Julia Ivankovich

Ever since I was child, I’ve always understood how important it was to take care of my physical well-being. I grew up in a small town in Belarus where there weren’t many options for healthy activities and none of us had ever heard of the concept of Wellness. Despite that, I immersed myself in fitness, tennis, running, bodybuilding and sauna, not only focusing on my physical development but also caring for my mental health. Dedicating my life to sports and physical culture, I studied to become a trainer and worked as a yoga trainer-instructor for six years, gently helping learners to develop both exercise techniques and healthy ways of thinking. A work trip to Malaysia inspired me to become equally passionate about travel and fate eventually brought me to my second home in the Maldives. I raised a family and developed a business here; maintaining physical and mental well-being has been crucial in balancing both for the past 15 years. In a country like the Maldives, where activity choices can be limited and most people live in relatively closed spaces, adhering to Wellness principles is especially important, allowing people to lead a more fulfilling and happier life. That’s the reason  I foster a broad network of connections, uniting people across various sectors to promote good physical and mental health. No matter how busy life gets, it’s vital to find space and time for spiritual and physical development. Everyone has their own way: for me, it’s surfing, swimming, running, tennis and exploring breathing techniques. In the end, wellness, just like travel, is about making people happy.