Is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Shoutout Interview: We had the good fortune of connecting with Szilvia Gogh and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Szilvia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Authenticity. Being happy is for most of us one of the key aims in life. But where we often go wrong is in figuring out which path to take to achieve that happiness.
My own path has been a somewhat unconventional one. In my last year at college, most of my peers were busy applying for full-time jobs with large companies, but I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do. I wanted to see the world, which was met with disapproval and scepticism by many.
But excited, and somewhat scared, I set off alone on my travels. I have been traveling and making a living of my passions ever since. I am a professional scuba diver, stunt women and inspirational jewelry designer. Gogh Jewelry Design is a reflection of free will.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?Hi, I’m Szilvia Gogh, founder of Gogh Jewelry Design. I’m a SCUBA diver, stuntwoman, yogi, cancer survivor and mom. I started my jewelry design business 20 years ago because I love beautiful things, but as an active woman, I couldn’t find any silver jewelry inspired by the sea that was both meaningful and functional – so I started creating jewelry myself. I wanted to wear jewelry that reflects my passion for the ocean, my love for travel and jewelry that inspires and keeps my positive outlook on life.
Since then, people have been drawn to my pieces for the same reason I created them. Beauty and functionality is important, especially when I’m diving, doing yoga or playing with my son Enzo. Having my jewelry be able to keep up with me and stay in one piece is so important to me, and I’ve learned that it’s important to so many other people out there as well.
Check out my ocean inspired jewelry and see how it could keep up with you! Recently inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame, I was the youngest female in the world to become a PADI Course Director ( scuba teacher’s trainer). Empowerment through teaching people scuba diving and the jewelry I create – has always been important for me. It’s all about being confident in your own skin and not to yearn to be someone else, live somewhere else or look like somebody famous…
When I teach someone to breathe underwater and they experience the state of weightlessness, I open a door in their mind. After you scuba dive, you will never think the same way about Mother Nature and the possibilities in your life than before you swam underwater. My individually crafted pieces are meant to reflect your journey through life and help you gain the confidence you deserve. It’s a new world we live in, surrounded with uncertainty. It’s time to focus our intentions for the future.
Many of my depression awareness jewelry designs have mantras and words that have helped me focus my intentions. I use these mantras in my yoga practice or when I meditate. Setting intentions is not as easy as making resolutions. We all want to exercise more or eat healthily or save money more effectively.
But setting intentions will help us achieve our goals and resolutions by focusing our energy on our innermost self. My goal is to stay positive. Find out more about me at www.SzilviaGogh.com
Naturally, we would spend the majority of our time in and around the ocean. I live in Southern California, where one can scuba dive, surf, mountain bike all year long. At the “winter” we can go up to Big Bear and ski / snowboard in the morning and spend the afternoon surfing at the beach.
Most my friends would get a kick out of a day like that. I would make a point to venture over to the Channel islands, to Catalina Island and scuba dive in the giant kelp forest. It is so unique, like you are walking through Yosemite, just underwater.
On days, when the local Farmer Market is happening, we sure would eat lunch there and shop for fresh produce. I always enjoy taking my out of town visitors to the famous Venice Beach for a day filled with interesting characters, just to thick off some touristy must see places as well.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well, in my case… it wasn’t really encouragement that helped me to be in life where I am now. I would say it was rather reverse psychology I grew up in a communist, landlocked country, Hungary. One day, while watching a Jacques Cousteau movie, I declared “I will live in a place where there is an ocean, summer all year long and I will make a living of scuba diving.” You can imagine the skepticism that followed my declaration.
Of course, the reply was “Why don’t you just watch the movie, it is way less dangerous.” It was because I did not want to live my life through somebody else’s dream. I wanted to make my own movie, have my own adventures, learn from my own mistakes and see places with my own eyes.
Whenever my mom said “You can not do that” – it only made me more determined to follow my dreams. I always replied “Just watch me!” and she did. She worried a lot about me taking off, traveling the World as a single women, but deep down I know that she was proud of me, even a tad envious that I lived out my dreams.
My mom was always there for me. She accepted and supported (mostly) my adventures, but I wouldn’t say that she encouraged me. So, when things did not work out… I could have gone home and listen to the “I told you…” spiel, but instead, I always looked forward to the next adventure, knowing that I can always go home. And that made me stronger and more determined.
Website: https://
Linkedin: https://www.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Facebook: https://www.
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.