Odyssey to the Palisades

Lauren Shuster Brings New Health Products to Erewhon

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Combining health-consciousness and business savvy, Lauren Shuster is excited to spread the news of her latest endeavor—and the products she believes will benefit her Palisades neighbors in multiple ways.   

As the West Coast Regional Sales Manager for Odyssey Elixir, Shuster is using her background in wellness, distribution and marketing to grow a company that is close to her heart—and her family.

“Odyssey produces ready-to-drink functional mushroom beverages meant to enhance the lives of those who drink them,” said Shuster, who bought a condo near Marquez and Sunset in 2018 after having spent six years living in Westwood. “We’ve carefully crafted various formulations that boost energy, focus, mood and immunity by utilizing potent adaptogenic mushroom extracts.”

After discovering the power of adaptogenic mushrooms, Shuster’s brother-in-law Scott Frohman began to meticulously mix and match unique blends into his coffee each morning. The different combinations of mushrooms produced powerful results such as euphoria, mental clarity, and lasting energy. He knew immediately that he had to share these discoveries with the world to support others on their wellness journeys and two years later, Odyssey Elixir was born.

Since the brand’s inception, the mission has always been to create functional mushroom-based beverages that are potent, organic, sustainable and above all, delicious.

“Scott launched the company in Florida and handles the operation, but it’s a family business and me living in the Palisades where people are active and health-conscious, I thought it would be perfect for this community,” Shuster said. “I know the owners at Erewhon in the Palisades Village, I presented the product to them very soon after we launched in June and it spoke for itself. They wanted to put it on their shelf. There’s a misconception [that] Erewhon’s expensive, but we have to ask the question ‘Do you want to pay now or later?’ After all, what’s more important than our health?”

Shuster grew up in South Africa where everything she grew up eating was naturally organic. Since moving to San Diego in 1995, she has become an expert in consumer grocery products, beverages and drinks. She previously resided on Ocampo Drive in the Huntington and her 13-year-old daughter Bella went to Canyon Elementary School and currently attends New Roads School in Santa Monica. Shuster enjoys the Palisades and would not want to live anywhere else.

“I love fresh air, I love the ocean, I love the hiking trails—especially up Paseo Miramar—it’s paradise,” she said. “It’s a village in a city, my daughter went to school there and during COVID, everyone’s supported and cared for each other. I feel very fortunate to live in this community.”  

Odyssey products include a variety of functional brews and sparkling elixirs with concentration ratios as high as 10:1, meaning that the concentration used contains 10 times the active compounds as the original mushroom product in dried form.

There are different fungi for different functions to invigorate one’s immune system. The mushroom species “Lion’s Mane,” “Cordyceps,” “Reishi,” “Turkey Tail,” “Chaga,” “Shiitake” and “Maitake” all have unique, potent nutritional properties that can be used to protect and enhance the body and mind.    

“With all these energy drinks out there right now like Red Bull, Gatorade, Bang, we’ve got beverages that not only taste good but provide holistic support for the body and the mind,” Shuster added. “Functional mushrooms are natural adaptogens that can help the body resist and adapt to emotional and physical stress. They’ve brought healing to our world and have been used in ancient medicines throughout history.”

Visit the website to explore the full line of products at www.odysseyelixir.com.