Close
Yana Shelestovskaya is someone whose path cannot be reduced to a single field or definition. Her story moves across countries, disciplines, and forms of expression: from international infrastructure projects and early experience inside government institutions to political aspirations, writing, and a deep connection with animals. Each chapter adds another dimension rather than replacing the previous one.
What stands out is not the variety itself but the clarity with which she approaches it — the desire to understand the world on a broader scale and to take responsibility for her place within it. Life in Mexico, work on complex international projects, the discipline of writing, and her bond with dogs all reveal different sides of the same intention: to grow, to think, and to contribute where it truly matters.
This interview opens a window into the foundations of her worldview and the personal choices that shaped it.
Your professional journey began in a remarkable way — contributing to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Egypt and later interning within government institutions in Moscow. What did those early experiences teach you about responsibility and vision on a larger scale?
My first professional experience on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Egypt was more than just a career step — it became a real school of responsibility, strategic thinking, and cross-cultural communication. Working in the procurement and supply department taught me that any large-scale system is made up of hundreds of seemingly invisible yet critically important processes: from sourcing suppliers and negotiating contracts to navigating legal procedures, financial calculations, and logistics, where even a small mistake can have serious consequences. Building such a complex infrastructure is like working within a living organism that changes every single day. Each day brought new challenges that required quick decision-making, adaptability, and the ability not only to solve problems in the moment but also to anticipate the project’s needs months ahead. This was where I learned that strategic planning is not an abstract concept — it is a practical tool that determines the stability and success of the entire operation.
This experience also taught me that no major project can succeed without a strong team. Nuclear construction brings together professionals of different backgrounds, countries, and cultures, and it is essential to find a common language with everyone — from engineers and contractors to government bodies and international partners. This developed my skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and taking responsibility not only for my own tasks but for the overall progress of the project.
I am truly grateful to the leaders who believed in me, trusted me with real responsibilities, and helped shape me as a professional and as a person. Working in Egypt was a test of character, resilience, and readiness to operate in an environment where the stakes are always high.
This experience taught me to see processes on a broader scale, to understand the long-term impact of decisions, and to recognize that real development requires structure, discipline, and personal maturity.
Politics seems to be a natural continuation of your path. As you prepare to apply for a master’s program, which areas of political life inspire you most, and what kind of change would you hope to contribute to?
It’s true, because at its core lies what resonates with me most: dialogue, the search for balance, and the desire to build rather than divide. Living in different countries and working both in international infrastructure projects and within government institutions taught me that effective governance is not about power for its own sake — it is about responsibility, maturity, and the ability to truly listen to people.
I am especially inspired by fields related to international relations and sustainable development.
I deeply believe that in the 21st century, resolving conflicts through force means pushing humanity backwards. Real progress is possible only through cooperation, respect for cultural differences, and the capacity to find solutions that work not only on paper but also in people’s everyday lives.
For me, politics is fundamentally about the quality of human life. Within this idea, I see essential components such as economic stability, access to healthcare and education, public safety, a sense of security, and the opportunity for individuals to fulfill their potential. All of this depends on strong institutions, transparent decision-making, and respect for human rights.
I am someone who is not afraid to defend my perspective, yet I value listening just as much. I want the world we live in to be a place where every viewpoint has the right to be heard, because it is in genuine dialogue and diversity of opinions that meaningful solutions are born.
I want to be part of changes that create a future where life becomes easier, safer, and happier for others.
Alongside this serious academic and professional track, you’ve already published a book — quite an achievement. What gave you the confidence to share your voice in writing, and what direction is your next piece taking?
I started writing in childhood — short stories, poetry, little reflections. It never felt like something extraordinary; it was simply my natural way of spending time with myself and giving shape to my thoughts. For many years, I was overly critical of my writing and never imagined that one day I would dare to publish a book. Gradually, however, my personal journal entries and reflections on why we live and how we should live began to form something more complete — this eventually became my small book “Conversations with God.”
What meant the most to me was the response it received from others — friends, family, and people who followed my journey. Many wrote to me saying that they found comfort and answers to their own inner questions within its pages. That was the moment I realized my voice could resonate beyond myself and that my words could be meaningful to someone else.
I am now working on an entirely different project — a fantasy novel. For me, this is a way to allow my soul to experience new worlds and stories, to seek inspiration beyond the boundaries of everyday reality, and to create a space where anything is possible. Fantasy offers freedom to the imagination, yet at its core it still reflects us — our choices, fears, love, and the strength we discover within ourselves.
You’ve built a life in Mexico City, far from your native Russia. What have you discovered in this new environment that feels most valuable to you, both personally and creatively?
When I first came to Mexico as a tourist, I still carried certain stereotypes in my mind. But living here showed me a completely different reality. Mexico is an extraordinary country, and its greatest treasure is its people. Their mentality, culture, openness, and sense of freedom create an atmosphere in which I feel my creative potential unfold in a way I hadn’t experienced before.
At the same time, moving here was a real challenge for me. For better or for worse, I am not someone who looks for easy paths, and Mexico — after Egypt — became an entirely new chapter with different laws, a different mentality, and a completely different rhythm of life.
Every day here reveals something new and reminds me how much there is in the world that I haven’t yet seen or even imagined.
And perhaps the most valuable thing I’ve gained is the realization that the search for truth is impossible without immersing yourself in different cultures and learning to see the world through the eyes of others. This experience has made my life — and my creative work — deeper, richer, and more multi-dimensional.
Dogs clearly hold a special place in your world, and you’re even studying cynology. What draws you to animals so deeply, and how do they shape your sense of balance and joy?
Dogs have always been a meaningful part of my life.
For many years, I traveled with my two dachshunds — they accompanied me across countries and became a constant source of comfort and connection, no matter where I was living. And when I moved to Mexico, a Doberman unexpectedly came into my life.
Their behavior teaches me things that are difficult to learn elsewhere: patience, unconditional love, and self-control. I would never call myself a perfect person — none of us are. We all get tired, overwhelmed, and lose patience at times. But my dogs help me become a better version of myself every single day. They remind me that what matters is not strength or energy but how much love you are capable of giving.
Interestingly, even back in Russia, people trusted me with their dogs — I used to offer boarding and always took this responsibility seriously. And when I moved to Mexico, this part of my life naturally continued: new people began reaching out to me, and I felt that same trust again.
That is why I decided to deepen my knowledge and study cynology. It is important for me not only to love animals but also to understand their behavior, needs, and communication on a professional level. I am currently completing my training, and next year I will receive a certified diploma.
Many see you as a blogger and public figure, yet behind that image there is a layered personality with intellectual and professional ambitions. How do you weave these different sides of yourself together?
Today, beautiful photos on Instagram are no longer enough to capture anyone’s attention. People want more than an image — they want a personality: layered, genuine, and capable of speaking about meaning and having honest dialogue with an audience. For me, social media is not so much a space for self-presentation as it is a tool — a place where you can truly influence social processes, help people, connect them with one another, highlight important issues, and find like-minded individuals. When a community forms around you, you gain the ability to make real changes, because the more people are united by an idea, the more power there is to influence events and situations.
It’s impossible to deny how strongly my upbringing shaped me. I was always taught that being a girl does not mean being just a “pretty picture.” What matters is being a personality — someone with character, depth, and direction — while everything else is simply a matter of taste. I was raised with the belief that the most important thing is to stay in motion, to grow, to learn, and to constantly expand your horizons. I am deeply grateful for that foundation.
But beyond the visual and creative side, there is another part of me — a more academic and analytical one. I have always been interested in international relations, the structure of society, culture, and human behavior. I want to meaningfully contribute to social processes in the future and apply my knowledge and experience where they can truly be useful.
I have never divided myself into “online” and “offline.” Everything I do is a natural continuation of who I am: my experiences, my moves between countries, my professional path, my inner searches, and my values. I try to blend the intellectual with the creative, the personal with the public, because it is in this balance that authenticity and wholeness are born.
And perhaps that is my strength: allowing myself to be multifaceted — sincere, complex, real — while always remaining true to who I am.
When you look at your story as a whole — from international projects and political aspirations to writing and working with animals — what do you feel is the common essence that defines you?
At some point, I realized how important it is to give yourself permission — to be different, to try new things, to step into spaces that feel unfamiliar or even a little frightening. We have only one life, and I want to live mine vividly, honestly, and with meaning. That’s why I choose paths that bring me personal joy while also offering something valuable to others.
When I look back at my story, I don’t see a collection of random episodes.
I see a unified journey. At its core lies my desire to be of service, to search for truth, and to leave something meaningful behind.
It is important for me to be in places where I can make the world even a little better: through international cooperation, through words that help people find answers, or through caring for those who cannot speak for themselves.
The common essence of my life is the desire to connect — to connect cultures and countries, perspectives and ideas, different spheres of work, and different parts of myself. In politics, this becomes the search for balance and compromise. In literature, it becomes the search for meaning. In my work with animals, it becomes the search for harmony and gentleness. All of these are facets of the same whole: my movement toward a world where there is space for happiness, respect, and understanding.
Photographer: @ro.machado_
MUA: @prizambranomakeup
Cover Muse: @shelestovskayayana
