tejna zanchotova: combat sports atlete
tejna zanchotova was born in the cechen republic. she left as a child, carried by war before she was old enough to choose movement for herself. she grew up in czechia. she lives now in austria.
by the time we met her at the well travelled launch party in vienna, she had already lived more borders than most people encounter in a lifetime. not as an adventure, but as the basic grammar of her life. she has since become part of the community. earlier this year, she joined us in rio.
this is her story, in her words.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I'm the middle child and the black sheep of my family, maybe even bloodline. I'm a huge fan of growth and getting better each day. essentially this and the fact that I tell the world’s funniest jokes is all you need to know about me (which for some reason only I laugh at).
SO... WHERE DID YOUR JOURNEY BEGIN?
as the fourth daughter in a family with a lot of expectations and a rich cultural background, I have always been scared to carve my own path. but I’ve dared to dream. each step I've made in the past contained some hope of a bigger life, so one day I took those dreams and made them reality. I moved out on my own at the beginning of 2021, which was a big leap of faith. an unprecedented action that caused a domino effect. this decision was not easy and for the next couple months I was completely on my own. whenever there was some issue the only person who could fix it was me. at the time of moving I was unemployed, with a small amount of savings and no apartment in sight. by 2022, I was working at a bank without a technical degree, had found my first (dream) apartment, and was about to take my first solo trip. before that I had only left the country twice, in twenty-four years of living. this step was the next harsh deviation. it unlocked new chapters in me — the immigrant child who couldn't dream of traveling the world on their own. I received keys for my apartment on september 10th and by 21st I was off to london, then paris. it was unheard of, unsupported, and, frankly, almost unmanageable with my life responsibilities. I often questioned if I was on the right path. but this path made me everything that I am. at exactly this moment, I've visited seventeen countries in three years. I've created bonds that will last a lifetime and gained knowledge that no book could offer. my first flight ticket to london was 40 euro, but I was so scared during the booking. looking back I find it very cute and very brave of me.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF TRAVEL?
I love to travel where I know some type of chaos is expected. roma’s street infrastructure, delhi’s local market where I bargained for cheaper prices. whenever I get to see life beyond the tourist path, it's the perfect trip.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN YOU TRAVEL?
I look forward to the new perspective on life I get when I'm in new spaces. not running away exactly. but rather, leaving the small ruminations behind to focus on the important things in my life. everything else just falling away allows me to refocus. I often just sit in random coffee shops, watching people and letting my mind wander around. I cherish those moments
the most.
WHAT DRAWS YOU TO KEEP MOVING?
traveling is a small act for those who have this possibility their whole life, but as a chechen this ability to travel is so empowering. I want to be the one who shows people that it’s possible. that even from my background of poverty, of braveness, from my background as an immigrant... I have managed to turn my life into something that I couldn’t have imagined.
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU'VE LEARNED WHILE TRAVELING?
to trust myself. sometimes you need to make decisions that can cost you money, you need to do things that feel emotionally challenging, or you simply run into the unexpected in new countries. I have found my confidence in decision making has grown in such unexpected ways. no one else in my family travels like me. if there is an issue I am the only one who can fix it.
HOW HAS TRAVEL SHAPED HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF?
each new country has something that makes me challenge my inner monologue and character. this action has led me to take charge of my life, confidence and inner peace. now, I often sit down with my thoughts and analyze everything. I have been battling C-PTSD, depression and anxiety for over two decades. words can't describe what it's been like. traveling has allowed me to put the final dot on who I am today.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL MEMORY?
my trip to attend my friend's wedding to india. the entire trip was like a fever dream. it was one of the most beautiful, hectic journeys of my life. I didn’t sleep for 48 hours before the trip, going to prague to pick up a bridesmaid's dress, training for the dancing part, which we didn't do due to injury of one of the girls. so we instead sang baby by justin bieber in front of the entire distant family, who I go to know for the first time. it’s been two years and I still haven't watched the video. in those six days I was there, I slept approximately thirteen hours in total. I made so many new friends, my bride's distant family, the groom's side and even the staff working in the hotel and at the wedding. whenever I think about being a little bit more introverted. I go back to the amount of memories I have created by being authentic. the highlight of the trip was taking a cab back to the airport at 11pm without network or signal on my phone. sometimes I get myself in crazy situations, which makes me laugh later on.
WHAT ARE THE NEX DESTINATIONS ON YOUR LIST, AND WHY?
brazil! in a world of fast phases like mine, from martial arts training, start ups, fintech and constant desire to grow — allowing yourself to discover places where people live is the best choice you can make for yourself. my nervous system wants to see life and emotions, which I believe brazil offers. I love rich cultures and people who embody their roots, hence my lifelong obsession with south america, middle east and central asia. additionally I grew up watching the movie rio… need I
say more?
AND FINALLY: WHAT DOES BEING WELL TRAVELLED MEAN TO YOU?
to be alive. to dare. to be a role model for younger chechens, the one I needed when I was younger. I first saw and stood on a beach three years ago. skiied for the first time last year. there is so much I've been able to do because I've been brave. now it is my goal to pass that bravery on.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE WE DIDN'T ASK BUT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE ( A THOUGHT, A STORY, A FEELING) THE SPACE IS YOURS.
life is larger than we expect. travel allows you to understand it. do it while you are young, when there are no expectations for expensive hotels and cars. things won’t work out the way you want, but this is the best scenario. travel as far and as frequently as you can, not for content, but out of desire. countries that make you question your existence and values. oh yea… and most importantly, take pictures of everything!! because you will forget the details in a few years, but pictures won't. document the days you don't feel like being on camera during your travels. trust me.
THE FIRST THING I GO WHEN I STEP IN A NEW COUNTRY:
I take a step out of the plane, close my eyes and allow myself to feel present. It is important for me to focus on being in the moment. also sometimes the view from the airport is one-of-a-kind, like the mountains you fly over entering and exiting tirana or the view of doha from the landing strip.
MY TOP TIPS FOR HAVING A GOOD TRAVEL DAY:
be ready to be disappointed, embrace being embarrassed. it’s so much fun when you travel without expectations.
MY TOP FAVOURITE AIRPORT RITUAL IS:
before leaving my apartment I always say to myself, "passport I have, the rest I can buy."
THE MOST UNDERRATED DESTINATION I'VE BEEN TO:
seaford, uk. I went to hike the seven sisters trail in mid-september and it's been one of my most fulfilling experiences. it's a small town where coffee shops close midday. the weather changes like 5 times in an hour. I have a video where it's raining, the sun is out, and there's also a rainbow...
THE THING THAT MAKES A PLACE FEEL LIKE HOME:
having conversations with locals and finding new friends everywhere. I tend to create traditions whenever I travel to a city more than once. for example, in seville there is a specific cafe where I go to have churros (called cafetería santa isabel). or there’s a beach house in rota that serves caesar salad with parmesan ice cream! whenever I say "ohh yea, whenever I travel back, I go to ..." I know that’s home.
follow tejna’s journey on social: @tzeiy
well travelled began with conversations like this one. people who have lived across borders, internally and externally, and who recognise something in each other that's difficult to name in a single place.
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