WYLDE WOMAN | DAJANA RADOVANOVIC
Where do you come from? How has that impacted your journey so far?
I was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The war started a few months after that. We moved around a lot. Eventually we were granted refugee status and given the opportunity to move to Canada. I spent my childhood/teen years there. Upon graduating from University, I decided I wanted to try something new so I moved to Los Angeles. I think because we moved around so much growing up, this made me less attached to the idea of one place being home. It has allowed me to think more freely. It makes me want to keep moving, to keep exploring the world —home.
What inspired you to start Dajana's Health Club?
I moved to Los Angeles in 2015 to pursue a career in modeling. And (for the most part) I loved it. I got the chance to travel the world, to meet and work with new people and to be creative. The part I didn’t love, was the unrealistic expectations of the fashion industry. The one size-fits-all standard. This caused health issues for me — I lost my monthly cycle for over a year (it would return for a month or two and then disappear again for over a year). I realized something was really off and that this was an unhealthy way of living. So I decided to put my health first. I enrolled in nutrition school and got my health and monthly cycles back on track, naturally, without medication. I founded Dajana’s Health Club as a way to inspire people on their own health journey — to make health accessible and fun for all.
As a Holistic Health Coach, what are some of your tips on staying healthy?
A few health tips I think can be applied to most people — getting good sleep/taking rest, drinking a lot of water, eating a combination of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains healthy fats and quality proteins and moving your body in a way that feels good to you (that could mean a gentle walk, a run, yoga, cycling etc.) and feeling into your body, checking in to see how it’s doing and what it needs on any given day, knowing that that is always changing.
As the wellness world gets more saturated, what does "holistic, or healthy living" mean to you?
Looking at the whole. Getting to the root of the issue/ailment. Treating not just the symptom. I think it’s so important to really understand how ones diet/lifestyle may contribute to the issues they experience. It’s really about digging deep and understanding how we got to where we are and what needs to change to actually be able to create long-lasting sustainable results. Health not always as easy as here take this pill and everything is going to be ok — often times the pill is just the bandaid, it’s not sustainable.
Do you have a ritual for creativity & inspiration?
Nature. If i’m ever feeling down or uninspired, unplugging and going into nature and spending some time there usually does the trick. Also my friendships. They really inspire me.
Where is your favourite place to spend your time?
In the kitchen, cooking or at a dinner table surrounded by friends, some good natural wine and yummy food.
What has been your biggest lesson?
Patience, patience, patience… time and time again. Everything has it’s time. We just need to be patient.
Who do you look up to?
The sky. Haha...
If you could invite anyone over to dinner, who would it be and why?
Alison Ronan. For starters, she makes really yummy food (her caramelized shallot pasta… YOU WIN ALISON!), she seems bubbly and fun and I love her approach to cooking. I would love to pick her brain on food and life.
What are your hopes for the year and what would you like to share with the world?
Creating a safe space for people to learn, to share and to grow.
What would be your advice to women?
So often we are told we “should be this" and “shouldn’t be that". Try to let go of these ideas. Be, explore, express whatever is in your heart.
What is your definition of a WYLDE WOMAN?
To me, a Wylde Woman is one who does not feel confined to the expectations placed by those around her. She lives by her own rules. She is connected to her mind, her body and her spirit. She nourishes them with whatever she feels they need in any given moment. She feels free.
Finish this sentence:
I can’t live without… Human Connection
I can’t put down… My chef’s knife
My favorite food is… Anything homemade by family or friends… especially if it involves pasta.
My favorite season is… Those few weeks when Spring turns to Summer and then Summer turns to Fall.
I will never forget… How people/things/places made me feel.
DAJANA WEARS THE HANA TEE WITH THE MIZU SKIRT
FOLLOW DAJANA HERE
FOLLOW DAJANA'S HEALTH CLUB HERE
