Yana shares her unexpected journey from Ukraine to Windsor, Canada. What began as a short trip for a cousin’s wedding turned into a permanent life shift due to the outbreak of war. Yana opens up about adjusting to a new country, building a life in Windsor, and finding community through dance. She reflects on how surrendering to life’s flow—paired with a deep love of joy, spirituality, and movement—led her to meet her husband, co-organize Kizomba events, and even launch a YouTube comedy channel called Wife vs. World. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and contagious enthusiasm for life.

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LINKS

Yana:
https://www.instagram.com/yanochka_heley/

Wife vs World:
https://www.youtube.com/@wifevsworld
https://www.instagram.com/wifevsworld/

Art of Dance Studio:
https://artofdance.ca/classes

WinKizX Festival September 6/7 2025:
https://artofdance.ca/classes/ols/products/winkizx-september-6th-7th

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#ImmigrantStory
#FromUkraineToCanada
#KizombaDance
#WindsorOntario
#TinasArenaPodcast
#DanceCommunity
#WifeVsWorld
#SpiritualGrowth
#LifeInCanada
#WomenWhoInspire

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Timestamps

00:00 – Meet Yana
05:01 – Finding Joy on Purpose: A Conscious Choice
08:16 – How Dance Became Her Lifelong Passion
13:18 – WinKizX Festival
15:18 – Wife vs. World: A YouTube Channel Born from Laughter
19:01 – Art of Dance
20:08 – Final Thoughts

I completed my first Spartan Ultra 50K in 11.5 hours—through rocks, mud, lightning, and self-doubt—and lived to tell the messy story!

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – I Finished a 50K Spartan Ultra! (And Got Bronze)
04:43 – Gear Talk: Shoes, Insoles, and Tradeoffs
06:10 – Transition Zone Decisions: No Sock Change
10:45 – Fueling: Maple Syrup + Maltodextrin Homemade Gels
12:00 – Transition Bucket Essentials (What I Packed vs. What I Used)
14:57 – Would I Do This Race Again? (Spoiler: Probably Not)
18:00 – Training Reflection: I Mostly Walked. You Can Too.
22:50 – New Goals: Faster 5K, Pull-Ups, and Push-Ups

Spartan Ultra 50K race recap
first ultramarathon experience
beginner spartan ultra
obstacle course race tips
running with rocks in shoes
ultra marathon gear and nutrition
homemade race fuel
slow ultramarathon finisher
how to train for spartan ultra

50K OCR recap
#SpartanUltra
#UltraMarathonRecap
#ObstacleCourseRace
#FirstUltramarathon
#MudRun
#SpartanRace
#RunningJourney
#OCRTraining
#FinishLineFeels
#HomemadeRaceFuel

I’m ten days away from running a 50K Spartan Ultra, and I’m not going to lie—I’m terrified. This episode is a raw, honest look at my training journey: from zero miles per week to 30+, battling illness, and managing injury... I talk about what I wish I had done differently, how I’m mentally preparing, and why even being scared means I’ve chosen the right goal. If you’re training for your first big race or just love hearing what it takes to push your limits—this one’s for you.

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – I’m Running a 50K Spartan Ultra in 10 Days
04:00 – Injury History: Why I’m Not Pushing Too Hard
06:37 – Running Slow First, Then Building Speed
09:10 – Looking Forward
10:11 – Why Being Terrified Means It’s a Good Goal
11:00 – Leave Me Your Questions for the Race Recap!

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#SpartanUltra
#UltramarathonTraining
#OCRTraining
#FirstUltraMarathon
#RunningJourney
#FitnessGoals
#SpartanRace
#EnduranceAthlete
#MindOverMiles
#FromZeroToUltra