Ashley Asberry shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Ashley, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
The weather! Being outside with some tea.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! My name is Ashley and I’m a toxin reduction educator. Before I chat about what that is and why I’m so passionate about it, I want so share some stats:
* only 5-10% of all cancers are genetic, the rest are environmental
* in the US, only 11 ingredients are banned in our personal care products. In comparison, the EU bans over 2000.
* there are more than 900 known chemicals that contribute to breast cancer
* the average woman applies 168 different chemicals to her skin every day
* a study that came out beginning of 2024 showed that those who removed only 2 ingredients, parabens and phthalates, from their daily products REVERSED breast cancer markers in only 28 days. This same study states that removing these 2 ingredients from daily use products could be a plausible cancer prevention strategy
These studies I shared are about adults – the ingredients in children’s products are even more important because their hormones, immune system, brain, and every single cell in their body is developing at an exponential rate. Using ingredients that interfere with the development of these systems can have detrimental long term health effects.
With all of this being said, there are very very little protections around the ingredients that go into the products we bring in our home. Of the almost 10,000 chemicals used in consumer products, around 89% of them were never tested for safety before being put on the market and even IF an ingredient is found unsafe ( think Johnson & Johnson baby powder) the FDA currently does not have the power to pull that product from the market.
So finding and choosing safe products is up to OUR discretion, as if we have nothing else to stress about!
I started learning about the impacts of products I was cleaning with and putting on my skin when I was pregnant with my first daughter around 10 years ago. I was so overwhelmed with how difficult it was to find well sourced information and THEN trying to find products that didn’t have the ingredients I found unsafe was impossible.
I have been a paralegal for about 15 years, so research, recognizing real data, writing and then translating all of that into plain English is what I like to call my super power. I started recording and sharing the information I found and creating safe lists for my friends to try to make it simpler for them.
This grew into a small FB community and then website with personalized services, to know a small online store of clean products and soon to be storefront with only clean options!
I live in Iowa, where we are #2 in cancer rates and #1 in fastest growing rates. Having access to safe products is vital for health now and for future generations. I think what makes me different than many other “holistic” communities is multi fold. 1- I deeply believe and respect science. I do not believe we should abandon science to live less toxic lifestyles. 2- I know these choices cannot be all or nothing. We all need to do what we can, when we have the nervous system support and resources to do so. You should NOT feel judged if not every item you purchase is non toxic. 3 – one of my favorite things to share with my community is sometimes better IS BEST. I don’t want you to be overwhelmed. I don’t want you to quit. This is too important. Please don’t feel like you need to be doing it perfectly to be doing such a good job!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was fun 😂 I love nothing more than being around people I love and laughing till I cry. As I’ve gotten older and I see so much injustice and inequity and so much harm happening and it just doesn’t have to be this way!! I think I watch so many people not paying attention or literally not caring at all and I feel if I don’t care or fight for things to be different, I’m a part of this problem and there won’t ever be change ! Because of that, I know I’m much less fun. I should work on that. Thanks for this therapy session. 😂
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
At least once a week. It would be so much simpler for me to work at a law firm 9-5 and have consistent income and just put my head down. But I know my community needs this – so I can’t quit.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
It really really is. I think I’m more of an introvert than I present as, but other than that- I’m very much me no matter where you find me.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Moving so quickly. Rushing through the days and activities. I know I would move slower and soak up more daily moments with my daughters.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.ashleyasberry.com and www.lowtoxy.com
- Instagram: Transparent_simple_wellness
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