Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Andreeva
Hi Maya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi! Yes. I’d love to share the story of how I made it to the U.S.A.
I was born and raised in Sofia, the vibrant capital of Bulgaria. My childhood was filled with joy, particularly during the summers I spent in the mountains with my grandparents. It was there that my love for nature and animals truly blossomed. Those peaceful days in the countryside instilled in me a deep appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of life.
As I entered middle and high school, my interests shifted dramatically. The allure of the city life drew me in, and I began to stray from my earlier passions. I started smoking and drinking alcohol at a very young age, a rite of passage to be part of the “cool kids” gang. Thankfully, I never got into too much trouble, but these experiences were pivotal in shaping my understanding of choices and consequences.
Despite being a troubled teen, I found my way and started attending college part-time while securing a job in my chosen field.
One summer, just before the new school year began, my cousin returned from a “work and travel” adventure in the U.S.A. She shared exciting stories and showed me stunning pictures of the places she had visited. Her tales sparked my interest, and I decided to explore and experience it for myself. Inspired and ready to do whatever it takes, I decided to transition to full-time college enrollment, a necessary step to qualify for the Work and Travel visa.
Transitioning to full-time studies within the Bulgarian college system was no easy feat. The process required immense persistence and determination, teaching me that I am truly unstoppable when I set my mind to something. After a year as a full-time student, I finally boarded a plane to Los Angeles, eager for the adventure that awaited me.
My first job in the U.S. was as a housekeeper at a luxurious beachfront hotel in Santa Monica. Despite the exhausting work, I had a blast in my free time, making lasting friendships with amazing people who remain close to me to this day. It was during this period that I decided to pursue the “American Dream.”
When I shared my decision with my parents, they were understandably shaken. They urged me to return to Bulgaria to complete my final year of university, assuring me that I could follow my dreams thereafter. Trusting their wisdom, I went back and graduated with a BA. However, my dream of returning to the U.S. faced a significant setback when my application for a U.S. student visa was denied. The disappointment was profound, but I refused to give up.
Determined to find another way, I enrolled in a one-year Master’s program, which made me eligible again for the Work and Travel visa. Inspired by the movie *The Secret* I began my first conscious manifestation practice. I immersed myself in visualizing my future life in the U.S., with unwavering belief and dedication.
Only five days after I was granted a visa, I landed in Los Angeles, a city that has been my home for the past 14 years.
This journey taught me the value of resilience, determination, and the power of a positive mindset. Every challenge I faced only strengthened my resolve and shaped me into the person I am today. Now, I am passionate about helping others navigate their own paths and achieve their dreams.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has been a bumpy ride, and I am grateful for each bump on the road. These challenges have taken me to places of struggle, frustration, depression, and surrender, each teaching me valuable lessons and shaping who I am today.
I started my life in the U.S. with only a three-month work permit. After that expired, I became a student with no legal right to work, which was definitely a challenge. I had to find a way to support myself. Despite speaking very poor English, I managed to get hired as a hostess on 3rd Street Promenade. My English was so limited that when someone asked if we had “change,” I replied, “Oh no, sorry we don’t have that,” not even knowing what they were asking! Over time, my English improved, and I secured another hostess job on the same street. Slowly, I was promoted to waitress positions at both restaurants.
Working tirelessly, clocking in 12-15 hour days, 5-6 days a week, often taking the midnight bus home and starting all over again at 6 AM the next day taught me invaluable lessons in perseverance and hard work. Despite the grueling schedule, I managed to make new friends, have fun, and even meet my now-husband. It took me four long years before I could visit my family back in Bulgaria.
Working for so long as an undocumented immigrant and a waitress created limiting beliefs within me—that I wasn’t capable of doing anything else. It led to feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt, as well as deep depression. One day, I resigned myself to the belief that I was destined to serve people my entire life. Little did I know, that was part of the plan, but in a very different way.
Each bump on my journey taught me the power of resilience and adaptability. Every setback became a lesson in finding creative solutions and staying determined against all odds.
Everything changed when I took a Kundalini Yoga teacher training. This immersive nine-month course helped me reconnect with myself and tap into a deeper part of me that knew my true potential. It reminded me of my grit and determination and reignited the fire within me.
The experience reinforced my commitment and discipline, as well as the importance of inner peace and spiritual growth. It showed me that even in the darkest times, there is light within us waiting to be ignited.
I had just quit all of my waitressing jobs right before the pandemic started. The lockdown gave me the excuse and the time to pause and let the universe show me the way. This is when I started offering sound baths at the beach in Marina del Rey. I felt alive and in my element, helping people regulate their nervous systems, release trauma, and find peace. It was profoundly fulfilling to hold a safe space for others to connect to their hearts and souls.
This period underscored the value of patience and trusting the process. It taught me that when we align with our true purpose, the universe has a way of guiding us towards it.
Shortly after, I was introduced to plant medicine, which has been a transformative journey. A profound spiritual experience unlocked within me the memory of an ancient energy healing technique. Now, my mission is to share this knowledge and assist as many people as possible in realigning with their highest potential. Through this, I hope to help others create the lives of their dreams.
Each challenge and triumph along the way has reinforced my belief in the power of intention, persistence, and the importance of following one’s passion. These qualities have not only shaped my journey but have also become the foundation upon which I build my life’s work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I utilize the healing power of energy and sound to help individuals enhance their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and achieve inner peace.
I am an intuitive energy and sound healing practitioner, devoted to guiding individuals through transformative journeys that foster self-discovery and healing for the mind, body, and spirit. My path as a healer began during a profound experience with Ayahuasca plant medicine, which reawakened within me an ancient knowledge of an energy healing technique called Juta. This sacred revelation kindled my passion for healing and set me on a mission to provide a compassionate and nurturing environment for my clients.
My practice Sat Nam Love, specializes in a unique fusion of energy and sound healing, leveraging my deep connection to spirit and the Juta energy healing to facilitate remarkable transformations. Clients describe their sessions as deeply relaxing and emotionally uplifting, often reporting the release of energetic blockages and evident physical healing. Many have entered altered states of consciousness and out-of-body sensations akin to a gentle psychedelic journey, exploring other realms or reconnecting with departed loved ones. Watching individuals heal from emotional wounds, overcome physical challenges, and realize their true potential brings me immense fulfillment.
In addition to one-on-one healing sessions, I am passionate about organizing transformative ceremonies and special events. These gatherings include women’s circles, moon rituals, birthdas, baby showers, intimate bachelorette celebrations, and bridal showers. These sacred events create a space for participants to connect more deeply, harness collective energy, and experience significant personal shifts, leaving them with feelings of happiness, love, and transformation.
Central to my work is the belief that everyone holds the capacity for healing themselves and achieving a fulfilling life. I am dedicated to creating a safe place for individuals to explore their inner wisdom and unlock their own healing potential. By nurturing the mind, body, and spirit, I help clients access their inner resources and foster a deeper connection with their higher selves. This enables them to awaken their innate abilities and bring about positive changes in their lives.
Currently, I co-host a monthly women’s Full Moon Fire Ritual in Topanga, where we explore different themes each month to foster healing and empowerment for both ourselves and the collective.
I also hold group Juta healing sessions for the new moon and other celestial events.
You can also find me facilitating regular weekly sound baths and group Juta Energy Healing sessions at a local studio in MdR called Hallowed Ground.
Besides my one on one work, these are all great opportunities to meet me and experience my gifts.
What makes you happy?
One of my primary “love languages” is quality time. Spending meaningful moments with my loved ones and friends fills me with immense joy and happiness. While I may be somewhat introverted and occasionally feel overwhelmed in large groups, I truly cherish one-on-one interactions with those I love, cherish, and respect.
Traveling and exploring the world with my husband also brings me great happiness. Growing up in post-communist Bulgaria, I never imagined I would ever have the opportunity to board an airplane, let alone travel to exotic islands, lush rainforests, or visit ancient sites that have stood for thousands of years. Remarkably, my very first airplane ride was to the U.S.A.
Traveling instills in me a profound sense of connectedness, a realization that no matter where we reside, we are all made of the same fabric, and we all yearn to be loved, seen, and understood. Through these experiences, I gain a deeper appreciation for the universal human spirit and the shared desires that unite us all.
But most of all, making others happy brings me the most happiness. There is truly no greater joy than knowing that, through kindness and support, we can help light up someone’s world and inspire them to believe in their own incredible potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.satnamlove.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sat.nam.love/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SatNamLoveWithMaya/
