Christine Moghadam is founder of Corc Yoga, a sustainable brand that created the world’s first 100 percent rubber-free, organic cork yoga mat. The idea of using natural and sustainably harvested cork first came to Moghadam as she was traveling through Portugal. It was there she became acquainted with the country’s bountiful cork tree. Inspired by what she had learned about the tree, she set about to design and develop a one-of-a-kind product that would be equally beneficial for people and the planet. Today, the company retails not only yoga mats but also bags, blocks, and Yoga Traveler Kits. Under Moghadam’s leadership, the company donates a percentage of every sale to support a variety of youth mental health programs in Portugal and beyond. She is passionate about providing natural products to yoga and wellness enthusiasts while also supporting sustainable practices, fair wages, and a clean environment. Here, she shares how she strives to practice what she preaches and the wellness innovation that impresses her most.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness is making daily choices towards bettering my health through a holistic approach. It’s an ever-evolving journey that requires attention and effort towards cultivating self-awareness, a healthy positive mindset and prioritizing my physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
I enjoy my morning meditation; yoga therapy at my local studio, “Be the Change Yoga;” and family and friend time, such as hiking and taking walks on the beach. I also try to stay hydrated, take proper breaks from my desk and work area and make an effort to laugh on a daily basis.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
I love hiking and walking on the beach. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I spent many weekends hiking and being outdoors. I’ve found that moving in nature is a natural de-stressor and has a positive impact on my mood.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
Avocado toast with smoked salmon on Persian flat bread (usually prepared by my 15-year-old son).
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
Lemon water in the morning. I just squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon in a full glass of water or cut a piece of fresh lemon into hot water to sip before anything else.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
Supporting the fabulous men and women of the Portuguese cork culture and those suffering from mental health challenges through our Moghadam Family Foundation.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
My husband, Soheil Moghadam. He immigrated from Iran when he was 17 through a very difficult journey and a desperate search for his birth mother, which included a 24-hour trek through the mountains of Turkey, during the Turkish-Kurdish war, without food, water, or warm clothes. His contact abandoned him in Bulgaria, so without money or papers, Soheil was arrested and threatened with extradition back to Iran, where he would possibly be executed. Finally, through the help of an internationally known ambassador to Austria, Sol arrived in the U.S. and was reunited with his mother.
Today, Sol shares my vision for a greener, healthier world and shows it by supporting me in all my endeavors. We also work hard to help our sons accomplish their dreams and goals. Our 18-year-old son plays soccer for the Leganes League in Spain. Together, Sol and I have supported him on that expensive journey, even purchasing a home in nearby Portugal to be closer to him and, as a side benefit, to the cork culture. Sol and my 15-year-old son, who wants to be a filmmaker, are at my side, whether it’s at a special event, mostly for Corc Yoga, or helping me in our workshop cut cork for promotional gifts. Sol and I work hard to be a joint voice in raising our sons and leading an entrepreneurial lifestyle in the wellness industry, which takes patience, determination, and lots of love.
What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?
“Don’t over exercise, listen to your body.”—Ann Le, my nurse practitioner for more than 20 years.
What do you think is the most exciting wellness innovation you have recently discovered?
My son has a deviated septum from playing soccer, and he is an allergy sufferer, so I am really impressed with a few tools in the wellness world—salt chambers and infrared, in particular. I try to get him to spas with salt chambers, and we made the decision to purchase an infrared sauna for our home. My son’s soccer team provides one in their academy building, too. The infrared also helps with my autoimmune challenges.
What is your idea of balanced healthy happiness?
Cultivating a work-life balance, being self-compassionate, and most importantly, living out my purpose.
What do you think is the most overused word or words in wellness?
Authentic, vibration, connection, and conscious
Do you have a secret health or wellness tip you would like to share?
“A laugh a day keeps the doctor away.” Laugh at yourself and with others as much as you can or even try a laughter yoga class. There are so many benefits to laughter, and yet because life often feels like an endless to-do list, it’s easy to forget to laugh, smile, and even take that deep breath. Laughter can be such a powerful stress reducer.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
Portugal thanks to its mild weather, breathtaking coastline, amazing food, and friendly people.
Is there a particular wellness company or brand that truly impresses you with their efforts and why?
We have decided to share some of our hard-earned dollars to be sponsors of the Global Wellness Institute and the Global Wellness Summit. Corc even sponsored episodes of their podcast, Global Wellness Conversations. Here’s why: Leading a multicultural life, I find it so encouraging that they work hard to have a global view and research wellness across countries and cultures. I also think it is important to have access to industry disruptors, pioneers, and thought leaders, and through their gatherings, we’ve made some important contacts in the world of wellness.
What is your favorite self-care routine?
My morning meditation and 30-minute exercise routine.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
Making myself a cup of tea, tuning into one of my favorite podcasts, and taking a walk.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
Being present for myself, slowing my mind down, and focusing on one task at a time.
What wellness-related books or authors do you recommend, and why?
The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health by Emeran Mayer
How do you celebrate small victories?
l share the news with my family and friends, and not only do we try to celebrate by breaking bread together, but I make sure I spend time telling the people I love and depend on how important they are to me. Life is fragile, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring, so I try not to miss a chance to thank people on our team and tell them what they mean to me.
What brings you joy?
Traveling with my family, working with a team that believes in what we’re doing, and knowing I am part of something greater than myself.
