An Inspired Chat with Galina Slavova of Westlake Village

We recently had the chance to connect with Galina Slavova and have shared our conversation below.

Galina, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Writing. Storytelling. Creating. When I’m building worlds — whether it’s my memoir, children’s books, or animated stories — the hours disappear. It’s like my mind enters the place where everything I’ve lived is transformed into purpose. Creativity is where I lose myself and find myself at the same time.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Galina Slavova — an author, creator, and former judo champion originally from Sofia, Bulgaria.
My journey began in a challenging childhood, but I found strength and discipline through judo, earning my black belt at 13 and becoming a Bulgarian National Champion. Those early lessons in resilience, focus, and courage shaped everything I do today.

I am an actor, model, and the author of The Wrong Side of Freedom — now available for pre-order, with the official launch set for August 27th, 2026. I am also the founder of the Blossoming Beyond Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients and survivors through emotional care, community connection, and creative healing resources. Our mission is to ensure that no one faces their battle alone, and that both men and women feel empowered through early detection, support, and hope.

I am also the creator of Gigi Judo, a children’s book and animated series inspired by the little girl I once was. Gigi is a vibrant pink panther cub in a judo gi who teaches kids ages 2–7 confidence, kindness, movement, and resilience through playful storytelling. She represents imagination meeting discipline, and the belief that even small children can learn to be strong, focused, and brave. I created Gigi Judo to inspire kids everywhere to believe in themselves and to bring healthy, empowering content to families around the world.

Across everything I work on — my memoir, my creative projects, and my foundation — my mission is simple:
to empower people through storytelling, movement, and emotional courage.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world tried to tell me who I had to be, I was a stubborn little girl in Sofia, Bulgaria who refused to sit still or stay quiet. I questioned everything, climbed everywhere, and learned very early that if a door didn’t open for me, I could kick it down — literally. Judo became my language before I even understood my own story. I was strong before I knew strength was rare, rebellious before I knew rebellion had a price, and full of dreams that didn’t fit the life I was born into.
In many ways, I’m still that girl — just louder, wiser, and no longer apologizing for taking up space.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
The moment I heard the words “you have breast cancer,” everything in my life went silent.
At first, I tried to stay strong the way I always had — smile, fight, move on. But you can’t outrun that kind of truth.

So I stopped hiding.

I let myself feel the terror, the grief, the anger — all the emotions I used to bury under discipline and achievement. I sat with them like unwelcome guests, and in that stillness, something unexpected happened:
my pain stopped being a weight and started becoming a compass.

I let myself be human. And that honesty became power. It’s the reason I founded the Blossoming Beyond Foundation.
It’s the reason I write. It’s the reason Gigi Judo exists.

My pain didn’t break me — it rerouted me toward my purpose.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I believe struggle is not the enemy — comfort is.
Most people try to avoid discomfort, but every major transformation in my life began with something that felt painful or impossible. Discomfort is a doorway if you’re willing to walk through it.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m creating. When I’m building something from nothing. When purpose and imagination touch.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.galinaslavova.com
• Instagram: miss_gali13
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/@GigiJudo

Image Credits
Images are personal