Dr. Nataly Perez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Nataly, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of my chiropractic work, which I’ve been dedicated to for the past 13 years, starting The Perez Foundation for Health and Hope with my family has truly brought me joy.
The Foundation was born from love, loss, and a shared commitment to honor our mother, Ileana Silguero Perez, who bravely battled leiomyosarcoma. My sisters and I came together to create something meaningful in her name. Watching her face such a rare and aggressive cancer with grace, strength, and dignity inspired us to carry her spirit forward.
We witnessed firsthand how overwhelming the emotional, medical, and financial challenges can be, and we knew we weren’t alone. This foundation is our way of turning grief into purpose and creating a tribute to our mother’s resilience and compassion while making a promise to help other families facing similar hardships.
Building this foundation has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, allowing me to channel both my professional passion for healing and my family’s love into something that continues her legacy of hope.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve been a practicing sports chiropractor in the Houston Heights for over 13 years. My work has mainly focused on improving health, mobility, and overall well-being through chiropractic care and acupuncture. Beyond my practice, I recently co-founded The Perez Foundation for Health and Hope with my sisters, Angelica and Ileana, and our family. The Foundation was created in memory of our mother, Ileana Silguero Perez. and is our way of turning grief into purpose and helping families facing the dual burden of medical and financial hardship.
What makes my work special is the opportunity to combine both worlds: the hands-on healing of chiropractic care and the heart-driven mission of our Foundation. Together, they reflect what I value most—helping people live healthier, more hopeful lives.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Witnessing my mother’s nine-year journey with cancer and eventually losing her to the disease shaped how I see the world. Watching her face such a relentless illness with grace, strength, and unwavering faith forever changed me. Through that experience, my mother and my family and I were surrounded by incredible love and support. Our friends, family, colleagues, and our community helped us navigate some of the hardest years of our lives.
But I also realized that not everyone has that kind of support system. Many individuals and families face similar challenges in silence, without the resources or community to lift them up. That realization became the driving force behind The Perez Foundation for Health and Hope. We created it to help others find the compassion, financial relief, and emotional support they need during their most difficult times, so no one has to face those moments alone.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and began using it as power when I realized I could take my emotions and anxiety and channel them into action. I’ve learned to honor my grief and the depth of my loss, but instead of letting it weigh me down, I pour that energy into my office and new projects.
I continue to dedicate myself to my career and patients, which I love deeply, but creating the Foundation allows me to transform my personal experience into meaningful action. It’s similar to my work in the clinic, yet in a different way. It’s a way to turn pain into purpose and help others while honoring my mother’s legacy.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what matters most to me is my family, my friends, and the sense of a true, close-knit community. I value genuine connection and people who show up for one another in real and meaningful ways. Authenticity and loyalty mean everything. I’m not interested in surface-level relationships or fakeness. I care about building a strong support system where love, honesty, and trust come first. I carry this mindset with me every day in my office, and I believe it truly shows in how I treat my patients and those I work alongside.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I want people to remember that I made a real difference: easing their suffering, lifting spirits, and standing by them when it mattered most. I hope my legacy reflects a life devoted to healing, to inspiring others to live fully, and to creating genuine connections that endure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theperezfoundation.org
- Instagram: @theperezfoundation
- Facebook: @theperezfoundation
- Other: We have an event soon and I can send over more photos after Nov 15.
Image Credits
We have an event soon and I can send over more photos after Nov 15.
