SUSTAINABILITY IS A WAY OF LIFE.
Born to be wild.
Born during a class 4 tornado in Ohio, USA, Fuchsia’s life has been a whirl wind ever since. Her parents, both academics, worked around the world from Africa, Europe to South East Asia and beyond. Fuchsia was fortunate enough to have visited 30 countries by age 10, and knew how to say “I’m vegetarian” in 12 languages.
As a young child whilst traveling through Morocco, Fuchsia remembers her stepfather trying to sell her to a Berber family for 70 camels, and the inner reflection of how different she looked and behaved from the locals with her fair skin, blue eyes and bright blonde hair. Everywhere she went she was stared at. This was the first time she had been the minority, the odd one standing out and it was an uncomfortable situation. This experience left a tremendous impression on her and enhanced her ability to later connect with people from all walks of life.
FUCHSIA ATOP MOUNT KINABALU
When Fuchsia enrolled in University, her mother provided some money for her to buy textbooks. But instead of books, she bought a one-way ticket to Costa Rica! Fuchsia became a white water raft guide, a surf instructor and high ropes technician whilst finishing her degree from the jungles. After continuing her business studies in Denmark, Fuchsia returned to Sydney where she worked in a marketing agency for over 3 years when she realised her soul’s longing wasn’t nourished by this job. Although she had a great team and it was a highly creative role, she began questioning the unnecessary sales role she was exposed to. Especially in the age of over-consumption, she refused to ignore the ecological issue.
Her biggest hero has always been Sir David Attenborough. Prior to becoming the well known face of exemplary animal documentaries, voice and champion of our natural world Sir Attenborough held a senior management role at the BBC. In 1970’s he ventured to Borneo and upon climbing Mount Kinabalu where he watched the sun rise from the summit, he decided to quit his office job at the BBC.
Fuchsia caught fire on his story and went straight to Borneo to climb Mount Kinabalu. When she arrived to the base of the mountain, it started pouring down with rain and the guides almost cancelled the trip. After trudging two thirds up the 4,000m peak, still unsure if they would be able to summit, Fuchsia got ready for bed listing to the howling wind and rain. Feeling disheartened about the cancellation, she went to sleep. Most to everyones surprise, waking up at 2am, the skies had cleared. The team continued their trek to the top, where they were rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise. Not a single cloud in the sky, clear enough to see the Philippines. “Wow I’ve never seen it like this in 25 years” the guide said. Fuchsia’s response was, “yes – and I’m leaving my job.” She returned to her agency in Sydney and promptly resigned.
PLAYING WITH KIDS IN ARNHEM LAND
INDIGENOUS BUSINESS INFLUENCE.
Together with a business partner, she started a new sustainable marketing consulting firm and had been accepted by the Aboriginal people, the Yolngu, to re-brand and set up sustainable tourism in North East Arnhem Land as one of their first jobs! What a jackpot.
During the years Fuchsia frequently visited a homeland called Bawaka, which holds a special place in her heart. The family here adopted her and gave her a totem - the Baru, their world for crocodile. At birth you’re ‘given’ one element of nature ‘their dreaming’ to protect forever by an elder. This totem is more than just our equivalent of a star sign, it’s a way of life. The Yolngu people designed a system where every living species, plant, animal or ecosystem has guardian to ensure its survival, indefinitely.
“You only have to visit the Yolngu people to see how far backwards we’ve come. They’ve been living harmoniously with nature for over 50,000 years, there is so much we can learn.”
ADVENTURE JUNKY APP
ADVENTURE JUNKY - THE APP.
In 2015, Fuchsia and her business partner had a quiet summer. They used this time to research and re-imagine a more sustainable future for travel and how their business could come to life. Some big trends: 1) Millennials took over Baby Boomers as the biggest demographic on the planet, travelling more than any other generation in history 2) In 2012 over 1 billion travellers crossed international boarders for the very first time 3) Steady 20% growth year on year in the sustainability niche of Adventure Travel - more connected to nature, physically active or cultural experiences. However with travel on the rise the industry as a whole contributes to may serious issues like plastic waste, wildlife exploitation and climate change. From these insights the Adventure Junky App - Earth’s first sustainable travel game was born.
She says, if we are to ensure there is a diverse & thriving planet for future generations to explore, travel must positively contribute as much to our well-being as the places we visit. Adventure Junky became a B Corporation in 2017 and supports organisations like Ecologi, where Fuchsia helped remove over 50 tonnes of C02 and planted 800 trees in only 12 months.
If you would like to get in contact with Fuchsia, please visit adventurejunky.earth & download the Adventure Junky app.
We hope you enjoyed this article.
Stay true to yourself, dare & care.
X
Lara