Hey, folks! Welcome to the first-ever blog from ReadySetGreen Fit (RSG)!
I'll kick off by ditching the stiff intros and being transparent from the start. I’m Irina. Proud founder. Female human. Certified sports junkie. And possibly the most pumped person you’ll ever meet about mixing sweat with saving the planet.
So, who am I? I’m a 29-year-old Romanian turned honorary Dutch, carving out my slice of ikigai (Google it, it’s worth it). Something about my life? Equal parts sweat, speed, and soul. At 17, I was freefalling through the sky after allegedly attempting to fake my mom's signature (sorry, mom). At 18, I was hitting the throttle on other people's motorcycles. Later, I lost and found myself in Norway for six months, where I learned about their mouthwatering caramel cheese, and climbed various mountains, every time being the only non-Norwegian in a group of 20. By 22, I had an electric motorcycle accident and I got hated because I ruined the team's patatfiets—for the non-Dutchies out there, that means the motorcycle used to go buy snacks on Thursdays—but even so, I'm still wearing my smile. And by 23, I was back on (my very own) two wheels. A little scarred, but never scared. By today, I've done three track days, and I don't seem to learn not to sweep the ground with myself every time. But eh.
I keep finding myself in uncomfortable situations, it seems. But sporting has always been my ride-or-die. From childhood gymnastics and mountain climbing to snowboarding, kayaking in Italian river gorges, SUP on the Dutch canals, weightlifting—you name it, I’ve probably tried it. Except bungee jumping. No, thank you.
To end my introduction, I'm someone who has never been great at sitting back and ignoring problems. Injustice? Hate it, from the bottom of my heart. Wasted opportunities? Not anymore. Watching the planet get trashed while people carry on like it’s someone else’s problem? Don’t get me started. It’s why I’ve spent my career driving sustainability initiatives, from launching online platforms for green vehicles, and being a face for one of the Netherlands' biggest e-mobility events, to running PR and events for the world’s leading electric motorcycle brand. And now, it’s time to level up again. Enter: ReadySetGreen.
Why I started RSG
Let’s get one thing straight: RSG shouldn’t even need to exist. If humanity didn’t treat Earth like an afterthought, if greed wasn’t a thing, if ‘sustainable’ wasn’t such a buzzword, it’d be game over for this blog and business. But guess what? Here we are. I couldn’t just sit on the sidelines anymore. I needed to be about it. RSG is my answer to the "why nots."
- Why not make sustainable sports gear a no-brainer?
- Why not create a space where you can look good, feel good, and do good?
- Why not now?
Through RSG, I’m handpicking brands that actually walk their sustainability talk. No greenwashing, no BS. Just gear that performs and transforms. Because really, saving the planet should feel natural and enjoyable. That’s how Climate Karen came about. She’s our snarky and cynical persona, the voice of reason behind RSG, who’s here to roast our poor habits and push us all to do better for the Earth. Zero sugarcoating, 100% honesty.
Giving back is personal
Giving back isn’t just part of my story. Honestly, it's the headline. I’ve always believed in paying it forward, and my past is filled with building homes for the less fortunate in Romania, marching against violence, planting tree fields, and teaching other less fortunate kids English. And RSG? It’s my biggest give-back yet. Our planet deserves better, and Climate Karen and I are here to rally anyone who’ll listen (hi, that’s you!) to make sustainability second nature.
What’s next?
This blog? It’s just the beginning. I’m here to build a community of badass individuals who care about more than aesthetics. Sporting, in whatever shape that comes to folks, is about strength. Not just physical, but moral.
Wanna know more? Stalk—uh, I mean, connect—on LinkedIn.
For a fitter planet,
Irina
