Kaleo Wassman has built his career on sweat-soaked tour buses, blaring speakers, and genre-defying anthems with Pepper. But these days, you’re just as likely to find him barefoot on a yoga mat as behind a mic. Through Rebel & Muse, the wellness brand he co-founded with his wife Melanie, Wassman has become a different kind of rock star—one focused not just on music, but on mindfulness, breathwork, and mental health.
“We don’t have kids,” Wassman says, “so all of our projects are kind of the kids.” What started nearly a decade ago as small, intimate retreats has blossomed into full-blown wellness residencies at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons in Hualalai, Costa Rica, and Maui. Together, the couple creates immersive yoga and wellness experiences for guests looking to reset from the grind of modern life.
“It’s been such a beautiful expansion,” he says. “We’re really inspired by both ancient and modern practices and bringing those together to help people who want to take care of themselves—mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.”
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For Wassman, this isn’t a pivot—it’s a parallel path. The lifestyle he promotes through Rebel & Muse flows seamlessly into the chaos of life on the road. “Touring is constant movement,” he explains. “But the music business is also a lot of ‘hurry up and wait.’ I’ve found these pockets where I can remind myself of the tools that keep me healthy.”
Those tools—meditation, deep breathing, movement—are more than just coping mechanisms. They’re survival skills. And they’ve become the foundation of what he now teaches others. “If someone’s taking a week off at a resort to recalibrate, we can give them simple tools to pause and manage the overwhelm,” Wassman says. “We should be teaching this in schools—real life skills. Math and science are great, but where are the classes on how to handle your mind?”
Despite the tranquility, Wassman is quick to point out that he still lives for the stage. “We’re in the service industry—whether you’re a king or a street sweeper,” he says. “The service that I do, I am so grateful for.”
In the end, it’s not about choosing between rock shows and retreat centers. For Kaleo Wassman, it’s about balance. “Take care of yourself,” he says, “so you can take care of others. That’s what the Ohana is all about.”
Watch Kaleo Wassman’s full interview with ThePier below!
