Montana is an environmental engineer, artist and model that lives in Byron Bay, Australia. Her love for helping the planet shows in all the work she does, whether its modeling for like-minded conscious brands, traveling the world doing activism, or doing things in her community like garbage cleanups.
She is also an artist and has an initiative called Murals for Change, AND is currently remodeling a bus with her beau so they can live off the grid. I’m not sure how she gets so much done, but it probably has something to do with her passion and love for life that oozes out of her.
Read on to get some of Montana’s environmental tips, and some inspiration on how we can make more of a difference too. You can also check out some more of her work on her website.
How did you discover your passion for the environment?
It’s funny, it never really felt like a choice, or a pivotal moment – it just felt like something that always was. I grew up immersed in nature, I’d say that had a lot to do with it. The settings of my youth ranged from from a tropical island, to rural country, to the city. I’ve always been a very intuitive person – as if I could feel the stories of the land around me. I would listen and see how it made me feel… it’s not hard to see when the earth around you is happy or not. Once I got to high school, and everyone started realistically asking ‘what I was going to do’, I said I wanted to work with the environment as if it were a reflex.
What’s a typical day like for you?
The capacity and how I share my passion for the environment has taken many forms over the years – from engineering, to art, to writing, to activist work. I chose to take the risk to let my heart take the steering wheel a couple of years ago and am yet to regret it. This does mean, however, that no single day is the same.
I could be up for the sunrise and spending all day in nature gathering inspiration – writing, painting, creating. Or I could be in the city having meetings, going to modelling jobs – which I have seen as a vehicle to align myself with brands with like-minded values and visually communicate the message another way. Some days I could be behind my laptop all day getting everything together. Others I’m giving speeches, attending protesting rallies. And now that my body is preparing to be a mother I could just be on the couch vomiting watching Adventure Time. Haha!
What keeps you inspired?
Knowing that one person can make a difference, and that difference is very much needed for not only our generation – but the ones to come. It sounds pretty corny, but it’s honestly so true. I can’t imagine a single other thing worth fighting for.
What do you wish more people knew about helping our planet?
That the current state of the environment is a lot more extreme than we could ever grasp completely.
Can you share a few environmental tips with us?
I believe living consciously and with consideration to the environment – that it’s all about living simply. So here are some simple tips..
- That every little bit DOES count, so don’t be discouraged by the process or the hiccups along the way.
- Consume based on YOUR style, not trends.
- Shop based on longevity.
- Buy vintage/secondhand.
Montana’s best advice for being happy in life?
That happiness isn’t always portrayed with a smile, glowing skin and everything going right. That it comes in knowing – even when you’re in the darkness, you’re exhausted, alone, feeling like you’re fighting an uphill battle, misunderstood, frustrated… Even when things are really bloody hard – you still wouldn’t have it any other way, because you’re following your hearts path. That’s happiness.
