Meet Kalei Mau | Professional Volleyball Player & Health and Wellness Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kalei Mau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kalei, what makes you happy? Why?
Health makes me happy! Whether it’s my own or other’s good health. Being an athlete, the best way to succeed is to be healthy and able to do what I work so hard to do. The lowest points of my life and career has been while I’m injured or not feeling well. My family is very important to me and their health and well-being is something I’ve prayed for every day since I was a young girl.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been a professional volleyball player for 6 years and have lived in 4 different countries. I am a singer/ songwriter and music has been a part of my identity since I was 12 years old. And last but not least, I am a health and wellness coach with a passion to help others “get better everyday.”

I have never been able to fit into just one category so I’ve never made myself choose only one of my passions. I followed the dreams I had as a little girl and it’s gotten me to where I am today. I got the coaching I needed to compete at the highest level of the sport that brings me so much joy. I surrounded myself with people that loved and appreciated music as much as I did and that was inspiring enough. And the moment I found out that I could make a difference in other people’s health and share with them all the things I knew to feel and perform my best, I knew this was another way to fulfill my purpose on earth.

I started my health and wellness brand, “Kaleihulu Health” in 2020 mainly to help the women in my community to move their bodies and feel good in them. The birth of my business was effortless and built out of love and purpose. The biggest lesson I have learned from all of this is that when you do things with intention, it’s easier to focus and commit to what needs to be done. This was very important to my success in balancing my other professions and it allows me to combine all of my skills and talents to grow my brand and the “Kaleihulu Health” community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you were to come visit me on the island of Oahu, you would be in for one of the best adventures of your life! I know my island like the back of my hand and all the best spots that would highlight the beauty and deliciousness of my home. We would start with a sunrise hike to the pillboxes at Lanikai for a breathtaking view of the morning sun lighting the sky on the East side of the island, where I grew up. Breakfast at my favorite vegan restaurant, Beetbox Cafe, to nourish and prepare our bodies for a long day at the sandbar in Kaneohe bay. You can only get there by boat so we’ll be sure to pack the best snacks to take with us out there. My go-to sandbar snacks are my mom’s homemade Korean fried chicken and furikake musubis. The sandbar is my favorite place to gather, catch up with friends and family, share food and drinks potluck style, and it doesn’t get much better than dancing to music in the middle of the ocean in the warm sun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In the Hawaiian culture, ‘Ohana, or family, is your biggest support system. My ‘Ohana has provided and guided me to the starting point of my success. I am still on my journey to becoming “successful,” but whenever times get tough I can look back and see that they have been behind me the whole time and it pushes to continue achieving the goals I’ve set for myself. I dedicate everything that I achieve to my family and I’d like to dedicate this Shoutout to them as well.

Website: https://www.kaleihulu.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leimau_/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leimau_?lang=en

Image Credits
Mahina Choy-Ellis @mahinahina.ce Jamie @jtangproductions Keri @ourgardencollective Kulia Ho-Henry @daskuu Bronson Barretto @hnlbrons