Q and A with Bea from Budapest, Hungary
“My curiosity took me on a journey that I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined.”
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: After many years, I finally found a way to combine my passion for nutrition and health with my love for dogs–I am a Certified Holistic Pet Health Coach. I take the confusion and guesswork out of what and how to feed our dogs so they can thrive and live a long, happy, and healthy life. I started my health journey in 2020, shortly after my own health crisis. I had endometriosis with pain that’s hard to describe along with an unexpected surgery–in the middle of an extremely stressful period in my life. I felt defeated, and hopeless; I needed to figure out what happened and what led me here so I could be sure I never find myself in the same situation.
Upon researching endo, the effects of various diets, and supplements, I got more confused, and I just wanted to learn actual facts. So, I enrolled in the Nutritional Therapy Association’s program where I learned many fascinating things about our bodies, and the importance of a whole foods diet and had to privilege to work with several amazing clients to improve their gut and hormonal health. One morning as I was feeding my Scottie a cup of kibble, I thought could this really be the best way to feed my dog? Again, I wanted facts and found a certification program offered by holistic veterinarian Dr. Ruth Roberts. The course was so thorough, full of information, based on decades of experience–it made complete sense to me that cooking for my dog is the way to go if I want him to be around for many more years to come as his happy and healthy self. I now show dog parents how easy it is to prepare home-cooked food for their dogs and how much healthier and better it is than commercial kibble. We all want to do the best for our pets, to see them live as long as possible and be healthy and happy–there is so much we can do to improve the quality of their lives. And the best part is that it can be easy and affordable.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in Hungary–I was always very independent, loved going to the movies, and concerts and buying fancy perfumes, etc. I hated asking my mom for money, so I started working on the weekends and during the summers when I was 15. I have always enjoyed making my own money; it gave me a sense of freedom. My dad is a great cook and I have learned so much from him–he never measures anything, yet each dish always comes out perfect. The year I turned 21, I took a job at a summer camp in Pennsylvania. I had never sat on an airplane before, but all I ever wanted was to see New York City. Three years later (once I earned my bachelor’s degree at Budapest Business School), my US driver’s license listed an address in Brooklyn–I loved living there. I remember feeling like anything was possible; I could be and do whatever I want with my life. My curiosity took me on a journey that I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Travel as much as possible, try all the local dishes, and take care of your health. (And your dog’s health!) I have always loved to travel, and I have been blessed with many opportunities to see the world. I enjoy activities big cities have to offer–people-watching on the NYC subway, two-steppin’ in an old Honky-Tonk in Austin, but I also love more remote locations whether it’s hiking the Rocky Mountains or enjoying the sun on a private beach in Akumal. I absolutely love savoring the different cultures through food! Seeing how different other places are, how people live, what they eat, and how different their typical schedule is gives me perspective and often, it makes me appreciate all that I have even more (and how easy I have it). To be able to fully enjoy these trips, I found that I needed a strong immune system and digestive health. Healing my gut transformed my life experience, cleared my mind, and made me stronger in many ways. And that’s true for dogs as well–feeding a species-appropriate diet (which is the opposite of kibble) can help rebalance the gut microbiome of our beloved pets too.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: What feminism means to me is that I recognize my own value and my worth–before asking anyone else to do so. I am confident, I know what I bring to the table, and I approach situations from a place where the question is not whether I’m going to be accepted or not, but rather how I can contribute and collaborate with others. I think setting standards and boundaries for myself and those around me (and ultimately, for society) is very important–but it’s not easy. It’s not about hating men–to me, it’s much more about recognizing that other women around me are not competition, but allies and we can and should help each other get where we want to be. When we women respect and support each other; when we realize that when we work together (instead of being catty or trying to sabotage one another), we can achieve so much more. There is enough to go around for all of us.
MORE FROM BEA: What I have learned over the years is that we really do create our own reality. We are way more powerful than we think or dare to believe. It’s not always easy and we have to do the work…but what other choice do we have? Patience and consistency go a long way too–I used to give up almost immediately if something didn’t work out the way I imagined. I always have multiple ideas, and projects going on (I am a Manifesting Generator), and I can be quick to get started on one then just leave it and move on to the next…then it all just ends up in chaos. Figuring out a plan, putting in the work, and giving it a fair try holds great value, and ultimately, I think this is the key to success.
Check out my website here: www.SparkedUpDogs.com
Join my free Facebook group here: Dog Food & Holistic Health 101 for Small Breed Dogs https://www.facebook.com/groups/143094182028705/
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