“You come for the pants, you stay for the people.” If you ask around our office and in our stores, you will quickly find that this statement rings true 99% of the time (the other 1% likely came for the people in the first place). We sat down with Laurel and Carlson at our Store Support Centre to learn more about their unique journeys at lululemon, the numerous roles they've had and some epic goals they've crushed this year.

how did you find lululemon?

laurel:

I first found lululemon when I was 18 and training for my first marathon. My lululemon outfit of Groove Shorts and a Deep-V Tank was my race outfit and reward for successfully completing my training (we only designed for yoga at the time). I started working for lululemon as a part-time educator at our Robson street store while finishing my university degree and pursuing triathlon. I honestly applied at every location we had in the area. Needless to say, I loved it, found my people, my product and my stride and never left.

carlson:

Seven years ago, a buddy of mine from a senior Management Business Course in university was looking for extra hands at the Calgary Southcentre store where he was the Assistant Manager.  I finished my degree requirements a semester early so I had time.  I like clothes, I did yoga, I pumped iron and loved to laugh so I said "Hell, why not!?”. It's been a match made in heaven ever since.

what job(s) have you had with lululemon?

laurel:

I’ve been an Educator, Keyleader, Facilities Coordinator, on a contract for special projects and I now find myself blissfully situated in Leadership and Development as a Project Specialist (read: ninja).

carlson:

I've been an Educator, Key Leader, Allocator for Mens, then Accessories, then New Store Openings/E-commerce/Australia/ivivva, Men's Merchandise Associate  and now, I'm the Men's Product Storyteller.

how do you like to sweat?

laurel:

Running is my passion, my moving meditation and the way I like to see the world. I balance it with yoga, especially an extra sweaty power class, though slow and gentle yoga has its place in my heart too. I like to mix it up with swimming, dancing, epic adventure and cruising on my ridiculously heavy purple cruiser bike (with handlebar tassels).

carlson:

Sweat once a day – I truly take this line in the manifesto to heart! I yogs, I pilates, I bike, I cycle, I run, I circuit, I snowboard, I ski, I skate ski, I kayak, I trek, I hike… and I sorta swim.

what's an epic goal you've crushed while at lululemon?

laurel:

I was training to be an elite athlete and had a goal to compete in Olympic and Ironman distance triathlons at a competitive level. I applied for elite status, got it and brought myself to that level, which was such a neat place to be. Once I accomplished that goal, I realized that it wasn't what made me happy. Making it to that point, acknowledging that it wasn't what I wanted and having the tools to be completely okay with it was an important milestone for me.

carlson:

Finished top 25% in my age category in the Whistler GranFondo –yeah baby.

Want to make your mark on the world with us? Tune in on Facebook and Twitter for our Ask a Talent Magnet: LIVE on Wednesday, October 17th at 12:00pm PST. 

create a vision board with

It’s no secret that lululemon is big on goals. We set goals, we achieve goals and, to put it mildly, we are downright obsessed with living lives we love through the practice of goal setting. Sometimes, nothing beats old-fashioned pen and paper when it comes to creating a vision and setting goals but leave it to our Digital Innovation team to find the coolest, raddest, digital tools, for screens big and small.

tools to get inspired

pinterest - desktop, iPhone carolyn - digital innovation manager

”

Pinterest is my biggest source of vision inspiration online. From inspiring quotes to eye-catching photos, Pinterest helps me build vision boards for myself in all areas of my life. Currently I’m pinning to a “vision of my life in ten years”, a “my vision of health” board and even a “my career in five years” board.

Pinterest keeps my imagination alive and allows my vision to grow and change with time. I can keep my visions private or share them with friends. Pinterest also has a great iPhone app (actually, one of my all time favourites) so I can keep creating on the go!

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43 things - desktop, iPhone carolyn - digital innovation manager

A true match made in heaven - social and goal setting? Yes please! 43things is an online community and goal setting service (it’s the biggest one on the web) that helps you set goals while meeting likeminded people. The site builds on social relationships so that community members can help each other in achieving goals and get inspired to take on new goals themselves. With Facebook integration, I can see what sorts of goals my friends have set and we can connect through shared or similar goals.

evernote - desktop, iPhone, iPad, blackberry, peder - digital innovation intern

I achieve my goals by breaking the process into five categories: note taking, visioning, goal setting, to-do’s and daily tracking. While Evernote is not exactly positioned as the technology that will achieve my goals, it fits perfectly into the note taking part of my tried and true system. Evernote allows me to capture a picture, a stray insight, a voice memo, a webpage and pretty well anything else right from any of my devices. I love how “in the moment” Evernote is. I can record anything that piques my interest and then come back to it when I have enough time to make sense of how those bits of inspiration play into my bigger picture.

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mindbloom - desktop peder - digital innovation intern

Mindbloom fuses inspiration and goal setting to one by taking you into a place of possibility through an interactive story line. Mindbloom helps create your vision and connects you with the inspiration and tools you need to achieve your goals. I love that the app asks you to identify the areas of your life that are most important to you. Once you identify those areas, Mindbloom shares inspirational quotes and pictures so you can start visualizing an "anything is possible" life. From here, you can set goals that actually speak to who you are. Social integration and goal suggestions are two other amazing features that help jump-start your most fulfilling life.

tools for staying on track

getting dreams done - iPhone carolyn - digital innovation manager

Getting Dreams Done is an iPhone application for goal setting, dream creation and vision boarding. Part of what I love most is that it’s simple to use. It integrates with my iCal and I find that it really operationalizes goal setting in a way that works for me. I use 43things and Pinterest to find vision and goals, inspiration and then use GettingDreamsDone on a weekly basis to check in, track and revise my goals. The calendar helps remind me of my status on certain goals and holds me accountable to achieving them.

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action method - desktop, iPhone, iPad, android, pen and paper kristina - social innovation manager

I use Action Method to keep track of my to-dos or goals for each day. Since I’m in a role where work often feels like play, it’s pretty easy to get carried away. Action Method is a tool that is available in almost every form: website, app and even that good old fashion pen and paper we were talking about. With so much always on the go, Action Method helps me prioritize my goals and keeps me on track for achieving them.

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Technology helps to hold us accountable to our goals because it is easy to share and it integrates goal setting into our day-to-day lives. The more accessible and visible our goals are, the more likely we are to achieve them. Let our DI team in on some of your favourite goal-setting tools.

want more?

• learn how to set powerful goals
• more goal setting 101
• check out some of our other favourite apps

You’d be unlikely to find athletic gear, like lululemon, in a fashion magazine but some of the women here insist that the Cool Racerback deserves to be. The tank is a fundamental part of their daily outfits.

melorin

why I love cool racerbacks
“They’re so versatile. I wear them everywhere: circuit classes; running; to and from yoga and on the weekends under jackets and blouses with some heels added and you have the perfect casual outfit. Also they're so easy to pack when travelling.”

the colours
“I love the bright coloured ones; they're great to add some pop to my wardrobe when I need it. My favorite colour is the rubber ducky. I get so excited when new colours arrive!

dressing them up
“My current favorite summer look is wearing a cool racer back with a cardigan over top, paired with some shorts or skinny jeans and some flats. I’ll layer it with a couple of unique necklaces draped over and a fun, coloured purse.

Melorin is a purchasing manager raised in North Vancouver. One of her favorite place she's travelled is Gili Islands in Indonesia.

heathered grapeseed CRB tank

carolyn

why I love cool racerbacks
“I love the Cool Racerbacks because they’re extremely simple. I love simple because I wear yoga clothes all day long and I want to be able to style them up when I’m going to and from the studio. They’re just so versatile for me. They look really good layered but often I only wear one while I’m doing yoga to reduce on laundry.”

the colours
“I love all the colours they come in. I’m really into the pastels, especially heathered grapeseed, which isn’t a colour I’d normally wear. I love the heathered tango red too because you don’t see a lot of them. The heathered ones hide the sweat well; it blends in a little bit.”

dressing them up
“I love the length of them. You can wear it with any kind of pants; you can have it hanging over your pants or shorts or have it tucked in, like with a high-waisted skirt. Usually I dress them up with a scarf and I wear a lot of cardigans. They all look great under my cardigans and jean jackets. In Vancouver the weather is so changeable; it’s nice to have an extra layer in your bag to put on if it gets cold; and they fit into every single purse I own.”

Carolyn is a yoga instructor for Semperviva and YYoga as well as Ambassador for the lululemon on West 4^th, Vancouver. She does a lot of yoga and a lot of smiling.

surge CRB tank

elim

why I love cool racerbacks
“The Cool Racerback is my favorite because I can wear any type of support under it. I can wear it with a Flow Y bra (or my new favorite the Arise Bra) or any one of my standard bras; for minimal to full support. I wear them for running, Vinyasa and Hatha yoga.”

the colours
“I have five white Cool Racerbacks. I love them. I wear them on their own or layered underneath other coloured tank and shirts.”

dressing them up
“I'll wear my Cool Racerbacks with anything. I love to wear them under my power mesh tops from the lab. I’ll dress them up by putting a blazer over the top or just with jewelry and leave my hair down.”

Elim is our Photo Studio Coordinator and Stylist. She loves to people watch the streets of Vancouver and has goals to work in a certain magazine in New York City.

pink mist CRB tank & wren CRB tank

bailie

why I love cool racerbacks
“The length is awesome which makes it a perfect layering piece - I throw it under a favorite shirt and ta da! ready for the office and yoga without messing around with a change of clothes. I love how light and breathable this tank is too. I usually pair it with the Arise Bra and my trusty Wunder Unders for working up a serious sweat in one of those impromptu Spin or Power Vinyasa Flow classes.”

the colours
“My favourite colour is Wren. Not only is it named after a lovely little bird but olive green is an amazing transitional color - beautiful in the summer but dark enough for those colder months.”

dressing them up
“For me it's all about the layers.  It's perfect under my loose flowing tops paired with some worn in cutoffs, great sunglasses and a beloved necklace.  Hello Sunday beach day! Or I’ll do a long jersey, high-waisted skirt and maybe a pair of amazing wooden wedges.”

Bailie is a proud member of the Men’s Team working as the Allocation Analyst (aka – gifting the stores with new product … whoop!).  Born and raised in Calgary and, yes, still loves the Calgary Flames.

They all said it in different ways ('versatile', 'simple', 'favourite', 'ta-da!') but the way that the Cool Racerback's can switch from sports gear to street-wear and back is what makes it one of our essentials.

Let us know how you use your Cool Racerback. Join the conversation with lululemon on Facebook.

teaching bryant park yoga

“I love teaching at Bryant Park because there is yoga everywhere: the yoginis on the mats; the people watching; everything that is alive in nature around us. The collective vibe is amazing - you reach people with the spirit of yoga and the unity that is created...even if they aren't on a mat! I work best with big crowds...my music is loud and, quite frankly, I am loud, so the big yoga party works for me!!! My idea of a successful class is 300 people singing ‘We Are Family’ in wheel pose."

finding inspiration and energy

"I get inspiration and energy from many sources: my lululemon family at 66th street and the new york area. They inspire me with the way they roll and they humble me with their support. I am inspired by all my yoga teachers and students who have the courage to laugh and play and look within. I am inspired and energized by my seven-year old daughter, Maya, who enables me, at 48, to be playful, wonderous and inquisitive again."

things you should know about halle becker

"What I want you to know about me is that I had a troubled past filled with anger, self-doubt, addictions and bad choices. The path of yoga has given me strength and the grace to open up parts of myself I never knew existed. I live each day to the fullest and I am always learning and I am very, very grateful for the opportunity to be on the path."

If you want to find out more about Halle, check out her lululemon ambassador page or go to her website, homegirlyoga.com.

We didn't feel we could introduce you to some of Jon's favourite things without introducing you to Jon. We've edited down the biography of this surfer-designer-dad to these 11 answers.

1. describe what you do at lululemon in three words
Put. Out. Fires. (Ed's note: Jon is the Creative Director at lululemon, not a fire-fighter)

2. who was your creative role model growing up?
When I was a kid it was Frank Lloyd Wright because I wanted to be an architect. His philosophy really appealed to me. (Ed's note: in a nutshell, Wright believed in 'organic' architecture; that "form and function are one.")

3. if you had a different job for a day, what would you be?
I'd be a landscaper. I love transforming things; things that I can see, that other people can see. It's really cool to know that you're working with something that's living.

4. when do you consider a piece of work to be complete?
To me, it's when I walk away from it, either in disgust or delight. And sometimes they're never done (my wife would say that is closer to the truth. None of my projects are ever done).

5. tell us about one place in the world that inspires you
Anywhere in the ocean. It's the one place where everything seems to make sense. We just got back from a family surf trip to California, my wife and I were sitting in the water (it wasn't as cold as here), the sun was out and the kids were on the beach having a blast. We just looked at each other and said,  'why don't we live here? We should do this.' Then we got in the car, got stuck on the freeway in traffic, drove through congested neighbourhoods. When we got back to Vancouver, I went over to Tofino  for the weekend and surfed there with absolutely no-one in the water and realized why we're here. There were no crowds, the water was clean and cold. It was gorgeous. It was amazing.

6. how do you fit yoga into your life?
Every Tuesday night, my wife and I do yoga together at YYoga in Lynn Valley with our teacher Alex - she's awesome. It's Anusara, which we really like because it's a good workout as well as really technically astute. I find it has really helped me recover from some old injuries, so I definitely appreciate it from that perspective.

7. tell us about the first time you did yoga
I had this misconception that somebody would be walking around showing me exactly what to do right from the beginning; more of a lesson than a class, kind of a step by step. But it's more of a sink or swim thing, you just get in there and do it. You just watch and learn and I find that part of the process really interesting and really humbling too.

8. what's the best advice you've ever received?
Measure twice, cut once.

9. what advice would you share with your children?
Be authentic. Be true to you. Because it will always come back to that, it'll be the one thing that you will question later; whether you did things because they were the right thing to do for you.

10. what's your favourite inanimate object in your house?
I collect chairs so I  have a couple of chairs that I like looking at: a couple of Eames, Corbusier and a really cool Bertoia wire chair that's a thing of beauty. I always have to rearrange them to make sure they're properly arranged. But the one thing that I always look at, that makes me smile, is a photo that my friend took at the L.A. Gay Rodeo a couple of years ago. It's of a gay cowboy on a horse and he's wearing pink high-heeled cowboy boots. It's a really good conversation piece.

11. if you had an extra hour in the day, what would you do with it?
I'd play. I'd play more with my kids.

Jon's picks

1. Ben Sherman straw hat
2. Metal Vent Tech short sleeve shirt
3. Men's No Show socks
4. Game On Boxer Brief
5. Yashica Electro 35 range-finder camera
6. Miles’ art
7. Jack Spade Nylon Canvas Dad Field Bag
8. Pope Bisect Surfboard
9. Powell Peralta Mcgill Skull/Snake Skateboard
10. Trainer Shorts
11. The Mat
12. LOMO LC-A camera
13. The Surfers Journal magazine
14. Wedding photo – it’s our 10 year anniversary in August!
15. Vintage fiberglass Eames shell side chair
16. Headhunter SPF 30 sunblock
17. Vintage Tonka Winnebago – from my childhood
18. A 'thing' for exercise made by my son, Miles
19. Moleskine sketchbooks
20. Rainbow Sandals flip-flops
21. Dwell Magazine
22. Eoin Finn's Blissology DVD
23. A birthday card from my youngest boy Wells
24. Sigg 1L Sport Top Bottle
25. Grandpa's Tools
26. SKOAH clean freak body kleanser
27. surfer dude bobble head
28. iPhone 4
29. Manduka Equa Towel

Our designers are an awesome bunch. They're like a hive of busy little creative bees, always buzzing around thinking of ways to make our lives and work outs easier. Unlike real bees, our designers also like to stop and have fun. This black and white striped bee, with her grapeseed Retro Groove Bag, is our accessories designer Katie. She's never without her moleskine (and a pencil) to jot down inspiration when it strikes.

katie and the broken pencil

Designers always have a spare pencil...somewhere.

want more?

• Organize your life with a new bag.
• Meet some of our other designers.

I was crossing a quiet side street. One moment I was on top of the world, my eyes trained on the horizon and its infinite possibilities. The next thing I knew, my eyes were at ground level as I hit the sidewalk with a splat. A few cars drove by on the main road, but no one seemed to notice the girl sprawled out flat on the ground.

Get up, get up, get up! came the message from within. Bounce back up! Act nonchalant! Never let 'em see you sweat! Get up and keep on running!

I stood back up and, ignoring the little tweaks of discomfort here and there, resumed running. If I ran on confidently, perhaps no one would know that I'd fallen. The knees of my track pants were dirty, but I figured if I ran long and hard enough, it would be enough to undo the memory of the fall and lift the dust right out of the fabric.

That physical fall was momentary, but our psychological falls sometimes seem to stretch on for months on end.  I find myself wishing that the mental process of pursuing a goal were as easy as the physical one: even if you fall flat on your face, you can bounce right back up and keep on running as fast and as far as you can. A few bruises are nothing compared to staying down and giving up after falling - or getting up after you've fallen, turning around, and retracing your steps.

Many times we fall mentally and don't make an effort to get up. Many times we fall mentally, give up, and retrace our steps. Sometimes we sit there, feeling sorry for ourselves; sometimes we regress backwards, falling into old habits of inaction and thought that aren't going to get us anywhere.

At those times, we need to stop lying there. We need to bounce back up and keep on going. Remember the horizon and its infinite possibilities? As we run past pessimism, self-indulgence, and self-pity, we can imagine these things falling away from us, just as I once imagined the dust disappearing from the knees of my track pants as I got up for the tenth time, and kept on running.

Celebrating the ability to get back up a tenth time: a leap of faith.

Ready for exploration!

what is your proudest achievement?
I focus on setting goals for my life that challenge me, and then striving to achieve them. One that stands out is hiking BC’s West Coast Trail (78 km), which my team and I completed in 4.5 days. The technical challenges the elements and the terrain posed, and the constant rain (in the rain forest -who would have thought?) motivated us to complete the trail in great time.

Can you spot Russell?

what are some of your favourite ways to sweat?
Anything that gets my heart pumping and challenges me! This could include water rafting, snowboarding,  or Muay Thai. This year I am also aiming to hike Mt. St Helens in June.

tell us something unexpected about you...
Animals have always been a joyous (and sometimes batty) part of my life, and that includes finding fur balls in the strangest places or glasses being knocked from the coffee table by rampant wagging tails. Spending time with my cat is the calming balance to the physical activities that challenge me.

Not shown in this photo: Russell's cat!

what would you do with 1 million dollars?
Take a trip to the snowboarding hotspots of the world! I’d start down at Chile in the heart of the Andes, and follow with a flight to Europe to board in Switzerland and Austria. Then I’d invest the rest of the money into my own learning, to continue my personal and professional growth.

what excites you the most about working at lululemon?
The way lululemon has fused their culture and business model together attracted me to become a part of the lululemon community; lululemon doesn’t just sell a product, but a more positive way of life. I’m excited to contribute to lululemon’s unique customer experience as a part of the IT team.

Do you have passion to match Russell’s? Our IT team is growing fast! If you are a savvy Business Analyst or Technical Support Specialist, check out our opportunities in IT! http://www.lululemon.com/about/careers