The story of coach and change manager Bernadett Tresó, who has lived in Switzerland since 2017, proves that genetics isn’t our fate. Epigenetics—how we live—can override a less fortunate genetic blueprint. We can heal ourselves if we face our lives honestly and radically change our lifestyle.
What exactly was the illness you had to face, and what methods helped you overcome it?
In 2017, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory condition that can affect the entire digestive tract. Even though the symptoms had already been making my life difficult for some time, the disease wasn’t discovered until later. I had to travel to Germany for an important meeting with my new boss, and at the last minute, I was also tasked with delivering a presentation. I wanted to perform well, so I was extremely nervous, and my typical symptoms started days before the trip. After suffering for three days, I felt so bad on the return flight that I ended up in the emergency room that very night. Two weeks later, I received the diagnosis. My doctor prescribed cortisone and steroids. At that time, I didn’t yet see the connection—though looking back, it’s obvious: stress at work always amplified my symptoms. But despite the medication, I didn’t really improve. So, I began looking into alternative treatment options. The real turning point came in early 2021 after a more thorough examination revealed my condition had worsened, and my treatment was no longer effective. I was told I’d have to switch to a much stronger, so-called biological immunosuppressive therapy, which weakens the immune system. By then, I was living in Basel with my family, with two small children and no support system, and I would have needed an infusion every four weeks that would have drained me entirely. I was scared of what the future might hold—for me and for my family—if things continued to deteriorate. That’s when I decided: I don’t want this. I asked my doctor to give me a bit of time because I wanted to try something else. I had already read a lot about anti-inflammatory diets and detox programs, and with my doctor’s consent, I went for it. I reached out to professionals who helped me completely overhaul my diet.
What kind of diet did you follow, and how did it affect your illness?
I began a three-month anti-inflammatory FODMAP diet. The idea behind it is to avoid foods high in certain carbohydrates that can trigger symptoms. I eliminated dairy, alcohol, and sugar immediately and completed a detox cleanse. At that point, I had already started a coaching course and began digging deeper into myself, realizing I had work to do in that area too. I learned effective stress management techniques and started meditating. Nutrition, meditation, self-awareness, and movement together brought me physical and mental balance. I rebuilt myself step by step. Epigenetics became my hope: how I live, think, feel—and over time, my body healed without medications or therapy. But what’s perhaps even more important is that I transformed on the inside too. When I went back for a check-up, my doctor was amazed—my lab results were perfect. It’s been four years now. I no longer need steroids, and my digestive system is fully recovered according to tests. My case proves that despite genetic predisposition and family history, what epigenetics teaches us is far more important: how we live and think has a massive impact on whether or not a disease is triggered. That’s why prevention is so crucial. We shouldn’t wait until something goes wrong—we need to start taking care of ourselves today. Doctors and experts can help—but we also have responsibility and inner strength. Much more than we think.
This internal transformation, this shift in mindset and lifestyle, is what led to the creation of your Holinstinct well-being method with your fellow coach, who also lives in Switzerland. What is the essence of this approach, and who can it help?
The concept behind the Holinstinct corporate well-being program came partly from personal experience and partly from professional insight. My business partner and friend Mária, a certified resilience coach who had firsthand experience with burnout as a project manager, had to pause her work for half a year. Like me, it was a lifestyle change that brought her recovery. These individual realizations formed the foundation for the belief that mental and physical well-being are inseparable—and that an integrated approach like this is missing in the corporate world. Our market research clearly showed that while many stress management or resilience programs are available, most focus on narrow areas and fail to address the four fundamental pillars of human functioning as a whole: nutrition, movement, personal development, and mental health. Holinstinct puts this complex, integrative approach at the center. Our program provides tools for leaders, busy professionals, and anyone seeking sustainable long-term change, helping them regain inner balance—not through external fixes, but by following a process of personal growth from the inside out. This is now scientifically supported: the body and mind work in close interaction. Chronic stress and negative thought patterns don’t just cause psychological strain; they directly affect physical health too. A conscious lifestyle shift—including proper nutrition, regular movement, meditation and mindfulness practices, and self-awareness work—doesn’t just aid recovery but can fundamentally transform a person’s worldview and relationship with themselves. That’s why we created the Holinstinct 21-day online program, which specifically focuses on burnout prevention and offers daily steps and practical tips—from meditation and dietary recommendations to self-reflection and stress management exercises, and various forms of physical activity.
That’s very helpful, because many people get stuck at the beginning—when the goal seems too far away and not broken down into steps.
Exactly. That’s the key: developing and integrating new habits into daily life. The 21 days are critical—that’s how long it takes for the brain to begin to “get used to” new patterns. If that happens, lasting change becomes much more likely. The program doesn’t just reshape eating habits, but thinking habits as well. We teach how to recognize and reframe negative thoughts, manage stress, and apply practical techniques in daily life. We also offer this program to corporate clients, and we’ve developed custom program packages for them. For leaders, professionals, HR teams, and global companies, we have a six-part online webinar series that covers six different topics supporting burnout prevention. Our goal is to equip participants with practical tools they can use right away.
Am I right in thinking that there’s a growing demand from companies to support and motivate employees in this way?
Absolutely—and it’s a very positive trend. Companies are realizing that if they neglect employee well-being, it becomes a competitive disadvantage. One of HR’s biggest challenges is retaining talent while everything around us changes at a dizzying pace. That creates fear and uncertainty, which makes prevention even more important. We often get feedback that this kind of support is exactly what’s missing: help shouldn’t come only when someone is already in deep trouble—it needs to come earlier.
So prevention is the key. And to achieve that, leaders must also be educated and trained in soft skills, so they can recognize the signs.
Yes, exactly. Because a lot of it comes down to empathy and open communication—to create a corporate culture where someone can say: “This is too much right now. I can’t take on new tasks after 6 p.m. because I’m exhausted or want to spend time with my child.”
According to the WHO, 60% of our health and quality of life is determined by our lifestyle. Why do you think we’ve forgotten this—and are now heading in the opposite direction?
The desire to prove ourselves and meet expectations is incredibly strong—especially in the corporate world where I used to work. Success is still often measured by how fast you move up, not by how well you balance your work and personal life. Everyone’s trying to keep up, and our environment tells us we have to endure the pace. We just don’t notice when it becomes too much. Yet our bodies and nervous systems signal us—but we don’t listen. That’s why education has to come from the top. If I see my leader taking care of their work-life balance, then I’ll dare to do the same. That could be the key—because ultimately, only those who are healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally—can perform well. Another issue is that many people focus outward—on what others expect from them, instead of what they truly want. We forget to stop, turn inward, and reflect. We’ve forgotten the importance of self-care. I often say we’ve disconnected from ourselves. We suppress our instincts and feelings. And this can go on for ten, twenty, thirty years. Then one day, we realize: we’re not living according to our values. We’ve become emotionally detached from ourselves—while our body keeps sending us warning signals.
What would you recommend to help someone reconnect with themselves, feel better, and identify their real needs?
The simplest—but also one of the hardest—things: pause. Even just five minutes of conscious self-time each day can do wonders. Self-reflection is the first step toward self-care. If we’re not feeling well, we need to know what helps. For example, I wake up early every day to have 1.5–2 hours in the morning just for myself. But it doesn’t have to be that long—15 minutes a day is enough. The key is consistency. Let’s make it a habit to check in with ourselves daily—our thoughts, feelings, physical state. Another technique I recommend is the 4×4 breathing method, which can be done anywhere, anytime: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, pause for 4. It’s extremely effective in stressful situations and no one can even tell you’re doing it. And one more small but important tip: if you’re tired, skip the coffee—drink a large glass of water instead. More often than not, your body needs hydration, not caffeine.
Interview by Jean Orsolya
The original article is available in Hungarian on the website www.longevitymagazin.hu.
28th May 2025
