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.