Meet Hilly Flora (@themahaproject_hilly)! Hilly is a vegan chef, yoga teacher, doula, mama, and overall amazing woman. She inspires us every single day, and we had to share her with y'all. 

Get to know this bad ass mama, Hilly Flora! 👇

1. What is your favorite way to move your body?

Oh gosh! That’s actually kind of hard for me to answer because I love so many different kinds of movement. Right now I would have to say taking my husband Ben’s online Kinstretch classes and trail running are my most favorite. But I also love Muay Thai kickboxing classes/training, yoga, walking and weight training.

2. What grounds you?

Spend time outside, pet animals and physically exhaust myself. I think the potency of these things lies in their simplicity and available joy. I can easily get very stuck in the hundreds of things that need to/should get done but to feel my best and show up for my people, my physical being-ness needs to get its fair share of doing what it is made to do, which is to move

3. What are your top 3 favorite wellness brands?

Garmin. I love my Forerunner235 watch because it's straightforward, and makes it easy for me to track metrics for running, biking and swimming but it's not (at least how I have it set up) intrusive w/ its connection to my phone. I don't want to be pulled into phone/email/text while I’m training.

Altra. I love these shoes. They are zero drop, have an anatomical toe box shape (so your feet can actually function like feet!) and they are lightweight and flexible. 

Miyoko’s Creamery. Their vegan/plant based cheese line and butter are some of my favorite splurges when I don’t have the time or desire to make my own. 

4. What are your top 5 must-have products you always carry with you?

I always carry a glass jar or cup and a wide stainless steel straw with me so I can grab a quick ice coffee or smoothie without using plastics. I always have snacks like GoMacro bars for the kids, they also love Health Warrior Chia bars. Wireless in ear headphones so I can listen to podcasts while I run/walk (if I’m alone). A “car book” usually a memoir or biography that I read while I’m waiting on the kids at running club/sports practice or hanging out at a playground. Water. Being in Austin it is a must to always have water for myself and the kids, pretty much year round.

5. What is one hope you have for your kid’s/kids’ life as they grow up?

I hope that my kids choose kindness and compassion in all they choose to do. I hope they are able to hold space for the deep complexities of being human and being intertwined with all of nature. I hope they are always curious, thoughtful and excited to learn and teach.

6. What ways do you enjoy giving back to your community?

I try to always leave a space better than I found it by packing out trash from the trails and green belt. I also like to feed people and am happy to be a resource for any and all plant based nutrition questions, cooking questions and pre/postnatal body or bodywork questions. I also donate time, money and other resources to animal welfare and advocacy organizations including Austin Pets Alive, Austin Animal Center, and American Wild Horse Program.

7. What women run businesses do you love right now?

I mentioned Miyoko’s Creamery above and I really deeply admire the creator and founder Miyoko Schinner. Not only are her recipes, cookbook and vegan products amazing, but she also founded and runs an animal sanctuary called Rancho Compasion. She is a mother, chef, author, innovator and a huge inspiration.  

I also love ARQ, Rise Up Midwife, Modern Love Brooklyn, The Wild Unknown and Hand+Fire.

8. Is there a quote or motto you live your life by?

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” ―Robin Wall Kimmerer from Braiding Sweetgrass