Meet Krystal Caliyah | Wellness Hottie & Experience Architect

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

Hi Krystal, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
You should enjoy what you do in your career on some level. But if you’re an entrepreneur or business owner, you should love it—100%. Money alone won’t sustain you in a way that creates longevity. No one actually wants to work; we’re meant to be free. But when you love what you do, the work becomes bearable—and even enjoyable.

If your only motivation is money, sure, you can make some, but success will falter—whether in sustainability, quality, growth, or personal fulfillment. I’ve always known I love helping people feel and do their best. By my sophomore year of college, it hit me—wellness and travel are what make me tick. It’s what I can talk about for hours, what stays with me even when I’m not at my best, what brings me back to my best, and what I’ve done for free. Once you figure out what you can’t stop thinking about—what you keep circling back to—that’s where you’re meant to thrive.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What you see is what you get with me—but what you perceive isn’t always the full picture. I love being multifaceted, with a range of interests, talents, and abilities. It can be tough because the world wants to put you in a box, but that’s not how we’re meant to be. Life is tough enough without adding more limits. The best gift I’ve given myself is refusing to self-limit the way the world often tries to. That’s why I can be polarizing—and I embrace it.

I found my way into wellness and travel after trying everything else—none of which worked out because they weren’t meant for me. From marketing to hospitality, catering, and various other roles, nothing stuck, but each led me to where I’m meant to be. Those experiences gave me a unique perspective most don’t have, and life’s challenges deepened my connection to my body, spirit, and finding balance.

I’m excited to have been part of so many amazing adventures—from planning trips and curating international experiences for business owners to now starting my own wellness experiences and retreats. The possibilities are endless.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Finding favorite spots in the city has been a bit tricky lately, but if my best friends were visiting, I’d take them to a few places that still feel good. I love the Beltline, and right off it, there’s Hawkers with great food, plus Kevin Rathbun’s Steakhouse. Nearby is one of my favorite yoga studios, Dancing Dogs.

For more restaurants, I love Taverna, Yebo, D’Juans, and Rreal Tacos—honestly, the list is endless because I’m a foodie. For a night out, we’d probably hit Drawbar, Pasha, or El Malo.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d have to say to start, Her Campus, (beginning at Georgia State University) is where I began falling in love with wellness, mental health & opening doors for me to really bet on myself. I’ve had amazing people in my personal life or that I’ve worked with who’ve believed in me, my brand(s), and supported me in life’s ups and downs to keep me going. So major shout out to my community and support system!

Instagram: @thewellnesshottie (main), @ctrl.shfts (business/travel)

Image Credits
Cover Image / Personal Photo @dannygarrett__