The island of Bali has long been a beacon of serenity, a paradise where the breathtaking natural beauty intertwines with a rich cultural tapestry. However, amidst the serene landscapes and ancient traditions, a new breed of trailblazers has emerged, redefining what it means to live life to the fullest. Among them is Irina, a woman whose journey from Moscow to Bali has been nothing short of extraordinary.
With an infectious zest for life and an unwavering determination, Irina has woven her own unique tapestry, blending the best of both worlds – the sophistication of her roots and the vibrant allure of her adopted home. Her story is a captivating narrative that transcends borders and challenges conventional norms, inspiring others to embrace their true selves and pursue their dreams with fervor.As we delve into the interview, Irina’s candor and authenticity shine through, offering a rare glimpse into the multifaceted life of a modern renaissance woman. From her passion for fitness and wellness to her entrepreneurial spirit and her unwavering dedication to empowering fellow women, every word she utters is a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
Routines and FINNS Recreation Club
Hi Irina! It’s great to have you here with us today. Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us a little about who you are?Hi FINNS Recreation Club, thank you for your interest in my Bali journey. I am from Moscow, Russia; with my husband Manish we moved to Bali in 2007 and now have two sons who are schooling here. My background is in hospitality, but currently, we work with private real estate investors, primarily commercial properties, and also invest in different enterprises.As a member of FINNS Recreation Club, how has the experience been for you so far? What do you enjoy most about the facilities and communities here?I am so addicted to my member routine; I don’t know how I lived without it before – it’s myself-loving time, and it is a great way to start the day: I do step, combat, pilates, and yoga classes followed by a sauna and ice bath, wrapping up my mornings with some encouraging chats over my favorite Almond Latte – this takes care of both my physical and mental health, much needed in this fast-lane living. Sometimes, I do the meetings in the club or work on my laptop; it’s a great coworking environment as well. Can you tell us what a typical day or week looks like for you? What are some of your routines?My typical day starts early with dropping the kids at school, taking fitness classes, catching up with friends over a coffee, running errands, picking up the kids, after-school activities with them, grocery shopping, cooking, and family time in the evening. We have many work-related social activities, meeting people throughout the week. We play golf, tennis, and pretty much every racket sport. Weekends are usually busy: kids’ classes and playdates, sunset beach walks, dinners, parties, movies, day trips, or weekend getaways – luckily, Bali has it all!
The Transformative Power of FINNS Recreation Club
What does being a member of FINNS Recreation Club mean to you? How has it helped you personally?FINNS Recreation Club is a sanctuary for me; it gets me back to my best shape in no time while I sweat to the dance tunes of some great core or cardio routines. I feel stronger day by day! Meeting old friends and making new ones after the classes inspires me as we browse through the news to self-growth topics! If I have time, I love to stay for breakfast; my latest discovery is Quinoa Wrap, so nutritious and delicious! Empowered in and out is how I leave the club every morning! Can you elaborate more on that?You see, we are not tourists, and it’s just four of us here; what we do have (and FINNS Recreation Club helps us to maintain) is this exceptional ever-growing community of notable people from different cultures and backgrounds, connections with those who nourish and supports our Bali sojourn and lasts far beyond!
Candid Motherhood and Parenting Journey
You’re a mom of two. Can you share a bit about your experience as a mom and how this venue has helped you connect with other like-minded moms?
My beautiful boys, 15 and 9 years old, are great kids, but we have our days when we are challenged and miscommunicate; having a circle of friends who can relate and understand the endurance test of motherhood is a form of blessing for me, we meet and help each other to navigate through stormy seas, we persevere if meaningful relationships are well established, many happened under FINNS’ roof! As your kids are growing up and becoming adults, how do you feel about that transition? How have you coped with it?
Kids don’t come with a manual, fortunately or not; raising beautiful human beings takes time, patience, and a lot of other resources; it’s an ongoing process of trial and error. I read many books on human nature, listen to podcasts, and attend workshops to help me understand myself better and educate my boys about themselves, relationships, and the environment; I am an eternal student of life!
Uplifting Women One Story at a Time
You seem to be a strong advocate for women’s empowerment. Can you share your thoughts on the importance of empowering women and what it means to you?I have been single – married now, was a girl – 47 years young at present, been a party animal – a devoted mother who goes to bed at 10pm nowadays: each phase of life has advantages and challenges! The older I get, the more I know, the better I understand, and the more influential I become. Lack of knowledge, skills, courage, support, energy, and so on impact our self-acceptance and prevent our growth. Besides, women tend to disregard their needs while caring for their loved ones; I know how it feels and aim to encourage others because happiness is an attitude! I wish for all women, who are the core of their families and queens of their kingdoms, to remember that we have the power to face our current challenges, and we will prevail!
Her New Business Venture
We heard that you and your partners have opened Theatre Bar Bali. Can you tell us more about that venture and what inspired you to pursue it?We have a friend, a phenomenally creative lady whose sense of style (and house parties), refined taste buds, and jet-setter experiences are legendary. She had a dream we talked about for many years, about this high-end late-night destination in Bali for some fabulous and accomplished people to hang out and celebrate life. ‘Work hard, play hard’ concept. So, finally, after the pandemic was over, she met some young, vibrant guys from France who got excited about the idea, and eventually, we all came to an agreement. Long story short, dreams do come true: we opened the doors on March 15, 2024, we have launched our first party which is on Fridays called Grande which is a DJ based event and working on launching our themed nights. We are open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 pm onwards, offering our guests a plush setting to enjoy cocktails and canapés while being entertained. You can follow us at @theatrebarbali to stay updated on our events and offerings.
Bridging Generations in Business
Working with different generations in your business must be an exciting experience. How has that been for you, and what have you learned from it?It wasn’t planned this way, but we are lucky to have three generations working on this project with their other work/life experience, skill sets, and understanding of its challenges. It’s an incredible experience; it helps tackle issues more effectively!
Irina’s Ode to Bali: Gratitude in Paradise
Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with our community or any final thoughts you have for us?Bali has been our home for the last 18 years; we are grateful for all the astonishing things that happened to us during this time, all the beautiful souls we met, and the fantastic things we did. Living with gratitude elevates our existence and contributes to our well-being, we just need to look around and remind ourselves how lucky we are. Thank you Bali.
