MARCH 2018 20 | TRANSFORMATIVE FASHION {transformation tuesday} CAREY ’ S CORNER How do you radically transform your life, become stronger (not just physically), healthier, more relaxed and happier? How do you shed the baggage and streamline? It all sounds pretty good. That’s why we felt we had to create our new podcast, Transformation Tuesday. There is so much to learn from experts in various fields about how to transform and grow in ways that benefit us all. One of our first guests, Tracey Martin, is a sustainable lifestyle leader, designer, author — and, in general, a woman who continues to evolve and help others do the same. During our interview, we talked about transforming the way we think about ourselves. She outlined 10 steps to radically transform your thoughts, beginning by saying, “You cannot measure future success with past action” and rounding out the list with, “Give a damn about your life and measure it by something other than yourself.” Martin’s mission, in her words, is to grow people and create abundance to do good in the world. Having been in the Carey Peña | CONTRIBUTING WRITER TRANSFORMATIVE FASHION

MARCH 2018 | 21 fashion industry for 19 years, she likes transformational thinking to begin in a place that might seem a bit unexpected: the closet. “Because fashion touches our lives every day, every person can have a hand in changing the way it is consumed,” she said. “I am so passionate about sharing this because so many people want to do better and help this world — but they feel overwhelmed. Just by making better- informed consumer decisions and voting with your dollar, you actually can have a big impact on another’s life, in the environment and, ultimately, in your own well-being.” As a designer and sustainable lifestyle leader, Martin speaks extensively on the topic, both here in Arizona and across the country. Recently, she realized a dream by publishing a book, Sustainable in Stilettos . Her hope is that more people will become mindful about what they put into their closets. Just as so many of us have begun thinking more about food choices and where we buy groceries, the same can be said for fashion. “It really matters. It takes 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to finish one pair of denim jeans. How many do we own?” she said. What this comes down to is more intentional thinking. According to Martin, we all have the ability to make choices to benefit the greater good. After our interview, I thought quite a bit about this. I massively scaled down my own closet and am trying to make my personal fashion choices more about meaning than abundance. I’ve also sharpened my focus on making sure my clothing is repurposed, whether by donating to great causes (Dress for Success!), or bringing my clothes to one of the incredible consignment stores here in the Valley (like TBC by Chrissy Sayer). And, I’ve started seeking out more vintage. Remember what Martin said, “You cannot measure future success with past action”? My past actions, when it comes to consuming, had been a bit on the excessive side. Working in TV news and getting promoted along the way until I became a main anchor, all I wanted to do was buy, Buy, BUY. But that’s the thing about transformation — you can make change. And, as Martin pointed out to me, “Once a mind has been stretched, it never goes back to its original size.” I’ve realized that being mindful about my wardrobe choices and learning more about how and where clothing is made — and by whom — is worth my time. Also, quite simply, I’ve realized that I don’t need so much. More is not more. “I want to empower individuals to create a better life and, in turn, a better world,” Martin said. “No matter how small the movement, it matters.” That is transformation. To hear our entire 50-minute interview and Tracey Martin’s 10 ways to transform your thinking, go to transformationtuesday.tips or inspiredmedia360.com.