Women in Wellness: “Why Gratitude Will Make You Feel Happier” With Lauren Carlstrom of Oxygen Plus

Dr. William Seeds Interviews Lauren Carlstrom, COO of Oxygen Plus, Inc.

August 19, 2020

 

Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your "backstory" with us?

I hail from Minneapolis, Minnesota – the “Land of 10,000 lakes,” notoriously cold winters that scare those who don’t know how to master it with textiles such as fur, cashmere and Smartwool®, and now, the place which reignited racial progress following George Floyd’s murder. At heart, I’m a family- and work-ethic-centered Midwesterner with a bent for innovative people, ideas, institutions and cities – all of which has drawn me toward various cities up and down our West and East Coasts. Currently back in my hometown after living and working in London, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City and studying at various institutions, I’m certain my most formative years owe credit to my K-12 grade Montessori education. My mother made personal sacrifices so my brother and I could have this schooling, which I truly believe made me the pioneering, hard-working, collaborative friend and businessperson I am today. During these foundational years, the students did not sit in a desk all day. We could move around the classroom, ask questions, challenge teachers. Older students, who were more accomplished in a topic or study, would teach the younger students, who were less accomplished. My curiosity was applauded. Research was encouraged as a means to solving problems. Being kind to each other and considerate of the community was a must. Even as a Kindergartener, we were treated and expected to act as whole persons. We said “Hello” while making eye contact with the teacher every morning. And at the end of the day in Junior High, we shook hands while making eye contact with every teacher, who stood in a line as we left. 

 

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?

My first, career-making job was at a hot advertising agency in the U.K. I got the job by sorting out how to get a work permit in another country – a feat that ultimately impressed the agency as my resume was light. No one thought I could get a job at one of the best agencies in the world with zero experience. This resourceful act brought me to the desk and boardroom table of some of the brightest creatives and industrious business people I have ever met. Starting as an intern earning the equivalent of $100 USD, I survived on three sausage rolls and free toast with peanut butter or Marmite each work week before being brought on full-time. My time at the ad agency offered me experience with brands including Sony Bravia, Orange Telecom and a newly launched weekly glossy fashion magazine. I found myself doing or around things so uncomfortable and out of my natural element. However, I was learning from people who worked hard and challenged me to sink or swim. I also gleaned an international perspective and gained confidence in myself as I adapted to a new culture, a different way of working and cutthroat industry. Perhaps most importantly, I finished my time with the knowledge that daring to dream and take action on that dream can bring it to fruition. This ability to believe and actualize is what I can transfer to other entrepreneurial endeavors, and is one important thing I’m able to offer my team in my current role at Oxygen Plus (O+).

 

Can you share a story about the biggest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the biggest mistakes I made when I was first starting was not understanding hierarchy in a system and the dynamics related to power in an organization. An early job I had at a U.S.-based advertising agency brought an incredible level stress which did not fit my personality nor lifestyle. It interfered with my accessing my innate creativity. I didn’t know why I couldn’t make it work, so thankfully, I was fired. I decided a MBA and lateral move to a start-up company, that was creating a new consumer product category (CPG) called recreational oxygen, would be a better fit. The challenging, solution-seeking nature of this new opportunity ignited my creative and professional juices. I could be me. I could explore. I could learn. After several years in the same company there hasn’t been a day I’ve been bored. Even in the current challenges we’re collectively facing, I find I can be one with the economic climate. COVID-19 is one example where my flexible, creative problem-solving abilities are adding value to the organization and our customers. I have gone from feeling disempowered in a large, established culture to feeling empowered – and empowering others – in a smaller, evolving culture. It’s a fit, and that’s why I love it. So finding your fit is the lesson I learned.

 

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I am grateful to my mom – who gave me life, and founded Oxygen Plus (O+) – the company I currently lead. I’m most grateful that she did not let me work in her company until I had something of real sustaining value to offer O+. Despite my repeated begging, I had to have 10 years professional experience outside of O+. It was hard waiting and watching certain decisions being made – especially because I often felt I had an answer. So not only did her decision give me a deep sense of gratitude and eradicate any sense of nepotism, she also helped me understand I had to have something of substance to offer wherever I work. My mom, and boss, etched in my leadership the power of embodying the vision and mission of the owner or the company. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of Oxygen Plus, and that through it, I have a lot to offer the world, by giving our customers a product that allows one to breathe with ease – any time they need a lift.

 

Ok perfect. Now let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be leading a truly innovative consumable CPG company, Oxygen Plus (O+), which offers consumers one of the world’s most natural energy and recovery product: Pure recreational oxygen in portable, handheld canisters. Our company and team are dedicated to offering O+ to wellness-minded people who breathe supplemental oxygen to go further – at work, home and play. Not only does Oxygen Plus help the individual think, feel and perform his or her best – side effect free – our we’re also dedicated to sustainability in our sourcing, manufacturing and financial contribution decisions. Our product components and packaging are sourced in close proximity to our Minneapolis headquarters. Our canisters are 100% recyclable after use, we manufacture our products in an environmentally-considerate clean room at a FDA-facility, and we donate a fixed dollar amount from each canister sold to causes helping solve our clean air crisis. 

 

Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing? Please give an example or story for each. 

1) Breathing. Intentionally. Slowly. Inhaling through the nose. Breathing frequently throughout the workday. Before a big decision. With supplemental oxygen when you’re working or playing hard. Ambient air when you’re not.

2) Nature. Connecting to it. In hot or cold. Skin exposed and barefoot whenever possible. Seeing and hearing nature long enough to see a sunset or wild animal in a captive moment. But not too long to get bitten by a bug.

3) Walks and exercise that fits. As a former ballerina, the gym didn’t cut it for me. Neither did Pilates, barre, spinning nor even most forms of yoga. The Gyrotonic Method® and a physical therapist who understands breathing and movement, in addition to long walks with my dog and surfing, have been the best physical exercise for me. I have never felt stronger or happier than with these specific regimens. It took me awhile, but I found what works for me and I love it. I’m also strong enough in my true core to try new things. Last weekend a motor boat pulled me while I road my longboard.

4) Gratitude. No matter what I’m going through or how hard or challenging circumstances may be, I can sit down and write (or even think) about what I’m grateful for, and viola, I feel happier. Writing out a gratitude list is a surefire way to reframe things in a positive, constructive way. Because, at the end of the day, if I’m alive, that’s one thing for which I can always be grateful.

5) Friends and family. Accepting them. Allowing myself to be surprised by them. Continually getting to know them. Being open to new people and perspectives to grow and expand. Keeping people in my inner circle at the center of my non-work priorities has always served me well. Smiles, and yes, sometimes tears, invariably result. However, the connection and rootedness that takes place by receiving and giving to a network of others has always breathed life into my day and week. 

 

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?

As air pollution affects 95% of people worldwide, doing what I already do with my company – offering affordable canisters of pure recreational oxygen and raising awareness and funds for anti-pollution initiatives – is a movement in which I believe and want to see grow. However, Oxygen Plus also taps into the greater health and wellness need, which is important in a consumer market where there are plethora unhealthy choices.

 

What are your "5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started" and why?

1)  I don’t have to have all of the answers. Or even the answer to the question in front of me. No one has all of the answers. I learned from a mentor that men are okay with the “fake it 'til they make it” tactic in business, and thus, as a women, I can exercise that same tactic. 

2)  If I find and embrace the confidence I had as a child, I’ll have all I need for adult life. The more I connect with what I loved, hoped for and was excited by as a child, the more I can channel into loving and owning what I am doing today. 

3)  When you lead, you’re often alone. Being a leader can sometimes put you in the line of fire. Even when you do most things right or well, people sometimes need a target. It helped me knowing that leading came with a cost. And, that the solitary times were temporary and as you stick with it, other leaders will come into your life and enrich the journey.

4)  Balance personal and work life from the get go. I put a lot into my work life early in my career, often sacrificing the personal. I do wish I had begun to develop my personal life sooner, as the benefits of that spilled into my professional life. When both were a focus, I was more connected to the people on my work team, which was an important - even missing - component to my personal leadership development. 

5)  You can have fun at work…if you learn to breathe easy. One of the best lessons I learned was how to determine what is and isn’t in my control. Once I got this muscle strong enough – to the point I could tell I was in a mode where I was misaligned - work got a lot more enjoyable. 

 

Sustainability, veganism, mental health and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
I see mental health as the key to all personal, societal and environmental wellbeing, including sustainability, veganism and environmental changes. The way I see it: It starts with the self. When we take care of ourselves mentally, we are more likely to care for ourselves physically, spiritually, etc. And when we care for our whole selves, we are then more likely to consider how our choices impact other people, plants and animals (thereby sustainability, social justice, pollution) which are ultimately and indelibly connected.

 

What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?

Personal/professional:

Twitter: @LBoogii

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurencarlstrom/

 

Company:

Twitter:  @oxygen_plus

Instagram:  @oxygen_plus

Facebook: @oxygenplus

 

Authority Magazine:

https://medium.com/authority-magazine/women-in-wellness-8104732c549b

Thrive Global:

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/lauren-carlstrom-walks-and-exercise-that-fits/