Who am I

Hey there, beautiful soul,

I’m Cristina, and I want to warmly welcome you at Better by Intention. If you’re here, it’s likely because you’re navigating the stormy waters of toxic relationships and betrayal trauma. I want you to know that you’re not alone, and there is a path to healing and empowerment ahead.

My Journey

I was a recent Fashion Designer when I found myself working on costume and set design at an advertising production company in São Paulo, Brazil. This early experience soon led me into Art Direction, where I fell in love with Graphic Design. It was amidst this creative atmosphere that my journey of self-discovery and well-being began—an unexpected but transformative path that has shaped both my work and my life.

Nine years into my job, feeling burnt out and disillusioned, I stumbled upon yoga. What started as a simple invitation to a free yoga class quickly became a journey of profound transformation and healing and since then, I have committed myself to mastering the art of yoga and meditation. I obtained certification as a Yoga Teacher and went on a continuous journey of study and self-improvement. My dedication to yoga materialized in Mukti Yoga Shala, a studio I established in São Paulo, Brazil in 2015 and nurtured until my relocation to the United States, seven years later.

In 2021, my deep passion for learning and writing and my constant search for new insights and wisdom to enhance my practice and share it with others, led me to explore a new path as a Life Coach.

The Unexpected Challenge

But when I thought that was my calling, life had something unexpected in store for me and only a few months into my second marriage, I discovered I was living in a toxic relationship that included digital betrayal. 

After enduring the tumultuous post-betrayal phases, including shock, denial, obsession, anger, bargaining, mourning, and acceptance, I learned the hard way that even though being cheated on throws you into positions you may not be ready for, there’s always a gift and opportunity available in every challenge. More on that in a moment.

Many months after the digital betrayal, despite my husband’s efforts to fulfill his part (you can read more about it here), this was the aftermath: I was sick, had no energy, gained weight, was emotionally drained, hypervigilant, angry, experienced intrusive and toxic thoughts all day long, couldn’t sleep and the so necessary and desired “recovery” phase seemed to be permanently out of my reach.

Until one morning, out of exhaustion, I surrendered to the gentle voice that seemed to be whispering in my ears, “Take care of yourself,” and crawled to my Yoga mat to start a very, very gentle and short Yoga sequence, because that was all I could do. My whole body was in pain. After the practice, I was deeply emotional and by the end of my relaxation, it hit me:

For months since D-Day, I got hyper-focused on what he did and why he did it. And I was searching for explanations because I was so shocked and completely lost that I needed some sense of control – which I mistakenly thought would come from his answers. The next thing I knew, I was trying to micromanage my partner and relationship, getting completely obsessed with him while forgetting about myself, my limits, my needs, my health, and my wealth. I wanted to ensure betrayal would never happen again, and I thought if I worked hard enough to control HIM (as if the betrayal itself wasn’t enough evidence of the control fallacy!), that would do it. But all of that prolonged chronic stress only set me up for disaster. 

The solution? I needed to prioritize self-care for my mind, emotions, and body. And that’s precisely what I started doing.

The Power of Self-Care

Honestly, redirecting my energy from him back to myself was the real game changer toward recovery, the “final” stage after a betrayal we all strive so hard to achieve. Once I consciously decided to focus on myself rather than on him or the relationship, and began to prioritize my own well-being despite the betrayal, things started to improve quite quickly.

And let me tell you something interesting. We often think about recovery as this happy ever-after scene in which everything around you is perfect and you’re in control, so ONLY THEN can you finally rest and be happy. Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Recovering from betrayal trauma—or any trauma—is a decision YOU need to make, and it’s first and foremost a commitment to yourself to begin a journey inwards and look for what is good and is already working in your life TODAY. 

When it happens, you will notice that recovery is nothing but an internal experience of well-being, of not overreacting when some thought triggers you, and of eventually returning to peace. That internal mastery is achievable, and it empowers you to take control of your own trajectory—the only control you can truly have if you learn how to master your own mind.

However, I don’t imply that you should stick together no matter what and continue to accept a toxic relationship until the unacceptable becomes the new normal. No! By all means, establish safe boundaries, limits, and non-negotiables to create a safe (or at least, safer) space for you to pause, assess the damage, and begin your journey toward healing.

That is why I firmly believe that working on the mental level is STEP 1 in recovery from Betrayal Trauma or establishing safe boundaries in a toxic relationship. This is crucial for personal growth but even more critical if you are interested in building healthier relationships in the future—which I’m pretty sure you are—even if it is with the same person.

Embracing New Beginnings

Through this journey, I started to feel the calling to help other women find their way back to their best selves after betrayal. That’s when I stumbled upon Shirzad Shamine’s best-selling book, and after undergoing his program, I decided to become a Positive Intelligence Coach.

As I educated myself and trained my mind, I started to experience all the benefits of mental fitness. The Saboteur part of my mind and its devastating effects began to expose itself. Still, as I started to strengthen my Sage muscles, I noticed a profound shift in my perspective and healthier responses to life’s challenges.

My ability to remain calm in stressful situations improved dramatically. Instead of reacting impulsively, I found myself pausing to consider multiple viewpoints. The constant self-doubt and negative self-talk that once plagued me began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of self-compassion and confidence because now I could see not only my Saboteurs, but recognize my partner’s.

Decisions that used to paralyze me with anxiety and avoidance became opportunities for growth and self-discovery. I started approaching problems with curiosity rather than fear, often finding creative solutions I would have previously overlooked. My relationships deepened as I learned to listen with awareness and communicate authentically.

Perhaps most importantly, I developed a renewed sense of purpose and agency in my life. No longer feeling like a victim of circumstances, I began to see myself as the author of my own story, capable of creating positive change both in my life and the world around me.

This mental fitness journey hasn’t erased all the challenges from my life, but it has fundamentally changed how I perceive and respond to them. With my strengthened Sage muscles, I now face life’s ups and downs with more resilience, wisdom, and an unwavering belief in my capacity to thrive.

What a caterpillar calls the end of the world, we call a butterfly.

ECKHART TOLLE

From Setback to Comeback

It hit me like a ton of bricks when I learned how many women stay in incredibly toxic situations, putting up with the unacceptable, all because they’re terrified of financial hardship. It broke my heart, and I knew I had to do something about it. I felt this burning need to help, to offer these women something tangible, something that could really change their lives. And you know what? That’s when everything started to click.

It was like this new purpose lit a fire under my old expertise. Suddenly, my whole journey made sense. My passion for digital marketing came rushing back, and I found myself diving into my graphic design roots again. It was one of those amazing moments where all the puzzle pieces just fell into place.

This wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about using everything I’ve learned, everything I’ve been through, to help women like you find both financial and emotional freedom. Because let’s face it – you deserve both. You deserve to feel secure, empowered, and in control of your life, in every way possible.

This journey taught me a fundamental truth: there’s a gift and opportunity in every challenge we face. Now, I’m here to help you unwrap that gift in your own life.

How I Can Help You

My path has been unique—10 years in the fast-paced advertising world, 25 years immersed in yoga practice and teaching, and now, diving into the Positive Intelligence Coaching system. But here’s the exciting part: all of this experience converges into one purpose—to be your guide and mentor on every step of your empowerment journey.

Together, we’ll create the mental and emotional blueprint you need to reframe your experiences and empower yourself. Remember, it all starts with your mindset. We’ll work on shifting that mindset, transforming habits, and even building a thriving digital entrepreneurial venture, if that’s your goal.

Stick with me, educate yourself, do the work and I promise you this: you’ll ignite a force within yourself you never knew existed. You’ll discover exciting new possibilities as you learn to transform your pain into fuel for the best chapter of your life.

Cristina Di Dario

This isn’t about making decisions from a place of fear or weakness anymore. It’s about choosing from wisdom and empowerment. It’s about turning your challenges into stepping stones for success.

Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey? To have a mentor by your side, guiding you towards the strongest, wisest version of yourself? Because that’s what I’m offering you – not just a program, but a collaboration in your growth and success.

Let’s rewrite your story together. Let’s unlock the power that’s been inside you all along. Your new chapter is waiting to be written – I’ve been where you are and I’m here to help you write it.

Many Ways We Can Work Together

If you’re ready to transform your life and build a thriving future, CLICK HERE to find out how I can help you on your journey to empowerment and success.

My Commitment to You

I’m here to share the hard-won insights and lessons from my own journey, offering you genuine hope and unwavering authenticity. Together, we’ll explore thought-provoking ideas and timeless wisdom within a supportive community that uplifts and inspires.

As we walk this path side by side, remember: you possess an innate strength to transform your pain into power and your challenges into opportunities. Let’s embark on this transformative journey—one of healing, growth, and empowerment—hand in hand, supporting each other every step of the way.

With all my love and faith in you,

Cristina