Emily Chalk
For many couples, the idea of working together is enough to test even the strongest relationship. But for Wilhelmina and Ben O’Keeffe, building a business together feels like the natural next step.
Just eight months after their Queenstown wedding, the pair launched Vitalis, a longevity medicine clinic combining Ben’s medical expertise with journalist Wilhelmina’s communications and branding skills.
“Everything that could possibly have changed in someone’s life changed in mine,” says Wilhelmina, welcoming us into the couple’s home on Auckland’s North Shore. “But all those cliché sayings really do ring true. Everything happens for a reason. The timing of everything was so divine.”
It’s a hive of activity when Woman’s Weekly visits, with international rugby referee Ben – who balances his officiating career with his work as a doctor – packing for a trip to Argentina after our photoshoot.
Spending time apart is something they have had to get used to, but saying goodbye never gets easier, admits the former Newshub and Today FM star.
“I hate it when he goes away,” says Wilhelmina, 36. “We talk multiple times a day though and he’s always sending me romantic little messages. I just miss him.”
For Wilhelmina, the life she’s living still feels extraordinary. It wasn’t long ago she was reeling from two redundancies in less than two years, along with the end of her first marriage.
Today, though, she runs her own PR business, is loving every second of married life and is embarking on a venture that allows the couple to combine their strengths.
“I’ve never been so happy or so at peace,” she says. “It feels like I’ve walked through miles of flaming hot shards of glass and then come out the other side to this beautiful grassy knoll overlooking this amazing vista of life.”
The idea for Vitalis came from Ben and fellow doctor Jordan Davis, whom he met at medical school almost two decades ago. Together, they saw an opportunity to shift the conversation around healthcare from treating illness to preventing it. Describing the clinic as “a warrant of fitness for your health”, Vitalis offers comprehensive assessments, including cardiovascular fitness, bone density, blood biomarkers and body composition, with optional advanced imaging.
“We saw a need for proactive rather than reactive medicine,” explains Ben, 37. “It’s about giving clinically well people access to tests that show where their health is now, rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
“Elite athletes have had access to this sort of testing for years. We wanted to open the door to everyone, whether you’re 20 and simply curious about your health, 40 with a family history of disease or older and wanting to stay as healthy as possible.
“People aren’t just interested in living longer any more – they want to live well for longer. We talk about lifespan, but this is really about healthspan.”
Health has always been central to the couple. Early morning gym sessions are a shared ritual and they recently began wearing Oura Rings to track everything from sleep quality to recovery. They’re careful with what they eat, although both admit to having a soft spot for Maltesers.
“We love a snack,” laughs Wilhelmina. “But we’re working on it.”
While many New Zealanders know Ben for calmly controlling some of rugby’s biggest international matches, Wilhelmina says watching him at work as a medical professional has only deepened her admiration.
“He’s pretty amazing,” she smiles. “It’s been cool working alongside him and getting to know him in a completely different capacity.”
The admiration is mutual. Ben credits Wilhelmina’s instinct for storytelling, branding and strategy with helping bring Vitalis to life. Their first clinic is in Takapuna, Auckland, and they hope to expand the business across New Zealand in time.
“She pushes me to learn more and think bigger,” he enthuses. “We’re both big-ideas people.”
It was love at first sight when they first met in 2023, and they have been inseparable ever since. Wilhelmina says they’re the male and female versions of each other, which is helpful when it comes to working together.
“I remember saying to Ben, ‘I’ve never met anyone who’s more driven and ambitious than me.’ We both have this fire in our bellies to build things and make things happen.”
Of course, two determined personalities don’t always agree, but neither Ben nor Wilhelmina are afraid of a robust discussion.
“We’ve had some pretty stern debates,” she laughs. “But I think that’s the foundation of any healthy relationship, whether it’s marriage or business. We challenge each other because we both care so much.”
Ben grins, “For my longevity, it’s good to know when to step back from those arguments.”
