Lado Okhotnikov is a humanist, philosopher, and 21st-century techno-prophet. His portfolio includes directing, entrepreneurship, innovative projects, health programs, metaverses, tea ceremonies, and even Greco-Roman wrestling. A successful businessman and a revolutionary? Undoubtedly. But what is the journey of someone striving to change our perception of a healthy lifestyle in today’s world? Lado Okhotnikov shared his guiding principles.
“Soon, the Metaverse Will Become an Everyday Reality”
— Lado, your projects span directing, cosmetics, fashion, gaming… Which one are you most proud of?
— The one I have just completed. Because every new project is another level. Right now, it’s our film and the DNA program that allows us to glimpse the future of human health. In simple terms, modern health programs. It was once a dream, and now it’s a reality—an innovative startup.
— You focus heavily on health. Why did you decide to concentrate your innovations in this field?
— Because health is, quite literally, life itself! Time is constantly slipping away. What could be more important? People have become accustomed to illnesses, low energy levels, and the idea that aging equals weakness. But that is not the norm. The quality and length of life can be significantly improved. This is not science fiction—it’s science. Call it an innovative startup if you wish. People still don’t fully grasp how crucial a healthy lifestyle is.
Look, in ten years, the metaverse will be an ordinary part of daily life. Right now, it’s like mobile phones in the early 2000s or the internet in the 1990s. No one imagined that these things would become an integral part of every household. The same will happen with metaverses. And within them lies enormous potential for self-development and health programs. Not medicine as we know it, but health itself. Traditional medicine is about treating diseases, not about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The metaverse will help with this, which is why I mentioned innovative startups. For some, they are future profitable projects; for me, they are an opportunity to help people.
Moreover, by improving your own life, you automatically influence the world around you. Everything operates on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: first, a person secures their necessities, and then they begin to see the bigger picture. When you lead a healthy lifestyle, have energy, and live longer, you realize that this world is your home—and you want to make it better. For example, by caring about ecology and creating a more comfortable environment around you.
“A Successful Entrepreneur Can’t Succeed Without Failures”
— Have you ever experienced failure? What was your most unexpected setback?
— Show me a profitable project or a successful person who has never faced problems, difficulties, or failures. Every challenge strengthens you. I used to practice Greco-Roman wrestling—before a match, you hope for a weaker opponent. But if you defeat them, you don’t feel satisfaction. However, winning against a strong opponent, despite the high risk of losing, is an entirely different feeling. Life works the same way. My most painful failure? When my team betrayed me. Conspiracy, sabotage, a broken system and innovative projects, massive financial losses—it was a serious blow. And it came from within. That’s when the mixed reviews about Lado Okhotnikov began.
But I learned a key lesson: if you have doubts, don’t ignore them. And never build a business that relies entirely on the human factor. Security is not paranoia; it’s the foundation of stability.
Of course, it would have been easier to start over from scratch. But here’s another principle I follow—consistency. If you fought for something yesterday, keep fighting for it today. Even if no one supports you, even if no one understands. Doubts are part of the journey, but they only belong at the decision-making stage. Once a decision is made, there’s no room for second-guessing.
And my third principle applies to employees. Profitable projects and innovative startups are built by engaged people. I used to think it was important to retain employees. Now I know it’s better to find those who are genuinely passionate about the idea. The difference in interaction is immense. For those people, I’ll fight to the end. Seems like I’ve shared too many secrets with you. More reviews about Lado Okhotnikov will probably pop up now—I’ve had enough of those already! (laughs)
Reviews About Lado Okhotnikov
— Do reviews about Lado Okhotnikov affect you?
— I’d say some of them can be discouraging. I want to give a lot to people and my community—sometimes prioritizing their interests over my own, which isn’t always the right approach in business. But I love the positive reviews about Lado Okhotnikov—who doesn’t? They provide support and confirmation that I’m on the right path and that my work is valuable.