The Wild Ones is a new blog series featuring some of our favorite people living life by their own rules, making bold choices, and keeping it wild.
Our first Wild One is travel goddess, actress, & new mama Liesel Hlista. Read on for reflections on her greatest adventures, and the natural beauty secrets that keep her glowing from the inside out.
What is your most important daily ritual?
Showering! Lately it is the only time I get to myself without a 1 year old watching my every move.
A Defining Moment. Tell us about a pivotal choice you've made in your life that has brought you where you are today.
I was working on a job and found out that a male counterpart (doing the exact same job) was making significantly more money than I was. I brought it up to the producer and was basically told that he could recast me in a "hot second" with someone that would do the job for free. I stood my ground bringing up other things that made me uncomfortable during filming and in the end had to walk away. It was difficult to stand up for myself because on paper it was a dream job but I was not being treated in a professional way. Time IS up! Women deserve to be equally respected for their work and it is inspiring to finally see that being brought to light.
We know you have a penchant for adventure, what is the most inspiring wildland you have ever explored? Any insider tips for travelers interested in following in your footsteps?
Mongolia! My husband and I have a map with pins in places we have visited. We were looking at the world and saw a big empty space and said, "What about Mongolia?!" Neither of us knew anyone that had been. It turned out to be a very transformative trip. The lack of wifi was the least of our concerns. We stayed in many yurts across the vast plains of Mongolia while experiencing desert heat, insane winds, rain and snow and sometimes all in the same day. We lived like nomads for a couple weeks and it was the BEST trip that I NEVER want to take again. A one time experience that will live in me forever.
Traveler tips for Mongolia: Layers! Lots of layers! Have an open mind and an explorer mindset. Oh and don't ask, "What kind of meat is this?"
Tell us about what you’re up to in this world - you’re passions, your pursuits?
I am currently figuring out how to still pursue my dreams while being a new mommy. The intense love I have for my little one and my husband expands every day, but I am working on having that same love for myself. Motherhood is an important evolution and we need to be patient and honest with ourselves . I am not going to be exactly the same person that I was before giving birth and that is ok. I am so excited to still dream big and work hard to be the role model that my little girl deserves.
Spill your secrets - what favorite natural beauty or wellness products help keep you looking and feeling as amazing as you do?
1.) I love coconut oil. I love its versatility and use it for everything (cooking, moisturizer, dental care)
2.) Thayers Witch Hazel after I wash my face and to help remove any leftover makeup.
3.) Wildland Organics Super Bar is a new fave! I use it as a body soap and for shaving. I have never liked traditional shaving creams with ingredient lists that cover half the bottle. The Super Bar provides the perfect lather without drying out my skin. I love a simplistic beauty regime that I can trust.
What is the wildest thing you've ever done? Any lessons learned?
I've swam with sharks in the Bahamas, come face to face with a pride of lions while on a bush walk in South Africa, spent every penny I had to travel solo to Costa Rica for two months post college graduation, but none of that compared to dating in LA. There is something about this city that makes dating really difficult. A lot of people move here with big dreams and feel pressure to prove themselves which leads to a lot of insecurities that can filter into relationships. What I learned the most from that was to never settle and never compromise who you are. It also taught me what I wanted from a life mate. In the end I met my dream boat and he was right under my nose all along.
https://play.acast.com/s/633e6f184ef263001263fe32
https://play.acast.com/s/633e72adf60fcd001113ed6e
https://play.acast.com/s/633e74eec53dc20012fa33b6
https://play.acast.com/s/633e762bc53dc20012fa35c5
https://play.acast.com/s/633e7ad812d47c0011801e95
https://play.acast.com/s/633e7cc7f60fcd001113fc23
https://play.acast.com/s/633e7f09c852100011b10710
https://play.acast.com/s/633e800104762e001297654b
https://play.acast.com/s/633e819312d47c001180284f
https://play.acast.com/s/633e82bcd5a9aa0012e65770
https://play.acast.com/s/633e851f04762e0012976d57
https://play.acast.com/s/633e869304762e0012976f60
https://play.acast.com/s/633e8830f60fcd0011140d17
https://play.acast.com/s/633e8959c53dc20012fa50f1
https://play.acast.com/s/633e8ae24ef26300126426ea
https://play.acast.com/s/633e8c6c9ff3e8001170fcf1
https://play.acast.com/s/633e8f4fc53dc20012fa5a0f
https://play.acast.com/s/633e904020288b0012d3a5a4
https://play.acast.com/s/633e918ae8e93300118c146d
https://play.acast.com/s/633e925be536f4001242a784
https://play.acast.com/s/633ef2f0f9e9060012bdbc9a
https://play.acast.com/s/633ef5307f9f6e001247132c
https://play.acast.com/s/633ef61005f680001110907f
https://play.acast.com/s/633ef3a1f1af910012868fe9
https://play.acast.com/s/633ef761fc7f5a0012ad3696
https://play.acast.com/s/633ef817121c120012b16b55
https://play.acast.com/s/633ef920fc7f5a0012ad3925
https://play.acast.com/s/633efa2793791e001285efdd
https://play.acast.com/s/633efb20f9e9060012bdc929
https://play.acast.com/s/633efbc3e25a610012d760d7
https://play.acast.com/s/633f005af9e9060012bdd1fc
https://play.acast.com/s/633f0150050f5400123d5ccb
https://play.acast.com/s/633f027be25a610012d76be9
https://play.acast.com/s/633f0330121c120012b17d69
https://play.acast.com/s/633f043186e12e0011564275
https://play.acast.com/s/633f04ca74eaf000113a38c7
https://play.acast.com/s/633f0594ab9d930012548276
https://play.acast.com/s/633f06867f9f6e0012472e9e
https://play.acast.com/s/633f07ec121c120012b18492
https://play.acast.com/s/633f0763121c120012b183d5