Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Kleist.
Hi Amy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Amy Kleist, and I am the founder of Women of Wellness and Blossom Wellness, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making holistic wellness accessible to all women. My wellness journey began early; at seven years old, I was running track in California. What started as a childhood passion became the foundation of my health philosophy. I ran competitively through college, completed the Detroit Marathon, a sprint triathlon, and two figure competitions. Through these experiences, I learned what my book teaches: sustainable performance requires honoring your body, not punishing it.
That insight deepened as I pursued extensive training in holistic health. I hold certifications as a Trinity Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Trinity Natural Health Professional, Trinity Certified Herbalist, Reiki Master, 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), and Brain Coach with Dr. Amen Clinics. I also trained in Breathwork, as a Positive Intelligence Coach, and as a Shake Rising Facilitator. This diverse expertise allowed me to bridge the gap between high-performance culture and sustainable well-being, exactly what women leaders need.
As a woman entrepreneur who owned Happy Whole You Raleigh wellness center, I lived the “impossible juggle” myself. I know what it’s like to build something meaningful while battling exhaustion, to care deeply about people while trying to prove business credibility, to lead with empathy in spaces that reward hardness. Those years taught me what women leaders truly need; not more tips on “managing stress,” but fundamental shifts in how we define successful leadership.
Today, through Women of Wellness, I empower women to achieve transformation through holistic wellness. Through my supportive community, innovative tools, and comprehensive resources, I foster meaningful connections that help women thrive in all areas of life, from boardrooms to living rooms. I bring both empathy and strategic rigor to my work, helping women leaders reduce burnout, boost retention, and achieve sustainable success through evidence-based wellness cultures. I share my insights on feminine leadership through workshops and summits for emerging women executives.
I believe that when women lead with well-being, we don’t just change our workplaces; we change what’s possible for the next generation of leaders.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is full of twists and turns, and my entrepreneurial journey has been no exception. Building Happy Whole You Raleigh Wellness Center was my first business venture, and honestly, I jumped in headfirst. I was juggling going to school, working a full-time job, and running a wellness center all at once. It was exhausting, exhilarating, and taught me so much about resilience and time management; lessons that still serve me today.
As I evolved into building Women of Wellness, I faced new challenges. One of my biggest struggles was trying to do too much at once. I was fragmenting my energy across multiple separate initiatives rather than creating one cohesive vision. I had to step back and ask myself: “What’s the real mission here?” That led to a complete rebrand where I consolidated everything under the Women of Wellness umbrella, creating an ecosystem rather than scattered pieces.
This clarity even transformed my book project. I’m launching my first book, “Lead with Well-Being: A Woman’s Strategic Guide to Transforming Workplace Culture”. It’s been in progress for two years, and it was initially not targeted at women only. But as my mission with Women of Wellness grew, I realized my true calling is empowering women specifically. That pivot required rewriting and refocusing, but it made the book and my entire brand so much more authentic and powerful.
Now, I’m also building Blossom Wellness, a nonprofit mobile platform that makes holistic wellness accessible by connecting women with trusted practitioners and resources. Getting here hasn’t been without obstacles. I’ve faced practical challenges, like discovering that the in-app community features I originally envisioned were cost-prohibitive to build right away. Instead of seeing that as a roadblock, I pivoted to Instagram as a community platform and kept moving forward.
I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and is for my highest and best. I might not understand it at the moment, but these bumps in the road have shaped Women of Wellness into something more substantial and more authentic than I originally envisioned. The key is the outlook; I choose to stay positive and grateful for the growth opportunities.
We’ve been impressed with Women of Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Women of Wellness (WOW) is a holistic wellness brand with a mission to empower women to achieve transformation through holistic wellness. But we’re not just another wellness company; we’ve built a comprehensive ecosystem that serves women at every stage of their wellness journey.
At the heart of WOW is Blossom Wellness, as I mentioned in the last question, it’s a nonprofit mobile platform that makes holistic wellness accessible to all women. Through our free app, women can connect with trusted practitioners and resources across seven wellness pillars; creating a searchable directory of wellness practitioners and businesses, a vetted shop of wellness products, and free resources. We believe wellness shouldn’t be a luxury, which is why Blossom is designed to remove barriers and make it easy for women to find the support they need.
Beyond the book, Lead with Well-Being, I offer consulting services specifically for women entrepreneurs and leaders who want to transform their workplace culture through holistic wellness strategies.
What sets us apart? Most wellness offerings are fragmented; you have your fitness app over here, your meditation app over there, maybe a directory somewhere else. WOW is different. We’ve created an integrated ecosystem where everything works together. Our tagline is “Stronger Together through .love,” and that’s not just about women supporting each other; it’s about how our different offerings create synergy. A wellness practitioner might discover us through Blossom, read the book, and then hire us for workplace consulting. Everything connects.
We’re also deeply rooted in community over commerce. Yes, we have business offerings, but our foundation is built on five core values: Community, Connection, Empowerment, Holistic Wellness, and Transformation. We guide women through a journey: Join → Connect → Empower → Transform. This isn’t transactional; it’s transformational.
What am I most proud of? Honestly, the rebrand itself. I could have stayed fragmented, trying to do everything separately. Instead, I made the bold choice to consolidate under a single cohesive brand that delivers real strategic value. Women of Wellness now serves dual audiences beautifully; all women seeking wellness through free resources and community, and women business owners through specialized offerings.
I’m proud that we’re not just talking about wellness; we’re making it accessible, practical, and strategic. Whether you’re a woman looking for a trusted yoga instructor or a CEO wanting to transform your company culture, WOW meets you where you are.
What do I want readers to know? Holistic wellness isn’t just about bubble baths and self-care Sundays. It’s a strategic approach to transformation that touches every area of life, from our bodies and minds to our relationships and workplaces. At WOW, we believe that when women have access to holistic wellness resources and when women leaders prioritize well-being, incredible transformation happens. We’re here to make that transformation possible, accessible, and sustainable.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Honestly? I don’t really believe in luck; I believe in opportunities and how we choose to respond to them. What people call “bad luck,” I see as redirection. When my original vision for Blossom’s in-app community became cost-prohibitive, I didn’t spiral. I pivoted to Instagram and kept building. When my book needed a complete refocus after two years of work, I didn’t see wasted effort; I saw clarity emerging.
And “good luck”? When Lisbeth recommended me for this interview, that wasn’t luck…that was the result of showing up authentically and building genuine connections in the community. When clients find value in WOW’s offerings, that’s the outcome of listening, iterating, and staying true to my mission.
So luck? I’ll take intentionality, resilience, and aligned action instead.
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
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofwellnesslove
Image Credits
Image 1: Tiffany Chesley, a sister I have known since middle school. https://tiffanychesleyartistry.com/
