PepTalks Sydney, 15 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 led 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 as well. 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 enabled 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.

How can anxiety impact creativity? Can practicing mindfulness help us live more fulfilling lives? Meditation teacher Jacqui Lewis is here to demystify anxiety, creativity and meditation. The powerhouse behind transformation in so many people’s lives, Jaqui specialises in taking a regular, stressed, under-the-pump person and shifting them through accessible tools and practices so that they become more creative, grounded, healthier and happier. Jacqui takes ancient knowledge and makes it easy to understand and easy to employ in our modern day lives.

Departing from an acclaimed Australian creative communications agency she co-founded with her husband, Jacqui brings into The Broad Place an energy and personal understanding of the demands of business, family and being engaged in a high energy world. She is an educator, facilitator and speaker on clarity and high grade living. Jacqui teaches Broad Place Meditation worldwide, executes corporate workshops and speaking, hosts retreats throughout Australia and in India and runs a host of workshops and talks globally that are centred around tools and practices for modern living.

Laos-born Samorn Sanixay arrived in Australia as a refugee when she was a small child and grew up in Sydney and Brisbane. After Studying Political Science and Japanese she returned to Laos where she worked as a script writer with UNICEF for children’s stories based on health and education. While visiting remote villages in Laos she became interested in traditional weaving and learnt to weave with some local village women. She then set up her weaving house and brand, Eastern Weft, to support young girls from ethnic minority hill tribes.

All Eastern Weft textiles are dyed with natural dyes created from seasonal leaves, seeds and plants that are collected from the environment. In Australia, Samorn is based in Canberra, where she adapts her practice to the local environment and shares her beautiful textiles, weaving, bags and other creations on social media. She’s passionate about preserving traditional crafts, and also volunteers as a ‘big sister‘ for Global Sisters, a non profit organisation that supports Australian women to generate an income through one central online marketplace.