Maia Svadlenak-Gardiner
“Women are often seen as the nurturers of the world, embodying love and care in unparalleled ways. This nurturing spirit is fundamental to our identity as women and is a testament to the profound impact we have on those around us.”
Maia is a passionate advocate in the health and wellness space, channeling her roots in holistic practices and traditional Māori perspectives to guide her. On her platform “Wellbeing With Maia”, she shares her expertise and insights to help others reframe their mindset around sustainable habits for mental, physical, and spiritual health. Her commitment to supporting others goes beyond the wellness field, as demonstrated by her work with the “Girls That Invest” podcast, where she has helped lead important conversations around financial literacy, money management, and investing for female audiences. This is Maia’s story.
What is your favourite thing about yourself?
M: My favourite thing about myself is my kindness and my positivity. And I'm very, very caring.
Tell us a story.
M: I believe in extracting lessons from difficult times, as they often make us stronger. Last year, 2023, was particularly challenging for me due to personal issues and the weight of external expectations. Despite intentionally taking on multiple responsibilities—working full-time, studying full-time, working part-time, and planning my wedding—I faced additional personal struggles.
Throughout these trials, I've always recognized my inner strength. Despite the mental strain, I've weathered similar challenges in my early twenties and emerged resilient. While those periods were undeniably tough, they reinforced my belief in my ability to overcome adversity. This resilience has become a superpower for me, bolstering my confidence that I can navigate any obstacle. I hold onto the mantra "this too shall pass" during tough times, reminding myself of my capacity to endure and persevere.
Would you say it was those personal experiences that inspired you to launch “Wellbeing With Maia”?
M: I was fortunate to be raised with a strong emphasis on holistic health practices. My mom, who's a bit of a free spirit, instilled in us the importance of alternative health approaches, alongside our traditional Māori perspectives of Soto Mala Māori, which focuses on traditional Māori medicine practices. Thus, from a young age, I've been exposed to a holistic view of wellness.
As I matured, my interest and passion for health and wellbeing grew. Living in Aotearoa, I've observed the vulnerability of Māori communities within our healthcare system. This realization, coupled with my personal interest in health, drove me to pursue studies in population health. I'm someone who throws their all into what they believe in, so it was natural for me to pursue this path.
I noticed a gap in knowledge surrounding holistic healthcare and Māori perspectives within broader society. While these ideas were common within my circles and family, they weren't widely known. This realization inspired me to establish “Wellbeing With Maia”, a platform centered on holistic health, with a focus on Māori and traditional indigenous perspectives.
What is one key mission of Wellbeing With Maia?
M: One key mission of our company is to empower working women to prioritize their health and wellbeing. I aim to encourage women, who are often caregivers and pillars of their families, to prioritize self-care. It's common for women, especially Māori women, to put others' needs before their own. However, I believe it's crucial for women to recognize that taking care of themselves is not selfish but necessary for their own well-being and the well-being of those around them. Through “Wellbeing With Maia”, I strive to nurture and empower women to make themselves a priority and lead healthier lives.
We were wondering how you incorporate wellbeing into your daily routine.
M: My daily routine revolves around a simple Māori health model, which I liken to a traditional meeting house called a "wharenui." Just like the four corners of a wharenui represent different aspects, such as family, social connections, mental, physical, and spiritual health, I strive to address each pillar for a balanced wellbeing. This means taking care of my mental health, moving my body in enjoyable ways like going for walks or practicing pilates, and nourishing myself with good food and supplements.
One of my favorite daily rituals is expressing gratitude. Every time I step into my car, usually on my way to or from work, I take a moment to acknowledge what I'm grateful for. This practice helps me stay present and appreciate the little things, boosting both my spiritual and mental wellbeing.
I also prioritize grounding, although I've struggled to maintain it recently due to rainy weather. Grounding involves connecting with the earth by planting my feet on the ground, which fills me with positive energy and vibrations. As a Māori person, this connection to the land is deeply ingrained in our culture, and it nourishes me spiritually.
Additionally, I make sure to get natural sunlight for my circadian rhythm and take smoothies and supplements to support my overall health. Overall, I've moved away from punishing myself with intense workouts and instead focus on movement that I enjoy, aligning with the principle of holistic wellbeing that resonates with me.
What single piece of advice would you offer to someone who is just beginning their wellness journey?
M: Another mantra that resonates with me is: "You can't hate yourself into a version that you love." This mindset shift emphasizes focusing on things that bring joy and fulfillment rather than dwelling on negativity. For instance, when considering nutrition, some may dread meal prepping or healthy eating habits. However, reflecting on how your body responds to nutritious food versus unhealthy choices can reveal the importance of enjoyment and well-being.
It's crucial to be patient with oneself on the journey to a healthier lifestyle. Quick-fix challenges may offer temporary results, but sustainable habits are key. Recognizing that it's not feasible to maintain high-intensity routines indefinitely, I advocate for embracing enjoyable, nurturing habits that contribute to overall well-being. By reframing our approach to health and wellness with patience and self-kindness, we can establish lasting habits that support a healthier lifestyle in the long term.
Is there a piece of advice you would give to your younger self, knowing what you know now, that you think you would have helped back then?
M: What I would tell my younger self, despite the background noise, is a message of self-compassion and honesty. The core lesson I've learned, and one I'd impart to my younger self, is that you can't criticize yourself into becoming someone you love. This insight, born from my own experiences and witnessing struggles among those I care about, particularly resonates during the formative years, which are now even more inundated with social media's influence.
Repeatedly picking oneself apart, whether physically or in behavior, doesn't foster growth or self-esteem. It doesn't cultivate the inner love and respect we all desire. Recognizing this truth could have eased my own journey, especially when faced with societal beauty norms that didn't align with my own reality. I empathize with today's youth, bombarded by constant comparisons and unattainable standards exacerbated by digital access.
So, my advice to my younger self and to young women everywhere is simple: stop comparing yourself to others and embrace kindness and self-love instead.
You co-host the “Girls That Invest” podcast, which has become one of Spotify's most successful financial podcasts, inspiring many girls to venture into investing. What motivated your involvement in this podcast, and what are your aspirations for it?
M: Being part of “Girls That Invest” is an absolute joy for me. I've always had a passion for podcasting, as my love for chatting probably gives away. The story of how I got involved isn't necessarily extraordinary, but it's meaningful. My co-host and I actually used to work together back in 2019, about five years ago. We hit it off as friends and have remained close ever since. Towards the end of 2022, she approached me with this idea to expand the podcast, emphasizing our great chemistry and banter. She thought I'd be a perfect fit, and I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to collaborate on something new and exciting.
I've always been open to new challenges and adventures, and this felt like a natural next step. Plus, I'd often bug her about social media and building online communities, so when she proposed recording the podcast, it seemed like the perfect chance to dive in. I've always admired the work of “Girls That Invest” and their mission to empower women in finance, which resonates deeply with me. Growing up, financial literacy wasn't something I was formally taught, and I know many others share that experience. So, being part of a platform that provides accessible resources and encourages conversations about money management and investing is incredibly fulfilling.
Our goal with the podcast is to continue empowering women, making finance and investing less intimidating, and breaking down complex jargon. It started as a passion project and remains one, albeit a highly rewarding one.
What does being a woman mean to you?
M: Being a woman holds deep significance for me, especially when I reflect on my identity as a Māori. In Māori culture, women, or wāhine, embody strength and resilience as caretakers and nurturers. We are revered as the bearers of life, a concept that holds immense power and significance. Take, for example, the traditional Māori healing process, known as the pōwhiri, which includes specific protocols before entering unfamiliar territory. During the pōwhiri, there is a symbolic exchange between the hosts and the guests, marked by the “karanga”, or the call, which initiates the welcoming process. Interestingly, it's always a woman who performs the karanga, as women are traditionally seen as the bridge between the spiritual and physical worlds.
This connection between the spiritual and physical is also evident in pregnancy, where women are regarded as conduits between realms. There are specific protocols for pregnant women, recognizing their role in nurturing life and maintaining balance between worlds. Understanding these cultural practices highlights the strength and mana, or prestige, inherent in being a woman.
I first grasped the depth of this empowerment when my sister became pregnant. Witnessing her journey, I realized the profound ability of women to create and nurture life. Whether or not one chooses to have children, acknowledging this innate power is profoundly empowering. Furthermore, women are often seen as the nurturers of the world, embodying love and care in unparalleled ways. This nurturing spirit is fundamental to our identity as women and is a testament to the profound impact we have on those around us.
