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.