Yana grew up in Belarus, in Eastern Europe. Her first experience with the water came when she was 11-months-old on a trip to the Baltic Sea. Growing up, her family would take 2-3 week camping trips each summer on the Black Sea. At the age of 7 or 8, Yana took her first formal swimming classes at the Center of Youth and Creativity in the city of Grodno. A variety of other sports were offered at the center and after two years of swimming, Yana gravitated toward taekwondo instead -- where she excelled at the highest level. Yana went on to become a multi-time national champion and was a member of the National Team of Belarus while earning the title of 'Master of Sports in taekwondo. She also has five years of experience as a competitive diver. Yana graduated from Belarusian State University of Physical Culture in Minsk, where she majored in physical education and taught taekwondo. Currently, she is a student at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, studying School Health Education. Yana's hobbies include gymnastics, hiking, surfing, and snowboarding.