Cristina Mittermeier is a conservationist, writer, and photographer. She is deeply passionate about protecting our oceans and educating people about just how important their health is through SeaLegacy, a collective she co-founded in 2014.
What better time to introduce you to Cristina and her work than on this, World Oceans Day? To find out how you can make a small (but important!) impact read on, and then check out SeaLegacy to learn more about the great work Cristina and her team does.
How did you start SeaLegacy, and why?
I co-founded SeaLegacy with Paul Nicklen in 2014. We were frustrated seeing the rapid degradation of ocean ecosystems and the small amount of attention and action this issue was getting. We left Nat Geo at the peak of our careers to use our skills as storytellers to shine a light on ocean health.
Why is clean and conscious beauty important to you?
Beauty and well-being, of both body and mind, go hand in hand. As such, a critical part of everyday life is to think about how we take care of ourselves, our communities and loved ones, as well as our planet. If we are going to make investments in this aspect of our lives, our choices should align with our values. ONDA Beauty provides an easy answer as they have done all the hard work of curating a line of products that checks all the boxes.
How can someone make a change to positively impact our oceans and planet?
I think personal change is incremental, and it starts with the desire to learn more. At SeaLegacy, we strive to share our knowledge and passion for the ocean with our audience. From what to eat, to where to donate, to which petitions to sign, every action you take with us goes a long way to creating change.
You have such a busy full life. Can you share what you do to make sure you're taking care of yourself?
I think that kindness and forgiveness are personal choices, so that is where I start. I forgive myself for not being perfect, and I look at the world around me with a little more kindness and empathy. Everything from there is easy.
What is your biggest wellness hack?
Sunblock! Hands down! Protecting your skin from the ever more harmful rays of the sun is an investment in your future. Wear it every day, whether it's sunny or not, and you will never regret it.
Do you have a morning or nightly skincare routine?
I am busy, and I live on a boat, so I like simple routines. Clean, protect, moisturize, repeat. Every once in a while, I pamper myself with a face mask, and as often as I can, I get a professional facial. I see it as an investment in keeping my youthful outlook as I allow myself to age gracefully.
How can someone help SeaLegacy's mission?
We know that learning about the ocean and how to help is hard work. We try to make it easy, fun and accessible to all through photographs and stories. We also have curated a way for busy people to take simple digital actions every day. The simplest one is to become a member of The Tide - a large community of small-dollar investors in the health and future of our ocean. We invest that money in frontline conservation organizations and individuals making a difference, and we tell you about the progress we are making together. The easiest thing to do to help is join The Tide.
What do you envision the future of SeaLegacy looking like?
