Sustainability, the Sister of Mindfulness

By: Tia Robinson, CEO & Founder of Vertical Activewear

When people ask how I became passionate about sustainability, I often tell them it started long before I ever used the word.

My journey began in 2007 with mindfulness and wellness. I was looking inward—seeking clarity, healing, and alignment. That path led me to study various forms of meditation, including Vipassana, Metta, and mindfulness-based practices. In 2014, I became a certified mindfulness instructor, and over time, that deep inner work shaped how I viewed everything, including how we care for our bodies, our communities, and the Earth.

Eventually, that journey led me to launch Vertical Activewear. Not because I wanted to sell clothes, but because I wanted to build something aligned. Something rooted in purpose, presence, and sustainability.

During my recent interview on Black Enterprise’s Beyond the Hype podcast with Alfred Edmond Jr., I shared how I see sustainability and mindfulness as sisters; both born from the same mother: Mother Earth.

Mindfulness invites us to slow down, to listen, to choose with intention. Sustainability does the same. When we’re present with ourselves, we become more present with our impact. From how we move through everyday life to how I run Vertical Activewear, mindfulness shapes every decision I make. Because true innovation doesn’t come from speeding up, it comes from tuning in.

And when these sisters work in harmony—when mindfulness and sustainability are in alignment—they both return home to their source. Together, they serve their mother. They serve the Earth. That’s what this movement is about. Not perfection, but presence. Not trends, but timeless truth. And it starts with awareness. It’s a practice; a continuous journey.

If you're ready to bring more mindfulness into your fashion choices and your life, I invite you to read my book, The 10% Shift: Rethink Fashion, 10% at a Time. It’s a mindful guide to creating meaningful change, starting with what we wear.

Get your copy here: www.tiarobinson.co/store-4-1

Let’s pause. Let’s rethink. Let’s shift, together.