AQUA by UNSUBSCRIBE MAGAZINE

LOST LEBLANC: CHRISTIAN LEBLANC

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GODâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S POCKET: BILL WEEKS + ANNIE CESCHI

UNCAGED & MISUNDERSTOOD WATER: OCEAN RAMSEY + JUAN OLIPHANT

Issue 3

GLOBEL L E TR AVEL S

34 ED I TOR ' S LET TER

1 0 WAYS TO S AVE T H E O CE A N

KU P U LUA N CO CO N UT

14 OCEAN RAMSEY

42 I N ST I T U TE O F CO DE

A I K I D I ST R I CT YVR

ETE SWIM WE A R

CR ABS IN A BUCKET

ADAM GIL

O C E A NS A PA RT

62 Z EN R ESORT BAL I AN D DR SHAH

GO D â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S P O CKE T

U SE LE SS P LA ST IC

78 WH O LE SO M E AY U RVE DIC B U C KWH E AT A ND DAT E PA NCA K E S

LOST L EBL AN C

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WH E RE SC E NT M E E T S T RAVE L

DREAMS VS BRICKS

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Marine Life Conservation Efforts

the team Robyn G o o di ng Wo o l s t on / Brend o n Wo o l s t o n /

e d i t o r

c r e a t i v e

bow ie m o k

c r e a t i v e

Davi d S h i h

m e d i a

i n

c h i e f

p r o d u c e r

d i r e c t o r

s t r a t e g y

Adam Gil, Christian LeBlanc, Tia Kelly, Sarah Scali, Lorien Waldron, Brendon Woolston, Christa Moreau , Jessica Williamson, Tiare Boyes, Will Lauder, Maneli Nourbakhsh, Juan Oliphant, Thomas White / Photographers + Writers Thank you to everyone featured in this issue, keep unsubscribing and living the life you were destined for… remember, you don’t need permission to colour outside the lines.

   Copyright Unsubscribe Magazine Ltd., 2016. All rights reserved. All material is completely copyright and reproduction without consent from the Publisher is prohibited. Every possible measure has been taken to ensure the accuracy of content and ownership of photography, some of which has been provided by the Features and has been published with their permission. Unsubscribe Magazine will not be held liable or responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions which may have occurred. We will, however, gladly acknowledge any errors in subsequent issues to account for and rectify any honest mistakes. // Address: PO Box 95, Port Vila, Vanuatu

EDITOR’S LETTER

July 5th 2016 is a day I will never forget; a day where I unsubscribed in a BIG way. It was a perfect day; the sun was shining, Independence Day celebrations from the night before had left the islanders in a happy lull, and we were on assignment in one of my favourite places on Earth - the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. As we drove the hour north to the harbour where the boat expecting us was to meet us, we listened to our music and laughed about the adventures we always managed to get ourselves into. Usually, I am the one dragging my husband around the world in the name of pursuing chaos and craziness; but today, he was leading our team and pulling me - kicking and screaming - into the ocean with apex predators that terrified me. I had dived with Great White Sharks while protected by a cage a couple times before, witnessing the wonder of these incredible creatures up close and personal in ways that manifested an even deeper respect and reverence for them. However, as much as I have always felt connected to the ocean and life beneath her surface, sharks have been the one factor that has always caused me to feel anxious, robbing me of carefree moments in the ocean’s arms. The idea of purposefully jumping over board, without a dive suit or cage, and swimming casually amongst seventeen Galapagos sharks was truly me coming face to face with a very real fear. As the boat drove further and further away from shore my anxiety picked up more and more, and as we anchored to a buoy near an intersection of currents and I saw a fin breach the surface, I felt my heart in my throat. How could I encourage an entourage of trailblazers and dreamers to unsubscribe to things holding them back if I couldn’t unsubscribe to my own fear?! I took a few deep breaths and before thinking too long, jumped in the crystal clear water with Ocean Ramsey - a world 12

renown expert on shark behaviour and an ocean conservationist who is more shark than human herself. Her natural way of connecting with these beautiful animals in their territory left me in awe, and in witnessing the spirits of humans and sharks harmonizing, I began to relax. I swallowed the fear, and I began to cherish the peace and quiet as I swam side by side with our team and more than a dozen giants of the sea. I was so close to all these sharks that had terrified me for so long and as we locked eyes, we were connected for that moment in time; not as enemies, yet not as friends, but with equal respect for one another we could share the ocean without threat. It was such a revelation for me and a freeing experience because it has allowed me to enjoy the ocean with no more fear; to not only understand sharks more but to actually love them. As I began to mimic their behaviour and behave as one with their herd, my mind dazed off into a myriad of rambling thoughts. I drifted to the wonder of the ocean and the extensive life that lies below the waves. I thought about how billions of people in the world would never be able to truly comprehend the prowess of the ocean and the majesty of her arena; that not understanding or knowing first hand the beauty of life beneath the ocean’s surface, that many would feel disconnected from the need to protect her. Water is life; our planet, our bodies, our existence relies on it; yet, somehow as a society we have completely alienated ourselves from the desperate need to respect and protect our waters. There is a divorce between land and water, an absurd detachment from the connection that is reality. Mesmerized by the ability for nature to exist in harmony with one anothertwo apex predators side by side- I realized that it is not impossible for humans to be at harmony not only with ourselves and one another, but with all of the magic that is nature in this world.

Jacques Cousteau, a famous conservationist and ocean explorer once said: “we protect what we love, and we love what we understand”. Our hope is that for those of you who aren’t already head over heels in love with the ocean, and those of you who have not been able to experience it as our team has, that we can bring you those experiences through the pages of this issue. We hope that the words, photography and all elements of art expand your ocean experience and instil a desire to protect what you come to love; we hope this because our oceans so desperately need both our love and protection. We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one, something impressed upon me more powerfully the day I swam in the open ocean with Galapagos sharks than any other day of my life to date. After a couple hours of swimming in the wild ocean we climbed back on board and headed to shore. I nursed the three jelly fish stings on my stomach and chatted with the team about the wonder we had just experienced; one of the most spiritually connecting moments in any of our lives - to be able to be uninhibited in the ocean, to feel liberated from our fears and to witness creation in its own territory while we were able to share in the moment. I thought back on most of the spiritually connecting moments in my life and how they all involved the ocean; diving with Great Whites off the coast of Cape Town; night dives with giant manta rays where the plankton created the illusion of being in space surrounded by stars - where

the kisses from the mantas breathed life and awe that deeply penetrated my soul; jumping overboard to play with wild dolphins, welcomed into their family through their play and sass and relishing precious moments far superior to any I had imagined a dolphin interaction would be; snorkelling and diving some of the greatest reefs in the world and witnessing ocean life interact with one another like a scene from “Finding Nemo”. Experiencing life in the ocean is to experience life in a dimension that exceeds most others. I could never have imagined that the water cycle and life cycle would come full circle in my own life this particular day, but upon returning to shore I discovered the most wonderful of nature’s blessings. After spending the day swimming with seventeen Galapagos sharks, I realized that three jelly fish stings were not the only new bumps on my body. Within my own body, surrounded by life’s fluid, was a growing new life. I was pregnant with my first baby. I was not alone swimming with those sharks, but was able to share the experience with my daughter, and pass along my love for the ocean to her - something I commit to doing for the rest of our lives. Looking back, it’s the most beautiful way I could have ever discovered to be pregnant - after unsubscribing to my fear of sharks and being in my happy place, the ocean, and on the island where my soul feels most at home, Hawaii. I couldn’t imagine a world where my daughter won’t be able to play

with dolphins, swim amongst the coral reefs and experience the freedom of a gravityless experience surrounded by unsurpassed beauty. While she was swimming in my womb I was swimming in the womb of our planet; and as our cycle of life continues it is up to each of us to preserve the beauty and purity of its spirit. There are no more excuses. We are all responsible to protect our Earth and its creatures, to leave the world in a better place than when we found it. No matter how connected or disconnected you feel from the oceans, please know that as integral as water is to life, our existence as humans is dependent upon the existence and health of our oceans. I am enraptured by the ocean. Jacques Cousteau was right, the sea has cast its spell on me and I am forever in its net of wonder. My hope is that the ocean, our planet’s great unifier, can connect us to each other in ways that surpass any capitalist philosophies; that we can put our environment and the sustainability of life in all forms before any other progress. Without this as our immediate agenda, we simply cannot claim to be progressing as a human race. People protect what they love, what will you protect? //

save the ocean. 1// PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND SET GOALS TO REDUCE YOUR PERSONAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION 2// REDUCE YOUR USE OF PLASTIC AS IT OFTEN RESULTS IN DECIMATING ANIMAL HABITATS AND DESTROYING MARINE LIFE 3// EAT SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD 4// USE YOUR CONSUMER POWER TO DEMAND ETHICAL PRACTICE IN THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ALL PRODUCTS

5// PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY CLEAN UPS 6// USE YOUR VOICE AND KNOWLEDGE TO BE A ROLE MODEL IN YOUR COMMUNITY EDUCATING OTHERS ON THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR OCEANS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY WE ALL HAVE TO REWRITE THE STORY 7// SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ACTIVELY PROTECT THE OCEAN AND MARINE LIFE WITH FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OR VOLUNTEER WORK

8// RESPECT THE OCEAN AT ALL TIMES, ESPECIALLY WHILST ENJOYING WATER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BOATING, SNORKELLING, DIVING AND FISHING 9// BE AWARE OF HARMFUL INGREDIENTS IN YOUR SUN SCREEN AND OTHER COSMETIC PRODUCTS BEFORE ENTERING THE OCEAN 10// KNOW THAT YOU AND YOUR EVERYDAY CHOICES DIRECTLY IMPACT THE OCEAN AT ALL TIMES

Meet â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kapuluan Coconutâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a company that makes the finest quality raw organic coconut oil with a mission to help improve the livelihood of coconut farming communities. For every item sold, they plant a coconut palm tree to give back to this beautiful Earth and its inhabitants! Their number one priority? Improving coconut farming communities in the Philippines through education and empowerment. Founder Will Lauder talks about their work and why consumers have the power to change the corporate story â&#x20AC;Ś

I was on my way to the Philippines to surf and the most powerful storm ever recorded took over international headlines. Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in Guiuan Eastern Samar with 380kph winds, destroying everything in its path. A huge tsunami followed, wiping out entire communities.

So I ditched my surfboard for a bag of water filters and set out to rural impoverished communities without any NGO connections or experience with disaster relief. The experience was difficult but it opened my eyes and let me see the world in a different light. People who had nothing had lost everything; their homes, pets, families. And what took me a while to realize, was that all the palm trees that were destroyed (over 33 million) all around me, were the most important. The tree of life was their primary resource; their houses were made with coconut palm timber and leaves, they made soap with coconut, they ate it and cooked with it, and it was their driving economic force. This was the poorest region in The Philippines, a developing country with some of the worst poverty in the world, and they just lost their primary resource? That stuck with me and I started Kapuluan Coconut.

I feel like millennials are a driving force behind the social and eco conscious movement. We feel like we can make a difference and we demand responsibility. It’s just about spreading awareness now, but there are many things we need to be aware of. If you want to change policy, change corporations, if you want to change corporations, change the consumer. The best way to understand the people we work with is to watch our documentary short film Kinabuhi. It follows a group of coconut farmers struggling to overcome exploitation and crop shortages. For further context, the tree planting part is key. When a coconut tree is planted, it then takes about seven years to produce coconut fruits. With over 60% of coconut farmers in the Philippines living in extreme poverty, with a daily challenge of putting food on the table for their family, there is absolutely no chance they are going to spend their time planting trees. Planting trees is fairly simple, but time is money. The coconut trees planted will help coconut farming communities with sustainability while assisting in the fight against global warming.

I feel like every business has a responsibility to care for people, animals, and the planet above all else. I don’t have to explain why these things are more important than money. When it comes to profits, of course a business needs to maximize profits, but there should be a hard line drawn at the point when it starts hurting any one of these three priorities. I’d say the first thing that comes to mind when I hear “unsubscribe” is pulling away from the status quo, the chase, the nine-to-five, the systemized life. There are many things which make people want to subscribe, but nothing more than comfort and security. I feel that getting uncomfortable is one of the best ways to grow as a human and find happiness. //

To support coconut farming communities in the Philippines purchase your own organic coconut oil & follow on Social @ http://facebook.com/kapuluancoconut http://instagram.com/kapuluancoconut http://pinterest.com/kapuluancoconut

You matter. You might be but one drop in a bigger ocean, but even that drop causes ripples which affect every other drop - Sue Krebs

Sweat with MOOV NOWâ&#x201E;˘ Personalized, real-time coaching

however and wherever you moov. $59.95 | moov.cc

THE INSTITUTE OF CODE upskill

with

10-day

coding

paradise

immersive

bootcamps

Words: UN Interview

with Tina and Emilio, Co-founders of

The Institute of Code

ARADIS

The Institute of Code is an immersive coding boot camp, hosted in beautiful locations around the world.

Small groups

of students from all over the globe learn to code websites over the course of 10 days. The program has been built from the ground up not by looking at the way things have always been done, but by digging deep into educational psychology, motivation and high performance. Forgetting everything they knew about school, co-founders Tina and Emilio reimagined what a school could be and then designed the perfect curriculum in paradise! By taking students away from the everyday distractions of life and immersing them in an environment that is specifically targeted for a state of accelerated learning, students are able to go from zero to hero in a matter of days. At the end of the 10days, students walk away with a resume-boosting portfolio of 2-3 responsive websites. Tina chatted with our UN team about the Institute and how to build a business from the ground up all while living the dream in paradise!

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO TAKE A CASUAL, FUN APPROACH TO LEARNING? We know that when people are in their ‘flow’ state — when they are inspired, motivated, supported and eager to learn, they can accomplish so much more than they would in a normal day. So we set out to create an environment that helped get people into a state of mind that fosters accelerated learning. The delicious meals, daily yoga and meditation sessions, and beautiful surroundings aren’t included just because it makes for an indulgent experience (although that’s definitely a perk). They’re key elements in our program, because when you remove people from the distractions of everyday life, keep them nourished with high quality food, movement and meditation, and a beautiful environment. People learn very fast! WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? Every day I get to meet talented, ambitious people from all over the word and have the satisfaction of helping them accelerate in their career and move forward in life. But beyond accelerating their career, what I really love is helping people to connect the dots that they can work hard and achieve success while still taking the time to enjoy the little things in life. BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR IS FAR FROM EASY. WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED IN YOUR START UP AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? You have to make so many decisions on a daily basis, and there usually isn’t one clear answer — there are hundreds of ‘good ideas’ to choose from and competing priorities that make it difficult to decide what to focus your time and energy on. Everyday is a bit of a rollercoaster, and we’ve dealt with everything from volcanic eruptions closing down airports to last minute villa cancellations and even a student who’s puppy ate her passport days before a retreat. I think one of the biggest things is being willing to get knocked down again and again and each time choosing to bounce back with a smile ready to do it all again.

I think one of the biggest things is being willing to get knocked down again and again and each time choosing to bounce back with a smile ready to do it all again. 25

HOW DO YOU ‘UNSUBSCRIBE’ I really believe that in a startup, your people (including yourself) are your most important assets, and you need a structured approach to helping those assets thrive. I learnt early on that burnout culture didn’t work for me, and I was far more productive when I actually carved out the time to take care of myself. I think this is a common tendency for people to feel guilty about prioritizing self-care; however, the reality is that self-care is an investment in yourself and your business. The hours I spend exercising, meditating, making nutritious meals etc. are more than made up for by my enhanced productivity when I get myself in the flow state. For me yoga, meditation and dedicating time to spend with the people I love and mentally checking out from the business are what enable me to hustle so much harder when I am working. WHAT’S YOUR ONE TIP FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS? Take a chance. Believe in yourself. As cliche as it sounds, more people regret the things they didn’t do than the things that they did… just lean into the discomfort and enjoy the ride.

*The Institute of Code are offering $100 off any of their upcoming retreats between now and June next year. Simply email hello@instituteofcode.com and mention ‘Unsubscribe’. 26

self-care is an investment in yourself and your business.

Check out The Institute of Code in Mexico on CNN!

Follow IOC on Facebook and Instagram @instituteofcode

PS their next retreat commences in Canguu, Bali next month and their villa is to die for!

Interview with one of the founders, Maneli Nourbakhsh: Co-Owner and Designer 30

for our brand but didn’t have the right word for it. We started looking into other languages when we came across Aiki. Aiki is a Japanese word and has an in depth translation. From the feedback from Japanese elders, research, and information we’ve gathered, Aiki means the uniting of souls in harmony and unison.

At Aiki District, we create fine quality contemporary products, ethically sourced and made from our studio in Vancouver, Canada. Our initial products releases have been high-end womens travel wear, however we plan to extend to accessories and menswear. We’ve been referred to as fine quality because of the fabrics used and the time and attention invested into creating each individual garment. All founders of Aiki District are travellers, in every aspect of the word. Aside from travelling for fun, we have all been in long term, long distance, relationships and all have had careers that require us to travel often. There have been travels where we had to live out of a suitcase for 3-4 months at a time. This means, we need versatile clothing that looks great for various occasions and is comfortable to wear all day and night. Having had a hard time finding the right design/function balance led to creating our collection. We provide a solution to that unnecessary feeling of wearing uncomfortable clothes while travelling or wearing functional clothes that hide who you truly are. It’s simply a design/ function balance. I remember being in a restaurant in San Sebastian and feeling sick to my stomach because I had been wearing these amazing designer, high waisted, Japanese silk pants all day on a train from Paris to Spain, that were unfortunately too tight around the waistband and were slowly cutting off my circulation. It’s the worst when you open your suitcase and the clothes are wrinkled. We focus on natural blends of fibres that won’t wrinkle easily. I don’t want to compromise style for comfort or vice versa.

Currently, Anahita Faghih and I are the coowners and designers of the brand. The seeds for the making of Aiki District were originally planted in London, England by Violet Ceniceros and I. However, the label truly bloomed in Vancouver, Canada when Anahita Faghih joined the team as the missing piece of the puzzle. Her and I complete each other in a very yin and yang kind of way. As far as formulating a name, we knew the meaning we wanted in a name

cular day. In doing so and not dressing based on trends, I feel uninhibited and confident, it’s all me and not what I was told to wear. Also, important for me is knowing where my clothes come from in terms of where the fibres were sourced and how its made, I feel great knowing that what I’m wearing doesn’t have a negative impact on our planet.

THE REWARDS + CHALLENGES

TRICK OF THE TRADE

The biggest challenge for our team has been communicating while being in different time zones. I’ve personally made it a goal of mine to travel less in 2016 just to get the brand properly launched. Also, because we’re focusing on quality and being made in Vancouver, it’s been interesting competing with all the brands that are manufactured overseas for a fraction of the cost that we invest in our in house production. We also focus on ethically sourced fabrics and have a zero waste policy, so figuring out all of the zero waste logistics and sourcing has been a challenge. It’s rewarding working on our own product, rather than outsourcing, the bonds that we create and seeing our team pour love and passion into creating the pieces. The biggest reward has to be that we feel great about the product we create, and knowing that we’re not contributing to fast fashion, waste, or negatively impacting our environment.

Build your network and stay genuine! Not just online or on the surface but genuinely build relationships and connections with people. Invest in your network, don’t just expect to take something, also be ready to give back when possible.

DESIGN + ENTREPRENEURSHIP Being an entrepreneur means being alert, prepared, and taking educated risks. You must be prepared for opportunities that come your way and creating opportunities when they are just not presenting themselves. A big part of entrepreneurism is also knowing that challenges will surface and knowing how to efficiently handling them when they come. You must always be “on” as an entrepreneur, you never really stop working.

LESSONS FOR YOUNGER SELF Being a perfectionist is just as bad as being a procrastinator. It’s better to fly and fall than to spend too much time preparing and never actually taking off. I used to spend too much timing perfecting everything I was working on, feels so much better to just finish the task at hand and coming back to it afterwards to perfect it if absolutely necessary.

CLOTHING AS UNINHIBITING I’m a firm believer in clothes enhancing us rather than restricting us in movement, ability, comfort, and confidence. It’s all about finding that piece that enhances how you feel. I don’t have a particular style I stick to and definitely not a trend follower, I wear clothing that accentuate my mood that parti31

MESSAGE FOR OLDER SELF Hope you’re reaping the benefits and enjoying life to the max because I’m working my ass off for you right now ha!

UN- WORD Uninhibited (gets me in trouble sometimes! Totally worth it of course.)

UNSUBSCRIBING About 8 years ago, I began unsubscribing to unwanted emails. I soon realized that I can unsubscribe to so many different things in life. In 2011, around the time I was deciding to move back to Vancouver from London I decided to unsubscribe in my personal life by removing the unwanted and unnecessary. I actively unsubscribe from unwanted frenemies and surround myself with people who give me positive energy, people whom I’d like to share my energy and time with. I also unsubscribe from unwanted household clutter, too much product and clutter won’t do anything but distract me from what’s truly important in life. I unsubscribe in business by saying ‘no’ to say ‘yes’. I say ‘no’ to some jobs/contracts in order to have time and energy to do the projects that leave me fulfilled. Essentially, I unsubscribe from certain activities and distractions to make time for activities that bring positivity and happiness into my life. //

Shop @ www.aikidistrict.com Follow on social @aikidistrict

because t here is no more bea utiful tha way the o cean refu s stop kissi ng the sho r no matter how many t it is sent away

othing an the ses to

reline,

times

Globelle Travels 36

Interview with Deb, founder of Globelle Travels

Hi Debs, can you please introduce yourself to our Unsubscribers? Hello, and thanks for having me! I’m Deb, and I’m from the outskirts of London, United Kingdom. I’m the founder of Globelle Travels, a community for Female Travellers that offers a website of information and inspiration for women on the road. We like to celebrate the achievements of female travellers, and aim to encourage more women to take to the road. We’ve been in operation just over two years now, and since then we’ve grown to welcome over forty thousand women across our social media platforms, pitched at TedxSydney and hosted a couple of Instameets across the globe. Tell us about GT what is the meaning behind the name?

What does ‘community’ mean to you? I love this question a lot. With the emergence now of many female traveller communities, the topic of what a community actually means is something I find myself thinking about often. And here’s what I’ve come up with so far: Community is a group from whom you can draw support from. It’s a group about providing and giving, rather than just taking. In my mind, it’s a group who relish in their members’ successes, and consoles them in their weaker moments. In a world where social media can prove as divisive as it can be connecting, it’s a way to assure each other that we cling onto one of the better aspects of our beings: a sense of humanity. And that’s a goal everyone should be able to get behind.

The name ‘globelle’ was chosen as the amalgamation of global and belle: belle for the beauty we see in the world when we travel, and the beauty we believe a lot of the ladies who engage with us have in abundance. Global because we welcome all female travellers to our community: we aim to be inclusive, regardless of where you’re from, what you do or how extensive your travelling experiences. We don’t want to be pretentious and we don’t discriminate based on travel style, and we get very excited when we discover stories of women doing exceptional things on the road.

It’s about recognising there is always something bigger than you at work, and that by contributing to it, you can grow as a person. Lastly, I think community to me means opportunity: the opportunity to have an impact on the world in a positive way, which is again, something I believe everyone should be able to get behind. Why did you feel there was a need for a GT community? I started Globelle Travels due to combination of a couple of main reasons, which I’ve never actually had a chance before to explain extensively. The first reason was disbelief. Having been away for about eight months, I started to receive more frequent correspondence from friends and friends of friends asking about my experiences of solo travelling. I was living in Australia at the time, and had gone over by myself to travel and work my way around the country. The messages I was getting addressed similar topics: mainly, ‘how I’d done it’. That is, gone alone, made friends, found jobs, managed finances, all of that stuff. Stuff which I guess had come naturally as the need to sort it out had been inevitable. I’m a big believer that whatever situation you find yourself in, you make the best of it. I did some research: although there were lots of brilliant individual female travel blogs out there, there was nothing that linked them together. I was amazed that there was no one ‘go to’ online resource for female travellers to answer these questions, and to share the stories of women on the road. The idea for GT was born, just as I swiftly moved to do my farm work for three months with little internet connection. The second reason was concern. While searching for a farm work placement in Australia, you could say I received a few inappropriate propositions which had nothing to do with farm work. I was 4 foot 11, twenty-two years old and in a very fortunate position: although I was travelling solo, I had access to a large support network of family and friends who I was able to fall back onto if it ever proved necessary. I realised from a few of the conversations of other girls’ experiences that not everyone would be in such a privileged position to immediately dismiss inappropriate messages, or recognise potentially dangerous offers when travelling solo. Knowledge is power. I wanted to create a community which could educate female travellers of the challenges they could face on the road, and prepare them to overcome them if need be. At HQ, we’re still getting there today, but providing information of value remains our number one priority. We like to think we’re a friendly bunch too, so if any of our gals are 38

in a scenario where they need advice, they know they can always drop a line to our inbox. What has been your strategy to expand your GT community? My strategy has been to keep things relevant, and aim to share content which is going to resonate with our users and fulfill our values of enriching the lives of all who are a part of our GT community. There is so much beautiful photography on Instagram, I believe the GT community has mainly flourished due to it’s point of difference. As silly as it might sound, we always try to ensure a post we put out there has a unique message, which might just leave at least one person’s day being a little better. And it’s about being authentic with that message. That’s a word that’s overused and underrated by a lot of industries, but something I genuinely believe in. It’s about cracking a balance between venturing to address new topics that might be of interest while keeping your tone consistent, and standing up for the things you believe in along the way. That’s why I believe our community has grown, and will hopefully continue to do so! Do you have an all-time favourite story of a Globelle Gal in focus? Continuing on with the above theme of being authentic – I can sincerely say I don’t. In fact, that’s the whole point of GT summarized quite nicely: there is more than one incredible woman out there achieving brilliant things that deserve to be celebrated on the road, and each story is as interesting in it’s uniqueness and offers different takeaways, none of any less value than the other. I will say however, that Jasmin’s journey is one I feel very lucky to have followed from the beginning: I think what’s she’s done with the @worldwidetribe and the way she uses social media platforms to advance one of the most pressing issues we’re facing in modern times is incredible. And all began from a love of travel. How has GT changed your life? GT has changed my life far beyond expectation. I feel honoured to have so many brilliant women come forward in support of the cause, and grateful for the blossoming community it has created. It has pushed my abilities to realise just what is possible when you put your mind to it, and it has also opened myself up to face doubts I didn’t know were hiding beneath the surface. Now, it’s very difficult to imagine my life without it. I still find it hard to believe how

far it’s come so far, although there is still a long, long way to go. More than anything GT pushes me to want to be better: there are big plans for the future, and I don’t intend to let them down. On wanderlust … Why do you personally travel? How has travel changed you? How do you decide where to travel to next, and do you have a favourite travel spot in the world? I personally travel because there’s nothing quite like it for bringing out the very best, and very worst, you as a human being are capable of. Having brought out these things, it constantly presents you with scenarios to learn how to grow or control these aspects of your personality. I also love what you’re able to let your mind consider when you remove yourself from an environment where choices are instinctively made. In this way, I personally travel so I not only test what I am capable of, but so that I can discover the sort of person I want to be moving forward with my life. The people I’ve met on the road have undoubtedly shaped me, and I’m entirely grateful for it, and I intend to continue to meet new people who’ll challenge the way I currently think about things. As for when it comes to deciding where to go next, it’s always a different story. Most recently, maybe at 1am after a couple of glasses of gin & tonic (stay responsible, kids), I found myself booking flights to Luxembourg because it’s the only Bon Iver gig I could still get tickets to. Opportunity is always the main driving force behind the decision to where I’ll head next! I’m actually off to Canada this weekend, which I’m sure will end up being a new favourite! Yangshou, China is still up there though: nothing (yet) has quite matched it for showing me a completely different way of life. What smallest change have you made to GT that has had the biggest impact so far? I think it’s not been a conscious change, but I’ve noticed the content we’ve been inspired to produce more and more endorsing the importance of an adventurous attitude. It’s not sustainable for the majority of our community to be able to travel full time, various commitments limit that. I think the biggest small change that’s been made because of this is trying to highlight the globelle gals out there who aren’t always on the road, yet still make the most of it when they are. There’s something very inspirational about that, which I think we would all do well to try and attain.

What has been the biggest ‘business’ surprise so far? Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently? I’ll never forget the moment I found myself on the boardroom floor of St George’s Bank Sydney, receiving training for a speech I was expected to give on GT and what it stood for at the Opera House a couple of days later, at the TedxSydney event. It was part of a competition to win funding, and up until that point, I hadn’t really given much thought to where I wanted to take things from a business perspective. It was very much a ‘is this really happening moment’ and it was. It was a surprise for something I’d been developing for a long time to suddenly be recognised as an investable project. I don’t regret anything I’ve done in growing Globelle, but looking back there are definitely some moments where I would have chosen different action, and not given in to any personal fears I may have felt at the time. You have to trust your gut: there are a few scenarios I can think of where I wish I had gone the way my instincts were pulling me, rather than taking the ‘rational’ option available at the time. Where do you turn for mentorship and advice? I’m very fortunate to have a variety of inspirational people who I can reach out to if I’m in need of a good discussion about where things are currently at. It depends a lot on what sort of advice I’m after, but generally speaking, I’ve got a close circle who are my ‘go to’. I think it’s important, when seeking advice that’s worth valuing, to ensure you respect the qualities and values of the person who is giving it. As well as this, when I was in Melbourne, I was lucky enough to be involved with the wonderful Dream Collective, who connect and develop young professional women worldwide. I found the sessions they ran incredibly helpful, and I’d recommend any ambitious young women out there to seek out a support network similar to this: it really helped widen my eyes to the possibilities that were available to me, and introduced me to a lot of brilliant women. Finally, if I’m really stuck, I like to imagine what advice the women I wish I could ask would give me. One of them being my grandmother, who always approached problem solving with a refreshing mentality. I think it’s good to look for a different perspective on anything every now and again. Do you have a favourite quote you live by? You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.

I’m the first to feel dissatisfied and disappointed if I miss deadlines, fail to meet expectations of myself that I’ve set unattainably high or just find myself out with friends when I should be on my laptop replying to globelle gals. Although you are capable of anything, you can’t do it all, and I’ve found if I spend too much time worrying about what I haven’t done, I don’t get on with what I could be doing. So I like this quote, a lot. What does “unsubscribe” mean to you? To me, unsubscribing means allowing time to just be, and enjoy the lightness of being. Too often, it’s so easy to associate the pressures we face in our everyday live as an actual heaviness on our person. It’s not just about turning off your smartphone, ignoring that list of ‘must see’ items and actually interacting with the present where you find yourself. It’s about allowing yourself to get lost in a moment, ‘unsubscribing’ from whatever train of thought was presiding over you before, and just going with it. It’s about consciously removing yourself from something, and allowing time for the things that matter. I love everything the team at ‘Unsubscribe’ stands for, and how you’re bringing this word to life through your publication. What is your “un- word”? Unaltered. Unfiltered. Unadulterated. Sorry, that’s more than one, but I like them all, and three is a magic number. What is something few people know about you that you would be happy to share?

continuing to keep it successful? ‘Success’ is a funny thing. How exactly can we measure it? One person’s idea of success is another person’s failure. For me, the only success is seeing Globelle Travels provide that resource for women, giving a little bit of joy to the women who are featured and celebrated for their feats. The world can be a sad place, and it’s up to each of us to bring a little bit of joy to it whenever we can. Since Globelle Travels still has a lot of growth left ahead of it though, the short answer would be continuing to keep it successful: in that it continues to provide content of quality that inspires and informs female travellers. Any advice for other entrepreneurs and big dreamers? Never wait to start. Starting doesn’t mean the finished product has to be available the very next day, but it means you have to allow yourself to actively pursue the ideas you have with the resources you’ve got. You might wait to take things to the next stageand rightly so- but if you have a passion and a goal, never finish a day without giving time to pursuing it. Sometimes, the days which feel like they offer the slowest progress offer the longest beneficial impact we could hope for. Fear might come. It might make you stop replying to opportunities for a while, because you fear that things could be working out. Embrace the fear, acknowledge it, then carry on. Because honestly, what have you really got to lose? //

Few people know that I’m actually a massive enthusiast of train travel. If ever faced with the option, I’m rarely found in a happier mood than when sat by the window, watching the world go by, as I race towards the next destination. And yes, the transSiberian is high on the bucket list, as well as the Hogwarts train up in Scotland!

You can support us by attending our instameets, and encouraging any like minded globelle gals to drop us a line at globelletravels@gmail.com (we’re always on the lookout for contributors and those who want to get involved in some capacity and we will get back to you!).

What is in store for GT?

Follow on IG @globelletravels

The better question would be what’s not in store for GT? I’ve been overwhelmed in the past by the amount of inspirational women who’ve come forward in favour of the cause, and what this means we’ll be able to achieve in the future. There are a few ideas that have been in the pipe works for a while now, and hopefully our community will love them when we unveil them! What would be more rewarding: knowing that your idea was a success, or 41

UN-plug

caged & misunderstood water

UN IN T E RV IE W WITH O C E A N R A MS E Y A ND J UA N O LI P H A NT 44

s m e t s y s o c

e n a e c o Our o s , d e i t y l e s o l c e r a s i s e i c e p s e n o n whe a s i e r e h t d e g a dam t i d n a t c e f f e e l k c i t tr c e f f a y l e v i t a g e n can s n i h p l o d r o s k shar , s f e e r , s e l t r u or t d o o f f o e c n a d abun . c t e , s n a hum This summer, the UN team was invited to a Pelagic MARINE ANIMAL RESEARCH DIVE aboard One Ocean Diving’s vessel off the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. We met with the world renowned shark conservation crew headed by Ocean Ramsey and Juan Oliphant, known for their unique research involving getting in the water with the ocean’s most apex predators. Checking our fears and hesitations at the dock, we free swam with 17 large (and toothy) Galapagos sharks in their natural habitat. What we learned about our misunderstood friends blew us out of the water and then back in for a second round.

UN/ TEAM: TELL US ABOUT YOU. YO UR UP BR INGING A ND H OW YO U BECAME SUCH A DE VOT E E TO SHAR K CO NSER VAT ION. O C E A N I grew up in the water with a dad that was an avid diver/dive instructor and a mom that loves swimming and everything nature. I (un)naturally fell in love with sharks and was instantly fascinated from the moment I saw my first shark. I felt a strong desire to then later learn and understand why people were being brainwashed by media to

believe they are mindless killers. I felt compelled to share my personal first hand experiences and speak up for them.

J U A N I grew up on the north shore of Oahu, terrified of sharks from seeing them on TV and seeing them while surfing. It all changed once I went diving with them and from that first dive I totally fell in love and have been using my time and talents to do all I can to help save them.

UN/ : E AC H YE A R T H E DIS COVE R Y C H A NNE L H OST S IT S R E T UR NING MA R AT H ON S E R IE S “SHARK W E E K ”. T H E S E PR OG R A MS US E DE S C R IPTOR S LIK E ME NAC ING , DE A DLY, A ND MONST E R W H E N R E F E R R ING TO S H A R K S . W H AT A R E YOUR T H OUG H T S ? O C E A N The existence of Shark Week could be a great tool for reaching millions with a scientific, factual, educational approach to understanding sharks and the marine environment. Unfortunately,

t ' n a c u o Y t c e t pro a e v a h r o r o f n o i s pas g n i h t e m o s t ' n o d u o y . t u o b a know

Discovery still has that sensationalist aspect to their show and to keep viewers hooked, they still play into that “Jaws” fear, although from time to time they do feature some quality scientists. I hope it will improve because at the moment it seems they do more to vilify sharks and extremely little to help promote any conservation of the animals they are capitalizing from.

UN/: R ECENTLY WE H A D T H E OP P ORTUNITY TO SWIM W IT H MANTA R AYS O FF KONA’ S COAST, THE BIG ISLAND. DO YOU THINK THIS TYP E OF TOUR IS M IS GO OD OR BAD FOR D E LICAT E AGGR EGATIO NS? J U A N I believe that charter operations that are non-intrusive to marine wildlife that allow you to get close to Mantas, sharks, whale sharks etc. without negatively disrupting their behavior can be great. But, regulations should be in place to keep people from flooding aggregates and potentially harming the animals.

UN/: DO YOU THINK NOAA (NATIONAL O CEANIC & ATMOS PH E R IC AD MINISTR ATIO N) IS DOING ENOUGH TO FIGH T THE SIGNIFICANT D ECLINE O F S H A R K P O P ULATIONS? O C E A N There is a lot of research and outreach that NOAA does to help monitor not only shark populations but for many marine species. But as long as sharks are still being killed for their fins

and out of fear, we can always do more. At One Ocean Diving, we do our best to educate the younger generations that haven’t been exposed to stereotypes, such as the ones created by Jaws. There can always be more done, like the research conducted at One Ocean Diving and other facilities that can help support and bring to pass more conservation policies for sharks and other endangered marine animals.

UN/ : W H AT CA N T H E AVE R AG E PE R S ON DO TO H E LP S H A R K POPULAT IONS ? J U A N At One Ocean Diving we emphasize that everyone can get involved and make an impact by helping support research, spreading education, and promoting conservation. As Ocean said, we can all help by learning more about sharks and our oceans and then sharing what we learn to everyone around us, especially younger people. Teaching others about the true nature of sharks and their key importance to ocean ecosystems is very important in helping sharks. You can’t protect or have a passion for something you don’t know about. O C E A N It’s also important to support sharkfriendly sites and shops. For example, don’t buy shark teeth unless you are positive they are fossilized and not harvested from live sharks to be sold for profit, I personally do not like to wear a shark tooth because I don’t think other people looking at trends might be as thoughtful and conscious about where their shark tooth may have been collected . Don’t eat shark fin soup and moderate seafood consumption. When we unsustainably take from the oceans, it affects shark populations and can bring sharks further inshore than normal to find food.

This st ill surpris es me, to be h onest,

how to l e r a nt they ar e o f us humans despite our obv i o u s weakne s s i n the wa ter by compar ison. UN/: P EO P LE HAV E NIC K NA ME D YO U THE SHAR K W H IS PE R E R . D O YO U THINK TH AT YOU P O SSESS A SP ECIAL A B ILIT Y TO COMMUNICATE WITH T H E M? W HAT IS YO UR SECR ET ? O C E A N I think that some people are more sensitive to body language than others and especially people that work with animals, and more so for those who work with animals that make very little sound. I notice that some people instinctively pick up on let’s call it a “vibe” or specific body language displays. For me, my work actually focuses on specifics on shark body language and animal social hierarchy, I find it fascinating to watch the way their interactions with one another relate to the way they approach and treat humans. This still surprises me, to be honest, how tolerant they are of us humans despite our obvious weakness in the water by comparison. I encourage people to pay attention to sharks and give them the respect they deserve, looking around when you are in the water with them can go a long way to earning their respect.

UN/: IS IT TR UE THAT W E ’ VE HEAR D THAT SHAR KS CA N S E NS E FEAR OR WOULD BE MOR E LIKELY TO ATTACK A PA NIC K E D SW IMMER ?

J U A N Sharks are perfectly evolved predators. They have jelly-filled pores around their snout called Ampullae of Lorenzini that pick up electrical signals. Every living thing gives off

electrical signals. When you are panicking by moving erratically, splashing, or waving your arms around, you give off the impression that you are an animal in distress. This piques a shark’s curiosity and they will come in to investigate. They won’t attack if you’re just nervous, but when you give off physical displays of distress and fear, they will hone in on that. When you are calm and maintain eye contact, you establish yourself as a fellow predator and they are much more likely to give you the space you want.

UN/ : W H AT DO YOU H OPE TO AC H IE VE IN YOUR CA R E E R / LIF E ?

O C E A N My goal is to help gain better protection for sharks and animals. I’ve dedicated my life to speaking up for those without a voice, especially sharks. They have been stigmatized for years due to sensationalist media and entertainment industries painting them as monsters. We can coexist with our ocean dwelling neighbors and I want to have people realize this by helping them learn about sharks through first hand experience and research that supports conservation efforts. I also want to inspire people to care about nature, the ocean, animals - especially crucial marine life and the serious impact of dwindling populations. I hope to do this by sharing the beauty of the natural world showing that there really is something worth saving and also showing why and how we should, and could, all work together to save it. J U A N It has always been my goal to help show sharks in a positive light and my favorite way to do that is through photography. I have been a professional photographer for decades and I love using that as a way to show the beauty of sharks

, s k r a h s t u o With s ' n a e c o our l l i w s m e t s y s eco o t n i t n e be s , y a r r a s di U N/: D O YOU THINK IMP OS ING L E GISLATIO NS O N FISHE R ME N L IKE P R EVENTING CATCH A ND CUT HAS AN IMPACT ON SH A R K PO P ULATIONS?

J U A N Of course. Even just the stress of a shark getting caught on a line can kill it so catch and release is really not as harmless as people want to believe. Ideally we want to prohibit any kind of fishing for sharks with the exception of research, because that can be used to make key changes that allow shark numbers to rebound towards healthy levels.

U N/: W E AR E PASSIONATE AB OUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENV IR ONM ENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AT U NSUBSCR IBE. WHAT EF FE CT DO ES CLIMATE CHANGE H AVE ON SHAR K ECOSYSTEMS? O C E A N With the ocean warming and increase in acidification, it has detrimental effects to all plants and animals in the ocean. Our ocean ecosystems are closely tied, so when one species is damaged there is a trickle effect and it can negatively affect sharks or dolphins or turtles, reefs, abundance of food, humans, etc.

U N/: W HAT D O YO U CO NS IDE R THE BIGGEST THR EAT TO S HAR KS? WHY SHO ULD W E CAR E? OCEAN

Humans are the biggest threat to

sharks because we kill millions of them each year. Meanwhile, cows kill more people than sharks do. If we allowed sharks to live without killing them for shark fin soup or as trophies, we will help keep that state of our oceans intact and thriving. Without sharks, our ocean’s ecosystems will be sent into disarray, affecting almost every marine species and ultimately us humans as a result. U N / E D I T O R ’ S F I N A L N O T E As an avid watcher of movies - notably Spielberg’s brand, I had personally joined in the fear frenzy that such a story like Jaws would create. I started seeing sharks in a different light when I jumped into a cage off the coast of South Africa with Great Whites, and witnessed the grace and beauty of our finned friends. That was an experience let me tell you, but it was second to being with Ocean and Juan and the One Ocean team, where we were privileged to meet a school of sharks in their home, cageless, and on their terms. Interestingly they did not invite us to dinner (as in us being the main course) but did show us respect and acknowledgement that we humans deserve as apex predators ourselves. Knowing that there are a set of rules and behaviours that bring respect from another species is no different a concept than going to another country and visiting a dissimilar culture. Something to chew on the next time Shark Week televises and preys on our common fear of what we don’t understand. I encourage all of you to take action to protect sharks and our oceans! //

For more information, get social with Ocean and Juan: IG @oceanicramsey IG @juansharks

t s o m l a g n i t c e aff e n i r a m y ever d n a s e i c e sp s u y l e t a ultim a s a s n a hum . t l u res

a smooth sea

never made

a skilled

sailor 52

Inspired by Perth’s endless summer, our founder Jessica Williamson launched Ete Swimwear in February 2016 with a vision to create designs that were as comfortable to wear, as they were beautiful. Ete Swimwear is based in Perth, Australia where we have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With a background in digital marketing, Jess launched Ete Swimwear with no prior fashion design experience other than

a few internships in the past. Her keen eye for detail and interest in the fashion industry paired with her background in business and marketing were the perfect combination for launching an e-commerce swimwear business. Ete Swimwear brings a fresh perspective to beachwear and celebrates femininity by combining delicate frills, exclusive hand painted prints and bohemian textures. We create swimwear for the Feminine Adventurer and always stay true to our brand and don't just follow 'trends'. Our prints are painted by a Perth artist exclusively for us which makes it

completely unique. Our un- word is “unafraid”. We are unafraid to push boundaries and challenge the status quo. We are always looking for ways to innovate and continue to improve and grow. // Shop and Follow us: Instagram @eteswimwear Facebook eteswimwearaus www.eteswimwear.com

e t ESwimwe_ar 54

t a o fl n o

CRABS IN Words: B. W.

A BUCKET Trapped. You invest all your energy to position over the competition, giving yourself the best chance at sunny skies and fresh air. With the goal plainly in sight you make your final ascension towards your impending freedom. Teetering precariously on the lip of success unaware of what lies in your rearview mirror, a fellow competitor has you in their claw. It's their intention to drag you right back to where you started. 59

For some bizarre reason, it is common occurrence for our friends, family, and social circles to reject our success. There are several ways they can do this, so it’s important thing to recognize because the insidious effects can be disastrous to your progress. Let me give you an example. Fresh out of College the race was on. Many of my fellow graduates had planned for immediate immersion into the professional world. I, on the other hand, decided to bide my time and wait for something more inspirational to take me from greenhorn to seasoned pro. A little over a year later, I found that inspiration in an entirely different landscape; working and living on the sandy beaches of St Maarten. I had found a way around the conventional approach to gaining industry experience, and not only was it life-changing and fun, it gave me a career boost ahead of where my colleagues were. One might think that they

would commend my good fortune? Not all of them, not even close.

My choice

to take a path less traveled was met with disapproving insincerity and undermining tongue-in-cheek

expressions.

These

unsettling responses were coming from people I trusted and considered close friends.

Why is it that almost all of us can recall an

FOR SOME BIZARRE REASON, IT IS COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR OUR FRIENDS, FA M I LY, AND SOCIAL CIRCLES TO REJECT OUR SUCCESS.

I first learned the expression “crabs in a bucket” a.k.a “crab mentality” when living on the tropical island of St Maarten; a halfDutch, half-French oasis that serves as the main hub to the Caribbean. The locals would collect a number of beach crabs and place them in a bucket to be held for crab racing - a popular gambling game involving a circular track carved into the sand. Interestingly, they noticed a unique behaviour from within the bucket. Unsatisfied with their capture, the crabs would attempt a jailbreak. However, as one crab was close to making their way out, another would pull them back down suffering demise from the hand of their own. They related this to the Caribbean people and frequently use this turn of phrase to describe the way society resists one’s attempt at self improvement.

event where we were disappointed with the reactions of those close to us after hearing our good news or standout achievements?

Crabs in a bucket is in many ways, human nature.

I want to clearly state that I’m not telling you to drop these friends like a bag of

sand and go in search of greener pastures. The purpose here is to make you aware of a human condition innate to many of

us soft shelled crustaceans; that there’s a

tendency for some people to impede others when they consciously or unconsciously allow jealousy, envy, or competitiveness to

cloud better judgement. In response, we

Unsubscribers need to make allowances for this by having an expectation of it, and

then make mental preparations to ultimately forgive and deflect.

Next time you feel the cold unsupportive

claw of a friend, family member, or acquaintance, remember their reaction is human. Take it in stride and use it to bolster

your own self confidence that the direction is right for you. Whatever it takes, move onwards and upwards with a harder shell

for discouragement and find your way out - unless it’s a bucket of Corona, then maybe stay for one before heading to the beach. //

CRABS IN A BUCKET

I S I N M A N Y W AY S , H U M A N N AT U R E .

e h t , r i a d n a r Wate ntial fluids e s s e e f i l two l l a h c i h e w m o on c e b e v a h , s d s n n e p a e c d e g a b r a g l a b o l g

-Jacques Cousteau

HOW A TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA CHANGED MY LIFE WORDS + IMAGES: SARAH SCALI 65

Go almost anywhere in South Africa and you’ll experience the ultimate combination of nature, culture, wildlife, adventure and heritage all wrapped up in a wicked vibe. South Africa is undoubtedly a place of diverse and memorable experiences for those lucky enough to visit, but for me, it has come to mean so much more; as a result of the people who live there, it has become a second home. My relationship getting to know South Africa began in February 2014, when I joined the Board of Directors of an inspiring nonprofit organization called Girls4Girls. G4G is a movement dedicated to empowering women and men, and providing support for survivors of gender-based violence. Upon learning more about their initiative I realized that G4G’s mission to educate, empower and invest in recovery for victims of sexual abuse greatly aligned with my values and beliefs. Although G4G is a non-profit housed in Vancouver, the Board of Directors was set to travel to South Africa April to May of 2014 to work with their global partner in Cape Town. And so, a few months later after a lot of research, I found myself on a two day journey to a new place that would capture my heart and change my life in more ways than one. 66

Flying across the never ending oceans I couldn’t help but gain a sense of awareness of just how far I was actually, physically traveling. While this was not my first time traveling to the African continent, it was the farthest from home I had ever gone by a long shot. Arriving in Cape Town felt like a dream and while the 2 days of travel and 9 hour time difference may have had something to do with that floating feeling, I felt an immediate draw to this dream-like city. Over the next few weeks we worked in local Townships, collaborating with our South African and Canadian partners to implement a unique and sustainable “Leadership Training Program” to women in the community. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, cried a lot, appreciated a lot and experienced more than I could have hoped for through work with this community. Having volunteered with non-profit’s in foreign countries before, however, I had come to expect that a transformation of this kind would happen, albeit in its own unique way. What I had not expected was to go on a charitable trip to the other side of the globe and meet the love of my life. Introduced through a mutual friend (the

founder of our charity), I felt an instant connection to this South African local - a fascinating, compassionate, intelligent and hilarious human being. He taught me all about his country and the more we talked, the more we realized how much we had in common, from the countries we’d fallen in love with through extensive travel, to our core family values, to our love for pugs and our passion for all things food related. As our time getting to know one another came to an end, we thought about how we could make this work. With logistics seriously working against us, it didn’t seem possible. I thought back to the flight over the never ending ocean that separated Canada from South Africa (cursing the Atlantic Ocean several times throughout the process) and realized just how difficult this would be. But when you find the person that holds the tip of your heart, logistics seem irrelevant. I didn’t know how, only that we had to do whatever we needed to do to make it work. While in the long run this would mean leaving everything- jobs we loved in our own cities, friends we’d known forever and our families - to move to a third country that would accept both of our passports for employment, not being together was never an option.

Against all odds, nearly three years, a dozen countries, an engagement and a lengthy immigration process later, we managed to not only survive the distance across oceans, 16,433km, nine time zones and a move across the world for both of us, but to thrive from the challenges. It was never easy, but it was absolutely worth it. This trip greatly impacted my life in more ways than one, and while romantic love had been the farthest things from my mind when I arrived, I left with a different perspective, taking a huge leap of faith that resulted in the best payout. Through this relationship over the past few years, I’ve also come to know South Africa better. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of being able to return on multiple occasions, travel through eight of the nine provinces, and experience its culture, beauty and hidden gems through the lens of the local I’ve travelled with. Having had the opportunity to experience it in different ways, I’m going to make a bold statement and say: of all the countries I’ve traveled to in my almost three decades on this earth, South Africa is the most exquisite. Now perhaps, I’m a tad biased, and I know

HAVING VOLUNTEERED WITH NON-PROFIT’S IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES BEFORE, HOWEVER, I HAD COME TO EXPECT THAT A TRANSFORMATION OF THIS KIND WOULD HAPPEN, ALBEIT IN ITS OWN UNIQUE WAY. WHAT I HAD NOT EXPECTED WAS TO GO ON A CHARITABLE TRIP TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE AND MEET THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. 67

THIS IS SOUTH AFRICA, WHOSE UNIQUE CHARACTER CAN ONLY BEGIN TO BE CAPTURED IN THE EVER CHANGING LANDSCAPES, NEVER ENDING OCEANS AND THE FEELING OF THE WARM AFRICAN SUN BURNING DEEPER THAN THE SKIN’S SURFACE, A SUN THAT AS MY FIANCÉ CAN OFTEN BE QUOTED SAYING “RISES IN THE EAST, SETS IN THE WEST 68

BUT LIVES IN AFRICA”.

that perspective, experiences and individual associations with a place will make each person feel differently; however, if you have had the privilege of living in or traveling to South Africa, you’d know that South Africa cannot be defined or confined by any one description. South Africa is a country that you must experience first hand and with all of your senses; a country whose beauty can only fully be captured by an intimate experience. A country often lumped together with the rest of the world’s second largest continent and deemed a homogenous “Africa” in spite of its inimitable characteristics. A country often ill portrayed by the media, whose exquisite beauty has far too frequently been overshadowed by the depiction of violence and corruption, the idea of shanty towns, poverty, disease and division. Buried underneath this façade, however is the South Africa the news outlets do not show you. The South Africa that is heart and home to so many different types of people from different cultures speaking different languages with vastly different identities. A country of exotic wildlife in its natural habitat, protected fiercely and loyally by its people in order to maintain their ecosystems. A home to the “Big 5” and animals on the brink of extinction with local groups working tirelessly around the clock to make sure endangerment doesn’t happen so that future generations may also know them. A place where you can marvel at the massive moon as it hangs low in an unpolluted sky and see every star clearly in the Milky Way, giving perspective on just how immense our Universe really is. A nation where no matter what background you come from, there is always common ground to be found in one’s deeply rooted love for rugby and cricket, a

family good braai and a sense of national pride.

South Africa is the calm and the chaos, standing side by side, mirrored in the honking of cars on bustling streets corresponding to landscapes of livestock grazing peacefully and silently in nearby fields. This is South Africa, whose unique character can only begin to be captured in the ever changing landscapes, never ending oceans and the feeling of the warm African sun burning deeper than the skin’s surface, a sun that as my fiancé can often be quoted saying “rises in the east, sets in the west but lives in Africa”.

my life and a second family. A place that continuously takes on new meaning, and a place that I find myself appreciating on a deeper level each time I visit. A country that constantly leaves me awestruck and wanting to come back for more. This is South Africa. And no matter how far away I live or how big and daunting the oceans that separate us may be, I will always find my way back. //

This is South Africa, a country that I have come to adore and cherish as much as I do my own, one that has given me the love of 69

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Pocket UN interview with Bill Weeks and Annie Ceschi 73

God’s Pocket Resort is a land-based diving location world renown for the best cold diving in the world. It has been in operation for over 25 years, with Bill Weeks and Annie Ceschi at the helm hosting divers of all levels from every corner of the world. This world wonder is accessible only by boat, as it is secluded by wilderness- forested islands surround God’s Pocket situated amongst the waterways of the Queen Charlotte Strait in British Columbia, Canada. Not only is this one of the best dive spots in the world, it is also home to incredible kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing and whale watching. Although the resort books up really quickly and this dynamic duo is often occupied, we managed to sit down with Bill and Annie to get an inside scoop on how this pocket of the world became their home and what the future holds for this majestic corner of the ocean. H O W I T A L L G OT STA RT E D … While Bill was running a construction company he was encouraged by someone close to him to leave it all behind and pursue his passion of scuba diving and educating others on the wonders of the ocean. Starting with a small boat to take friends diving, he grew his following to the point where he was able to buy a much bigger boat and have a loyal following of fellow divers. When Annie met Bill, she knew nothing about diving or boating, but instead was passionate about working with families struggling with postpartum depression. What she did have in common with Bill though, was a love of adventure and wild, untouched beaches. Together they started the search for a land based dive operation where both of them would be able to pursue their passions equally. After two years, a fishing resort came up for sale; knowing it was one of the best cold dive areas in the world, Bill was over the moon. Annie had never been there before but took a leap of faith in her love for Bill and his love for the ocean, and the two of them began one wonderful, wild adventure …

FIRST IMPRESSIONS … After purchasing the business, Annie hopped in a boat with twelve fishermen to get her first glimpse at the property they had just purchased. The entire trek up north her heart was in her chest and doubts were swirling in her mind; she wondered what she had done and how she would ever be able to get families so far north. Upon arrival, her heart sunk even more. A run down, dilapidated property greeted her and all she could think of was the immeasurable amount of work it would take to get the resort up and running. One very deep breath later, she once again decided to take a leap of faith into the unknown and not walk away from what they had committed to. Firstly, she learnt to drive a boat so that she could get herself off the island and explore on her own without the need for a chaperone. Facing her challenges and fears head on, she discovered a new love; a love for running through all the islands, exploring isolated beaches and magical woods. This kept the tanks full while everything else around them fell apart- the generators, boat motors, rebuild projects, torn docks and more - the credit was racking up and the couple worked hard to get their business off the ground relying on divers who were willing to go on an adventure to witness the beautiful dive site off their doorstep. WALKING THROUGH THE FIRE … Three years ago, a fire demolished the entire infrastructure and Bill and Annie contemplated walking away from it all. However, they decided to rebuild with hopes of selling for their retirement. They had built more than a business, they had built a dream and nothing was going to stop them. Problems became situations, and solutions were found in hard work, time, energy and the support of many guests and friends who came together to rebuild. Approximately 70% of all guests are return visitors, people who come every year or every other year and have become truly good friends. God’s Pocket is home not only to the most magical dive site, but also to years of beautiful people laughing around dinner tables, storytelling into the wee hours of the morning, relishing together the experiences of ‘national geographic’ moments: breaching whales, wolves swimming across to other islands howling with their soul touching music; orca’s rubbing on beaches and young orca’s frolicking along the shore; hundreds of white sided dolphins leaping and porpoising besides the boats, eagles chasing heron’s, deer munching on garden flowers, crows greeting the morning with their shiny wings and chirps for food, rat fish filling the bay as only angels

can, and walks in the wood smelling the most delicate of flowers and mushrooms from one season to the next. How quiet God’s Pocket is, yet surrounded by the most delightful of life. Trees dance in the wind and the ocean breathes differently every day. This part of the world is truly what dreams are made of. LOOKING AHEAD… God’s Pocket is sitting on a BC Parks-owned piece of land, leased to Bill and Annie to operate the business. The lease expires in 2020 and due to politics and paperwork, the future is uncertain for this one of a kind resort. One of the local first Nations Bands has challenged the Provincial Government for “Title of their Traditional Territories”, (including God’s Pocket) making Hurst Island and the business part of a conflict between BC Parks and the First Nations Band; therefore, Bill and Annie are along for the ride once again realizing they might have to leap into another unknown. Regardless of what the future holds, it has been quite the ride and neither Bill nor Annie would trade any of their jaw dropping experiences for anything in the world. Their story is a testament to what happens when you decide to follow love and passion, dream big and work hard. Their message is simple, take that leap of faith. You just never know what magical ride you’ll end up experiencing. //

Follow as their story continues on Instagram @gods_pocket_ resort Special thanks to Bill and Annie for sharing their story of adventure with us and Tiare Boyes for sharing the underwater photography surrounding God’s Pocket with our UN community. Facebook: facebook.com/group.php?gid=119713988046643 Twitter: twitter.com/divegodspocket/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/godspocket/ Website: godspocket.com/ Follow Tiare Boyes on IG @tiareboyes

Connect on IG @shallowreef Shop @shallowreefstudio.com + hello@shallowreefstudio.com 79

_ use less plastic 80

^ ~

------shop with reusable grocery bags

------decline plastic when eating take away and reprimand businesses that automatically include unnecessary plastic items in packaging

------use a refillable water bottle ------shop local and eat at home whenever possible to reduce waste

------embrace a no plastic policy in your place of work

------use brown recyclable bags when selecting produce in the grocery store (or bring your own produce bag) ------use glass jars to store food ------consider alternate and sustainable sources of packaging when gift giving

Where Scent

Meets Travel ___ A Perfumer’s Unique World Words: UN Interview with Christa Moreau, Founder of ‘Scent Corner’

is a French, newly-turned-thirty year old who follows her nose around the world. After working in the perfume industry for almost ten years spanning roles in retail, marketing, communication and evaluation for well-known beauty and fragrance brands, she now calls Berlin home. Since meeting her (now) husband in 2009, she has been exploring every corner of this world, living respectively in London, Singapore and Dubai before calling Germany home since early this year. In 2011, Christa started her blog â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Scent Cornerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which explores perfumes through travel. She shares with her readers how scents can be a way to experience foreign cultures, while encouraging others to also travel with their nose as their guide to discover an

entirely unique world. Over these years of extensive travels, Christa has been inspired by local perfumers and passionate people who craft exquisite sustainable collections; she felt their work should be made available for the world to see and so in 2013, she launched an ecommerce website and started working as both a freelance writer and photographer. These travels and encounters have had an incredible impact on how she has lived her life and convinced her to become an advocate for sustainability in the fragrance and beauty industry. Today, Christa also lends her entrepreneurial skills and industry knowledge as a creative consultant to various clients around the world.

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Christa

I have always been struck by the omnipresence of scent in worldwide cultures and traditions. When I first arrived in Asia, I started to study different beliefs and rituals more closely and realised the common importance of flowers, woods and spices, which are the same ingredients that are often used in cosmetics and modern perfumery. Beyond a myriad of dreams and an insatiable curiosity, I decided to go on a journey to discover all these raw materials and gain a deeper understanding of their value and symbolism. From Asia to Africa via Europe and the Middle East, I organize my trips depending on flowering and 84

harvest times. I visit the plantations to meet the producers and pickers, I search the markets, and I explore the gardensâ&#x20AC;Ś to not only discover and understand more, but above all to experience the many aspects of these faraway scents and share with people the beauty of natural ingredients. What started as a passion, which was balanced alongside my everyday job, soon led me to focus on related new opportunities on a full time basis. It hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always been easy to travel so frequently, sometimes even misunderstood by my family, but I guess I made some kind of subconscious deal with myself that I would lead a balanced and well travelled life, because I know that is what makes me truly happy.

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on the inspiration to get started ...

The scent of fig is one of my favourites. I love the smell of the fruit as much as the smell of the leaves and the wood. It is reminiscent of this massive fig tree I was playing under as a little girl in my grandmother’s garden. I have worn Philosykos by Diptyque for more than 10 years. I really feel like this fragrance is part of me; it has become my signature. Every time I cross the path of a fig tree, I cannot stop myself from going underneath and become overwhelmed by its smell. Another raw material that I really love is vetiver. It is a perennial bunchgrass native to India. After distillation, its roots produce an ambery essential oil with a

musty, smoky, woody scent. The plant grows in the wild and it is cultivated in the tropics, but in perfumery the best quality comes from only three places in the world: Haiti, La Reunion and Java in Indonesia. Despite Java being one of the biggest islands of the Indonesian archipelago, I discovered that actually vetiver can only grow on an area measuring a few hectares in the Garut region in East Java. I’ve been lucky enough to go there to meet the local producers, over four years ago, and I still perfectly remember being at the heart of the vetiver fields, feeling blessed to be there but more than anything, being deeply alive. Still today, this field trip remains one of my favourite.

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o n C h r i s t a’s f a v o u r i t e scents...

on wanderlust + its i n f l u e n c e o n C h r i s t a’s work … Travel has taught me the importance of being wide open to new cultures, different perspectives and alternative ways of approaching things. This in turn has opened the world up to me and broadened my horizons in terms of where I want to be and the life I want to lead. For me, it is all about adventure, connecting with people and trying to make a positive impact on the places you go and the people you meet.

“

/////////// on changing seasons and taking back roads... Travelling in search of scents is something which anyone can do, but it does make you really dependent upon the seasons, flowering and harvest times. This has often led me to travel outside of the major holiday periods. Also, despite planning everything in advance, some flowers are known to be very ephemeral, with the risk that I could miss them, like the famous cherry blossom in Japan that you can only catch during a two to four week period per year. By luck, it has happened to me, but only once; during my very first trip. I wanted to go to Guilin, southern China to discover the osmanthus flower. A tiny rare yellow flower that has the particularity to bloom only during Autumn and smells like peach and apricot. The dry season was particularly harsh that year, which had delayed flowering for several weeks. I only saw small buds pointing the tip of their nose. It was frustrating, but it did not stop my thirst of adventure - quite the opposite. Also the plantations that I like to visit are often located in very remote areas, far from tourist hubs and therefore often require hours of driving. But, I love this different way of travelling; taking the less-travelled road often gives a better idea of the country. Going through traditional villages, meeting with people directly. Often they are not used to receiving visiting travellers and consequently the moments become more cherished and genuine, spending time together to learn about each other. It is quite common that I end up working with the farmers on the fields, literally with my hands on the soil, before visiting their home and meeting with other family membersâ&#x20AC;Ś these encounters are priceless. And

it will always be incredibly important for me to continue to travel and work directly with local people.

C h r i s t aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s m e s s a g e f o r o u r Unsubscribers... I have become deeply passionate about unique products that provide a dual benefit to consumers and local communities alike. The current environmental crisis means it is important to both make and consume products that are durable and sustainable. Caring about the person who made what you purchase is very important. Realizing that our purchasing decisions affect other people, not just ourselves. Therefore, exposing yourself to the realities of the developing world and doing something about it. Sustainable and ethical beauty, as a term, can still be ambiguous; however new conversations and movements are becoming more mainstream. Consumers are now asking questions about brands, and discovering for themselves what they are willing to compromise for beauty, whether it be the raw materials used or the production process. This is critical to be a sustainable consumer. Through these times, I have always maintained that it is essential to operate within a niche market, with customers who make informed and considered choices. Nothing is more powerful that knowing you are making this world a better place in whatever way you possibly can. // To follow Christa and her nose on her travels, get social on IG @scentcorner

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Caring about the person who made what you purchase is very important. Realizing that our purchasing decisions affect other people, not just ourselves. Therefore, exposing yourself to the realities of the developing world and doing something about it. 87

Photo Credit: THOMAS WHITE

spotlight

on one of our

contributors:

Adam Gil 91

About My name is Adam Gil, I am a 25 year old photographer and graphic artist with a massive love and respect for our planet, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beauty and all the inhabitants of this place. Capturing it all, or as much as I can during my time here on earth, in photographs just makes sense to me. Orange County, CA is the place I am grateful to call home, but I am very prone to adventure to anywhere and everywhere!

Favourite photography subject I love taking photos of anything worth capturing, really. I would love to call myself a specific genre of photographer, but landscapes and portraits can be equally stunning and magical to me. So, BEAUTY, that is what I like taking pictures of. Anything that can make you feel inspiration. I got started my senior year of highschool, I used to be very inspired by music photography and the idea of one day shooting promo photos of my favorite band seemed like an awesome job(which I have not had the chance to do yet, if anyone can connect me to The Fray’s management please get in touch). I had an old point and shoot, and some friends and I would go out and wander around our city on weekends and shoot photos of any place that had cool lighting and use each other as subjects. We knew nothing other than, “This lighting is sick, don’t move!” ISO, aperture and exposure were a whole new level for us to even think about at the time! The spark and joy of those moments never went away in me.

Dream Shoot Location I am currently in love with Iceland’s beauty, so definitely there. It looks like a dream land! What an ‘unsubscribed’ life means + being part of UN Mag: Turn off the notifications of everyday routine, ignore the current media making our world seem ugly, stop looking at a screen for inspiration and start living it. Living unsubscribed to what society says we should be doing and actually living the adventure we all long for deep down. Go to the ocean, sunny or gloomy, and don’t just watch it, experience it for a while. Get lost in what YOU find beautiful and majestic. That is what an Unsubscribed life means to me. To be part of a team that shares the same vision for spreading the wonder of living this way, and seeking true fulfillment is exciting and, well, fulfilling.

unconditional

Un- word

Get social with Adam on IG @adamcgil //

i l a B t r o s e R : n h e a Z h S r D Sustainable and Humans Leads to Sustainable Development

Dr Mahendra Shah has dedicated his life to Sustainable Development with multiple decades of work with the United Nations, the World Bank, International Science and Policy Research Institutions as well as investment policy adviser to Governments and private sector funds. In 2002 while participating in the UN preparatory meeting for the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, it really hit home that the world cannot be sustainable without human beings themselves being sustainable. Fast forward a few years, and Dr Shah is now prioritizing the sustainability of lifestyle through his luxury resort in Bali: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zen Resort Baliâ&#x20AC;?, a holistic and wellness sanctuary where worn out bodies, minds and souls can rejuvenate and find harmony with themselves, others and nature once again. Dr Shah spoke with our team at Unsubscribe about career choices, ethical business and environmental practice, and what makes Zen Resort Bali stand apart from the rest.

Words: UN Interview with Dr. Mahendra Shah

TELL US ABOUT THE RESORT AND WHY YOU ARE INVESTING IN BALI’S TOURISM INDUSTRY? WHAT DISTINGUISHES THE RESORT FROM OTHER RETREAT RESORTS IN THE REGION? Why are human beings not sustainable? Simply because all around the world we are adopting or aspiring to adopt modern lifestyles, which comprise little time to prepare and eat nutritionally balanced food, combined with inadequate and regular exercises - physical, psychological and spiritual, stress at work, stress in the home and living in an evermore polluting world… we are left depleted. This cocktail of an unhealthy lifestyle is increasingly recognized as the cause of the emerging worldwide healthcare burden of diabetes, high blood pressure, mental stress, cancer, asthma and many more ailments and debilitating diseases. Thus in the 21st century we are facing, firstly a global emerging crisis of human health and the scope of this is such that most nations will not have the health care resources to confront the ailments and the diseases of modern lifestyles. Modern lifestyles are also resulting in our love of more and more consumerism and a “throwaway” society that is the fundamental source of the escalating land and water pollution around the world. This environmental destruction and degradation is the second major challenge facing the world in the 21st century. After the Nusa Dua UN meeting I traveled around Bali and saw the uniqueness of the Balinese, with their spiritual depth and community-centred culture and societal welfare. All across Bali I experienced warm hospitality and also saw the Balinese traditions of holistic health – be it the community solidarity and welfare of the Banjar governance or the secrets of a Jamun

drink or the healing and beauty pleasures of Mandi Lulur. The rice fields, cocoa and clove plantations across the length and breadth of Bali highlighted the productive agro-ecology, conservation of the natural environment and the cultural heritage and healing ceremonies, not only seen but frequently practiced everywhere. This uniqueness of Bali convinced me that that this was the ideal place to develop a holistic wellness centre with a focus on confronting the challenges of modern lifestyles, both human health and the environment, in a resort setting. I made the decision to search for a serene environment to establish such a resort and two years later in 2004, Zen Resort Bali came into being. At the outset we focussed on integrating ayurveda-yoga-meditationpranayama-naturopathy in combination with Balinese wellbeing and spiritual healing practices. We made a conscious choice to locate Zen Resort in North Bali as this area had so much to offer in terms of a natural environment - serene beaches, a unique and rich marine environment ideal for diving, snorkeling, dolphin watching and watersports; rice fields, vineyards and fragrant tropical plantations, volcanoes and waterfalls, natural hot springs and sacred temples, and most of all friendly and cultured people with genuine hospitality. The other modern lifestyle challenge of increasing pollution and degradation of the environment lead us to develop Zen Harmony Diving. Four fifths’ of our world is water and a fifth is land. A cubic meter of waste on land ends up in the ocean currents with a high probability of degradation and destruction of some 100 or more cubic meters of marine ecology and marine life. It is only a matter of time- perhaps no more than a few decades - when the oceans will strike back with fury causing wide destruction and degradation, putting at risk the Earth’s life supporting capacity. 99

Our vision of developing Zen Resort Bali took shape in a concept that integrated holistic wellness with harmony diving, both ideally suited to the environment and potential of Bali as an international wellness and recreation vacation destination that provided services focused on enabling holidaymakers to restore and rejuvenate their health, as well as learn and experience how to change their modern lifestyles towards more healthy and sustainable living. We recognize that international and national tourists are increasingly seeking health and wellness destinations where they can recuperate and heal from the stresses and strains of modern work and living. This combination of holistic wellness and recreation can help make lifestyle changes towards more sustainable and healthy living in harmony with nature as well as oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self and fellow-beings. At Zen Resort we encompass strategies that are socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. We use solar power to produce hot water and we cycle grey water in the resort to green our landscape environment as well as irrigation to grow organic vegetables and culinary and medicinal herbs. We financially support local small-scale information and education on sustainable fishing and marine conservation. We facilitate employment and other livelihood opportunities for the local community, develop and market local food, health and beauty products, advise local farmers on crop agronomy, especially medicinal plants. Furthermore, we promote subsidized holiday stays for doctors and the healthcare community willing to give a few days of their holiday for local community health and education services.

y d o b d n i m rit i

Over the years we have seen the appreciation and personal satisfaction of Zen guests, many of whom, especially group retreats, actively participate in a wide range of above activities as well as organizing topical seminars and discussions that enhance mindfulness towards making healthy lifestyle and sustainable living choices. Over the last decade, Zen Resort Bali has created a model environment for the concept of holistic wellness and its practical development. It has achieved this by prioritizing a holistic and wellness approach that coordinates

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body, mind and spirit in a serene and spiritual environment. With this in view, the goal is to create and develop Zen Resorts around the world, each one adapted uniquely to local conditions. In 2015, Zen Resort initiated negotiations in The Netherlands to launch and develop an integrated wellness resort in combination with a think tank/institute of traditional and modern medicine and an institute of herbal medicine in Europe, towards confronting the challenges of preventive, restoring and curative health care for the ailments and diseases of modern lifestyles. These discussions are ongoing and currently we are in the process of identifying partners in India in a similar manner.

A decade of operations and guest experiences and comments has demonstrated that our decision to invest in Bali in a holistic wellness and recreation resort was right the one and we are convinced that this model can and needs to be replicated around the world. Currently we are working towards this goal with ongoing negotiations in Norway, Iceland, Latvia, Holland, Spain, India, USA, Brazil and New Zealand.

At Zen Resort we encompass strategies that are socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. We use solar power to produce hot water and we cycle grey water in the resort to green our landscape environment as well as irrigation to grow organic vegetables and culinary and medicinal herbs. We financially support local small-scale information and education on sustainable fishing and marine conservation. We facilitate employment and other livelihood opportunities for the local community, develop and market local food, health and beauty products, advise local farmers on crop agronomy, especially medicinal plants. Furthermore, we promote subsidized holiday stays for doctors and the healthcare community willing to give a few days of their holiday for local community health and education services. 101

My h s i w is for anothe r few de cades of work t o see the reality of a w orld of sus tainab le lifesty les an d restor ation and rejuve nation of our one Ea rth an d one world for fu ture genera tions.

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We hold in the highest regard our Earth’s Oceanic Water World. The world’s oceans and seas are the lifeblood of our Earth, covering more than 70 percent of the planet’s surface, driving weather, regulating temperature, and ultimately supporting all living organisms. They are home to millions of species, flora and fauna, most of which remain unknown. This undiscovered wealth of the Oceans may hold the means for our sustainable future and the welfare of generations to come. We have the responsibility to increase public awareness and actions towards protecting and conserving the world’s sacred oceanic resource. Besides experiencing the beauty and amazing diversity of the marine world, Scuba diving and snorkelling offers a unique pathway to health and fitness through the effective practice of controlled underwater breathing, meditative relaxation and free flow physical exercise in an underwater environment some 800 times the density of air. Thus the oceans have the potential to deliver human health and fitness benefits through, for example physical, mental, emotional and spiritual therapy that is critical to confronting the globally emerging ailments and diseases of modern lifestyles. Whilst some three billion people in the world live in coastal areas with easy access to the oceans, less than 60 million people have experienced scuba diving and snorkelling. For most people, the anxiety of the underwater world, lack of diving knowledge and skills, complexity of equipment and affordability are the main barriers to diving. Zen Harmony Diving is a unique concept that unites the best of yoga, Ayurveda & scuba diving and enables scuba divers & snorkelers to discover the beauty and amazing diversity of marine life whilst experiencing an exceptional pathway to human health and fitness through the effective practice of underwater controlled breathing, meditative focus and free flow physical exercise. Our shared vision at Zen Harmony Diving (ZHD) is to co-create and revolutionize the world of diving to substantially increase the community of scuba divers and snorkelers; through their leadership, enhance wider public awareness of the need to change our

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healing

WHAT ROLE DOES THE OCEAN PLAY IN YOUR RESORT? CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE HARMONY DIVE IN MORE DETAIL? WHAT DOES THE RESORT DO TO ENSURE CONSERVATION OF THE OCEAN AND SUSTAINABILITY IN ITS PRACTICE?

interface with all forms of marine life and protect the oceanic world, our largest and most precious natural resource.

Human beings spend the first nine months of life in the womb, essentially in a water medium. Most people do not breathe air effectively and efficiently and this is the most critical need for a health and wellness. From the day of our birth, we assume we know how to breathe because it is “natural”. Zentsu™, an adaptation of Watsu, is an important part of Zen harmony Diving. It has been specially designed to release present and hidden tensions in the body that might prevent Scuba Divers and Snorkelers totally immersing themselves in the water world. A number of our scuba divers and snorkelers guests have described the Zentsu™ experience as bringing back the deep and secure memories of the first nine months of life in the womb. The benefits of Zentsu™ are that as we become totally blended with the environment, resistance disappears and we experience a whole new realm of possibilities. When practiced in the pool or the ocean for a just a few minutes of floating and water relaxation exercises, it is particularly beneficial for rapid relaxation and body alignment.

WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND WHAT BENEFITS DOES THE RESORT PROMISE FOR GUESTS?

A fifth of the world’s population - ‘the rich’ considered purely on income per capita levels - rely on modern medicine that is based upon the “western model” of evidence-based practice for diagnosing and treating health ailments and diseases. And another fifth, which are poor, more often than not depend upon traditional, holistic medicine that has evolved from generation to generation over thousands of years, accumulating knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences of diverse people around the globe. Given these diverging trends, the challenge for our generation today is to think how we can practically bridge traditional and modern medicine with a focus on a holistic integration of preventive and curative as well as restoring and sustaining health. More importantly, we need to think how it might possible to transform modern lifestyles into sustainable ones.

The holistic integration has to be based upon a partnership that looks upon the human being as a whole living organism rather than merely a combination of parts, systems and symptoms.

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‘Unsubscribing’ is an often forgotten aspect of life and living. It is essential to unsubscribe from time to time to enhance good health and wellbeing, especially the stresses and strains of modern living.

1. Unsubscribe: Zen Resort Bali The Nirvanam Sanctuary at Zen Resort Bali is a sacred spiritual place where all Zen guests go to unsubscribe and so do all our staff and I.

UN WORD

My mind argues that the development of the vision, concept and practices of Zen Resort Bali is an outcome of a combination of my background and experiences, namely an Indian heritage, a African upbringing, a European education and an International profession that entailed working in some 10 countries and visiting more than a hundred around the world. However my heart tells me that it was a square meter of land in Zen Resort that pulled me to Bali. This piece of land in our Nirvanam sanctuary has seen an ever-increasing number of guests being able to “let go” and liberate themselves from the ills of the past and begin a new journey of fulfilment of aspirations and goals of living a life of harmony.

nforgettabl

HOW DOES ZEN RESORT BALI “UNSUBSCRIBE”? HOW DO/HAVE YOU?

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en 2. Unsubscribe: Z ing Harmony Snorkell Pool in the Swimming Put on a full-face mask, and snorkel up and down the length of a swimming pool. Learn “unconsciously” and without effort to breathe effectively and efficiently, to focus meditatively on the pool floor tiles and to exercise gently whilst swimming. Recall the world of water, the security of the first formative 9 months of life in the womb, the 75% of you that is water and remember the life on Earth began with a drop of water and that 80% of the world is water.

DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR OUR READERS?

EMBRACE YOUR HUMANITY AND GRASP THE HAND OF YOUR NEIGHBOUR; ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SIMPLE, JUST SHOW THAT YOU CARE. VERY I M P O R T A N T L Y, MAKE THAT PARTNERSHIP AND COMMITMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES, FOR SUSTAINABLE D E V E LO P M E N T, AND TO CREATE A WORLD OF SUSTAINABLE HUMAN BEINGS. //

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: HTTP://WWW.ZENRESORTBALI.COM

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Make your own tracks

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Say hello to some tummy warming wholesome breakfast mornings with these delicious treats! Buckwheat is one of my favourite grains as it is light, easy to digest, gluten-free, wheat-free (despite the word ‘wheat’ being in the name-there is no wheat or gluten in buckwheat) and is known to be high in phytonutrients such as rutin and magnesium which help to look after our veins and keep us feeling relaxed. Pancakes that taste delicious and keep us feeling relaxed and calm – what more could one ask for!? The earthy wholesome flavour of these buckwheat pancakes makes them a perfect light breakfast for during the week, weekends or for those nights when you get home and want to eat breakfast for dinner! These pancakes take less than 10 minutes to put together and will leave you feeling light, warm and nourished from the inside out. Yum! Enjoy this simple easy recipe and getting to know the beauty of buckwheat – a divine wholesome grain that has so much going for it.

Wholesome Ayurvedic Buckwheat and Date Pancakes INGREDIENTS 1 cup buckwheat flour 1 tbsp besan (chickpea) flour 1.5 cups room temperature filtered water 2 tsp cinnamon powder 1 tsp cardamom powder Dash of pure vanilla essence Pinch of sea salt 1/4 tsp bicarb soda 5 dates chopped into small pieces Ghee or coconut oil for cooking

sweeten the pancakes and stir for another 1-2 minutes to make the batter extra smooth. Melt a tbsp of ghee or coconut oil in a warm pan and pour a large spoon of pancake batter into the centre to evenly cook the first pancake. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until little bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake. Flip your pancake over to cook the other side then continue this process until you’ve made all the pancakes you want. Voila! Delicious home-made wholesome wheat-free pancakes made from scratch, filled with goodness for your tummy! X

C R E AT I O N P R O C E S S Combine buckwheat and besan flour in a bowl and smooth out any clumps. Add 1.5 cups of room temperature water and stir until smooth and runny. Add cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla essence, a pinch of sea salt and bi-carb soda. Mix with a spoon until the batter is a smooth light consistency that falls off the spoon easily. Fold in your chopped dates to naturally

FOLLOW ON IG @wholesomelovinggoodness For more of Lorien’s incredible ayurvedic recipes, download her beautiful e-book, “Simple Ayurveda in the Kitchen”. Our team have tried a few of her recipes already - they are as absolutely delicious as they are healthy! This warm hearted, love spirited warrior for health and happiness is a joy to have in our lives - she is a true inspiration! 111

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Lost LeBlanc Words: UN Interview with Christian LeBlanc

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My biggest realization was that this.

Leaving behind a prestigious job in pursuit of an uncertain outcome was not risky. The real risk would have been taking the more certain path in life and realizing I did not live up to my full potential. Christian LeBlanc is a 23 year old travel vlogger from Vancouver Canada. He creates nearly daily videos on YouTube, sharing the adventures as he and his girlfriend Laura Reid travel around the world. They have traveled to 15 countries together and have spent over a year living in Southeast Asia. Christian is an ultimate ‘unsubscriber’ as he kissed the corporate career goodbye for a life of uncertainty, adventure, and entrepreneurialism. He chased a dream, built it from the ground up and is passionate about choosing what he does with his one wild and precious life, rather than accepting society’s expectations for his life. On life before becoming a full time wanderluster and venturing into the crazy YouTube/Social Media scene... I was a UBC Accounting grad. I started working with one of the big 4 accounting firms but quickly realized that it did not let me pursue the sort of life that I wanted to live. Shortly after starting there, I quit and decided to try YouTube full-time. When I left behind the corporate life January 2016, I only had about 8,000 subscribers on YouTube, but I was confident that I could make this into my profession if I whole heartedly pursued this passion of mine. 8 months later and I am at 138,000

subscribers and my social channels get 2-2.5 million views per month. I consider myself fortunate, but not special. I think this story is encouragement for anyone who has an “out-there” passion that they want to pursue. My biggest realization was this: leaving behind a prestigious job in pursuit of an uncertain outcome was not risky. The real risk would have been taking the more certain path in life and realizing I did not live up to my full potential. Inspiration for YouTube channel … I always loved taking and sharing photos. They allowed me to hold onto memories and share experiences with friends and family. But my passion for YouTube and film began Jan 2015 when I went on a university exchange to Bangkok. I decided I would try and make videos because there is so much more of a story that can be told through video. Upon arriving in Bangkok, I would film just about everyday with my GoPro and would edit the days into 8-12 minute videos. It essentially was a personal video diary that I shared with friends and family.

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What sets my channel apart from some others today, is that it is very real. I share just about everything I can with the viewers. The prices, the raw experiences. There is very little filtering that goes on in my narration so my audience knows when something is good and when it sucks. Another differentiation is my cinematics. As a daily vlogger, I have a very high quality of video (although it did not start that way). I travel with about 5 cameras including a cumbersome drone but people really appreciate my dedication to getting the shot. On financially supporting his business and nomadic lifestyle â&#x20AC;Ś When I started, I was like any other business. I was investing in a profitable future. I was bearing costs such as flights, hotels, street food, with the hopes that I would one day turn this into an income earning business. Today, I often have these large costs covered and am able to earn income while traveling. People would be shocked to learn that social media is modern day advertising. As conventional marketing methods such as radio and TV ads have become less effective, there has become a sea of opportunity in social media. Brands are now shifting millions of dollars of their marketing budgets to work with creators that have an audience and this is one of the ways I have been able to fund my lifestyle. I have multiple revenue streams but most of them revolve around advertising. I also do freelance videography work from time to time and earn some passive income through affiliate linking (commission for selling products).

the biggest would be the amount of time I spend away from friends and family. Growing up means â&#x20AC;Ś Like most people, I thought adulthood meant accepting routine and sacrificing freedom to get ahead. Today, I am beyond grateful to have found a unique opportunity that allows me to combine my passion with the mobility to travel the world. All while earning an income. I came to a crossroads where it was either about following my dream or working the 9-5. There was no in between. So the first thing I had to quit was my job. I have always been very good at budgeting but when I quit my job, I had to kick on thrifty mode to the max. I had to quit Starbucks, eating at restaurants, and many other unnecessary spending habits. I had to close the lease on my apartment in Vancouver and move back with my parents. I took all the money I was spending on these things and reinvested them into building my YouTube channel.

i thought adulthood

A surprising setback â&#x20AC;Ś There is a surprisingly small list of set backs but likely

meant accepting routine and sacrificing freedom to get

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ahead.

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Home is the place you have strong and feel

relationships

at ease The best nook of this world …

when you are

For traveling, the Philippines is my favourite because it is absolutely stunning and for the most part, almost uncharted by other travelers. I have a soft spot for tropical vibes. For living, Canada really can’t be beat. Add a lot more sun and Vancouver would be the perfect place. “Home” means … Home is where the wifi connects automatically (I stole this quote from a meme). Home is a lot of places for me these days. Vancouver, Bangkok and even Manila are all places I feel at home. It mainly comes down to comfort. Home is the place you have strong relationships and feel at ease when you are there. Future prospects … I am moving away from daily videos in order to increase the quality even further. I’ll be moving to a 3-4 video per week format in order to ensure each vlog posted is held to a much higher standard. You can also expect the channel to be directed even more to chasing the island vibes. More beautiful cerulean blue waters and of course, endless palm trees.

there.

I’ve always been very entrepreneurial. Five years from

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now, I see myself continuing the videos, but I also hope to have a couple successful side businesses running by then. I have been working quite hard on one recently with a team. The business will leverage my social media/travel following in order to create another revenue stream for when travel vlogging is no longer the direction I want my life to go. I also see myself being in a similar lifestyle of being between Vancouver and somewhere hot. I love the sun. ‘Unsubscribe’ means … ‘Unsubscribe’ means that the content is not meeting someone’s expectations or needs. It’s impossible to grow without losing subscribers along the way but ultimately, it is important you know what people came to your channel for in the first place and most of all, create content you enjoy making. It’s important to please people, but you will burn out if you are not making content you enjoy creating. Turn the unsubscriber into an un-unsubscriber? //

Find Christian on his YouTube channel @LostLeBlanc Follow on IG @lostleblanc

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m a e r D l l a W k c i r > > B >> VS.

What do you do when you hit a brick wall after chasing a dream. You have believed

in yourself, put everything you have into your dream, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going anywhere. Do you give up and pat yourself on the back for giving it your best shot or do you push through? How do you push through? Words: Tia Kelly 120

Dear Dream vs Brick wall, This is a tough situation to find yourself in, and it’s one that almost all passion driven, goal oriented change makers have faced at one time or another along their journey of making their dreams a reality! This might seem like a strange strategy but you must start by embracing the wall. Because this brick wall which happens to be causing you so much anguish right now, is actually going to be your best friend when you are looking at it from the other side. THANK YOU BRICK WALL YOUR INFINITE WISDOM

FOR

The wall is there to give you an opportunity to re-assess, to dig deep into your core values and to discover what it is that you actually want from all of this. Chances are you’ve been so stuck to the original “dream” that you may have missed what changed or shifted while you’ve been grinding out sixteen hour days on the end-goal. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you throw in the towel and give up on your dreams for good. • • •

Am I the same person who started this journey? How have I changed? What is really important to me now?

•

• •

Given these answers, what actions or strategies need to change to reflect my current truth? How do my daily actions and tasks related to the dream make me feel in my body? Has the community or objective I seek to serve changed? What do they really need or want? Is this in alignment with what I need and want? How can I bridge the two together?

In your search for a way over the wall you will create the kind of crystal clarity you need to succeed. If there’s still some foggy corners and unexplored questions the wall will help you find the answers. After all of this soul searching and feeling into what is right for you in the present and the dream is still alive- then there’s one thing that we mustn’t forget to do! Stay inspired! When the road to success has been nothing but uphill switchbacks for as long as we can remember this is hard to hold onto. And my favorite way to do this is to take a few minutes of quiet meditative space to create the future vision of your dream. See it and feel it as a living breathing reality. Tap into this future vision to reconnect and re-inspire your heart. Refuel with possibilities and look a little deeper for surprising

messages from your subconscious. You might see yourself speaking from the stage, or surrounded by an unexpected community and have no idea what to make of it, but stay open and curious. And last but not least... YOU ARE ALLOWED TO CHANGE YOUR MIND! Taking a leadership position on your life is hard. But it’s these big calls that you make based on your intuition, your values and your self-aware critical thinking that separates you from the pack. Most people continue to throw good money after bad in businesses, relationships and all kinds of situations that are holding them back from the bigger plan! So trust in yourself and know that if it’s not this dream there will be others and only you can know when to make the change or whether to stick with it! //

////////////////// About the Author: Tia creates sistership space for women launching their creative dreams. She is a speaker writer and teacher on the foundations of feminine leadership and a caring co-pilot for her client’s soul centered entrepreneurial journeys. www.tiakelly.com 121

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stay wild ocean child

- Issue 3 - 2016 -

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