Former Miss Universe Australia, Tegan Martin, is taking the leading role as Ambassador for Australian Organic Awareness Month (AOAM) this September to inspire Australians to eat and live more healthily.
AOAM is Australia’s largest campaign raising awareness of the certified organic industry and the benefits its products have on human health and environmental sustainability, as well as helping consumers understand the importance of checking for organic certification marks on product labels.
After battling her own health issues, Tegan is now on the verge of graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science, and said the message behind AOAM perfectly aligns with what she advocates for every day.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to use my voice to encourage Australians in the health and wellness space, which is what I’m really passionate about,” she said.
“The human body is precious, and we really need to look after it. Organics is about going back to basics and sticking as close to what nature intended for us as possible, while lessening the stress we put on our bodies.”
Tegan began incorporating more certified organic produce into her diet to try to combat a string of health issues she suffered after representing Australia at Miss Universe 2014.
“During my childhood and teenage years, I wasn’t taught much about health or prioritising the food I consumed – there was no concept of clean eating or education about the impact my poor diet was having on my body,” Tegan said.
“I started experiencing a few negative symptoms in my late teens, and by my early 20s, with the added stress of being thrust into the limelight at a young age, everything culminated in my body just tapping out.
“I had never felt so lonely – I had no direction or motivation for what to do next. While the next few years were incredibly tough, they led me on a path of self-discovery to my new passion for health and wellness.”
A turning point for Tegan was her first visit to a naturopath who introduced her to the ‘bucket’ analogy which reshaped her approach to food and lifestyle.
“If we think about our body as a bucket, every single day we’re adding stressors to that bucket, and eventually when your bucket starts overflowing, it can lead to illness,” Tegan said.
“Some of these stressors we can’t avoid, like an extra dose of cortisol from a stressful interaction or fumes from a bus driving past, but others, like synthetic pesticides and herbicides, we can.
“This analogy helped me understand how choosing organic and eating fresh, whole foods can lessen the load of stressors on our bodies. My body was telling me I needed to start opting for healthier, cleaner products – from food to skincare and home cleaning.”
Tegan’s journey of discovery began to formalise into studying health and nutrition, initially completing a Diploma of Health Science and now about to graduate as a Clinical Nutritionist from Torrens University in Sydney, where she sees clients two days a week at the on-campus health and wellness clinic.
“Given it’s a student clinic, often our clients don’t always have a lot of time and money to spend on their health,” she said.
“It’s really important to me that people don’t feel like it’s a big burden to improve their overall health and nutrition. Living a healthier lifestyle comes from taking small steps every day in the right direction.
“A lot of people go really hard all at once trying to ‘fix’ their diet, then slip up and it derails their motivation to the point they can’t get back into it. It’s all about the 80/20 rule – treating your body well the majority of the time and in a way that’s sustainable for the long-term.”
Tegan said introducing more certified organic products into your life is a great example.
“I love speaking to my clients about this. Whether it’s substituting in organic eggs or some organic meat – it doesn’t have to be a huge transition all at once,” she said.
“I’ve loved seeing how certified organic products have become more accessible over the years, including dedicated organic sections in major supermarkets. It’s come such a long way in terms of awareness and availability.
“My own health journey is a testament to looking after your body and the benefits of eating quality, natural ingredients. These days, I feel so blessed to have good health and not only have better energy but better skin, gut health and, overall, I feel sharper mentally.
“My goal is to continue inspiring those around me to eat well, feel good, and live long, happy, healthy lives.”
Australian Organic Limited (AOL) Chief Executive Officer, Jackie Brian, said Tegan was the perfect voice for AOAM.
“Tegan’s authentic voice makes her an influential figure in the wellness community, promoting mindful consumption and an organic lifestyle,” Ms Brian said.
“We’re excited for her to be getting behind Awareness Month, bringing expertise and passion to our cause.
“September is all about sharing how certified organic practices can contribute to a healthier lifestyle for consumers and a cleaner world for us all. Over the four weeks, we’ll be sharing practical and affordable tips for people to integrate organic practices into their daily lives.”
Australian Organic Awareness Month is run by AOL in September each year, promoting the certified organic industry across all categories including fresh produce, packaged food and beverages, cosmetics and skincare, home and garden products and textiles. To learn more about Australian Organic Awareness Month, visit the website.
Media enquiries:
Tim Vetter – tim.vetter@bluehillpr.com.au
Matt Wordsworth – matt.worsdworth@bluehillpr.com.au
