HAVEN / HOKA 2025 LA Field Tester

How would you describe the design philosophy behind the pieces you create?

I like to play with the combinations of volume of shapes and the challenge of where to add subtle details in the construction or profiles. I like a game of discovery and elegance. How you can place the smaller design elements in the bigger design elements. That becomes a style point and how I appreciate complex simplicity.

What role does LA play in shaping the identity of your work?

LA has a huge freedom in space and in ideas. There is a lot of creative space to explore and become who you want to be. It's a very open community and the light and nature around us are also hugely impactful.

Name: Ryan Willms

Profession: Creative Director, Mindful Endurance Program

Location: Los Angeles, California

What drew you to exploring the intersection of spirituality and sport?

It was initially by accident, I was running a lot and on trails and having these beautiful bonding moments with people I didn't know. At the end of the run, even after not talking a lot, we’d go our own ways and I always felt like I wanted more of that. The deeper I got into my own inner process, meditation, contemplation, etc., I realized what was happening on those runs and rides, we were seeing our shared being in one another, which is the definition of of Love. So through the shared experience, there was a deeper connection unfolding, and once I became more aware of this, my intention was to cultivate this with group sharing, meditation and breathwork.

How would you describe your work with the Mindful Endurance Program

My work in life is really about Realization. Self-Realization is the process of uncovering our true essence, our true nature and embodying that as deeply as possible. So I use MEP as a medium to explore this and introduce people to the process. I joke that running or cycling are a Trojan Horse, to get people to dive into their inner world and begin to see deeper truths and connect to their true nature. I find endurance sports are a fun and useful took for this exploration.

What role does LA play in shaping the identity of your work?

LA is a very unique city, with some amazing people and opportunities. But it can also be very isolating and depressing, and inconvenient. Since having a child, I was inspired to start some of my longer programs for running and triathlon. Selfishly, this was so that I could do the work I wanted to do, with people I liked, while doing my own training as well. So LA and the dynamic of the city sort of inspired this direction in my own career to be efficient and intentional with my time.

Name: Griffin Wilson

Occupation: Chef, Cabin Corn

Location: Sonoma County, California & Los Angeles, California

What drew you to becoming a private chef?

I’ve been cooking in restaurants since I was a freshman in high school — long enough that it became the language I thought and breathed in. It was all I’d ever really known. So when I found myself coming full circle, drawn to working for myself and by myself, the idea felt both alluring and daunting — a return to something raw and uncertain, but deeply mine.
The real turning point came when COVID shuttered the restaurant where I worked. Overnight, I was left without a kitchen, without a team — just a restlessness to keep cooking. So I began again, this time from home. I cooked for friends, for neighbors, for anyone hungry for a meal made with care. Slowly, I fell in love with the quiet rhythm of my own days — the long mornings, the unhurried evenings. It helped that I was living in a redwood grove, where I could hike each day, cast a line into the river, and breathe the stillness between meals.

Name: Michael Washington

Occupation: Founder, Usal Projects

Location: Los Angeles, California

What inspired you to start Usal?

Usal was born from a need I felt deeply — a place where city life and nature could exist in balance. Living in LA, I was constantly toggling between the intensity of urban life and the grounding calm of the outdoors. I wanted to build something that brought those worlds together, creating a space where people could connect, move, and share experiences outside of the usual city rhythms. The inspiration came from realizing that community doesn’t just happen — you have to build it, nurture it, and give it a home. Usal became that home.

Can you tell us about the most memorable excursion you’ve ever done?

One that stands out was a multi-day trip up the Lost Coast in Northern California. It’s raw, remote, and you really feel like you’re at the edge of the world. No cell service, no distractions, just ocean on one side and mountains on the other. The terrain is rugged — hiking on sand, dealing with tides — but the reward is unmatched. That trip cemented my love for creating experiences where people step outside their comfort zones and tap into something bigger than themselves. It also gave Usal its name: Usal Beach is the southern trailhead of the Lost Coast.

What role does LA play in shaping the identity of your work?

LA is central to Usal’s DNA. It’s this paradox of being one of the busiest, most creative cities in the world while sitting right up against mountains, ocean, and desert. That tension shapes everything we do. The culture here thrives on creativity and experimentation, so it pushes us to be bold in how we think about community and outdoor experiences. At the same time, the proximity to nature keeps us grounded. Usal really is a reflection of LA — dynamic, diverse, and always looking for new ways to connect.