Beauty Boss: Lani Cooper, Founder and CEO of MOBOT
Lani Cooper.
Our latest Beauty Boss is Lani Cooper, Founder and CEO of MOBOT—a line of revolutionary and environmentally sustainable water bottles that double as foam rollers to help alleviate muscle tension. An accomplished sports performance professional, sports therapist, inventor, and business entrepreneur, Cooper wanted to create innovative and sustainable products that help people feel good while doing good.
Since 2013, the Los Angeles-based, female-owned business has continued to expand its range of offerings, which include a variety of products that support the brand’s overarching mission to make sustainability a one-and-done solution. In addition to the products, MOBOT also offers ‘MOBOT-ing’ foam rolling classes, training courses, branded collaborations, and is sold in over 100 retailers globally. Celebrity and fitness #RollModels that are fans of MOBOT include David Beckham, Cameron Diaz, Nina Dobrev, Chris Hemsworth, Kelly Slater, Mark Wahlberg, and many others.
“Using the MOBOT mimics trigger point release techniques used by sports therapists and the benefits of foam rolling are multiplied when the body is hydrated,” says Cooper. “Foam rolling and hydration both have positive individual benefits to the body, but when combined together, the overall process results in an improvement in circulation and a reduction of inflammation, muscle tension, injuries, and shortened rehabilitation hours and recovery time.
We chatted with Cooper, who shared the inspiration behind the brand, favorite products and wellness tips, future plans, and more.
When was MOBOT founded? What does the name mean?
MOBOT was founded seven years ago. The name stands for movement bottle, Mo-bot: Mo(vement) Bot(ttle), representing the 2-in-1 foam roller water bottle that's designed to make you feel good!
The designs will make you want to drink more water and stay in shape. The nature of the product echos and evokes movement, it sparks meaningful conversations about health and how we can do our part in preserving the planet and our bodies—since we only get one of each!
The world’s first travel foam roller water bottle made from 100% recycled stainless steel, non-toxic EVA foam is BPA free—so it’s eco-friendly and capable of being reused repeatedly to combat plastic pollution.
What inspired the creation of the brand?
When I started my health and fitness career 20 years ago, I was working with athletes at a day spa. This is when I learned about SMR (self-myofascial release) and foam rolling. My innovation to combine a stainless-steel water bottle with a foam roller was to (re)meet basic human needs: hydration and connection. With the motivation to drink more water, stay in shape, and reduce plastic pollution.
I knew the world did not need another water bottle, it needed a better one, so I created the MOBOT to be impressive in both form and function. I didn’t want to create a product that just had one use; my background in sports therapy as a wellness coach and in foam rolling helped me as an athlete—and being hydrated heightens the effects that foam rolling has on your body and mind.
It’s been an epic journey filled with many daring adventures across the globe inspiring not only myself but others to discover their own path to wellness.
MOBOT’s The Grace ($49.99) is both an eco-friendly foam roller and a sustainable water bottle that gives you the ability to roll your entire body with ease and target specific muscles.
Do you have a hero product?
I would say the Grace is our hero product. I named it ‘Grace’ because it means elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion or action. That is what I want for people to have more of in their life, because I know when my body feels good, I can move with grace and ease.
It’s our middle size—Grace sits in between the Firecracker and the Big Bertha. She holds 27 ounces of water and provides an optimal foam roller size that works well for beginners, as well as foam rolling experts.
What are your favorite products from the brand?
This is like choosing a favorite child! I’m still a Big Bertha girl—I love drinking that much water and love the extra stretch I get from it. Plus when full, it makes for a great piece of gym equipment when traveling. It was my first one, so I’m biased.
Where are your products sold?
The best way to get it rolling is on our website. MOBOT is also carried at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, JackRabbit, Equinox, Amazon, Goop, and The Helm.
Future plans for the brand?
To create a space where everyone can feel happy, connect to their mind, to their body, and be able to impact the planet in a positive way every day. One of my goals with MOBOT is to improve awareness about the benefits of foam rolling and trigger point release; it changed my life, so I hope it eventually is used as a mainstream health and wellness tool.
Establishing more fun ways for communities to get the benefits of foam rolling, hydration, and make an environmental impact. As a brand and a business, we have a responsibility to help people and the planet, the 2-in-1 way! I hope MOBOT inspires people to make self-care a priority, to see and feel the changes that will positively affect their health and the world. We can all change the world together, but it starts with you!
Designed to save time and money, MOBOTs help your body and the planet.
What inspires you?
Ruth Ginsberg and Gloria Allred. And most recently, me! Without sounding completely daft, I recently recovered from a traumatic brain injury that left me in catatonic and I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with what I am able to do after losing my memory, cognitive, and other functions for a few years! We are amazing creatures—more people should be inspired by their own ability to overcome adversity, more patting ourselves on the back!
Secret to success?
A good sense of humor, know yourself to be yourself, find joy in the little things, and good human connections.
Beauty secrets?
Hydration, of course! A day spa is always a good idea. Chemical and cruelty-free beauty products and sunscreen. Plenty of healthy fats and you can't beat self-confidence for the best beauty trick!
Wellness tips?
Hydrate, workout, roll out, laugh (like LOL laugh), have a good morning ritual which hopefully includes meditation or some variation of stillness or visualization, and a quiet boyfriend!
Best advice?
Be yourself—often easier said than done! Take the time to become self-aware, listen (the answers are within you, sometimes you just need a guiding hand to find them), and don't be afraid to ask for help.
How do you like to relax?
A day spa for sure! Traveling, being in nature, music, a hot cup of herbal tea, and a good book!
For more information, visit mobot.com and follow on Instagram: @mobotnation
[Images courtesy of MOBOT]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk