The Swiss fitness blogger working up a sweat in Turkey
It was love that first brought Doris Hofer to Turkey, where she then became one of the country’s leading fitness bloggers. The current political situation however, has her evaluating her options. An intimate portrait by Swiss public television, SRF, of a local online rising star. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)
Doris Hofer is 41 years old and for the last 12 years has been a resident of Istanbul. A leading nutrition and fitness book author and blogger, she has an estimated quarter of a million people every day following her lead through her apps and social media pages. Online she is known as ‘SquatGirl’, motivating people to lead a healthier lifestyle through exercise and by improving their eating habits.
Hofer came to the country after marrying a Turkish businessman. She learned Turkish and studied to become a personal trainer. After her divorce, she started to blog, an activity that she has continued for the last three and a half years, and that has brought increased recognition, alongside advertising and sponsorship deals. Nevertheless, she looks at the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with increased apprehension as she doesn’t know if the country’s future will be as open to her endeavours.
In the series ‘Swiss Pioneers’, Swiss Public Television, SRF, meets Swiss nationals at home and abroad who have made a name for themselves in their area of expertise.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
‘Look, I’m still here’
This content was published on
Agnès Parodi has lived in many places, but hardly ever in Switzerland. At the age of 104, the Cannes resident says life is anything but boring.
This content was published on
We talk to a Canadian group, here for the National Yodelling Festival, about the importance of keeping Swiss traditions alive while living abroad.
Climbing mountains despite living with crippling arthritis
This content was published on
Thanks to a remarkable treatment, Judith Safford is keeping an incurable disease at bay and preparing for a lifetime challenge.
Turkey sends convicted IS supporter back to Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland has a policy of deporting foreigners who commit serious or multiple crimes, but the case highlights the problems that can be encountered carrying this out. The Tages Anzeiger newspaper on Wednesday reported that one of the trio convicted of breaching anti-terrorism laws flew out to Turkey with his wife and child last month having…
What to do about Switzerland’s eye-watering prices?
This content was published on
Switzerland remains in a price league of its own, driving thrifty shoppers over its borders. Politicians and consumer groups are now demanding action.
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry added its voice to the chorus of growing international concern over a Turkish court order to arrest activists.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.