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Getting to know Andy Kovszun
It’s no coincidence that we’re all instinctively drawn to the adventurous Andy Kovszun, the creator of No Shoes No Worries. Growing up on a small island surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea (how exotic!) Andy has always been a child of the ocean. It’s where the name “No Shoes No Worries” came from; a combination of her childhood on an island, listening to Bob Marley songs on repeat and her love of surfing and yoga, two things that don’t require shoes!
Now residing in iconic Sydney Australia, Andy has created a life where she is able to spend her days doing what she loves. From organising and teaching at surf and yoga retreats around the world to freelance journalism for several different brands and modelling.
This ROXY gal is all about living authentically, having fun and being present in the moment. Andy recently switched off, packed up and hit the road for the ultimate summer getaway along the Eastern Coast of Australia, ending up in the picturesque coastal town of Noosa nestled on the Sunshine Coast. Andy shares with us some snaps from her latest trip and some hidden gems you definitely don’t want to miss.
Who is Andy from No Shoes No worries?
I started my lifestyle blog about 4-5 years ago now and it’s taken me to so many amazing places. It’s opened up so many opportunities and I would be in a totally different place without it! No Shoes No Worries is a destination for all things surf, travel, yoga & wellness. It’s my happy pace, I really love it.
In between creating for the blog I also get to host surf & yoga retreats for girls and teach in studios around where I live on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Recently I built a new business with my best friend and now business partner: MUDE, a platform focused on female-owned businesses.
How did you get involved with ROXY?
My relationship with Roxy started very organically and has evolved over the years!
I was approached by Roxy HQ to teach a yoga class at a Roxy event a few years ago. Being a long-time fan of the brand, I was so excited and honoured. The rest is pretty much history! I started shooting for Roxy on my travels and retreats and teaching yoga at a few events. From a genuine love of the brand and what it stands for, I slowly started becoming a part of it! It’s always a thrill being involved in whatever way.
What does ROXY’s mantra; Make Waves, Move Mountains mean to you?
I love this mantra! It’s empowering and inspiring. No Shoes No Worries is all about women empowerment in every aspect of life; be it surfing, career, or personal achievements. The mantra Make Waves, Move Mountains embodies exactly that, encouraging young girls and women to take up space in whatever passion they may have. I know I felt this when I first started my blog from a little website to what it’s become now. Nothing is impossible, everything is achievable if you set your mind and soul to it! Knowing we are capable of creating the biggest waves and climbing the highest mountains pushes us all to go for everything we aspire to in life.
Speaking of travel and your recent trip, what are some of your favourite places in Noosa? What are some of the hidden gems that draw you there?
It's not really a hidden gem but Tea Tree Bay was so beautiful and definitely my favourite. The surf was the funnest I've had in a while, a perfect longboard right that seems to go on forever. On a sunny day, it just feels like one of the most magical places in Australia (if not the world!). All the bays around the national park are so special and vibrant.
How long have you been surfing for?
I've been surfing consistently for 7-8 years now. I grew up on a small island in the Caribbean and we always bodyboarded, so being in the water and waves has always felt very natural. Although I surfed a little bit on the south and north east coast of France, I didn't really improve until I moved to Australia and started surfing every day. It's been a long journey! Surfing is definitely not a linear process, but I think the feeling of joy and the rush you get from it is always there, no matter your level.
What is a defining moment in your career?
There have been a few! But I believe the most influential moment for me would have been on a holiday/surf trip I took a few years ago.
It was an all-girls surf trip on a boat through the Mentawai islands in Indonesia. I had never done anything like that before and was so nervous signing up to surf reef breaks with 10 girls I didn't know! Not only did I have an amazing time with a great group of people, but it was the biggest confidence booster for my surfing. I ended up penning a story for Surf Girl Mag about the entire journey, and one of my surf shots ended up on the cover along with it. It felt like all my hard work and passion for No Shoes No Worries was coming together to give me this once in lifetime experience. It opened so many doors for me, I started getting offers to facilitate surf & yoga retreats around the world, and travelling to shoot content.
Another highlight would have to be my Roxy campaign of course! It was a childhood dream come true seeing my face up in stores as the face of Roxy. All these things are linked, and it's actually really nice to look back and acknowledge all that's happened to get me here.
Looking back on the world today, what advice would you give your younger self?
Trust your gut. You may not do everything like everyone else but you know you're doing what's right for you and that your instincts will take you a long way. Enjoy all the travel, cause it's gonna hit pause for a while. Keep meeting new people, and thriving in that sense of adventure. Appreciate your family, your friends. Know that everything always works out. If you feel stuck, move. If it's not working, change it. Don't hesitate.
What advice would you tell young groms today that are navigating their way through expectations, social media and everyday pressures?
Honestly, I feel like social media is so different from when I first started using it. It can be so tricky and mentally challenging to keep up. I would say: don't compare. Comparison is the thief of joy, and I've seen and experienced it first hand, it's an energy drainer! You don't need to be anyone else, you are you and that's your superpower. Stay in your lane and focus on what you are good at and what feels right. You don't know what kind of day or life someone has behind all the pretty instagram grids. Be kind and just be you. Most of all, keep it fun! That's what it's there for.
