She is wild and free. She was born to travel. She is a model, influencer, media assistant, yoga teacher and personal trainer, but her goal is to work less and live more. She is a nomad with a strong need to experience and understand the world around us. And she prefers to do it all while wearing only her bikinis…
Hello, Elina, cool MAXIM photo shoot. Tell us a bit about it.
Thank you. I travelled to Los Angeles from Mexico and we shot on the stunning Huntington Beach. I love the sea and swimsuits – I’m almost always wearing bikinis or other warm weather gear.
Well you look fire! When do you feel you are at your sexiest?
Thank you! I’m definitely a free soul and a child of nature. So, I feel sexiest close to nature – I am wild and playful and the freer I get to be, the sexier I feel.
What is your best asset?
My best asset is definitely courage. People can already see it in my lifestyle, I am fearless. I’m also extremely fast mentally – I don’t waste time with making decisions. Fast movements are also one of my main characteristics.
You are originally from Finland – do you still live there or did you decide to live in a warmer climate so you can hang out in your swimwear?
Yes, I was born in Helsinki but most of my childhood I lived in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland in Finland. After those years I just became a citizen of the world. I hate the cold and this is why I travel most of the time to places where all I need is a bikini.
For those who are not familiar with you, give us a little more background about yourself.
I am a free, old soul who was born to travel. There is an enthusiastic, restless creature living inside of me who feels that nothing is enough and everything is possible. Some old and wise people tend to call me an angel. What is my goal? When I die and my life flashes in front of my eyes I want that movie to be worth watching. I am a traveller and I have a strong need to see, experience and understand the world around us – the diversity, beauty and fragility of it. I’ve been on the road six years so far, I am nomad and I own almost nothing. It is important to me that I am able to carry all that I need with me. I have visited almost 90 countries and I still counting. What do I do for living? I am a model and an influencer. I am also a yoga teacher, media assistant and a personal trainer. My work includes bites of all these fields. My goal, though, is to work less and live more.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
People are most often surprised I travel almost all the time alone, and also that I don’t own much or I don’t have a permanent home. They wonder how brave I am. But for me it is not braveness, it is the freedom to choose – do what I want, when I want.
What else do you do when you’re not modelling, training or on Instagram?
I climb mountains, run marathons and teach yoga.
With COVID-19, we’re assuming you haven’t been able to travel as much?
I have travelled throughout the pandemic period. As I said, I have no permanent home where to return. I usually stay from three to four months in one country and comply with the regulations of the each country.
Where’s the best place you’ve travelled and why?
All the places are unique that they can’t be put in order. However, here are five countries I love: Israel: there are infinitely smart people, a rich history, a great culture and nightlife. Many Unique Wonders of the World; Italy: food, cities, fashion, wine and people I really LOVE!; Peru: nature, diversity of the country and the culture; Mexico: surfing, beaches, nature, culture, music…; Tanzania: Kilimanjaro and safaris – no need to say more. The wild nature is so great!
Have you ever been to Australia?
I planned to travel to Australia before the pandemic started. However, in that time there were huge bush fires around the country so I decided to postpone my visit. Then this pandemic started and due to that I haven’t had the chance to visit in your wonderful country. Australia will be the first on my list when the pandemic is over!
What have you learnt about men over the years?
I have learnt that all human beings have a feminine and masculine side. But in this world men are mostly using their masculine side and women mostly their feminine side. If we want to build long lasting and equal relationships and meet each other in deeper level, men need to introduce themselves to their feminine side. This is where the sensitivity and humane collaboration lies.
How can a man possibly win his way to your heart?
I give every person a chance to conquer my heart. It doesn’t matter if it’s a man, a woman or something in between – as long as they show that they are emotionally intelligent and understand the world. We just need to have similar values and a lot to discuss. Emotional connection is the most important of all.
What’s next for you?
I’m not a person who plans and talks a lot. I’m a person who makes things happen. I look forward to the world opening up and being able to start realising my dreams again. ■
Status Update
NAME: Elina Tervo
BORN: December 29
HOMETOWN: Helsinki, Finland
CURRENTLY LIVES: “Around the world.”
FIVE-WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Enthusiastic, restless, inventive, strong, temperamental.”
FAVOURITE DRINK: “Red wine.”
LIFE MOTTO: “I’d rather eat pizza and drink wine than be a size 0.”
INSTAGRAM: @elinatervo
Photographed By RYAN DWYER (@LETSHOOT)
Interview By SANTI PINTADO (IG: @SPINTADO)
Hair & Make-Up BRIDGET MARTINEZ
Produced By MAIN STREET PRODUCTIONS (IG: @MAINSTREETPRODUCTIONS
