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AWAKENING OF A

GUARDIAN

BY: PATRICIA PASTRANO ©2021 BY PATRICIA PASTRANO
PHOTOS: ERIC KELSEY | @MEMORIESIMAGINED | FB MEMORIESIMAGINEDAZ
RON MCGEE | @RAMVISIONS | FB RAM PHOTOGRAPHICS

A lot of merfolk are identifying
their conservation platform(s).
In doing so, they realize how
desperately our planet needs
us and are actively taking
a stand. The more merfolk
out there, the more that
take a stand for our world,
and the more that continue
to improve themselves by
changing their lifestyle to
be more eco-friendly and
more sustainable—they’re
leading by example, making
the changes on a personal
Professional freediving mermaid, ************ level. And a lot of people
Michelle Colson, is setting the PP: are following the mermaid
bar for mermaids to support What does being a merfolk example. That’s really what
conservation projects with her mean to you? I’m looking forward to.
platform for the Florida Springs.
MC: The impact of mermaids is
Along with the likes of Mermaid To be a merfolk, all you have global, and it’s not just in one
Kat, Hannah Mermaid and to do is care for our planet, area. It just takes a little seed,
Mermaid Linden, this little educate people on how one tiny little seed, to grow a
pint size mermaid is making to care for their planet, be tree. The more mermaids that
waves with a strong message inclusive and put on a tail. You do this, the better. It starts
of conservation! Also known don’t have to have all the glitz with you and then it ripples
as Guardian of the Springs, and the glam. You don’t have out from there.
Michelle (Michi) is best known to have that to be considered
for her support of Florida a mermaid. You don’t have PP:
Springs with her creative to spend three hours putting When you look back on
underwater messaging. on makeup and putting on becoming a mermaid today,
wigs and crowns. You can share with us what has
We first met Michi back in show the magic of a mermaid helped you get here. What are
October 2020. Having overcome without all of the bells and some of the things you had to
obstacles -like many of us when whistles. And I think that is an overcome that could inspire
creating our business- she has awesome thing. others?
held true to sharing the message
of the beautiful Florida Springs, MC: MC:
the threats to it and how we You just mentioned that A lot of newcomers don’t know
can help reduce human impacts conservation is the main this world of mermaids. We learn
to preserve its beauty and the message of being a mermaid, based on what we research and
wildlife that calls it home. what do you look forward to in what we see on social media.
the mermaid world? And sadly, a lot of social media
Having attended the recent is fake. A lot of people and
Swim into Summer Las Vegas, we information presented in
got the opportunity to sit with The biggest thing social media are completely
her and talk about her journey different than reality.
and what’s swimming in for this that I’m looking
freediving mermaid guarding the forward to is the Research who you are
Florida Springs she loves. AWAKENING working with, because there
are lots of wolves dressed
of merfolk. in sheep clothing. Don’t

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