Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikita Marina.
Nikita, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
How it started? My professional journey began with a personal one. It started with a deep longing for connection with others, with the world, and ultimately with myself. My first memories go back to early childhood when my parents immigrated from Russia to California. I distinctly remember a sense of disconnect and isolation I experienced in those first months.
I spent most of my teenage years rebelling and trying to numb up the feeling of emptiness. Then my very first independent road trip took place when I was around 17 years old. I drove my old Buick from San Francisco down to LA to visit a friend. I remember a sense of complete freedom. I felt full, joyful, connected with something bigger than me.
I’ve since traveled to over 40 countries. Traveling became not only a passion but a way to reconnect and get to know parts of myself that I otherwise had no conscious access to. I learned about myself through being completely immersed in foreign cultures, often feeling strangely at home with people whose language I could not understand and in places where customs were completely different from my own.
I have been shaped and molded by the depth of awkward, imperfect, at times heartwarming, at times unexpectedly confronting human connection. It was only natural for me to get a formal education in social psychology and find a career in development work. With time and experience I formulated an effective blend of scientific and holistic methods that became the core of my work with clients. It’s an incredible feeling to witness my clients’ growth and transformation. It fills me with hope.
In 2016 being on a journey of personal and professional development myself, I decided to say “yes” to an even greater depth of connection, this time with myself, by walking away from a very comfortable but much too predictable life. At the time, I was in the process of growing my coaching company, specializing in leadership support for senior-level executives. I had no idea what was waiting for me on the other side, in fact, I knew that if I had allowed myself to analyze it in detail, I wouldn’t have had the courage to take the leap of faith.
Through my travels, I’ve gained an invaluable experience of being able to connect with leaders from various cultural backgrounds. It made me realize that our unique differences and individual life experiences serve as a potent catalysts for spontaneous creative growth. With that realization, the idea for 1Moment, a space for connection and growth for mindful entrepreneurs, was born.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I am a believer that no roadworthy to be traveled can offer less than a bumpy ride! Luckily, my personal path was full of shaky moments. But I took the time to meditate, figure out what I wanted to contribute to the world and ask lots of questions. As an entrepreneur, I had made many mistakes along the way, failed more than once, and faced periods of defeat and self-doubt.
I stuck with it though and it’s been one of the best things I’ve done in my life. It taught me a lot about my real strength, which comes from knowing myself deeply. And of course, if it wasn’t for the solid network of support I’ve woven through my years of travel, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Somewhere along the way, I saw a quote by Ralph W. Emerson, ” Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” and it became my guiding light. It helped me to recognize and start building connections with like-minded people.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with 1Moment – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
1Moment is a growth and connection incubator at the heart of which lies the alchemy that takes place when 10-20 creative, passionate individuals come together to inspire and challenge each other while growing (their businesses and themselves) and adventuring together.
1 Moment is not a one-time retreat, it’s a journey that combines the best of the remote and in person world. It is unique as it provides you with useful tools such as meditation, EQ, authentic relating, and creativity workshops. My team of instructors and I help each one of the members to step deeper into their process and self-leadership, and as peers.
It begins with getting to know each client and their story over a few video calls. As a client, you get 1:1 coaching support right away before you even get to the physical destination! Then there are one of a kind deep immersion experiences. We take people off the grid to energetically powerful locations such as Lake Atitlan in Guatemala or the Balinese jungle in Indonesia, where even the land is supportive of transformation and healing. Each day consists of workshops and playtime. The journey doesn’t end when we leave. The clients get post-retreat 1:1 support and are encouraged to stay connected through an active online group.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
What I’m most proud of is the quality of our offer and the types of people that join our community. Coming from different walks of life, they are change agents who care deeply about each other, our individual missions, as well as our collective contribution towards global community and the planet. We believe that by growing as individuals, we elevate the whole community. We aspire to work in sustainable ways that contribute to the environment.
I am so grateful for transformations that start to take place as soon as the journey begins and the opportunities that they create for all of us. You have to live it to comprehend it.
2020 will be an exciting year for 1Moment as we are bringing in new collaborators and creating new life-changing experiences for our existing and new members. We would love for you to come on board!
Pricing:
- This special is exclusive to VoyageLA readers. Please mention VoyageLA in your request.
- 10% off our retreat fees to qualified small business owners and LA based entrepreneurs (prices vary by location).
- 15% off 1 hour mindfulness coaching for small businesses or their owners
- Our current end of year special.
- We would like to extend our free discovery call offer for Blueprint2020 to the readers who are ready to start setting their goals for 2020.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.1Moment.co
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1moment.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1moment.co
Image Credit:
ChiaraShine Photography, Quinn Morgan Design, Roger Suriol
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