Moved By Nature – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode is about living outside of your comfort zone and realising that it’s actually an enjoyable space to inhabit.  Today we chat to Faye Ripley. A nature-loving, effervescent, go-getter who lived and traveled around Australia for two years in a Nissan Patrol with her partner Max. During this chat, Faye takes us on an entertaining journey through the trials and tribulations of living out of the confines of a vehicle, set amongst the backdrop of the untamed Australian wilderness. 

We unpack many topics, such as what the trip taught her about herself, how she went about honoring her needs, and how traveling for so long without any first world luxuries is actually a gift and nothing to shy away from, menstrual cups and all! 

She also shares how she ended up working in extremely close proximity with crocodiles at the Top End Safari Camp in the Northern Territory, with Matt Wright (Netflix’s crocodile extraordinaire). This was a paradoxical place for her to land, considering she has a strong aversion to crocodiles (understandably), but it also demonstrates her give-anything-a-go attitude. She leads by example here, showing us that even when something is daunting, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it.

We also talk about the over precautions that people imposed on her and Max as they journeyed through uncharted territory, but also the times when sleeping with a knife under her pillow felt like a perfectly normal thing to do.

Faye also shares her insightful learnings from her most recent adventure, motherhood. She is keen to try another trip on the road but this time, with kids, believing anything is possible if you plan accordingly and have a positive outlook. 

Get ready to be entertained and simultaneously inspired by Faye and perhaps consider hitting the road yourself or at least try something out of your comfort zone, whatever that may be. 

SHOW NOTES;

Faye’s travel Instagram⁠

⁠Moved By Nature Instagram⁠

⁠Sunsmith website

Sunsmith website - Faye’s episode page

Top End Safari Camp

Tracks: A Woman’s solo trek across 1700 miles of Australian Outback, by Robin Davidson’s

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Thank you so much for joining me on this journey of uncovering tales of inspiring women. 

Brigid x

This episode is about pushing your limits with the power of mindset. So what type of person do you picture when you think of ultra marathon runner? Is it a humble, unassuming, Aussie country girl that hails from a Dairy farm in rural Victoria? Probably not, and therein lies the beauty of Lauren Theodore. 

A woman who’s achievements and commitments to doing really hard things (as Glennon Doyle would say), stretch far beyond what many people think is humanly possible. She recently competed in the Cocodona 250, a grueling 402 km ultra marathon set in the Arizona desert, USA, where athletes run through breathtaking scenery and elevations, day and night in an attempt to cross the finish line and see how far their bodies and minds can take them.

How did Lauren get to this point? This tipping point of committing herself to a goal that seemed so ‘crazy’ to others, that many people told her to see a psychologist to unpack this. Lauren does indeed share with us how running outdoors helped her get through a particularly difficult and isolating period of her life, but she thinks of the sport as a gift. She tells us that since discovering this sport and spending more time outside, she has shed layers of herself that don’t serve her anymore, allowing her to live a more authentic life. 

As a kid who excelled at various team sports such as Netball and AFL, discovering the world of trail running has been the ultimate personal adventure for Loz where she has found a new community she likens to family and enjoys looking up to other inspiring female role models in this space.

We cover it all in this chat, including the specifics of ultramarathon running (which there are many! Like umm…how do you sleep and eat!?), the positives that come out of mental health challenges, commiting to a career as a Podiatrist serving remote Indigenous communities across Australia, the potential of the human spirit and the importance and relevance of mindset in everything we do in life. 

Lauren wants to inspire others by showing the world that ‘ordinary people’ like herself, don’t need all the bells and whistles to achieve great things. She doesn’t have a coach or a sponsor, she works a full time job and she only discovered the sport a few years ago. She is a true inspiration, so get ready to grab your sneakers and head outside.

SHOW NOTES;

Lauren’s Instagram

Moved By Nature Instagram

Sunsmith website

Sunsmith website - Lauren’s episode

Thursday Island Running Group -  Deadly Runners

Book - Bravey by Alexi Pappas

Ultramarathon Run - Coast to Kosci, Australia

Ultramarathon Run - Cocodona 250, Arizona, USA

For this new podcast to grow, your help would be greatly appreciated. Please consider any/all of the following meaningful gestures; 

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Thank you so much for joining me on this journey of uncovering tales of inspiring women. 

Brigid x

Darci is a bad-ass yogi, spreading the word of yoga to the masses with gusto and grace. She runs and facilitates yoga teacher training programs across Australia (and now online for the global community), is a personal development mentor, an entrepreneur and a mother. In an industry which can sometimes be perceived as pretentious and intimidating, Darci is the opposite, she is the most authentic yogi bear you will ever come across. She has a gift. The gift of relaying this 5,000 year old ancient tradition, to people in the 21st century, making it relevant and relatable. Her candid approach draws you in and many find themselves joyously on the path with her to self actualisation, although she is sure to remind you, you will never actually get there. Our conversation flows through an array of topics, including; what the essence of yoga is, how leaning into the practice can help navigate life’s big tests, being triggered by the word ‘spirituality’, how Mother Earth holds us if we let her, letting go of expectations especially during Motherhood, Darci’s reckless youth taking drugs and partying and what an Ayahuasca experience in South America is like! I hope you are able to feel Darci’s realness during this episode and you're compelled to dabble in the practice of yoga too, as you’ll hear, it takes many forms suitable to all different types of people. SHOW NOTES: Links: Sunsmith / @sunsmith.co Australia Yoga Teacher Training  / @australiayogateachertraining Darci Charli Dee / @darcicharlidee Gold Coast Yoga Centre Books: Dr. Lisa miller - The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life T. K. V. Desikachar - The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice Research: Dr. Kenneth Kendler

Founder of women’s sustainable surf-goods brand Salt Gypsy, Danny Clayton is a true pioneer in the women’s surf industry.

Danny is as transparent as it gets when talking about challenges and how to overcome them. We unpack the nitty gritty of running a small business with limited resources, and how to achieve this without compromising on sustainable and ethical values. We delve into how social media plays a necessary yet challenging role for any business owner in a space where body image is at the forefront. It was also encouraging to hear Danny share how she is invested in helping other women get better educated to operate businesses, particularly around the topic of finances.

Recently, her brand won the Break Out Brand of the Year, at the SBIA Awards in partnership with Global Surf Industries, for designing surfboards for, wait for it.. females. Her brand continues to grow, as she offers business mentoring as an adjunct to the surfwear side of the business, always keeping community at the heart of the brand.

The end of our chat takes a unexpected, vulnerable turn, where Danny share’s that she lives with a life threatening illness every. damn. day. She is a force to be reckoned with, balancing healthy boundaries with the skill of tenacity, daily.

Danny is intelligent, humorous and extremely dogged. A fierce role model for those of us also trying to nudge (or smash through) that formidable glass ceiling.

Big thanks to Danny at Salt Gypsy for sponsoring this episode, if you’d like a Salt Gypsy discount, sign-up to our newsletter to get the code.

SHOW NOTES:

Sunsmith / @sunsmith.co

Salt Gypsy / @saltgypsy

Fashion Revolution

ECONYL Fabric - Regenerated nylon waste

Calvin Coolidge - 30th president of the USA, Read quote here.

Outerknown - Sustainable surfwear brand

Patagonia - Sustainable outdoor brand

Natasha Tonic - Hemp activewear/swimwear

This episode is about finding and then committing to a creative practice that helps build a deep connection to one's self and ultimately the wider energy and network of the world.

Karina Jambrak is an Australian artist who does exactly this.  I’ve been friends with Karina since high school and have witnessed her go through many of life's stages.  To sit down with her now and reflect on the journey so far has been a blessing, as it’s a beautiful thing when you see a friend finally arrive at a place within themselves that feels authentic and true. This is the place where Karina is at.  And the process of art making and turning towards nature has helped her get there. 

 

After going through a tough period of losing it all, she transformed this pain into powerful energy, realising it was time to take a risk and back herself.  After training to be a designer working for brands and fashion houses for 15 years, she knew deep down she had the capacity not only to start her own business as a full-time artist, but for it to be a roaring success.  She is deeply inspired by Mother Nature and it has been a persistent underlying influence in her work over the years. However, now she is not beholden to anyone else's vision or brief, the Natural world takes centre stage in her work, as she takes the viewer on a journey into dreamy sunsets and landscapes with curious creatures and beautiful colour palettes. She talks openly about being receptive to the universe's signs and signals in order to find her flow, allowing her to sink into the zone and create from the heart.

Karina has learnt a lot along the way, and talks candidly about the value of being authentic to your vision and yourself in order to build a business that is sustainable for the long term. She goes into the challenges of working solo, and how being in tune with her body and mood can dictate the trajectory of the day or outcome of the work. She talks about her urge to give back to people or animals in need, often donating large scale original artworks to charities such as the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and helping out when the disastrous Northern Rivers floods hit in 2019/20. We also hear about the learnings she gained from motherhood and the perils and positives of having a business rooted in social media platforms. 

If you’re interested in understanding the workings of a creative and intelligent mind, whilst also having a laugh, then this episode is for you. 

PLUS COMMUNITY DISCOUNTS!! - Karina is generously offering listeners 10% off artwork from her website, use the code SUNSMITH10 at checkout.

SHOW NOTES:

Karina’s Instagram

Karina’s Website

Moved By Nature Instagram

Sunsmith Website

And for this new podcast to grow, your help would be greatly appreciated. Please consider any of the following meaningful gestures; 

Share this episode with a friend

Hit ‘subscribe’ on your podcast app of choice

Rate the show with 5 stars

Leave a review

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey of uncovering tales of inspiring women. 

Brigid x

This episode is about following the call of the heart and my guest today Heather Hillier, is a woman who did this with grace and ease. A humble yet tenacious Canadian who embarked on an incredible journey of the heart and spirit back in 2015.  Upon meeting her Aussie love interest filmmaker Matty Hannon, she joined his ambitious surf adventure of travelling from Alaska to Patagonia on motorbike and documented the whole journey in the hopes to make a film. Heather joined the trip starting in Puerto Escondido, Mexico and headed South riding a motorcycle for 9 months. Then, they had an urge to connect deeper to the environment and switched to horseback for the remainder of the trip, with Heather travelling for another 6 months, finishing in Pucon, Chile, while Matty continued on to the southernmost accessible point of the Americas. Their film ‘Road to Patagonia’ has now been released and screened across Australia and overseas, winning copious accolades and awards. It is a breath-taking exploration of humanity’s current connection to the natural world, told with the intimacy of their blossoming romance and hardships and joys on the road.  Heather’s background in regenerative farming and permaculture, ensured that the prospect of such an epic adventure was too tantalising to pass up.  Not having any motorbike experience might have deterred many people but no obstacle was too hard for her and she made it her reality. She talks frankly about romanticising the idea of riding both motorbikes and horses, and how this idealised view crumbled with the actual reality, forcing her to readjust her mindset and approach to the whole experience.  Once the couple were on horseback, their responsibilities grew tremendously, as having to find food and water for the horses everyday was challenging. But this shift of connecting more to the natural world, also ensured they showed respect for the locals and indigenous communities. They also had to remain humble as they were being guided by the weather patterns and terrain instead of their predetermined plans.  I was struck by Heather’s sense of openness when it comes to making bold decisions about one's life. Her take is that all women are capable of doing a trip like this, if only we weren’t warned of the dangers before even setting foot. Coupled with Heather’s stoic approach to doing hard things, there is a beautiful softness and appreciation for other people, creatures, and energies that exist outside of her own, making the trip undeniably formative in shaping who she is. We also unpack the trials and tribulations of motherhood, the frustrations that arise when travelling and working with your partner and lover, and of course about the film which they made together while travelling.  We recorded this episode before the film was released so admittedly it was some time ago, but Heather’s insights are timeless and I thought the episode was still relevant to share. The film (Garage Entertainment, Madman) is currently screening and is a must-see. I myself was absolutely blown off my feet when I saw it, I laughed, cried, and felt completely inspired to learn from this incredible couple. PLUS DISCOUNTS!! If you like the headwear that Heather was wearing on her trip, they were made by sustainable Aussie hat brand Will and Bear, who have generously offered this community a 20% discount off their products. Head to their website and use the code SUNSMITH20 at checkout. Show Notes: Heather’s Instagram Matty’s Instagram Road to Patagonia website Now screening at these cinemas Will & Bear - Sustainable Hats Moved By Nature Instagram Sunsmith Website Also, for this new podcast to grow, your help would be greatly appreciated. Please consider any of the following meaningful gestures;  Share this episode with a friend Hit ‘subscribe’ on your podcast app of choice Rate the show with 5 stars Leave a review Thank you so much for listening and joining the journey of uncovering these tales of inspiring women.

This episode is about courage and confidence. Traits that my guests today Chelsea Rizzo and Allison Levy have an abundance of. As co-founders of the New York based, women's outdoor brand Hikerkind, these two women epitomise what it means to trailblaze an industry. They saw an opportunity, conjured up the idea, and then executed it in record time. 

Being hikers themselves, they experienced first-hand the frustration of not finding gear that empowered them when on trail. They lent into this signal, realising that women were an underrepresented category in the industry. They then committed to being leaders in this space, completely redefining the outdoor segment for women. They believe the only way for a woman to rise to the challenges that will undoubtedly come up when hiking outside, is for them to feel authentic and confident. And their hiking gear, including the apparel, plays a big role in this empowerment. By creating this brand they’ve officially shown the world that style and function don’t need to be mutually exclusive, in fact, a beautiful synergy can exist between the two. 

Both women started their careers in the fashion industry, but felt this trajectory was limited. Then came covid. They didn’t see this as a risky, scary time for business, but a time of opportunity. As brands were getting lost in a sea of mediocre products and false instagram facades, they built Hikerkind to have its feet firmly grounded in the values that we need to see more of in the world today; Community, collaboration and intentional design. It’s living this philosophy day in and out, that has meant their entire lives have changed as a result of starting the brand. They didn’t expect to feel such joy working in a value-led business where Nature is at the heart of literally everything they do and that was a beautiful surprise for them.

Their goal is to show people that Nature is accessible to everyone, and isn’t some elusive mountain we need to climb. Everyone is equal on trail, reminding me of Gloria Steinem’s beautiful quote where she wishes for a world ‘where we are linked not ranked’. 

This chat is jam-packed with entrepreneurial business insights, tales of personal growth and has an uplifting, seize-the-day type energy. These two New Yorkers will show you that a vision is always worth pursuing, as long as it's one you truly care about.

PLUS! Head over to the Hikerkind website to enjoy 10% off your purchase, use SUNSMITH10 at checkout.

Show Notes:

Hikerkind Website

Hikerkind Instagram

Moved By Nature Instagram

Sunsmith Website

Book reference - Signals: How Everyday Signs Can Help Us Navigate the World's Turbulent Economy, by Dr Philippa Malmgren

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This episode is steeped in vulnerability. And it’s this, not her external achievements as a world class surf photographer, that has become the superpower of my guest today, Cait Miers.  She is a force to be reckoned with. When talking to her I’m immediately struck by the paradox of her laid back, agreeable demeanour and yet her profound wisdom for someone her age.

I’ve connected with Cait at a pivotal cross road in her life, which makes for the perfect backdrop for a deep conversation in podcast format. This act of personal reflection is a recurrent theme at moments throughout her life, and is what has allowed her to stay authentic to herself, questioning her motivation at every major junction. She shows up with compassion and curiosity, enabling her to plan her next move with intention and purpose, and it’s from this place that she’s been able to achieve great heights in her career, frequently redefining what success looks like along the way.

Following the breadcrumbs of her intuition, her recent work explores the concept of radical self acceptance. This body of work speaks to her personal experiences growing up, and also sprouts from the industry that she lives and breathes; Fashion shoots on the beach, models, instagram filters, selfies. However her work within this somewhat restrictive space caught the eye of the WSL (World Surf League), and she was invited to shoot major international sporting events around the globe.  Photographing professional athletes on the world stage is a high pressure environment, and a challenge that she has definitely risen to, showing just how versatile she is as a human and a photographer.  Her goal is to humanise the people she shoots and capture the essence of their unique story no matter who they are.

To date she has shot the cover of the surfing mag Tracks Magazine with Stephanie Gilmore and won the prestigious Monster Children Magazine photography competition.

The ocean plays several fundamental roles in her life, being where she works, plays creatively and finds solace for personal reflection. She is a savvy business woman to have figured out so early on that it was possible to bring all these facets of life together with the foundation of the Ocean being the glue. 

Cait is an absolute breath of fresh air and it’s her spirited approach to life that has inspired me to keep evolving as a person and not meander off track.

PLUS! Want to practise your surf photography?  Enjoy a 5% discount off Aquatech Gear,  which is the water housing Cait uses when shooting. Use code CAIT5 at checkout.

Show Notes:

Cait Miers Instagram

Cait Miers Website

Moved By Nature Instagram

Sunsmith Website

For this new podcast to grow, your help would be greatly appreciated. Please consider any of the following meaningful gestures; 

Share this episode with a friend

Hit ‘subscribe’ on your podcast app of choice

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We delve into the alluring world of flowers with Marta Sanderson. Marta is the founder of La Bomba Floristry, which specialises in installations, styling, weddings, events, and is opening a retail store in Vancouver BC, as this episode goes live.

By starting a business that is so aligned with her inner sense of self, you’ll hear how Marta has reached a grateful and almost peaceful point in her life. Instead of working in a corporate hierarchy as a successful producer, where often the loudest voice wins, Marta finally surrendered to the more sensitive side of her personality.  She was more creative and in tune with the natural world than the advertising, music, fashion, film and TV industries would allow for. Now, with this business as the vehicle, she fully allows herself to be absorbed and held by Mother Nature’s jewels of the plant world… flowers. 

Her love for the flowers is intoxicating and you can hear the passion explode out of her when she describes all the facets of a flower including their lifespan, beauty, and their unique individual offerings and gestures.  We unpack a lot during this chat including; the challenges with sourcing locally vs. importing flowers, sustainability within the industry, showing up for the local community with a clear point of view, why hiding behind instagram is just no longer an option for her, and how motherhood has given her this renewed strength to take risks and be brave.

I found it really inspiring how instead of living on a hamster wheel of deadlines, stress and depletion, Marta now lives symbiotically with the Natural World and its seasons, which is much more nourishing and fulfilling than she could have ever imagined. 

SEASON SPONSOR:

Season One of the Sunsmith podcast is supported by women’s surf lifestyle brand Salt Gypsy and surfboard company Global Surf Industries.

To receive 15% off all Salt Gypsy apparel and accessories head over to saltgypsy.com, and use the code SUNSMITH at check out.

To receive 15% off all Salt Gypsy surfboards head to surfindustries.com, this offer is available on their Australian, New Zealand and United States websites, use the code SUNSMITH at checkout.

EPISODE SPONSOR:

La Bomba Floristry is offering 15% off their online store labomba.ca, and new retail store in Vancouver BC. Online use the code SUNSMITH at check out, or if you're heading into the retail store mention this episode of the sunsmith podcast. This offer is available until the 1st of August 2022.

SHOW NOTES:

Sunsmith -  www.sunsmith.co / @sunsmith_co

La Bomba Floristry - www.labomba.ca  / @labomba_floristy

Japanese Flower Arrangements - Japanese Ikebana

Sustainable floral design packaging - Arga-Wool

Dr. Bree Talbot dedicates her life to ensuring the survival of Australian Wildlife. As the Foundation Vet at the new Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, she is responsible for the welfare of any animal that comes through the door. Not a job for the faint hearted.

Our conversation is educational and also emotive. Scientific yet humanistic. We cover it all. From sobering statistics, such as Koalas in NSW & QLD having now entered the endangered species list, to dealing with death on a daily basis.  From the devastating effects of natural disasters on our beloved Aussie animals (including the 2019 / 2020 Australian bushfires and recent Northern Rivers of NSW floods), to the stark reality that Vets have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.  We hear how Dr. Bree uses dark humour to combat this and keep persevering through the emotionally hard times. 

But it’s not all doom and gloom, Bree’s commitment and passion for Wildlife is as true as the sun rising every morning. Knowing that there are women out there like Bree has given me hope for the welfare of our nation’s animals. She throws herself into the role wholeheartedly, without holding back no matter what the challenge. How does she manage such a demanding full time role, that is soon to be a TV show (which we cover off in the chat) with three young children under the age of four?! As you’ll hear there are sacrifices she’s had to make along the way…

Enjoy the inside scoop of life as a Wildlife Vet and perhaps think about how your experience on Earth as a Human, affects the life of other sentient beings we share this planet with.

SPONSOR:

Season One of the Sunsmith podcast is supported by women’s surf lifestyle brand Salt Gypsy and surfboard company Global Surf Industries.

To receive 15% off all Salt Gypsy apparel and accessories head over to saltgypsy.com, and use the code SUNSMITH at check out.

To receive 15% off all Salt Gypsy surfboards head to surfindustries.com, this offer is available on their Australian, New Zealand and United States websites, use the code SUNSMITH at checkout.

SHOW NOTES:

Sunsmith.co / @sunsmith_co

Dr. Bree Talbot  / @drbreetalbot

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital / @byronbaywildlife

WWF Report - Australia’s 2019-2020 Bushfires: The Wildlife Toll