meet the lululemon athletica old town ambassadors
Photo credit: Jonathan Thorpe @ jthorpephoto.com
The lululemon Ambassador program has been a part of the company’s community and company culture from the very beginning (est: 1998 in Vancouver, British Columbia). It is a special partnership between each store location and a couple of incredible local yoga and fitness focused community leaders. Our store ambassadors are top of the class, driven athletes and coaches, who harness lululemon’s culture and passion to elevate the world. And, this program is wholly dedicated to support them in their business, in their goals, and in continuing to elevate our mutual community. While the relationship is a very organic one, beginning long before the partnership becomes “official”, we consider these very special community leaders to be an extension of our lululemon Old Town team and family.
We know that Alexandria is chock full of yoga teachers, personal trainers, run mavens, and athletes alike. And we have the honor of working with a pretty amazing group of them that we call our lululemon Old Town Ambassador team: These amazing individuals are Cara Heads Slaughter, Olivia Sheldon, Megan Brown, Andre Harris, and Gina White.
Introducing our lululemon Old Town Ambassadors:
Photo credit: Jonathan Thorpe @ jthorpephoto.com
Cara Heads Slaughter, US Olympian and CH Fitness & Performance founder, is a world-class athlete and weightlifting coach. Cara enjoyed an unprecedented and successful 18-year career as an Olympic weightlifter, earning 8 national championship titles, setting two American records, and representing the United States at 5 world championships. Cara also owns the highly coveted athletic title of Olympian as a part of the 2000 US Olympic Team in Sydney. Cara coaches Olympic-style weightlifting for the elite athlete and for everyone in between!
Q&A with Cara:
1) What does being an ambassador mean to you?
“Creating opportunities within our community to connect with each other, inspire each other and be healthier together.”
2) What are you up to in 2015?
“To make my athletes stronger and better technicians. Also, I want to dance with my husband more in 2015 – everything about that makes me smile. “
3) Favorite lululemon gear?
“Mos’ def’ the Wunder Under Crops/Groove pants and the Cool Racerback Tanks.”
4) Guilty pleasure?
“Toasted Marshmallow shake from Good Stuff Eatery.”
Photo credit: Jonathan Thorpe @ jthorpephoto.com
Olivia Sheldon has trained in, studied, and experienced virtually every form of yoga, exercise and martial arts. From her own experience and inspiration, Olivia created Positive Energy Yoga®. Through this creative, seamless combination of strength-building postures, balance poses, and flexibility conditioning, the body is soothed into a rejuvenated state, where one is left feeling energized and vibrant. Olivia has had extensive training in the ability to transfer positive energy (the natural energy people use for living) through her Positive Energy Yoga® classes.
Q&A with Olivia:
1. What does being an Ambassador mean to you?
“Being an Ambassador for lululemon is a wonderful opportunity to get even more connected to this awesome community, to share what I love to do, and to grow personally and professionally.”
2. What are you up to in 2015?
“In 2015, now that my son is 1, I’m working on getting back out there–taking classes, exploring my craft, opening new doors and meeting new people.”
3. Favorite lululemon gear?
“I love my purple and red lululemon Wunder Under Pants for working out. One of my favorite pieces is my bright coral lululemon rain jacket- that is my sunshine on any rainy day. I could go on and on…..”
4. Guilty pleasure?
“Dark chocolate–just trying to stay healthy and young, getting my anti-oxidants!”
Photo credit: Jonathan Thorpe @ jthorpephoto.com
Megan Brown, physical therapist and Pilates instructor, is a co-founder of Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga in Alexandria, VA. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in Sports Medicine, Megan went on to receive her Masters in Physical Therapy and eventually her Doctorate in the profession. Customized Pilates instruction is her specialty–she designs classes based on clients needs: athletes, new moms, rehabilitation or just for fun (why be serious all the time?). Pilates + Yoga is the best of both worlds, hence the creation of Mind the Mat studios providing classes for all—in every walk of life.
Q&A with Megan:
1) What does being an ambassador mean to you?
“It’s an important way to further connect with your community outside of your work environment. I feel like I’ve deepened my current friendships and professional connections while also meeting new and inspiring people through lululemon’s outreach. I even meet people on the street when they stop me to ask about my latest lululemon gear!”
2) What are you up to in 2015?
“My biggest goal this year is to streamline and organize my work week. I am a busy studio owner and Pilates teacher but more importantly, I am the mother of two spirited little boys. Finding that perfect balance between work and family has always been a challenge. I am slowly but surely chiseling away at this long-term goal. I can see the light!”
3) Favorite lululemon gear?
“Hands down my high-waisted shine tights. They are so easy to wear, whether teaching, working out, or out on the town for a night of fun. They always feel as good as they look too.”
4) Guilty pleasure?
“Chocolate and tequila. Enough said!
Photo credit: Jonathan Thorpe @ jthorpephoto.com
Andre Harris grew up grew up playing sports, developing a passion for competition. His mother took him to his first yoga class in 2010, and from then, Andre was hooked. Three years later, Andre enrolled in yoga teacher training at Chula Vista Yoga Center, in California. Andre developed all-levels, challenging, up-beat, dynamic Vinyasa style class.
Q&A with Andre:
1) What does being an Ambassador mean to you?
“I don’t teach yoga to be recognized, but being chosen as an Old Town ambassador is the best local recognition I feel I can possibly get. It makes me feel accomplished and like I am producing a class atmosphere where people feel comfortable to let go and open up. I can’t thank my students at Refresh Yoga Center enough for their continued support, always coming back to visit me for more. Being an ambassador to me means building and creating an environment in Old Town where my students feel free to come and go as they please to get away from it all.”
2) What are you up to in 2015?
“This year 2015 I want to continue to learn, grow and expand. I plan to host fun and informative workshops and work my way up toward hosting retreats and teacher trainings! “
3) Favorite lululemon gear?
“Pace Breakers and Metal Vent Techs.”
4) Guilty Pleasure?
“Mexican food, basketball, family time with wifey and the pups, hot wings, kombucha, and obviously yoga!”
Photo credit: Jonathan Thorpe @ jthorpephoto.com
Gina White, certified in Authentic Pilates and mindfulness, has been practicing Pilates for over 20 years. Gina also founded Dragon Pilates and Mindfulness, through which she teaches Pilates reformer and mat classes, yoga for kids, and mindfulness coaching. Gina has been teaching Pilates in the Washington D.C. area for over 10 years. She studied under Romana Krayzanowska, a disciple of Joe Pilates, and Micheal Rooks – learning Authentic Pilates as passed down directly by Joseoph Pilates himself. Gina is certified by the Mindful Schools in “The Mindfulness Curriculum” for adults, corporations, and children ages K-12. This is a specific style of training for teaching mindfulness, as a non-secular, scientific approach in reducing stress, anxiety, and increasing wellness. And, aside from her original certification in this work, she is also now pursuing a Master’s degree program — the very first of its kind in the US — at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After this two-year program completes she will have a “Masters of Arts” in Mindfulness.
Q&A with Gina:
1) What does being an Ambassador mean to you?
“It means being a part of an amazing community of people. The lululemon Old Town team is inspiring, giving, embracing and incredibly ACTIVE! They have created an amazing culture of whole body healthy living, and have allowed us ~ as ambassadors ~ to extend that culture to our clients and the community.”
2) 2015 Goals?
“2015 has been incredible so far. My long-term goal is to create a unique community space for people to work on their body and mind. In the near term, I plan to continue working and collaborating with local folks in the mindful and Pilates world. I am also continuing my education in contemplative science, and my goal is to share my newfound knowledge within the community.”
3) Favorite lululemon gear?
“I teach outdoor Pilates under the bridge every week. Even in January! Even when it is 30 degrees and snowing! I couldn’t live without my lululemon leg warmers. My legs are always toasty warm when I am outside teaching my crazy cold loving clients. I am currently obsessed with my super fly black camouflage Cruiser Backpack. I can throw in my workout gear, computer, teaching tools, and even connect my mat on the back (which sits in a very cool “mat pocket”), and cruise around town. I can go from teaching a class, to the coffee shop (to study), and then run out to take a Yoga/Pilates/Barre/Boxing class with the lululemon gals (I told you they were active.) With all my gear in my backpack, I am ready to go!”
4) Guilty pleasure?
“Getting a massage. Why is it “guilty?” It takes a long time, it’s expensive, and it’s all about me. Why is it a “pleasure” – it feels so darn good!”
Now that you’ve met this amazing crew, stop by the store and check out their beautiful photos hanging up in-store.
To keep up with us (and our Ambassadors!), check out our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/lululemonoldtown. Want to keep up with our latest and greatest gear? Sign up for our weekly product notification emails at: www.lululemon.com/stores/us/alexandria/oldtown.
