Karen Hanlon didn’t set out to start a business—she set out to feel better. After years of battling anxiety and exhaustion, a chance discovery of magnesium changed everything. That moment of personal healing sparked Downunder Magnesium, a purpose-driven brand now helping customers around the world find calm, clarity, and restoration through simple daily rituals.
In this interview, Karen opens up about her wellness journey, the habits that keep her grounded, and how she grew from local markets to a thriving international brand—all while staying deeply connected to her ‘why.’
You started Downunder Magnesium after a deeply personal transformation—what role does magnesium still play in your daily routine today?
Magnesium remains at the heart of my wellness routine, it’s my anchor. I use our Magnesium Spray every morning and evening to support my nervous system, enhance sleep, and aid recovery. For blemishes or skin flare-ups, I reach for our Super Stick. As a single mum and business owner, my nervous system is often under pressure, and magnesium helps me stay balanced and grounded.
I also incorporate our Magnesium Moisturiser into my nightly routine and take magnesium baths several times a week for deeper restoration. It’s more than just physical support, it’s a self-care ritual that keeps me connected to myself. The same healing journey that inspired Downunder Magnesium continues to sustain and nourish me every day.
Running a growing wellness brand can be incredibly demanding—how do you personally stay balanced and protect your own wellbeing while running the business?
Balance is something I consciously choose and cultivate every single day. As a single mum and founder, my time and energy are often stretched, so I prioritise protecting both. My two beautiful cattle dogs play a big role in keeping me grounded. We walk the beach together every morning, no matter what. Starting the day in nature, barefoot on the sand, with deep, intentional breaths, helps set the tone for everything that follows.
I also take regular magnesium baths, follow a nourishing diet, and prioritise early nights to support my overall wellbeing. As a qualified trauma-informed somatic breathwork facilitator, I integrate breath work into my daily routine—it brings me out of my head and back into my body, especially during high-pressure moments. These rituals aren’t optional; they’re essential. They allow me to lead with clarity, resilience, and a grounded sense of purpose.
From market stall to international brand, your journey has been impressive. What have been some of the biggest mindset shifts or lessons along the way?
The journey began with a single market stall at Eumundi Markets. At the time, I had just separated, was raising a two-year-old, and was driven by pure passion. I connected with people face-to-face, shared my story, and witnessed lives being transformed week by week. From there, the business grew organically—expanding to multiple markets across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, then to expos and wellness events across Australia. Eventually, we evolved into a thriving online store, and today we’re proud to be an award-winning brand with customers all over the world.
One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve experienced is learning to lead with both heart and strategy. In the beginning, I believed I had to carry everything alone. Over time, I’ve learned that sustainable success comes from building a strong, aligned team and staying anchored in purpose. That balance between vision, values, and smart business decisions has been key to our growth.
Are there any daily rituals—whether physical, mental, or spiritual—that help you reset and stay clear during stressful periods?
Absolutely, rituals are a cornerstone of how I reset and stay clear, especially during stressful periods. My day begins with a beach walk alongside my dogs. That connection to nature, the ocean air, and those quiet early moments before the world fully wakes up feel sacred. I use our magnesium spray on my chest, take deep, grounding breaths, and often set a simple intention for the day ahead.
Somatic breathwork is another key practice I rely on to shift stuck energy and regulate my nervous system. It’s been a game-changer, particularly during periods of rapid growth or emotional intensity.
In the evenings, I wind down with a warm magnesium bath, and our Magnesium Moisturiser. These rituals help me gently shift out of “doing” mode and return to a state of “being.” As a trauma-informed facilitator, I’ve come to deeply value consistency in nervous system support. It doesn’t need to be elaborate, what matters is that it’s real, embodied, and repeated.
Burnout is common among founders, especially in the wellness space—how do you recognise when you need to slow down, and what do you do to recover?
Having experienced burnout firsthand, I’ve learned to recognise the early signs—feeling irritable, emotionally flat, indecisive, or disconnected from joy. When those signals appear, I don’t ignore them. I pause. I consciously pull back from the noise, cancel what I can, and return to the foundations: time in nature, quality rest, nourishing food, magnesium, and breathwork.
Beach walks become even more important during these times, and I lean into magnesium baths to calm both body and mind. I’ve let go of glorifying the hustle. Rest is now a vital part of how I lead, not something I earn, but something I honour.
Recovery, for me, is slow, intentional, and deeply personal. I often remind myself that this business was built from a place of love and healing, not stress—and that’s exactly how I intend to continue growing it.
What advice would you give to someone looking to turn a personal wellness discovery into a purpose-driven business like you did?
Start with what genuinely helped you and build from that place of truth. My business was born from my own healing journey. It began by helping myself, then one person, then another, and soon an entire market community. If your product truly works and your story is authentic, people will feel that. You don’t need a perfect plan—what you need is a willingness to share, educate, and serve.
As a single mum with limited resources, I started small with connection, consistency, and care. That approach built trust, loyalty, and a strong base of returning customers. Don’t underestimate the power of face-to-face connection if you’re beginning at markets or local events. Those early experiences taught me everything I know about genuine customer care. And when you bring that same heart into your online presence, your business will grow with soul.
Stay anchored in your purpose. The most successful brands aren’t just selling products—they’re creating transformation, impact, and lasting trust.
