Today we’d like to introduce you to Lani Cooper.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I wanted to feel good, and I just didn’t. I am passionate about helping people and the planet. I believe feeling good is a fundamental right. As a very curious person I set out to discover what that would take and it turned into an adventure filled with many detours, speed humps, and wrong turns… but here I am, and I feel good!
I’m now at a place where I feel good, often, and don’t confuse it with the idea of perfect health and beauty. I’ve found ‘feeling good’ means finding ways to be at peace with who I am and recognizing when I’m out of balance. I listen to my body, rather than running from it, literally!
Everyone should really grasp this statement – self-care is not an indulgence, it is essential! My passion is to share the learnings from my recovery journey to help people be proactive about body mindfulness, so they’re not waiting for a recovery ‘ah-ha’ moment. If you learn to be in touch with yourself now, when you’re out of balance (which does happen), it’s easier to bring yourself back to a state of peace.
Injury and illness had a profound effect on me early in my life and that shaped my career path. I started studying the mind-body connection to find the root cause of any health issue or injury. I covered everything – nutrition, hydration, alternative healers, somatic therapy, yoga, meditation and more, all with the aim of helping people recover and feel good (including myself!)
Following a multi-faceted career as a sports therapist, yoga teacher, raw-vegan chef, flight attendant, comedian, and entrepreneur – I saw a common thread between my athlete’s recovery programs and what every person needs; hydration and massage. These are two of the most necessary practices, and they are the most neglected (by everybody). So, voila! MOBOT was born, and I knew everyBODY and the planet could benefit.
My innovation to combine a 100% recycled stainless-steel water bottle with an eco-friendly foam roller was to (re)meet basic human needs: hydration and connection. I was motivated to help people to drink more water, stay in shape, and reduce plastic pollution. I created the MOBOT to be impressive in both form and function.
Being able to navigate the wellness dance with all the stress in our lives is the key to creating resilience and healing our nervous system.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I guess you can say it has been more like a dirt road and I’m still paving my path! There have been many obstacles along the way, one of the biggest hurdles was the unexpected cultural differences. When I look back, moving across the Pacific was rationally optimistic, because I moved to America with two suitcases, knowing only two people, and I was intent on building a brand. Put it this way… there was unexpected turbulence and I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt.
Secondly, the education piece has been challenging. We are reminding people to take care of themselves, consistently – and with a product, they don’t know they need yet! I love talking to people about our product and seeing the realization dawn on them about what this bottle can do for them.
Third, copycat products! I guess I should be flattered that our products are being copied, however, it does take away valuable time and energy from the things I love doing.
MOBOT Nation – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
I wanted to inspire people to approach life and their bodies with curiosity, so then things can start to shift. To feel more at home in their mind and body, recover better and enjoy a healthier, more productive life.
MOBOT Nation is a movement. We started with our patented foam roller water bottle and have expanded our education and workshop programs, and services to provide consumers more choices for their mind+body+planet.
Our first product, the MOBOT, is tangible motivation. It’s a tool for body mindfulness and active meditation and recovery. MOBOT is for your body, what meditation is for your mind, a daily practice is essential.
Our definition:
MOBOT [mo-bility / mobility-bottle] n.v. – As a noun
1. World’s first travel foam roller water bottle.
2. A stainless steel water bottle, non-toxic EVA foam, eco-friendly.
3. Capable of being reused repeatedly to combat plastic pollution.
As a verb:
4. Sip, drop, roll.
5. Use against your body for self-massage [SMR]
– Verb phrases
6. It’s a movement: be a #RollModel
7. The benefits of massage are multiplied when properly hydrated.
As Idiom:
8. MOBOT’ing! A rolling sesh between health and fitness enthusiasts.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Creating a movement – this company has been built by the community of #RollModels as much as the team and myself.
Seeing MOBOTs around Venice, LA and now the world, being tagged in posts and stories on Instagram, is still a thrill. The genuine love of the product and hearing about all the stories on how much MOBOT has helped our customers is what continually inspires me, I love reading and sharing their stories!
Pricing:
- MOBOT Big Bertha 40 oz – $59.99
- MOBOT Grace 27 oz – $49.99
- MOBOT Firecracker 18 oz – $39.99
Contact Info:
- Address: 1219 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
- Website: https://mobot.com/
- Phone: 310-729-2953
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobotnation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mobotnation
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mobotnation
- Other: https://youtu.be/SkJ3hZzevx8, https://youtu.be/8tj0lY-kiw0
Image Credit:
Rachel Medlock, Sala Baker, Katie Shim, Deja Riley, Ryan Matyas, Jenna Boss, Ejay Menchavez, Ali McGirr
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
