Inspiring a more mindful, positive, and health-promoting narrative in the media
What can we learn from the modeling and fashion industries to help us accelerate our progress towards a healthier future? How can we be more mindful of the role privilege plays in sustainable living, and how can we help to improve the system to make it more accessible for others to live better as well?
Sharing her wisdom here is Renee Elizabeth Peters, a model-activist, the content creator at Model4GreenLiving, a social media expert, and an environmental advocate. You'll hear about the role of modeling in social impact; how to combat burnout as an activist; how we can use our privilege to make a more positive impact; and more. Let's dive in!
If you feel inspired by this episode, please consider donating a gift of support of any amount today!
This is a conversation on Green Dreamer Podcast with Kaméa Chayne, a show exploring environmental and intersectional sustainability from ideas to life. Subscribe to Green Dreamer on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or any podcast app and let’s learn what it takes to thrive in every sense of the word!
Highlights
[2:49] What first inspired Renee's passion for nature.
[4:14] How Renee began modeling.
[7:47] Renee: "It just takes more people taking the courage to make that leap of faith going after what they want."
[11:03] Kaméa: "What do you think has been your greatest personal struggle working within the modeling industry while also championing mind, body, and earth positivity?"
[12:16] Renee: "So many times, people get discouraged when they feel like they can't pivot because they've already made a name for themselves in a realm that's different... I feel like if you continue following something that doesn't light you up inside, then that platform will eventually dwindle. It's about being honest with yourself and choosing to step towards what inspires you."
[14:43] How the mainstream media's narratives impact our mental health and ideas on what we 'need' to be happy.
[16:28] The most important thing Renee learned from working in the fashion industry that we can apply to our work in sustainability.
[17:43] The importance of taking a holistic, positive approach to sustainability and social impact in order to prevent burnout.
[19:01] Renee's three pieces of advice for someone who feels overwhelmed by all of the global issues we face today.
[22:45] The role of privilege in sustainable living, and how influencers can more effectively use their privilege to make a more widespread positive impact.
[27:47] Renee: "We need everyone to feel like this is their movement because we're not against each other—we are together."
[28:51] Kaméa: "What can we do to help conversations around sustainability be more inclusive so that more people can feel welcome to hop on board?"
[30:14] One easy thing we can do to support systemic change.
[31:32] Renee: "If you connect to what inspires you, don't be afraid to go for it, and actually realize that your unique background sets you up for a really wonderful career as an activist and person in general."
References
The Truth Behind Zero Waste: The Good, The Bad, and The Privilege (Model4GreenLiving)
About our Guest
Renee Elizabeth Peters is a New York-based model, content creator, social media expert, and environmental advocate. She spent the past 10 years working as a fashion model in countries all over the world and now uses her unique perspective from within the industry to encourage sustainable living in a fresh, accessible way. Her blog, Model4GreenLiving, aims to reshape the ways people view the environment and their role in protecting it, and she focuses on promoting a "body, mind, and planet-positive" example for her followers.
Keep in touch:
Website: www.model4greenliving.com
Instagram: @renee.elizabethpeters
Twitter: @model4greenLVNG
Facebook: @model4greenliving
Tips
Inspiration: @revelatori
Note to self: "Little by little, a little bit becomes a lot."
Health practice: Doing yoga.
Sustainability practice: Renee is leaving the fashion industry and focusing on using content creation and social media to help sustainability-driven organizations reach more people.
Element of hope: Seeing companies step up and the voter turnout in November makes Renee hopeful.
Closing words: "Listen to your heart and go for what you want."
