What is your role at lululemon?

I am a Showroom Manager in beautiful downtown San Diego.

Tell us about your community:

Downtown is the cultural center of San Diego. We have a really great mix of athletes, young professionals, people in the military, students and tourists. We have yogis, crossfitters, dancers, runners, cyclists, mixed martial artists and Olympic kayakers. People here are some of the most friendly I've ever met. I guess it's difficult not to be happy when it's sunny 360 days a year

How did you come to lululemon?

I worked in Los Angeles marketing for network television shows until I burned out. I took a year off and got certified to teach yoga then traveled around the world with my sister before settling in San Diego. I knew of and loved lululemon from my LA days and was surprised to find there wasn't a store here. I found the posting for a showroom manager on lululemon.com soon after I moved here. The timing was perfect! I was lucky enough to be hired to open a showroom in Del Mar, lululemon's entry into the San Diego market. The whole thing was fate really.

What is the difference between a showroom and a store?

Showrooms were originally created to go into communities where lululemon stores were not around. They operate similarly to our stores in many ways but one major difference is that we have limited hours in order to maximize our time in the community. I believe there is no better venue than a showroom to interact with our community and truly gain a sense of what they want and where they want it. The showroom setting is generally very intimate and has that neighborhood vibe where our guests feel comfortable kicking off their shoes and staying awhile.

What's a typical Wednesday like for you?

Wednesdays are different each week but they always start out with our store manager call where all the stores and showrooms in our region get to touch base. Lots of learning and sharing happens on that call! Wednesdays include a class (or two!) so that I'm always becoming more of an expert in our community, connecting with the most amazing teachers, trainers, athletes and studios in our neighborhood. Community and people development are how I spend most of my days.

How do you usually sweat once a day?

Yoga is definitely my preferred form of exercise/stress relief though I took my first hip hop class a couple weeks ago and I'm hooked! Also, I work up quite a sweat chasing after my very active 11-month-old daughter but I can't think of anything more fun!

What’s one activity/fitness trend that you’ve been dying to try?

I have two: Zumba and Kettle Bells.

Why do you have the best job in the world?

I love creating something where there was nothing but opportunity before. I love working with amazing people every day, fellow educators and all the outstanding members of our community. I am so fortunate to have a job that embraces balance so that I can be present for my family and raise our daughter. I have so much fun at work that I'd probably do it even if I didn't get paid.

What piece of advice do you have for future showroom managers?

Be flexible and open to anything! Most importantly, take ownership of whatever you do... showrooms provide unbelievable opportunities for resourcefulness and creativity.

What makes your showroom unique?

This is the second showroom I've managed in San Diego and they each had very different personalities. The first time around we were the only gig in town. Now there are two stores in the area so we have to work even harder to create our individual showroom culture and not stand in the shadow of the stores. Our mission continues to be to attract new guests, educate them on our culture and bring the lululemon love.

Sidewalk yoga! All part of a day's work at the San Diego showroom.

Do you think you are one of the three rock stars managers that can lead a team in Madison, WI, Cincinnati, OH or Birmingham, AL? Browse some of the cool locations where we will be opening showrooms!

Through a friendly email chain, I took my umpteenth online personality quiz last week (admit it, you've taken one too). One question that often pops up is "Would you rather try new things, or stick to what you know works well?"

For years, I've usually checked the box "try new things". I love the exciting rush of new discoveries – like a little kid discovering One Eyed Willy's treasure. My recent "new things" include new foods (eggplant), a new band (elbow), even a new way of breathing (with the belly, a triathlete recommends).

And although I enjoy trying new things, I'm not the greatest at trying things that scare me. Take my work out regime for example – I like stability in a tried and true workout. When I want to sweat, I'll go for a run. I've done my fair share of Ashtanga and spin classes. I was trained in ballet and gymnastics. Everything is regimented and with specific direction.

Enter the new wave of enjoyable cardio, where the music is pumping and the energy is contagious. Where the guidelines are subtle and the effort is freelance. What? No set instructions with what my limbs are to do? To do something beyond the popular planes my body is used to? Something, as my friends would say, spicy? That scared me.

But with a little friendly encouragement, I am proud to say I tried a hip hop class two months ago, Zumba® last month, and yesterday, Socacize®!

My hips don't lie. While my first step was timid, by the end of third song I was laughing and uncontrollably jiving. Never in a hundred years would I have imagined myself having so much fun in a simple 60-minute dance workout. I'm sure I looked like a fool, but I felt like a million bucks.

So I ask myself again, "Would I rather try new things, or stick to what I know works well?"” I guess I can never know what works well if I'm not willing to try something new.

What have you done to scare yourself lately?

Studies have proven that friends influence your health decisions, whether they are 7 feet or 7,000 miles away.

Today was a prime example of the power of people. I went to a challenging vinyasa class by Jonny Kest. I drove an hour and a half just to get some zen because his class is like no other.

I am in great shape, but 30 minutes into the class I wanted to give up. I was tired, thinking about all the things I should have done, and I started giving up when the yoga guru himself said, "I always run with someone faster and better than me. Surround yourself by better people and that is how you go from good to great." Jonny had us hold hands with yogis next to us so we could be motivated and feel their energy. I typically am not so fond of holding sweaty hands, but it made a huge difference in my practice. He praises the power and influence of other people and it really worked.

Sometimes we are unmotivated to workout, uninspired to be healthy, and bored of the same, everyday routine. As cliché as it sounds, fitness can be fun. There are countless new classes and workouts springing up daily around the world. I do something different everyday and I love meeting great people along the way that push me. My goal is to find these amazing classes, and write about them to inspire and motivate you. Find a workout that challenges your muscles and your mind and a friend to go with you. Maybe zumba, belly dancing, aerial dance, rope yoga or barre pilates. Let's make things interesting! If we all work together, we can make a difference to someone. Who will you inspire today?

Above: Abbey (an Administrative Assistant) and Carlson (our Merchandise Allocations Analyst Dude) practice yoga on the roof of our office in Vancouver. Abbey is wearing our Deep V Tank III with Astro Crops (check your local store for inventory). Carlson is sporting the Metal Vent Tech SS and Kung Fu Pants.