I have shared many times that the reason I ended up in a career based on environmentalism and sustainability is because I recognized the shame and guilt I felt in not being a perfect environmental advocate myself (not that I knew what those words meant at the time). While I could hear loud and clear what the environmentalists were saying, and I wanted to do what they were asking me to do, it just felt impossible for me.

Don't fly. What about my family living across the world?

Be a vegan. What about my family? I can't expect my four and six-year-old and husband to be vegan too. Never mind that I am not totally sure I could nourish my body in the way I need to for my training on a vegan diet....yes, I am aware it IS possible and many of you reading this may be able to do exactly that, but for me, overnight, it's unrealistic.

Call your senators. I am not a US resident, so calling them doesn't do much good. Besides, I live in Missouri; my senators are not listening to me.

For the record, each of those things is very important. They are actions we can be moving towards, but the key being "towards." I knew that even though I was passionate about this, I couldn't do it, so how would someone at the beginning of their journey even consider it?

And so, I wanted to create a place where people could start, could begin their journey. Wouldn't it be better to get 60, 70, 80% of people involved imperfectly than 10% trying (and failing) to do it perfectly.

That is how it began, with a 100 Days of Sustainability initiative. 100 social media videos (or 100 emails; you can still sign up for that here, if you like).

It became clear that it was needed and wanted, someone to give people hope and ways to do something, anything, rather than feeling hopeless and helpless. We feel that way enough.

And yet, somewhere along the way, the criticism about that began to seep into my brain. I stopped sharing those little things, getting caught up in the big actions, feeling demoralized by the little ones and wondering if they had the power to change anything at all.

It didn't matter that every person I met in person who knew what I stood for online thanked me and told me what I was doing did matter. I started to get caught up in the systemic parts again, the doom-sharing, the "We are running out of time!!!" narrative, which is not untrue, but also not conducive to getting people to take action.

And then November 5th happened. As a Brit, that day was already seared into my brain as Guy Fawkes Day and Bonfire Night, but this time was for a different reason.

As I shared last week, the week that followed was bleak. I thought about giving up what I do.

And yet, in a moment of desperation, I filmed myself using my reusable bags, feeling like a shell of a human, but grateful for something, anything, to give me some sense of control, some sense of doing something. I couldn't impact global emissions or the choices of others, but I could stop another plastic bag (or 10) going into the ocean by using my resuable produce bags.

Something magical happened. Others resonated with it too; it was shared a lot, and it brought back into sharp focus that this was what I needed to get back to. In this time of healing and acceptance for me, this was something I could do: give hope, give a way to be a part of something greater than ourselves.

I could share ways we could give love to our planet instead of hate.

So that's what I am gonna do, and if you wanna join me, head on over to Instagram and start watching the videos as they come in. Not all of them will be possible for you to do, maybe very few of them will be, and others you can do one day but not other days.

Wherever you are at, we are in this journey together, as one humanity, one earth, and I refuse to let hate stop me from trying. I had some time to grieve, but as I feel myself slowly coming back to life, I know one thing for sure. I wanna surround myself with people who believe in positivity, love, and hope.

I still believe in humanity; I believe in you.

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

Live Aid was THE event of 1985. The concert to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia, viewed by 40 percent of the world’s population, was broadcast live from London and… not New York, not Los Angeles, but Philadelphia. A few months earlier, the city’s police had bombed the home of a revolutionary communal organization, MOVE, killing eleven residents, including five children.
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The city hoped that by hosting the epic concert, the bombing would be forgotten. It was. Mike Africa, Jr., who lost family and friends, wants to change that through his book, On a Move, and his 13 Run Challenge.

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I am working on something really, really amazing for the World Athletics Road Running Championships San Diego medals. It's gonna take one hell of an effort to get them approved from everyone who needs to approve it, but I am prepared to do what it takes (more soon!). That said, look at these medals, a good example of what I shared above, they are made of chopsticks and I think they look AMAZING! What a beautiful example of taking a problem and making it a solution.

If you wanna sign up for the race next year in San Diego, there is a 1 mile, 5k, and half marathon. You can do multiple races if you like (and yes, you, dear reader, can sign up; this is for everyone!).

If you do, be sure to sign up for the Green Team; I am working on some amazing initiatives you won't wanna miss!!

Small environmental changes? I mentioned above about making our way towards those bigger environmental life choices. My approach is not to go vegan, but could you do a vegan/vegetarian meal once a week?

One of my fave recipes to start, this easy coconut chickpea curry. SO GOOD.

I read this in Michelle Obama's latest book, The Light We Carry (recommended if you are having a hard time right now), and it has really stuck with me:

No one can make you feel bad if you feel good about yourself - Fraser Robinson (Michelle Obama's dad)

Thanks to our partner, AG1

Winter is approaching (or is it? I look out to another 70 degree day here in St Louis), and this is the time of year I find it harder to fill all my nutrient gaps. Without the farmers market and frankly, my vegetable garden, to keep me on top of my vegetable intake, I can get a bit lazy. For me, this is the most important time to yes, consume whole foods, but also to be extra diligent about starting every day with AG1.

AG1 is a foundational nutrition supplement that delivers daily nutrients and gut health support, and is backed by multiple research studies, so you can trust what you’re putting in your body. I don't know about you, but for me, one less thing to research is always appreciated!

If there’s one product I trust to support my whole-body health, it’s AG1, and that's why I’ve partnered with them for over five years. I start my day with it every day, and I love how it makes me feel.

For the whole month of November, AG1 is giving a bonus giveaway to anyone signing up for their first month (in addition to the one year supply of vitamin D3/k2 and five free travel packs).

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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