Today we’d like to introduce you to Galina Slavova
Galina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and found early success in life as a world-class athlete in Judo. At the age of 13, I became one of the youngest children in the Former Soviet Union to receive a black belt. Competing for my country, I won several championships and represented Bulgaria with pride. Between 1987 and 1997, I clinched four Bulgarian National Championships and earned four silver medals internationally.
In 2004, I transitioned from athletics to modeling after moving to Puerto Rico. This new path led me to Miami, FL, in 2007, where I built a successful career as a print model. My fluency in Spanish eased my entry into the Miami acting scene, where I made multiple appearances in telenovelas and other Latin American TV programs.
Catching the acting bug in Miami, I relocated to Los Angeles in 2013. Since then, I have acted on stage and screen, done voice-over work, and shot multiple TV commercials. I also established myself as a successful print and fitness model. Drawing on my background as a world-class athlete, I specialized in personal training and mixed martial arts. I regularly volunteer at several women’s domestic violence shelters in Los Angeles, teaching self-defense.
In 2023, I was at the peak of my fitness career, preparing for a competition, when I received the devastating news that I had breast cancer. My whole world shifted in that moment. I had been misdiagnosed a year earlier, and unfortunately, the cancer was now a reality I had to face head-on.
Despite this setback, I am excited to unveil key initiatives aimed at supporting and inspiring those facing similar challenges. The launch of the “Blossoming Beyond” Cancer Survivor Documentary Feature Film and the establishment of the Blossoming Beyond Foundation mark significant milestones in my advocacy.
My participation in the Ms. Health & Fitness Competition, which began on May 6, 2024, is particularly significant as I return to the same event I was training for when diagnosed with breast cancer a year prior. My comeback symbolizes a profound journey of “blossoming beyond” the disease.
Despite enduring multiple surgeries and radiation treatments, I impressively resumed my fitness, acting, and modeling careers within a year. My story is one of incredible resilience and dedication to helping others.
“Through my personal journey with breast cancer, including an initial misdiagnosis, I realized the importance of self-breast exams, listening to one’s body, and advocating for oneself. After a year, I fortunately caught the disease in its early stage. During my treatment, I found solace in one-on-one counseling, which alleviated feelings of isolation and loneliness – a common issue among breast cancer patients that significantly impacts both emotional and physical health. Research indicates that isolation increases the risk of cancer recurrence, breast cancer mortality, and overall mortality. Coming out of my surgeries and treatments, I knew I needed to use my personal experience to help others.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road. At a very young age, I was a tomboy and had difficulty expressing myself. I often felt like I didn’t belong, and being overweight made me the target of teasing. This led to feelings of depression as I perceived how people saw me. Growing up in a communist environment added another layer of difficulty. It was challenging to break out of that mold, maintain a positive outlook, and believe in my potential to achieve whatever I wanted. Most people around me were, and still are, afraid to break the mold. I felt like I didn’t have the freedom of choice based on my environment, and I just wanted something different for myself. I always felt like something was missing.
One of the constant challenges in my life since leaving Bulgaria at the age of 20 has been the feeling of being alone. When I moved to Puerto Rico to teach kids judo, I had to learn Spanish and immerse myself in the culture. Initially, this was a significant challenge and obstacle, but I later embraced it. To this day, I love the warmth of Latin culture.
More recently, the biggest challenge of my life has been facing a cancer diagnosis while living on my own in the U.S., about 7,000 miles from my family. Navigating the U.S. healthcare system, ensuring I had the right insurance, and finding counselors to support me was incredibly daunting. But these experiences have also taught me resilience and the importance of self-advocacy. Despite these struggles, I am determined to use my journey to inspire and support others facing similar challenges.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’d love to share more about my work and the journey that has brought me to where I am today. I am a professional athlete, fitness model, and actor, now using all my experiences to be a beacon of hope and advocate for other breast cancer patients. This is a new journey for me, and I am most proud of my ability to fight breast cancer on my own, navigate the healthcare system, and believe that I could win my battle against breast cancer, just like I did when I competed in Judo and won representing my country. However, this battle is now me fighting for myself to beat breast cancer.
I specialize in personal training, mixed martial arts, and acting. My work has spanned from the stages of Latin American television to the fitness world, where I have always strived to excel. What sets me apart from others is my relentless desire to always succeed and not give up, even when I have been knocked down. I have been on my own for the last 25 years, creating a life that I fully enjoy and that I have built independently. Now, I can help others through my advocacy.
In the battle against breast cancer, silence is not an option. Our campaign is a rallying cry for bold and fearless action. We believe that by making noise, we can save lives, drive change, and support those affected by this disease. It’s time to stand together, raise our voices, and take fearless steps towards a future without breast cancer. Our campaign isn’t just about awareness; it’s about empowerment. We’re encouraging everyone to be proactive with regular screenings, to educate themselves and others, and to advocate for better healthcare. We need to be bold in our pursuit of advanced research and fearless in our support for survivors and fighters.
I am also producing and directing a documentary film, “Blossoming Beyond,” set to premiere in October.13,2024. This film showcases survivors’ stories and their journeys from darkness to light, highlighting their strength and resilience.
Being bold and fearless means breaking down barriers and challenging the status quo. It means sharing stories of strength and resilience, creating a community where no one faces breast cancer alone. It’s about turning awareness into action and action into tangible results.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
To achieve my mission of helping other breast cancer patients, people can support the Blossoming Beyond Foundation and its initiatives in the following ways:
1. *Monetary and/or In-Kind Contributions and Donations:* Your financial support and in-kind donations are crucial in helping us provide resources and services to breast cancer patients and survivors.
2. *Recruit and/or Recommend Therapists/Social Workers:* We are always looking for experts in breast cancer patient and survivor counseling. Your recommendations can help us build a network of support.
3. *Volunteer Your Time and/or Talents:* We welcome volunteers who can offer their skills and time to help further our mission. Whether it’s event planning, administrative support, or specialized services, your help makes a difference.
4. *Visit and Share Our Website and Social Media:* Watching and sharing our content helps spread awareness. Follow us on social media, visit our website, and share our posts to amplify our message.
5. *Promote the Blossoming Beyond Foundation:* Inform any breast cancer patients, survivors, and their family members about our resources and initiatives. Your word-of-mouth promotion is invaluable.
6. *Other Forms of Promotion:* Any additional ways you can promote our foundation, such as featuring us in newsletters or media outlets, are greatly appreciated.
7. *Share and Promote the Trailer of My Blossoming Beyond Documentary Film:* Watch the movie, share the trailer, and encourage others to do so. This helps raise awareness and support for our cause.
8. *Invite Me to Your Organization as a Stop on My Protect Yourself Tour:* Starting in October 2024, I will be kicking off my Protect Yourself Tour in the greater Los Angeles area. The tour will feature workshops on both the basics of self-defense and self-breast exams. I will be traveling to events, venues, street fairs, festivals, corporate campuses, parks, and more throughout Southern California. Your organization can host a stop on my tour, providing an opportunity for on-site education and demonstrations. I will also provide visitors with printed materials and links to my website for further information and videos.
Join our campaign. Be bold by speaking out and spreading the word. Be fearless by taking preventive measures and encouraging others to do the same. Together, we can create a world where breast cancer is not a death sentence but a fight that we can and will win.
Make your voice heard. Take bold steps. Be fearless in your support. The fight against breast cancer needs you. Together, we are unstoppable in our mission.
Together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer. Your support is vital in helping us continue our work and reach more people in need.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blossomingbeyond.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_gali13/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/3Fbts7ACHHY
Image Credits
1. Hadley Gustafson
2 .The Burbank Picture Company
