Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donna Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Donna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My mission with R-YOLO began after a life-changing accident in 2018—I was run over by my own car after a yoga practice. I truly believe yoga saved my life that day. That moment forced me to slow down, heal, and reevaluate everything.
As I returned to my practice, I realized most yoga mats were made from PVC—a toxic plastic harmful to both people and the planet. It didn’t make sense to use something unhealthy in the pursuit of wellness. I knew there had to be a better way.
In 2020, I took a 21-day manifesting class with the clear intention of inventing a healthier, safer mat. On the 22nd day, everything aligned—the vision, the materials, and the purpose. That’s when the R-YOLO mat was born: a patented, machine-washable, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly yoga mat made with care in the USA.
When I lost my sister to glioblastoma later that year, the mission became even more personal. I committed to raising awareness about the hidden toxins in everyday products and to offering clean, sustainable alternatives.
R-YOLO stands for You Only Live Once—and how we live truly matters. My hope is that each person who steps onto a R-YOLO mat feels supported, inspired, and empowered to live well and pursue their purpose—because we only get one life to do it right.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Donna Lee—founder and inventor of R-YOLO, a patented, machine-washable, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly yoga mat that’s made in the USA. R-YOLO stands for You Only Live Once, and that mantra has been at the heart of both my personal journey and this brand.
My path into this industry wasn’t conventional—it was born from survival and transformation. In 2018, I was run over by my own car just moments after finishing a yoga practice. As strange as it sounds, I truly believe that yoga saved my life that day. That traumatic experience forced me to pause, heal, and reevaluate what mattered most.
During my recovery, I returned to my yoga mat for strength and grounding—but I quickly realized that the mats I was using weren’t aligned with the values of wellness and sustainability. Most were made from PVC, a toxic plastic that’s harmful not only to the planet but also to our health. I remember thinking: Why are we practicing health and mindfulness on something so unhealthy?
That question led me to a 21-day manifesting class in early 2020. On the 22nd day, everything aligned: the idea, the materials, the design—and R-YOLO was born. I set out to create a beautiful, durable, non-toxic mat that could be easily washed and reused, offering a clean and sustainable solution for people who care deeply about their health and the planet.
Today, R-YOLO mats solve several problems:
They eliminate the need for harsh chemical sprays or wipes.
They offer a hypoallergenic surface for people with sensitivities.
They provide an elegant, sustainable alternative to conventional mats that end up in landfills.
And most importantly, they make it easy to practice wellness without compromise.
What sets R-YOLO apart is the intentionality behind every aspect of the mat. It’s not just another yoga mat—it’s a wellness tool, a statement of conscious living, and a product born from deep personal truth. It’s patented, beautifully crafted, and thoughtfully manufactured with care in the U.S.
I’m most proud of the impact R-YOLO has had, especially as it starts to find its way into luxury resorts, clean beauty communities, and the hands of wellness practitioners who truly care about what they bring into their sacred spaces. Seeing people resonate with the story behind the mat—and choose it as part of their practice—means everything to me.
For potential customers, followers, or fans, I want you to know:
I created R-YOLO because I believe in living well, living clean, and living fully. You only live once—and what you surround yourself with matters. My work is rooted in purpose, and my hope is that R-YOLO inspires others to pursue their wellness with the same passion, integrity, and care that went into creating it.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Wow—there are many moments that tested my resilience, but one that stands out is the journey of securing my patent for the R-YOLO mat.
When I received a response from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with “actionable claims” challenging my application, it felt like a major setback. For anyone who has gone through the patent process, you know it’s not just time-consuming—it’s expensive and uncertain. It can feel like playing the lottery: you’re pouring in resources with no guarantee of a positive outcome.
I had a great patent attorney, but I also knew I needed to get creative and resourceful. I reached out to a former IP law professor I had worked with while earning my master’s degree. She had since moved on to another university, but I remembered her brilliance and her passion for teaching. I asked if she would consider engaging her Level 3 IP students in reviewing and responding to the claims against my patent. To my surprise—and immense gratitude—she said yes.
Her students were assigned my patent as a real-world project. Working alongside my attorney, they helped craft compelling, well-researched arguments in defense of my invention. That collaborative effort, combining professional expertise and academic insight, ultimately led to a successful outcome: my patent was granted.
What kept me going through that process was the belief that this invention mattered—that it could help people, that it filled a real need, and that I couldn’t let bureaucracy or fear of failure defeat me. I stayed focused, reached into my network, and didn’t give up.
To me, resilience is about staying in the game when the odds are stacked against you—and finding unexpected ways to keep moving forward. That experience reminded me that determination, creativity, and the willingness to ask for help can open doors where you least expect them.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Pivoting has been a constant theme in my journey—it’s truly at the heart of being an entrepreneur. One of the areas where I’ve had to pivot multiple times is in manufacturing, which has proven to be one of the most challenging and unpredictable parts of building a product-based business.
My first manufacturer was instrumental in helping me get R-YOLO off the ground. They were great for the early stages—supportive and aligned with my mission—but I knew they weren’t set up to scale with me long-term. So I made the difficult but necessary decision to search for a new partner.
The second manufacturer I partnered with helped me deliver one of the most exciting milestones of my journey: getting R-YOLO mats into the Oscars swag bags in 2022. That experience elevated the visibility of my brand and proved that this product could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with luxury wellness items. However, despite a strong start, that relationship ended unexpectedly and without clear explanation from their side.
Once again, I had to pivot quickly. I needed a new manufacturing partner—fast. Thankfully, I found one I’m currently very happy with. They understand my product and support my standards for quality, sustainability, and reliability. That said, I’ve learned to never rely on a single source, so as my company continues to grow, I plan to expand my manufacturing outreach to ensure I can meet demand and navigate any future disruptions.
Each pivot has taught me to stay nimble, trust my instincts, and keep moving forward—even when the path shifts unexpectedly. In the end, every challenge has shaped the foundation of R-YOLO and strengthened my commitment to building a brand rooted in integrity, innovation, and resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://r-yolo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryolollc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071798461000#
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamlee/
- Twitter: https://x.com/RYoloLLC
- Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCH6legnF9zk35a9exzSoT5Q/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D
