PepTalks Brisbane, 7 June 2017

Think modelling and activism don’t mix? Think again. Laura Wells is an environmentalist, presenter and one of Australia’s top plus size models. Holding degrees in both Environmental Science and Law, Sydney-based Laura’s passion for the environment, love for the ocean and interest in climate change has lead her to become a positive role model, advocate and ambassador for change.

Laura’s reach and popularity as an international model, promoting positive body image and shooting for big name clients worldwide, has allowed her to use her social media platform as a tool to promote healthy lifestyle – not just physically and mentally, but socially and environmentally too. Working on environmental campaigns with The Boomerang Alliance, Greenpeace, 1 Million Women, WWF Australia and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), being an active and vocal participant of the Cash for Containers campaign in NSW, a climate reality leader in Al Gore’s, Climate Reality Project and the main subject of a Canadian produced documentary A Perfect 14 has allowed Laura to extend the voice of environmental campaigns and help to educate those people not normally influenced by such a sphere. Laura is pursuing a career in presenting and science communication in order to pursue her passion and use her skills in the best way possible: educating others on the benefits of living a holistic healthy lifestyle for themselves, the environment and the future.

Looking to cultivate more happiness and gratitude in your life? Gold Coast-based Angela Simson has a few tricks up her sleeves. The health and happiness coach, writer and speaker is the creator of The Gratitude Project blog which inspires thousands of women to step into their light and live their best life. She’s written ebooks 30 Days of Self Care and The Gratitude Transformation and has added cacao-filled joy to many kitchens with her recipe book Treat Your Tastebuds. Through her time as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Angela has coached dozens of women through her private coaching practice and hundreds more with her online program.

Angela is one hundred percent committed to giving women the tools to completely change their lives through small acts of gratitude, tweaks in nourishing their bodies and the power to create what they desire in their relationships, career and personal lives. Gratitude turns what we have into enough – sometimes we just need to clear the fog to see the magic right in front of us.

If slow fashion, pre-loved clothing, ethical brands and conscious consumerism are right up your alley, you’ll want to be BFFs with Brisbane-based Leah Musch. The self-described ‘former fast fashion addict turned slow fashion activist’ – known as The Un-Material Girl – is on a mission to change the way we shop, spend and style through her blog and popular Instagram feed.

Leah became an entrepreneur and small business owner at age 21, after opening her West End-based store The Happy Cabin. The store was a great success and taught her valuable lessons about fashion and business, however after three years running it she began to get restless. After injuring her ankle during a freak yoga accident, she discovered the wonderful world of social enterprise and realised that business can be used as a force for good. From presenting her own ethical fashion-focused web series and interviewing local sustainable fashion advocates to experimenting with secondhand clothing and starting to design and create her own garments under her fledgling label, Leah’s passionate about sharing her love for and knowledge of slow fashion. She’ll be sharing her story, as well as tips and advice for cultivating a stylish conscious wardrobe.