From tampons, to condoms, to lubricants, most products contain harmful ingredients that can harm your body rather than help it. At Sustain, they’re committed to always putting your health first, which means theor products are better, safer, and more vagina-friendly than traditional brands. They’re also better for Mother Earth as well.

Meika is the co-founder and president of this glowy non-toxic, sustainable, selfcare brand. Her family has deep roots in creating sustainable products- her Dad, Jeffrey Hollender, founded Seventh Generation many moons ago, and Meika, with a long standing passion for women’s sexual and reproductive health, joined her father to create the first brand of all vagina-friendly sexual wellness products.

As the Co-Founder and President of Sustain, Meika is the leading the way for all-natural, vagina-friendly products. Also an author, activist, and entrepreneur, Meika has consistently made marketplace history with a myriad of product innovations in the sexual wellness space that redefine the stigmatized narrative around female sexuality. Leading the first natural sexual wellness brand, she galvanizes a revolution across wellness, sexuality, and reproductive health.

What we put into our private parts is EXTREMELY important, and we couldn’t be more grateful to Meika for paving the way for a better future.

sustain // www.trysustain.com

NAME:

Meika Hollender

NICKNAME:

Meiks

PROFESSION:

Co-Founder and President of Sustain

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Charlotte, Vermont

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

New York City

WHEN YOU’RE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…

BREAKFAST: Two scrambled eggs, gluten free toast with butter and jam

LUNCH: Salad of arugula, mixed greens, avocado, hearts of palm, cherry tomatoes, and grilled chicken

DINNER: Grilled shrimp, grilled corn on the cob, and a side salad

SNACK: Apple and almond butter

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO EAT HEALTHY?

Juice Press - Triple berry smoothies //nGotan - Tuna and avocado salad and their shakshuka // Kaffe - Acai bowls with GF granola

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?

I love homemade gluten-free banana bread, by Chloe’s vegan, gluten-free chocolate cupcakes, and Van Lewen’s vegan chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE?

Italian - The cacio i pepe pasta at Misi, and i Sodi // Japanese - pretty much anything on the menu at Takahachi in NYC // French - The turbo and roast chicken and fries at Frenchette

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH?

My mom’s famous chocolate mousse - oreo crust, chocolate mousse with whipped cream on top pie

WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU COOK/ YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE?

I primarily pull recipes from Goop and Alison Roman. I do like to cook - more so recently since I’ve had more time at home. I love making roast chicken (my mom’s recipe - kosher whole chicken, stuffed with lemons, olive oil and salt and pepper all over, small potatoes, carrots, onions and chopped carrots underneath, thyme on top for smell/look!).

Big chopped salads: https://goop.com/recipes/gwyneth-paltrows-chopped-salad/

WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP?

Trader Joes // Union Square Farmers Market // Bodega for flowers

TOP 3 ITEMS YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITCHEN?

Olive Oil // Salt // Almond Butter

WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN? (how often & what you do)

My new quarantine is… Exhale core fusion on demand - 3 x 4 times a week // Melissa Woods - 1-2 x a week, I love her prenatal classes // And lots of long walks outside!

WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? (products, facials, etc)

I love Daphne in NYC for their microcurrent facials. I try to go once a month for maintenance and to hit the refresh button on my skin. But my daily skincare routine is all about simplicity, hydration and protection. Less is more for me.

My skin is pretty dry, so I prefer to use a gentle cleanser (I’ve been using Tata Harper’s Nourishing Oil Cleanser for years) and I go between Vintner's Daughter Serum and Tata Harper’s Creme Riche in the winter. In the summer I add Supergoop tinted mineral SPF. I love using a Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool daily for depuffing and lymphatic drainage.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MAKEUP/NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS?

Kosas Rosewater Lipstick and the W3ll people Expressionist Pro Mascara. I love the Olio E Osso tinted balm for a little color on my cheeks! I’ve also gotten into the Beautycounter Eyeshadow Palette for when I want to dress things up a little.

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Moroccanoil for my hair // Something to play music // Seltzer water

WHAT PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY/HEALTH/FITNESS/SPIRITUAL GURUS DO YOU SWEAR BY?

I’m very into self care, especially for mental health, but I don’t have too much of a spiritual side….

I love…

Erica Chidi Cohen - Doula and Founder of LOOM. Fred DeVito - Founder of Exhale Barre Method

For beauty/skincare, I’m a pretty just do whatever GP says kinda girl

TOP 3 FAVORITE SONGS?

Twist & Shout - The Beatles // Gimme Shelter - The Rolling Stones // Damage - Halsey

MOST-WATCHED MOVIE?

Something’s Gotta Give

MOST LIFE-CHANGING BOOK?

Girls & Sex by Peggy Orenstein

FAVORITE SHOPS/BOUTIQUES?

Bon Marche in Paris // Merci in Paris // Abc Home

COOLEST PLACE YOU’VE EVER VISITED?

Douro Valley in Portugal

FAVORITE HOTELS?

Hotel Lutetia in Paris // Hotel Albatroz in Portugal // Sunset Tower in LA

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

On our wedding day, my husband hid little notecards all over our hotel room with reasons he loved me and was excited to marry me, because I love notes and cards.

MOST PROFOUND HEALING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD?

A week long healing and cleansing retreat at Villa Ananda in Puerto Vallarta, it was the most intense and life changing experience of my life.

WHO ARE YOUR MOST TRUSTED HEALERS?

The team at Parsley Health // Noah at the Yinova Clinic

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE AND WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM IT?

There have been so many, and so many different types, of learning experiences throughout the journey of my career. From building a company in a taboo category that made people uncomfortable and sometimes even angry, to building this business with my dad as my co-founder, to raising money multiple times. Then of course there have been people challenges, supply chain disasters, and so much more. And the challenges never end! A critical takeaway I’ve learned is that if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of your business.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

Pre COVID…. My perfect day was waking up in our apartment, making coffee and gluten free (King Arthur flower forever!) pancakes, and then getting back in bed with my husband for a few hours to talk/read/relax.

Then go for a walk around our neighborhood and grab lunch at Gotan. Followed by an afternoon nap + bath back home, and having friends over for dinner.