‘We Only Live Once!’ A Moment with Dancer Zlatoslava Malchik

You only live once. It’s a phrase that keeps coming back to me these days, a reminder that guides my choices and moments. If someone’s on your mind and heart, don’t wait—reach out. If a journey is calling, book it. If there’s a lingering dream, pursue it, however small it may seem.

Dancer Zlatoslava Malchik moves with the same passion—she doesn’t just dance; she expresses, breathes, and fully inhabits every performance. “We only live once, so I always perform each one as if it’s the last time.” This philosophy pulses through her movements, filling each moment with life and intent. Captured through the lens of photographer Miron Chomacki, Zlatoslava’s journey is one of presence and conviction, aswell feminine strength and independence, highlighted within the raw, inspiring surroundings of o9.concept.

In this interview and photo series, Zlatoslava opens up about her relationship with dance, her approach to choreography, and the energy she draws from the spaces around her. Her words remind us of the power in seizing each moment and letting creativity lead, wherever it may go.

Your movement style is both powerful and graceful. How did your dance journey begin?

Thank you very much! My dance journey began at 6 years old when my mother brought me to a dance class. I’m very grateful to her for that. They were light children’s dances, but even then I realized that this was my element and took it super seriously! At 10 years old, I started dancing professionally. During this period, I am grateful for the support of my sister who believed in me and always supported me!

Many dancers use their art to tell personal stories. Is there a particular theme or story that resonates deeply in your performances?

For us dancers, dance is not just about movements; it’s a way to speak, tell stories, and share emotions. We live our lives through dance. So yes, I always dance with stories and teach my students to speak through dance as well! Each time it can be different stories; it all depends on my mood, how I feel, the events happening in my life, and my experiences. I always tell my students: “I don’t know what the next choreography will be like; it all depends on the mood.” It could be a passionate sexual choreography with high heels when my soul is filled with passion and love or light-hearted and soulful when I’m dreamy and calm. It can also be fast-paced and rebellious hip hop when energy overflows! But there’s something that unites all of my choreographies: we only live once, so I always perform each one as if it’s the last time!

“Remember that life is one, and there won’t be a chance to replay it. So you need to live here and now, so you don’t regret missed opportunities later!”

Dance can be an intense physical and mental journey. How do you keep balanced?

Yes, you are right. To dance well, it takes a lot of physical and mental strength! Speaking of the physical aspect, in dancing, we engage all muscle groups and levels; endurance, speed, and much more are needed. As for the mental component, it’s also very difficult. First of all, you have to understand why you’re doing it; have a developed imagination; control everything in your mind—from memorizing thousands of movements to battling internal doubts and worries! How do I combine these? It’s very simple: to make it physically easy for myself, I work out at the gym to build a strong and enduring body. Regarding the mental part—in moments of burnout—I always give myself time to think; remind myself that I love this and live for this. Just like in life where there are ups (white stripes) and downs (black stripes), so too in dance—you need to do everything with pleasure and inspiration!

Your Instagram shows an exciting variety of dance settings and styles. What’s the process for creating choreography for each setting?

I think this is my uniqueness (smiles) —that I dance such different styles like High heels and hip hop! Again, because I live through dance, I can’t choose just one style since in life I’m also diverse. Today I’m playful and sexy, so I go to dance high heels and share that energy through this style. Tomorrow I’m crazy, funny, or without rules, so I go to dance hip hop. It’s not me who creates the environment for choreography; it’s the environment that triggers the process of creating choreographies!

“Just like in life where there are ups and downs, so too in dance—you need to do everything with pleasure and inspiration!”

Do you have a favorite song or artist that you love to dance to?

No, I definitely can’t name one or even a few performers, let alone one song. But I will say that I adore American culture and dance to 95% American music.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you had when you were starting out?

Don’t compare yourself to anyone. You live your own life, have your own path and destiny, so do what you like the way you imagine it in your head. Don’t listen to anyone else; develop at your own pace and enjoy it! I’m very grateful to my father for this advice—it’s exactly what I needed!

The most important thing in life is?

Remember that life is one, and there won’t be a chance to replay it. So you need to live here and now, so you don’t regret missed opportunities later!