Inspiring Women: Meet the Breast Cancer Survivor Behind Your Favorite Green Juice Brand

We all know how important veggies are for your overall health – but do you actually eat as many as you should, regularly? Maybe. Maybe not, though. I know I've set valiant goals for my vegetable intake and somehow always fallen short, even after buying a fancy juicer and spending a small fortune on produce with grand plans to make my own kale-carrot-cucumber concoction every morning. I think I lasted 3 days.

After throwing in the towel on making my own, I discovered Daily Greens. The line of green juices pack 4.5 pounds (7 servings) of organic produce into each bottle, so all it takes is one a day and I'm set. Downing 12 ounces of cold-pressed green juice on the way to work every morning is far easier than figuring out how to eat 4.5 pounds of cooked veggies every day, let me tell you. And best yet? The Daily Greens juices all taste far better than they look. Don't let the green part scare you — even my greens-averse husband is now hooked.

While making green juice accessible and easy for everyone is awesome, another reason to love the brand is because it was started by an awesome woman named Shauna Martin following her battle with breast cancer. Shauna is the founder and CEO and has made it part of the Daily Greens mission to continue supporting young women in the fight against breast cancer. As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to share Shuana's inspiring story and mission with you all, and encourage you to drink your greens, of course.

Livingly: How did Daily Greens come about?

Shauna Martin: In 2005, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. With a young family to care for, I was desperate for ways to recover from the trauma of multiple surgeries and the toxic effects of chemotherapy. So I turned to juicing green vegetables every day for an extra boost of nutrients. After discovering its life-restoring power, I made it my mission to get a green juice into the hands of everyone. I started selling my green juices at farmer’s markets around Austin and that’s where I was discovered by Whole Foods, which later become one of my first retailers. Founding Daily Greens in 2012, our juices are now sold in thousands of retail outlets nationwide like Costco, Safeway, Kroger, and Sprouts.

What things in your life did you change after beating breast cancer?

First, I drink a Daily Greens juice every single day. I’m also completely vegan and actively work to consume only organic foods. In fact, Daily Greens juices are made with only organic produce. I practice a healthy lifestyle with daily exercise and meditation. I also actively support breast cancer awareness causes throughout the year with rides and runs.

Tell us about Daily Greens and the Young Survival Coalition — why is this an organization you've chosen to support?

When I first found out I had breast cancer, I called my sister and much to my surprise and horror, she said “ME TOO!” It was a devastating diagnosis for both of us. After that, I aggressively searched for more information for us and somehow we landed at a Young Survival Coalition conference. The sense of community and sisterhood was incredible. Since then, the Young Survival Coalition has been an organization that I promote and support. Every year we raise money for Young Survival Coalition and this year is no different. In addition to participating in the Tour de Pink ride with my sister in the spring and being a member of the YSC board, Daily Greens is raising funds through a neck hanger campaign and a text message program (TEXT DGPINK to 50555 if you want to donate $10 then we’ll match it!)

What are three things that got you to where you are today?

I grew up on a farm and learned how to work hard at a very young age. My parents emphasized the importance of education, and encouraged me to not only go to college but to obtain post graduate degrees (I obtained two by the age of 24). I was given great responsibility in my career at very young ages, and I always embraced the responsibility and even if I did not know what I was doing I would work hard and figure it out.

What is the best advice you've ever gotten?

Never stop being passionate.

What are your next plans for Daily Greens?

At Daily Greens our mission is to get green juice in the hands of everyone. Our juices make it easier to get a delicious dose of green goodness into your body, every day. So we hope to be in every retailer and in every household. Lastly, we want to continue to serve and help young breast cancer survivors. Every empty bottle of Daily Greens supports young women in their battle against breast cancer as we actively give to phenomenal organizations that help survivors throughout the year.

How has being a mom affected your business?

Daily Greens has become the “family” brand in the cold-pressed juice category, I believe because we cater to the everyday juice needs of the entire family. When I develop new flavors I think of the entire family, not just what “mom” or “dad” would drink. Consuming a daily green juice is an important habit for the entire family, mom, dad and kids alike. We have a kids line called Half Pints, that my son helped me develop and which is tailored to “kids” pallets. We also have a new Green Ade line which is low sugar and calorie, but with the bright fun colors of Gatorade.

Which juices do your kids drink?

My son drinks Jicama-Blue Majik in lieu of blue Gatorade.

What is a common misconception people have about your products?

When I first started making green juices, my friends and family joked about my “swamp water” because a common misconception is that green juices do not taste good. But once people tried my green creations, they soon became believers! Green juices can taste delicious. Daily Greens juices are a testament to that.

Even more so, we did a consumer taste test, and found that green juices made with only ORGANIC produce taste even better. So through our marketing programs, we are promoting an “Organic Tastes Better” campaign and are sampling products nonstop. Our hope is that after people try Daily Greens they discover that it’s a product the whole family can enjoy.

What is the best part of your day?

My days are usually crazy from the moment my eyes pop open till I lay my head on the pillow at night, but my favorite part of my day is always when I get to work out. Its my special “me” time, and always feels like such a treat and gift that I am giving myself.

At Livingly, our motto is "live life beautifully." What does living beautifully mean to you?

Living life beautifully to me means living each and every day as if it might be my last day.