Story & Lesson Highlights with Lena Govedarica (ex Miladinovic)

We recently had the chance to connect with Lena Govedarica (ex Miladinovic) and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lena, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up and for the past 15 years I’ve been doing stretching exercises for about 10 minutes, which warms up my body and prepares me for the day. After that, I have breakfast, take a shower, meditate for 5 minutes to set up my day, and get ready for work. My first morning coffee is always with my colleagues. That’s about 90 minutes in total. I need that quiet time for myself to start the day in a good way. 🙂

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lena Goveadrica Ex Miladinović, Woman International Master, chess coach (FIDE Instructor), International Arbiter (IA) and co-founder of Outpost Chess. Chess has been part of my life for 20 years, and a few years ago I decided to take it beyond the board. With Outpost (Outpostchess.com), we’re building a skill-based platform for on-demand 1vs1 chess tournaments, where players can compete instantly, fairly, and securely. What makes us unique is that we don’t stop at competition: we’re adding an interactive AI companion that teaches, talks, and plays with you in real time. It’s a mix of tradition and innovation: the world’s most timeless game meeting cutting-edge tech. My story is really about turning passion into impact, and giving chess players new ways to play, learn, and earn.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with myself. I used to be overly strict, set impossibly high standards, and constantly feel unhappy, always chasing bigger goals. Over time, after my burn out period, I’ve learned to celebrate small achievements, acknowledge my progress, and be kinder to myself. This self-relationship has allowed me to thrive in today’s fast-paced, achievement-driven world while maintaining balance, personal growth, and well-being.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I’ve always wanted to write a book called “From Success to Failure”. Burnout taught me lessons that success never could. Achievements in my chess career, business, or professional life never showed me the importance of taking time for myself. I didn’t have to work or think about work or the chessboard 24/7. My body wasn’t even tired; my soul was, crying out. I hadn’t realized how harshly I was pushing myself, soldiering through to achieve goals I had set, without truly enjoying any of it. I was merely ticking off obligations. Today, everything is completely different, but it comes after enormous work on myself.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am fully committed to Outpost Chess (outpostchess.com) , a platform I co-founded to transform how people experience and engage with chess. Our mission is to empower players, coaches, and organizers to monetize their skills while creating a vibrant, skill-focused community. From 1vs1 matches to interactive AI training, we aim to make high-quality chess accessible, engaging, and rewarding for everyone: no matter how long it takes to realize this vision. Play – Learn – Earn. From passion to profession with Outpostchess.com. Join us for FREE.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I think I was born to play sports. Whatever it is, if it involves a ball, it comes very easily and naturally to me. Football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, padel: you name it. On the other hand, I’ve always been a good leader, organizer, and executor, and the combination of my leadership abilities couldn’t exist without my athletic balance. Although I regret not being a professional athlete and am instead a businesswoman, I still strive to find a balance between work and sport. It’s the way I keep my body healthy and my mind always sharp.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Outpostchess.com

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