Hauling a car full of homegrown herbs and veggies two hours down the highway is not exactly glamourous, but former Miss Universe Australia, Tegan Martin, doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty.
After her father, Mick, started growing his own produce in the Martin family backyard in Newcastle, Tegan would transport them back to Sydney to plant in her own yard.
“We gradually learnt all the tricks to keep the plants alive, like using eggshells for fertiliser, fake butterflies to deter pests and building mini greenhouses to extend the growing season,” Tegan said.
“It started with just a few plants and grew to a whole garden with spinach, lettuce, basil, parsley – we just committed hard to it.”
More than a fun family project, Tegan had a serious reason to start growing her own produce, one she is now sharing as Ambassador for Australian Organic Awareness Month (AOAM) 2024.
AOAM is Australia’s largest campaign promoting the certified organic industry, running throughout September and raising awareness of the benefits of certified organic products for human health and environmental sustainability, and the importance of checking for organic certification marks on labels.
The price of pressure
Tegan was encouraged to enter her first beauty pageant by her colleagues at the hairdresser she worked at as a teenager. With no idea what to expect, a second-place finish led her on the path to the biggest stages in the world.
After finishing first runner-up at Miss Universe Australia 2011 and 2013, she claimed the crown the following year, representing Australia at Miss Universe 2014 in Miami, USA. Tegan finished in the top 10 out of 88 contestants, giving Newcastle another reason to cheer 10 years after Jennifer Hawkins won the top prize.
Behind the curtain of her new life and the associated fame and media, Tegan’s health was deteriorating.
“During my childhood and teenage years, I wasn’t taught much about health or prioritising the food I consumed,” she said.
“It was sugary orange juice every day after school, Vegemite on toast whenever I felt like a quick snack and processed mac and cheese in the microwave after school. There was no concept of clean eating or education on the impact this diet was having on my body.
“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’d sleep nine or more hours a night and still wake up feeling exhausted. I was always getting sick, suffered from gut issues, and spent a long time trying to find answers with no luck.
“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.”
Getting back on track
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 stresses to that bucket, and eventually when your bucket starts overflowing it can lead to illness,” Tegan said.
“Some of these stresses we can’t avoid, like some of life’s unforeseen circumstances 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.
“It wasn’t easy financially for someone in their early twenties, which is part of the reason Dad started growing his own produce to help me out, but I prioritised spending my money on things which would improve my health like certified organic products.”
Eventually, Tegan’s journey of discovery began to formalise into studying health and nutrition.
“I just started reading research papers for fun, like if I was stressed or wanted a distraction, I’d find an interesting paper to study, which is when I realised I should pursue that more seriously,” she said.
Tegan has since completed a Diploma of Health Science and is 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.
“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.
“I want young people in particular to really value spending their money on things that will be good for them in the long run and putting their health first, because mine deteriorated at an early age and I had to fight to get it back.”
Advocating for organic
Coming onboard as Ambassador for Australian Organic Awareness Month (AOAM) was a “dream role” for Tegan. Running throughout September, AOAM is Australia’s largest campaign promoting the certified organic industry, raising awareness of the benefits of certified organic products for human health and environmental sustainability.
On the verge of finishing her Bachelor of Health Science, Tegan said the message behind AOAM perfectly aligns with what she advocates for every day.
“I’m excited to be using my voice more 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. I always return to that bucket analogy about trying to lessen the load we put into our bodies.
“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.
“I’ve loved seeing how certified organic products have become more accessible over the years, including dedicated organic sections in major supermarkets. Compared to when I started introducing some organic foods in my early twenties, it’s come such a long way in terms of awareness and availability.
“My goal is to continue inspiring those around me to eat well, feel good, and live long, happy, healthy lives.”
Australian Organic Awareness Month is run by Australian Organic Limited 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.
