We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maddalena Bearzi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Maddalena, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I believe that resilience is a trait some people are born with, but learning from experiences (and mistakes) is – at least for me – a way to become more resilient.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a jewelry maker, marine biologist/conservation advocate, and published author. Born in Verona, Italy, I have traveled extensively studying wild animals (from lizards to whales) and learning new ways to express myself artistically. I began to pursue my passion for jewelry craftsmanship on my own, and later on, I briefly studied metalsmithing at the University of California, Los Angeles. I have learned metalsmithing techniques from some great master silversmiths, such as Harold O’Connor. My handcrafted jewelry work – I just came out with a new collection inspired by reflections on the water! – always draws from my experiences in other artistic media such as paint and textiles, and all my pieces are always connected to my work as a scientist.
As a marine biologist, I hold a Ph.D. in Biology and a Postdoc from UCLA, and work as President of the non-profit Ocean Conservation Society. I have studied many different species of animals in the field, both on land and at sea. My nonprofit’s studies on dolphins and whales off California represent one of the longest investigations worldwide.
As a writer, I have published Beautiful Minds: The Parallel Lives of Great Apes and Dolphins, Dolphin Confidential: Confessions of a Field Biologist and Stranded: Finding Nature in Uncertain Times (my two latest books are illustrated with my sketches). My illustrated children’s book The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle for Roaring Books / MacMillan is forthcoming. I have authored several book chapters and many articles in national and international publications. I have also worked as an official blogger for National Geographic, and I write essays and op-eds on current environmental issues and wilderness for different media.
I was born and raised in Italy but I live in Los Angeles, California, with my husband and dog. When I am not writing, following dolphins out on the ocean, or making jewelry in my studio, I can be found walking my mutt Genghis.
Somehow, I found a way to combine my different skills together, and I love that.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities/skills: curiosity, hard work, and perseverance
Advice: Open your mind and never give up!
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
Trying to do as much as possible to help the environment. I am passionate about wildlife, and nature is what has inspired my entire life (and my work as a jewelry maker and a scientist). Everything else has little importance if we destroy our Planet. We depend on our lands and our oceans. We need nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.maddalenabearzi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddalenabearzi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maddalenabearzijewelry
- Other: https://www.oceanconservation.org/maddalena-bearzi-author/
Image Credits
all credits: ©maddalenabearzi
