Well-known and much-loved TV host Gvantsa Daraselia has recently continued her journey in the digital world, this time in the format of a podcast. Behind her public image, however, stands a mother who searches every day for balance between career ambitions and family harmony. In an interview with N13, Gvantsa speaks openly about what it truly means to be a strong woman today – how to protect your personal “red lines” in your profession and how not to lose happy moments in everyday routine.
1. Gvantsa, as a mother, what does your everyday life look like?
From the outside my day probably looks very organized, but behind that order there is constant thinking and a bit of chaos. I plan everything – my children’s meals, activities, and our daily movements. But the most important thing is emotional support and trust. That is the foundation of our relationship. In many ways, motherhood feels like a second job that comes with a lot of responsibility. Sometimes I think our generation grew up in a more difficult time, but also with more freedom. Today, as a mother, I constantly try to find the balance between being fully involved in my children’s lives and still giving them the space they need.
2. People often say that a woman cannot have everything at the same time. Have you ever felt that your career progress came at the cost of time with your children?
I have experienced both extremes. There were moments when I gave less time to work because of family, and moments when the opposite happened. However, I think I managed to find that golden middle where my children never felt the absence of their mother. Time spent with children is the one resource that can never be replaced. At the same time, I strongly disagree with completely giving up your career. When I feel professionally fulfilled, I return to my children and my husband much happier and more productive.
3. Thinking about your son, Erekle, what is the most important value a boy should learn from his mother?
Everything starts with example. I want my children to see that our family is built on love and mutual respect. It is important for a boy to understand that a woman is not simply part of his routine – that idea is just a stereotype. A man’s involvement in family life should feel natural. I also try to teach my children independence – starting with small things like making their own bed and taking responsibility for their own needs.
4. Looking back today, what would you say to the younger Gvantsa – the one who was building her career while expecting her first child? What advice would you give to women preparing for this kind of double responsibility?
I would say that it is impossible to fully prepare for it. At that time I had so much enthusiasm – I believed I could move mountains. Now I realize how much physical and emotional strength that period required. My advice would be simple: don’t wait for the “perfect moment.” Life rarely follows a perfect plan. When opportunities come – whether it is a child or a career – you should hold on to both. Fortunately, women have the ability to manage two big responsibilities at the same time.
5. Strong and independent women are often expected to win all the time. Have you ever felt that you “failed,” and how did you turn that experience into strength?
To be honest, I have never truly felt defeated. Maybe because I feel so much love from people that it never allows me to feel alone. Even when I left my job after many years – something that first felt like a tragedy – the love from people never changed. I still felt that unconditional positive attitude toward me, and that is probably my biggest strength. But people say that if you have never failed or never felt that something might not work out, you cannot truly succeed either. I believe that without radical changes, nothing new can appear. Sometimes you need setbacks in order to understand where the real peak is.
6. Away from the screen, what activities or hobbies bring you harmony and feel different from your public image?
To be honest, I am not even sure what my public image looks like – and that is interesting in itself. But there are things I truly love doing. For example, diving is real therapy for me. My friends often laugh and say they cannot understand how I can spend so much time underwater. I also love painting. I am not a professional at all, but the process itself gives me joy. And of course, singing with a guitar with friends and being a little crazy together – those are the moments when I completely forget about the public image.
7. How much do you trust your intuition when starting new projects? What is the main indicator behind your career decisions?
I trust my intuition completely. There were moments when I compromised and ignored that inner voice, and it cost me a lot. My main indicator is a feeling. If I sense that something is not emotionally or morally right for me, no matter how attractive the offer is, I say no. I believe these personal “red lines” define true professionalism.
8. As we know, you now have your own YouTube channel. A podcast is a much more personal format than traditional television. Why did you choose this path?
It has been more than four years since I left television. At that time I felt that the space for growth and the content that interested me there had reached its limit. I wanted to create content that feels free, sincere, and high-quality. A podcast allows me to discuss important topics and ideas with people who share my values. The support from the audience is a huge motivation for me.
9. Did this format help you rediscover yourself?
Absolutely. I believe that the biological code of a human being is constant development. Right now, I am learning a new form of my profession – something very different from television. This process of working on myself helped me discover a “new me,” and that makes me very happy.
10. What does a strong woman mean to you? And which woman would you most like to invite to your podcast?
In our culture, the idea of a “strong woman” is often connected with a woman who simply endures everything, and that makes me sad. For me, strength is not only about managing responsibilities or solving problems. Real strength is the ability to catch happy moments – to find time for yourself in the middle of chaos and feel satisfied with it. My mother is the best example of that for me.
As for a guest, I would love to invite Matilda Gvarliani. I am curious about her worldview and how this incredibly beautiful and unique young woman lives her life.
Interview: Mariam Bekauri
