An interview with Kristina Groves

An Interview with Speed Skating Champion Kristina Groves and Obasan Founder Jean Corriveau

TEAMING UP with Obasan

Jean: “Kristina, what led you to buy   an Obasan bed?”

Kristina: “I read a newspaper article about   how conventional mattresses are basically   dipped in a vat of carcinogenic chemicals,   including dangerous fire retardants that continually   off-gas chemicals we breath in all night. I was   shocked that this is regulated by the government.

As an athlete, I’m very aware of what I’m exposing   my body to and how it might affect my performance.   But more importantly, as a human being I’m very   health conscious and conscious of the health the   of planet. I started doing research, searching for   answers and an alternative type of bed. I was   delighted when I came across Obasan.   Imagine, exactly the kind of company   I’d been searching for turned out to be   right in my hometown of Ottawa. I was   thrilled when I walked into your store   and saw your beds. I was so impressed   with how pure they are.”

Jean: “As a high-level athlete, have you   noticed any difference in your quality of life   since buying your Obasan mattress?”

Kristina: “First of all, as soon as we brought   it home and slept on it, both my partner and I   were ecstatic with how comfortable the mattress was.   We’ve been so excited with it ever since. I love the peace   of mind knowing I’m sleeping in a pure and clean environment.   You can’t put a price on that. Also, we love how there’s   no transference of movement. Neither of us is   disturbed when one of us moves or rolls over, which   is so different from other beds. And I wake up feeling   so aligned now. With my old bed, I’d often wake up   with a sore hip or sore shoulder. But not now. The   quality of sleep has been incredible. Now we’re excited   to go to bed at night. I say to my partner, “It’s 9:30,   can we go to bed now?!”

Jean: “You’ve been so generous and kind to visit our manufacturing site and hear our stories.   You’ve shown a genuine interest in us. I would   not have expected an athlete to focus on anything   except his or her performance level. But you   seem to share our values. When I’m searching   for our products, I travel the world to meet   small-scale organic farmers, meet the suppliers,   and visit the factories to make sure the workers   are fairly treated. I want to make sure we’re   building relationships that will help the small   farmer and help the Earth. These things are   important to us at Obasan. But they seem to be   important to you too. We share the same ideals.”

Kristina: “It has been an interesting journey for me   as I’ve gotten better in skating. Opportunities have   arisen for me to be partnered with various companies.   It has always been incredibly important to me to make   sure those values are in line with my own. That’s what   attracted me most to Obasan. You have such a deep   concern for the environment and your workers, such   positive green values, and you yourself are a small   family-run company. Obasan is a natural fit for me.   In my life outside of sport, environmental issues   have become very important to me.

Even though I’m a speed skater and travel a lot 

• I do see the contradiction there 
• I want to give something back,   lessen my footprint. My partnership   with Obasan is one way for me to do   that. I feel really good about it because   I believe in what you’re doing every step of the way.”

Jean: “Kristina, we at Obasan will be behind   you in the next few months as your prepare for   the Olympics. We wish you all the luck   in the world.”

Kristina: “Thank you! It’s great to know I have that   kind of support when I’m standing there on the line.”