CHRISTINA ALIKATORA

At the age of 18, Christina decided to leave her home country of Greece to chase her dreams. As she was due to leave, her dad lost his job which meant that her trip turned into an endeavour to keep the family fed and together. Over the following five years, Christina decided not to go to university and worked two jobs to support her family. She recently became a boxing coach, inspiring and teaching young people.

"Don’t take things personally - life can be a beautiful experience"

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

I was born and raised in Greece. Growing up there as a woman, you do face a lot of what I call "traditionalism" (old fashioned thinking around how to raise a daughter) which played a big role in shaping my strength of character, and my beliefs.

I grew up in a sporty environment, always very active thanks to my father's love for sports, especially football. I have practiced football, volleyball, hurdles, and relays, as well as long-distance running and boxing.

Sports for me were always a way to shine, stay healthy and strong, connect with others, maintain my peace of mind, make my dad proud, and stay out of bad habits (trouble). No matter what I try to work at or follow in my life, sport seem to be present at all times.

Greece helped me grow my hunger for success, seek change, and actively pursue my dreams even if it meant leaving. Inside of me, I felt like I had to leave to make things happen, to grow, and to succeed.

Q: What was your experience of the global pandemic crisis? Did it change your life and/or your views about the world? If so, how?

I believe the pandemic forced me to rethink my values and priorities in life. Health and wellbeing took the primary place on the list. After feeling nourished, rejuvenated, and reprogrammed at a physical, mental, and spiritual level I was able to look at life from a different point of view and rebuild my Whys. The world will never be the same again. Sometimes drastic changes are needed for new beginnings to happen.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

All my self-limited beliefs and struggles turned out to be my greatest powers. Most of my challenges are rooted in my parent's unfulfilled dreams alongside society's problems. To challenge my mindset and break through, I have been trying to read books, encourage sometimes uncomfortable discussions to bring new ideas and perspectives to my horizon, as well as always carrying a great level of curiosity to everything.

The key challenges I face are:

• Failure to succeed without educational recognition.

• Family problems.

• Being a mixed-race woman.

• Everyone teaching you to think inside the box, aim small, have low expectations so you avoid pain.

• Pressure of materialistic items.

• Negative stereotyping/body image.

• Pressure of social networking.

• Misinformation around our world's "reality".

Q: Can you share with us some of the hurdles that you have had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

I feel there have been several “defining moments" in my life so far. 

1. Lacking the necessary financial support or guidance suited to me - This potentially pushed me to move away at the age of 18 and do my best to start over in a new land of opportunity. I read as many self-help books as I could around reprogramming myself, my attitude, improving my finances and especially loving and accepting myself - as well as understanding relationships.

2. Choosing to avoid University and take responsibility - Sometimes life itself can be the best teacher, mentor and motivator you will ever need. I tried to reflect upon every experience I had, evaluate, and keep only what works for me.

3. Boxing coaching and negative people - After going through a rough patch and almost falling into depression, I lost vision. But then I found boxing. Again, sport seemed to be my saviour when I needed it. I got very protective over my energy and time, started carefully selecting the people around me and making changes where I needed to heal and keep growing. I also experimented with new opportunities, such as accepting being part of a fashion show.

4. Best decision I have ever taken was to take a leap of faith and move to London - Everything I have worked on so far has helped to broaden my perspectives, grow and make decision like this that have ended up being rather exciting, as opposed to paralysing. 

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

How can I encourage myself to think outside of the box and trust myself to follow through?

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

A Mentor is someone who can listen to you, advise you, be honest with you, and believe in you. I believe that having a Mentor in your life is an essential relationship for someone to have.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

Don't take things personally. Life can be a beautiful experience.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

Camps international. They are helping third world countries and also teaching young teenagers some very valuable life lessons. Being a leader for them has really opened my mind and challenged me in many ways.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Stereotyping and negative body image; Lack of women in positions of power; Domestic abuse; Harassment and rape.

Everything should start from home. Teaching your kids and creating a home environment that promotes equality. Promote feminine power and show that it is possible for women to have the courage to attempt something out of the "ordinary". Encourage vocalization and support for each other.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that you love or you find interesting!

I read this story once in a book about an elephant in a circus and it really stayed with me. It starts with a little boy questioning why a big animal like an elephant wasn't able to escape when the only thing that was holding him prisoner was a little chain around his leg. And the reason behind it is that...

Once upon a time, this elephant was a little baby trying with all his power to escape for days, even weeks, until one day he took the decision that no matter what, he won't be able to escape and just gave up. Nowadays this is how most of us live our lives. Prisoners to our previous failures, to things that didn't work out in the past and are holding us from being free.

Q: Can you share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about? 

I would like to build a community for everyone to come together and embrace each other's different qualities, pains and strengths