1993

I was born in 1989 in a small Siberian town during perestroika (the collapse of the USSR) and spent the next 20 years in Russia. I’m pictured here (front) with my mum Elena and sister Yulia. During my first overseas trip to London at the age of 13, I promised myself I wouldn’t stay in Siberia forever. In July 2011, one month after graduating with a Bachelor of International Economics and turning 21, I landed in Sydney.

2013

I started a Master of Accounting and Finance in 2011 at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) but a year into my study I realised I was more interested in the accounting side and changed to a Master of Professional Accounting. During my study at UTS, I also completed multiple certificates with the Australian Institute of Fitness. After graduating in 2013, I secured a client advisor position at Altus Financial.

2016

I don’t think I ever had more on my plate than I did in the three years from 2015 to 2018. Having a toddler, working full-time and doing the CA Program was taking all my time, but one thing that was never negotiable for me was sport. I would train at 5am before work while my little Eva was asleep. If mornings weren’t available, I would squeeze in a gym session during my lunch break at work. If nothing else worked out, I made sure that I exercised in the evening.

2018

I instantly fell in love with boxing. It’s not just physical exercise, you need to think and remember long combinations in your head, read the opponent well and always be alert. I think about our energy flow like it’s profit and loss: you need to build the energy in order to spend it, and make sure you don’t go into loss. I’m building my energy by running and boxing. This photo was taken in the office for my personal profile on the Altus website.

2020

Sport for me was and still is, a very important part of my life. And I love that Australian weather permits exercising outdoors all year round.

2022

Image credit: Ben Williams Photography.

I’m pictured with Connor Hamilton after achieving 500 running classes. I still work at Altus Financial as operations manager and I’m very grateful for the culture here. Employees are encouraged to have their time, to have hobbies, to move and have a healthy work-life balance. I am able to bring sport to the company, which makes me so happy! Colleagues and I recently finished a three-month boot camp program, where we trained once in the morning and once during lunch time.

Read more: