Behind every successful athlete, there’s a story—coaches, mentors and families who helped guide them each step of the way. But as we trace the path of Kealia Ohai, one of the brightest stars in American women’s soccer, there’s a particularly formidable figure behind the curtain: her father, Ben Ohai.
That is the spirit of this article, not only in relation to what Kealia has achieved but how much her father is the unseen foundation. It reveals a father’s impact, a family’s cohesion, and the making of a champion long before the world ever saw her out on the field.
Profile Summary
Ben Ohai is best known as the soccer star’s (now wife) father Kealia Ohai, but that claim misses the extent of his impact ever so slightly. He is a former athlete, a tireless advocate and a guiding light to each of his four daughters. Calm, hard-working and deeply family-oriented, Ben is the epitome of the unseen hero whose legacy is forged through deeds and not by an elevated public profile.
Having grown up in a sports-passionate family and having strong leadership qualities, Ben wanted a family home where discipline and passion were nurtured. His daughters embody that family value today in their careers, their confidence, and their character.
Early Life and Background
The early life of Ben Ohai helped to mould the father he was to become. Raised in a culture of active living and outdoor recreation,youth sports and family life in his small-town upbringing merged seamlessly, allowing him to foster a love for sports at an early age. Football, track, and competition training were what contributed to both his physical prowess and mental strength.
Although he had far fewer resources and opportunities than today’s athletes, Ben learned to maximize each one, a lesson he transmitted to his daughters. It gave him that resilience,” Moore says, “and that is one of the things that defines the Ohai family.
Academic and Professional Journey
Although Ben was from a very athletic background, he always valued school and going into a career. He was an athlete for much of his younger life, but also balanced that with school work that led him into jobs that demanded he apply discipline, teamwork and leadership – all traits he used to build the home he’d create.
Ben had worked to provide stability for his family his whole adult life. Whether he was coaching a community team, volunteering at the school, or at work commitments, he always showed up and that reliability and commitment never wavered. His work ethic and professionalism helped guide his daughters in following their dreams with the same level of seriousness.
Ben Ohai as a Father
Father is the highest title of all his many roles.
Ben raised his girls with patience, purpose, and faith. He wasn’t a caricature of the archetypal sports parent who lives vicariously through his kids; he took cues on what each kid loved and rallied support around that. For Kealia, it was more than a game—it was a passion—and Ben was her quiet champion, motivator and emotional anchor.
His approach to raising children was:
- The proper instruction of discipline and time management.
- Promoting responsibility
- That instilled a respect for coaches and teammates.
- Helping them through injuries and slumps.
- Fostering a competitive, but loving home environment.
He also believed in letting his daughters make mistakes, learn from them, and come back stronger—something that became essential to Kealia’s journey in professional soccer.
Personal Life
Outside the world of athletics, Ben lives a grounded and family-centred life. Even as his daughters gain fame, he prefers privacy. His priorities revolve around:
- Spending time with family
- The community work I help with is…
- Keeping active
- In stalwart defense of traditions and values.
Jesus humiliated a lifestyle —he would not take advantage of his children’s success to garner fame, he was not chasing after the camera, and he never let go of his roots.
Who is Cindy Ohai?
Behind each great father is an amazing mother and in the Ohai household, that’s the role Cindy Ohai fills.
She is known for:
- Her encouraging and caring attitude.
- Promoting academic and emotional growth
- Going to games, practices and school functions.
- Maintaining the stability of the family during difficult times
Parenting, for Ben and Cindy, was a team effort, and they provided each girl with stability and guidance, and the space to grow. The combination of the parents created what is described as the warm, yet firm environment that led the two girls to great success in athletics, fitness and living.
Ben Ohai’s Daughters
Ben and Cindy have four daughters — all unique, independent and successful in their own ways. Although Kealia is probably the best known of the sisters for her professional soccer career, the other daughters have also made an impact with their pursuits.
Here is a breakdown of each daughter:
Kealia Ohai
Kealia Ohai, now Kealia Watt, is the most well-known member of the Ohai family. As a professional soccer player, she has:
- Player in NWSL.
- U.S. Women’s National Team representation
- Proved herself with the Houston Dash and the Chicago Red Stars.
- Emerged as a threat due to his quickness, swift footwork and explosive shooting.
Kealia’s tenacity is all the more impressive given that she was born with partial sight in one eye. But her father’s faith and her own determination turned that adversity into an emblem of power.
Her marriage to NFL superstar JJ Watt attracted media attention, but she remains a bright star in her own right because of her talent and work ethic.
Megan Cushing
Megan Cushing (formerly Megan Ohai) is a professional athlete and well-known public figure. She was an exceptional college soccer player at the University of Southern California, where she captured a national championship with her squad.
Now, Megan is a:
- Gym Rat
- Public figure
- Inspiration for conwell-being
Her commitment to fitness and structured way of living reflects the teachings of her father.
Cambria Ohai
Cambria Ohai leads a more private life compared to her sisters, but she still encompasses the family’s athletic and community values. She competed in several sport and social programs, with a special focus on wellness, positivity, and self-improvement.
Ohai’s grounded nature often makes her and the quiet strength of the Ohai family she represents calm, stability and compassion.
Aubrey Ohai
The baby sister Aubrey, grew up watching her older sisters compete and dominate. She has chased after sports, fitness and creative passions while keeping a relatively low-key, balanced profile.
She is still finding her identity, but she has the same drive and confidence that defines the Ohai family.
Athletic Background
Ben’s athletic background was the foundation of what he taught his daughters in sports. His understanding of coaching, discipline, stamina, and mentality had a direct impact on Kealia’s early growth in soccer.
From morning drills to cool-down exercises, Ben brought essential sports tenets home:
- Consistency is more important than intensity.
- Strength: mental toughness in adversity.
- Reverence for the game
- Concentrate on the basics
- The belief in improving oneself.
So the setting was always such that sports were a family activity.
Community and Social Presence
Yet even if he never sought public acclaim, Ben is respected in his local community. His contributions include:
- Supporting youth sports teams.
- Assisting with the coordination of local events
- Promoting active living.
- Guiding through action, not speech
He is revered for his kindness and humility, but also for being easy to speak to.
Legacy and Influence
Ben Ohai’s legacy is visible in:
- His daughters’ successes
- Their resolve,
- The trust of them
- Their leadership skills
His impact was felt not only in their sports careers but also in their identities as strong, capable women.
Whether it’s Megan’s career in fitness, Kealia’s success in soccer, or the personal development of Cambria and Aubrey, each achievement carries a bit of their father’s guidance.
Challenges and Overcoming Adversity
The Ohai encountered the following challenges:
- Financial struggles in early years
- Kealia’s partial blindness
- How to maintain competitive sports in line with school help
- public attention after Kealia’s wedding
Ben’s resilience ethos made challenges an educational experience. He is learned his daughters that disappointments are fleeting, but effort is everlasting.
Ben Ohai’s Net Worth
Although Ben’s net worth is not publicly available, he is expected to have earned a stable financial status throughout his career and his works with investments and the community.
He was not rich in the currency of fame or media coverage—his riches were in the strong family he built and the bright futures of his daughters.
Conclusion
The journey of Ben Ohai is a testament that success isn’t a solo act. Behind every athlete, every champion and every leader is someone who believed in them from day one.
That person for Kealia Ohai was her father.
His leadership, work ethic, commitment and sacrifice not only impacted her journey with soccer but also all four daughters.
Ben may not be the name on the lights, but his impact is brighter than any headline.
FAQs
What role has Ben Ohai played in Kealia Ohai’s soccer career?
He was the emotional backbone, the training regimen and the guiding force in her evolution as a young athlete.
How has Ben Ohai’s athletic background influenced his parenting?
From his own sports experience, he had learned the importance of discipline, resilience and team work and he instilled that in his daughters.
What are the professional pursuits of Ben Ohai’s other daughters besides Kealia?
Megan is a fitness influencer, Cambria’s expertise is wellness and community engagement, and Aubrey investigates sports and creative routes.
How does Ben Ohai maintain a balance between privacy and public exposure?
He shuns the spotlight, concentrates on his family, and attends primarily to local matters.
What values are central to Ben Ohai’s family life?
Hard work, humility, family togetherness, discipline, and respect.
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