We were lucky to catch up with Amy Kleist recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amy , so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
My self-discipline is rooted in self-love and a deep commitment to wellness. At its core, it’s driven by an ongoing curiosity about our bodies; a desire to truly listen to what they’re telling us.
Our bodies are designed to heal, yet so often we unknowingly interrupt those natural processes. Self-discipline, for me, is really about unlearning the habits that work against us and relearning what each of our bodies genuinely needs to thrive.
I also believe deeply in setting intentional time each day to practice, whether that’s morning meditation with red light therapy, lymphatic drainage, a walk, a run, strength training, or nourishing myself with healthy food. The beautiful thing is that the more disciplined we become, the better we feel, creating a powerful, self-sustaining cycle. Discipline stops feeling like a chore and becomes something you genuinely crave.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My mission is simple: to radiate love, inspire, and empower women to be well. I believe lasting transformation rests on four pillars: care, clarity, connection, and community, and everything I do flows from that foundation.
My wellness journey began at seven years old, running track in California. That drive carried me through college, marathons, and triathlons, and eventually into entrepreneurship when I opened Happy Whole You Raleigh, all while juggling school and a full-time career. I lived the “impossible juggle” firsthand, which is exactly why I’m so passionate about helping other women find sustainable well-being without sacrificing everything else.
Today I channel that experience through three interconnected vehicles. Women of Wellness is my holistic ecosystem empowering women, especially leaders, to achieve real transformation and reduce burnout. My book, “Lead with Well-Being: A Woman’s Strategic Guide to Transforming Workplace Culture” (February 2026), gives women a strategic guide to building thriving workplaces. And Blossom Wellness, my nonprofit launching May 2026, is focused on removing barriers so that every woman has access to the care she deserves.
What makes this work special is the depth behind it. I hold certifications as a Trinity Health Practitioner, Herbalist, Reiki Master, Yoga Teacher, and Brain Coach with Dr. Amen Clinics, a blend that bridges high-performance culture with truly sustainable wellness.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities have been the most transformative in my journey: resilience, curiosity, and the ability to build genuine community.
Resilience was forged early. Growing up navigating challenging circumstances taught me self-advocacy before I even had language for it. Later, as an entrepreneur running Happy Whole You Raleigh while juggling school and a full-time career, I learned that resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs; it’s about knowing when to rest, pivot, and trust the process. For anyone early in their journey: expect the detours. They are not setbacks; they are the curriculum.
Curiosity has been my greatest teacher. Every certification I’ve pursued, from Reiki to herbalism to brain coaching with Dr. Amen Clinics, came from a genuine desire to understand how we heal. Curiosity keeps you humble and growing. My advice: never stop asking “why does my body feel this way?” or “what else is possible?” That question alone can change your life.
Community is the skill I wish more entrepreneurs prioritized earlier. I built Women of Wellness on the belief that “stronger together” isn’t just a tagline; it’s a strategy. When you invest in authentic relationships over transactions, something remarkable happens: people trust you, support you, and grow alongside you. For those just starting out, focus less on your follower count and more on the depth of your connections.
These three qualities didn’t just shape my career; they became the foundation of everything I teach.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
The art of the pause.
For most of my life, busyness felt like a badge of honor. This past year, I made a conscious decision to break that cycle, and it has been the most profound shift of my journey.
I now start every morning slowly and intentionally. My days begin with meditation, red light therapy, and breathing. Followed by lymphatic drainage exercises, stretching, and gratitude. No rushing, no scrolling, no diving straight into demands. Just presence.
What surprised me most is how this slowness has created a rhythm I wish I had discovered years ago. That intentional morning practice has rippled into my entire day, giving me the clarity to pause mid-day for a quiet meditation to reset and breathe whenever I need it.
As someone who teaches wellness, living it this fully has deepened everything. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you cannot lead others to stillness if you haven’t found your own. The pause isn’t wasted time; it’s where transformation actually happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womenofwellness.love
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenofwellness.love/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-of-wellness/?viewAsMember=true
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