We had the good fortune of connecting with Roxanne Kaiser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roxanne, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve lived with major panic disorder since 2017, and let me tell you—it has been a ride. For years, my life felt like a constant game of “dodge the panic attack.” I was making all these weird lifestyle changes out of pure fear—fear of passing out in public, fear of yet another unnecessary ER visit, fear of fear itself. It was exhausting.

Eventually, I got tired of just surviving and finally sought out a psychiatrist. That’s when I entered the wild world of SSRIs—a trial-and-error process that was basically a full-time job. Some made me feel worse, some did nothing, and some made me wonder if I was about to start glowing in the dark. But after what felt like a million attempts, I finally found something that worked for me.

When The Ultimatum aired on Netflix in late 2023, I started opening up about my experience with panic disorder. What I didn’t expect? The flood of messages from people going through the exact same thing—feeling lost, overwhelmed, and stuck with solutions that didn’t feel right for them. One day, after chatting with a girl in my DMs for hours about her panic attacks, I had this oh sht* moment:

“Okay, I have to fix this.”

And just like that, Proxy Wellness was born.

Launched in June 2024, Proxy is the first no-CBD, no-THC wellness supplement designed to help people like me (and so many others) find a better, more natural way to support their mental health—without the fear of long-term pharmaceutical dependence. I wanted something that actually worked but didn’t come with a laundry list of side effects. When I couldn’t find it, I made it.

But I knew if I was going to do this, I needed the best minds in mental health on board. That’s why I partnered with Mark Blocker, PA-C, CAQ- Psych, one of the top psychiatrists in Atlanta, to serve as Proxy’s Medical Advisor. His expertise and deep understanding of anxiety disorders have been instrumental in shaping Proxy into something truly effective, reliable, and backed by science.

But Proxy is more than just a gummy—it’s a movement. It’s about breaking the stigma around mental health, creating a space where people feel seen and supported, and providing real solutions that don’t feel intimidating or out of reach. Our brand is bold, judgment-free, and here to shake things up in the wellness world.

What I love most about running my own business? The creative freedom. We get to take an idea, run with it, and build something that actually helps people. It’s stressful, chaotic, and completely unpredictable, but there’s truly nothing like it. Waking up excited about what’s next (even on the days when I’m running on caffeine and vibes alone) makes it all worth it.

We wouldn’t trade this wild journey to make others feel wildly better for anything,

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Before I was an entrepreneur, I took a completely different path—I went to one of the hardest technical schools in the world, Georgia Tech (aka, years of stress-training boot camp). That background gave me the grit, resilience, and problem-solving mindset I needed to build Proxy from the ground up and become a serial entrepreneur. Nothing about this journey was easy, but I’ve always believed that if something doesn’t exist, and you need it, then you go out and create it. That’s exactly what I did with Proxy.

Proxy Wellness isn’t just another wellness brand—it’s a way of life for anyone who’s ever dealt with anxiety, panic, or just needed a little extra calm without second-guessing what the heck they just put in their body.

After years of navigating the rollercoaster of panic, I wanted something that felt safe, effective, and actually enjoyable—a gummy that doesn’t intimidate you, but instead feels like a no-brainer when you need to take the edge off. And that’s how Proxy was born.

Proxy is bold, unapologetic, real, and all made right here in the USA. We don’t hide behind fancy labels or confusing ingredients. We’re all about transparency—no CBD. No THC. No unnecessary junk. Just a clean, natural formula designed to actually work. We’re here to disrupt the wellness world by making it accessible and uncomplicated.

Proxy is backed by real experience—not just some corporate wellness play. I’m not just the CEO & Founder; I’m the target audience. I know what it’s like to sift through endless supplements and wonder, “Is this going to help, or am I about to spiral because I don’t know what’s in it?” (Anxious minds, I see you.) Proxy takes the guesswork out of it and provides you with a safe, effective, and reliable product that actually makes a difference.

Beyond the product, Proxy is about the people. We’re building a judgment-free, stigma-smashing community where anxiety and panic aren’t things you have to hide or feel weird about. You’re not “dramatic” or “too sensitive”—you’re just human, and we get it. Proxy is here to give you a place where you can feel understood and supported.

A huge part of this journey is Mark Blocker, PA-C, CAQ-Psych, Proxy’s medical advisor. Mark has been instrumental in helping us grow a business that’s legitimately effective, backed by science, and designed with real mental health needs in mind. Having someone as knowledgeable and passionate as Mark on board makes Proxy even stronger—and ensures we’re delivering something that truly helps.

Proxy is more than a business—it’s a movement. We’re here to be the go-to wellness brand for anyone who needs a little extra calm in their life, minus the fear, intimidation, or judgment. Whether you’re someone who deals with panic disorder, general anxiety, or just a stressful day at work, Proxy is for you.

We’re here to make wellness easy, approachable, and actually fun—because taking care of your mental health should never feel like a chore. No shame. No judgment. Just wellness made real. And if I can help even one person feel seen, understood, and supported, then every challenge along this journey has been worth it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being an ATL native, I’ve got the best spots locked down, and I absolutely love planning itineraries. If my best friend was visiting for the weekend, here’s how I’d ensure we had the best time:

Friday Night: We’d kick things off with dinner at Delbar in Inman Park. As a Persian, the food and drinks are top-notch here—it’s the perfect start to the weekend. After that, we’d head over to the Highlands and hit up my absolute favorite place in all of ATL, Blind Willies, for some live blues. After soaking in the music, we might stop for a nightcap at The Fourth Hotel—a perfect end to the night.

Saturday: It’s all about the BeltLine! We’d start with a little morning yoga at Yonder, then head over to 2 Urban Licks for brunch on their beautiful patio. By this time, we’d probably be so caught up in the vibe that we wouldn’t even bother going back to change (because let’s be real, that’s how the BeltLine goes!). We’d then swing by Burley’s for some drinks on their gorgeous patio with a view of the stunning plants under the bar at the Victorian. If the weather’s nice, we’d spend the day hopping around, exploring more spots along the BeltLine. Later, we’d scoot our way back to Piedmont Park, grab some beers at Park Tavern, and enjoy the sunset and skyline—such a beautiful view.

Sunday: Depending on the weather, I’d take my friend up to North Georgia for a little getaway to the wineries. Think BBQ, amazing mountain views, and some live bluegrass music—a perfect chill day to wrap up the weekend!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to **every single person** who has ever felt even a flicker of anxiety or full-blown panic and still found the courage to keep going. Whether you’ve spoken up about it, helped someone else through it, or just survived a day that felt impossible—you’re a badass. Living with anxiety isn’t for the weak, and let’s be real, some days it feels like an extreme sport. But the fact that you keep pushing, keep trying, and maybe even help others along the way? That’s everything. You’re the reason the conversation around mental health is changing, and I see you. Keep going.

Website: https://www.proxywellness.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feelproxy/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeelProxy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@feelproxy

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@feelproxy

Image Credits
Gabriella | Higher Culture Media

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