One Day at a Time: Laila White

In conversation with Laila White – Founder & CEO at aQieve

Laila White is more than a wellness expert, entrepreneur, and TV host—she is a source of great inspiration. She has been instrumental in designing gyms across the globe, developing programs for children and adults alike, and most recently leading a women’s empowerment initiative. Her journey reflects an unwavering belief: wellness is a way of life and one that begins from within.

Meaningful Impact

For three decades, Laila has designed wellness spaces for homes and luxury hotels, operated indoor playgrounds, and created programs that foster connection and resilience. But more than anything, she sees her work as creating life itself. She is now focused on women’s empowerment at GalUP, and leads initiatives that promote self-expression and healing, including a new lifestyle line for women who show up and speak up.

“I’m not just planting seeds anymore,” she asserts. “I’m cultivating purpose, raising daughters to lead with heart, grit and truth, and building resilience for the next generation.”

The Purpose Behind the Passion

Laila’s motivation stems from what she perceives as a growing disconnection—people are desperately trying to find purpose, and each other. “Health isn’t just about avoiding illness,” she explains. “It’s about freedom, clarity, and presence.” Whether designing a playground or a fitness center, her focus is always on helping people feel powerful again. She believes people thrive when they feel seen, supported, and strong. Passion drives every project—and when the passion fades, she knows it’s time for something else.

From Fitness to Freedom

After decades in the health and wellness industry, Laila’s philosophy has shifted from physical performance to emotional and spiritual alignment. What once centered on exercise routines has now become about attaining freedom of the soul. “You can have a six-pack and still carry a heavy heart,” she affirms. Today, she teaches emotional resilience, the importance of boundaries, and how to live without guilt. “I’ve gone from training bodies to training minds and building communities,” she explains. “Because real wellness doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when you show up for life.”

Life by Laila: Real Wellness without Filters

Her television show Life by Laila became the number one wellness program in Indonesia, and its impact was built on authenticity. Each episode spoke to the real-life pursuit of balance, especially within Asian cultures where silence is often mistaken for strength. “I didn’t go in to teach,” she explains. “I went in to learn.” The show gave audiences permission to show up as they are—without filters, without pretense. Her message was consistent: belonging doesn’t require conformity. It requires courage to be fully and unapologetically oneself.

Laila is working on Season 2 of Life by Laila.

Moving with Intention

Laila is often asked how she balances her many roles—mother, creator, leader—but she rejects the idea of balance as a goal. “Balance is a buzzword,” she says. Instead, she focuses on moving with intention. She protects her energy, prioritizes what matters, and delegates what doesn’t serve her purpose. Her mantra is to Get up, dress up, and show up—especially on the hard days. Be present. Magic happens when we show up.

Wellness as a Foundation

Laila believes wellness should be embedded into policy, design, and leadership—not treated as an afterthought. “You can’t build strong economies without strong people,” she asserts. She advocates for workplace cultures that prioritize mental health, purpose-driven work, and rest. Her own approach is rooted in simplicity: conquering life one day at a time. For her, “ADAT” stands not only for tradition, but also for “A Day @ A Time”—a reminder to stay grounded in the present.

When creating wellness programs for different age groups, she leads with one principle: listening.

• Children need play and curiosity
• Adults need space and clarity
• Elders need purpose and connection

“I design for the human spirit at every stage—not based on trends, but on what’s timeless,” she explains. At every age, she believes people long for the same things: connection, meaning, and love.

And holistic wellness is when the body, mind, and spirit are in harmony—not in conflict. It includes nourishing food, energizing movement, restorative sleep, and relationships that uplift rather than deplete. “In a world that’s constantly on edge,” she expounds, “holistic wellness is what anchors us.”

Recognizing the Unsung Heroes

Laila created the aQieve Awards to celebrate the “quiet warriors”—the everyday people who change lives without recognition or applause. Her inspiration came from her early days at Bedok Gym, watching elders train with discipline and joy. “Those are the people I look up to,” she reflects. “Not the influencers. The real ones.” Her events, festivals, and awards platforms honor impact over image, and elevate ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

The Future of Wellness

She sees the next decade of wellness moving inward—less about appearance, more about function and emotional health. At the same time, she emphasizes self-respect, which includes looking and feeling good. Through her women’s movement, GalUP, she encourages women to reclaim space through mindset, movement, and meaningful connection. “Wellness must be a basic right, not a luxury,” she insists. “Technology should never replace the human element.”

Lessons from Motherhood

Motherhood made Laila softer, more honest, and deeply committed. “I don’t care much about legacy,” she admits. “I just want to live right and raise good humans.” Her daughters have seen her stumble and rise again—and through it all, she’s never pretended to be perfect. Nobody is perfect. “Leadership isn’t about titles,” she confesses. “It’s about showing up, even when you’re broken.” She values effort over praise and chooses purpose over perfection. If she can help someone to speak up with confidence or feel seen, that’s good enough.

Advice for the Wealthy: Invest in What Money Can’t Buy

To ultra-high-net-worth families, Laila offers this advice: “Without wellness, wealth is just a ticking time bomb,” she cautions. She urges leaders to hold onto traditions and rituals—not as mindless habits, but as meaningful anchors that span generations. She believes true longevity comes from willpower, community, and emotional truth—not medicine or metrics. “Surround yourself with people brave enough to tell you the truth,” she advises. “That’s where your real legacy begins.”

Time Is the Real Currency: Make every moment Count

Laila reflects on time as her most precious asset. “I always feel like I’m running out of time,” she remarks. But she gives it freely to those in need. Her message to audiences is simple: never underestimate the impact of listening, helping, or offering five minutes to someone in need. “You never know the life you could change.”

Laila’s work is a living reflection of her beliefs: that wellness begins with self-awareness, that leadership is about presence, and that showing up is the greatest form of service. Whether guiding communities, raising daughters, or challenging systems, she moves with grace, dignity and intention. Her life is about making every moment count. And in doing so, she invites others to do the same—to live fully, love deeply, and lead boldly.