SONYA DRIVER: In the Driver's Seat

SONYA DRIVER 

In the Driver's Seat

This month's featured Eco Angel is Eco Tan Founder Sonya Driver. 

As a mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and CEO of an international beauty brand, Sonya Driver is an inspirational woman with an incredible story. 

Did you know? Sonya Driver invented Australia's first 100% natural and organic tan. Her Sister was diagnosed with a melanoma at age 30, the cancerous growth was removed, leaving a horrible scar on her arm. Sonya and her sister began getting regular spray tans -  they still wanted a tan without the risk of harmful UV rays - however they soon became concerned about the ingredients. 

Sonya: "We started having spray tans and I began researching the ingredients in the products we were using as I didn't want toxic chemicals getting into my sisters nasty scar. I couldn't believe what I found (even after they claimed they were natural)." 

Sonya Driver: "The truth is always visible. Look deeper." 

After Sonya researched tanning ingredients, she started buying natural and organic ingredients like cacao, flower essence, chamomile.  

Sonya: "I decided to start making my own Organic Spray Tan solution from my tiny kitchen using only natural and organic ingredients." 

She mixed small batches of tanning solution in her kitchen at home on the Gold Coast. Driver ordered more ingredients, making samples of her homemade spray tan and started supplying local salons. Eco Tan was born. 

In 2011, Eco Tan made Australian history, becoming the first and only tanning manufacturer to be certified organic by the Organic Food Chain Australia.  

Sonya: "My love of organics propelled me into this global phenomenon and I hold the enormous honour of being Australia's first Certified Organic Tan!"

It's all about the ingredients 
Sonya's determination to create Australia's first 100% organic tanning solution formed the foundation of her brand's principles - transparency and authenticity. This is why Eco Tan's certifications are so important. 

• CERTIFIED ORGANIC Eco Tan's entire range is made with natural and organic ingredients 
• CERTIFIED TOXIC FREE Eco Tan is certified toxic free by Safe Cosmetics Australia  
• CERTIFIED CRUELTY FREE Eco Tan is accredited by Choose Cruelty Free and promise their products are not (and will never be) tested on animals. 
• AUSTRALIAN MADE  Eco Tan is an Australian owned company with all products proudly Australian made.  
• VEGAN TAN, BODY & SKIN CARE PRODUCTS Eco Tan guarantees all their tan, body and skincare products are free from animal derivatives 
• VEGETARIAN SUN CARE PRODUCTS Eco Tan's sun protection products contain only natural ingredients. 

Sonya encourages all consumers to check the labels on products they purchase, read the ingredients, do your research, practice sun safety and beware of the BS! 

Sonya: "Look past fancy packaging and the marketing show, it's the ingredients that will heal or harm." 

Failing forward to success. 
Sonya's journey to success was not an easy one. Before Eco Tan, Sonya was a struggling to make ends meet as a single mother of two. 

One day, her world was turned upside down when her husband up and left her. Their marriage was over and she was left abandoned to raise her girls alone. Sonya was unemployed with two kids, living in a run-down house. And then suddenly her sister was diagnosed with skin cancer. Sonya need to be a strong, positive influence over her fragile sister, and a good role model for her girls - so she began a new life. She spent two weeks volunteering in East Timor, where she fed hungry children. Surrounded by people who had nothing, she was able to put her situation into perspective. After her divorce, Driver was determined to get back up, dust herself off and make a positive change. 

Sonya: "The quicker you learn to get back up and dust yourself off the better. Don't take it personally."

Fast forward to 2017 and Sonya's little homemade spray tan company has grown into an award winning international beauty brand, achieving the Best Organic Beauty Brand of 2017. 

Use code BeKind20 for 20% off Eco Tan + Free Shipping at  www.ecotan.com.au  


Uplifting others. 
Sonya is extremely passionate about lifting up other women in business and hopes to educated and inspire business women. 

Sonya: "I'm extremely passionate about lifting up other women in business. Another woman's success is not my failure." 

In 2019 Driver wrote and released her first book The Nudge by Sonya Driver - a raw organic business manual for women. 

Sonya: "[I wrote] a manual for any woman out there who's an entrepreneur, or wants to be, but doesn't know how to go about it." 

THE NUDGE by Sonya Driver

THE NUDGE is a beautiful raw textured hard cover book, with gold foil and de-bossing that is exquisitely printed in Australia using recycled materials. In the new book, Sonya shares her secrets to success as the CEO of an international beauty company. The Nudge provides real life experiences and arms readers with the tool kit they need to strategise towards building a business and pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. 

Sonya: "I learnt the hard way, I made the mistakes, I rocked back and forth, I got knocked down... SO you don't have to. I've giving you access to my secrets." 

In the Driver's Seat.
Driven and determined to make a difference and uncover the truth, this year Sonya Driver launched her own Podcast; In the Driver's Seat with Sonya Driver 

Buckle up. Sonya Driver has an incredible knack for unravelling layers of the human spirit. Rather than your standard interview Sonya invites people she finds fascinating, inspiring and has their own story to tell and who she connects with, into her drivers seat to have a conversation. She'll take her guests to a place of vulnerability and that's where they will find the gold. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry. It'll be raw, honest and heartfelt. 

Sonya: "Have you listened to In the Driver's Seat Podcast yet? It's just dropped. There is 6 incredible episodes that only go for 30 minutes each with inspiring kick ass people that you're gonna absolutely love. Listen to it on Apple Podcast." 

Every month Sonya interviews fascinating and inspiring people with incredible stories to tell. With down to earth conversations, this Podcast is the perfect companion for your morning commute to work. Keep in mind this Podcast contains swearing, so it's not suitable for little ears. 

Sonya's clean beauty revolution continues to receive accolades for her organic skincare and tanning products. Her latest achievement is 4 winning products in the 2020 Beauty Shortlist Awards. 

Sonya: "I am beyond excited, honoured and delighted to announce that we have won 4 products in the UK's Beauty Shortlist Awards. Thank you so much from all of my team and our customers for recognising our gorgeous little Australian organic company. So first of all we won for best new skincare launch our beautiful organic pineapple toner, Super Fruit Toner. Love it! Best Give Back Product for Rafiki Mwena Hand Cream. This is a beautiful organic mango hand cream and all the profits go to Rafiki Mwema, a gorgeous charity in Kenya, a safe house and a farm for terribly abused children.  Best Body Tan, of course Hempitan, beautiful organic tan, doesn't compromise your skin and gives you an incredible colour. Love Hempitan! That's my favourite child at the moment. And we won Best Eye Cream for Eye Compost. This is an absolutely beautiful product and we are so honoured to have won that! Thank you so much to everybody and god bless." 

From unemployed single mom to successful CEO, Sonya Driver has overcome obstacles, to create an incredible company that prides itself on honesty and integrity. With drive and determination to succeed and her passion to uplift and inspire others, Sonya is an influential woman who empowers you to pursue your passion.

Follow Sonya's adventures on Instagram @sonyadriver 

ECO TAN 

Shop: www.ecotan.com.au 
Facebook: Facebook.com/EcoTanAus
Instagram: Instagram.com/ecotan

This cover story is featured in Eco Glamazine June 2020 

ECO WARRIOR: Sheridyn Fisher

ECO WARRIOR Sheridyn Fisher

This month our featured Eco Warrior is Australian actress and model Sheridyn Fisher.  

Sheridyn grew up near the beach on the Central Coast of Australia. Even from a young age Sheridyn was very inquisitive, eager to learn as much as she could about everything here on Earth. Everything from animals to places, nutrition, health, creative arts, painting, movies, philosophy and the cosmos. As a kid, she was very much a tomboy, who loved movies and learning about science, space and the environment.  

Her huge dreamers imagination, creative passion and truth-seeking nature lead her to pursue creative writing, learning photography and editing, acting and modelling. Even nutritional based studies has now led her to live life where she can passionately create in work she loves. 

For almost a decade now, Sheridyn has lived a Plant Based Life with an enormous passion for preserving the Earth, it's animals and all the people that live here. Knowing from a very young age the importance of all life, Sheridyn had spent the last decade self-researching the links between the human diet and the connection to the detrimental environmental concerns we now see today. 

Sheridyn hopes to use her platform to help others, especially those who don't have a voice and to help inspire people to "make the connection" in order to preserve all life, the natural word, our precious resources for the future generations to come. She truly embodies the essence of an Earth Child and an Eco Warrior. 

This motivation was the reason Sheridyn completed her studies and achieved her Advanced Diploma of Nutrition receiving her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate which she completed in November 2017. 

Sheridyn released her first self-funded and self-published book titled "Plant Based Life" in 2018 to share her knowledge on the benefits of Plant Based health and nutrition. 

Sheridyn: "I wanted to create a book and a community where I could share my Plant Based lifestyle with all of you who have been asking. I've been a living a completely vegan, plant based lifestyle for the last 8 almost 9 years and wanted to share my abundant, incredible, delicious plant based food I eat to nourish my mind, body and soul and ultimately lead me to create something I am truly passionate about."

Over the last decade working as a model, business owner and actress, Sheridyn has gained a loyal following on social media. She currently has 3.9 Million fans on Facebook and over 600K on Instagram. 

Her intention for the book Plant Based Life, coupled with utilising her huge social platform, is to spread education and awareness of the importance of the link between the human diet and environmental destruction, in the hopes to contribute in any way she can to preserve the future for the next generation to come. As a mother of two, this a very important mission for her. 

Plant Based Life by Sheridyn Fisher includes a mixture of her own healthy plant based recipes along with some Veganised favourites from her friends and family. The book also includes her own food photography, important information on the animal agriculture industry and the connection to the environmental damages we see in the world today. The book features mindfulness and mindful eating tips, self love, spirituality and more! Written completely from the heart, Sheridyn truly hopes to inspire others to consider a compassionate lifestyle. 

Plant Based LifeHard Cover & E-Book is available from thisplantbasedlife.com

PLANT BASED LIFE Book includes: 

• 80 + Plant Based Meals & Green Smoothies Ideas (Raw and cooked)
• Colour photography by Sheridyn Fisher and other well known photographers 
• Basic Plant Based Nutritional guide. Includes information on Plant based Protein, Carbohydrates, Fibre, Essential Vitamins and Minerals with additional information about the benefits of Antioxidants and more.
• Meditation
• Mindfulness and Self Love
• Tips on Eating out Plant Based
• Natural Face Masks
• Eco Friendly Products and tips

To stay in shape as a busy mum, Sheridyn trusts White Wolf Nutrition. 

Sheridyn: "Rocking my mum bod and starting the day with White Wolf Nutrition - natural and lean plant based proteins to help me get back into shape. Mum life takes a toll and I love using these 100% vegan plant based proteins in smoothies and by themselves in between meals to help stop cravings and keep me full and energised in between meals. My kids love the flavours too." 

Use code SHERIWOLF for a discount at checkout whitewolfnutrition.com

This month to honour Clean Up Australia Day on March 1st, Sheridyn shares her Eco Friendly and waste Free hacks. 

Did you know?

Ocean plastic pollution is one of our ocean's biggest threats! Over 268,940 tonnes of litter is currently floating in our ocean, so being aware of conscious alternatives to plastic and being mindful of the waste we produce is important for the environment. All the waste we do not reuse, repurpose or recycle ends up in landfill and our oceans. 

Sheridyn shares some simple ways to be a more conscious consumer.

BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLES, STRAWS AND CUPS

Reusable Coffee cups, bottles, and metal straws are a wonderful alternative to single-use plastics. Every day we can minimise our waste by just brining our own.

Plant Based Life readers can save 20% off all eco products at earthbottles.com.au when you used the code PLANTBASEDLIFE at the checkout.

SUPPORT ECO- FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE FASHION COMPANIES

The more you support the businesses dedicated to sustainable and eco-conscious practices, the more you help drive a positive change and make other business rethink their current methods and their environmental impacts.

BRING YOUR OWN BAGS

MILLIONS of marine animals are negatively affected by litter in our seas every day and plastics bags are one of the worst. 

Always remember to bring your own bag. Keep reusable bags in your car, handbag or even just carry your items if you can. If we each did our little bit to be more mindful, we could reduce the amount of waste we each individually create each day.

AVOID SNACK FOODS THAT COME IN PLASTIC WRAPPERS

Always opt for fresh produce to snack on like bananas, apples, oranges, watermelon etc. Mother Nature naturally packages her fruits and vegetables with biodegradable "wrappings" that are much healthier for your body and the environment. Most snacks you purchase in wrappers come with excess sugar, salts and chemicals to enhance their flavour and which can have a negative effect on our body. 

TAKE THREE FOR MOTHER NATURE

Cleaning up after yourself especially when you are visiting the outdoors is essential to help the environment and our wildlife, but "taking three for Mother Nature" is a great way help, even more! Aiming to pick up 3 pieces of litter on our beaches, in our oceans or in the environment can create a positive impact for wildlife and nature too. Imagine the positive change we could create if everyone did this? Be the change you wish to see in the world!

Ocean Photos by Jess Kate Photography

Plant based eating is not just another fad diet, it's a lifestyle. As a conscious consumer and vegan, Sheridyn's mission is to educate others about the power of plants. 

Sheridyn: "For me, eating Plant based allows me to be a conscious consumer and try to create as less of an impact to our beautiful Earth, the oceans and our animal friends. I made a decision a long time ago after making the connection of what our fellow earthlings endure, how they suffer and how it affects us all to live as kind as possible in this world given the circumstances."

Sheridyn's plant based journey has been a rewarding and enlightening experience and she encourages you to give it a go. 

Sheridyn: "It has been the most positive, rewarding change I have ever made in the most beautiful way and I hope sharing my journey brings inspiration to yours."

Sheridyn Fisher is an Eco Warrior leading the way and empowering her fellow eco conscious women to make the switch to a Plant Based Life, to improve their health, and the environment for future generations to come. 

Sherdiyn Fisher 

Instagram: Instagram.com/sheridynfisher

Facebook: Facebook.com/SheridynFisher

Official website: sheridynfisher.com

Plant Based Life  

Website: thisplantbasedlife.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/thisplantbasedlife

This cover story is featured in Eco Glamazine March 2020 

ECO ANGEL: Jennifer Aniston

JENNIFER ANISTON Everyone's Favourite Friend 

ECO ANGEL 

Actress, Producer, Business Woman and (everyone's favourite) Friend Jennifer Aniston is our featured Eco Angel for November 2019. 

Our 90's issue is devoted to the actress who dominated our TV screens during this decade with her iconic role as Rachel Green.  

Going Green 
Jennifer's "big break" came in the fall of 1994, after she was cast in the memorable role of Rachel Green in the TV sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S.  Jennifer was 25 at the time Friends debut on NBC, the show ran for 10 successful seasons from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. 

For 10 years Jennifer graced the sliver screen every week as the Coffee Barista turned Fashion Exec Rachel Green. Rachel was known for more than just dating her on and off again boyfriend Ross Gellar. Rachel was the ultimate Career Girl - cutting up her credit cards after her disastrous wedding with Barry, she picked up shifts as a New York Waitress in the show's iconic Central Perk cafe. After Rachel realises she's not quite cut out for pouring coffee, whether it be at Central Perk or as a Personal Assistant at Fortunata Fashions she pursues a serious career in the fashion industry. Shortly after Green lands her dream job at Ralph Lauren in Manhattan.

Rachel Green | Jennifer Aniston

In the final season Rachel is offered a well paying job with Louis Vuitton in France. She (almost) leaves for Paris, but changes her mind [spoiler alert] choosing Ross, and returning to her job at Ralph Lauren in New York with an even higher salary. Talk about career goals! 

A Cut Above. 
And we can't forget about Jennifer's iconic 90's hair cut. Rachel's hair was famous. This unique style, that every woman wanted but only Jennifer had, is featured on the cover of this Eco Glamazine issue. Did you know Jennifer cut hair in high school?  

Jennifer: "I cut hair for 10 bucks a head in junior high. I could probably cut your hair." 

VARIETY | Peggy Sirota 

The Emmy award winning actress not only excelled on screen as Rachel Green but off screen, Aniston's Hollywood career as a Movie Star was moving very fast, starring in 13 films from 1994 to 2004. Aniston's film credits include She's The One, Picture Perfect, The Object of My Affection, Office Space, The Good Girl, Bruce Almighty and Along Came Polly. 

During her late 20's / early 30's Jennifer juggled a busy tv schedule on a hit show, one that's filmed in front of a live audience, with a mega movie career (and being married to Brad Pitt!) that's an amazing achievement. 

Jennifer: "There are no regrets in life. Just lessons." 

The Object of my Affection | Picture Perfect

After F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Jennifer Aniston's movie career accelerated with even more iconic roles in a long list of romantic comedies including: Rumor Has It with Kevin Costner, The Break-Up with Vince Vaughn, Marley and Me with Owen Wilson, He's Just Not That Into You with Ben Affleck, Love Happens with Aaron Eckhart, The Bounty Hunter with Gerard Butler and Just Go With It alongside Adam Sandler. 

The Break Up | The Bounty Hunter

As a Hollywood starlet gracing the cover of almost every major fashion magazine and with 20 films under her belt, Aniston pivoted her career from Movie Actress to Movie Producer. Co-founding Eco Films in 2008 - a film company with Kristin Hahn. Together they have produced 6 films so far with many more in the works. Films Jennifer not only produced by starred in as well, talk about multitasking queen! Jennifer's Eco Films include Management (2009) The Switch (2010) Life of Crime (2013) Cake (2014) and Dumplin' (2018). 

Top of the Morning. 
Jennifer next acting role and Eco Film's newest endeavour is the brand new Apple TV + series The Morning Show. Jennifer Aniston reunites with her Friend's co-star, Reese Witherspoon for this 19 years after Reese played Rachel's sister Jill Green on the show. The pair are back together this time as producers and stars of The Morning Show. 

Jennifer's acquired skill of being a multi-tasker in the 90's, managing an acting career both on the silver screen and the cinema screen, prepared Aniston for her powerful role as producer and lead actress in The Morning Show. It's her first tv show since Friends. 

Jennifer: "To me, a TV series used to mean a studio audience and five cameras. I got in at 10 and was out by 5. The Morning Show was like doing two films back-to-back over seven months. After a full day of shooting, I'd go home and keep working, looking at cuts, weighing in on casting for the next week, preparing for the next day's work. When the show wrapped, I crawled into my bed for a solid week." 

Jennifer Aniston + Reese Witherspoon | Entertainment Weekly 

Jennifer's powerful new role is co-anchor Alex Levy at UBA's The Morning Show. Pull back the curtain on early morning TV. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell, this unapologetically candid drama looks at the modern workplace through the lens of the people who help America wake up. 

Jennifer: "It's an incredible cast. It basically takes place in the world of the morning talk shows. Behind the scenes of The Morning Show and all of the behaviour that goes on. We deal with sexism, ageism, gender equality, and there's a big obviously there's the #MeToo of it all. And it's just an exquisitely written show by Kerry Ehrin and an incredible group of writers." 

The Morning Show premiered on November 1st. This ground breaking new show is available exclusively on Apple TV + for a monthly subscription of $4.99.  

The Morning Show | Apple TV+

Power of Women. 
Ellen Degeneres recently praised Jennifer for her incredible performance in The Morning Show, calling it her best ever.  

Ellen: "It's called the Morning Show and it's on Apple, and it's so good. Number one, the series is great. But you are, I think this is the best I've ever seen you in anything and you've done some amazing things. You're so good in this." 

Ellen presented her "best friend" Jennifer Aniston with the Power Woman of Hollywood Award at the VARIETY Women of Power Luncheon on Friday October 11, 2019. 

Ellen: "I gave you the award Power Woman of Hollywood. You're the most powerful woman."  

VARIETY | Peggy Sirota 

Before receiving her Power Woman of Hollywood award on October 11, Jennifer graced the cover of VARIETY along with Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Brie Larson, Dana Walden and Awkwafina in a special issue dedicated to Power of Women.

"Women are never allowed to have power. Power feels sexy to me today, as does women's intelligence and how capable and creative they are." 

- Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer was recognised by VARIETY magazine as a powerful woman, for her devoted work with St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Since 2006 Aniston has been working on behalf of the Hospital and the very important work they do every year treating 8,000 patients. Jen delivers annual PSA's to raise vital funds for St Jude. 

Jennifer: "I started doing everything I could, meeting the children, and they're these little heroes. I stay in contact with the families sometimes. Every year, I get this birthday card that St. Jude makes with all their faces on it. And each of them signs it. They are treated like the angels that they are." 

St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer: "Cancer effects all of us, whether you're a daughter, mother, sister, friend, coworker, doctor, patient."

Join the movement. Donate $20 a month to St Jude Children's Research Hospital to receive your shirt. Take a photo wearing your This Shirt Saves Lives t-shirt. Share it and tag @stjude and #ThisShirtSavesLives 

Make a donation here: www.stjude.org

F.R.E.I.N.D.S  25th Anniversary

My friends call me Jen. 
Jennifer Aniston's co-star Lisa Kudrow maybe the queen of High School Reunions, but 2019 has been the year for Jennifer's most epic reunions. First with Friends, second with Sandler and third with Witherspoon. 

This decade Jennifer is going digital. Swapping the big screen for the mobile screen, and trading Hawaii for Italy to star in a new Netflix movie alongside a very familiar face. Aniston reunited with Adam Sandler to film a new movie Murder Mystery for Netflix. The pair worked together 8 years ago on the set of the romantic comedy Just Go With It.  

Jennifer: "I've known Mr Sandler for 30 years. We were in Italy for the summer, so that sucked. Adam, of course, always takes care of absolutely every single person, so all the families were visiting and staying in Lake Como and renting hotels and having just a wonderful little Summer vacation while we got to go to work every day in these beautiful surroundings." 

Adam Sandler Jennifer Aniston | Murder Mystery

Jennifer also reunited with her beloved F.R.I.E.N.D.S cast, her dear friends Lisa Kudrow, Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer. The picture perfect moment captured on her iPhone and shared as her very first post on Instagram. 


The moment commemorated the 25th Anniversary of FRIENDS and the whole cast celebrated the special occasion with posts on Social Media in September. Jennifer missed the online party however her FRIENDS selfie on Instagram broke the internet less than a month later when she joined for the first time. The Aniston effect was in full swing, with Jennifer breaking a Guinness World Record becoming the first person to reach 1 million followers the fastest - her record 5 hours. 

Aniston fans known simply as the Faniston rejoiced, celebrating the mementos occasion in style flooding her first official Instagram post with over 500,000 comments. Of course she can't possibly read them all, but none the less fans and celebrities alike welcomed Jennifer to Instagram with comments and hearts. 

Everyone's favourite friend is finally on Social Media. Today Jennifer Aniston has more than 19 million followers with her bio reading "My friends call me Jen." 

Relive the magic of Ross & Rachel with episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S weeknights on 10 Peach. 

INSTYLE | Michael Thompson

Fabulous 50's
This year Jennifer Aniston turned 50. Five zero. Despite a few knee injuries Aniston says, "I feel like regular Jen." She's still got it girls! And the movie star turned producer doesn't plan on slowing down past 50. 

Jennifer: "I work out four or five days a week. For the last two years, three or four of those days have been with my beloved Leyon, who is my boxing coach. He has given me a love of working out that I've never quite had before. It's mental, it's physical, it keeps your mind sharp. It's something that I actually look forward to - I crave it." 

Jennifer detailed her workout and the importance of physical and mental health in the June/July issue of Harper's Bazaar. 

Jennifer Aniston | Harper's Bazaar

From serving coffee at Central Perk to sharing the screen with Sandler to reuniting with Reese, Jennifer Aniston is back and she's bringing her A-game. 

Jennifer Aniston

Instagram  Instagram.com/jenniferaniston
Facebook   Facebook.com/JenniferAniston

This cover story is featured in Eco Glamazine November 2019