Journey to Rediscover Your Authenticity
Nadia D. Diskavets is a sought-after transformational coach who empowers women through helping them to re-discover their joy and purpose.
In a world that can often feel overwhelming, Nadia offers a refreshing perspective on how to approach life. She teaches her clients how to align with their soul’s desires to create a meaningful and joyful life.
QWhat are some of the most unique places you have traveled to, and what made them stand out to you?
AIndia will always have a special place in my heart. I’ve been there 3 times. And all 3 times were absolutely unique and special in their own way. India can be intense with its bright colors, crazy traffic, the vast numbers of people around you, all of the sounds and smells. But because of that, it absorbs all of your attention and demands your full presence, and whether you want it or not, it forces you to be “in the here and now”, forgetting about the past or the future.
QCan you share a particularly memorable experience from your travels that was different from anything you had experienced before?
AOne night in Buenos Aires, there was a huge flood. The whole city shut down, and I ended up hiding from the rain in a small old bar, where I struck a conversation with a man sitting at a table next to me. We had such a lovely chat, that when the rain subsided, he took me around town and showed me his favorite buildings, and told me about the places and stories from this city that not many new about. Later I found out that he was a famous actor, beloved by many Argentines.
QWhat advice do you have for women who want to use travel as a means of personal and professional growth?
AAllow your heart to lead you. Throw away tight schedules. Allow yourself to just be, to wonder, to experience the place, to experience yourself within that place. Who are you there? How do you feel? What does your heart desire? Listen to its tugs and soft pulls.
That soft voice inside of you is your intuition. Travel is a fantastic time to practice listening to it, getting to know it. And when you learn to trust your intuition in small decisions like travel, it will be there for you when you need to make bigger decisions in life.
QHow do you immerse yourself in the local culture when you travel, and why is this important to you?
AI love local markets, temples/places of worship and restaurants where locals eat. And if I get a chance to be invited to a local event or someone’s house, I always take that opportunity. I find those to be great places to experience the life as locals live it.
I feel that if we stay in the bubble that caters to tourists, we will see a watered-down/ westernized version of the local culture, and with that we will miss its uniqueness. I want to see it raw and real. I want to experience the way that people live it, because it helps us to understand the world, and learn how we can improve our own lives, and even appreciate what we already have.
QWhat are some of your favorite sights and smells from the places you've visited, and why do they stand out to you?
AI will never forget how Provence (France) feels in the summer: the first thing that overtakes your senses is an amazing smell - a cacophony of different flavors: from sweet flowers to herbs; then there is the sound: an almost deafening symphony of citadels; and last, but definitely, not least the view of endless vineyards basking in the golden light against the back-drop of blue mountains in the distant, intensely green, punctuated only by beige stucco buildings.
I see why France produced so many great painters. It's impossible not to feel inspired there.
I love local markets, temples or places of worship. And I adore restaurants where locals eat. The best thing that could happen is, if I get a chance to be invited to a local event or someone’s house. I will always take that opportunity.
QHow do these sensory experiences contribute to your overall travel experience?
AOur senses are how we experience the world and how we remember it, as well. There is a part of our brain, called the amygdala, that ties our emotional memories to our sensory experiences. This is why the smells of cookies reminds us of Christmas and an old song reminds us of our first love. That connection is strong in the brain.
So without the sensory experiences our experience overall would be flat and probably forgettable.
QWhat are some of your favorite food and drink experiences from your travels, and why do they stand out to you?
AI’ve discovered that most of developing countries have great Michelin (or Michelin-like) restaurants with a tasting menu that are waaaaay cheaper than they would be in the US, so I always splurge on that experience to get to know local food and appreciate the chef’s unique creations.
QHow do you think embracing our senses and embracing each other can help us create a community of women who are not afraid to be their best selves, and what impact do you think this could have on the world?
ASlowing down and experiencing life through our senses enriches our lives and helps women to feel more present and grounded. When our senses are tingled, our hearts open and we feel awe and excitement for life. And in this state we fully embrace life and dream of what else is possible. And women who dream and create with open hearts and with a sense of possibility and grounded excitement create a beautiful life around them. And that continues to fill the world with more beauty, love and peace.
We asked Nadia create a selection of her favorite Bohème products
Nadia's Bohème Edit
Arabia
$49
Arabia by Bohème is an exotic masterpiece that awakens my senses and transports me to a world of warmth, richness, and intrigue.
The complex scent profile creates an invigorating and uplifting atmosphere that inspires me to explore the world around me.
Goa
$49
This one is a sensory experience that transports me to a place of wonderful memories & tranquility.
The sparkling citrus and nag champa notes create a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere, while the base notes of sandalwood and incense soothe the mind and promote relaxation. The perfect candle for unwinding after a long day.