Following Her Intuition: Nadja Gydat's 'Move to Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Following Her Intuition: Nadja Gydat's 'Move to Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author: David Pejčinović-Bailey MBE August 20, 2023 Duration: 31:04

Welcome to "An Englishman in the Balkans," the podcast that aims to encourage people to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina. We talk to fascinating individuals not only from Bosnia and Herzegovina but also those who have come to this country or, like me, live here.

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Nadja Gydat, an extraordinary woman who hails from Switzerland but has now made Visoko, just outside Sarajevo, her home. Nadja is on the verge of launching a wool-based eco-product, and her journey to this point is as intriguing as her upcoming venture.

Nadja describes herself as a real woman, a citizen of Europe, a mother to a few dogs, and someone born into a lineage of wise women who possess a unique gift passed down through generations. She is a believer in creating win-win situations in every aspect of life and sees herself as being on a journey to continuously expand her knowledge, spirituality, and understanding of people and mentalities.

Her early life was anything but conventional, with parents who were ahead of their time and raised her with open-mindedness and an appreciation for diverse cultures. Growing up in Italy and Africa,

Nadja was exposed to art, music, and different languages from an early age, shaping her curious and adventurous spirit.

Despite finding success in the luxury PR industry, Nadja realized the glitzy lifestyle wasn't fulfilling her. It lacked authenticity and became too stressful due to external factors beyond her control.

Feeling disconnected, she embarked on a quest to discover her true path.

Nadja's journey led her to Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she felt a strong connection with the energetic power of the pyramids and the abundance of negative ions in the tunnels. Prompted by a dream, she decided to make a life-changing move to Bosnia.

Initially, Nadja planned to open a health resort but found herself drawn to the untapped potential of Bosnian wool. She fell in love with the material and decided to create a product series based on wool, promoting its ecological and sustainable qualities.

She believes this venture will not only showcase Bosnian craftsmanship but also shine a light on the beauty and richness of Bosnia beyond its war-torn history.

Nadja's bold move to Bosnia has been met with admiration and curiosity from her friends and associates in Switzerland. She hopes to inspire others to explore the country's opportunities and beauty and intends to become a commercial and touristic ambassador for Bosnia in the future.

As we look forward to the launch of Nadja's eco-product line, she emphasizes the need to support young Bosnian entrepreneurs and give back to the community. She plans to become a business angel, supporting promising talents and projects.

For those intrigued by Nadja's story and interested in her wool-based products, you can connect with her on Instagram. Nadja encourages fellow Bosnians from the diaspora to return to their homeland and contribute to its growth and development, highlighting the untapped potential within this beautiful country.

Join us in celebrating Nadja's inspiring journey and be sure to check out her eco-product line as she showcases the beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, both through her products and her passion for this remarkable nation. Let's all embark on this adventure together and discover the hidden gems that lie within Bosnia and Herzegovina.



To hear more, visit www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com

David Pejčinović-Bailey MBE hosts An Englishman in the Balkans, a series that moves beyond travelogue clichés to offer a grounded, personal account of building a life in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This isn't a tour guide; it's a collection of audio journals from someone who has chosen to make his home there. Listeners hear candid reflections on the nuances of daily life, from navigating bureaucracy and language to finding unexpected comfort in local traditions. The podcast often features conversations with the fascinating individuals David encounters-artists, neighbors, historians, and everyday people-whose stories add rich layers to the understanding of a region frequently defined by its past conflicts. Episodes might delve into the complex tapestry of Balkan history over a coffee, or explore the simple joy of a shared meal, all framed through the perspective of an immigrant learning to see a place not as a visitor, but as a resident. The result is a thoughtful, sometimes humorous, and always humanizing portrait of a country and its culture, recorded from the inside. For anyone curious about the realities of displacement, belonging, or the specific textures of life in Southeast Europe, this podcast provides an authentic and engaging listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

An Englishman in the Balkans.
Podcast Episodes
Exploring Travnik: The Heartbeat of Bosnia and Herzegovina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:00
This episode is about David's adventure to Travnik, a charming town in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the assistance of local guide Ben, David unveils the rich history, mouth-watering cuisine, captivating architect…
Sevap Mitzvah - Discovering Sabina Vajrača, a Trailblazing Filmmaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:28
Join me in this heart-touching podcast with the inspiring Sabina Vajrača, a Bosnian film director making her mark in the film industry. Sabina shares the trials and tribulations she faced, from fleeing Bosnia on her own…
Exploring the Bosnian Pyramids: [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:43
Dr. Samir Osmanagić an anthropology professor and pyramid researcher, provides a deep-dive into the pyramids discovered in Visoko, Bosnia Herzegovina. He offers a profound analysis of the pyramid phenomenon worldwide as…
Embracing Diversity: From Micronesia to Bosnia with Sheila Savanović [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:02
Today, I have a truly inspiring guest, Sheila Savanović, a resilient lady from Micronesia who has made an extraordinary journey from the eastern Pacific to Southeastern Europe. Sheila shares her fascinating story of meet…
Exploring Spomeniks: The Brutalist Monuments of Former Yugoslavia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:39
In this episode, I discuss the brutalist Spomenik monuments of the former Yugoslavia with Donald Niebel - founder of the Spomenik Database. Donald is an environmental scientist turned researcher from the United StatesWe…
Dijana Tepšić - From Radio Presenter to Entrepreneur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:52
In this compelling podcast, Dijana Tepšić shares her journey; from a radio presenter during demanding times to a successful entrepreneur in the Balkan media industry. I caught up with Dijana on a sunny November day in Ba…
Losing My Balance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:38
This episode is a bit different from our usual ones. Instead of interviewing fascinating individuals about Bosnia and Herzegovina, I’m sharing some personal experiences and observations from my life in this heart-shaped…
"Forced Out" - A story of Surviving Conflict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:11
In this episode I explore the emotional journey of Ivana Štrbac-Alfonso, who was forced to leave her home in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict in the 1990s. Ivana, who was only five to six years old at the time,…