The Making Of A Futurist Thinker.
When I began using the term "futurist" to describe the approach to my career and consultative style several years ago it sounded as strange to me as it probably did to many around me. However, the moniker has weathered significant change in my life and remains the perfect title.
When you look up the definition of a Futurist, you will find something like: Most commonly refers to people who attempt to understand the future, sometimes referred to as trend analysis. Futurists include authors, consultants, thinkers, organizational leaders and others who engage in interdisciplinary and systems thinking to advise private and public organizations on such matters as diverse global fads and trends, possible scenarios, emerging market opportunities, and risk management.
In my opinion, that definition barely scratches the surface, but it’s a good start.
After 17 years out in the field for St Jude Medical/Abbott in Cardiac Rhythm Management, Covid turned our work world upside down as it did for so many other industries. We could no longer fill our days with implant procedures and patient visits in clinics, hospitals, and ERs. All was quickly limited to emergent need only. I suddenly found myself on the front lines of participating in a full technology shift as millions of patients were forced to adopt the remote monitoring of their cardiac device from home worldwide.
This shift set off an avalanche of additional change in many areas. Identifying this, I dove right in and started educating on how to optimize workflows. Over the next two years I developed and taught education programs in the US and internationally and achieved respected certifications.
This sounds like a positive story, but in the following three years I observed MANY opportunistic companies created to ‘take over this burden’ but absolutely did not deliver on their promises, and I personally had two very unfortunate and disheartening work experiences which introduced me to the unique challenges of implementing new technology in this era of great change and now—-AI. Believe me or not, I observed AI working in my world in a way that was absolutely incredible and I was beyond excited to share it. To my wonderfully naive heartbreak, the use of AI was met with incredible skepticism, resistance, rejection, fear.
I knew I needed to step back and re-evaluate where I would fit in, as I could NOT unsee what I had seen, and I could not feast on the low hanging fruit of selling one of the various short-term solutions available. As noble that may be, having integrity does not pay my bills, unfortunately. :)
I found myself replaying a podcast about how a generic form of Ozempic was soon to be available on the market. It was an interesting topic in itself, but what really intrigued me was the laundry list of ripple effects that I had not considered IN THE LEAST!!
The chain of events: The drug is available to all Americans—The collective weight loss is going to be so significant that it will have a huge effect on fast food chains—store closures world wide—fewer diabetic patients—pharma companies affected—stock prices will fall—fewer hospital visits—fewer heart attacks — medical manufacturer sales decrease—less staff required at hospitals— The weight on airplanes will decrease which will require less fuel for travel—faster flight times—decrease the reliance on fuel—stock prices and international oil relationships—oil producing countries selling less oil—poverty increases—crime increases in those areas It somehow ended up affecting the drone industry in a huge way.
Please do not ask me to explain it, because I can’t. Which was my major take awa. I needed to think much differently. Bigger. Wider. Forward. I needed to learn.
In addition to absorbing anything I could get my hands on from Amy Webb’s Futurist consulting group, I decided to learn about new technology implementation from the best. I took a course on Leadership in the AI age from MIT in November 2025. It was focused on how to implement the newest technology in various settings based on many factors that had not been considered in my prior experiences. Incredibly validating, enlightening and inspiring.
My goal now, and how Eventyr Collective was born—is to create experiences and provide examples of how we truly can blend the best of both worlds. We can stay grass roots and love nature, be rugged and boutique and small, enjoy luxury if we like, while also introducing ideas and technology that supports what we love without changing the authentic vibe. While other outdoor wonderland towns and cities are gunning for creating the ‘MOST’ experience; jumping the shark—-we can double down on using resources to optimize local nature, local business, local humans, to create meaningful and authentic experiences/interactions.
What you will see coming from Eventyr, are ideas and experiences that include elements of someone who is a Bend, Oregon local and loves the local vibe. But I am also a passionate international traveler who loves to learn other cultures. You will get a warm-hearted clinician who will come to your home for a wellness visit, and also loves to stay up to date on all of the lates medical options available utilizing AI and robotics and digital twins, and more…I will be giving educational talks on those tech topics but also include foundational health/medical education still VERY relevant to us all.
You will see services offered which are tailored to each household—elements added that are special to the family. Cultural offerings unique to my Norwegian family that I am truly honored to share. I will bake for you, as it is a personal passion of mine to share!
I have added EEV to the mix as a great example of a new technology option that offers comfort for those who need or want protection from the elements while exploring. EEV offers refuge from wildfire smoke, the hot sun, freezing wind and snow. Maybe a pregnant mother would love a ride to her destination so she can rest or get to watch her family play a round of golf in comfort! A wheelchair bound friend would enjoy a fun and new form of wheels to try while listening to their favorite music! Pamper a loved one with the heat on high as they ride home from the pool with wet hair in a bathrobe. Wow those ‘bored’ kids with EEV, the super cool one-of-a-kind electric car they can show their friends. The bottom line is that EEV makes people feel special and included.
The Futurist in me believes that authenticity, tailored service, sincere kindness and care, the intelligent use of technology to enhance what is truly important, and reverence to nature and culture are the key to this Eventyr of life. I hope to share that with as many of you as possible.
With Love,
Lindsey Hovland