Episode #12 How One Mothers Fight For Her Family Turned Into A Sustainable Fashion Brand To Help Save The Planet And Her Family

Episode Transcript
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Unknown (00:05):
Welcome back to The Art of actual change. I'm your host,
Derek Nielsen, former healthspecialists turned wildlife
conservation fine artphotographer. Through my many
travels around the world, I'vemet some people who are doing
some fascinating work outsidethemselves to make this planet a
better place to live. Eachepisode I'll be bringing you
these people, letting them telltheir stories. And hopefully,

(00:27):
you'll find inspiration in thesestories so that you can go out
and make an actual change inyour world or the world around
you. Gandhi once said, what weare doing to the forests of the
world is put in mind areflection of what we are doing
to ourselves and to one another.
And so Adams once said, It ishorrifying that we have to fight

(00:47):
our own government to save theenvironment. Inside that is
episode with Tracy strand as wedive into what is eco fashion,
how she got the inspiration forbarefoot eco Outfitters. We also
dive into some really personalthings about domestic violence,
her fight for survival, myconnection with her as a

(01:09):
survivor of my own abuse, sexualassault. And so either those are
triggers for you, please, maybethis isn't the episode for you.
But if it is, or you can findinspiration, and welcome you in
safe space, enjoy the episode.
I'm so thrilled to have thisconversation with Tracy

(01:29):
survivors and people who aredoing things that are really
inspiring other people takingour our strength and turning it
into really good for the world.
Please enjoy, leave comments.
We'd love to hear all yourthoughts about eco fashion. And
then the different strugglesthat both of us had to overcome

(01:50):
and how it's united to completestrangers. And I really hope you
enjoyed the episodeWelcome back to The Art of
actual change everyone. I havean incredible guest today I have
Tracy strangeness of barefooteco Outfitters, I discovered
Tracee on Instagram wassomething that I was scrolling

(02:12):
through. I think we actually gotintroduced originally from a
mutual friend of ours onInstagram, I think I had done a
Sunday spotlight with her. Andmaybe that's how we originally
got connected. She washighlighting my work, but we've
kind of stayed in touch. And theother day, I was just simply
typing in the search onInstagram, sustainable fashion,

(02:33):
and your brand popped up on myfeed. And it was something that
I am I'm getting deeper involvedwith myself. And I thought I
wanted to reach out to her andtalk to her about barefoot eco
Outfitters. So, Tracy, welcometo the show.
Thank you. I'm so happy to behere.

(02:53):
Yeah, we're happy to have you.
And I know that this issomething that the is kind of
catching on more and more in,maybe you see because it's your
company. But I see it in my owncircles of people, people who
have talked about, I was just inManhattan doing an art show with
one of my other clients. Andshe's really involved with
sustainable fashion. But therewas a few other people that were
mentioning this term sustainablefashion and eco fashion and

(03:15):
things like that. So I thoughtit would be a great fit for what
we're doing here. And so can youtell me a little bit about eco,
barefoot eco Outfitters?
So yeah. Um, so, um, that's likea, you know, where do you start
thing, and we'll kind of get tothe other project. So, like, eco

(03:37):
fashion, it's kind ofinteresting to hear you talk
about somebody who's kind ofcoming into it and, you know, in
your perspective, that peopleare talking about it more, which
is kind of like, Oh, that'sawesome, you know, because, you
know, you I, I do work in avacuum in a sense, you know, and
so, and kind of wondering, isthe message getting out, but for
me, it was all part of ourmission to honor nature for the

(04:01):
healing and respite and refugethat it brought to us from our
life circumstances. And, and sobasically, it was my business,
it was, uh, you know, want tostart a social enterprise with
the focus being the mission, youknow, which is to, you know,
environmental conservation and,and the vehicle. I just felt

(04:24):
like, this would be a goodvehicle, it's something where,
you know, you know, I feel like,life's best moments are lived in
a T shirt. relaxed and yeah. Soand I just think in I felt like,
you know, getting, if I couldrelate to people, emotionally
with our, like, designs thatkind of spurred happy memories

(04:45):
of, you know, going to campus, akid or camping with your family
or your just some kind ofoutdoor experience that you can,
oh, that, you know, makes youfeel happy and then and connect
people with nature, you know,through that. Absolutely had to
be that the products were earthfriendly, right? I mean, this is
the thing that kind of, youknow, you butt up against

(05:05):
sometimes people will have anearth friendly message on their
shirt, but those are it's reallyare not earth friendly. And it's
totally the most pollutingindustry, the clothing industry,
it's so it's, so it's kind oflike, you know, approaching it
cautiously that, you know, Idon't want to be part of the
problem, I want it, but I feltlike it's an opportunity to
educate people to let peopleknow, you can make clothes out,
and you know, they feel waybetter. It's you don't have to

(05:28):
worry about, you know, poisoningthe workers, you don't have to
worry about, you know, you know,the environmental issues and
things like that, you know,there's ways to, you know,
mitigate and create really, youknow, wonderful fashion with a
whole lot of differentmaterials. So, so it was kind of
as the educational point ofview. And then, you know, the

(05:48):
feeling of the conservation, soI just kind of felt like, you
know, that's the route we wantto go and then just doing all
the research about it was kindof like, its immense. And
there's so much to know, and wejust kind of fell in love with
the idea of getting the word outabout that, and surprising
people, and kind of letting themknow their options. Yeah.

(06:08):
When did this idea come abouthow long ago?
So? Actually, originally, um,okay. Originally, when we first
came out of the time that we'lltalk about, yeah, well, so I

(06:29):
want at that time, I was kind ofreally focused on like, health
and wellness and being, youknow, active and taking care of
yourself, because that alsohelped kind of saved my life,
honestly, during the time wewere going in. So my first like,
foray into this was an ecofriendly with more of like, a
sports focus, you know, um, sothat's kind of how I started

(06:50):
out, but I've been an athlete mywhole life. But as I've, you
know, kind of morphed into thatit wasn't like, that wasn't
like, my passion. It's not mypassion and be an activist, but
not like, you know, competitionand things like that. Just like,
this just doesn't resonate withme anymore. And so, my daughter
and I were on Mount Rainier,hiking, and it was a glorious

(07:10):
day, Bluebird, Sky Crystalineair, everything was just like,
so perfect. And we were justlike, that's kind of our special
go to places not that far fromhere. And yeah, and so we're
just like, like, Why? Why am Inot doing this is where I spend
all my time. Like, this needs tobe our actual focus for the
quality. It was always about ecofriendly clothing was always

(07:30):
about giving back, you know, toconservation. But it didn't I
didn't line up somehow. That'show the entrepreneurial journey
goes, though. Right? I mean, youstarted out and then you kind of
like put in those, like,everything just kind of went Oh,
yeah, you know, and so that thatwas kind of the moment like,
this is our, this is our happyplace. This is what we do this
what we live and breathe. Sothen we just focused it into
being you know, you know,outdoors themed and kind of

(07:53):
promoting that, because that washonestly where we spend our
time. So, yeah,yeah, that's how it happens. I
mean, from for, like, just like,my own journey in this in my
photography field was I pickedup a camera out of boredom. And
it was fun. And then I tinkerwith it. And then I fell in love
with travel. And then I waslike, I brought a camera along,
and I started taking prettypictures. But then the more I
saw things, like I couldn't turnmy back to what I was seeing,

(08:16):
and environmental issues andhuman rights things. And I
started photographing thosethings. And I say, Wow, that's
some of the stuff is really,really beautiful. And it morphed
into something that I'd neverever predicted would become my
life or my, my life calling asyou know, a lot of people say
like, oftentimes they say, lifecalling finds you. Yeah, you
know, and you don't even realizewhen it's coming, but when it

(08:38):
hits you, you just it's likethat moment on top of the
mountain. You're like, This isit?
Yeah, that's so cool. Your storythat way. I love that. It just
that found you. And you know,yeah, that that's that's kind of
really, I think, how it happenedfor us. Yeah. Yeah.
So you were saying you, you andyour family had gone through
some pretty tough times prior toleading up to the idea of of

(09:00):
starting this company? And wouldyou mind sharing with us what
some of those memories andmoments were and some of the
tough times that you guysexperienced to to lead you into
this point?
Yeah. Yeah, so sorry. No, no,no, it's great. Yeah, cuz it's
big. It's big, but it'severything. And at the
beginning, you know, first whenI started, I thought, you know,
I'm going to start a company andI'm not going to, I feel like I

(09:22):
can leave that behind. Right.
I'm, like, gonna move forward.
And then like, everything, allroads kept leading back to to it
and I was like, wait, no, that'sour power. That's our strength,
you know? So, so, so yeah, sowe're domestic violence
survivors. I have three kidsand, and the, there's a lot of,
you know, my brain wants to goin a lot different directions
here. Number one is kind oftalking about, you know, that,

(09:43):
that that issue in itself,because there's a lot of stigma
about that too, but, but I'm theone I divorced. I mean, the
marriage was obviously not itwas pretty awful, right? So but
when I divorced, was actuallywhen everything got even worse.
I was just not In common in, butI had to fight for the safety of

(10:03):
my kids, when the courts wantedto mandate visitation with our
abuser, and that was like notokay with me, but it was kind
of, there's some not so greatthings that happen within that
system. And so it was a battleof a lifetime. And that was, um,
I just thought, you know, I'mgonna fight to the death for my
kids. And so everything went onhold I homeschooled them,

(10:25):
because they were traumatized bythis whole process of, you know,
it was just the worst possiblethings as a mother that you can
ever meet can't protect yourkids, you feel like, you know,
um, so that was, I, you know, wewill be the worst thing that I
ever go through in my life. ButI was like, I'm determined to,
you know, beat the system, I'mgoing to do whatever it takes.

(10:47):
So during that time, the onlything and the only freedom we
had was, you know, I live inWashington state, we're very,
you know, outdoors are veryaccessible. Oh, yeah, the
Olympic National Park that wasclose to us where we were
living, then, you know, and theocean beaches, everything. So I
take the kids camping andhiking, we'd get in the van. And
we just like, Go, and I was sobrave, and I look back. Yeah.

(11:10):
Babies, and we would just, andwe were just like, my kids would
just like, you know, run on thebeach, and they lean into the
wind, and they'd, you know, wecould just like yell and scream
and be just safe. And that's theonly place we felt free and
like, everything was gonna beokay, we felt protected, we felt
nurtured and cared for. And itwas our sanity. And so after his

(11:30):
very life changing time, and ittook years to go get through
this, it was kind of like, youknow, we're just immensely
changed. So, coming out of that,there, there's a time of kind of
flying under the radar wentafter it stopped and kind of
just licking our wounds, and,you know, seeing how we're
moving forward. And, and I lostbasically, my life sat down to

(11:53):
this very small kind of placewhere I, you know, people like
contacts, and in people I justdidn't have, it was like,
starting over like a baby.
Life was gone. Yes, it was justbasically,
it took everything we had. And,and so then, I thought, but I
but so what am I going to donow. And it was like it was so

(12:17):
I've always been superempathetic, super unconnected,
you know, to nature and thingslike but I did. Everything, just
kind of, there's nothing else Icould do, but do this, this is I
have to give back I have to, I'mso grateful for what nature
offered us and I had to dosomething to honor that I just
wanted to honor and protectthat. Because we're all so
connected to it, it is ourhealing. You know, it is our so

(12:40):
that's what I want to promote.
And that's what I feel like Ineed to do. So that's kind of
where, how that all kind ofwent. And that's what defined
the journey. And along the wayand as we have our conversation,
you know, things will kind of,you know, lead back there, but,
but my healing process and how Iexperienced the world, you know,
as an extremely empatheticperson who feels everything and

(13:00):
feels nature, I don't just likesee it, it's like and so, you
know, how does that that isinfluenced kind of everything
that we've done along the way.
And yeah, so yeah, no,I totally get that I'm I'm very
much the same way. And with myown healing process from what
from my attack a few years ago,I've it's taught me a lot about

(13:22):
myself. And it's taught me a lotabout how to treat people and
how to value my relationships.
The ones that aren't good, Irelease them and I hold no
weight to them anymore. And theones that are important I
cherish them even more so and Ialso get what you mean about

(13:42):
nature and how you feel it likeyou it's it's a strange
connection that I cannotdescribe to people and it's I
was listening this morning to apodcast it was some one someone
who had interviewed me and I waslistening to my own voice and
the things I was saying and itwas like it gave me goosebumps
as I was describing it but how Ifeel was talking about being out

(14:05):
in nature and I think I wasdescribing a sunrise and in
Yellowstone National Park andthe crisp cool air and how hyper
aware I was of every sound bladeof grass the wind directions
every little thing and it was itwas like a spiritual emotional
place yeah where yeah where it'slike oh, and I think there in

(14:30):
particular in other places wherethere's a potential that you
could be eaten like You're likeyou're hyper aware of you know
you're hyper aware of like yoursurroundings then but like it
just even deeper than that Ifeel that in a walk in the park
in Chicago or particularly likewhen I went to the Gifford
National Forest out by you guysand I just the smells the the

(14:52):
senses not just visual but theaudio the touch the smell
everything. Yeah, I can I canjust die I love that deep into
my soul. And it sounds likeyou're someone who has used that
to help, especially as asanctuary, a place where you can
heal from the traumas thatyou've had. And it's, it's been
instrumental for me, I don'tknow what I would have done

(15:14):
without it. If I couldn'tyou don't have a choice really
do you don't have a choice, butbecause it's like, yeah, I was
thinking about you that way.
Because I kind of had that senseabout you and I, but I was
wanting, you know, for the, whenyou're doing what you do, like
you see things that are like,hard to see, you have to have,
you know, it's have to be thingsare tough to, and like, I was
thinking about that, you know,1000 like, gosh, how could I

(15:36):
absorb that? And, you know, youseem like a positive and really,
you know, person, he's likealways, you know, looking for
change and looking for the good.
Like, I I'm just like wondering,to be the interviewer for a
second here. How do you navigatethat emotional component of what
you do? When it's not easy? Youknow, when it's not like

(15:56):
beautiful? Maybe it's maybe it'smaybe in its rawness or
roughness, there's some beautytoo, but you know, I'm saying,
right, yeah, no,of course, I mean, it
particularly like now that I'mremoved from my own trauma, that
that whole thing is long in mypast, like, I still see
therapists continuously to workon things, I think it's just
very healthy to do. Most peopleshould see someone to talk to

(16:16):
that isn't family that's atrained professional that can
help you navigate your own mind,whether you've been through
something like URI have, it'sjust, you know, to learn how to
deal with a friend have lostloved one, a parent that may
have died, it could be anythinglike your dog got hit like
that's a traumatic event, like,it doesn't even have to be

(16:39):
trauma, you could just havesomeone because it's nice to
talk to someone who's objectiveand doesn't, you know, know,
your, your past and just wantsto guide you. So there is, I
still use that as a great toolto help me just kind of not even
compartmentalize, because I liketo weave it all together. But
it's just nice to have guidancefrom someone like that and to

(17:02):
help me heal continuouslybecause it it's even now removed
three years ish, I don'tremember anymore. It's little
things pop up every now andagain. But it doesn't bother me
like it used to like I used toreally get emotional, I would
lock down I would do all thedefensive things that victims do
and and I isolate and pushpeople away. And now I'm like, I

(17:25):
can have a conversation withyou. I can talk about it openly
and be proud of who I am andthat nobody can take that
away from me, right? Yes, yes,yes. Yes. Yeah. I love that I
love Yeah.
And I mean, and so when I'mseeing things out in nature that

(17:46):
are hard to seize, likedisappearing landscapes or just
trash that people leave behindin national parks or graffiti,
or in Africa or Southeast Asia,really not so great human rights
things. I haven't quite I mean,visibly notify, like seeing that

(18:06):
it's slavery. But I see thingsthat are essentially like slave
labor in something like thefashion industry, right? Yeah,
yeah, places. It when I comeback, and if I experience it
this July, when I came back fromAfrica, I was there for three
weeks, I felt like I needed toremove myself from the United
States, American Society forlike a little bit of time. Like,

(18:27):
I felt like there needs to be abuffer because like, I had, I
took this really powerfulphotograph. And I haven't posted
it online yet. Because it's justit's too. It doesn't belong
online. It belongs in a museum,find people can look at it, but
it's it's a photograph of like atwo year old child smoking a
cigarette. And it's so intenseand her eyes are just strained.

(18:49):
And she's just like, verystressed out. And I'd be glad to
send it to you. But it Yeah.
It's something that like when Icame home, and I heard like,
people complaining about thingsthat were so trivial or like,
yes, you know what I mean? Yeah,I wanted to just like scream at
them and be like, yes, you haveno clue what you like. And that
wasn't ready that because likethey're dealing with their own

(19:11):
things. And to them, it'simportant. And I had to like,
really take a step back withoutlike blowing up my relationships
and friendships with people andbeing like, deep breath, like,
Yeah, this is their reality. Andyou need to like, take a timeout
and get into their reality for amoment and like, acknowledge

(19:31):
that their problems are causingthem an equal amount of stress,
even though like the stressisn't equal. Like am I like a
smoking two year old is worsethan like a two year old who
won't listen to you? Yeah, butyeah, that two year old is a
different problem.
I think the more you know, themore you the more work you do
right on yourself and, and themore you kind of, you know,

(19:53):
examine, you know, like yourjourney and everything like
that, you know, it does getharder it gets harder to relate
it gets harder Really, but butthat's the thing, like, and even
like, in in with eco friendlyfashion or stuff like that I'm
just kind of like, but But youknow, people they I want people
to they don't see, like the likehow do you not know, how do you
not, you know, think about thisor whatever, you know things

(20:15):
like, but I have to alwaysremind myself, you know,
everybody is on their ownjourney and everybody comes to
their, their aha moments, youknow, in their own time, and
they're, you know, so it's hardto not want to just like to jump
in and you know, say, but it'sway worse here or it's this or
that, you know, you it that canget overwhelming that that
emotion, I mean, it kind of likewhat you're saying we had to

(20:36):
step away, you know, because youjust kind of get your life
perspective to really makesense, in your surroundings
anywhere. Yeah, sometimes youhave to do that. But um, I think
it's always kind of, I alwayswant to try to grow and learn
and get better, and, you know,find we know, where am I falling
short, and I know heal mytrauma, you know, that's an
ongoing thing. You know, but itdoes put you at odds, you know,

(20:59):
sometimes, you know, with theyour surroundings and things
that are happening. And so Ithink that's, that's awesome,
the way you're handling that.
And I think it just somethinglifelong, you have to do, right,
like, totally, and just be, youknow, have, you know, Grant
people with the grace for theirjourney. And, you know, unless
it's a harmful journey forsomeone else. Right, that, but
yeah, it's a balance.

(21:20):
Yeah, it is. And I think peoplein our industry and and I'd say
the industry of saving theplanet, right? People who are
like passionate about like doingthings for the betterment of
this this planet, in one way oranother have like a constant
struggle with like, educatingpeople on what's happening and
not seeming like the righteousperson who's just streaming like
at them, like this is the way todo it all the time. That's

(21:42):
important. Yeah. Because you canreally turn people off with
that, right? It's like, ifyou're saying, absolutely, well,
how dare you buy a pair ofNikes? Don't you know where they
came from? And it's like, well,yeah, they're, you know, what
are you talking about? I justbought them cuz I liked them.
They may not either know, orthey may not be in the position
to, like, buy new shoes tochange that, you know, because,
and we're gonna dive into thisin a little bit, because I, one

(22:03):
of the things that I find witheco friendly brands is their
more expensive and it's, it'snot open to the masses yet. So
when I kind of get on my highhorse to someone about like,
don't you know, what thesustainable fashion or like the
throwaway fashion industry does?
I'm like, well, first of all,you just learned about it. So
don't think of it. Second. ofall, like, you know, I always

(22:27):
like to have conversations,people based on fact, or at
least try it. And if I can't,then I don't particularly take a
strong argument, I'll just like,let's talk about have a
conversation, and maybe we caneducate ourselves. And we think
a lot of work for me is come upwith the therapy and learning
how to have conversations withpeople that are not easy. Like,

(22:49):
yeah, you know, that is reallyhelped me with carry over into
things like talking to friendsabout politics, this Yeah. You
know, the last six years, we'llsay, and how polarizing that can
be. Yeah. But still keep afriendship like, right like I
can. I'm like, I know you I wentto high school with you. I know

(23:10):
everything about you. How didthat happen? Wait a minute,
like, Who are you now in? personthat I grew up with? But I still
love them? And it's just like,say no, it's these therapies
really helped to like deal withpeople that I may not see eye to

(23:31):
eye with? Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. I think there's alot of people are probably if
they're listening, going, Yeah,I know. Right. Like, right. As
we approach the holidays,holidays, yes, for sure. And we
had, everybody kind of had arude awakening about that, what
a weird thing to have happenedthat we actually re examine
relationships you had forever,it's kind of, it's weird, you

(23:52):
know, but it's always it's agood skill to have. And it's
kind of like what you weresaying, you know, like, you just
kind of are, you know, morerecently thinking about the eco
friendly fashion and stuff likethat, like, I've been, like, you
know, kind of in this headspaceand researching and doing other
stuff, you know, now offer like,this has been like, probably for
like about eight years. But butso I can think so I'm used to

(24:15):
thinking this way, and I canforget that. But that is the
reminder, kind of like I said,what, like, I didn't know, at
one point I didn't know. And I'mstill like, things are changing
all the time. There's stillthings you know, that I that I
don't know, and they're gonnachange and you try to stay on
top of it. But everybody has atime when they don't know
something. So you have to allowthis information unless you're
traveling in those circles, ifyou're, you know, connected to

(24:36):
those people and social mediaand stuff like that, and where
you're getting being fed thatinformation. If you're not like
you just don't see it, you justdon't know. So so just you know,
being like graceful about thateducation process is, you know,
the right way to do becausepeople and when they do not
they, they want to try? Yeah, Ifound you know, they're
generally like, Oh, I didn'tknow that's, you know, what can

(24:57):
I do? So, yeah, just beinggraceful through the
disseminating of information andyeah, I think it's important.
Yeah, it is. Okay. So back toyour, your process and like with
the company where did where didyou start to source your
materials and ideas like wearingbecause like people maybe are

(25:20):
starting to hear about likethings like organic cotton or
reusable fibers or recycledpolyesters? Or things? Where did
you be able to start finding theresources to create this type of
brand? Can you can you describeyour product to us a little?
Yeah, well, so my thing, becauseI kind of always come from a

(25:41):
place of, it's kind of a weirdway to say it, but like a
champion of the underdog. Andthe, the thing like the person,
I think, I probably always felta little bit like an outsider, I
just felt like, even beforeeverything happened, like I was
different, I always feltdifferent, like, I like I
experienced the worlddifferently. Like, because of my
empathy and because of thingslike that, it was always kind
of, so I will always so what Iwanted to do, because the

(26:03):
especially in that like for ecofriendly fashion and like
outdoors themed, you know, thatworld is very, it feels very
inaccessible to a lot of people,it's like you have to be an
extreme hiker, backpacker, oryou have to be like some, you
know, someone who's, you know,well versed in the outdoors, and
you you know, go for, you know,you know, 3d tracks and stuff
like that, but but for me, youknow, I want to make it nature

(26:24):
accessible. And to create thatlove affair with just, you know,
being outside, if you're in acity you have and you have a
park, if you have you know,green spaces, you know, where I
always say with a great turns togreen, you know, that's where
you should go. And, and youdon't have you can go for a day,
you can drive up to you know,drive it to the mountains, if
you like and for some reason,it's not accessible for you to
hike or drive, just try therewith the windows down, sit

(26:46):
there, go someplace and sit,just be there, you know, all of
that is valid, okay, that's alla nature experience. And nature
can speak to you that way. So Iwant to just have make an
accessible brand, where peoplecould feel like, it could be
just, you know, I went on theski vacations when I was growing
up, and we went, you know, we'reyou just have those, those happy
memories of maybe sitting by thefire doing this or that cold of

(27:06):
the snow or the feeling of theocean breeze, do you know
everybody can have thoseaccessible feeling that I want
to celebrate that. So I'm notlike a big name. You know, I
can't compete with you know,the, the REI is, and Eddie
Bauer's in the, you know, thebig outdoors brands like and I
don't want to, you know,environmentally speaking to

(27:27):
like, I didn't have the meansnumber one, I literally started
our company and, you know,paperclips and string, just kind
of a determination. And like,I'm going to figure something
out, step by step. So I don'thave the resources to like,
create my own fabrics to do allthis kind of stuff. But I felt
like that would be overkill. Andit would not, you know, like end
well, because I didn't have theresources in there. Other

(27:49):
companies already own thatmarket. So what I what I did,
because I wanted this to be avehicle and I want to get the
message across I looked, andeven like, eight years ago, I'm
aiming for, like, it was reallyhard to find, like, products
that were like eco friendly. Andso that then I found a company
and I my big thing is, there'sdifferent ways you can focus on

(28:11):
being eco friendly. And for me,mine was like, carbon footprint.
Um, yeah, so I didn't want topeople can be had their eco
friendly business and they, theyimport, you know, things and
like I didn't want to have addall that I want to keep my
footprint small. So I want tokeep it domestic. And then I
found a company in New York. Andso they have, and they had

(28:31):
products that were you know,they're really great, like, for
t shirts, and joggers andhoodies, and things like that,
that were just super greatquality, because that's really
important to me, like, I wanteverything to be really well
made. And they're so soft andcomfortable. And it was, um, and
then my messages like thedesigns that we do. I those are

(28:53):
just things that kind of comefrom the heart like things that
I you know,I thought some of your messages
resonate. Yeah, beautiful. I sawit through your products like,
Oh, that's so nice. That's nice.
Really.
I mean, it's like, the way youdescribe, like, there was a
couple of like, I saw oneparticular it was a mountain
peak, and it was a sweater orsweatshirt and like just your
messaging and it was like, Yeah,that's exactly what the

(29:14):
mountains are about.
Ah, I'm so glad that I still gothat comes across because it's,
it's like, um, like, I guesslike, you know, writing a song,
it's like doing anything, like,it's a very vulnerable thing to,
you know, I'm not, I'm alwaysbeen really creative and kind of
artistic person, but I'm notlike a graphic designer. I'm
not, I knew I know what I wantand I know what I like, and then

(29:35):
I will always figure out a wayto do it. So I just kind of like
and I just kind of did it frommy heart. So I always want to
lead with that. And that's how Iwant to connect with people and
I want to kind of createpictures in their mind. So
that's kind of how the designscome about and we like labor
over they seem simple maybe butjust every little detail we just
really labor over just has tofeel just right so you know, it

(29:58):
seems it might be like seemSimple like pronounceable is all
very much a part of ourexperience part of our life and
what we hope to have people feelwhen they wear our products when
they see our products in. Andthat's kind of want that to be
the basis of our company. Andalso that our customer service
is outstanding so that we createconnections. Because if you
have, it sounds like you're anempath, like you're an

(30:19):
empathetic person at heart. Sowhen you're like that you have
in you, you want to connect withpeople, that's kind of, yeah,
just you know, casual talkingwith people is hard, because you
feel like you have this, youknow, you want to connect with
people. Um, and I'm anintrovert. So I mean, I don't
mean that way, like, I need alot of people, but the ones who
want to make it, you want tofeel like there's a connection.

(30:41):
So with our business, like wereally, we communicate a lot, we
so reach out, ask questions, howcan we help, we've developed so
many friendships like around theworld, just by taking the time
to connect with them emotionallyabout what the product is, and
what their memories are, and allthat. So that's kind of the
whole package. But, um, to justgo back, so just sourcing out of

(31:02):
New York, we get, you know,apparel blanks, and, and then we
then we do all the design andembellishment, you know, right
here and then and so and that'skind of how I keep things like
small and local as I canGotcha. Is there a certifying
body that can that is out therethat in the fashion industry
that's saying like this isguaranteed to be what you're

(31:25):
saying it isyeah, there there is like
there's like for organic con forexample. Yes, you there are
there are and so and we can wewrite that on our on our
website, too, that it'scertified to it's important if
you if you see like apparel, andit just says cotton and people
just think oh cotton, that's anatural fiber, that's you know,

(31:46):
and so but if it just sayscotton, it's conventionally
grown cotton, you know, sounless it's organic cotton, and
then there so you always have toyou know, and there's
greenwashing out there you justnever but yeah there's like gots
certified cotton and so yes,there are there are ways that
that is certified soyeah, because I don't know if
you saw the documentary seespirits. See, did you see that

(32:06):
one? Oh, okay. Check it out. Butyeah, maybe it may ruin some
things for you. But mostdocumentaries, I'm like, dang
it. No. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Butwhat I thought was fascinating
was the the food industry hascertain labels that they can
slap on like, sustainablycaught, or wild caught salmon or
sustainably caught, whatever.

(32:27):
And there's really no way forproving it. And this guy kind of
dove into like, come on, you'rejust slapping a label on
something that's really BS. It'smore of marketing than it was
protection. Yeah. And so Iwonder like, I can because the
the fashion industry is probablyyou're close to as powerful as
the food industry. I just worrylike that. There are there are

(32:49):
people who are I mean,greenwashing is for sure.
Everybody knows about that. Butlike, if there's any certifying
bodies out there that aresaying, like,
there is but you know, theconsumer, the burden, then, you
know, ultimately falls to theconsumer, which is a heavy
burden when they when they don'tknow things. So this is one of
my things. Like, just becauseI'm like a fairplay person.
Yeah, I to be honest, like thisis I see like on Instagram,

(33:10):
these clothing brands like, oh,you know, like, even if they say
like, oh, we, you know, pick upa pound of trash for every shirt
was like, we do trash cleanups,we created our own trash cleanup
program that we that we don'tlike, how does that work?
Because like, I can't, like planout, I'm gonna get a pound of
trash or two pounds. Like, whatdoes that even mean? But
sometimes, you know, they'revery legitimate, like, and if

(33:30):
they are, they'll tell you, youknow, the show you pictures,
they'll say where they do it,what was collected, they'll talk
about it. If they ask you thenpeople comment, like in on
Instagram. So you know, wheredoes this and then, you know,
crickets chirping, there's likedead silence. They don't talk
about it. That's always like ared flag. But in terms of like,
the materials, you have to,like, kind of learn to read
between the lines and like aproduct description. If a

(33:51):
product like a T shirt has like18 colors you can choose from?
Probably not you're friendly.
And they're very, there are manyaspects to that. Like there's
what's the dye process, youknow, what do they you know,
there's like it's so it can getso intricate if you break it
down, but but the consumer atsome point, like you have to
kind of like dig into becauseyou can't really trust companies
will stretch that and it drivesme crazy. It just breaks my

(34:14):
heart because people like oh,we're helping save the planet.
Like oh my gosh, really fastfashion, you know? Yeah. So and
that people will do that is justheartbreaking for me. And also
because every the thing thething about that is though, to
me, this is what you'll find outa lot on your journey is that in
my mind, I want everything to beyou do this and then this is the

(34:36):
right thing to do. It's likeeverything in life like there's
no perfect answer. Okay, so likeorganic cotton 100% over
conventional cotton for sure.
But there's a downside toeverything. You know, recycled
plastic is like what do we dowith all the plastic in the
landfill when like China wasn'taccepting it anymore. We have to
we have all this plastic. Youhave companies you know making
the products out of recycledplastic because they want to

(34:58):
solve this problem but then youAs particularly the recycle
Polly's and Polly they have inany of your clothing is, you
know, sheds microfibers and likefibers is a huge problem. So
then, you know, you have likedryer attachments and things you
can do in the washing processthat can mitigate that. But
that's not commonly done. And Imean everything. Yeah, this

(35:19):
rabbit hole and you kind of gowell, do we try? What do we do?
But it's all it's that I'msaying? You know, don't let
perfect be the enemy of good.
Yeah. So you do keep moving inthat forward direction, keep
doing the least harm to keepdoing, you know, moving and
things will with all theinnovations and everything. I
believe, you know, things willfind too, because we have to now
right? We have Right, right?

(35:41):
Yeah,yeah, we're at that tipping
point where it's like, okay, we,it's no longer a luxury, it's a
necessity. And I think peoplelike you. And I see that. And
I'm trying to get the messageout to the masses that like,
it's not just the hippiesanymore, that want to be earth
friendly. Like, it's a real bigdeal that we need to do this.
For generations. I don't havechildren myself, but like, I
want my nieces and nephews to,like, live in a world where

(36:04):
there's a live ocean, like theyou know, not just dead, and
it's not that far off, if wekeep the pace that we're going.
And so, yeah, those sort ofthings are important. So
somebody brought up to meyesterday, actually, for the
very first time, that concept ofthe microfibers in the clothing
that are washing off into theocean, can you talk to me a

(36:26):
little bit? That's the firsttime I've heard about that, what
is the story behind that?
It's just, it's just, you know,anytime you wash any kind of
clothing, you know, I mean, it,that it sheds like these just
tiny, tiny particles, and youknow, and then and then when
they just get flushed out,they're like, less than five
millimeters like, is considered,I think, a micro fiber micro
particle. So I mean, but yeah,they get washed into the

(36:49):
waterways and oceans like fullof it, and, and then, you know,
the, the fish consume them, andthen people consume fish. And,
you know, I mean, so that, soit's kind of everywhere, and and
it gets into the like, you know,the, the water cycle, it's, it's
crazy. And it's, you know,really alarming and that was the
thing that's kind of like Ibecause I, I love organic cotton

(37:13):
is pretty sight, you know, thesome issues on growing at some
times, which are really gettingmuch better. You know, that's
kind of the great, it's a greatfabric because it does
biodegrades on its own right ina fairly short amount of time.
Like, roughly, you know, lessthan a year I think we're gonna
come we'll start to in aclothing article, like in water
or something like that will begreat. Start you're getting

(37:34):
Listen, you're like a recycledplastic is like, I think it's
like 70% of the organic cottonand like, don't quote me on
these numbers, but like, yaknow, 4% for the, for, like,
recycle, probably, like, youknow, so you think so again, it
kind of seems like that's like agreat, you know, thing, and then
the recycle, but the recycle.
Plastic is like such a great useof that you can create products
out of, you know, these, likebottles and everything. So it's

(37:56):
kind of I but then I when I wasfinding out more about the micro
plastic container, right? How isso so hard to like, what do you
do do not do that, like, so. So,I feel like there's got to be
more things done, like, reallytop level, like the business,
big companies, you know, sayingthat, you know, all dryers have

(38:17):
to be, you know, fitted orretrofitted with this particular
thing. So her washing machinesand stuff. So when they wash
that, you know, there are thingslike these balls, you can put in
your machine things that cancapture a certain percentage,
like this whole thing. I'm like,why are people talking about
this more, this is a really bigproblem on the consumer level,
is that something that can be ina household that people can do?
So I hate to kind of like, Idon't like to say, you know,

(38:42):
every one thing is completelybad, because it's not, there's
the good aspects to it. But thenthere are problems that come up
that we have to solve. So sothat micro plastics one is like,
that's tough. And when we dobeach cleanups, some of these
are even, they're bigger thanmicroplastics even but when
people do beach cleanups, theytypically go for the big items
of glory. I don't know. Because,yeah, like, like, we've sat
there and just like, pickedthrough the sand sometimes in

(39:05):
areas that are like, just sothese tiny, it's like, you know,
come it's really overwhelming,but it's so it's something that
yeah, it's it's it's an issue,it weighs heavily. And I think
there's this, you know,innovations hopefully we'll find
ways to kind of deal with thisbecause it's a problem. Yeah.
And that's kind of one of thequestion I was gonna ask is What

(39:26):
can some what can people dothemselves and on a daily basis,
a weekly basis as an individualconsumer, what can they do to
help support the the sustainableeco fashion world and not put
all the faith in big business todo it for them? Because we know
that that typically doesn'thappen even though there are

(39:48):
some good ones out there nowthat are taking the initiative.
What can the consumer do besideswith the dollar like we know
that the dollar votes reallyheavily? What what can be Do
like you just grabbed the ballthing and that collects fibers?
And what are some other thingsthat people can?
Yeah, I mean, it's that is hardbecause, you know, it's been

(40:09):
said that no matter, you know,what you do like is just like an
individual, there's not gonna beable to solve the problem like,
like, what do choices you makeis that like in a sober? So I
just feel like it like I said,everything you do that goes in
positive direction does make adifference, but the real onus is
on the big corporations, the bigbusinesses who have the power

(40:29):
who are doing the, theproduction that to make that,
you know, it's this is obviouslywhat's kind of driving what's
happening right now to Pluto,that will always be from the
beginning of time, even withlike, it's like greed over, you
know, what's, what's the what'sbest for people a planet,
whatever, like greed is like,like, a horrible driving force.

(40:54):
That's kind of so so getting thecompany's summer but they're
finding, I think now, especiallywith green energy and stuff like
that people are like, allresistant, but the fact is,
wait, wait, why don't you lookat that as being a leader in
that you can, you can actuallybe a leader, you can create jobs
in this whole new industry thatwill actually, you know, help in
the long run. Like, why wouldn'tyou want to be a superhero in

(41:15):
that? Why do you want to keepdoing so. But hopefully, you
know, the things go in, and I'mhearing more and more things
like there's a, you know,companies are having these
moments of reckoning becausepeople are getting smarter
people are making man. So whatyou're saying so I would say
like, but still for me, likepersonally, like, how do I do
this, I you know, just usecleaning products and everything

(41:36):
using your home, make surethey're green cleaning products
are very available. Now, theydidn't used to be. But now it's
really easy to find things thatare you know, less harmful,
that's super important to do.
Just personally, me I'm vegan,and food choices, you know, and
the Meatless Monday things andthings like that, you know, like
easing off on meat consumption,and everything has a huge effect

(41:58):
on the environment. And in turn,and then also, you know, if you
get this little spark or fire,and you're like, I really want
to do something, number one feellike anybody can you can Google
it, right? Like, that's what westart out and we just start
Googling things, or how can I,you know, microphone
microplastics? Like, what can Ido in my home? Like, what are

(42:20):
these products, you know, you'rejust start searching for them,
because they are more availablenow. And just those types of
things, you know, just in yourown life, you can do and then be
a voice, like, like to be avoice be, you know, support, you
know, programs and companiesand, you know, activism and
things like that, like, that iswhere when companies won't

(42:42):
change, the people do have thepower to change. Yeah. So so
it's kind of like all thecombinations. And then the same
time, be gentle with yourself.
Be gentle with your not knowing.
Yeah, until with your process.
You know, and don't think thatit doesn't matter. I say again,
because it does matter. You domatter. Yeah, your choices do
matter, you can impact. Youknow, I have been vegan, I'm not

(43:08):
just I just have a speciallyafter everything, but through
that I just have a real problemis suffering in any level. And I
have to like, for me, it's likethis. So I but I, I know much.
I've been waiting for a while.
So when I first made it, itwasn't like a popular thing. And
I I've never, that's somethingyou never, you know, bang people
over the head with that, that'sfood is a very personal choice
for people. That's very hard,just a cultural thing. It's hard

(43:28):
for everybody. So, but I foundlike, you know, if people ask if
there's something just when itcame up, people I realized,
like, over the years, like,someone had said to me,
actually, oh, that was really,really inspired me that into
now. Now I'm doing like this,people who actually kind of I
thought no way would ever, youknow, change or consider that as

(43:50):
an option or just going todabble in it just, you know,
like this, actually, that I washaving an influence, not by
beating people over the head,but just by, you know, gently
living my life. And because itwas important to me. So
everybody can, you know, make adifference and have an
influence, no matter what it is.
So, yeah, absolutely. And thenbe kind of the ones that don't

(44:13):
know, right? That's, that'sbecause I don't know. Yeah, yes,
yes.
Yeah. I'm just hope people longI think and little steps. And
no, that's, that's excellent. Soyour daughter is the co founder
of your company. Is thiscorrect? Is it Yeah, so how is
it working with a with a familymember in trying to create and,

(44:33):
and run a successful company?
It's fantastic. I mean, therewas no my kids and I because of
everything we went through likewe're super close. Yeah, like we
just we were an island in thisworld of darkness and chaos, and
nobody understood what we weregoing to do. So for us, and
everybody and no, it was so darkand traumatic and people had no

(44:54):
idea what happened in that,especially where we were living
at the time. Some areas are morecorrupt than others, but In the
darkness around kids being pawnsare used for money, you know, in
systems, like there's a lot ofthings. So people kind of, they
tend to kind of go away. It'snot not because they don't care,
but it's emotionally hard tohandle. It changes your

(45:14):
worldview. And it's hard forpeople to do that. You don't
want to know that those thingshappen. So my kids and I were
very much, you know, posttogether, did that whole thing.
And so we've always been reallyclose, roughly, how old were
they? Well, so gosh, suddenly,so at the time of divorce, my
daughter was only like, one ortwo. And my boys were like, six,

(45:37):
seven and champs are seven and10. About okay, I know know
about six, eight. Okay. Yeah,no, Mama. Sorry. into that.
Yeah. Five. Yeah. It's hard toremember. But I think other ages
and yeah, so there is. My boysare three years apart, my
daughter's four is after so. Sobut they were they were little
and but um, so the wholeprocess, but when we when I was

(45:59):
homeschooling them, because theycouldn't, there's no way they
could do public school, theycouldn't have you know, they had
to have a nice, safe, lovingenvironment to grow. And we got
to explore and we have to like,learn and do all these things
and go on little adventures andthese day trips, and then we'd
go camping weed was like, myonce was really the mushrooms.
And he's a little as a ranger,you know, this little kids like

(46:20):
it. And the Ranger said, here'sa book. And he loved that book.
And he did a whole, you know,presentation on it and my son
and he made this board about itand everything. And so we kind
of went on this journeytogether. So it really drizzly
close together. And by the timewe started the business, my son,
my oldest son has a degree inenvironmental studies.
Excellent. And then my other sonhas a degree in photojournalism.

(46:43):
And so in business, and socombined their expertise and how
they could help. And then mydaughter being a kind of a
creative and super hardworking.
She's like me very much, youknow, empathetic nature. So just
all three of us together, kindof it was a nice foundation to
start. And then my boys, youknow, had they're doing their
own careers also. So mydaughter, and I just kind of
took them there. And so we'rejust like, I mean, I have, I've

(47:05):
had a weird life that way, butmy, my kids, and I just get
along. They're my favoritepeople in the whole world. They
inspire me every day, and I lovework with my daughter, I just, I
couldn't imagine doing withanyone else.
That's so incredible. I mean,the answer? No, that's perfect.
These are all meant to be longanswers from the heart. That's

(47:26):
really beautiful. Um, where doyou see your company going in
the next five years, and then inthe next 10 years.
So hopefully, things arechallenging right now, I won't
lie because also there, thereare, even in my small little
supply chain, you know, there'sstill there issues you've
uncovered cause a lot ofproblems that way. We also had,

(47:47):
we were doing a lot of eventsand things which were kind of
nice, because then we becausewe're an online business, but we
did events, which gave us achance to do outreach and
education, and things like that.
And we did a lot of sales thatway. And, you know, that all
ended as well. So, um, so, butthe thing is, you know, it kind
of made me I kind of realized Ihave to fight for it a little
bit more now. And I, I, this isjust part of, it's my business,

(48:10):
but it's part of my soul, andespecially doing the cleanups
and the things we do like, youknow, it, so it's part of my
identity, I feel like now and Iso I would like to see, I guess
I like to integrate theeducational component in more
like to be, you know, just MIT,like, making the information
accessible to people, you know,about even cleaning up and doing

(48:35):
things like that. What's kind offunny is like, when we do
cleanups, I'm like, we're justlike that those weird people
like on the beach, or we do bykayak as well, we're kind of up
there too. And people like theysee us and kind of the the
thought was people like, oh, youcan do you can do like a person
can just go to trash. It doesn'tsound weird. That sounds weird,

(48:58):
right? But it's like, you feellike you need permission to do
it. Unless you're a privateproperty, but you don't, you can
just go pick up trash, like youcan. They're like, I'm gonna go
do that, like, yeah, you can doit, you can do it. Like, it's a
weird thing. Like, there's somuch we feel like we can't do it
we haven't been trained to do.
So I want to do more like,hopefully, kind of inspiring
around that. You know, just I'dlike to just in my, this is not

(49:24):
a measurable thing, per se, butjust I would just keep promoting
that connection with naturebecause it's all we have. It's
everything right now. That'swhat's our survival, you know,
from the tiniest littleplankton, to you know, elephants
in Africa, like, everything isconnected like that saying, you
pull one thread and everythingis affected. Like it's so true

(49:46):
and just kind of I want to justkeep educating, make people feel
connected, create happiness andconnection and kindness and
positivity with each other, youknow, promote a like a loving
environment, and hopefully justthrough maybe educational
programs Some things I wouldlove to grow in that way
partnerships, we've donepartnerships with local
conservation nonprofits. I lovedoing that. And you know, do

(50:07):
more of that and just kind ofmake that community grow and
connect.
Yeah. And that's that's gonna bethe key to your success. And I
mean, it's, it's, it's in thename of service, right? You
don't care about like having abillion dollar company that is
pulling in profits for theshareholders and everyone's
making money and drivingLamborghinis. You're now you're

(50:28):
thinking about, like, how manypeople and how much? How can I
be in service more? Yeah,instead of mee. Mee Mee, it's
about, you know, it's the nextwho can I help? And that's
beautiful. And it'll be the keyto your success too. And it's
authentic, and it's genuine. Andthat will resonate with people.
SoOh, thank you. Authenticity is
the thing. And as a survivor,yeah, do you do you feel more

(50:52):
like authenticity is like atotally. Yeah, it's all about
authenticity. Right. It's aweird thing. But um, I think
that's a common trait. Um, butsurvivors and so you can't do
anything less. Right. Like youjust have to Yeah,
yeah, like in it. Yeah, itwasn't always that way. Because
I was like, I grew up as thislike kind of jock like, I need

(51:12):
in any of the coaches putpounded into your head, like, be
a man toughen up, you know,like, you know, do this and they
put like, this heavily mask ofmasculinity over you and like,
and then when you when I wentthrough the trauma that I did
have been attacked, and like, itbrought me down to like,
nothing. And then starting overto, to build that back up. You

(51:33):
like, it almost was like a, Isay this before, it was almost
like a blessing because ittaught me like who I was as a
person and like, and yeah, Ijust, I don't know, I really
want to like, give give back tomore. You know, it's a strange
it's, it's a hard it's a toughto describe, uh, yeah, you're
right. SoI noticed him because because
you don't want to say like, Imean, and it's not like, I don't

(51:55):
believe that, you know, we're,like, punished in life to learn
lessons. I believe that, thatless that hard situations can be
redeemed, you know what I mean?
But, but it that's the thing,like, like, cuz I would never
see my kids stuff like that, tohave me serve, like, I would
never want to go out again, Iwould never want you to go
through it. And you wouldn'treally want to go through it
again. But but but the thingsyou the way the who you are now,

(52:18):
and who I am now, you know,afterwards, I feel like it's
kind of like a being like, agood steward of your pain. Wait,
I don't know how to say that.
You know, I'm saying, like, ittakes like, how can you? It can
change you in like, I'm, I likethe person that I am. Yeah, I
have everything that I've youknow, I mean, and you can see
that about you. I can see that.

(52:38):
From my like trauma and ininsecurities and all the things
that I have to deal with all thetime. Like, I like this broken,
messy person. Yeah, yeah. Yeah,it's beautiful.
And I think like, one of thethings that it really taught me
was, Well, I think one of themost powerful things was it
showed up my relationships withpeople that already cared about

(52:59):
like it like my mom and dad andI are closer than we've ever
been. And family in my innercircle of people who love me,
like, I can tell them that Ilove them now, and I can tell
them the things that bother melike when I opened up to them
about being attacked and like,the things like I told now, it's
an open book, like they knowexactly what they're getting

(53:22):
from me, like, yeah, that Idon't have to pretend when I'm
not happy. I don't have to, youknow, I don't pretend like or if
I'm not, I can talk to themabout it. And it's okay like to
have a conversation. And it madeit just that those relationships
that I had with those people areso strong, because of the fact
that I like, can be honest.

(53:44):
And literally leave what isn'tthat like how life should be the
right, you know? Like, isn'tthat that's so beautiful. I'm so
glad I'm so glad for you forthat. I'm so glad.
Yeah. I mean, in this weird,like, just being honest with me
just being on it. Did you have aperiod of time? Was there a
period of time where you didn'tknow where it happened? And you

(54:04):
suffered in silence?
Oh, totally. Yeah, I was Imessed up my relationships. I
was like, I was doing thingsthat were just like,
counterproductive that I justdidn't know how to deal with and
I was seeing a therapist, andit's not his fault, but it
wasn't a good fit. Yeah. So likeI was I was going to a therapist
and lying to him. Yeah, Iunderstand that. Right. Because

(54:26):
it's like what I wanted. It'slike what I thought they would
want to hear but it wasn't doinganything for me. And so like
when I switched over to this newtherapist and tried it again,
because I realized that I stillneeded help and I wasn't getting
it. It was like a total gamechanger. And I love this guy to
death. He never can retire. Likehe's probably a generation older

(54:48):
than me, but I hope that Ioutlive him because he's just so
it's just so important to me. Iknow he knows that as well. But
like, yeah, for sure. There wasa period where I was self
destructive and not like selfharming, but If I wasn't doing
any good for myself, or myrelationships or my friendships,
yeah, I was just locking it allin and tying things up. And I

(55:09):
saw, like, everything wascontinuing to suffer. And then
once you could really breakthrough that, it was like, holy,
I can't swear. I just want tolike, Whoa, this is what it
feels like to befree kind of really mean and
Hola. And to be able to be lovedfor who you are offended, like,

(55:32):
yeah, just like unconditionallylove with one no matter what,
because every, we all have stuffthat happens to us. I mean,
people can pretend that youknow, or try to gloss over
sometimes, you know, and peoplehave to do that sometimes for a
period of time, right? I mean,it's hard to absorb, but
everybody has their somethingand, and just that kind of lets
so you know, beautiful becauseonce you once you because life
is just that it's not easy. It'slike struggle after struggle

(55:55):
show, okay, but there's beautyin between. And once you can
start to unlock those doors. Imean, I mean, you've already
been doing like, amazing work,your photography, and your
conservation work and stuff. Andthen you're just, you know, kind
of branching out, like, you haveso much to give, you're
unlocking all these doors ofpotential that, you know, um,
that, you know, could havestayed shut, but that's what
life is, like, you know, the, Ialways feel my biggest fear and

(56:18):
probably I but maybe for youtoo, as like, as being stuck has
been, that's my biggest fear islike stopping growing, not
learning being stuck in asurgery. Like, his life is so
big, and I lost so much time,I'm gonna say, lost so much time
I, you know, I just feel like, Idon't want to waste a minute
now. No, waste a minute, right?

(56:38):
Absolutely. Yeah, totally. Imean, that's so parallel to
exactly how I feel with things.
And, and it was, it wasfascinating to me, like, the
different responses I got frompeople telling them things like,
like, some people were, wouldimmediately cry, or they would,
you know, because they didn't,you know, like my mom, you know,
like, that was a very normalresponse for her because she

(57:01):
couldn't protect me in thatmoment. And you know, these are
things or people would say,Well, why would you do such a
thing? Why would you air allyour personal stuff out to the
world? You know, and honestly,like, I've because of it,
everybody I know knows exactlywhat they're getting, you know,
I'm, I don't need to sell themon an image of who I am. It's
just what I am. And it'sauthentic. And there's something

(57:23):
so beautiful with that. And Ijust get so fresh out people who
are not authentic and just tryto like, put on a face that
everything's happy and cheerfuland joyful, and all this stuff.
And it's like you can be, butyou can also be real about
things and have conversationswith people that aren't easy.
And then realize, like, youknow, and it's so it's
interesting as well, like, mycareer grew in the same

(57:45):
trajectory as my like, oh, andhonestly, because I was, I was
not afraid to have conversationswith people, you know, reach out
to complete strangers aboutdoing a podcast, because now I
can talk about anything. Andthis is the first this is one of
the first ones I've kind ofgotten into this that I've done
on my own, but like, it'sbeautiful to have a conversation
with a stranger or somebody andrelate to them on so many

(58:09):
levels. And that's the beauty ofhuman connection.
Yes. 100%. And the thing youknow, sometimes, like
especially, well, you know, inyour situation and in my
situation, like with domesticviolence, because there's like,
there's, you know, there's, youknow, victim blame is a thing,
and it's like, and people, it'snot like, it's like always like

(58:30):
an intentional thing. It's it'sa knee jerk reaction that's
like, kind of a, like a proven,like, psychological thing that
people do. But, but But it's itcan be hard because I I lived so
I know my thing, but peoplealways like, why did you this?
Why didn't you this? You know,but when you know the truth of
it, that can be a littleuncomfortable and hard
sometimes, but I had probablylike, you know, you just had to

(58:51):
learn to like, let go of thosewho maybe didn't understand.
And, you know, and know that,um, because I couldn't like I
said I couldn't escape my story.
I couldn't escape my story. Mystory was why I do what I do.
And it's why I'm who I am. So Ijust need to like, you know,
accept and own that and justkind of like, like you did, and

(59:13):
it can It is a journey to getthere sometimes. And it can be
hard sometimes silly. I alwayspeople say something like, oh,
yeah, that's right. But I'vetake so much explained, explain
how that actually happens. Youjust have to let some stuff go.
And then just kind of just walkinto the beauty of it and
understand that actually, likesaid it's your power. That's
what makes you powerful. Andbecause Oh, you're also you

(59:33):
know, your compassion, eventhough you're I can tell like a
compassionate person before likeit's grown exponentially, right?
And so when you're doing yourwork and photography is emotion,
like you can, it can justinfluence everything you're
doing.
Yeah, absolutely. Do you do anyoutreach in that space in the

(59:54):
domestic violence space? Or isit mostly environmental stuff?
Have you made that bridgeyourself? You cuz I haven't
myself like I haven't been avoice for, like, I don't go to
events for male survivors ofsexual assault or, or those
sorts of things. But what I haveexperienced is people reaching
out to me privately saying, Wow,this happened to me too, you

(01:00:15):
know, there's that me tomovement and men and women
people that I will close with,I'm not obviously gonna say
their names or anything, but Iwas surprised. I never knew that
about them. I didn't know thatthey were attacked, but they
kept that in, you know, theykept that into their, their own
private lives, maybe theirfamily knew, but they didn't
share it with anyone else. Butbecause of me saying what I did
on my on my big podcast, Ialways back it, people were

(01:00:38):
coming out of the woodworksaying, wow, you know, me, too.
This happened. And I was like,it was beautiful. You made a
deeper the connection withpeople who I thought I already
knew.
Wow. No. So that's the thing.
Like, I think this is reallygood question also, because, um,
you know, first you kind of feelyou feel like, you know, this is
a initiative that is an issue.

(01:00:58):
No, I don't, I don't do work inthat. Number one, it's like it
was too triggering. Number two,because, um, the, the, there's,
there's, like, you know,domestic violence and I didn't
fit even permit any of theorganizations that were there
great organizations that helplike house, don't get around,
that is horribly hard work to dohorribly high burnout. It's very

(01:01:21):
grueling work to do that kind ofwork. But um, there there's the
area of like, when you when it'swhen it's, you have the domestic
bad situation. And then when youhave like, when, like court
systems and things are enablingand are abusing are actually
become the abuser after youleave your marriage or whatever,
when you have a whole notherthen those those organizations,
there was no place for me, likeI couldn't, because some of

(01:01:42):
them, there's politicalconnections, and there's things
where they have to be carefuland whatever I was like in a
wasteland, and so I feel likefor me, it's like, there's
organizations we're going totalk to us about as well. Okay?
Really how you get that's like asocietal, you know,
psychological familiarly, like,that is a deep sea that is like,
what how, like, so I appreciate,you know, the tribe, but I

(01:02:04):
couldn't find my place there. Iwould say I couldn't, even
within that group I didn't fitin. And so that was really, that
was really hard, because, youknow, is a survivor, you want to
find, you know, you feel you'renot alone, and like we're gonna
have helping who wouldunderstand me, but, and there is
a group of people to like,there's that it was the way that
I went through it, there is athing about that. And if you're

(01:02:25):
in this role, you understand whothose people are, and they find
each other. But I didn't know Icouldn't find anybody. So I've
always felt kind of a littleisolated from that. That doesn't
mean that people absolutelyreach out to organizations, they
should absolutely do things. Butfor me, personally, I couldn't
find my footing. So what you didin your situation, like, seeing
and having the people come toyou that is like, that is a
ministry? In a sense, what's abetter word for that, right,

(01:02:47):
like a way where you're tellingyour truth, that then people
allows people to say theirtruth. So yeah, and my customers
even have said to me, I've hadthe same thing happens like
that. I can't believe I mean,there's a meaty movement and
that stuff, no more so you kindof know, but how many people I'm
like, Oh, my gosh, like, youknow, sister, there's so many

(01:03:07):
people out there that were havebeen through, you know, domestic
violence and things like that,that were that it was like, I
was stunned, like, kind of, likeyou were in it was like that I
felt like, even just sittingwith each other or just being
able to have people say that andknow that you're safe with me.
And they could tell you I mean,I feel like that is, you know, a
work in a sense, right?

(01:03:27):
Yeah, totally. I don't feel likeI don't feel obligated to go and
like lead some group with menwho have been abused or
whatever. But and I don't thinkyou have to, I think I just
found that it was incrediblyrewarding to just speak my truth
and have other people speaktheir truth to me. And that was
enough. And I mean, it's outthere forever. Now it's on the

(01:03:48):
internet, people can watch mystory forever. And, you know, we
will and I don't know what otherplatforms you've talked about
yours. But like, you know,you've told me you're
comfortable with it on thisplatform. So your story will be
out there and you may havepeople reach out to you and I
think we're both at the pointnow where we're we're at the
point where we can talk aboutthese things and and not lose

(01:04:11):
their leg right and so like,that alone shows a lot of
strength to people who've beenthrough something similar or
even just even if it's justtrauma in general. So
I agree I agree. I think thatthat's a really kind of organic
way to like help heal each otherand support each other and it's

(01:04:31):
scary sometimes and vulnerablefeeling and everything like that
but but you know, doggone itlike I said yeah life is this
life is just this so like justbe good to each other we all we
all suffer so we just like youknow, just be good to each other
and support each other in inlove each other.
Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Are thereso thinking of like looking up

(01:04:53):
to people and things like thisis a hard to pivot off of but
like are there people in yourindustry or companies in your
industry that you idolize orlook up to, they're like, You
know what, like, you're doingthe right thing. Like, you don't
have to be a Patagonia orsomeone like, is there anyone
out there that you're like, wow,I really admire what you're

(01:05:13):
doing. And are there anycompanies or individuals that
you're like that you analyze?
And?
Well, there are I mean, likethis. Yeah, on both ends of
things like, you know, you didmention Patagonia's, I will say,
I will say in terms of the bigcompanies like Patagonia, I do,
I tip my hat to sort of I think,because because they I mean,
they've covered they've had toreally, when you're that Bay,

(01:05:35):
and everything you're doing, youhave to examine everything,
like, are you going to reallylook at it and dive into and be
serious about, you know, it'sgoing to cost you a lot, you
know, to make the pivot and, andeverything. So, are you going to
do it? Are you going to do ithalfway, like you say, you know,
I when the big companies like,Oh, I 3% of our this is 3%
recycled materials? Like, notsmart enough, you know, like,

(01:05:57):
don't, so are you gonna do soPatagonia, you know, they do
conservation, they, they, youknow, will teach you how to
repair their clothing, they willthey want to keep the lifecycle
the clothing good, which islike, you know, most companies,
they want vintage routes thatyou buy more, right, like
they're doing the things they,they also in terms of just like
they're giving their employees,you know, from Christmas to New
Year's off that so that even,that's an important part of, you

(01:06:20):
know, coming, how do they treattheir workers, you know, it's
like people over profits and allthis kind thing. So Patagonia's,
I feel like I feel like they're,they are, you know, troubled by
the issues that they're kind ofbusiness can create, and they're
doing everything they can toconsole as a large company. I
feel like they're, you know,that's admirable what they're
doing, it can be a mall andmodel, right. And then in terms

(01:06:41):
of, you know, there's a lot ofthey're kind of, like, lost for,
like names right now. But thereare a lot of earth friendly
polling companies that are verypassionate about being, you
know, doing it the right way.
And do it, you know, and sothere are a lot of good people.
So there are smaller, smallercompanies, you can kind of, you
know, yeah, Google those two.

(01:07:03):
Yeah, was fascinating, just byGoogling sustainable fashion
hoops. Yeah.
It's more and more, and justread their stories, read their
stories and find out, you know,that that's, I always, whenever
I go to website, I usually gothe about page first. That's
what I always do. Like, I likepeople's stories, and I want to
know, what, what how did theyget here? And what's their
what's their deal? Why are theydoing this? So, but there's a

(01:07:23):
lot of people who really care alot and and they're making, you
know, good strides and goodproducts. And like you said, the
downfall that a little bit, justthat you know, yeah, eco
friendly fashion is does costsmore, it does, it does cost a
little bit more, but people youknow, but you know, the
longevity, that the way it feelson your body, you know how

(01:07:45):
healthy it is for you forknowing that the workers are,
you know, tinkered and that theplanet is, you, we have to get
to a point where we buy less,and we buy more thoughtfully,
you know, just you know, whenit's possible, it's not possible
all the time, I try to make mykeep my prices reasonable,
because as I can and squeak byyour words. Yeah, you gotta,
like, make ends meet as well.

(01:08:06):
Yeah, it's hard. It's hard golike, but I just, I want it to
be accessible. And the productonce you once you have it in you
where you see it, and you touchit, you feel like, Oh, it's this
really different. It's worth it.
So hopefully, you know, Mike, mythought was, hopefully, you
know, over time when it becomesthe, that becomes the, you know,
the fabric, the fabrics ofchoice, and, you know, the
methods of manufacture ofchoice, everything, you know,

(01:08:28):
that prices will, you know, godown, but it's still very much,
you know, conventional cottonfor examples, like, you know,
it's cheap, like people,companies, like, you know,
people even, you know, smallbusiness like you can I can tell
them once or like, I'm not gonnamake it if I do that, you know,
but so whether I succeed orfail, I have to do it knowing
that I did it the way that Ithought was the right way. You

(01:08:51):
know, but there are a lot ofcompanies out there I would
encourage people to look youknow, and read their stories,
find out where they'repassionate, there's just some
amazing people out there andthey deserve
your support. Yeah, well, wherecan people find you?
So we are on our website is abarefoot eco.com and and we saw

(01:09:15):
also we're on Facebook and onInstagram, and
Twitter and all the samehandles.
I've tried to think at BearI'll put them in the show notes
if you don't remember them all.
Yeah, pretty much it's prettymuch barefoot Eagle Outfitters.
Yeah, I think Twitter is VFLfederal be epic, outfitters but

(01:09:40):
um, but um, but yeah, um, yeah.
Make sure that go to yourwebsite and read your about
section it is great. That'swhere they should go first
because we you know yourbusiness is is also your your
life story and you have a greatstory and loving family that you
that you run the business with,which is, I think, even more

(01:10:03):
incredible. And then go checkout the products. What are some
of the products that you're mostpassionate about things that
you're like I, if I have liketwo or three things that I want
people to see or where they'remost proud of what what are
they?
Oh, yeah, that's, I think I'mthe ones that I really love and
we're kind of getting sold outright now. Um, but, like, go
check this see we've got shoesize wise is, um, our joggers

(01:10:25):
are like, like kittens on acloud, like they. They're so
comfortable. And the hoodies aregreat. Our thermals are heavily
thermals, because it's kind ofthat season right now. They're
like, amazing, like, those aresome of our best sellers. Are
our, our T shirts are also Imean, they're just incredibly

(01:10:47):
soft and comfortable. But forthat, you know, we have leggings
to that we've actually sold outof those now, but um, but like,
yeah, the joggers in this in thehoodies are, and the thermals
are especially seasonally rightnow, but there's those are
probably some of the top sellersthat yeah, and yeah, even the
beanies are really soft.

(01:11:09):
Here is everything is supersoft, and you want to take it
off. Yes, yes, that is 100%.
Like, that's, that's like adriving force for me. Like, it
has to feel Guney aware. Like,that's the thing we hear over
and over and over again. It'sjust like, you know, I just live
in the I love, you know, so um,so everything is really soft and
comfortable. And that's kind ofcool. And hopefully, when you
see it, you put it on, you feelhappy. That's you, you feel

(01:11:30):
good.
Unfortunately, it's probably toolate for people to buy Christmas
gifts, right? Yeah. But ecoOutfitters. However, there's a
lot of great things that arecoming up down the pipeline of
the year birthdays, who knowswhatever is coming up. So make
sure everyone go check them out.
I know Tracy would be glad tohave your business and is not

(01:11:54):
only going for a good cause buttowards a good good family and
in and it's good product. Imean, we want to wear things
that you're comfortable in thatyou know are made a good
materials. So go check her out.
Tracy, thank you so much forcoming on the show and opening

(01:12:14):
up with us about your your ownlife journey, the the things
that you and your family havebeen through how it's led you
into creating this brand that isin service of the planet. And I
am so proud of you. And I'manxious to check out your
product myself, you know youyou've made at least one
customer. I have to see this,this cloud kitten or whatever,

(01:12:37):
you kids. I love kittens, and sowhy not? Yeah, try that sound is
a brilliant description. I hopeyou use that in your product. If
not coined that as. And so yeah,thank you so much for taking the
time to join me and I reallyappreciate it. Is there anything

(01:13:00):
else that that we didn't coverthat you want to throw out to
the audience about your productor your life? Or?
I don't think so. I mean, Ithink we had you know, I mean,
if people have questions, I'mobviously always like, I love
hearing from people and, andgiving information, things like
that, but I for me, like I justknow I just really enjoyed this
time to get and sit and talkwith you. I've admired your

(01:13:21):
photography for a long time I'mso glad we got connected on
Instagram. And then as I got toknow more about you your story
and the just the person you arejust being able to you know
connect with like this otherconservation minded person who's
you know, so passionate and youknow, he has a beautiful heart
and I'm just excited to seeeverything that you're going to
be doing even from from here onand with all your life

(01:13:44):
experiences and everything totake that into your everything
has to be doing so I just reallythank you for honoring me with
this moment and I really had agood time.
Yeah, that's great. Yeah, so Iwill I will definitely be out in
your neck of the woods at somepoint and we will have to do a
hike. I want to see some of theplaces that you're describing it
sounds incredible and you cancount me in as one other person

(01:14:07):
who will be the weirdo cleaningup stuff on the beach with you
because I do that here I do thatyear and you on my blog it was
like the very first thing I didwhen I moved in was I like saw
the trash and it drove me nutsand so I made a point to to go
out especially in the summermonths when it's easy to do and
clean up the trash at least oncea month and just my straight up

(01:14:29):
like it's something my fatherinstilled in me he was adopt the
highway back oh yeah, so like soI see that and and you're right
when I walk around theneighborhood like two massive
bags of trash and so I've onlycovered like two blocks and like
I get the books from people thatare like, What are you doing?
Yeah. They don't know what tosay like, whether if I look like

(01:14:50):
I'm a homeless person or to saythank you like yeah, obviously
dressed like I don't live on thestreet, but I'm carrying all
this trash and they they theywant to say thank you It's it's
a weird thing, right?
It is a weird thing. But it'sgood. It's good. Like, yeah,
it's made I know it made adifference for someone somewhere
they gothat guy. Well, thank you for
doing that as well the planet Iknow. Definitely thanks you for

(01:15:11):
all that you're doing. And I inmy audience, thank you for your
time. Soreally my pleasure. Thanks so
much, Derek. Absolutely.
Thank you so much for joining usback here at the Art of actual
change. I really hope youenjoyed today's episode Tracy.

(01:15:32):
She was a fantastic guest,opened her heart up told us
about the traumas of her life,being a domestic abuse survivor,
and how she turned that awfulsituation into a beautiful thing
with her family. Oh, theycreated a great fashion brand
that's out there. Saving theplanet. It's quite an
inspiration. Check them outbarefoot eco Outfitters. Please

(01:15:56):
share this episode with anyoneyou feel like they could be
useful for whether they're inthe fashion world or they're a
survivor of some kind of abuseor maybe just someone you know
that can use therapy. We are outthere just promoting a better
planet, inside and out for eachindividual and are all the
nature around us. Thank you somuch for joining us. Share

(01:16:19):
across every place you can thinkof and now you know what time it
is go out there and make anactual change in your world or
the world around you

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Episode #12 How One Mothers Fight For Her Family Turned Into A Sustainable Fashion Brand To Help Save The Planet And Her Family

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