1. Olena, congratulations on your victory! What emotions did you feel at the moment when you heard your name among the winners?
When I heard my name among the winners, I was overwhelmed with incredible emotions joy, pride, excitement. This moment was special not only for me but also for all of Ukraine. For the first time in many years, a representative of Ukraine, holding the title of Mrs. Ukraine, achieved the coveted first prize at such a prestigious international pageant.
Ukrainian women have always been symbols of beauty, strength, and elegance. However, when participating in global pageants, they often represented other countries and continents. Now, we have a historic victory where the title of Mrs. Universe World International has returned to Ukraine. This is not just a personal achievement but recognition that Ukrainian women’s beauty, intellect, and strength shine at the highest level.
2. How did you prepare for this pageant? Which aspects turned out to be the most challenging?
This wasn’t my first beauty pageant, so I already knew what challenges awaited me and which barriers I would need to overcome. However, each preparation is a new challenge, which I approached with maximum responsibility, carefully considering every look.
I paid special attention to the national costume, as it was meant not only to highlight my individuality but also to convey the richness of Ukrainian culture. For this, I chose the image of Mavka -a mysterious and strong-spirited heroine of Ukrainian mythology, embodying a connection with nature, femininity, and inner strength. This image perfectly conveyed my philosophy and the soul of Ukraine.
An important stage was creating the interview-introduction. In just a minute, I needed to tell about myself, my uniqueness, and what makes us, Ukrainian women, special. This was a chance to share my story with the world, to show what distinguishes me from other contestants, and what I can bring to this world.
3. What does this title mean to you? How has it affected your life?
This title holds immense significance for me. Mrs. Universe World International is not just a crown but a powerful platform through which I can be heard, tell the world about my country, about myself as a Ukrainian woman, and about the values I uphold.
Thanks to this victory, I have the opportunity not only to make a name for myself but also to implement social projects that inspire and help women to discover themselves and realize their strength. One such project is “Manifest Yourself,’ a unique journey for women who seek to understand themselves, their desires, and capabilities more deeply.
Another important step was creating my personal elegance brand, “Nobelle,” which embodies sophistication, style, and nobility. The brand’s name was born thanks to the Mrs. Universe pageant and the nomination in which I was recognized -Noble Woman of the World.
Therefore, winning Mrs. Universe World International not only changed my life but also opened new horizons, allowing me to create projects that help women world-wide to unveil their uniqueness, strength, and noble beauty.
4. In your opinion, what is the secret to winning such a prestigious pageant?
The secret to victory lies, first and foremost, in the ability to remain true to oneself. True beauty manifests not only in appearance but also in the energy you radiate, in your inner light.
For me, it was important to delve deeper into my nature, my energy, to uncover genuine femininity-natural, sincere, and fulfilling.
Another key aspect is sincerity and support. I believe that a smile, a kind word, a friendly atmosphere create a space where true grace and nobility can flourish.
But most importantly, it’s the harmony between soul and body. When you are in balance with yourself, your energy shines, and this light is noticeable to everyone. This harmony makes a woman truly attractive, unique, and victorious.
5. Mrs. Universe is not just about beauty but also personality, inspiration, and social mission. What ideas and values would you like to convey to the world through your title?
Through my title as Mrs. Universe World International, I want to convey the main message: a woman is a unique combination of strength and beauty, tenderness and de-termination. We are mothers, creators, supporters, and at the same time, a powerful force capable of changing this world.
I believe that the gentle power of a woman has an incredible ability to transform reality. It’s not about struggle but about harmony, inspiration, and unity. Thanks to our nature, wisdom, and intuition, we can make the world kinder, more harmonious, filled with love and awareness.
My mission is to inspire women to unveil their true essence, to feel the strength in femininity, in the ability to combine tenderness with inner resilience.
On Conquering Mountain Peaks
6. Your achievements go far beyond beauty pageants-you also conquer mountain peaks. How did your love for mountaineering begin?
My love for mountaineering began unexpectedly-from curiosity and the desire to try something new. I ventured into the enchanting Carpathians to ascend the highest point of Ukraine Hoverla. At that time, I didn’t know that this step would become the starting point of my new passion.
It’s important to note that mountaineering is not just about mountains. It’s about strength of spirit, support, and female synergy. When we ascend peaks, we don’t just traverse a route we inspire each other, learn to trust, and discover inner strength.
7. What does mountaineering mean to you? Is it a sport, a challenge, or a philosophy of life?
For me, mountaineering is primarily a philosophy of life. It’s a conscious reduction of comfort, a kind of mindful hedonism that allows one to reevaluate simple joys and feel gratitude for what one has. To truly experience happiness, sometimes it’s necessary to temporarily forgo conveniences, face challenges, and overcome oneself. And when you return-renewed, fulfilled, immensely grateful to the Universe for everything you have-you begin to see life differently.
However, mountaineering is also a test of oneself, a conversation with oneself. At some point on the way to the summit, you find yourself alone with your inner voice, and the whole world narrows down to one simple mantra: “Step. Another step. I can do it.” It’s a state of absolute concentration, where there’s no hustle, no doubts, no external distractions-there’s only you and your goal.
The mountains have shown me how persistent and determined I can be in achieving my goals. They have taught me not to stop, even when it seems there’s no strength left. This has elevated my self-respect and belief in myself. After all, by conquering a summit, you overcome not only kilometers of altitude but also your own limits.
8. Which summits have you already conquered, and which are still on your dream list?
To date, my list of conquered summits isn’t extensive, but each one is a special story of overcoming, strength, and inspiration. I have ascended Ararat, Kazbek, Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro, and also the Orizaba volcano. These peaks have given me incredible emotions, tested my en-durance, and expanded the boundaries of what’s possible.
But my journey in the world of heights continues. On my dream list are new challenges, new horizons. I’m particularly drawn to South America: Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ojos del Salado volcano, and, of course, Aconcagua the highest peak of the continent. Several summits await me in the Himalayas, and I know that one day I will ascend them.
However, for me, it’s not only about the summits but also about the great routes. I dream of trekking the trails of Patagonia, the Alps, and undertaking the iconic pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago. This world is vast and beautiful, and I want to see it, feel it, traverse it step by step. I want to – and I will do it.
9. Are there parallels between conquering mountains and participating in beauty contests? How are they similar?
Yes, there are definitely parallels between mountaineering and participating in beauty contests. First and foremost, it’s the preparation-both physical and mental. In both cases, it’s not enough to simply have external attributes or physical endurance – you need to develop inner strength, believe in yourself, and overcome doubts.
It’s very important to allow yourself to believe that you can do it. Already at the preparation stage, you need to see yourself at the summit, feel that moment of triumph as if it has already happened. Mountaineering is not just steps upward but overcoming your own limits, just as a beauty contest is not just stepping onto the stage but deep inner work on yourself.
Another similarity is working with your fears and limitations. During an ascent and during a contest, moments of doubt can arise, but the key to victory is confidence in yourself, in your strength, beauty, and harmony. If you are internally stable, if you believe in yourself-you are already on the path to victory.
You know, even during this contest, I caught myself thinking that climbing a summit would be easier than going through all the stages of a beauty pageant. There was such intense excitement, such tension! But, as in the mountains, the main thing is not to stop, to take step after step, and move toward your summit.
10. What gives you the strength to keep moving forward, even when it seems all your energy is depleted?
When it feels like my strength is waning and each step is a struggle, the most important thing that sustains me is the faith and support of my loved ones. This is what gives me the power to continue, to not give up, to overcome myself.
I think about those who believe in me, who inspire me with their example, who await my return. These thoughts warm me even in the harshest conditions, providing an inner resource, helping me take another step forward-to the summit, to victory, to a new goal.
Each ascent, each new challenge, is not only my journey but also the journey of those who are beside me. It is their faith in me that makes me stronger.
On the combination of femininity and strength of spirit
11. You are a vivid example that a woman can be both refined, elegant, and incredibly strong in spirit. How do you manage to maintain this balance?
I am convinced that the balance between refinement, elegance, and strength of spirit is not something imposed or universal but a deeply individual state. Each woman combines these qualities in her own way, and I have never sought to compare myself to anyone else.
For me, it’s important not to meet others’ expectations but to be myself. I believe that one should not be ashamed of their nature, desires, and dreams. One should allow oneself to manifest as they feel, regardless of stereotypes and templates.
One can be gentle and refined, or strong and determined -and neither of these states diminishes femininity. I have always admired women leaders who run corporations and countries, but I realize that my path is different. I am different, but that doesn’t make me any less strong or significant.
I sincerely admire every woman, as each of us is unique, beautiful, and unrepeatable. And I want to inspire others not to be afraid to be themselves, to reveal their nature, to live in harmony with their true desires and strength.
12. Society often contrasts beauty and strength. Do you think this stereotype can be broken?
How can beauty and strength be contrasted when strength lies in beauty? These are inseparable concepts.
Beauty saves the world, and history has many statements confirming that a woman’s strength is in her beauty, and beauty is in strength.
We just need to understand that strength comes in different forms. It’s not always loud, harsh, assertive. Women’s strength is soft, deep, unique. It manifests in grace, the ability to feel, the capacity to inspire and fill this world.
I have never seen a contradiction here. For me, this stereotype simply doesn’t exist—I broke it long ago. And I am sure that the more women realize their natural harmony, the faster this myth will disappear in society.
About family and motherhood
13. My life wouldn’t be filled with harmony and happiness if not for my daughter Alice. My wise companion, student and teacher, friend, and my angel.
What is most important to you in raising your daughter, and what principles have you tried to impart to her throughout her life?
It has always been important for me to impart to my daughter not only love and care but also certain life principles that I believe will help her walk through life with dignity and inner harmony. First and foremost, it’s a passion for the beautiful, the ability to see and appreciate beauty in everything in art, nature, people. I wanted her not just to live in the world but to eagerly explore it, absorb different cultures, travel, discover new things.
It has always been important for me to convey that people are more important than things, that sincere relationships, friendship, kindness, and support are the most valuable things we have.
14. What moments of your connection with your daughter are especially valuable to you? What is it like to be not only a mother but also a business partner with your own child?
My daughter is my best friend and inspiration. We have always been close, but I especially value that we support each other in everything. We find joy in each other’s company, can discuss any topics, dream, make plans, travel, create. Our conversations, our joint projects, even just evening walks – all of this is priceless.
And now, having started a company together, I feel that our bond is reaching a new level. We are not only mother and daughter but also allies, partners who walk through life hand in hand. I am confident that we have many bright moments ahead, and this gives me incredible strength and motivation.
About future plans
15. What are your plans for the future? A new summit, a new competition, a new project?
I have already outlined a clear direction for myself in the near future:
- Developing the “Nobelle” brand in America-this is our joint project with my daughter, and it holds deep meaning for me, as elegance, beauty, and self-expression are what inspire me and what I want to pass on to others.
- New travels-plans include Via Ferrata in the Alps and Dolomites in Italy. This is an incredible combination of adventure, nature, freedom, and self-overcoming.
- Competitions and international projects – in April in Las Vegas, I will gladly pass my crown to a new winner and become part of the Mrs. Universe World International team. This is an important stage that opens new horizons.
But most importantly, it’s my mission. I want to create a platform for women where each can find something for herself: inspiration, support, opportunities for self-realization and harmony.
The world is vast, there are many summits, and there are those to inspire.
Los Angeles California
