We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lauren Donahue. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are sacred, they set the tone for everything that follows. I move through what I call my Unplugged Morning Method, a 9-step framework I designed to help people disconnect from the noise of the world so they can reconnect to themselves.
It begins with UNION, taking deep breaths, meditating, or praying, simply remembering that everything I’m seeking is already within me. Next is NOURISH, where I check in with what my mind, body, soul, and relationships need that day. Then comes PLAY, because joy and creativity are essential to flow, sometimes that’s dancing around my kitchen or taking a walk by the ocean.
From there, I LEARN, reading something that expands my perspective, and then UNLEASH, letting go of anything that’s weighing me down, whether it’s fear, doubt, or an old story that no longer serves me. GRATITUDE follows, a powerful reset where I write down everything I’m thankful for (some days I go all in and list 50!).
Then it’s time for Generosity, choosing one way to give…a kind word, a small act of service, or encouragement to someone who might need it. After that, I move my body with EXERCISE, because movement truly is medicine. And finally, I DECLARE, speaking truth and intention over my day with “I AM” statements like I am strong. I am capable. I am enough.
By the end of those 90 minutes, I feel grounded, clear, and connected. It’s less about routine and more about presence, a reminder to BE before I go out and DO.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lauren Donahue, founder of Rise Wellness, creator of Unplugged Mornings, and the heart behind Laleigh Coffee, a brand inspired by my grandfather and rooted in the idea that life’s simplest moments can bring us back to what really matters.
My journey has been anything but linear. I’ve opened and sold fitness studios, hosted wellness retreats around the world, and been featured in publications like USA Today Sports and Marie Claire, but my deeper mission has always been the same: to help people rise…mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Through Unplugged Mornings, I teach people how to start their day with presence and purpose through a 9-step method designed to reconnect them to themselves before they connect to the world. Through Rise Wellness Retreats and my Retreat Launch Formula program, I help other coaches and leaders bring their own transformational experiences to life, turning their passion for connection and healing into thriving, purpose-driven businesses.
What makes my work unique is that it’s all heart-centered and rooted in real connection. Whether it’s sharing coffee with someone, leading walk in Spain along the Camino de Santiago, or guiding a group through deep inner work, it’s about helping people unplug from the noise and remember who they are.
Right now, I’m expanding our international retreats, continuing to grow the Laleigh Coffee, and creating new resources to help people live, lead, and love unplugged.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Without question, the relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I had with my grandfather, Raleigh or as I affectionately call him, the heart behind Laleigh Coffee. He was my coach, my mentor, my hero, and truly one of the greatest influences in my life.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are from the softball field with him. He made everything fun. He taught through stories, sang silly songs, and always reminded me that it wasn’t just about winning the game; it was about how you played it. He led with integrity, joy, and heart.
One of the things he used to say that has stuck with me my entire life was, “Remember, the cream will always rise to the top.” Those words have carried me through some of the hardest moments in business and in life. Whenever things got tough, I could hear his voice reminding me to keep my integrity, tell the truth, show up for people, and stay patient because in time, goodness and hard work always rise.
After he passed, I wanted to honor his legacy in a way that would keep his spirit alive. That’s how Laleigh Coffee was born, named after him and built around everything he stood for: faith, family, laughter, and connection. A portion of every sale goes to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his honor.
He taught me that success isn’t about accolades or attention, it’s about character. It’s about how you treat people, especially those who can’t do much for you in return. Because of him, I see myself as someone whose purpose is to lift others, to lead with heart, and to always remember that the cream, and the truth, will rise to the top!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely! More times than I can count. In business, there have been seasons where things didn’t go as planned, when I invested everything I had…financially, emotionally, spiritually, and still faced setback after setback. There were moments I questioned whether I was really cut out for this, whether the vision was even worth it.
But the experience that changed everything for me and the one I always go back to was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. That climb was the perfect metaphor for life and entrepreneurship. There were moments on that mountain when I truly didn’t think I could take another step. The altitude, the exhaustion, the cold, it was all so intense. But I kept reminding myself: just one more step.
That’s what got me to the summit…not speed, not strength, but self-talk and persistence. Every time I wanted to quit, I’d repeat to myself, You’ve got this. Just keep going. And somewhere along the way, those small steps added up to something extraordinary.
Now, whenever I hit a challenge in business or life, I think back to that climb. If I could reach the top of Kilimanjaro…one shaky, determined step at a time, then I can get through anything. It taught me that success isn’t about avoiding the hard parts; it’s about trusting that the summit is worth the struggle.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to helping more people unplug daily…to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with themselves, nature, and the people around them. We live in a world that’s constantly demanding our attention, and I believe that stillness, presence, and real human connection are becoming some of the rarest (yet most needed) experiences on the planet.
That’s why I created Unplugged Mornings, and why I continue to lead Rise Wellness Retreats all over the world. It’s not just about stepping away from technology; it’s about remembering who we are when we do. I’ve watched people’s entire energy shift when they trade screen time for sunrise hikes, real conversations, and moments of gratitude.
This isn’t a short-term project for me, it’s a lifelong mission. Whether it takes ten years or a lifetime, I’ll keep spreading this message: that we don’t need to constantly be “on” to live fulfilled lives. In fact, the moments we step away from the noise are often when we hear our truth the loudest.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had ten years left, I’d stop caring what other people think…completely. I’d stop people-pleasing, second-guessing my intuition, and shrinking parts of myself to make others comfortable.
I think so many of us waste precious time trying to be liked, accepted, or understood, when in reality, the most freeing thing we can do is just be fully ourselves. If I only had ten years, I’d live with even more boldness and presence…saying “yes” to what lights me up and “no” to what drains my soul.
My legacy, I hope, will be less about what I accomplished and more about how I made people feel. I want to be remembered as someone who gave others permission to unplug, slow down, and reconnect to their purpose, their people, and their peace.
At the end of the day, I want my life to reflect love, integrity, and faith…that I stayed true to who I was, led with heart, and helped others rise along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unpluggedwithlauren.com & www.laleigh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenldonahue/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenschwab/
- Other: Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenldonahue
Image Credits
Greg Fulks
Char Becks
