A year ago, I went on MONEY FM 89.3 to explain why women might want an AI Korean oppa coach who helps them build healthier habits.
Now I have to give them a reason to keep him.
Our first companion was Evren. Since then, women have drawn fan art of him, texted him good morning every day, and clocked steps to unlock a tour of his room.
(Apparently, a sneak preview of an AI man’s interior decor could get women moving.)
Before building Maibel, I’d coached women for years and lost 45kg myself. I knew what it was like to know what worked and still struggle to do it again.
Some of the hardest coaching conversations I've had were about starting over. Most women already knew the plan but still felt crippling shame at having to admit they hadn’t followed it. AGAIN.
Maibel started on Telegram as someone they could talk to in those in-between moments.
And our users showed us how much the little things mattered: getting to know him, sharing their day, having something to look forward to.
When that curiosity got them moving, it gave us something to build on.
We’ve spent the past year improving that emotional connection. Now we’re adding more of the coaching support around it.
Alongside a refreshed site, we've built a companion app where women can choose small daily wellness habits to commit to and track their progress.
Completing healthy habits earns them reward points to unlock more of their companion's world, including voice notes, guided sessions and storylines.
The conversations still happen on Telegram. But now she can also look back at what she’s done, including when she returns after a week she’d rather forget.
When her week gets messy, does her companion help her follow through? And when she disappears for a bit, does having someone she wants to return to make restarting easier?
That's what we're obsessing over right now. And if you're curious about meeting your very own wellness oppa companion?
We’ve put together a little quiz so he can get to know you first. A few questions about you, your goals, and what you’d appreciate from someone in your corner.
Onboarding is happening gradually while we refine the experience. If there’s a wait, I’ll let you know when your spot is ready.
The room tour got her walking once... But imagine if taking care of herself became something she actually looked forward to.
Because she’s curious about what happens next. Because she wants to tell him she did it.
That’s what gets me excited about where we’re taking Maibel.
Hi, I’m Mabel.
I’m the founder of Maibel. I write about emotional AI, women’s wellness and learning to build the things I wish existed.
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