Natalie Gandara shares her passion for coaching youth softball and how it connects to her professional life. She explains that being known as "Coach Nat" in her HR circles is a source of pride and describes the meaningful transition from playing the sport as a child to now coaching her daughter's team. Natalie reflects on the challenges and rewards of coaching young athletes, emphasizing how building confidence and leadership skills in girls translates into strong future leaders. She highlights the importance of finding joy and outlets outside work and encourages listeners to proudly share their own "And" with colleagues. Natalie also discusses the supportive team culture at her workplace, mentioning activities like group walks, book clubs, and outings that help coworkers connect over shared interests. Her advice to listeners is to embrace what lights them up, as those passions contribute to happiness and better work performance.

Episode Highlights

· Softball and now coaching youth softball has been a big part of Natalie Gandara's life and identity, both personally and professionally.
· The skills and lessons from coaching, like building confidence and teamwork, complement her HR role and help her nurture strong female leaders.
· It's important for people to have an "And" or passion outside of work because it makes them happier and more fulfilled, which translates into better performance at work.
· Sharing personal passions at work, like coaching, fosters deeper connections and helps break down barriers between coworkers.
· Natalie encourages everyone to be proud of their outside interests and not to be discouraged about sharing them, as it positively impacts both their lives and work.