Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Irina Kuzina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Irina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Growing up, I dreamed of making movies, acting, and dancing. I began dancing at the age of nine, after exploring various sports such as gymnastics, acrobatics, and figure skating. I soon realized that dance was the common thread I loved in all these activities.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My mom had always been passionate about sports and dance, and she was eager for me to pursue figure skating, gymnastics, or dancing. After I explored various sports, she eventually enrolled both of us in a dance school when I was nine.

By the age of thirteen, I was exploring acting opportunities in various film projects in my home country. I had always enjoyed creating videos and taking photos, whether capturing family moments or producing home movies.

When it was time to apply for colleges, I felt too intimidated to make the wrong choice. Therefore, I opted for a more practical route and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, believing it would blend practicality with my creative side.

After earning a double Bachelor’s degree in International Marketing in Russia and the Netherlands, I sought to draw my career closer to the entertainment industry, specifically film and television. This led me to apply for a double Master’s degree in Global Media. After completing my first year at the London School of Economics, I moved to LA to chase my dreams while finishing my final year of my Master’s program.

At the University of Southern California, I deepened my knowledge of the film and television industry, taking classes at both the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the Film School. I never forgot my passion for dance; in every country I lived in and at every university I attended, I was always part of a hip-hop team.

After graduation, I interned at Sony Pictures and various independent production companies to pave my way into the film and television industry. I also began teaching hip-hop classes and collaborated with fellow alumni to produce YouTube TV shows.

When my student visa and post-student work permit expired, I had to return to my home country, where I continued working in the industry, producing animated films. Within a few months, I traveled to Cannes for an animation festival and later returned to LA, where I spoke at an animation magazine festival and represented my company at the American Film Market (AFM).

During this time in LA, my boyfriend (now my husband) and former USC classmate proposed, marking the beginning of my ongoing journey in the USA.

After we got married, we decided to move to NYC, where I embarked on a new chapter in my career, pivoting towards the advertising scene. I transitioned into project management and production for social media advertising. My passion for dance continued; I began teaching cardio dance at a local gym. The gym, in need of female personal trainers, encouraged me to pursue certification in personal training. Coming from an athletic family—my mother is a dancer, and my father and brother are boxers—I have always had a deep passion for sports. I quickly gained new clients by applying my past knowledge from both sports and dance.

When COVID struck, I transitioned to independent personal training while continuing to teach cardio dance and train my clients online.

After I became pregnant, I took a break from dancing to focus on my job and my personal training clients. Once my son was born, I reignited my passion for capturing moments; I now had a delightful little model to photograph. It took me some time to recover mentally and physically from postpartum, but I eventually returned to the activities I loved—dancing and training.

Today, I take great pleasure in managing my blog as a dancer and mother on TikTok and Instagram. Although my job can sometimes lean towards operational tasks and feel less creative, I find joy in photography, using it to refine my skills and capture beautiful portraits of my son. I love documenting and sharing our family moments. Additionally, I find fulfillment in sharing my journey as a mother, offering tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way—whether it’s traveling with a child or teaching him to read. I aim to demonstrate that it is entirely possible to raise a child without the help of a nanny or family nearby while simultaneously managing a full-time job, a side gig, and pursuing my dreams.

I continue to train my clients, focusing primarily on mothers, as I understand the challenges of regaining one’s life after maternity leave.

And, of course, I have returned to my core passion—dance—but now with a new goal. During my time at USC, I discovered American football and fell in love with the sport. The excitement and energy of the game captivated me. My classmate at the time (who is now my husband) played football at USC, and as my feelings for him grew, so did my love for this newfound sport. Watching the dancers on the sidelines inspired a new dream. However, with the hurdles of not having a work visa, moving across the country, and navigating pregnancy, it always seemed like the wrong time. Today, I am actively training in a new style, motivated by my dream to join an NFL cheer squad.

If I were to make it to the squad I probably would be the oldest rookie, but I believe we all have our timing. My mom is in her 60’s and she is still dancing and performing and inspiring me every day.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Managing a full-time job, being a mom, working as a personal trainer on the side, running a social media blog, and pursuing my dance dream can feel overwhelming at times. The key to finding balance is prioritizing the right things at the right time.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I love documenting and sharing family moments, and I’m grateful for the more organized way social media allows me to preserve these memories, compared to old tapes stored on shelves. It’s my way of freezing time. I also enjoy sharing my experiences and tips as a mother, and it’s so rewarding when others find them helpful. As for dancing, I’ve been doing it my entire life, but I’ve never been part of a larger organization as a dancer. Since college, my goal has been to join an NFL cheer squad, and the drive to achieve this challenging dream keeps me motivated.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @msikuzina and @kuzinafitness
• Youtube: @msikuzina
• Other: Tiktok: @msikuzina

Image Credits

myself