About Us

We're Paula and Kerry Ruiz, a husband-and-wife team. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us. We believe the best care begins with listening and understanding each person's needs.

We'd love the opportunity to meet you and introduce you to Alive & Well. We invite you to schedule a complimentary tour of our studio. We'll show you around, answer your questions, and help you decide if Alive & Well is the right fit for you.

Paula Ruiz,MS, RD, LDN

For more than 26 years, I've had the privilege of helping people eat well, move well, and live well. When I founded Alive & Well in 2000, my goal was simple: to provide practical, science-based health guidance in a warm, welcoming environment where people feel heard, supported, and empowered.

My professional journey began with degrees in nutrition and exercise science. It was further shaped by my work at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, where I developed a strong foundation in evidence-based care.

After being diagnosed with several autoimmune conditions, I experienced healthcare from the patient's perspective. Working with conventional, integrative, functional, and naturopathic practitioners taught me to look beyond symptoms and understand the many factors that influence health.

My education taught me the science. My own health journey taught me how to apply it. Together, they've taught me that it's the small, everyday choices that create lasting health.

Health is about much more than what's on your plate. Movement, quality sleep, stress management, and nervous system regulation all play an important role. Those lessons continue to shape the way I care for each client.

I believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to health. Rather than focusing on quick fixes or rigid diets, I help clients build lasting habits that improve energy, strength, and overall well-being. I meet people where they are and give them tools that fit their lives. Nothing brings me greater joy than helping people discover that their bodies are far more capable of healing and thriving than they ever imagined.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics | Master of Science in Exercise Science

Honors: $10,000 Balance Bar Grant Recipient | Extraordinary Entrepreneur Award (2003)

Kerry Ruiz, BS, CPT

Kerry manages Alive & Well studio, coordinates events, and teaches Tai Chi and Qigong. He draws on more than 30 years of business skills to make our studio an incomparable customer service experience. He pulls from his experience as Director of Downtown Business Association and Live After Five to strengthen our community outreach.

Honors: Regional Tai Chi Liaison for Veteran Affairs | National Qigong Association Board of Directors | Gulf Coast Parkinson’s Foundations Board of Directors | Mayor’s Advisory Council for Veterans Affairs | Governor’s Council on Suicide Prevention for Veterans & their Families | Relay for Life Event Chairman, American Cancer Society | Heart Award Recipient, Hibernia | Board Member, American Cancer Society