Getting to know our team
Up next in our series of ’10 questions to celebrate 10 years’ of After Umbrage is Tracy. She is our Marketing Manager and has been part of the team since Spring 2017. The charity sector has been her home for the past 10 years and she enjoys storytelling. Her favourite part of the After Umbrage website is the page about our beneficiaries. It’s well worth a read. We ask Tracy to answer 10 questions to celebrate our anniversary.
We had a chat to hear what makes her tick…
1. What makes you smile?
A hug from family or friends. I learned once that giving and receiving hugs releases the happy hormone called Oxytocin. I think it’s really true. A hug can improve my mood every time and give me a sense of calm and wellbeing.
2. Who inspires you?
Raffa Nadal’s work ethic really inspires me. He is dedicated to his craft and practices relentlessly. When I feel I’m putting off doing a task I try to bring his inspiring approach to mind to help me start something difficult. He is great to watch playing tennis too. I also like how he became left-handed because it was different to everyone else. That determination to stand out and be good at what he does spurs me on too.
3. What chocolate would you be?
A cream egg. I love a fancy, sparkly wrapper but I know I’m a softie inside. Wish it was made of dark chocolate though. I much prefer the more bitter chocolate.
4. What do you want more of in 2023?
In 2023, I want good health and every year in fact. With fitness comes the energy to do good things – both in the workplace and with family and friends. A strong healthy body and mind is the route to happiness in my book. I love walking in the countryside. In 2022 I got a knee injury and I could hardly walk for 6 weeks. I was miserable and grumpy and probably horrible to everyone. I hated it! I really value the free things in life and with good health, you can take advantage of exploring the countryside. There is so much beauty everywhere to discover.
5. Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t worry about the things you can’t change and focus your energy of those things where you can make an impact. It came from a business support meeting about 20 years ago and it helped me cope with a tendency to feel overwhelmed. It’s a helpful approach. The advisor also said, to surround yourself with talented people. I think that’s true of the After Umbrage team. We are all very different but bring our own skills mix to the charity whilst sharing the core values of kindness, integrity and care. It works rather well and our 10th anniversary milestone is a testament to that awareness.
6. Favourite author, podcast, or musician?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Element: How finding your passion changes everything’ by Ken Robinson. Ken talked about the idea of matching your personal passion with your natural talent. Ken told stories of celebrities we all know who’d achieved in their chosen field when they focused on their natural talent rather than trying to fit a mould. Often we are encouraged to fulfil the expectations of others in our chosen careers but that doesn’t always lead to success or work enjoyment. This book introduced a new route forward which gave me the confidence to pursue my personal interests in wellbeing for a cause that resonates with me. You should read it. It’s good.
7. A non-negotiable thing you do for yourself?
I try to average 6-7,000 steps a day, so a non-negotiable is walking – with friends, family, and alone. I enjoy the seasons changing and our countryside. I love England.
8. Your favourite season and why?
Spring is my favourite season because it’s a sign of change and new things to come. New growth, more colour, longer days, and warm sunshine.
9. How do you relax?
I love losing myself in a good book – either a pacy thriller or a really good story. I love a true story too.
10. Top life lesson to give others
Enjoy now. I’m in my 50s and time seems to fly by! My children are now adults and my parents are in their 80s. I want to enjoy every minute and savour it. So, my top tip is live in the present and be mindful.
There you have it – 10 questions to celebrate 10 years
So there you are. Tracy has answered 10 questions to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Tracy sayys these are tough questions to answer at times – some are easy. But spending the time to reflect is an enjoyable process.
Do you want to tell us your answers? We’d love to hear from you.
More to come…
Up next will be another team member. See you soon!