My name is Tadeáš and I come from Slovakia.
I would describe myself as a positive, sociable, and energetic person, I really enjoy deep talks and physical activity.

Big part of my life is now trying to contribute to the societal transformation that could prevent us from climate collapse. I studied environmental studies and now am a degrowth activist full time, so my main jobs is spreading awareness about the destructive elements of the growth-dependent capitalist economy and talking about the vision of a degrowth economy that would satisfy everybody's needs without destroying the planet. I do lots of research, do workshops for schools and other organisations, write articles, organise events, give public talks.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I guess I enjoy CS mostly because I like to experience countries from locals perspective. Being in their homes, seeing how they live, what they cook, what they do for living, having a deeper conversations with them - it all enriches my experience so much more than taking pictures of famous buildings or places. Soooo much more.

And when I host, I love to hear about the perspective others get from the place where I am. It enables me to be curious again, see things that I pass by everyday in new eyes and I love that feeling. And also because I can cook for others and have a nice conversation over dinner table.

I also love that its non-monetary exchange based on people sharing their homes, life stories, food and experiences. It just really unites all of us. Not because its for free, but because its about much more than just money. Yet, I am a little angry that CS is trying to push me into paying for Verification. I think people having a good experience after meeting me is a sufficient verification.

Interests

Well, there are so many things I love doing.

I love cooking, eating obviously, but in general the whole act of dinning is a little bit of a magic for me. I think dinning over big tables is one of the very important foundations for a community, as it really connects people, families, friends on a different level. So I try to bring in this element wherever I go, cook for many and create those moments.

I am an outdoor person and I really love to do anything out in nature. Camping, hiking, taking long walks. I also love working with the soil. Gardening really makes me calm down, feel the natural cycles and get out of the hurried time we often experience in the cities and buildings. I am very passionate about sustainable diets, therefore eat mostly plant-based diet. Also I read a lot about world food systems, food sovereignty, permaculture, biodynamics.

When I travel, I need to spend a long time in one place. Therefore, I am extremely grateful that I have found out about workaway (sth like WOOF) which enabled me to volunteer almost for half a year in India on different sustainability projects.

I think we have the responsibility to protect the Earth. Being part of the environmental movement is a big part of my life that truly fulfills me. I enjoy working with bunch of great people, organizing events that bring people together, educate them, e.g. screenings, picnics, talks or small trips, etc. Through working with passionate people, I learn a lot about myself, personal development and relationships in general. I enjoy those findings a lot.

These days, I also try to develop a healthy lifestyle that is going to give me energy and happiness. I try to daily meditate, write, eat healthy, excercise or do yoga. Personal development and spirituality are things I would like to keep working on!

The rest, you ll need to find out on your own :D. I already feel like I have said too much, but I usually talk a lot :DD.

• cooking
• traveling
• minimalism
• outdoor activities
• sports
• badminton
• volunteering
• sustainability
• activism
• spontaneity
• organic farming

Music, Movies, and Books

Ben Howard, Lorde, Florence and the Machine, Youth Lagoon, Monsters and Men

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I was 17 I went to Gran Canaria for a month to volunteer in a hostel in Las Palmas. It was the first time that I have left home for such a long time, completely on my own. I believe the whole experience changed my life a lot. Getting out of the bubble of my small town, meeting new people with different life stories, interests... It was all different after I got back home.

I also accidentally ended up living in England for half a year. Only with my hand baggage :DD. I ended this experience on the day of my 19th birthday when I bought a flight ticket to India and spent almost half a year there.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, India, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, India, Norway, Slovakia