Meet Victoria Repa

We were lucky to catch up with Victoria Repa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I grew up in a small Ukrainian village, Novobakhmutivka, in the Donetsk region, where there were few opportunities and limited resources. However, I was surrounded by many examples of perseverance. Although I didn’t have access to information about a healthy lifestyle, I learned to work hard, be disciplined, and believe in the long-term benefits of effort. This way of thinking became my foundation.

This experience taught me two important things: first, how to stay focused even when surrounded by doubt, and second, how to create your own momentum when no one else is moving in your direction. Later, when I was accepted to the Kyiv School of Economics in 2014–2015, I saw for the first time what it means to think globally and see opportunities. Then, working as a media analyst at Genesis, I learned how to create and test technology products on a large scale. These moments gave me the clarity to stop waiting for permission and start creating what I thought was needed.

In 2017, I founded BetterMe with the understanding that I was doing something that most people around me had never done before. Having to build my health knowledge from scratch gave me an understanding of what other people struggle with. That’s why, with my team, we develop our products for real life and diverse users, including Limb Loss Workouts and Recovery Workouts, for individuals with disabilities, as well as corporate wellness tools designed for teams operating in high-stress environments.

Even now, I often find myself in rooms where people don’t share my experience — whether they’re investors, politicians, or global technology leaders. I’ve learned that being different is an advantage if you know how to use it. My experience has taught me resilience and how to remain effective when others give up — traits that have helped me guide BetterMe through global crises.

I have learned that you don’t have to conform to be successful. You need clarity, resilience, and the courage to lead based on your own story.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

When I left my job in media analytics at a technology company, I was exhausted. I led a sedentary lifestyle, felt stressed, and felt disconnected from my own body. Looking through social media, I noticed one thing—people weren’t lacking motivation, they were lacking structure. Everyone was asking the same question in different ways: “How can I get healthier in a way that really works for me?” This question became my mission.

In 2017, I founded BetterMe not just as a business, but as a solution for people like me. After 8 years, BetterMe has grown from a niche Facebook community with three teammates into a global company with over 500 employees, which offers two supportive apps BetterMe: Health Coaching and BetterMe: Mental Health, to empower millions. In 2021, my team and I decided to explore new avenues and launched the BetterMe Store, which promotes inclusivity with its range of activewear, equipment, and smart devices.

Over the years, we’ve launched multiple features, including the AI Calorie Tracker, which adapts to individual nutrition goals and activity levels, and the Cycle Tracker, which helps women understand and align their wellness routines with their hormonal cycles. These tools aren’t just features; they reflect our deep belief that preventive health should be adaptable, both technologically and socially.

We also prioritize inclusivity across all of our product lines. From chair workouts and low-impact programs for seniors to mental health support for professionals working in high-stress environments, every feature we build is designed with diversity in mind.

What makes BetterMe special is not only its features, but also the fact that we practice what we preach. Wellness is not just a value, it is a strategy that we live by as a team.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Over the course of more than eight years of entrepreneurship, I have not only changed as a leader but also undergone a personal transformation. Qualities such as strategic thinking and, discipline, and the ability to learn have enabled me to succeed in this endeavor.

1) Strategic thinking. My journey began with a personal search for balance and health. Years ago, I sought tools that would truly work and be beneficial for people like me. This frustration, combined with the ability to look at such issues strategically, became the impetus for creating BetterMe. I realized that technology can provide structure and, when combined with motivation, is a driving force for real change. This understanding now defines how I build teams, develop products, and approach leadership.

2) Discipline in execution. When you train every day, you realize that discipline is not willpower, but structure. And it’s a skill that helps me in both my daily routine and my work tasks. I have adopted the mindset of an athlete, incorporating daily habits, constant concentration, and effective recovery. Athletes train by overcoming discomfort, failure, and stagnation. And it is precisely this mental discipline that translates directly into business. This helps me grow as a leader, prepare for presentations at Web Summit, and be recognized in awards such as the TITAN Women In Business Awards, while also staying mindful and focused every day.

3) Learning how to learn. I founded a technology company without any knowledge of programming or business development. During my early years of work, I had to learn many things, often through trial and error, as I tested and strived to achieve my goals. This was aided by perhaps the most valuable skill in my arsenal: the ability to synthesize complex information and turn it into action. As I learn, I gain knowledge that I immediately apply. I completed the Stanford Executive Program in 2019 to understand how to make a company global. I became a certified Health Coach (Institute for Integrative Nutrition) and Pilates instructor (APPI) in 2022 to better understand people’s motivations and deepen my own wellness expertise.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents worked constantly and showed me from childhood how work can affect your life. We lived in a small Ukrainian village in the Donetsk region, so everyone had to contribute to both work and household chores. From an early age, I helped them at the local market and learned to adapt to this environment. At the time, I didn’t consider it preparation for entrepreneurship. However, I now understand that the early mornings, the pressure to complete the task, and the real-life challenges I faced prepared me mentally for my future business career.

My father also said something that has stayed with me for years: “If you look for the negative, you will always find it.” He taught me to focus on solutions and actions, not complaints. It also motivated me to carefully protect and enrich my environment. I surround myself with people who inspire me to grow, who offer ideas rather than just opinions, and who remind me that success is a choice that is made repeatedly.

I learned this the hard way, but I learned it deeply: your mindset is your most valuable asset. And the right people will multiply it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://betterme.world/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-repa-115a1987/

Image Credits

BetterMe