Marit Burmood shares her journey from learning to skateboard as a teenager to rediscovering her love for skating as an adult and mom. She talks about the determination, grit, and mental toughness developed through extreme sports and how these qualities translate into her professional life. Marit discusses finding balance between motherhood and personal passions, emphasizing the importance of nurturing one's own interests to stay fulfilled. She reflects on how sharing her true self helped her build more authentic relationships with clients and colleagues. Marit encourages listeners to embrace their unique "Ands" and be open about their outside-of-work interests. Her story is a reminder that being real and pursuing what lights you up creates deeper connections both at work and in life.

Episode Highlights

· Marit emphasizes the importance of being authentic and sharing her real self, including hobbies and interests, with clients and in her professional life rather than hiding behind a "buttoned up" image. · She shares that pursuing skateboarding and other extreme sports has taught her grit, determination, and mental resilience, which directly translate into her ability to tackle challenges in her work. · Marit discusses how finding balance and making time for her own passions, especially as a mom, has been crucial for her happiness and well-being, rather than always putting herself last. · She believes that showing her human side and sharing personal interests helps build stronger connections and trust with clients and professional networks, rather than appearing as a "perfect" professional. · Marit talks about embracing feedback (whether in skateboarding, public speaking, or business) as a tool for personal and professional growth, and not being afraid to make mistakes or show vulnerabilities.

Erika Flowers, the Chief Client Officer at Profitable Ideas Exchange (PIE), shares her journey from growing up in Montana and falling in love with cross-country skiing to racing professionally both in the U.S. and internationally. She reflects on how her passion for skiing helped her build strong friendships, instilled resilience, and taught her goal-setting, all skills she later found invaluable in her corporate career. Erika discusses the understated power of bringing your outside interests, or "Ands," into the workplace, believing these passions make people more human and effective in business. She explains how PIE's culture thrives by embracing diverse backgrounds and putting people first, aligning with their B Corp values. Erika encourages listeners to recognize the unique value of their outside passions and to seek out workplaces that truly support "living your best life." She closes by crediting her ongoing love for cross country skiing and trail running as continual sources of strength and inspiration both personally and professionally.

Episode Highlights

· Erika Flowers explains that her initial involvement in skiing was about making friends, but it soon evolved into a passion and a core part of her life. · She highlights how the discipline, teamwork, goal-setting, and resilience developed through cross country skiing directly translate into valuable skills for her career and business, not just for athletes but for anyone with an outside interest or hobby. · Erika Flowers stresses that sharing personal interests at work enhances authenticity, relatability, and connection with colleagues, ultimately making teams stronger. · She describes how by PIE putting people first and becoming a B Corp all supports a healthy, human-centered environment that benefits both employees and clients. · Erika Flowers encourages listeners not to shy away from their hobbies or "Ands," even if they feel niche or irrelevant, because these interests are a source of genuine connection and distinct human value in any professional setting.

Calvin Harris Jr., CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, shares how running became an essential part of his life after moving to New York. He explains how the running community helped him connect with others and inspired him to challenge himself from 5Ks to completing multiple marathons. Calvin discusses the ways that running has made him a better leader, teaching him resilience and the importance of enduring through difficult times. He reflects on the significance of being authentic at work and encourages professionals to bring their best selves to their careers, including sharing interests like fitness or creative pursuits. Calvin also talks about his love for New York City pizza and reveals his early musical background playing the saxophone. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that embracing personal passions outside of work fuels success and well-being.

Episode Highlights

· Calvin got into running during COVID for health and sanity, and it has now become something that grounds him and makes him a better CEO. · Calvin emphasizes the importance of bringing your best self, including hobbies, interests, and personality, into your professional life instead of separating "work" and "personal." · The ups and downs, pain and pride of long-distance running have taught him to keep pushing through difficult work times, knowing they don't last forever. · Calvin discusses how sharing things like his running, tattoos, or other interests actually builds connection, makes work more enjoyable, and helps attract people to the accounting profession. · It's important for organizations to make space for people to be multidimensional, which is not only more human but also crucial for attracting and retaining talent in fields like accounting.

Bridget Kaigler, CEO and founder of Bringing Leadership Back, joins the show to share how she discovered her passion for gardening and transforming outdoor spaces during the pandemic. She describes creating her backyard retreat as her own form of therapy, turning a previously untouched space into something "magazine ready." Bridget opens up about how her gardening journey led her to help friends design their own outdoor sanctuaries and how the process became a source of creativity and balance in her life. She reflects on bringing her authentic, extroverted self to the accounting profession, embracing relationship-building and practical leadership. Bridget also highlights the importance of nurturing passions outside of work to stay energized and connected, encouraging others to "bloom where you are planted." Through her story, she hopes to inspire others to bring their full selves -- interests, hobbies, and all -- into their professional lives.

Episode Highlights

· Bridget began creating her backyard oasis during the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming a basic yard into a retreat-like, magazine-worthy space without spending much money. · Gardening and yard beautification serve as a form of therapy and relaxation for Bridget. She finds joy in nurturing plants and creating something beautiful from scratch. · The process of gardening -- design, creativity, patience, and nurturing -- mirrors skills and mindsets she brings to her professional life, especially in leadership and relationship-building. · Bridget realized early in her CPA career that embracing her extroverted personality and authentic self led to stronger relationships, better teamwork, and more success than holding back to fit a narrow professional mold. · She emphasizes the importance of having passions outside of work (your "And"), not only for personal fulfillment but also for sparking meaningful connections in the workplace and showing up as your whole self.

Roman Kepczyk shares his enthusiasm for triathlons, adventure travel, and building sandcastles as his passions outside of work. He describes how his background in running led to a lifelong love of endurance events and how friendships grew from training and competing in triathlons together. Roman details the organization, discipline, and teamwork required for triathlons and how these skills translate directly into his work improving business processes for CPA firms. He touches on the importance of travel and shared experiences with his wife, highlighting how they plan adventures years ahead and cherish the memories captured in photos. Roman also discusses how being open about his interests creates stronger, more honest connections with colleagues and clients. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to embrace and share their personal passions for greater personal growth and more meaningful professional relationships.

Episode Highlights

· Roman highlights the importance of having interests and activities outside of work, such as triathlons, traveling, and sandcastle building, which bring fulfillment and shape personal identity. · He explains how training for triathlons, where meticulous preparation and process are crucial, directly contributes to his effectiveness in process improvement and IT consulting work. · Roman emphasizes that talking about hobbies and adventures with colleagues creates trust, encourages honesty, and strengthens professional relationships beyond just the work being done. · He discusses how it's important to evolve your interests as life changes, like shifting from intense running to open-water swimming as he gets older, while continuing to seek out new adventures and experiences. · Roman finds great value in capturing, backing up, and sharing memories from his adventures with family and friends, underscoring the lasting importance of experiences over material things.

Nicole DeRosa, Director of Tax at SKC & Co. and a brand ambassador with UWorld Accounting, joins the show to share how her lifelong love for dance led her to become a licensed Zumba fitness instructor. Nicole reflects on her journey from childhood dancing and cheerleading, to discovering Zumba at her gym and eventually integrating her passion into both her professional and personal life. She describes the joy of teaching Zumba, highlights memorable experiences like large-scale fundraisers, and explains the importance of bringing your whole self, including your hobbies and passions, into the workplace. Nicole discusses the balance she's learned to create between her demanding career and her fitness pursuits, emphasizing that pursuing your passions is key to stress relief and fulfillment. She encourages listeners to recognize that if something is important to them, it's worth integrating into their lives, and talks about how sharing her "And" has inspired community and connection at work. Nicole's story is a testament to following your interests and not being afraid to bring them to the forefront of your professional world.

Episode Highlights

· Nicole demonstrates how bringing your personal passions, like Zumba, into your professional life can enrich both worlds, create community, and boost engagement at work. · She openly discusses her journey to achieving a better work-life balance, acknowledging that it takes time, trial and error, and is a continuous evolution. · Nicole stresses the value of leaders being authentic and showing vulnerability creates a stronger team dynamic and makes the workplace more human and motivating. · Nicole encourages people to recognize and embrace their "And" because it's what makes them unique and brings joy and fulfillment. · She shares the advice that if something matters to you, it has value, and you should find ways to make space for it in your life and possibly at work.

Robert Eyler shares his journey from college football to becoming a CPA, certified mindfulness meditation teacher and yoga instructor. He discusses how yoga helped him heal both physically and mentally after leaving sports, and how mindfulness practices supported his recovery from an Adderall addiction. Robert opens up about the ongoing stigma surrounding bringing personal passions into the workplace, yet emphasizes the importance of showing up as your whole self for stronger team connections and improved well-being. He recounts transformative experiences, like a 10-day silent meditation retreat and using mindfulness techniques to navigate real-life challenges. Robert encourages listeners to prioritize activities that fill their cups, reminding us that work achievements pale in comparison to meaningful connections and self-care. Ultimately, he believes that embracing your "And" leads to a more balanced, rewarding life, both personally and professionally.

Episode Highlights

· Robert shared how yoga and meditation helped him transition from being a college football player, recover from addiction, and heal both his body and mind. · He emphasized the value of having interests outside of work, explaining that these passions make people better professionals and more fulfilled humans. · Robert highlighted that slowing down, through practices like mindfulness and yoga, often leads to greater progress and better well-being, in contrast to the constant push for speed and productivity. · He talked about the stigma against openly sharing personal passions at work, and advocated for leaders and workplaces to embrace the whole person, not just the job title. · Robert encouraged listeners to pursue their passions regardless of whether others care, because filling your own cup enables you to better support and connect with others, ultimately leading to a more meaningful life.

Mark Koziel, President and CEO of AICPA-CIMA, shares his passion for smoking meat and cigars, and how these hobbies have helped him connect with others both personally and professionally. Mark talks about how he fell in love with grilling after being introduced to the Big Green Egg and has since embraced experimenting with different techniques and recipes—especially brisket and pulled pork. He emphasizes the importance of practice, especially when cooking for guests, and loves sharing the fruits of his labor with friends and family. Mark also discusses how cigar smoking unexpectedly benefited his career by fostering honest, open conversations with industry peers. He encourages professionals to embrace and share their passions, noting that these interests can strengthen relationships, build trust, and even enhance workplace culture. Mark's story is a testament to the power of letting your true self shine beyond the job title.

Episode Highlights

· Sharing personal interests (your "And") at work creates authentic connections and strengthens relationships, both internally with colleagues and externally with clients. · Pursuing hobbies like smoking meat and cigars provides a sense of peace, creativity, and fulfillment that balances the demands of a professional career. · Being open and vulnerable about personal experiences, including challenges and passions, makes leaders more relatable and fosters trust within teams. · Connecting over common interests, even if they're outside of work, can open doors, offer valuable insights, and propel your career by creating deeper bonds and more honest conversations. · Organizations and leaders should encourage sharing outside-work passions, as it enhances culture, encourages networking, and reminds everyone that people are more than just their job titles.

Ann-Marie Foucault, superintendent of the St. Michael-Albertville School District, joins the podcast to share how her passion for running helps keep her grounded and energized both personally and professionally. She talks about her lifelong love of running, starting in northern Michigan, and how she often explores new cities by going for a morning run while traveling. Ann-Marie discusses the importance of self-care, noting that showing up for herself first enables her to better serve her family and the 7,000 students in her district. She emphasizes building authentic connections with both staff and students, regularly hosting forums and listening sessions to gather honest feedback and encourage student voice. Ann-Marie believes that pursuing passions outside of work helps create stronger relationships and a healthier, more impactful school culture. She encourages everyone to make time for their "And," since it positively affects productivity, well-being, and community.

Episode Highlights

· Ann-Marie finds running to be a core part of her identity. It provides her with energy, balance, and clarity in both her personal and professional life. · She lives by Maya Angelou's quote, "When you know better, do better," applying it to both running and her work as a superintendent by always striving to improve and push herself while encouraging others to do the same. · Ann-Marie prioritizes building genuine connections with both students and staff. Through regular forums, listening sessions, and classroom visits, she seeks input directly and values everyone's perspective. · She openly shares parts of her personal life (like running, her dog Stanley, and even little mishaps) with students and staff, using vulnerability to break down barriers and build trust. · Ann-Marie encourages everyone to invest in hobbies and self-care, emphasizing that pursuing personal passions makes people more energized, effective, and capable of serving others, whether in a school district or any other setting.

Dave Olsen, founder and CEO of Nimbl, shares how his passion for mountain biking has played a transformative role in his happiness, resilience, and approach to work. Dave began biking as a practical means of commuting during his time at BYU, but it quickly developed into a favorite release and source of therapy, helping him ground himself and train for life's challenges. He recounts memorable biking adventures, including completing the 200-mile LoToJa race and conquering the 100-mile White Rim Trail in a single day, which gave him proof that difficult goals are achievable with determination and the right mindset. Dave explains how the mental and physical endurance he builds on the trail directly translates to his ability to handle business and personal challenges with greater confidence. At Nimbl, he intentionally fosters a culture that values the whole person, encouraging employees to pursue their own "And" outside of work and to integrate personal goals into their professional journeys. Dave emphasizes the importance of being open about hobbies and interests, noting that it not only enriches life but also helps him and his team show up as better leaders, teammates, and humans.

Episode Highlights

· Dave shared that mountain biking is not just a hobby, but a crucial source of happiness, energy, and personal grounding for him, acting as a form of release and therapy. · He emphasized that investing time in mountain biking (or any passion) actually makes him a better leader, employee, husband, and father, as he returns to work and life "lit up," refreshed, and more effective.· At his company, Nimbl, Dave intentionally integrates space for employees' personal goals and passions, aligning individual fulfillment with business needs and making it a key part of their people experience. · Dave talked about how the perseverance, mental toughness, and training discipline developed through biking directly help him handle stressful or challenging moments at work and in life. · He encourages sharing "Ands" at work and believes companies are more successful and people are happier when everyone is seen as a whole, multidimensional person, not just for their job titles or roles.