Meet Mai Whelan, a woman who has lived an extraordinary life filled with remarkable accomplishments and profound personal journeys. From navigating the challenges of growing up as a refugee to serving her country in the U.S. Navy, Whelan’s experiences have instilled in her an unparalleled resilience and a deep commitment to making a difference in the world.
Whelan’s recent victory on Squid Game: The Challenge has propelled her into the spotlight, allowing her to pursue her passion for supporting nonprofit organizations through her latest project, Mother Mai.
We had the honor of chatting with Mai, and she shared with us the inspirations and challenges that have shaped her life, from her military service to her entrepreneurial ventures, and how she plans to leverage her newfound platform to uplift underserved communities and leave a lasting legacy. As Whelan prepares to release her highly anticipated memoir later this year, she offers candid insights into her personal experiences, the lessons she has learned, and the advice she hopes to impart to women aspiring to excel in their careers and make a positive impact on the world around them.
Check out our full interview below!
What motivated you to participate in Netflix’s “Squid Game: The Challenge,” and how has winning the competition changed your life, both personally and professionally?
Mai Whelan: My husband encouraged me to apply because I binge-watched Season 1 in two days. Also, he knew that I liked a good challenge, so I applied immediately. Winning gave me a platform to pursue my passion for philanthropy. My fans encouraged me to write a memoir, which is coming soon, and work on my upcoming series, Mother Mai Show, which highlights nonprofit organizations – “hidden gems,” I call them – to collaborate with common goals to help lives.
Can you share more about your latest project, Mother Mai, and what inspired you to focus on supporting 20+ nonprofits with your prize money?
Mai Whelan: Mother Mai is my vision to connect nonprofit organizations to help our world. I initially had plans to form a nonprofit to focus on mental health and animals supporting one another. After researching, I quickly realized there were over 1.8 million nonprofits in the U.S. Knowing my platform had a bigger purpose, I shifted directions and was motivated to connect and raise awareness on these nonprofit organizations that align with my three pillars of causes: people, animals, and the environment.
In your memoir set to release later this year, what key experiences or lessons do you hope to share with your readers?
Mai Whelan: My fans asked if I would write about my life, so here I am writing my memoir to share with readers that a person can be an ambassador of their own heart. I am 57 and still learning life’s lessons, for example, how to thank my fans after becoming an overnight celebrity 🙂
The key experiences I tell in the book are about being a single mother at the age of 19 while still in the military and my love affairs throughout my various marriages. I do not hold back in this book because I want to be transparent to my fans, and at this stage in my life, I spend a lot of time reflecting.
What challenges did you face during your time in the Fort Indiantown Gap refugee camp, and how have those experiences shaped your resilience and outlook on life?
Mai Whelan: At seven years of age, when you come from poverty and are the youngest of 13 siblings, there is no expectation of coming out of it, but when I looked out of the gated fence, I saw the new world that is nothing like the place I grew up in. I saw big cars and friendly people. I was so impatient to get out from the gated fence and explore. At 18, I explored where my heart took me.
How did your service in the United States Navy influence your personal and professional development?
Mai Whelan: USN allowed me to explore the world and grow mentally and physically. I loved my 20 years of service and gained a priceless experience in life. I learned my weaknesses and strengths, which allowed me to grow professionally and pursue my passion.
What led you to pursue a career in catering and restaurant management after retiring from the Navy, and what did you learn from that venture?
Mai Whelan: I am an entrepreneur at heart. I dreamed of owning my restaurant because I love to cook and eat. That dream became a reality when I met my 2nd husband. He was a chef. We collaborated to fulfill our dreams of owning a food service company. MaiChef Cuisine was established in 2005. Food services were hard, especially during the 2008 recession for small businesses. We closed the dream in 2010.
Could you elaborate on your role as an Immigration Officer and your experiences with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services?
As an Immigration Officer, I review nonimmigrants’ applications to make sure they have met all prerequisites to come to the U.S. If they don’t, then we deny their application. My experiences at USCIS gave me a full view of how I got to the U.S., and now helping nonimmigrants to obtain that dream. The big picture was full circle because I was in their shoes, and now I could help them.
What do you find most rewarding about public speaking, and what topics are you most passionate about sharing with your audiences?
Mai Whelan: Public speaking, to me, is about engagement, awareness, and being able to make a change. I am passionate about helping the underprivileged, animals, and the environment. Change is good when it requires it. Always keep an open mind and learn from history.
How do you balance your professional endeavors with your personal life, especially considering your busy schedule and your commitment to philanthropy?
Mai Whelan: I am quite fortunate in a few regards; my husband travels extensively, and I get to travel with him while continuing to work on my endeavors. He also shares my passions, so it is easy to spend time with him while I am working. I was also fortunate enough to have my sister move in with us. She helps keep the house running with our busy schedules.
When things get too hectic, I always look at my dogs. They de-stress me and give me unconditional love.
What advice would you give to women who aspire to excel in their careers, make a difference in their communities, and overcome personal challenges?
Mai Whelan: Sometimes, I drive myself to a dead-end street, but I must reassess and put in reverse to see where I was and what avenues I can take to navigate to my destination—reflection, Reassessment, and Pursuit.
Lastly, is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart?
Mai Whelan: Be the Ambassador of your Heart.
Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.
Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com
