Blondie Muser is a biologist and social media content creator. On her TikTok profile  she has built a community of no more and no less than 1.8M followers, whom she entertains and educates with content about sustainability, eco-friendly tips, and, of course, Galicia. Her terriña.

1. You are a biologist, so we assume that your love for nature has been around for a while.
When and how did it begin?

As long as I can remember, I’ve had a deep love for animals and nature. It’s also true that in my second year of high school, I didn’t know which career to choose, but I did know it would be related to nature. In the end, I chose a Biology degree at the University of Vigo because they offered plenty of fieldwork. The degree was tough—I won’t deny it—but I also enjoyed it very much.

2. What motivated you to get involved in activism?

When you’re in the countryside, at the beach, or walking through any green area, there’s always trash. No matter where you look, people throw away their waste without any remorse—classic “littering.”

Every time I see something like this, I feel an internal anger that I can’t control. So whenever I can, I try to encourage the people around me to go out into nature and see in situ all the damage we’re causing. My activism was born out of the frustration of seeing that so many people are indifferent to harming our planet, and that hurts.

3. Do you think your love for Galicia was an important factor in starting activism?

Absolutely. In Galicia, we have beautiful landscapes that, far too often, are full of litter. It’s a shame that we don’t take care of our little land, especially considering how beautiful it is!

4. In your daily life, what do you do to live more sustainably?

I’ve mentioned it several times on social media, but I struggle with anxiety. Several years ago, I was so focused on being sustainable that it actually increased my anxiety. Let me explain: I was constantly overwhelmed because I wasn’t doing everything perfectly, 100% of the time. Even though I tried to be as sustainable as possible in my daily life, I always wanted to do more—an endless loop that, combined with anxiety, wasn’t a good mix. That’s why now I try to be as sustainable as I can without stressing myself out. If one day I can’t be sustainable, I don’t blame myself; instead, I try to make the next day as sustainable as possible. One person alone can’t change the world, but small acts by many can.

5. Are you one of those who believe that every individual effort counts, or do you think big change goes hand in hand with large companies?

I believe in both. In my stories, I always say, “Small changes lead to big changes.” It’s true that every little bit helps, but companies also have to do their part.

On an economic level, companies always want to make money, but we can use that to our advantage. If consumers change their lifestyle—for example, instead of buying boxes with tea bags, they start buying loose tea—brands will have to change their business model if they see a drop in sales.

That’s when they’ll shift to a more sustainable business model.
For their own benefit? Of course, but we’ll always be the ones holding the pan. Still, many people need to change their habits, and I believe that’s gradually happening.

6. What tips would you give to someone who wants to start changing their lifestyle?

- Buy a cloth bag and always carry it with you.

- A glass or aluminum bottle will be your best ally.

- Before buying something, think about whether you really need it. Avoid creating unnecessary waste, and you’ll also save money.

7. How do you reconcile the world of biology with that of marketing?

Nowadays, I don’t work as a biologist per se, but I try to share my knowledge in the simplest way on social media. It’s also true that at the office where I currently work, they’re tired of me telling them little things about sustainability. The best part? I think they’re already picking up a lot of the concepts.

8. If someone told you they only have one day to visit all of Galicia, where would they
go?

To the Cíes Islands, Santiago de Compostela, and Playa de las Catedrales. But to be realistic, they’ll have to step on the gas that day (public transportation schedules in Galicia aren’t very frequent, so a car is the best option in this case).

9. You had an exponential boom on social media with your video in which you donated hair. How does it feel to go viral overnight?

I’ve had several viral moments like this in my life, and they never stop surprising me—you don’t get used to it. I’ll also say that I prefer to grow little by little, because people who follow you en masse after a viral video often think you only make that type of content (like the one in the video). Then, weeks later, they stop following you once they see the rest of what you create. Honestly, I’d rather be followed by people who genuinely like my style of videos, whatever the topic may be (travel, comedy, sustainability…).

10. Did you ever think that a TikTok account dedicated to raising awareness about environmental care would gain so much support?

No, honestly, I never expected it. But I love knowing that my videos are instilling positive values in so many people.

This way, we’ll create a better world step by step—I’m sure of it.