Amy Kleist
Amy Kleist is the founder of Women of Wellness and Blossom Wellness, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making holistic wellness accessible to all women. Her mission: empowering women to achieve transformation through holistic wellness, because she believes when women lead with well-being, we change what's possible for the next generation.
Amy's wellness journey began at seven years old, running track in California. That childhood passion became the foundation of her health philosophy as she ran competitively through college, completed the Detroit Marathon, a sprint triathlon, and two figure competitions. Through these experiences, she learned what sustainable performance truly requires: honoring your body, not punishing it.
As a woman entrepreneur who owned Happy Whole You Raleigh wellness center while juggling school and full-time work, Amy lived the "impossible juggle" herself. She knows 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 her what women leaders truly need—not more tips on "managing stress," but fundamental shifts in how we define successful leadership.
Today, Amy holds extensive 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. She's also trained in Breathwork and as a Shake Rising Facilitator. This diverse expertise allows her to bridge the gap between high-performance culture and sustainable well-being.
Through Women of Wellness, Amy creates a supportive community with innovative tools and comprehensive resources that foster meaningful connections, helping women thrive in all areas of life, from boardrooms to living rooms. Through Blossom Wellness, her nonprofit mobile platform, she makes holistic wellness accessible by connecting women with trusted practitioners and resources. The free app removes financial, educational, and access barriers to mind-body-spirit care because Amy believes every woman deserves to become her own wellness advocate, regardless of income, location, or background.
Amy is the author of the upcoming book, "Lead with Well-Being: A Woman's Strategic Guide to Building Thriving Workplaces." She shares her insights on feminine leadership through workshops and summits for emerging women executives. Her philanthropic involvement spans organizations such as the Junior League of Raleigh, Models for Charity, Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs, and Girls on the Run International. Her career and personal mission are united by a dedication to fostering empowerment, wellness, and sustainable impact for both individuals and organizations, inspiring those around her to lead with resilience, compassion, and purpose.
• Certified Yoga Instructor
• Western Michigan University – Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Elementary Education and Teaching
• D1 College Athlete
• Triad Women’s Club, Inc.
• Models for Charity
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, determination, and my refusal to repeat patterns that didn't serve me. Growing up in a dysfunctional home forced me to mature quickly and become fiercely self-reliant. Those challenging circumstances became my greatest teacher, showing me the critical importance of personal wellness, self-advocacy, and intentional choices. I learned early that you can't wait for someone else to save you; you have to become your own advocate. That realization drives everything I do today. My mission to help women achieve transformation through wellness isn't abstract; it's the path I've walked myself, and I'm committed to making it accessible for every woman who needs it.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
"Community over commerce; always." Early in my entrepreneurial journey, someone told me that if I focused on building genuine community first, the business would follow. It went against every traditional business model, but it's become the cornerstone of everything I do with Women of Wellness. When you prioritize authentic connection over transactions, you build something sustainable and meaningful that actually transforms lives.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Build your foundation on self-knowledge, not someone else's blueprint. I learned early that wellness isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is success. Prioritize understanding your own patterns, energy cycles, triggers, and what fills your cup versus what drains it. This self-awareness will guide every pivot you need to make. And you will pivot. Your original plan won't survive contact with reality, and that's not failure; that's wisdom. Don't be afraid to start small, consolidate when things feel fragmented, and let go of what's not working, even if you invested years in it. Your initiatives will grow when they're rooted in authenticity, not ambition alone.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is shifting the narrative around women's leadership from "lean in harder" to "lead with well-being." Corporate America is burning women out at alarming rates, and the solution isn't more resilience training; it's fundamental culture change. Women leaders are expected to perform like machines while caring like humans, and that's unsustainable. The opportunity is that companies are finally recognizing that burnout isn't a personal failure; it's a systemic issue. My work helps women leaders and organizations build wellness into their foundation, not bolt it on as an afterthought. When we redefine successful leadership to include well-being, we change what's possible for everyone.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My core values are Community, Connection, Empowerment, Holistic Wellness, and Transformation; these aren't just what I teach, they're how I live. Community and connection drive everything I do because I learned early that we're not meant to navigate life alone. Empowerment matters because I had to become my own advocate when no one else would. Holistic wellness, mind, body, and spirit as interconnected, is the foundation that makes everything else possible. And transformation is the ultimate goal: real, lasting change, not surface-level fixes. Beyond these, I value integrity deeply. Growing up watching what not to do taught me to be fiercely honest with myself and others. I also embrace a growth mindset and open-mindedness; every pivot I've made came from being willing to let go of the original plan when it wasn't working. These values show up in my work, my relationships, and how I lead.