'I am at my happiest when I am inspired'

Wellness entrepreneur Natasha Rudatsenko on why she could never settle for the mundane or mediocre

What is your best childhood memory?
When my brother Max and I went away to summer camp abroad. It was the most incredible experience ever. Most of our funniest childhood stories happened that summer.

If you could move anywhere in the world for free, what place would that be?
California. I love it because it has a high concentration of people I look up to in health, fitness, self-development and spiritual industries. Plus, of course, it has the sun, it has the ocean and it has Whole Foods. No exaggeration, Whole Foods is critical for my happiness. This is the only thing I miss intensely living here in UAE - a wider range of quality organic foods. I often travel strategically and stay at the areas near Whole Foods, so I can easily go there 2-3 times a day. California ticks all my boxes for the healthy lifestyle I live and promote, and I will probably start spending more time there this year.  

The biggest learning point or experience in your life.
Founding and losing Muncherie Organic Food Manufacturing Business, which was, at a time, my most ambitious project. I dreamt of having my own range of organic, gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free foods for a long time before I finally set it up in 2015. We launched coconut yoghurts, healthy protein bars, kale chips and a special range of almond milk drinks. I was very lucky to be able to bring all of this to life, producing it in our Dubai kitchen and supplying to all the major stores in the UAE. But I wasn't prepared for the intensity of operations and the cash flow that business required, so it was a painful lesson. The experience transformed me completely on an emotional, mental and spiritual level. It was a 'death and rebirth' kind of moment that I am grateful for, because I'm now wiser, stronger and relentless.

What is one skill you'd love to learn?
Meditation. There is a tremendous power there. It heals, answers your deepest questions, and brings peace, love and contentment to your life. I am currently at an amateur level but I am looking to take it to the advanced level. I've heard this is where magic happens, and I've seen many who swear by it.

What advice would you give your younger self, if you could?
Take better care of your health. We neglect our health early in life and then spend the rest of our lives trying to reverse the damage.

If you could go back to any era in time or witness any major event in history, which one would it be, and why?
I would be more excited to go into the future. But if I have to go back, I'd go back to the 90s and invest in Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg while he was in college.

Your greatest fear.
Lack of aspirations. I am a dreamer; I like to be on the go, creating new concepts, learning new skills, meeting new people. I am not scared of hard work; I'm scared of losing interest in working or creating. Settling for the mundane or mediocre equals death to me. I am at my happiest when I am inspired.

If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day, who would it be?
I would swap the day with Ellen DeGeneres. I think she is the coolest human being ever.

Favourite movie character of all time.
Mr Spock. I admire his intelligence and rationality. He is calm, logical, nerdy and emotionally detached. I like stoic people like him. I see some of those qualities in myself and consider them positives.

If you were President of your country, what is the first thing you'd do?
Completely re-structure educational and medical systems. They are both extremely outdated and faulty.
- Staff reporter