Péter Haraszti, Founder, CEO & Shareholder, TritonLife
- 22 Aug 2024 1:02 PM
![Péter Haraszti, Founder, CEO & Shareholder, TritonLife Péter Haraszti, Founder, CEO & Shareholder, TritonLife](/binaries/content/gallery/xpatloop/interviews/2024/peter-haraszti-1.jpg/peter-haraszti-1.jpg/xpatloop%3Achannelslarge)
Peter graduated in 2005 from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics with a degree in Technical Management. In 2018, he founded the TritonLife Group with the goal of consolidating the Hungarian private healthcare sector and establishing a nationwide healthcare provider.
As the CEO of TritonLife, he focuses on developing the company, introducing new strategic ideas and financing growth. Under his leadership, TritonLife Group has become the fastest growing and leading entity in the transitioning Hungarian private healthcare sector.
The group boasts a dynamically expanding network of private hospitals and a fully integrated, nationwide system of inpatient, outpatient care, and laboratories. Over the past decades, Peter has consistently demonstrated passion, focus, and forward-thinking entrepreneurship.
1. Where did you grow up?
I was born in Eger, a beautiful city with a population of around 50,000 people. I still live there, actually, and commute to Budapest two or three times per week.
2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
New York, Dubai, or the mountains of Austria.
3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
Apart from my family and friends, I would definitely miss the cityscapes here – especially some of Budapest's historic areas and familiar spots in Eger.
4. Friends are in Eger for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
They should definitely tour the wineries, such as Thummerer, St. Andrea, Demeter, Nimrod Kovács, among others that are well worth visiting. A visit to the Thermal Bath is a must, followed by a guided tour of the city centre, where they can gain a wealth of historical and cultural insights from the guide - things they wouldn’t learn otherwise.
After that, they should relax at a nice restaurant on the main square on the main square. I also recommend a bike ride in the hills not far from Eger. All in all, you can easily spend three or four days in and around Eger without getting bored.
5. What is your favourite food?
I love great high-quality steaks, especially filet-mignon - prepared medium.
6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?
Mountain biking and hiking are my favourite activities, as they allow me to completely switch off my mind. I regularly exercise at home, where I have my own gym and I work a personal trainer. In fact, I exercise every day, and I run and swim weekly.
I'm a true health enthusiast, which is partly due to my job, but especially after a serious accident, I’ve have come to prioritize health even more. For example, I regularly do fasting and usually skip breakfast for health reasons. My goal is to extend my life with a healthy lifespan for as long as possible - 120 years is a nice target. Longevity is about 80% lifestyle, and 20% genetics.
7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
My hometown, which is why I still live there. I could live anywhere, but since I grew up in Eger, where my parents and friends live, it’s the best place to be – especially now that I have four children with my wife.
Everything is practically ten minutes away in Eger, so the logistics of life with four kids is far easier. Fortunately, my parents are still in pretty good shape, and they take a lot of load off us.
8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I always wanted to be a businessman and an entrepreneur, so I cannot imagine being in any other role.
Maybe selling ice-cream! It's simple and brings immediate happiness to people. When I was younger, I used to sell Christmas candy in a shopping mall, and I loved it. I had a big display with lots of candies made in Eger from Stühmer - famous traditional festive sweets called Szaloncukor. People loved it and so did I.
9. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Anything in the administrative field - sitting behind a computer and looking at spreadsheets all day isn’t for me. I need to be active.
10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
At Lake Balaton, in Sóstó near Siófok. We rented a house and went there with my parents, my sister and her husband. We all had a great time as a big family.
11. Where do you hope to spend your next one? / What is your dream vacation?
I love hiking, so maybe in the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. or a similar location.
12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I listened to punk-rock from California in the 90's, it was pretty popular then. I’ve always preferred films that inspire and motivate me - I‘m not a fan of sad movies. Back then, I loved being outdoors with friends back then, playing football or any other sport.
13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
A nice wine to accompany a nice meal.
14. Red wine or white?
White, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Zöldveltelini.
15. Book or movie?
Book. I am currently reading Grain Brain by Dr.David Perlmutter, which explores the effects of carbohydrates on the brain. It's fascinating and scientific, discussing how overconsumption of carbs and sugar may contribute to mental health issues like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's. The subtitle of the book is The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar - Your Brain's Silent Killers.
I also frequently listen to audiobooks. Recently, I finished one of Richard Branson's books, Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life and Business.
By the way, I visited Branson on his Island in May and spent a whole week with him and fellow CEOs. The CEO Magazine, in collaboration with Virgin Unite, hosts an annual event there, bringing together thirty CEOs from around the world. It was an incredible week – tropical island, the luxury accommodations, and the inspirational people, including Branson himself. Meeting him and visiting his Island was on my bucket list; I had it on my vision board and manifested it.
16. Morning person or night person?
Morning - I wake up around 6 o'clock.
17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Health, particularly public health. Hungary has a lot of work to do in this area. If you look at the figures, our cancer death rate is the highest in the world. Other health-related data also shows that we are far behind in many fields.
The problem lies in the funding of the entire healthcare system, which is not only insufficient but also poorly distributed. We need significant changes, not just in funding but also in health education.
The most critical issue to address is the low level of health awareness among the population. This is an educational task, and while it’s the state’s obligation, we are all responsible for our own health. The average person in Hungary is in poor shape, which is one reason why we have such high death rates from curable diseases.
If you visit a public bath, you can see how people over sixty look and move –generally it's not good. The issue is their lifestyle – how and what they eat, how they sleep, their exercising habits, stress levels, drinking and smoking,.
People need to be more aware of their lifestyle and not just rely on the system to cure them when they get sick. That approach is not enough. They should feel personally responsible for staying healthy. Hungary needs a major campaign to educate people on healthy eating and living habits, though it might take decades to see a change.
18. Buda or Pest side?
Coming from Eger, to me it’s all one big Budapest.
19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased or proud about?
I’m not sure if it’s an achievement, but I’m most proud of my four kids, who are currently between two to ten years old.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
When you become fearless, life becomes limitless.