Executive Coach & Leadership Trainer | Helping Leaders Master the "Human Operating System" to Achieve High Performance Through Well-Being and Prevent Burnout.
The higher an executive climbs, the fewer decisions they make—but the stakes attached to those decisions grow exponentially. In the high-pressure vacuum of the boardroom, there is often no time for deliberation or research. In these moments, leadership is no longer about technical expertise; it is about the clarity of the person making the call.
For Lauren Cartigny, this realization wasn’t born in a textbook, but in the crucible of a high-stakes international tech career that eventually led to a total systemic collapse. Today, as the founder of The Self-Science Lab, Lauren has moved beyond the traditional “well-being” conversation to pioneer a more rigorous discipline: Self-Leadership. By teaching executives and organizations how to master their “Human Operating System,” she is proving that high performance and personal well-being are not opposing forces—they are, in fact, the same thing.
The Catalyst of Crisis
Long before she was a Master Coach (ICF PCC) and a mindfulness practitioner, Lauren was a formidable force in the tech industry. Armed with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Loughborough University and a deep fascination with psychology, she spent 13 years navigating the hyper-growth environments of firms like LinkedIn, Equinix, and Limelight Networks.
Her career was defined by solving business problems with complex tech solutions. She was the architect of digital transformations, managing global accounts for some of Europe’s largest financial institutions. On paper, the trajectory was flawless: she was a “Rackstar,” a “Rookie of the Year,” and a member of the “President’s Club,” closing multi-million-dollar deals.
However, beneath the surface of professional accolades, a silent build-up of stress was occurring. Lauren was operating a high-performance machine—her career—without understanding the mechanics of the engine—herself. This period of “suffering in success” eventually culminated in a profound crisis: burnout, health issues, and a divorce. It was a total system failure that forced a hard reset.
“My journey of recovery took 10 years, and self-discovery never ends,” Lauren reflects. “But what became clear to me is that you don’t need to go through the hardship I endured to inform yourself on the mechanism of the Human Operating System which enables more conscious decision making.”
Decoding the Mind-Body Connection
Lauren did not simply “bounce back”; she rebuilt herself from a cellular level. She took a year out for self-study and recovery, transitioning into Gestalt psychology, behavioral science, and Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry. This was the birth of her “Self-Science” methodology.
She realized that traditional therapy and business psychology were only parts of the puzzle. To truly recover and lead, one had to address the Mind-Body connection. She discovered that old emotional patterns and stress were often “trapped” in the body, manifesting as chronic pain or mental fog. By integrating neuroscience with somatic release and mindfulness, she found the key to unlocking sustainable energy.
Lauren’s transition from Sales Leader to Leadership Trainer was fueled by a desire to bring this “human capital knowledge” back into the corporate world. She recognized that the middle management layer was particularly vulnerable—caught between the strategic visions of senior leadership and the emotional reality of the frontline.
As Agnieszka Gut, a Global Learning Specialist and one of Lauren’s clients, noted: “I admired how Lauren delivered and facilitated the training. She made everybody curious, vulnerable, and willing to learn. Now, I know how to better lead and manage in highly diverse, intergenerational environments.” This ability to foster psychological safety while maintaining a focus on “dare to lead” results became Lauren’s professional signature.
The Science of Conscious Decision-Making
Through The Self-Science Lab, Lauren now supports workforces by aligning personal development with professional goals. Her work centers on the belief that when a leader changes the way they “show up,” it creates a ripple effect throughout the entire organization. When teams develop more self-leadership, they access the “Three Cs”: Calm, Compassion, and Confidence.
She uses sophisticated tools like the Process Communication Model (PCM) and Emotional Intelligence assessments (EQ-i 2.0) to give leaders a roadmap of their own personalities. This isn’t just about “feeling better”; it’s about making more conscious decisions.
“Self-knowledge isn’t soft,” Lauren asserts. “It’s the foundation of sound judgment when there is no time to think. The clearer your mind, the fewer the distortions, and the more you can access your intuition and trust your decisions under pressure.”
Her impact is particularly visible in her work with tech organizations and her role as an Ambassador for Google’s Women Techmakers. She is a vocal advocate for Gen Z professionals, who often face a disconnect between their values and the traditional workplace. Her advice to the next generation is clear: “Do this work! Self-leadership training is fundamental to better navigate your career by leading the way you respond to the workplace.”
A Legacy of Sustainable Performance
Lauren’s mission is to make Self-Science accessible to all. She is currently expanding her reach through weekly workshops, online courses, and high-impact keynote speaking. Her goal is to move the needle for HR leaders and CEOs, helping them see that investing in the mental and emotional regulation of their managers is the most effective way to reduce burnout and employee churn.
Her philosophy is best encapsulated by her favorite quote from Henry Ford: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Lauren is challenging the corporate world to do things differently—to lead from a place of wholeness rather than depletion.
As she looks toward the future, Lauren remains a student of her own craft. She has turned her darkest hour into a light for others, proving that while crisis may be the catalyst, self-awareness is the cure. She is not just teaching people how to work; she is teaching them how to live.
Editorial Note
Lauren Cartigny’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that the most important technology in any organization is the human one. If her story resonates with your own professional path, or if you are ready to invest in a resilient, engaged workforce, we encourage you to connect with her.
