Xpat Interview: Fruzsina Szemzo-Lorant, BootyBarre Trainer

  • 6 Nov 2014 11:00 AM
Xpat Interview: Fruzsina Szemzo-Lorant, BootyBarre Trainer
I was born in Hungary but moved to the Washington DC area when I was 5. I spent my youth growing up as a regular American kid (minus the idiosyncrasies of having Hungarian parents in a foreign land, which was a whole separate adventure).

I initially came back to Hungary for a short visit after having finished college. The visit ended up turning into a 15 year stay as I established a career in Hungarian television production. After marrying and having children, I opted for a more peaceful existence and have been at home for past few years.  

We recently decided to give the kids a bit of exposure to American culture and spent a year in Florida, which was amazing. It is where I found a new calling in the Health and Wellness profession and became a certified Barre instructor.

I am the first person to introduce the BootyBarre program in Hungary and I couldn’t be more excited and proud to share this amazing workout with the people here. It is a bit of a challenge as Hungarians have no idea what Barre is, so I am really building this from the ground up. I have been featured in a few articles and more are on the way but the exercise truly speaks for itself and once people give it a try and see the results they are generally hooked.

Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No.

 What surprised you most about Hungary?
Being able to relate to both Hungarian and American cultures, I found it hard that many Hungarians don’t know how to handle open friendliness and almost become suspicious as a result. This was a challenge for me to understand initially, but I don’t let it affect me anymore.

Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Gosh, that’s a tough one. Other than the regular “must see attractions”, castle district, Andrassy Ut, Opera House, Hero’s Square, baths, etc. I would recommend going off the beaten track for a day. There are so many cute little galleries featuring local artists and designers that are worth checking out.

We live in Budajeno, which is a gorgeous little town outside of the city where we have a little wine festival every year, which I think is worth experiencing. Also maybe doing a horsebackriding tour in the lush Buda hills or going and participating in pick your own seasonal fruits where they can really see and interact with local people (of course these would have to be guided tours or organized by the hosts, but definitely well worth it).

 What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Roasted goose leg with steamed red cabbage and potatoes.

What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Rice milk, parmesan cheese, teli salami, eggs.

What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Pitymallat

What do you miss most from home?
My friends and good Mexican food.

What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Nothing else. What I do now is my calling :-)

What's a job you would definitely never want?
Personal Assistant to anyone.

Where did you spend your last vacation?
Florida.

Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Bali.

Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Fresh baked pogacsa.

What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Horsebackriding and playing soccer.

Red wine or white?
Rose.

Book or movie?
Book.

Morning person or night person?
Morning person.

Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Abused children and women’s empowerment.

Buda or Pest side?
Buda.

What would you say is your personal motto?
Magic happens outside of your comfort zone.

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