Born in Montreal, Valentine was trained as a lawyer in Canada and worked in finance in London for six years before leaving it all behind to pursue her passions. She quit her job and gave up the urban lifestyle to fiercely advocate for sustainable seafood systems while encouraging people to reconsider their relationship with nature, as well as their own self confidence and health and wellness.
Currently, Valentine is a world-class spear-fisher, freediving instructor, published author, thought leader, educator and influencer with a global platform and reach.
Two Times TEDx Speaker, Forbes Magazine Change-Maker, Quebec Government Consultant on Fisheries, Speaker for Ocean Wise, Ambassador for Marine Stewardship Council, Ambassador for Eco-Tourism of the Philippines, Board Member of Trust Your Work Foundation and Marine Education Initiative, Author of Seafood Sustainability Cookbook, TV Host.
Currently, Valentine is a world-class spear-fisher, freediving instructor, published author, thought leader, educator and influencer with a global platform and reach.
Spearfishing provides one of the most unique ways to not only intimately understand your food, the environment from which it comes and what it takes to put that food on your plate, but also offers the opportunity to deeply understand yourself and your place in the natural world.
With spearfishing you are able to confirm that the fish you are targeting is the right size and maturity, is in season and strike with absolutely no bycatch. Not only is spearfishing the most sustainable ways to harvest seafood on the planet, it also opens up a wide array of delicious and sustainable fish for consumption that today’s mass fisheries overlook.
An unexpected benefit to spearfishing is knowing yourself, and your position in the world, more intimately. Spearfishing forces you to constantly challenge yourself, mentally and physically, and provides an escape from the fast-paced world in which we live. Spearfishing forces you to focus on your breath, slow down and puts you in a meditative state that research shows to have several benefits including reducing anxiety and improved self-control. It also enables a connection with the natural world that few have the profound opportunity to experience and hopefully will leave you inspired to protect it.
Join me in my travel/cooking/wild experiences as I share knowledge on how we can consume smarter.
My ambition is to collaborate with eco-aware brands who share a respect for nature and a passion for exploration so we can work together to create positive change and promote sustainable and responsible consumption.
© 2020 VALENTINE THOMAS – ALL RIGHT RESERVED.
HANDCRAFTED WITH LOVE BY DIVE STUDIO.