Everyday Hero: Rebecca

"My dad had a sticker in our car window that read 'Esso don't give a damn about global warming'. It got the conversations going on early about climate change."

In need of a little inspiration on your journey to a more sustainable life? We’ve interviewed 6 women, mums like you and me, who are on their own sustainable journey, to ask them how they manage it, what their top tips are, and how they stay motivated. We hope you’ll find the stories of our everyday heroes honest, inspiring and real.

First up, it’s the wonderful Rebecca…

A bit about you…

Hi my name is Rebecca, co-founder of RoCKOils and mother to Romola. A former secondary school music teacher, I left to spend more time with Rom, and explore my passions, and I now give doterra essential oils classes. I've been empowered to look after my health naturally and effectively and now I want to show others how they can too!

There's not a day that goes by without music. Music is and will always be my place to get lost, soul search, uplift me and make me feel good!

What inspired you to live more sustainably?

It's something I've been conscious of since being a kid.  My parents influenced me and my dad had a sticker in our car window that read 'Esso don't give a damn about global warming'.  It got the conversations going on early about climate change.

What have you done and what difference has it made?

My parents brought me up as a vegetarian for animal rights reasons and as I got older I learned more about the impact of what we eat on the environment. I spent the last 5 years or so on a quest to ditch the dairy and eat a fully plant based diet. It's taken that long to crack it! Fair play to those who can just do it all at once but, much like living sustainably, it's a journey of learning and discovery and an evolution into a new way of living. Now my husband and daughter are virtually plant based too!

What advice would you give to parents who struggle to fit eco changes into their hectic lives?

Don't put too much pressure on yourselves - any change is good. Choose a single, manageable, shift somewhere in your life. For example no longer buying water in single use plastic bottles. Buy a stainless steel bottle and start remembering to take your own water with you! Once you've integrated that into your life, find another change to implement and see yourself evolve gradually.

Your number 1 eco swap…

I make my own deodorant and store it in a glass jar…one of the best eco decisions I've ever made! It's easy to do and very low cost, plus it lasts for months and months. I add my essential oils too, so it smells way more glorious than any other deodorant I've used. It's natural so I'm not exposing myself to harmful ingredients and, best of all, I’m not throwing empty plastic containers away each month.

Your dance around the bedroom song…

Woah this is way too hard - any question that asks for just one song Is near on impossible for me!

I guess it would have to be Nina Simone - I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free

This song holds quite a lot of emotive power. It inspires me to be courageous and build self belief when i am in doubt. It reminds me to reach out and connect with the world around me, and open my heart to the beauty in every human I know and might meet.