Stephen Simmang didn’t grow up planning to lead a wellness company. His first steps were in the insurance world, building health plans and working with large organizations. But over time, he realized something was missing.
“I was helping people get access to care,” he says. “But I wanted to help them avoid needing it in the first place.”
That shift in thinking led Stephen away from traditional systems and toward a new path, one built around functional health, emotional resilience, and mindfulness.
Early Career in Supplemental Health Insurance
Stephen began his career working in the supplemental health insurance world. He partnered with companies like Gallagher to design wellness programs for employers and members.
His job focused on helping businesses build better wellness plans. But even as those plans grew more advanced, Stephen noticed a gap.
“Working in the supplemental health insurance world, I saw a clear limitation,” he explains. “Most plans focused on reactive care, and the wellness add-ons felt surface-level. If I wanted to offer real solutions, I had to go beyond that system.”
That realization pushed him to step outside that world and build something rooted in true, preventative care.
Leaving a Stable Path
In 2018, Stephen left the insurance field to launch his own business. It was a big change.
“Walking away from something steady was hard,” he says. “There’s fear that comes with that. But I knew I had to build something more aligned with my values.”
He started a company called Prioritize Wellness. Its mission was to help people focus on long-term health, before problems became urgent.
Starting Kale Diagnostics
In 2022, Stephen co-founded Kale Diagnostics. The company focused on functional health. It used lab testing, data, and personalized care to support people’s health in a deeper way.
Stephen served as Co-CEO and helped grow the business from the ground up. But the early days came with challenges.
“We underestimated how fast the company would grow,” he says. “That forced us to move quickly, to fix systems, hire fast, and build stronger teams.”
Rather than panic, Stephen saw it as a lesson. “We didn’t treat the stress like failure,” he says. “We used it to grow.”
At Kale, Stephen helped shift the focus from treating illness to preventing it, by getting to the root of health issues, not just symptoms.
A Turn Toward Mental Health
After helping build Kale Diagnostics, Stephen took a step back from daily operations. He began to focus more on emotional wellness and stress regulation.
This shift wasn’t sudden. It was something he’d been exploring for years.
“I’ve been drawn to mindfulness for a while,” he says. “Meditation, journaling, breathwork, they helped me slow down and get clear.”
Stephen saw how these practices helped in his own life. Now, he wanted to make them easier for others to access.
Developing a Mindfulness App
Today, Stephen is working on a new mobile app focused on mental health. It’s built to help people regulate stress and strengthen their emotional health, through daily routines and nervous system support.
“It’s not about escaping stress,” he explains. “It’s about learning to respond to it in a healthier way.”
Though the app is still in development, Stephen has already built a website to share updates and ideas at stephensimmang.com.
Clear Vision, Simple Habits
Stephen’s approach to leadership and wellness is shaped by a few core values: clarity, reflection, and connection.
“When I’m overwhelmed, I get quiet,” he says. “I step back, breathe, and remind myself why I’m doing this.”
He plans by starting with the big picture and working backwards.
“I ask myself, what really matters long-term? Then I build from there,” he says. “That helps me stay focused even when things change.”
Support for Mental Health Causes
Stephen supports several organizations that align with his values. These include:
- Mental Health America
- The Jed Foundation
- The David Lynch Foundation
Each one focuses on emotional well-being, stress reduction, or accessible care, issues Stephen cares about deeply.
Rooted in Family and Purpose
Outside of work, Stephen values time with family and close friends.
“They’re my foundation,” he says. “They help me stay grounded no matter what’s going on professionally.”
He believes health isn’t just about the body, but also about presence, connection, and peace of mind.
“Success, to me, is alignment,” he explains. “It’s not just what I accomplish, it’s whether I can stand by it, feel good about it, and stay present along the way.”
What’s Next?
Stephen Simmang is still writing the next chapter of his story. His mindfulness app is underway. His focus on emotional health continues to grow.
But his core goal remains the same: helping people feel better, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“I’m still learning,” he says. “But I know this: when we slow down and stay honest, the right next step always shows up.”
For those watching the wellness space, Stephen Simmang is a name to follow, rooted in experience, guided by values, and building something designed to last.
Interview with Stephen Simmang
You started your career in health insurance. What made you pivot to wellness entrepreneurship?
I was helping design health plans and working with great teams, but I kept seeing the same thing, people weren’t getting healthier. Insurance helped cover care after the fact, but I wanted to help people avoid getting to that point. That’s when I knew I had to build something different.
What was the hardest part about leaving a stable path to start your own business?
Honestly, it was facing uncertainty. Leaving a clear, structured career to start something new is always a risk. I had to deal with fear and self-doubt. But I kept coming back to the mission. I surrounded myself with people who believed in it, and that helped me move forward.
What did you learn while building Kale Diagnostics?
That growth comes fast, nd sometimes faster than you expect. We had to fix systems while running full speed. It taught me the value of adaptability. We made mistakes, but we didn’t treat them like failures. We used them to level up and serve better.
You’ve shifted focus toward emotional health and mindfulness. Why?
Because it’s personal. Stress and mental health affect everything. For me, mindfulness practices like journaling and breathwork helped during intense times. I realized if they helped me, they could help others too, especially in today’s world.
How do you stay grounded as a leader?
I step back. I breathe. I ask myself what really matters. I use meditation and reflection to cut through the noise. The answers usually come when I get quiet enough to hear them.
What does success look like to you now?
Alignment. If the outcome reflects my values, supports my purpose, and leaves me at peace at the end of the day, that’s success. It’s not just about what I build, but how I build it.
