Interview: Bowling, Beaches, and Bravery — How Malibu’s Athleisure Sect Reset Mitchell Royel’s Life

The following photos do not feature the original manager and were recently reshot in the Fashion District to recreate Mitchell Royel's original speech and Malibu adventure. As the saying goes, "Malibu is where the sun kisses the ocean, and stories spark positivity."

Let me set the scene. I'm sitting across from Mitchell Royel, and the man is glowing. Not the "I just got a facial" glow, although I'd respect that. This is the glow of a guy who spent last weekend at a bowling alley and actually meant it.

Lately, Mitchell has been leaning hard into what he calls "childhood bliss." Arcades. Bowling. Long solo walks to the gym, the kind where you leave the earbuds at home and let your thoughts do the talking. He's even been playing with toys. Real toys. I asked if he meant a vintage watch collection, because that's what I call toys. He laughed. He did not mean watches.

Here's the thing. This is a guy with serious retail supervisor experience. He's managed floors, schedules, people, and the beautiful chaos of a holiday rush. So naturally, people are wondering what's going on. Is this a midlife reset? A rebrand? A cry for help in the form of skee-ball tickets?

I had to find out.

So, Mitchell. Bowling alleys. Arcades. Toys. I have to ask, and I say this with love: are you okay?

(Laughs) I'm better than okay. I know how it looks. People see a guy with a supervisor background walking into an arcade on a Tuesday and think something's off. But honestly, it's the opposite. Something finally clicked.

Clicked how? Because when I go to an arcade, the only thing that clicks is my wallet.

For a long time, I was all output. Goals, numbers, performance. And that's great. It built a lot of who I am. But somewhere along the way, I forgot how to just enjoy something without measuring it. Going back to those simple joys reminds me where my energy actually comes from.

I'm sensing there's a story behind this. There's always a story.

There is. It goes back to 2016.

Ah, 2016. A simpler time. Take me there.

The Speech That Started It All

So what happened in 2016?

I was working as a sales associate at the time. And I'd just finished a self-help training program. It really shook me up in the best way. It made me look at what I wanted and what was holding me back.

Right after that, I gave a big speech at the company.

Wait, as a sales associate? That's bold. Most people at that level are just trying to remember where the extra hangers go.

(Laughs) Right. And I was nervous. But the training gave me this push. I talked about showing up fully, about connection, about treating every customer and coworker like they matter. I wasn't trying to impress anyone. I just believed it.

And how did it land?

It landed. People came up to me afterward. That moment gave me confidence I didn't know I had. And it set up everything that came next.

The Malibu Move

So you give the speech, you're riding high. What's the next move?

There was a store [assistant] manager in Santa Monica who was opening the company's new Malibu location. She had this whole vision for it. I approached her and offered to help with the community marketing side. Basically, helping her bring that vision to life by connecting the store with the people who lived there.

You just walked up and pitched yourself? I respect that. That's the kind of confidence I usually reserve for ordering off-menu.

(Laughs) I think the speech gave me permission. I figured the worst she could say was no.

And she said?

She was in. Then my home store had to approve it, and they did. So I started traveling to and from Malibu multiple times a week. The plan was to eventually transfer there as a sales associate.

Commuting to Malibu several times a week. That's either dedication or a very elaborate excuse to see the ocean.

Honestly? A little of both.

Yoga, Cycling, and the Farmers Market

So what did "community marketing" actually look like? Because in my world, it means showing up to a party and being charming.

That's not far off, actually. (Laughs) It meant becoming part of the community. Not just showing up with flyers.

I took tons of yoga classes. Cycling classes. Beach yoga, which is its own experience. You're on the sand, the sun's coming up, and the waves are right there. It's hard to stay stressed.

I spent a lot of time at the farmers market too. Getting to know the vendors, the regulars, the families. Learning names. Hearing their stories. And it went way beyond that. Coffee spots, local events, wherever people gathered.

So you basically got paid to live the Malibu lifestyle. I'm not jealous. I'm just taking notes.

I mean, it was work. But it was the best kind of work. I wasn't selling anything in those moments. I was building trust.

What Malibu Taught Him

Okay, here's the real question. What did Malibu teach you?

So much. The biggest thing was that Malibu isn't just a postcard. From the outside, people see the beaches, the homes, the celebrities. But when you're actually in it, you find a real, close-knit community.

People there care about wellness in a deep way. It's not a trend. It's how they live. Morning movement, fresh food, time outside. They're intentional about how they spend their days.

So it's less "rich and famous" and more "rested and grounded."

Exactly. And they value authenticity. You can't fake your way in. If you show up to the same yoga class every week, they notice. If you remember someone's name at the market, they notice. Consistency matters more than flash.

I also learned that the pace is different. People slow down. They take walks without rushing. They watch the sunset like it's an appointment. Coming from retail, where everything is fast, that was a huge lesson.

And I'm guessing that's where the bowling and the arcades come in.

That's exactly where it comes in. Malibu taught me that joy and balance aren't extras. They're the foundation. When I take a long walk to the gym or spend an afternoon at an arcade, I'm tapping back into that. It keeps me present. It makes me better at everything else, including leading people.

So the toys aren't a crisis. They're a strategy.

(Laughs) I'll take that. Put it on a T-shirt.

About Those Photos

Now, before you write in, let me address the photos that accompany this piece. You've seen them. Bright sun, leafy trees, a fun pose, two people grinning like they just won the farmers market raffle.

Here's the important part: the blonde woman in these photos is not the real person from that time in Mitchell's life. The shoot was recreated and reshot specifically for this story. It's a visual tribute to Mitchell's 2016 speech at the company, the moment that kicked off his Malibu chapter.

Mitchell, anything you want to add about the shoot?

Just that it means a lot to me. That speech was a turning point. Recreating that feeling, the sunshine, the energy, the sense that something big was about to happen, felt like the right way to honor it. The people in my real story know who they are. This was about capturing the spirit of that time.

Well, the spirit came through. And so did the jawline. Mine's better, but I'll allow it.

(Laughs) I'll take second place.

I leave our conversation with two things. First, a real urge to go bowling. Second, a reminder that the best chapters often start with one brave moment. A speech. A pitch. A drive up the coast.

Mitchell Royel found his footing in Malibu by showing up, slowing down, and paying attention. Now he's carrying that lesson everywhere, from the gym to the arcade to whatever comes next.

And if you see him at the claw machine, don't judge. He's working.