Meet Karina Wenker of Real Food Roots

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Wenker.

Hi Karina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Germany, where I grew up with a German father and a Brazilian mother. I have always loved exploring different cultures and traveling from an early age. That love of culture and travel stayed with me. I’ve lived all over the world, and my husband and I eventually moved from New Zealand to Denver in 2019.

For many years, I worked in digital marketing and advertising. But behind the scenes, I had a growing interest in health and wellness. In my late 20s and early 30s, I started learning more about nutrition and was amazed by how much of a difference it made in my energy, mood, and overall well-being.

Then 2020 hit. I was new to the U.S., in lockdown, and pregnant with my first son. When he was born in early 2021, my family couldn’t come visit due to pandemic visa restrictions, and my husband and I found ourselves navigating new parenthood completely on our own. It was in that raw, vulnerable postpartum season that two things became crystal clear to me: how essential a true village is during pregnancy and postpartum, not just family and friends, but also skilled, supportive professionals, and how powerful nutrition can be in recovery and long-term health.

Going back to my marketing job after maternity leave was tough. My heart just wasn’t in it the way it used to be, and I didn’t want to spend that much time away from my son. So I made a big decision: I left my career and went back to school to become a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.

I started my business in 2023 (and welcomed my second son later that same year).
Today, I support women through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and in early motherhood, offering the kind of personalized, nourishing care I wish I’d had in those early days. Helping women feel empowered and supported during such a transformative time has become my true passion.

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?
Starting a business and going from being an employee to an entrepreneur has been a steep learning curve, and I feel like I’m learning and growing every day.

Even though I had years of experience in marketing, I’ve realized that it requires a different mindset and new skills (lots of resourcefulness!) to build a business from scratch and market myself. I think that’s especially true in the wellness space, where you’re not just selling a service, but also building trust and connection.

Another big challenge for me has been staying present with my two young children while building my business, because they are part of the reason why I am doing this. I am trying to be intentional about setting boundaries, prioritizing what matters most, and letting go of perfectionism. Some days I’m better at this than others.

We’ve been impressed with Real Food Roots, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is called Real Food Roots, and I work as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner supporting women through the many transitions of motherhood, whether that’s preparing for pregnancy, navigating postpartum recovery, balancing hormones, or simply trying to feel more energized and nourished while caring for their family.

I have three guiding principles for my business: Nourishing, Empowering, and Grounded. I want every woman I work with to walk away feeling more connected to her body, more confident in how she cares for herself, and more rooted in her own wisdom.

What sets my approach apart is that it’s personalized and meets you where you are. I work with clients one-on-one and don’t believe in one-size-fits-all protocols or restrictive diets. Instead, I take time to understand each client’s unique story, symptoms, and goals, and we collaborate on realistic nutrition and lifestyle habits that they can implement in their already busy lives.

I offer all my services online, so while I am based in Louisville, Colorado, and many of my clients are local, they can work with me from anywhere, from the comfort of their own home.

If you are interested in nutritional therapy and would like to explore working with me, I offer free 30-minute discovery calls so we can get to know each other.

If you’re looking for support but aren’t quite ready to work with someone 1:1, I also have a growing resource section on my website. You’ll find free guides, practical tips, and supportive tools on everything from choosing a quality prenatal vitamin to meal planning made easy.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s that you don’t have to do it all alone. Whether you’re navigating fertility struggles, pregnancy, or new parenthood, having a supportive community around you truly makes a difference. During my own pregnancy and postpartum journey, I was lucky to find that connection through prenatal yoga classes at my local studio, and many of the women I met then are still some of my best friends now.
The same is true while building a business. I’ve found an amazing community of other moms in business who support and encourage each other in a group called Renegade Motherhood.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.realfoodroots.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realfoodroots
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinawenker/
• Other: https://calendly.com/realfoodroots/discovery-call