what is the lululemon ambassador program?

The lululemon ambassador program is extended to unique individuals in our store communities who embody the lululemon lifestyle and live our culture. Learn more about the ambassador program here.

Ambassadors yoga-ing at this week's first ever Ambassador Summit!

what's an elite ambassador?

Our elite ambassadors are our international rock stars, athletes of an elite level (think Olympians) that choose to train and/or compete in our fantastic product because it is the best in the world. Further to that, they are members of our lululemon family. Learn more about elite ambassadors here.

so, what's appreciation week about?

We'll be sharing profiles, stories and more to highlight as many of our amazing ambassadors as we can. Stay tuned to our blog, Facebook, and Twitter pages for more to come!

• Learn more about our ambassador program
• Learn about our elite ambassadors
• Apply online to be an ambassador!
• Meet an alumni ambassador

What do you want to learn about our ambassadors? Leave a comment below!

meet andrea

what are you up to now on the design team?

I am the colour designer and trim hardware designer at lululemon. (But in the past eight years I have done everything from garment design, to material design, to leading the design team at lululemon.)

why do you love working at lululemon?

I love working at lululemon because it is a place that inspires greatness. It is an environment that encourages you to think outside the box and create without limitations. Everyone at lululemon wants to be there and therefore is an inspiration to work with. It is also a company that supports not only your work goals but your personal life goals as well.

why call Vancouver home?

Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is lush and green and energetic yet laid back. The proximity to world class mountains for snowboarding & amazing surf along the Vancouver Island coastline is what has kept me on this coast thus far - and will keep me here for many years to come!

meet janine

how would you describe your role?

I am hiring and building the best athletic apparel team in the world. Finding rad people who are athletes and passionate about the brand and letting them shine, create and do what they are great at! I heart my job.

why do you choose to live in Vancouver?

It's a beautiful, west coast city with green mountains to play in and lots of people to play with. You are engulfed in ocean air with surfing and skiing close by and an awesome yoga community. Every band passes through Vancouver at some point. It’s a foodie city. An international hub connecting us to great cities easily.

meet shannon

what's your role at lululemon?

I am the lead designer of womens running and outerwear. I am responsible for the development of the lines from inception of ideas to the retail floor. This involves everything from identifying trends and technologies, to creating beautiful designs with colour, fabrics and textures, to leading and inspiring greatness in others. I lead a team of incredible people who help bring my ideas to life — we make magic together! Ultimately, I get to work with athletes, solve their athletic problems and make their lives better – it’s incredible!

why do you love working at lululemon?

Because I can elevate the world one running short at a time! The product is so inspiring, the people are so amazing. I have ultimate freedom, inspiration and support. lululemon is as much a lifestyle as it is workplace and it supports this in its employees. There isn’t a divide between how I work and how I live. And, change is the only constant at lululemon – its the most dynamic, challenging place I’ve ever worked – I love it.

why out of the whole world do you choose to live and love vancouver?

It’s a city that offers everything an active healthy person wants – beautiful mountains, breathtaking views, ocean, fresh air, incredible restaurants, clean beaches and trails to run on. In one day you can ski a world-class mountain, go mountain biking, go for a hike and go surfing. I live near my favourite beach and go for a run every morning surrounded by glassy water and huge mountains and not even notice that I’m in a city. It’s a spectacular place to live.

Interested in joining the lululemon design team? Check out the possibilities on our careers website.

I am in love with the RUN Swiftly Racerback, paired with a Flow Y.  (Cold days you'll find me in a RUN Swiftly Tech LS).

Super lightweight, wicks my sweat and literally puts a bounce in my step, but not my bust. (I am an A- B+ cup on a good day, so I do not need a ton of support).  But I can still bend over or drop it like it's hot without falling out.

I cannot run with sunglasses on. Don't get me wrong: big sunnies are one of my first loves, but they do not function well on my runs. (We all know I've tried).

So thank you lululemon design gods for the amazing Flight Running Bonnet. Lightweight hat that is comfortable and protects my eyes? Yup, it was love at first flight.

Pony tail rests comfortably without snagging my locks, and a secure zipper pocket protects my cash. The sides and pocket are lined with Circle Mesh an,d my hot head can breathe.

Now let's talk about downstairs. The RUN Empower Crops are the best things that have happened to my legs since self tanner.

My legs and butt are simply in love with stretch power luxtreme. Holds my badonk in place, supports my hamstrings, and wicks my sweat really quickly!

My waistline is smaller than my hips and bum. So the drawstring holds everything up, and the waistband holds everything in.

P.S. Who doesn't love hidden secure pockets?

Best lesson learned as a runner, you have to spoil your tootsies with good socks! Seamless, built-in arch support and moisture-wicking, the Featherlight Socks are my favorite.

I made the mistake of running my first half marathon with big bulky socks that did not moisture wick, and had big fat seams on the toes. By mile 10 my feet were killing me, and I ran with a hitch in my giddy-up the last 3 miles. I could barely walk at the end of the race, and my toes had 2 big new blisters.

You may not see me winning any races anytime soon. But I will always finish, I will always be comfortable and I will always be confident with my lululemon running gear. It's like my favorite coach used to say "If you look good you feel good, if you feel good, you do good." Agreed.

Fit Guru Whitney Stats: 5'6", wearing a size 8 in everything, and 2 half marathons complete!
Gear Worn:

• RUN Swiftly Racerback in antidote (colour available in store only)
• RUN Empower Crop II in black/bold blue
• Flow Y Bra IV in bold blue (colour available in store only)
• Flight Running Bonnet in grey
• Featherlight Sock in yellow

Hello, world! Are you ready for 17 days of once-in-a-lifetime experiences?

For the month of February, our five lululemon blog artists will be experiencing Vancouver and documenting their adventures as the madness unfolds. They'll be yoga-ing, participating in daily challenges, and fill-in-the-blanking. It's impossible to predict exactly what's going to go down this month, but if there's a CGSE blogger nearby you can be assured it'll be twitpic'ed, recorded for our Vimeo channel, and/or written about on the CGSE blog.

Without further ado, meet the blog artists!

Jenna

five facts about jenna

1. I will forever be a kid at heart

2. I <3 impromptu dancing and/or skipping

3. Food is a big force in my life

4. I like to think of myself as a "mixed bag of nuts"

5. Creating is in my soul

Twitter: @jennacgse
Facebook: Jenna Germany
Foursquare: jennacgse

Elim

five facts about elim

1. I have goals in fashion and styling. My dream job: freelance stylist and professional blogger coming to you live from the front rows of the most venerable names in fashion.

2. I have a life long love affair with books. When I was in grade 3, I read 100 books during summer break. Send me your suggestions, I'm always looking for something to read. Literally.

3. The people at lululemon changed my life. This saying "Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.- W.Clement Stone" is how I would describe where I work and the people I work with. I am extremely fortunate to have co-workers who are now my greatest friends.

4. I love to dance and will find ways to dance even in the most awkward of moments (Ex. in the SSC parking lot in front of the whole office).

5. I have completed the Vancouver Sun Run 3 years in a row now and am aiming for a finish time of 1 HR this year.

Twitter: @elimcgse
Facebook: Elim Canada
Foursquare: elimcgse

Whitney

five facts about whitney

1. I am a vegetarian, but my favorite snacks are cheddar bunnies and animal crackers. Weird I know.

2. Writing is my first passion.

3. I have worn the same color hot pink nail polish on my fingers and toes for 4 years now, even on my wedding day with hot pink shoes to match.

4. I once moved to Italy to play softball in their pro circuit, it changed my life and inspired me to apply at lululemon instead of law school. Ciao bella.

5. I believe that food is both the cause and the cure of all of our ailments, and a glass of lambrusco is the secret of a life.

Twitter: @whitneycgse
Facebook: Whitney Sweden
Foursquare: whitneysweden

Tiffany

five facts about tiffany

1. my favourite colour is black (and yes! it is a colour...)

2. my BHAG is to be the CEO of lululemon athletica by february 9, 2024

3. the best way to sweat, in my opinion, is a super hot yoga class, or sitting in the hot sun!

4. i LOVE cupcakes... and pizza.

5. travelling is my passion - my next stop will be the summit of mount kilimanjaro in the summer of 2011!

Twitter: @tiffanycgse
Facebook: Tiffany Britain
Foursquare: tiffanycgse

Liz

five facts about liz

1. I'm an East coast girl - BIG time. We're talkin' sailing, walks on the beach, yoga classes in a boathouse, Sloan, donairs and all. BUT I'm super excited to be taking it from the best coast to the West coast in February... I mean, it IS going to be the centre of the universe. BUT I've got a few travel goals: I will visit (and blog) every National Park in Canada with my friend Kim by October, 2012. I will participate in the Bali Spirit Festival by May, 2013. I will do a vineyard tour of Cape Town, South Africa by September, 2015...

2. I have a bit of a Cool Racerback "problem" - I'm currently eyeing Bold Blue as the 13th addition to my collection. I mean, they're just SO versatile! Why fight it?

3. I will be a 500-hour certified yoga teacher by July 1st, 2010 - I'll be heading to Byron Bay, Australia in May to complete my training! I'm definitely a yogi, and as the Community Leader at lululemon athletica Halifax, I get to attend at least 4 classes per week. Talk about sweating once a day!

4. I spent 3 months last year volunteering in Madagascar doing forest management and conservation. It's the most incredibly beautiful place with the most wonderful people - I really can't say enough about it, so ASK me! I've got stories for days, and it really helped me to shape my goals for the future.

5. Words that I live by (and the reason why I love my job!): "A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both." - L.P. Jacks

Twitter: @lizcgse
Facebook: Liz Australia
Foursquare: lizcgse

now what?

Fan, friend, and follow our CGSE blog team. And if you spot them out and about in Vancouver this February, be sure to say hello. In fact, if you see them and mention the special passphrase "weinerdog", they just may hand you a special surprise!

the main cgse blog is at: lululemon.com/cgse
our vimeo channel: vimeo.com/lululemontv
our flickr photos: flickr.com/photos/lululemonathletica/cgse

lululemon Robson St

Rob Tubajon of Endorphin Junkies personal training: to break the 1:35 half marathon barrier by the Fall Classic in November!

lululemon athletica Ala Moana

Sharlene Bliss: To be open to experience the newness of each moment.

Kate Baldwin. Looking forward to in 2010: True Union’s Teacher Training Program kicking off in the summer of 2010! It is going to be AMAZING! There is such an inspiring group of people collaborating to create and build a strong, thorough, and deeply rewarding yoga and life experience. This is the first destination Vinyasa training of its kind on the islands!!

Jill Gaspar: My goal for the next year is to help others (everyone I come into contact with) move towards lightness. To get out into the community and through teaching not only in my own community but on the other side of this island (and every where I go) that everyone can move towards grace. Away from the dark.

Todd Iacovelli: I will grow as a leader in business, service, and running.

Jayme Newhouse: One mind. One body. Live Aloha.

Erika Eberhart: I'm looking forward to staying happy and healthy in 2010 through coaching cycling and spinning, swimming, outrigger canoe paddling, and learning to stand-up paddle (SUP). Totally stoked to buy a SUP in January 2010! Happy Holidays!

lululemon Rideau Centre ambassadors

Michelle Collett: I will complete my 3rd Ironman while raising money to help stop animal cruelty in July.

Gavin Featherstone: I will complete Ironman 2010 in 13hrs in July!

 
Tracy Koert:

1. I will open a 2nd Moksha Yoga studio in Ottawa.
2. I will successfully complete a Half-Ironman.
Both by December, 2010.

Laurie Howe:

1. I will continue to deepen my practice.
2. I will continue my studentship/training with Anusara yoga.
3. I will ski more.
4. Always stay in beginner's mind and learn to draw on the well of patience I am told I have inside ))

Marilyn Tan:

1. Finish the "Goofy" in January 2010, doing "10 and 1's" the entire way (half-marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday)
2. Run a 10K in 50 minutes at the Ottawa Race Weekend
3. Train at least 15 people to run the race of their choice at the Ottawa Race Weekend through the Lululemon Run Club!

Angelina Armstrong-Man (a.k.a. The Iron Angel!): I will make it into a world wide/Canadian fitness magazine to spread the word/love/fantastic benefits of Kettlebells by December 2010!

lululemon Queen St

Jess McIntyre: Career goals: raise $500,000 with Power of Movement this year, mobalizing Canadians everywhere. Yoga goal: going into headstand from widelegged forward fold. One of my life goals is to never stop learning or growing as an individual. One of the ways I would like to continue this drive forward in 2010 is to be accepted and attend business school to obtain an MBA.

lululemon Carlsbad ambassadors

Robert Budd will have his Kettlebell Journal website up and he will run his first overseas workshop in Japan.

Michael Fukumura will teach even more effectively and in more inspiring ways in both public classes and in his trainings so that students can experience and make deeper shifts in what they care about the most. From a student perspective, his goal is to assist his teacher in his trainings in Japan in April 2010.

Mike Morrison:
1. Earn and maintain a top 8 team/16 individual seed in the US and also compete on the pro world tour to make a run at future Olympic games.
2. Teach at least 500 young athletes the most effective ways to lay the muscular foundation to effectively train and compete injury free for years to come.

Dejinira Lee has had her Cycling Cert for 7 years and it's time! I will be teaching the most fun and dynamic Cycling classes in 2010.

lululemon Evanston and area

Jocelyn Davis (Chicago Halsted Alumni Ambassador): I will see 200 new clients at Akemi Fitness Method by June 30, 2010.

Lisa Weber (Evanston): I will record a meditation cd by March 1, 2010.

Lela Beem (Evanston): I will find a kirtan/yoga retreat in Costa Rica to go on for my 30th birthday by August 2010. I will be in bed by 10:30 and wake up at 6:30 and do my yoga and meditation practice in the mornings by January 1, 2010.

Luis Bracamonte (Chicago 900 N. Michigan): I will introduce the Kimera Fitness Program, an all-in-one system to give rise to the athlete in all of us, in Miami by December 2010.

 
Are you feeling inspired to create your own goals? Check out goals.lululemon.com to get started.

I recently remembered why I love what I do, and even better I remembered why life is in and of itself is so precious.

This past October our lululemon La Jolla team was given the job to lead stretches for the kid participants of the Challenged Athletes Foundation's annual San Diego Triathlon. The kids had the choice of running in the Challenged Athletes Kids Run or Sprint (some even ran in both), and we were to get them ready with a big group stretch. To say that these kids inspired me would be an understatement.

 
Everyone stretching before the run.

Almost ready to run their little hearts out.

The starting line of the Kids Run was packed with pint size kids, all bouncing like Tigger on their running legs, eager and ready for their race. I even tried bouncing along with a few of them, but they were much better than me. As the race horn went off they all took off, the determination on their faces was reminiscent of participants in an Olympic 100m dash. The kids moved so gracefully and were incredibly quick. It was breath-taking to see all of the kids together who to the outside world may look different, but to each other look like family. They were all at home with one another, and though you could feel a competitive spirit in the air, all were rooting for one another and made sure that everyone finished.

 Running to the finish line.

The great athletes going to the end.

After their races were over, the kids were free to roam around the fun zone, equipped with an inflatable obstacle course, and scour for autographs from their favorite athletes, Sarah Reinertsen and Scout Basset.

Climbing around after the run.

Hanging out with new friends and howing off the well a deserved medal.

For those of you unfamiliar with challenged athletes, just imagine meeting Serena and Venus Williams or even Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. Sarah was the first female to ever finish the Iron Man triathlon in Kona, Hawaii with a prosthetic leg, and Scout is an up-and-coming star in the racing world. Little girls who look just like Sarah and Scout clenched their Sarah Bears, a teddy bear whose right leg is prosthetic, anxiously waited for autographs and hugs from their idols.

I was truly taken back with Scout, maybe since she is attending UCLA and I myself am a former Bruin. In reality I was taken back with both her courage and character. One little girl burst into tears when it was her turn to meet Scout and gave her a few drawings she had made for her. Scout blushed and welcomed the girl with open arms, and the moment sent a rush of goosebumps through my arms and legs. To the world, Scout may be a girl who has overcome adversity, but to this little girl she was Wonder Woman, and rightfully so.

The girls with their inspiriation, Scout Basset.

Scout’s story is numbing and as an athlete and a person in general, it reminded me to keep dreaming, keep working, and thus keep growing. Scout lost her right leg due to severe burns as a very young child, and was left alone in a Chinese orphanage. It was not until her American family adopted her that she could touch or even imagine a world of possibility both physically and mentally. With the help of CAF and guided by the belief and spirit of her wonderful parents, Scout now regularly participates in triathlons, and most recently completed her first half marathon. Scout is a heroine in the community of challenged athletes, but she is a living reminder of the power of the human mind. It is not our physical advantages or shortcomings that determine our success, but our minds.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is truly a world leader in providing means for physically challenged individuals to remain active regardless of economic background. This year alone CAF was able to donate $1.5 million to 765 challenged athletes through its Access for Athletes program This funding goes directly towards challenge athletes of all ages for adaptive sports equipment such as running prosthetics and sports wheelchairs, but also coaching and competition expenses.

Scout and all of the amazing athletes I had the pleasure of meeting at the CAF event truly bring a whole new meaning to the phrase "mind over matter", and I hope in reading this you will continue to share and celebrate their stories. Funding and awareness for the Challenged Athletes Foundation continues to grow, and I have created a goal to bring more awareness to their cause in years to come. I strongly encourage everyone to visit their website and learn more about these incredible athletes and wonderful organization and hopefully get involved. In today’s world and economy, we could all use a little inspiration and sense of remembrance as to why life is so immensely precious.

http://www.challengedathletes.org/

Namaste.

What are you conquering today?

If you were to ask someone to wake up before dawn to do a little volunteer work… it would take a dedicated and committed person to step up to the challenge. But when lululemon athletica Ala Moana store manager Corey came calling, a group of Honolululemons woke up bright and early to support the local running community in Hawaii.

It was the Norman Tamanaha 15K, the first race of the 2009 Marathon Readiness Series, five events preparing athletes training for the Honolulu Marathon in December. Our job was to set up and man two of the water stations. As the sun began peeking above the mountains, we filled and stacked cup after cup after cup of water, gearing up for the wave of people that would soon crush upon us. As the first runners started approaching, we recognized one of our ambassadors, triathlete Rachel Ross. We started cheering and yelling to help give Rachel and the other runners the extra burst of motivation they needed to finish the 15K. As throngs of runners whizzed by us, water cups sloshed from hand to hand, and shouts of encouragement echoed in the air. What surprised us the most was how grateful everyone was for our support. We heard shouts of “Thanks!” “Mahalo!” and “Go lululemon!” All because we were helping these runners stay hydrated.

It seemed like we were the ones who should have been thanking the runners for allowing up to be just a small part of the race, for inspiring us to lace up our shoes for the next run, for giving us a chance to bond with each other outside of the lululemon store walls. A lesson learned… that while we were supporting our community, they were supporting us at the same time.

Above: Rachel Ross, an ambassador at our Ala Moana store in Hawaii, gets ready for her close up.

You see their pictures all over the lululemon store walls and website. They jump, prance, and pose in the air, on land and in front of the sea. They are the lululemon athletica ambassadors: a group of unique individuals who are rock star athletes, dancers, as well as stand-out yoga and fitness innovators, all of whom are involved in our communities and also embody the lululemon lifestyle and culture.

When I walk into a lululemon store, these pictures inspire me. It makes me want to be a better runner, a more focused yogi, and especially be someone who motivates and contributes to our community. And while the ambassador photographs you see look fabulous and flawless, there’s a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes in order to capture these movers and shakers of the fitness world. My colleague here at lululemon Ala Moana, Fabe, juggled the scheduling of six ambassador photo shoots this summer. From location scouting to logistical nightmares, Fabe and James, the professional photographer we hired for the shoots, tirelessly did their best to make our store’s ambassadors shine.

Fabe and her crew searched high and low for the place that would best embody the ambassador’s strength and spirit. Then there was hair and makeup (a big thank you to stylist Rene), a task usually not a high priority for these athletes who are no stranger to the lululemon manifesto quote: “sweat once a day to regenerate your skin.” A lot of credit also goes to the ambassadors themselves – as they had to endure the sometimes unglamorous tasks that come with a photo shoot, in this case, holding their yoga poses for an insane amount of time so that the photographer could get just the right shot.

So whether you’re walking into a lululemon store, checking out our ambassador photos online, or thinking about becoming an ambassador yourself… don’t forget that these photographs represent the heart and soul of lululemon… the people who drive us to be better educators, stronger athletes, and powerful community members.

What do you get when you mix 10 of the world’s best athletes, one of the world’s best yogis, two of the world’s best designers, two of the world’s best lululemon-leaders, and one of the most beautiful places on earth? Well, you get the lululemon elite retreat 2009 -- and obviously a really great time.

Early July 2009 saw myself and our fearless community leader, Eric, take some of our amazing elite ambassadors on the annual-legendary elite retreat to Tofino, BC. I am undeniably biased about the wonder of Tofino (being from Vancouver Island myself) but seriously, people - Google it and go!

To best describe this surreal experience, here’s a day in the life of an elite retreater. And I should know, as I was the diligent itinerary creator.

6:30 - 7:30am The athletes suit up and head in to the water for an early morning surf session

7:30am We grab a quick bite and head over to the yoga studio

8:00 - 9:30am Eoin Finn leads us through a true Eoin-esque practice. There is laughter, challenge, surf quotes, and an overwhelming confidence in us all that yoga truly does enhance elite athletic pursuits.

9:30am We eat again! The athletes should be - Eric and I are just indulging and pretending to be training for the Olympics like the rest of them.

10:00am - 12:00pm The athletes head out for their individual training sessions. Yes, if you are counting, this is the third time they have worked out already today. The bobsledders head to the gym to squat imaginable amounts of weight as the Nordic combined skier goes off for a wee 2.5 hr run. All in pursuit of Olympic gold. Terribly inspiring.

12:30pm You guessed it- we eat again! The food Olympics.

1:00pm Marks the arrival of our two designers du choix - Shannon and MelEesa, and our vice-president of everything progressively inspiring - Sherry.

2:00 - 5:00pm The athletes immediately bond to the new lululemon family members that have arrived and the surf is up so our athletes drag the designers in to the water for a surf session.

5:30pm The design meeting to top all design meeting commences. Shannon and MelEesa create pandemonium with the new fantastic fall samples and our athletes provide us with what can only be described as mind-boggling feedback from the world’s best athletes (because that’s what they are).

7:30pm The conversation continues as we take down some real west coast sushi action.

8:30pm Bedtime. Having all become fast, furious friends, we share conversation and inspiration around a bonfire on the beach - oh, and of course we eat! S'mores!

I speak for us all when I say that to be on a trip like this one is truly inspirational. (Have I used that word already? ) I feel my position here is one of connector of inspirational people and I am honoured to be in this role. These athletes are members of our family and they absolutely love being supported by us with our culture and our movement of elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness. We feel they are true representatives of what it means to strive for greatness in your life and as they strive for Olympic gold next year, we will be there to support them as true family members do.

Above: Susie and Robyn are personal trainers at Elite Fitness for Women!

The greatest part of my job is connecting with different athletes in my community. With a range of gym-goers, yogis, runners and sports fanatics, a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm is waiting to be discovered.

Many active people decide to take their passion for fitness and sport to the next level by making it their profession. Personal trainers, fitness class leaders and yoga instructors are just a few that come to mind. Besides being an expert in their chosen industry, these individuals are keen in finding the perfect garment to play hard and sweat hard in.

As a community leader, I love listening to what instructors in my store as well as at the studios have to say:

"I wish you carried those crops all year around – they're great for outdoor and indoor training with my clients."

"This pocket would be better for running if it was lower on the jacket."

"I love the higher neck on this top when I teach spin! Does it come in more colours?"

We know it's not always a lovefest with our garments. We also know that we can’t get better without our athletes' positive and constructive feedback. Our research and development team members help us everyday in creating components for people to live a longer, healthier and more fun life.

Besides helping bring design feedback to life, our R&D team partnerships allow for instructors to broaden their health and fitness community through in store classes and demonstrations.

You might see them teaching at your nearest lululemon's Sunday morning yoga class. You might see them sweating hard while they lead you into the 59th minute of your hardcore spin class. You may even see them looking back at you in the mirror everyday! If you're interested in becoming part of our R&D team, visit your local store or click here for more information.