MY SUSTAINABLE LIFE
The sprinter, Cantabria Labs’ ambassador since 2019, cares much more about looking after the planet since she became a mother. And she puts it into practice at home, among other things, saving energy resources.
By Cristina Martín Frutos
2 DECEMBER 2025 / 17:00
The Paralympic athlete Sara Andrés is not only a reference in a positive attitude toward life, effort and personal resilience. She is also, in the care of the planet. She tells it almost anecdotally, as if it were of no importance. But Sara, ambassador of Cantabria Labs since 2019, is of those people who have incorporated sustainable habits into her day to day. «I have been changing things at home little by little,» she says.
It may not have happened overnight, but she still adheres to many of the small gestures that are recommended to easily reduce our carbon footprint. She separates and recycles all waste, saves energy, shops at local stores, avoids plastic packaging… She even bought a hybrid car with her partner. “If I think about it, yes we do things… For example, while I wait for the shower water to warm up, I put a bucket underneath to collect the cold water and then use it to water the garden or mop the floor,” Sara Andrés admits.
Motherhood, a turning point
In that gradual shift toward sustainability that Sara mentions, there has recently been a small push. At the end of this summer she became a mother. «After Nico was born I felt super vulnerable, very emotional. I started thinking more than ever about what kind of planet I will leave to my child. I was devastated thinking about children who suffer natural disasters or go hungry… I felt a caregiver’s sense extending to the environment»,” she confesses.
Although she has tried to use reusable diapers, she deemed it impossible. But she has put in place other sustainable details, such as choosing fragrance-free products, stopping using perfumes, avoiding toxins when cleaning, etc. “It’s a way to take care of the planet and to limit endocrine disruptors at home.”
Sustainability starts in Sara Andrés’s kitchen
In addition to the habits she has incorporated since her little one was born, the sprinter, a T64 100-meter medalist at several world championships and who has participated in three Olympic Games, has been integrating a sustainable vision into her daily life for some time. In the kitchen she puts into practice many of the tips we often hear: “I have changed the materials I cook with; I only have glass containers; I buy food at the market near home and avoid packaged products…,” she enumerates. It is her way of generating less waste and reducing pollution.
She has also switched to local clothing brands, has acquired some solid cosmetics and is a resource-saver expert. In addition to the trick to avoid wasting shower water, Sara Andrés closes all the doors of the rooms to keep the heat in and does not leave a light on if it is not necessary. «We don’t overdo the heating. At home, in winter, you have to wear a sweater, not short sleeves. And behind the radiators I place a reflective panel to create a better thermal environment».
Sustainable also outside of home
Sara Andrés’ commitment to the environment does not stop at home. She puts it into practice when moving around (“I try to go by train and now, with the little one, we walk whenever we can”). Also in her work as a motivational speaker and as an ambassador for Cantabria Labs, a Spanish pharmaceutical laboratory at the forefront of global dermatology. “I value the work I do with them a lot. Of course I will continue raising awareness about the importance of protecting yourself from the sun,” says the athlete, who had a basal cell carcinoma (a skin tumor that usually appears on sun-exposed areas).
Athlete and screenwriter
In addition to continuing her collaboration with Cantabria Labs, Sara, who is also a psychopedagogue and a teacher, has no shortage of plans for 2026. «I want to resume my athlete side. Right after giving birth I returned to training, I needed it! Also, I want to prepare for next year’s para-athletics world championships».
As if that weren’t enough, she has a very interesting project ahead. «Some time ago I wrote five children’s stories featuring characters with disabilities and we are taking them to the big screen. It’s moving slowly, but it will reach the cinemas». As she herself says, an upcoming year full of good and interesting things awaits her, «and may there be plenty of them!»
