Life & Work with Maria Capone of Chandler, Arizona

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Capone

Hi Maria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in southern Brazil, and by the time I was just 15, I felt a calling to move to the U.S. to find my path. With the unwavering support of my parents who stayed behind, I embarked alone on this journey of self-discovery, knowing that facing life’s challenges on my own would uncover my strength and guide me toward growth. A few years later, I was admitted to USC, where I studied dramatic arts and psychology. In my final year of college, I started my first business—a Brazilian jumpsuit activewear line—with a vision to inspire women to embrace their bodies and the empowerment that follows. I had the honor of seeing my designs featured in renowned retailers like Saks, Four Seasons hotels, Ritz Carlton, and major gyms like Equinox, even reaching the USC bookstore before I graduated.

During that year, I met my husband at Equinox in Santa Monica. Six months later, we were engaged and expecting our son, Noah. We settled in Malibu, where Noah was born. Life seemed to be unfolding perfectly until, at age two, Noah was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. This was the hardest news of our lives. The battle began in 2017, and through it, Noah taught us about resilience, faith, and the fleeting nature of life. Despite his physical struggles, Noah’s spirit remained untouched. His laughter filled our days, and we witnessed moments that felt like miracles—moments that renewed our faith. Noah passed away at the age of five on October 10th, 2020, just over a month after his fifth birthday, which remains forever etched in our hearts.

When Noah left us, I was pursuing my master’s in clinical psychology. I hoped to make sense of my grief and help others navigate life’s profound sorrows. Seeking healing, we moved from L.A. to Arizona to be closer to family. In the months that followed, hiking, prayer, and meditation became my refuge. It was then that I discovered Options Medical Weight Loss—a place that ultimately transformed my life. Here, I found that as patients healed their bodies, they also began healing their minds. I realized that this work aligned with my calling, perhaps even more than my aspirations to be a therapist. Guiding others towards healthier lives has given purpose to my pain, allowing me to share what it took to rediscover joy amidst loss.

Today, I manage the Options clinic in Chandler, where my team and I are dedicated to helping patients transform their lives. In the past year alone, we’ve helped some lose over 150 pounds, teaching habits that can prevent both physical and mental ailments. I believe this work not only honors my son Noah but also aims to shape a healthier future for the next generation, where relationships with food and body are grounded in love and wellness.

Noah remains the light of my life, guiding me through signs, dreams, and messages that reassure me I’m on the right path. I now know that every experience, even the hardest ones, serves our spiritual growth. My husband wrote a children’s book in Noah’s honor, “Noah the Brave Knight,” which tells his story of strength, joy, and resilience. We’ve donated hundreds of copies to the Children’s Hospital in Phoenix, hoping to share Noah’s light with every child who needs a reminder to stay brave.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. Life tested me in ways I never imagined, beginning with the day I was told that my son, Noah, had a terminal diagnosis. I’ll never forget the moment the doctors told us he might have only three weeks to live. In that instant, everything I thought mattered fell away, and life shifted to one purpose: living with pure intention, savoring each moment with him, knowing our time together was limited.

For three years, we fought side-by-side through endless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and even brain surgeries. Noah endured it all with incredible courage, teaching me what it means to be truly strong. We spent countless days in the ICU, watching him on a ventilator, praying, and cherishing every precious second. Going through this journey with him, I was changed forever. Once you face losing a child, you find a depth of strength that goes beyond fear. It’s as if you’re gifted with a “superwoman” power—because if you can find meaning, even God, in such profound pain, you emerge transformed. My consciousness expanded, and I learned to see every moment, every challenge, with new eyes.

Since then, I’ve never seen any obstacle in life, including building my clinic, as a hardship. Nothing compares to the path I’ve walked. Instead, I find excitement in each challenge that comes with growth because I know these obstacles are here to teach me, to refine me. The lows, too, are filled with deeply important lessons, and I welcome them. Every step is an opportunity to become stronger, and that’s something I carry forward—not just in my work but in every part of my life.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Options Medical Weight Loss, I have the privilege of helping people transform their lives, not only through physical health but in ways that reach far beyond the body. As the Clinic Manager of our Chandler location, I lead a dedicated team focused on guiding patients through tailored weight loss programs that don’t just help them shed pounds—they empower them to reclaim their lives, build confidence, and find hope.

What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We specialize in comprehensive, medically supervised weight loss that prioritizes both physical and mental wellness. I believe deeply in helping patients heal from the inside out, so we address everything from nutrition to mindset, helping people find balance, strength, and resilience.

Our team is known for our commitment, compassion, and results. Patients who walk through our doors are often at a vulnerable point, and I’m proud that we are a place where they feel supported, understood, and uplifted. Seeing someone lose over 150 pounds in a year or reverse a health condition is incredibly rewarding, but the real magic happens when they begin to heal emotionally and mentally as well. Watching our patients transform as they regain their health and confidence is what drives me.

I am especially proud of the culture we’ve built at the Chandler clinic. I handpicked a team who wakes up every day with a shared purpose: to bring positive, lasting change to everyone we meet. We don’t just focus on the number on the scale—we’re invested in our patients’ overall wellness. We’re there every step of the way, helping them break through emotional and physical barriers to rediscover a version of themselves they might have thought was lost.

What sets me apart personally is my life experience and resilience. Having walked through the greatest loss a parent can endure, I no longer view challenges as obstacles but as opportunities for growth. My journey through my son Noah’s illness and passing has taught me to face each day with strength and intention, and that depth of experience allows me to connect with patients on a profound level. I strive to show others that true healing goes beyond the physical, and I’m honored to help our patients find their light, purpose, and strength.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me truly happy is seeing others transform their lives—especially in ways that connect physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellness. Witnessing patients reclaim their health, confidence, and purpose brings me a deep sense of fulfillment, as I guide them to find balance, strength, and resilience. My work at Options Medical Weight Loss aligns with my values and personal journey, allowing me to support people on their path to living healthier, more empowered lives. This purpose and ability to help others thrive are what brings me joy.

Pricing:

• Free Consultation

Contact Info:

• Website: https://optionsmedicalweightloss.com/locations/arizona/chandler-gilbert-weight-loss-clinic/
• Instagram: @m.capone