Meet Kama Hagar | Holistic Wellness Coach, Editor in Chief of Maui Makai, Founder of Mukama Botanica

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

Hi Kama, how do you think about risk?
Risk gets me buzzing. But before you think I’m one of the lucky ones who gets excited about things that make my heart drop, I want you to know that I’m not. I am riddled with anxiety and have been my entire life. In fact, that’s a huge part of my story. From separation anxiety to body anxiety to social anxiety, I’ve dealt with it all. It’s actually a word I resisted because it felt so overused, but really, I am one anxious mother f*cker.

One thing that is true about me though: I’m brave. I’ve been brave enough to name it, face it, work with and on it. I’ve been brave enough to let it fuel me instead of shackle me. My dreams are too big and too important to be left idle – and the mission-driven nature that is so beyond me has helped me muster the courage to approach them. If I don’t try, people can’t benefit. If I don’t try, people could suffer. That feels a whole lot scarier than taking the risk of trying.

I’ve been taking business risks all of my life. I am perpetually reinvesting in my edges. New projects, new experiments, new partnerships, new education. I know that my growth and the growth of my businesses (missions) lies in taking risks. It’s as small (or large) as showing up weekly on an Instagram live to vulnerably share my struggles and what’s worked for me or as large as starting up my new digital magazine: Maui Makai. I often find that the more innovative you’re being, the riskier it is, but honestly, risk to me, is showing up – for yourself, for your dreams, for your customer, for your community.

I am now a self-proclaimed adrenaline-junkie. If it scares me, I lean in. My personal philosophy is that my fears are my areas of growth. They’re the edges I need to push, especially if there’s passion there (on either side of the spectrum). No risk, no reward is a solid catchphrase, but as I coach others to be brave themselves, what I really want people to understand is: no risk, no impact. And we all have something within us that can change the world – even just one person at a time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is dynamic and multifaceted – I have my hands in a few things! But the constant piece is around celebrating what nourishes us and about giving back to yourself as much as you give to others (showcasing incredible small businesses and change makers through Maui Makai, coaching clients 1:1, in corporate settings and through my membership program, and through my eco-luxury skincare line, Mukama Botanica). Balance, fairness, reciprocity and unity are huge values of mine and I sincerely walk that talk.

There have been times throughout my career where I’ve wondered if my integrity was getting in the way of my success. I could’ve worked with cheaper supplies for my skincare, sacrificed ethics or quality for margin. I could’ve let go of the recycled packaging a save a few whole dollars per product. In my coaching, I could save so much time by letting go of the resource-packed love letter I write to every client after every session, or had AI generate my weekly blog or healthy recipes in my membership. But that wouldn’t be me. Everything I do has deep meaning and intention. Every little thing I put out in the world is from the truest part of my heart.

I am so very proud of that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Straight from LAX, we’re going straight to Erewhon for a smoothie and a fresh coconut mylk ceremonial grade matcha latte. If we’re starving, we’re hitting up an authentic Mexican hole in the wall for an ooey-gooey bean and cheese burrito (the options are really endless, but they better have some good pico de gallo or salsa verde).

We’d have to drop into a class at Unplug Santa Monica to unwind and recharge from the travel and touch base with my teachers and tribe. I’d definitely want to get a yoga class in at Yoga Works on Montana or on Main Street before making our way down the coast to where I live now in Laguna.

Ideally, it’s a Sunday or Wednesday night so we can drop by Stevens Steakhouse in City of Commerce for a bachata class and dance party. This is my fave.

Over the next few days, we’d meander through cute boutiques and art galleries with delicious tea or coffee from places like Jedidah, Equator (founded in my hometown Mill Valley!), and Laguna Beach Coffee after hiking through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park or Aliso and Wood Canyons. If it was a hot enough day, we’d have to take a dip in the ocean or get a surf in down at Strands in Dana Point before wrapping it up with a healthy, delicious vegan bowl at Vibe on PCH.

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?
I’d love to dedicate my shout out to my dear friend Devon Lawrence, a fellow spiritual girlie with a foot in the human-realm, someone who I love bouncing ideas off of and go to for the deep stuff. Friends are more meaningful to me than they ever have been before and I am lucky to have some real ones. She’s also an incredible intuitive with the voice of a healing angel (check her stuff out on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/devonlawrenceintuitive/?hl=en). Your friends are supposed to be your biggest cheerleaders and accountability partners and I feel so grateful to have that. We need connections that support, amplify and nourish us.

Website: www.kamahagar.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamahagar

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamahagar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kamashagar/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkNFle5HAmVRJ4lMcx5wuOA