Kiaka Gaughen has over 25 years of experience as a clinical therapist in Hawaii. He has a
Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. For 20 years, he provided individual and family
therapy to children with special needs and their families through the Department of Education.
He also founded Xcel Everyday, offering training and consultation to amateur and professional
athletes and leaders to enhance their performance.
He was introduced to the principles by Christine Heath and the Hawaii Counseling and
Education Center in 1997. Kiaka worked as a clinical therapist at the agency for four years and
was mentored by Christine Heath, Rita Shuford, and other HCEC supervisors. During this time,
he also met Sidney Banks in 1998. Since then, Kiaka has shared the three principles within
schools, communities, and business settings.
Kiaka was a former professional bodyboarder, a sport similar to surfing, and competed at the
highest levels. This experience has given him a passion for bringing the three principles into the
sports world, and he has been helping athletes since 1999 achieve more at all levels and across
many sports.
Kiaka’s goal is to continue sharing the principles globally and to help others slow down and
listen to their inner wisdom, or Na’au, which, in Hawaiian, means trusting their intuition.