademark; Soul Fresh, Soul Clean. Yes, it is a loving tribute to the band Outkast’s So Fresh, So Clean song. I have been a fan of them since I was a fourteen year old high school freshman in 1994. I could not believe that it was available, and then I bought it! Plus it represents my brand and what I believe is our food should nourish you and always be Soul Fresh, Soul Clean. Its literally good for the soul and we hope it makes your soul smile.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Biggest thing is to go after your dreams, keep learning, keep expanding! Your gifts, passions, and purpose are meant to be shared with others, do not let roadblocks or a NO stop you from creating a business that uplift those around you and can shift your =entire trajectory of your life.
Here are some of our Event and Retreat Information:
From intimate dinners to boutique celebrations, SoulSmile Health & Wellness offers nourishing, custom-crafted menus that make every event unforgettable. Whether you are planning a wedding, retreat, baby shower, office meeting, or private gathering, we will take care of the food—from beautifully curated box lunches to full-course meals—so you can focus on enjoying the moment.
We cater to all dietary needs, with a focus on gluten-free, dairy-free, and anti-inflammatory options that leave every guest feeling satisfied and cared for.
Events from 4 to 250 guests
Custom menus & full-service setup
Private chef experiences available
Boxed lunches for meetings, travel, and on-the-go events
Serving Pueblo, CO, Denver, CO and beyond—retreats, destination events, and more
Hosting a wellness retreat, private getaway, or creative workshop? SoulSmile provides full-service chef experiences tailored to your retreat’s vibe and your guests’ dietary needs.
We bring fresh, anti-inflammatory meals—always gluten- and dairy-free, with vegan options available—so your attendees can feel nourished and supported throughout their journey.
Customized menus for wellness & spiritual retreats
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks included
Focused on gut health, anti-inflammatory eating, and vibrant ingredients
Available for travel—Colorado-based and we travel to destinations in all US states and abroad.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soulsmilehealthandwellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulsmile_health_and_wellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulsmilehealthandwellness
- Other: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ghqkg-1a5033f
