Soraya believes in taking a holistic approach to making the world a better place, and writes about sustainability, nature and adventure travel. Soraya is Lonely Planet Sustainable Storyteller 2021 and founder of the All The Elements – a community working to increase diversity in the UK outdoors.
Soraya in her own words:
In 2014, I left my ‘dream job’ to make a difference. I kickstarted my new career by studying sustainability for business. As a reward to myself for handing in my dissertation, I went wild camping and canoeing on the Mississippi river. This trip was far more than an adventure holiday – it was a re-connection to nature. I want to help you to be more mindful in what you do and to understand that individual decisions can make a positive impact on our planet. When I'm not travelling, writing or creating net-positive artwork, you'll find me tackling diversity in the UK outdoors, organising all-women sailing trips exploring plastics and toxics in our ocean and walking my labradoodle Rory.
Listen to Soraya on the Tough Girl Podcast - New episodes go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
Listen to Soraya Now!
Click here if you can't see the link below.
Show notes
Who is Soraya
What her childhood was like
Having a passion for horses
Going to university to study law
Pivoting her career into sustainability
Not being happy in her dream job
Figuring out her purpose
Wanting to study sustainability for business
What does sustainability mean to Soraya
The One Planet MBA - University of Exeter
Adventure and sustainability
Why adventure has to have a purpose
Why are we going to these places?
How are we communicating what we are seeing?
Travel with a lower impact
Getting involved in the adventure community
Being inspired by Ben Keene
Rebel Book club
Love Her Wild
The Yes Tribe
Adventure Uncovered
Explore at the RGS
Starting to travel on her own in 2016
Taking a trip to the Sahara desert
Canoeing on the Mississippi with Dave Cornthwaite and Emily Penn
Liking to have shared experiences while adventuring
Losing the fear
The Sail Britain Voyage
Not always being artistic, but always being creative
Wanting to be able to paint and draw
Drawing while on expedition
Heading to Vancouver in 2018
The challenges to tacking plastic
Feeling overwhelmed
Breaking the challenge down
Black Lives Matter
How can we create change?
What are you most passionate about?
Making informed decisions
All the elements which was set up in August 2020
The importance of role modelling
Stepping into the light