Hobbies and Interests 

Hiking & Mountain Adventures 

There’s something about hiking that grounds me. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B – it’s the whole process: waking up early, lacing up the boots, and heading out into the unknown with a backpack and an open mind. Over the years, I’ve explored nearly all the hiking trails in Slovakia – from the High Tatras to the lesser-known corners of the Slovak Paradise. I’ve always been drawn to the mountains.

But my adventures haven’t stopped there. I've climbed through the dramatic limestone peaks of the Picos de Europa in northern Spain, wandered across the majestic Andes in South America, and ventured into the wild, raw beauty of Central Asia, hiking in the mountains of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. One of the most unforgettable experiences? Tramping through the surreal, cinematic landscapes of New Zealand’s mountain ranges, where every trail feels like stepping into another world.

What keeps me going is the challenge – the physical effort, the unpredictability of mountain weather, and the silent satisfaction of standing at the summit, wind in my face, legs burning, but soul quiet. The views are just a bonus – but what a bonus! There’s nothing quite like the stillness at the top of a peak, staring out at ridgelines that stretch forever.

I don’t have rituals or fancy gear. I like to keep moving – preferably uphill. Whether it’s a multi-day trek or a spontaneous day hike, I’ll always choose the trail over the treadmill. Hiking feeds my curiosity, clears my head, and reminds me how small and beautiful the world is.

Travelling the World – For the Beauty, the People, and the Story 

I’ve always been drawn to the idea of discovering how life works somewhere else. For me, travelling is more than just seeing new places – it’s about stepping into a different rhythm of the world. I usually lean towards more adventurous trips – hiking in remote landscapes, getting off the beaten path – but I also have a deep appreciation for cities, history, and culture. There’s something magical about wandering through old towns, learning how people live, tasting unfamiliar food, and tracing the layers of the past in local traditions.

One place that left a lasting impression on me was New Zealand. The natural beauty there is hard to describe – it’s wild, untouched, cinematic. Every trail, every lookout, every quiet valley felt like it had a soul of its own. But what really made it special was how connected I felt to nature while I was there. It was peaceful, powerful, and grounding all at once.

I enjoy travelling with friends or loved ones – sharing stories on the road, splitting a bottle of wine in some random place you’ll never forget. But I’ve also come to appreciate the solitude of solo travel. There’s something liberating about having no plan, no company, and no expectations – just the road and your thoughts.

Whether I’m exploring the mountains of South America or walking through a museum in Europe, travel always gives me perspective. It teaches me how different people live, what they value, and how they see the world. And through that, I understand myself a little more, too. I don’t always have a clear goal when I travel – sometimes I’m chasing a trail, sometimes a story, sometimes just a break from routine. But no matter the reason, I always come back with something new in my head and heart.

Skiing, Freeride & Skitouring – My Winter Element 

I’ve been skiing for as long as I can remember. Growing up near the Slovak mountains, winter meant snow, skis, and weekends spent chasing speed and carving lines down the slopes. It started with simple downhill skiing on local runs, but over time, it turned into something more. These days, my winters aren’t complete without a mix of skiing on slopes, freeride powder days, and my favourite – skialp (ski touring).

There’s a pure joy in skiing that’s hard to explain unless you’ve felt it – the smooth speed, the sound of snow under your skis, the cold air rushing past your face, and that unique rhythm your body falls into when everything just clicks. Whether I’m flying down well-groomed pistes in the Dolomites, cutting fresh lines off-piste in the Alps, or hiking up a backcountry ridge with skins on my skis and no one else around… it all feels like home.

Ski touring adds a whole new layer to the experience – it’s quieter, more physical, and somehow more rewarding. You earn every descent, and the mountains feel different when you climb them yourself. I've done countless skialp trips over the years, and each one gives me something new – solitude, focus, peace, or a rush of adrenaline, depending on the day.

Winter isn’t just a season for me. It’s a mindset. And skiing – in all its forms – is how I stay connected to the landscape, stay active, and stay inspired when the world turns white.

Climbing & Running – Movement as Meditation 

There’s a kind of freedom I only find when I’m moving – whether I’m on a rock face with chalk on my hands or running through a quiet trail surrounded by trees. Climbing and running have been part of my life for years, and each gives me something different, yet equally valuable.

With climbing, I love the problem-solving aspect – it’s physical, sure, but it’s also mental. Especially in bouldering, where every movement counts and there’s no room for distraction. I’ve always been drawn to the mix of strength, balance, and precision it requires. But I also enjoy traditional rope climbing, especially outdoors, where you’re not just climbing a wall – you’re moving with the rock, reading its lines, trusting your body.

Then there’s running – my reset button. I prefer running in nature, far away from roads and city noise. Trails, forests, hills – that’s where I feel the most alive. I’m not chasing times or distances. I run to clear my head, to think (or stop thinking), to feel the rhythm of my steps and breath. It’s simple, accessible, and always rewarding – whether it’s a short jog through the woods or a longer, peaceful solo loop in the hills.

Together, climbing and running help me stay connected to myself, to my body, and to the outdoors. They’re more than sports to me. They’re rituals, even if I don’t call them that. They’re part of how I live, how I manage stress, and how I stay sharp and balanced in everything else I do.

Nature – Where I Feel Most at Home 

At the heart of everything I do – whether it’s hiking, climbing, skiing or running – is one constant: my deep love for nature. I’m drawn to places where the world feels untouched, where the air is still, and where human presence fades into the background. Something is humbling and healing about landscapes that haven’t been reshaped or redefined by us.

I find beauty in silence, in wild forests, in distant peaks, in open valleys where there’s no noise but the wind and birds. These are the places where I feel most grounded, far from screens, traffic, or distractions. Just the rawness of the Earth as it is. No filters, no edits.

Nature gives me space to breathe, to think, to disconnect, and to reconnect with what matters. And that’s something I try to carry with me, even when I’m not out there.