She's represented Australia on the world stage at Miss Universe and competed for the title on channel 10's, Australian Survivor.
Monika Radulovic has never been one to shy away from a challenge, but credits much of her success to her healthy lifestyle and degree in Psychology.
She Does This spoke with Monika on staying healthy and her newest role as Hivita Health and Beauty Ambassador....
SDT: You’ve had such a successful career up to this point. It all really started for you with winning Miss Universe Australia and then representing the country at Miss Universe. I'm sure this experience was INCREDIBLE, but I’m also sure it was somewhat stressful!
Can you talk us through this?
MONIKA: Oh, it was definitely stressful! You’re flying to Vegas to compete against 90 women from other countries. It's like high school on steroids!
I knew it was going to be challenging, so I prepared myself mentally. I meditated everyday for a month prior to the main competition, which made a huge difference.
In all honesty, I think I put more pressure on myself than anyone else did. I'm a perfectionist and have trouble comparing myself to others. So the meditation helped me to be present. I also just had to keep reminding myself that I was there for a reason! I was bringing a lot to the table! We all need to remember that it's not a bad thing to be celebrating our strengths.
SDT: Most recently you competed on Australian Survivor, another intense experience I’m sure! What was this experience like for you mentally and physically?
MONIKA: Survivor tested me in every way, shape and form. I'm not an adrenaline junky so I was absolutely petrified before every challenge! Then there was the mental stress of competing against people you can’t trust. Despite all this, I knew I could do anything I put my mind to. In the hard times, I focused on how grateful I was to be given the opportunity to be there. Appreciation is the anti-dote to worry!
SDT:: You’ve got a degree in Psychology, do you think this has helped you face challenges in your career?
MONIKA: Studying the mind for 4 years has definitely helped. During that time I learnt so much, but most of all, I learnt the importance of mental health. Nobody is immune to feeling bad, that’s the human condition. But having the tools to get through hard situations is so important.
I also have to give credit to my parents. They taught me that being YOUR best is more important than being THE best. I really live by that mantra!
Being a Virgo, I'm a total perfectionist! So I have to be aware of that, step back sometimes, and just be more kind and loving to myself.
SDT: You’re the global health and beauty ambassador for Hivita. I’m sure you’re constantly offered opportunities to work with brands, so why this partnership?
MONIKA: I take my platform really seriously. I want to inspire young women, so I would never work with any brand that I didn’t love or believe in. I was actually using Hivita for 2 years prior to working with them, so I was SO EXCITED when this opportunity arose. I still can't believe how lucky I am!
I really believe in supplements and I love the potency of Hivita. You can really feel it working and the amazing effects it has on your body.
I love Hivita Daily B complex. This supplement supports energy production and promotes a healthy stamina throughout the day, which is crucial to my line of work!
SDT: We're huge advocates for good mental health at She Does This. What products does Hivita have that can help our emotional and psychological well being?
MONIKA: Firstly, we need to be eating a healthy diet in order to have optimum mental health. 80-90% of our Serotonin is produced in the gut, so when we’re eating the ‘comfort foods’, we’re actually making it worse for ourselves!
Healthy fats are also so important. Our brain is made up of about 60% fat. So don’t be afraid of healthy fats like Avocado's and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
I supplement my healthy diet with Hivita's IMMUNITY, which has a high potency of Vitamin C. Feeling healthy and strong physically has such a positive effect on the mind. Another great one is the STRESS complex which fights stress and fatigue, while elevating the mood.
SDT: Finally, what’s next for Monika Randulovic?!
I've finally settled back into normal life after getting married and then returning from filming Survivor! I love TV so I'd love to be involved in the industry in any way possible.
I'm also launching my own website, which will be all about giving young women tips and tricks with life. I want to continue to be a positive role model. I think it's important for young women to know that no one is perfect. I want to empower women and make people feel good about themselves.
