Medhavi Davda
Ex-Techie, with 9.5 years of experience in Software Industry, I had started my career as a software engineer at TCS, eventually also working with Infosys and IBM. Throughout my school days and along my corporate career, I constantly worked on taking my passions to next level to quench my hunger to explore. Sports, Dancing, Trekking, Backpacking, Scuba Diving, Paragliding have already been ticked off my infinite list of priorities. I’ve been carrying passion for sports and adventure since my early years; been a national level Badminton player and held on to the title of Corporate Badminton Champion of Pune for 5 years. I started my journey with dance with diploma in Kathhak and then got myself trained in various dance forms like Hip-Hop, Jive, Swing, Salsa, Waltz, Jazz, Cha Cha Cha, Tango, Bachata, Kizomba over the years

I had my first encounter with Himalayas at the age of 16, during a high-altitude trek and since then “I left my heart in the Himalayas”. I found my “Nirvana Moments” in the mountains. I always found reasons to run away to the Himalayas, even if it was to catch a glimpse of snow-clad mountains on a weekend. The more I trekked through these beautiful, snow-clad, tough mountains, the more I got away from modern materialism. I no longer have the desire to own a fleet of cars, and I'm detached with the idea of stocking exclusive brands in my wardrobe. Trekking changed my attitude towards life and I learnt that happiness comes from doing things that you love, and not from owning things. Now, I religiously follow this learning. I have made it a point to give away things that I don’t need. I have stopped buying things I don't need. I’m far from become eco-friendly but I'm making strides in that direction. I started scaling heights with each successive adventure and I conquered myself with each of my climbs:
While traveling, I also discovered my AQUADDICTION. I discovered Scuba Diving during my first island travel to Lakshadweep and eventually got my self certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver. I feel myself to be extremely privileged to know about an entirely different world that remains hidden from the rest of the world. I've explored the under waters of:
After Mountains and Oceans, I also got a chance to touch the Skies through my adventures. Paragliding, which initially seemed like a scary adventure to me, now keeps me motivated to take off from bigger heights. Relearning physics through adventures is the best thing that has happened to me. I'm in the process of getting certified as a Club Pilot after going through:
In 2015, I was working irregular hours, spending maddening hours on calls resolving technical issues, and ordering unhealthy food. My healthy lifestyle which has been a corner stone of my existence since ever took a massive beating. Something inside me clicked and I utilized all of my pending leaves to celebrate my Birthday in the Andaman Islands, dived with sharks, returned to my desk and submitted my resignation. I then went on a backpacking and SCUBA diving trip to South-East Asia (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) for 5 weeks.

On my return, I gave away most of the things I owned in Pune, packed only the basics in my car and drove all the way to Himachal Pradesh. My only possessions are - my car, my trekking and snorkelling gears, my badminton kit, basic electronics, few clothes and toiletries. I am living minimalistic and it feels liberating to me. I lived in Himachal Pradesh for 1.5 years learning the basic way of life in various remote places - Bir, Spiti, Kinnaur and Tirthan Valley.

Travel has fascinated me since childhood. I have traveled extensively in India before exploring international destinations. My idea of travel is backpacking in some remote location, away from the cities and crowd, be disconnected from the internet and mobile devices and live the way the locals do. Or go trekking and diving to experience the pure, pristine and serene beauty of a place.

I'm in a quest to make a living out of my passions, lead a healthy lifestyle, not settle anywhere, and experience life in different places across the globe.


My travelogue on Kashmir published as a chapter for class7 in NCERT syllabus

Humbled to be listed amongst the greatest authors of all times. Extremely happy to be a small part of this huge change in our education system!


​Features

Outlook Traveller Magazine

My inputs on women power as a trekker, diver & travel blogger. January 2019 issue of OutlookTraveller.

Bombay Times, Times of India

My inputs on dancing as a fitness routine - Bachata as my latest passion.
My talk with RJ Sheetal on getting out of the comfort zone for travels.
Listed in Top Blogs Led by Solo Woman Travelers
Listed in Top Solo Female Travellers - 2018
Listed as the right person to inspire you to achieve the impossible
Listed as best Solo Woman Travel Blogger from India
Listed in 13 most badass female travelers from India on International Women's Day 2016
Listed in 13 most badass female travelers from India on International Women's Day 2016
My story on me moving to the Himalayas after quitting my corporate job in Pune
Listed as an inspirational Solo Woman Travel Blogger from India
Listed as an inspirational Solo Female Traveler from India
Insights from the seasoned travellers who have quit their jobs to follow their passion
Listed as a top travel blogger from India

Interviews

My interview on switching my career from a software engineer (for a job) to a scuba diver (for my passion) gets published in Mumbai Mirror, Bangalore Mirror & Ahmedabad Mirror (Times of India group)
​​​​Entire sky in her eyes - Medhavi Davda
A candid interview on my life revolving around my passions - travel blogging, badminton, trekking, scuba diving, dancing, paragliding.. in the leading Gujarati magazine - Chitralekha
My interview on travel, blogging & life as a globetrotter in RITZ magazine - an UBER lifestyle magazine
The newest venture of The Times Group published my story on how i got addicted to scuba diving.
A candid interview with YourStory on me following my dreams in to adventure travel. (My responses were in English, thanks to the team for translation in Hindi)
My story on quitting my job as a Software Engineer to follow my dreams into travel and adventure
My story on how solo traveling is empowering to me
My interview on my passion for Trekking
 A candid interview with Holidify on quitting my job and taking up my passion to travel and live in the Himalayas
​​​​​Coffee with Stayzilla: A conversation with Medhavi Davda
Interview on my travel experiences
My interview as an Inspirational Woman Traveler
Interview on my stories from the Himalayas + Tips on juggling corporate lifestyle with the life of a free traveler! 
Tête-à-tête on travel and blogging

Published Stories

tourradar: My views on traveling to Northern India - ​​​​Choosing Between Northern India vs Southern India

The Itch List: My story on a misadventure during travel - ​​​​​Itchy Tales : Adventures you didn't plan on Having!

GoMowgli: My blog on Romancing with Monsoon in Wayanad - ​​​​What Bloggers are saying about Indian Destinations

The Travellist: Sharing my favorite memory of travel with friends - ​​​​Tougher times made closer friends by Medhavi Davda

Mighty Goods: My inputs on packing for Everest Base Camp Trek - ​​​​16 Himalaya Hikers Share How They Pack for the Everest Basecamp Hike

Tourism Boards I have worked with

Goa Tourism Development Corporation

​Gujarat Tourism
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation
​Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board

​Kerala Tourism
Nepal Tourism Board
Tourism Authority of Thailand

Me as a motivational speaker at various events

​What stops you from living your dream
Itchy Tales
Tales about my trekking expeditions
​Venue: The HIVE, Bandra, Mumbai
Online session : Travel Blogging Unplugged
How to be an ace travel blogger
​Venue: ILEAD, Kolkatta
India Cycling Festival
​Adventure and Safety - Women's Perspective
​Venue: Nehru Stadium, Worli, Mumbai
Villa Theresa High School-Annual Sports Day
Chief Guest
Venue: University Sports Pavillion, Marine Lines, Mumbai

Important Blogging Events I've attended on invitation

International Travel Bloggers and Media Conference at Nepal
​in June 2017
Highest Blogger Meet at Khardung La, Ladakh
​in July 2017

Clients I have worked with for travel writing/blogging and social media campaigns

Blog and Reach Statistics
Monthly Page Views : 22000 (as per Data from March 2017)
Monthly Unique Visitors: ​12000 (as per Data from March 2017)

Social Media Influencer Reach / Klout score
The average Klout Score is 40. Users with a score of 63 are in the top 5% of all users

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Social Media Profiles and Statistics

RavenousLegs on Instagram