Hi, I am Richard :)

I’m a solo entrepreneur based in Bratislava, Slovakia. Over the years, I’ve founded and managed several startups across different industries, ...I love building staff :) I occasionally collaborate with the European Investment Fund as an investment expert, evaluating some of the best startups across the EU. I also provide coaching and support to startup communities where I help with variety of issues... You can learn about me at https://richardvoda.com

I love nature 🌳, sports, hiking, running, biking, swimming, cross country skiing, yoga, .....🚵🏊🏼🏃‍♂️
I have two adult kids
I have lived in USA-Silicon Valley, Czech republic - Prague, Germany - Munich, San Francisco, Miami....
I am creative person, I do paintings, wooden statues when the muse hits me

The guiding principle that shapes my life "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love genuine, authentic travel experiences, connecting with locals, and making meaningful connections around the world to learn about cultures, history, and non-mainstream perspectives 🗺️

I like adventures that go beyond conventional tourism, uncovering hidden treasures and experiencing unique essence of local culture.😊

Interests

As someone who thrives on creativity, I find immense fulfillment in crafting diverse forms of expression. My pursuits encompass a broad range, from painting vibrant canvases to sculpting statues. 🖼️

I love trekking long distances in nature, and I often mix in some meditation 🧘 along the way. It really helps me connect deeply with the mother nature.

I'm drawn to entrepreneurial endeavors, exploring innovative business ventures

• running
• meditation
• traveling
• hiking
• sports
• entrepreneurship
• startup
• obstacle race

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC
- Depeche Mode, 80s

MOVIES

- All is lost
- Breaking bad, Better Call Saul, El Chapo, Squid games (Netflix series)

BOOKS
- Nobady wants to read your sh*t, Steven Pressfield
- Endurance, Alfred Lansing
- Awareness, Antony de Mello

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

By practicing mindfulness and meditation, I've managed to transform my thoughts and perspectives, fostering healing within myself from inner wounds.

I created a HERO JOURNEY long distance trai to encourage people to embrace fitness, adventure, and the joy of exploration all at once.

Teach, Learn, Share

I think its important to find reason for being. I found inspiration in Ikigai - a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to wake up in the morning." It's often represented as the intersection of four elements:

what you love,
what you're good at,
what the world needs,
and what you can be paid for.

Finding your ikigai means discovering that harmonious balance where your passions, talents, societal needs, and livelihood align, bringing a sense of fulfillment and purpose to your life.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I enjoy sharing my perspective on the historical dynamics and the ongoing changes we experience in Central Europe, where it seems like significant events unfold nearly every decade. ...:)

I've lived in both communist and free democratic systems. I witnessed the challenging transformation from a collective societal system to a free, individualistic capitalist one, including events like the Velvet Revolution and the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia into Czech and Slovak Republic, entry to European Union...

I am happy to share my job experiences as well .... I have worked on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, been a stockbroker, run a telecomd data business, started a GPS tracking business in the USA, created several sports events, established a yoga studio, built a beautiful house, raised two kids, and experienced a few failures as well :)

I like to engage in meaningful, open conversations, share perspectives, and learn from each other's experiences

I can also offer an outside perspective to assist hosts in navigating challenges or exploring new opportunities across various areas such as entrepreneurship, relationships, family, fostering a growth mindset, mediation, and more

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, Germany, United States

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