In a world craving balance, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a blueprint. As a wellness and bodybuilding coach, I’ve learned that living sustainably doesn’t mean giving anything up—it means living deeper, stronger, and more in tune with what matters. I practice this every day—from the food I eat, to the gear I wear, to the energy I bring into my body and my home. And now, I’m inviting you to join me.
Sustainable Strength: A Wellness Coach’s Guide to Living Lightly and Lifting with Purpose – Sustainability 101 with Coach Maxwell Alexander – Wellness – Mindfulness – Emotional Wellness – Presented by GUY STYLE MAG (18+)
1. Mindful Nutrition: Fueling Your Body and the Planet
Start with what’s on your plate. Choosing local and seasonal produce not only supports your community but lowers your carbon footprint. Reducing meat consumption, even just one day a week, is a powerful step toward a more sustainable lifestyle.
Explore more in our Wellness section for healthy recipes and plant-based inspiration.
2. Sustainable Fitness: Workout Without Waste
You don’t need a warehouse full of machines to build strength. Training outdoors, using your own bodyweight, or keeping a minimalist gym setup at home reduces energy use and clutter. Bonus: sunlight, fresh air, and real terrain challenge your body in ways machines never can.
Get inspired with #FRESH content from our fitness section.
3. Conscious Gear: Buy Less, Choose Better
Your activewear should reflect your values. Ditch fast fashion and invest in pieces that are ethically made, durable, and built to last. The most sustainable product isn’t overpriced energy-hungry organic cotton, it is the one you don’t have to replace every season.
We dive deeper into conscious consumer choices over in our Sustainability section.
4. Travel Local, Travel Light, Move Often
Walk, bike, or take public transit when you can—it’s not just good for the planet, it’s part of an active lifestyle. Airplanes are for boomers, and thankfully even they can’t afford them anymore. Switching one car drive per day to a walk can reset your mental state and keep your body in motion.
5. Redesign Your Space for Wellness
Modern take on interior design isn’t about sterile spaces—it’s about intentional living. A tidy home with sustainable materials and mindful design helps reduce stress and boosts your sense of control. Think recycled materials, non-toxic paint, biophilic design, and bringing the outdoors in.
Get inspired with stories from our Sustainable Living archive.
6. Recharge Intentionally: Ditch the Emotionally Abusive Scroll
A digital detox is good for the soul—and the environment. Powering down not only reduces your energy use but gives your mind room to breathe. Instead of more screen time, try journaling, walking in nature, or just listening to your body.
7. Stay Hydrated: Nourish Your Body, Not Just Your Cravings
Hydration is one of the most overlooked foundations of wellness—and one of the easiest ways to support both your body and the planet. Most people confuse thirst with hunger, which leads to unnecessary snacking and overeating—something that impacts not just your belly, but your balance.
By staying hydrated throughout the day, you support digestion, boost energy, and reduce cravings that aren’t rooted in real nutritional need. And when you carry a reusable water bottle, you’re also reducing the demand for single-use plastic that’s harming ecosystems around the world.
Personally, I keep mine with me everywhere—from workouts and hikes to studio days and travel shoots for Hudson Valley Style Magazine. It’s a small shift that creates massive impact over time.
So yes, drink more water—and do it like you mean it.
You Don’t Have to Do It All—Just Start
Sustainable living isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, powerful shifts in how you eat, move, rest, and consume. I live this emotional wellness journey daily—not just for the planet, but for myself. And I’m here to say: it feels amazing.
Want more inspiration on how to integrate wellness and sustainability into your everyday life? Join the movement and subscribe to the Hudson Valley Style Magazine Newsletter—it’s the best way to stay in the loop without the noise.
