BIOGRAPHY

Elena Levon

Explorer • Artist • Author

A Life of Freedom, Art, Courage and Passion

Elena Levon was born on March 27 1984, in Moscow, Russia into a multi-ethnic family — this Armenian, Russian, Jewish, Ukrainian and Muslim diaspora welcomed Elena into a post-Soviet world, which was often colored with societal constraints and economic instability. But she was fortunate enough to grow up in a family where respect for different cultures and traditions are paramount, regardless of skin color, background and religion. Her mother, Tatjana Melnikova, was a teacher of high geometry and a professor, who showed Elena by her own example, that no matter how little you have, you must share it with those who have even less.

In 2002, her father Eduard Leonovich Ayrapetov -- world-renowned scientist, author of numerous books and formulas, recipient of several international honors, awards and medals from Russian presidents, passed away after an extended battle with cancer. Elena had just turned 18. In May of 2023 Elena sang her last lullaby to her beautiful mother, who bravely fought in her own unforgiving “cancer war” for several years.

Elena Levon is a woman who has discovered what it means to be truly alive.  She is a fearless explorer whose life is an ongoing journey of discovery, resilience, and transformation. Has explored world for decades, in almost 100 nations across six continents, Elena has immersed herself in diverse cultures, was accepted as “their own”, by remote tribes, dodged bullets, discovered truth regarding biggest gold heist in Americas of prehistoric Nicaraguan pyramids, and collaborated with some of the most influential figures in art, film, and fashion.

Elena’s life experiences span an exceptionally broad range;

Starting with her daring solo voyage, when she immigrated alone at 19 to a different continent with no help from family, securing second citizenship in USA, after almost a decade of diligence and hard work and continuing thru walking Hollywood's biggest red carpets and plunging alone into the depths of most dangerous jungles in the world, Elena has always lived her own path.

From posing nude for legendary photographers to racing cowboys in South America's wetlands on the back of a stallion. From working on Hollywood sets as an actor to befriending military in the infamous “Darien Gap” jungle near Colombian border and participating in sacred endocannibalism ritual with Yanomami tribe in malaria red zone.

From living in a hammock and exploring barefoot treacherous Amazon jungle to dancing barefoot on top of volcano glass. Living with desert nomads deep in Mauritanian Sahara as a muslim woman, embracing and respecting local customs, surviving on an abandoned island in the Philippines and celebrating life with local tribes of Papua New Guinea. From attending Oscars and Golden Globes parties to navigating through African and South American continents solo by public transport with no guides or guards in her twenties and thirties. Exploring ancient Voodoo rituals with West African and South American shamans, dancing with mummies in Madagascar and Indonesia.

Sitting at tens of thousands of dollars per plate charitable soirees, being photographed at posh film premieres and dancing on pianos at secret after parties at The Chateau Marmont hotel. Feasting on jaguars, gigantic royal rats, piranhas and caimans with tribes in the Amazon. Eating snakes, tarantulas and turtles with tribal communities of Asia and Oceania and nibbling on sharks, wildebeests and zebras in Africa.

"Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll" with most famous personas of our world, being invited to participate in an ancient “men-only” rituals, inhaling sacred Parica “Yopo” drug with elders of the tribe, while getting jabbed in the arm with frog poison and sipping on mind-altering Ayahuasca. Coming face to face with victims of war in Mali and starting sailing eighteen-tons ketch in the North Atlantic Ocean with no prior experience.

From sharing dinners with presidents and royalty to sleeping on the ground in mud huts with locals. From being touched by African silver-back gorillas, swimming naked with sharks and manta rays in Australia to a raw “eye-to eye encounter” with a wild leopard, facing each other in African wilderness, just mere breaths apart. From skydiving and bungee jumping, plunging into “Devil’s pool” on top of famous Victoria Falls to getting in a fight with a Russian mob and talking her way out of being shot by a rifle not far from Timbuktu.

As you have seen Elena’s journey is not defined by conventional success, but by a commitment to living passionately and authentically, embracing freedom, and seeking out the rawest experiences life has to offer.

Elena Levon has navigated war zones, risked filming and sharing documentaries, which provided a much-needed voice to thousands of local people and helped tell their side of the story without the lies and censorship of mass media and ongoing propaganda of international news outlets. She survived natural disasters and faced personal life tragedies, including death of her parents and her own personal health hell— which almost cut life short in her twenties.

Through her life struggles, fearless solo world expeditions, unique craft as an artist, and profoundly intimate connection with the world's people and cultures,  Elena encourages others to follow their own unique path, regardless of the obstacles and personal grief they might face. To silence all the noise of societal chains and take a brave step towards their own dreams.

“Experience, endure, learn and keep on dancing with souls and hearts of those around us through this theater we all call Life. Go after “scary things” with your last breath, face your own demons, speak your truth, forgive, love deeply, live passionately and don’t forget to breathe. Fall and surrender. Face your true self in the world's mirror and in the end?... let go...” — Elena Levon

A Rebel With A Cause — Giving Back

Elena has made it a priority to support the communities she visits. Her humanitarian efforts include providing medical and food supplies, clothing, and other essential aid to impoverished regions. World exploration should also benefit those who host you. Elena ensures that every place she visits receives support directly from her, bypassing “charities”, who, for the most part, use so-called “non-profit” organizations for tax write offs and profit the top of the pyramid, rarely reaching those in need. She supports local communities as gratitude for incredible hospitality and trust shown to her.

In 2016, during category 5 Cyclone Winston in Fiji, Elena stayed behind when others, including American peace corps, evacuated. She was determined not to leave the local population behind and, despite the danger, helped rescue an injured infant and mother by securing a boat to take them to safety. Elena's commitment to standing with locals in times of crisis exemplifies her philosophy that no life is more important than another. Elena Levon is a true rebel, but one with a cause — Personal freedom and compassion are inseparable.

Epilogue: The Rebel's Legacy – Living Beyond Boundaries

Elena’s philosophy of living life authentically, beyond the constraints of society’s expectations can be encapsulated in 8 words...

“I choose to collect memories instead of things” — Elena Levon

This powerful quote has become mantra for a new generation of explorers. Businesses, artists, “internet influencers” and thousands of dreamers out there, have been using these words to continue inspiring others. This is not just a quote. It’s an outlook on life, a way of being, an unerring compass that guides you day after day.

Elena Levon’s life is a mosaic of extraordinary moments—a trailblazer who's life and death experiences have motivated souls from all walks of life. Elena continues to ignite the fire in others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery, artistic expression, and fearless world exploration through the chapters of her book, films, poetry, photography, art, podcasts, public speaking events and one-on-one guidance opportunities.

— 40+ wild and free years in this world...…

“In 2024 I proudly joined the “Women over 40” club, somehow arriving without coloring my hair, getting botox, fillers or plastic surgery. In today’s predominantly “plastic cookie-cutter” culture, that’s a beautiful and rebellious statement— one celebrating authenticity and humanity in its purest form. Living long enough to earn wrinkles, grey hair and deal with an aging body is a privilege not all of us are granted. That is why I will always wear my age with gratitude and fierce passion.” - Elena Levon

To be continued...

"THE QUINTESSENCE OF LIFE” - 1 hour documentary shot on 6 continents - Find out answers to the biggest questions we all ask, no matter skin color, religion or our birthplace. This film unites, uplifts and gives us back faith, that no matter how different we all are, we share the same soul, pain and joy. Film will make you laugh, cry and will inspire you to follow your dreams, no matter what obstacles you face at present moment.

FILM REVIEW

F"This is such an amazing testimony to life and living. The smiles, beauty, wonder & wisdom in your film simply stun me. I stand in awe of how you were able to experience all these moments and somehow at the same time capture them to be shared. This is truly a gift to the world -- thank you! I look forward to following your continuing adventures over the next ten years and more...Namaste." - USA

“REBIRTH”

From cradle to grave we search. We surrender and then destroy.

The dance of soft and harsh, it will tango you right into ash. 

The clock goes tick-tock tick-tock and then heels of regret stumble into the drought.  

We all came here to die…  

Don’t waste a single drop of hunger on fears stay hungry for life, for love, for each step. 

Feel it all, feel it in your skin, bone and marrow. Treasure your scars and keep walking on that stage. 

Flirt and fall in love with life. Learn something new everyday. Change. Grow. Reach. Dream. Stay in awe of what envelopes you. Stay wild and untamed. 

When you stumble and fall into the mud, pick yourself up and dance on. Trust your instinct, love yourself. Make time for solitude and silence. Recharge in nature, lift each other up. 

Create more, than you destroy. 

This life we live is not a draft… 

We can’t write a better story later… 

Don’t be the one who will regret. Be the one who smiles with a twinkle and giggles at all this grand circus we all call LIFE. 

© ELENA LEVON June 2024