From the depths of the ocean to some of the world’s highest peaks, ocean activist Lamya Essemlali, freediving sensation Li Karlsén and world champion climber Liv Sansoz are following a life of adventure. They are a testament to what it means to follow your passion, while also honouring and protecting the planet along the way.

These three women have all faced what seemed like insurmountable challenges and risen stronger and more determined than ever.

Lamya co-founded Sea Shepherd France after a near-deadly encounter with a whaling ship in Antarctica cemented her resolve that she truly was ready to risk her life to defend the ocean.

For more than 15 years the French-Moroccan has helped expand the hands-on marine protection organization’s French support and grow Sea Shepherd France into one of the biggest national entities of the global non-profit.

Nearly losing her life also strengthened Li’s determination to follow her dreams. As a teenager in Sweden Li dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot with the Swedish Armed Forces, but just two weeks before sitting her exam she was in a fatal car crash. She lost her best friend and also her ability to walk. Told by doctors that she was lucky to even be alive, Li was determined to not just recover but to be so physically fit that she could join her platoon for a mission in Afghanistan. At 22 years old, after six months in the hospital and three years of recovery, Li got the green light to go abroad. Over the next 15 years she rose through the ranks to become a captain in the Swedish Armed Forces, chasing pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, before becoming a freediver and opening her own freediving school.

When not in the water, Li is helping protect women in conflict-affected countries, as head of security at one of the world’s foremost women rights organisations, Kvinna till Kvinna (Woman to Woman).

Whether in or out of the water, Li is a force of nature determined to protect our amazing planet and its inhabitants.

French climber Liv has had her share of scares over the years too but has always returned to the sport she loves. In 2001, Liv was accidentally dropped by a climbing partner. The fall resulted in back and nerve injuries and she stepped away from the sport for several years before beginning to climb again in 2007. Two years later, while base jumping at night, she had a crash landing that resulted in shattered bones. She was confined to bed for three months.

Despite setbacks like these, fear doesn’t stop her from moving full steam ahead in all she does.

In fact, fear is not something that holds back any of these women.

Lamya and Li’s love for the ocean has resulted in them taking stock of how their decisions out of the water impact the world around them. Both switched to a plant-based diet and have opted for Beauty Disrupted’s plastic-free haircare and beauty bars over traditional liquid shampoo and soap. Designed in Stockholm and consciously crafted in the South of France, each of Beauty Disrupted’s bars avoids the need for at least two plastic bottles. And the company gives back 20% of its profit to organisations that protect the planet and combat climate change.

“I wanted to do something about the shocking 80 billion plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles that are trashed every year,” said Li. “Very few of those bottles are recycled, and many end up in our oceans.”

“With the impact plastic is having on our oceans it makes it easy to make the switch to plastic-free with a product like Beauty Disrupted’s shampoo bars. They’re not just without plastic. They’re of a really high quality,” added Lamya. “They are good for your health, good for the health of the planet, and are such a great product in so many ways. It’s a true win-win.”

In 2020 Liv, alongside four other outdoor enthusiasts, formed the association Une Bouteille À La Mer, which translates as “a bottle at the sea.” Their mission is to help reduce plastic use within the outdoor sports industry, bringing their message to brands, retailers, athletes and nature lovers. Beauty Disrupted’s beauty bars and recyclable paper packaging immediately stood out to her.
“We have to care and be careful about the beauty products we purchase,” said Liv. “I love the way that Beauty Disrupted’s products are made and I fully support the idea behind the brand: creating luxurious products that are wonderful to use while also helping the planet.”