The heart of Vitadio

Ever look forward to Monday? Sounds impossible, right? Yet here I am, eagerly waiting for the start of each week. 

My name is Tamara, but you can call me Toma. I never thought I’d be one of those people who actually enjoys Mondays. And when friends ask me how I’m doing, I smile and say, “All good.” Then comes the inevitable follow-up: “And how’s work?” My answer: “Wonderful.” That response always catches people off guard. It’s not something you hear every day. “How can work be wonderful?” they ask, thinking it must be a joke. But here’s the thing – it’s not. The truth is simple: I love what I do. I know that might sound cliché or trivial to some, but once you’ve experienced a job that drains you, depleting your energy and eating into your personal life, you start to understand what I’m about to share.

I’ve been working at Vitadio for almost two years now, and I’m proud to be part of what I like to call a familio (Vitadio + family). Before this, I worked in a corporate environment, which had its pros and cons. Must admit, I was always fortunate to have amazing colleagues, but as anyone who has been in that environment knows, your work is not always about your team. It’s about understanding why you do what you do. As a colleague of mine often says: “People don’t buy what you do, but why you do it.” And, fortunately for me, that has been true. Understanding the mission and the why is what drives me – even on the toughest days.

At Vitadio, I’ve found that sense of purpose. In my role as People Ops, I had to quickly get up to speed and connect with everyone in the company as part of our onboarding process. My biggest revelation after these one-on-ones was this: every single person, from developers to dietitians, from those who’ve been with Vitadio for three years to those who had just passed their probation period, expressed the same thing – they love what they do and are happy to be here. Honestly, that shocked me at first. I thought, “They’re just saying that because it can’t be true for everyone.” But look at me now – I’m one of them. And now, I get it. Vitadio isn’t just a place where people work; it’s a place where people thrive. That feeling of excitement I have when Monday rolls around? I’m not alone in it. It’s something we share.

I’ve thought a lot about why we feel this way, and I believe I’ve cracked the code: we’re working on something that matters. We’re helping people live better lives. We work together like one organism – just like the heart keeps the body alive, our values are the lifeblood that sustains Vitadio. They connect us, guide us, and empower us to fulfill our mission of helping people take control of their health.

We’re all different and each of us has come to Vitadio from a different path, shaped by our unique experiences – traumas, successes, fears, and achievements. And we embrace that diversity. In a world where so many of us feel pressured to wear masks, authenticity is our superpower. When people are encouraged to show up as their true selves, trust naturally follows. This trust fuels creativity and helps us overcome challenges together.

Honesty is central to our culture, and it goes hand in hand with mutual respect. Respect isn’t just about politeness; it’s about valuing the diverse perspectives in our team. When respect is the foundation, people feel safe to share their ideas. Without that diversity of thought, there’s no fun – and no innovation.

These values – authenticity and respect – have always been my personal guiding principles. That’s why it was so important for me to find a place where people shared those values. No uniforms, no rigid working hours, the freedom to work from home, the office, or the seaside, being yourself and surrounded by great teammates – what more could you ask for?

Of course, working in a fast-developing startup focused on what sounds like a futuristic genre – digital therapeutics – comes with its own risks and uncertainties. But we embrace that. You can’t be afraid to explore new roads and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Pathfinding is in our DNA, and curiosity is what drives us forward. And while we aim high and take risks, we also stay grounded. Even when you shoot for the moon, you need to keep your feet firmly on the ground. In a world that values results, efficiency matters. For us, being efficient means balancing ambition with practicality. We’re always evaluating our resources and finding the best ways to achieve our goals. Every action we take counts, and we make sure it does.

So, how is it that work is “wonderful”? Because we are working for something bigger than ourselves. And that’s not just my story – it’s the story of every person at Vitadio.

I’ve come full circle now, back to where I started: loving what I do. It’s not just about the work itself, it’s about being part of something meaningful, surrounded by people who share the same values and drive. When you work for a company like Vitadio, where authenticity, respect, pathfinding, and efficiency are more than just words, you find that the why behind what you do fuels everything. And that’s how “all good” and “wonderful” really can be true.

Does this resonate with you? I hope my journey and story have given you a glimpse into what makes Vitadio special. We’re on a mission to make a difference in people’s lives, and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this familio.

Written by: Tamara Chichua