“My mission is to inspire women to be curious, courageous & brave when it comes to extreme sports & fitness” – Olga Naumova, Skydive Instructor, ASICS Frontrunner & Crossfit enthusiast!
- What made you want to move to Dubai and how long have you lived here?
I moved to Dubai almost 5 years ago to work for Skydive Dubai – the top skydiving company. From the moment I made very first jump over 12 years ago, I’ve considered myself a skydiver. The passion that very first jump inspired in me has led me down a path that has me working here.
- What’s your business/job role now?
I’m jump out of planes for a living. Not sure I can call it a job, because (after 12 years of skydiving) I still have so much fun and joy on each skydive. In Skydive Dubai I work as a Skydiving Instructor. All of our staff rotate daily, so one day I work as a Tandem Instructor (when I jump with a person who wants to experience the thrill of free fall attached to me) and other days as a Videographer (to capture their experience with video & photos). I never thought that my job description would include skydiving over artificial island – The Palm and flying above skyscrapers in Dubai Marina. It’s insane how lucky I am to do it as a full-time job.
- Tell us how you got involved with ASICS Frontrunners?
If it wasn’t for Crossfit, I never would have started running in the first place. So it was 400-800 meters runs as a part of WOD’s and I hated it, but soon I realised that it’s not good to have a weakness in my workouts. I bought my first ASICS shoes and started to run the neighbourhoods and the different cities, whenever I was out traveling. Mile after mile running became my dynamic meditation. It pushes me out of my physical comfort zone while having this self-time to structure my day and set new goals. So the moment ASICS Frontrunners opened their application campaign, I applied and was selected. I’m seriously honored to be an ambassador of movement with my international team- Runners from beginners to elite, 5k runners to ultra runners, coaches and health experts.
My favorite type of race is OCR and I’m stoked to be chosen as a Spartan Global Brand Ambassador. Those races are savage but I love it!
- Women empowerment – what are your thoughts on it?
My mission is to inspire woman to be curious, courageous and brave when it comes to extreme sports and fitness.
So many of us trying to fit into the IG standards. I never did. But it was always OK with me. My main goal is to show that being strong, badass and healthy- that’s YOUR beautiful. And to help woman to find their strength and follow their wildest dreams.
- Any tips for girls wanting to find work?
I wouldn’t move to Dubai without having a plan, that’s not the cheapest place to hang out while looking for a job. Evaluate your strong points, know the market, where you can offer your skills, check LinkedIn. And ALWAYS follow your dreams.
- Favourite clothing stores?
Beside from sportswear (which is obviously ASICS), I am more of a “shorts and flip flops” kinda girl. But I love Guess, Diesel and All Saints.
- What do you do when you’re not working?
When I don’t skydive for work, I still skydive to train for my passion – Canopy Piloting. It’s a high-speed skydiving discipline involving small and very agile parachutes & highly skilled pilots to fly them. FAST!
As well, I’m working on my new “Urban Vegan Fit” project, which will include some cool Kettlebell Workout guide, PT and vegan nutrition advising. Stay tuned, it’s coming out this summer 😉
Who inspires you?
I’m blessed to be surrounded by many beautiful, strong & badass women at work (Skydive Dubai), my running family (Asics Frontrunners), my OCR community (Spartan Arabia), my friends, my rivals, my Mom! So it’s hard to name just a few… But in Dubai, it would be my friend, coach and the first female to medal in Canopy Piloting event – Cornelia Mihai (@cornelia_mihai).
And Carmen Bosmans (@carmenbosmans) – I truly admire how strong, disciplined, and humbled this woman is.
- What advice would you give to your younger self
No one owes you anything! Believe in your own choices & enjoy the ride.