Today we’d like to introduce you to Manuela Rios.
Hi Manuela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Story of MAX Doula
“MAX really started with my own experience as a parent.
I became a mom at 19 and then again at 24, 1st generation immigrant Latina first daughter . I had two C-sections and two completely different experiences.
With my first, I didn’t really have that village. I experienced postpartum depression, postpartum rage, exhaustion, and breastfeeding was extremely difficult.
There’s one moment I’ll probably never forget. My daughter was only five days old. My nipples were cracked and bleeding, there was blood in my milk, and I physically couldn’t feed her.
And a friend showed up and fed my baby for me.
It sounds like such a simple thing, but in that moment it meant everything.
That’s when you understand that ‘it takes a village’ isn’t just a cute saying. Sometimes your village is literally one person showing up when you can’t do it yourself.
Then I became a mom again at 24. Another C-section, but a completely different experience and outcome.
It showed me very early that there is no one way to experience pregnancy, birth, postpartum or parenthood.
My children are 13 and 8 now, and I always say parenthood is basically Jumanji.
You finally think you mastered one level and—boom!—you’re in another one and apparently nobody gave you the instructions.
Newborns become toddlers, then school, friendships, illnesses, independence, teenagers…and we’re still figuring it out.
And there is so much joy in those stages, but there’s grief too.
Sometimes you’re grieving the person you were before becoming a parent. Sometimes it’s the birth or postpartum experience you thought you were going to have. Sometimes it’s simply realizing your child has grown out of a stage you’ll never get back.
I’ve also been the mom sitting next to my own child in the hospital with RSV, terrified and trusting healthcare professionals with the person I love most.
Then I got to experience healthcare from the other side too. I worked as a phlebotomist, in a birthing center and in OB/GYN, and I’ve supported births and so many different families.
That taught me how important empathy is.
In healthcare, someone can easily become another patient, another room, another blood draw, another task.
But there’s always a human being attached to that task.
And because I’ve been on both sides, I strongly believe that how a woman is treated during pregnancy, birth and postpartum can mark her and change her life forever.
Then in 2021, my grandfather passed away.
I was going through one of the lowest periods of my life—grief, motherhood, work, survival, trying to figure out who I was and what I was supposed to do with everything I had experienced.
And around 2 o’clock in the morning, MAX came to me.
Manuela. Alejandro. Ximena.
The three of us.
Before MAX was a business, MAX was us.
But as the idea grew, the name took on another meaning:
Mujer Auténtica Extraordinaria — An Authentic, Extraordinary Woman.
And extraordinary doesn’t mean perfect.
To me, it’s the real woman. The woman who can be strong and still need help. Who can love motherhood and still have difficult days. Who can experience joy, grief, exhaustion and change and still be authentically herself.
Becoming a mother doesn’t erase the woman you were before. It adds another layer to her.
MAX honors my children and our story, while Mujer Auténtica Extraordinaria honors the woman within the mother.
And that’s what eventually grew into MAX Doula · Holistic Integrated Services.
I chose Integrated Services because families don’t fit into little boxes.
Postpartum isn’t only about taking care of a newborn.
There’s a mother recovering. There’s a father or partner learning their role. There may be an older sibling whose entire world just changed. There’s feeding, sleep, nourishment, mental health, culture, relationships and boundaries.
It’s all connected.
I want Dad or the partner involved. I’m not there to replace them. I want to help them understand their baby, learn the baby’s cues, support their partner and feel confident in their own role.
And I don’t want an older child to feel like the baby arrived and they disappeared.
Sometimes sibling support is maintaining their routine, including them with the baby, giving them a little extra attention or simply reminding them, ‘I still see you.’
I also believe care doesn’t disappear when a family’s story has a different outcome.
There is postpartum after pregnancy loss, miscarriage and stillbirth too. The mother still deserves care, and fathers and partners grieve too.
Sometimes care isn’t about fixing anything.
Sometimes it’s simply being present.
And then there’s probably my favorite love language: food.
I love being able to make something healthy and nourishing but also really delicious.
One of my favorite moments is watching someone take that first bite and seeing their eyes light up.
I want it to feel like home. Like a hug.
That’s very connected to my Colombian roots. Food is love. It’s warmth. It’s how we take care of people.
Sometimes love is simply:
‘Sit down. I got you. Eat.’
Because everybody is asking, ‘Did the baby eat?’
And I’m also thinking, ‘Okay…but who fed Mom? Who fed Dad? Who made sure the sibling ate?’
That’s part of caring for the whole family.
And one of the biggest ways I explain my role to families is:
‘I’m your toolbox.’
I come into your home with a toolbox filled with everything I’ve gathered along the way—my education, my healthcare experience, my own experience as a mother, lactation and feeding support, newborn care, postpartum recovery, sibling support, nourishment, culture, resources and different techniques I’ve learned from working with so many families.
But you don’t have to use every tool in my toolbox.
Just because I know a technique doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
I’m never coming into someone’s home saying, ‘You have to do this. You have to feed this way. You have to parent this way.’
No.
I give you the tools, and you choose what aligns with you.
Your baby. Your values. Your culture. Your beliefs. Your family.
And that toolbox doesn’t belong only to Mom.
It belongs to the family.
Dad or the partner gets tools to understand their baby, support recovery and build confidence in their own role. Siblings get support adjusting. And Mom gets the space and tools she needs to heal, rest and find herself within this new version of her life.
My goal isn’t to make a family dependent on me.
Actually, one of my favorite parts of this work is watching them need me less.
In the beginning, it might be:
‘Manuela, what do I do?’
And then toward the end, they’re already doing it before I even say anything.
That’s the point.
I’m not supposed to carry the toolbox forever. I’m helping you figure out which tools work for your family so that when I leave, the toolbox stays with you.
Because you’re going to need it for the next level of Jumanji.” [laugh]
“I became a full-time doula in 2024, and now, looking at where MAX is two years later, it’s kind of incredible to think that all of this started as an idea at 2 a.m. during one of the lowest moments of my life.
MAX started as Manuela, Alejandro and Ximena.
It grew into Mujer Auténtica Extraordinaria — An Authentic, Extraordinary Woman.
And today, MAX Doula · Holistic Integrated Services allows me to take everything life has taught me—parenthood, healthcare, grief, culture, food, empathy and love—and use it to show up for another family.
I know what it feels like to need somebody to show up.
And I know what it feels like when somebody does.
Sometimes that’s what a village is.
Someone shows up.
And that’s what I want MAX to be.
Your village is here.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“I think one of my biggest obstacles has been learning how to balance everything. I’m a single parent navigating a 50/50 parenting schedule while building a business and still making sure I’m present for my own children. That’s honestly another level of Jumanji.”
“Entrepreneurship itself is a roller coaster. Some weeks you’re busy and everything is moving, and other weeks are slower and you start questioning yourself. I’m also constantly learning—taxes, contracts, finances, marketing, and especially how to put myself out there so the families who need me can actually find me.
But there’s also the emotional side of this work. As a doula, you’re invited into some of the most vulnerable moments of people’s lives. You see beautiful births and beautiful beginnings, but you also see fear, exhaustion, difficult experiences, grief and sometimes loss.
In the moment, my job is to be present for that family, so sometimes my own emotions come on a delay. I may not process what I witnessed or how something affected me until I’m home or even days later.
I’ve had to learn that caring for other people also means learning how to care for myself, process what I carry from this work, and still come home and be Mom.
I’m still learning how to be a mother, a doula and an entrepreneur at the same time. And to me, that’s part of being an Authentic, Extraordinary Woman. It doesn’t mean having everything figured out.
I’m still learning, still growing, and still figuring it out—and I think that’s okay.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Max Doula Holistic Integrated Services ?
I’ve always been someone who genuinely loves taking care of people. Whether it’s holding a newborn, preparing a delicious meal, sharing my love for herbs and traditional practices, or simply making someone feel welcomed and comfortable, nurturing others has always been part of who I am.
For years, I imagined myself becoming a nurse or a midwife. I made several attempts to follow that path because I’ve always been fascinated by the human body, pregnancy, maternal health, and newborn development. My experience working in healthcare gave me a deeper appreciation for modern medicine, while my Colombian roots inspired my love for traditional herbs, ancestral practices, and holistic care.
I’ve always been drawn to both worlds. I believe there’s beauty in honoring the traditions passed down through generations while also respecting the knowledge, advancements, and importance of modern healthcare. To me, they don’t have to compete. They can complement one another when practiced thoughtfully, safely, and within the appropriate scope of care.
But life has a funny way of leading us somewhere we never quite imagined.
Becoming a doula and embracing my passion for cooking opened doors I hadn’t originally considered. What began as two things I loved has grown into something so much more. I’ve discovered that I don’t have to fit into one traditional role to make a meaningful difference. I can continue learning, exploring my passions, and creating something that feels authentically mine.
And that’s how MAX Doula · Holistic Integrated Services came to life.
Today, I’m known as The Postpartum Doula Chef. I specialize in postpartum and newborn care, lactation support, sibling transitions, daytime and overnight care, and boutique-style in-home personal-chef services. I also offer culturally inspired holistic experiences, including my signature Sunflower Experience.
What I love most is that no two families, babies, or days are ever the same. I get to bring different parts of myself into my work, and that keeps me inspired.
I absolutely adore newborns! They’re tiny, snuggly, and just so precious. There’s something incredibly special about building a connection with a baby and watching them grow from those sleepy newborn days into a thriving six- or eight-week-old. Their little rolls, those first smiles, discovering their hands, following your face with their eyes, and slowly developing their own personalities. I get so excited about those little milestones!
And just as much as I love watching babies grow, I love watching parents grow into their confidence.
Because let’s face it, those early postpartum weeks can feel like one very long day. Time almost seems to stand still, and somehow the days and nights blend into one another. Between feeding, diaper changes, sleepless nights, and trying to remember when you last ate a proper meal, it’s easy to lose track of time and sometimes even yourself.
That’s why I’m such a big believer in celebrating the smallest victories. It might sound silly to someone who hasn’t experienced it, but those little wins can be what keeps you going!
A successful latch, a longer stretch of sleep, finally getting out of the house, or your baby finally pooping after days of waiting! Because believe me, that deserves a celebration too! Jajaja!
Those moments are anything but insignificant. They bring relief, reassurance, and sometimes a much-needed laugh during a season that can feel overwhelming.
I love reminding parents that progress doesn’t always come in big milestones. Sometimes it’s simply getting through a difficult night, figuring out what works for your baby, or realizing that today felt a little easier than yesterday.
And if we can find a reason to smile, laugh, or celebrate along the way, why wouldn’t we?
Of course, postpartum isn’t always picture-perfect. There can be overwhelming emotions, anxiety, loneliness, exhaustion, self-doubt, and sometimes postpartum depression.
One of the most meaningful parts of my work is being a safe space for parents. Sometimes they need someone they can cry with, laugh with, vent to, or simply sit beside without feeling like they have to explain themselves or have everything figured out.
I want families to feel comfortable being honest about what they’re experiencing, without judgment or embarrassment. My healthcare background and postpartum training have also taught me the importance of recognizing when someone may need additional professional support. While I’m not a mental health provider, I can listen, offer emotional and practical support, and help connect families with qualified professionals and resources.
I’m fortunate to be part of a wonderful birth and postpartum community where we can learn from and support one another. When I refer a family to another professional, I take that responsibility seriously. I want to recommend someone whose knowledge, compassion, and quality of care are what I would want for myself, my children, or someone I love.
Because being someone’s village doesn’t mean having every answer. Sometimes it means knowing when to listen, when to lend a hand, and when to bring the right person into their circle.
Now, let’s talk about food, because that’s another love of mine!
Cooking has always been one of my love languages. I love hosting, experimenting with flavors, setting a beautiful table, and bringing people together over a delicious meal.
My culinary style is deeply influenced by my Colombian roots, but I also love exploring cuisines from around the world and bringing a gourmet, boutique-style touch into my clients’ homes. Sometimes it’s a traditional Colombian dish that brings back beautiful memories, and other times it’s something completely different, with a more refined, restaurant-inspired presentation.
As a Muslim revert, my faith is also an important part of who I am. My relationship with God has taught me so much about gratitude, intention, compassion, and serving others with sincerity. All the food I prepare is halal, and I love being able to explore different cuisines while remaining true to my values.
And of course, there’s usually some salsa music playing in the kitchen! I always say a little salsa adds that extra sazón to my cooking, jajaja!
Through MAX, I offer an in-home personal-chef-style experience where I take care of everything, from menu planning and grocery shopping to preparation, cooking, portioning, and storing meals. Every menu is personalized to the family’s tastes, preferences, and needs.
I love getting creative in the kitchen. No two menus have to be the same, and there’s something so rewarding about seeing someone’s eyes light up after that first bite.
For me, food is about much more than filling someone’s stomach. It’s comfort, connection, culture, and love.
Nourishment isn’t a luxury. It’s fundamental. The beautiful presentation and thoughtful touches are simply my way of making something essential feel a little more special.
And if there’s one thing people who know me will tell you, it’s that I’m the sunflower-loving, leopard-print-and-pearls kind of girl!
I love fashion, elegance, beautiful details, and a little bit of luxury. I enjoy creating experiences that feel chic and thoughtfully put together, but still warm, welcoming, and comfortable. I never want elegance to feel intimidating.
And I absolutely love celebrating! Birthdays are especially meaningful to me because they represent another year of life, memories, growth, and blessings. I’m the kind of person who celebrates everyone’s birthday, including my dogs’! Jajaja!
I don’t believe we need to wait for a major milestone to make someone feel special. Sometimes the smallest victories deserve the biggest celebrations. That same joy naturally carries into MAX, whether I’m setting a beautiful table, preparing a special meal, or finding a little way to brighten someone’s day.
One of my favorite traditions is bringing sunflowers to my clients. To me, they represent warmth, happiness, gratitude, and good intentions. It’s my little peace offering, a way of saying, “Thank you for welcoming me into your home and trusting me during such a personal chapter of your life.”
That same love for meaningful experiences inspired one of the services I’m especially proud of: The Sunflower Experience.
Inspired by the Colombian postpartum tradition of la cuarentena, it’s an all-inclusive, luxury in-home spa experience centered around the mother. It brings together traditional herbal bathing, warmth, relaxation, nourishment, and beautiful details that allow her to feel genuinely celebrated.
For me, it’s so much more than a bath or a spa treatment.
It’s a gift a woman gives herself to honor everything she’s been through.
From carrying her baby through pregnancy, to giving birth, to recovering postpartum and discovering this new version of herself.
We celebrate babies so beautifully, as we should. But what about the woman who brought that baby into the world?
Motherhood is such a transformation. You’re welcoming a new life while getting to know a new version of yourself, and somewhere along the way, it’s easy to forget that you deserve care, too.
With The Sunflower Experience, I want a mother to feel like the queen of her own home. For once, she doesn’t have to host, prepare, organize, or worry about everyone else. Everything is thoughtfully taken care of so she can simply receive, relax, and be celebrated.
It’s where my Colombian heritage, passion for herbs and holistic traditions, love for hospitality, and dedication to maternal care all come together.
Even the name MAX is deeply personal to me. It began with Manuela, Alejandro, and Ximena—my children and me. But it also stands for Mujer Auténtica Extraordinaria, meaning “An Authentic, Extraordinary Woman.”
And I love what that represents.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the services I’ve created or the direction MAX continues to grow. It’s the relationships I’ve built and the trust families have placed in me.
I love watching parents find their confidence, understand their babies, trust their instincts, and eventually feel ready to navigate this new chapter on their own. When they begin needing me less, I know I’ve helped them find their rhythm.
And I’m still growing, too. I’m a mother, a caregiver, a lifelong student, a proud Colombian woman, a Muslim revert, a passionate home cook, and someone who loves newborn babies, sunflowers, fashion, music, and celebrating life.
I may not have taken the career path I originally imagined, but I’ve found a way to bring so many of my passions together while continuing to discover new ones. That’s something I’m incredibly grateful for.
At the end of the day, I want families to remember not only what I did for them, but how they felt while I was there. Whether it was a comforting meal, a peaceful night, a beautiful postpartum ritual, a bouquet of sunflowers, or simply someone reminding them that they’re doing a wonderful job.
Because to me, true luxury isn’t just about how beautiful something looks. It’s about how someone feels long after the experience is over.
And that’s the heart of MAX.
Your village is here.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
“The most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay true to myself and have faith, even when I can’t see exactly how everything is going to work out.
I’ve had many doors close, and I’ve had people question what I’m doing. I’ve heard, ‘Why don’t you just work for someone else?’ ‘Can being a doula really pay?’ ‘You’re basically a high-paid babysitter,’ ‘You’re a nanny,’ or ‘So you’re a cook?’ Are you sure entrepreneurship is for you?”
And when you’re building something from the ground up, of course those comments can make you question yourself.
But as a Muslim woman, my faith in God is my foundation. I’ve learned that not everyone has to understand the vision God gave me for me to continue believing in it. Sometimes a closed door isn’t the end—it may be redirecting me toward where I’m supposed to be.
I genuinely believe in what I’m building with MAX and in the way I envision caring for families. At the same time, I’ve learned that believing in my vision doesn’t mean thinking I know everything.
I want to always remain a student.
I’ve been blessed to learn from incredible mentors, doulas, healthcare providers and families along the way. I’ve also built a beautiful birth community around me, and that’s something I’m very grateful for.
I don’t believe one provider is supposed to be everything for a family. Part of providing good care is knowing my scope, knowing when something is outside of it, and knowing who has the expertise that family needs.
And when I refer someone, I don’t want to simply hand a family a name or phone number. I want to connect them with someone who aligns with their needs, their values and the level of care that I pride myself on providing. The referral is part of the care too.
That’s why community over competition is so important to me. We can learn from one another, understand each other’s strengths and refer to each other so that ultimately the family receives the best care possible.
I talk so much about families needing a village, but I’ve learned that the people caring for families need a village too.
And I’ve also learned that people themselves can be like seasons. Some people walk with you through winter, others through spring, summer or fall. Some help you grow, some challenge you, some teach you something, and not everyone is meant to walk the entire journey with you.
A lot of people can have an opinion about your path, but very few are actually walking it with you.
So I’ve learned to listen, stay teachable and accept guidance without allowing every opinion to become my direction.
When someone reduces my work to babysitting, cooking or one individual task, I don’t feel like I have to prove myself the way I once might have. Yes, sometimes I hold the baby. Sometimes I cook. Sometimes I wash bottles. But I may also be supporting feeding, helping parents understand their newborn, helping a sibling adjust, nourishing a recovering mother, helping a father or partner find confidence, recognizing when something needs to be referred to another provider, or simply sitting beside a family during a very vulnerable moment.
The task might look simple, but the intention and care behind it are much bigger.
So I think my biggest lesson has been to keep my faith, stay authentic, remain a student, surround myself with a strong community and continue believing in what I’m building—even when other people don’t understand it yet.
I’m still learning. I’m still growing. MAX is still growing.
I don’t have to know exactly what every season will look like. I just have to stay grounded in my faith, my purpose and the kind of care I want to put into the world.”
Pricing:
- 65 day time support (4-6hr)/$15-20 mile radius
- overnight support 75 -80 (10hr minimum)
- traveling doula depending on hrs and travel
- meal prep from $450-650 depending on family size/groceries are paid by client with a budget
- herbal bath 2.5 hrs (plus ingredients by clients start $350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maxdoula.com
- Instagram: maxdoula2021
