Talent, dedication and creativity

I'm a sales executive, and...

I ❤ Fighting robots

by Andy Holzemer, Exhibitions

I went to a Battlebots (like Robot Wars, for you in the UK!) taping in 2018 and came back super excited. I found a local event, built a robot for my son (then age 6) and we started going to events, and it was off to the races from there. The learning journey is amazing and it’s a fantastic community. I've taught myself CAD design , 3D Printing, CNC & Lasers - all useful skills fun for things other than robots too. Now we have countless bots, I organize tons of robot events, including ones in my own bulletproof arena, and run one of the busiest combat robot parts shops online supplying schools and end users. It’s a great hobby to be in. My daughter (above) now has her own 1lb robot that spins at 246mph, Rainbow Poison.

I'm a procurement VP, and...

I ❤ Collecting autographs

by Scott Lazev, RELX

In 1999, I met Hall of Famer Ernie Banks and he signed a baseball for me, and thus began my quest to meet and get autographed baseballs from all of the living baseball Hall of Famers. This obsession soon grew to collecting players who pitched No Hitters, Perfect Games or won the Cy Young, MVP or Rookie of the Year awards. My signed baseball collection has grown to over 1200 baseballs and now includes Presidents, Astronauts, Musicians and Actors. I became so addicted to the thrill of obtaining signatures that I have amassed over 5000 autographs consisting of bats, jerseys, books, helmets, footballs, drum heads, posters, vinyl, boxing gloves, basketballs, hockey pucks and over 100 signed guitars. My wife calls it our museum and has suggested I need to start charging admission when providing tours.

I'm a data reporting analyst, and...

I ❤ Archery

by Angelica Kerr, STM

At Christmas dinner last year I drew a bo shaped gift out of a grab bag. I commented that I thought it might be a mini bow and arrow and a relative asked if I was interested in archery. When I questioned what they knew about it I was quickly sent a link to an archery range not too far from where I live in Brooklyn, New York. I went to my first lesson soon afterwards, just to say that I did it since they went to all the trouble of sending me the link, and ended up loving it! Aside from any delusions of grandeur - making the 2024 Olympic team – and feeling like Robin Hood, I find it calming for a mind that rarely turns off, and thrilling getting as close to that bullseye as possible.

I'm a program manager, and...

I ❤ Fused glass

by Sandra Sams, Risk

My Aunt is a glass artist and sells her work through the Jerome Artists Cooperative gallery in Jerome Arizona. We were discussing glass and she mentioned she would like to mentor someone in the art of fused glass. I asked her if she would teach me. I did my first project in her garage studio four years ago - a tray using glass and silver foil, and I was hooked. I now create things in my own garage studio. I mainly make jewelry, small bowls and plates. My problem is each project may require a new piece of equipment to complete. I now have grinders, drill press, sand blaster, ring saws, tile saws. What was once a little hobby has take over nearly 2 bays in the garage. I tend to give most of my glass as gifts or to auctions for charity events. I occasionally go to a bazaar and sell my work or sell by word of mouth. I’ll do more with glass once I retire, maybe set up in a little gallery somewhere.

I'm a head of corporate communication, and...

I ❤ Organ playing

by Christian Reiß, Exhibitions

It is called the queen of instruments and is the largest, the deepest and the highest, the loudest and the quietest. And since a few years it has also been an UNESCO cultural heritage. I have been playing the organ for more than 30 years. It is the sound and the variety of the instrument that fascinates me to this day and leads me to play regularly in church services, at weddings or funerals. And any music - from baroque to the romantic era - turns into an acoustic journey through time for me.

I'm a content developer, and...

I ❤ Knitting

by Elke Morice-Atkinson, Legal

My Nana taught me how to knit over the phone when I was a child. I’ve been knitting for about 25 years. One year, my Mum asked me to knit her a hot water bottle cover. It was awful. Terrible tension, missed stitches and so on, but she just loved it, and I loved making it for her. I told my friend about what I’d made, and she asked me if I’d make her one too, and she’d pay me! Not long later, TheCraftyElks was born. I’ve been designing, knitting and selling my hot water bottle covers since 2012 and I’ve even been mentioned in The Independent, IndyBest Guide.

I'm an account support coordinator, and...

I ❤ Rock ‘n’ roll

by Eric Purtle, STM

Back in ’84 I realized Dayton didn’t have an active punk band, so I did something about it. Found a couple guys, wrote a few songs, and we were gigging withing months, sharing stages with giants of the genre – DOA, Subhumans, Agnostic Front, Scream, etc. Shortly thereafter, joined an electronic band at the forefront of live MIDI implementation, running our set off a Commodore 64. Fast forward a few decades and it’s a lifestyle; 30+ different bands, dozens of releases, hundreds of shows, thousands of road miles, and millions of smiles. Never figured we’d make any real money and we were right. But we broke even and it’s cheaper than therapy!

I'm a digital marketer, and...

I ❤ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

by Oliver Smith, Risk

I started around 5 years ago and loved it from the very first session. On average I am now training 5 times a week at London Fight Factory, as well as helping teach and competing regularly. One highlight was travelling to America to fight in the Master’s North American International at the Anaheim Centre in LA and winning Gold. I also help run an online Jiu Jitsu content platform.

I'm a markup editor, and...

I ❤ Gardening

by Linda Barclay, Legal

We grow about half of what we eat, including but not limited to peas, tomatoes, summer and winter squash, beans, onions, leeks, tomatillos, peppers, sweet and dent corn, culinary and medicinal herbs, and much more. We raise cold hardy vegetables under low and high tunnels through the winter months. We use organic methods and heirloom seeds so that we can propagate seeds as well as grow healthy and nutritious food for current use.

I'm an acquisitions editor, and...

I ❤ Being a movie extra

by Stephen Merken, STM

The downside of being a movie extra is that you have very little control over when you might have a chance to work and it can be a very long day with lots of waiting around. But as a longtime movie buff I love it! My first opportunity came when I was working in a hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan one summer during college, where the movie “Somewhere in Time” was being filmed. Many years later I was working for Elsevier near the Burlington Mall, where “Paul Blart, Mall Cop” was being filmed. I signed up with the local casting company and since then I’ve worked on about 8 movies, most recently on the Whitney Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” The picture above show me and Morgan Freeman in Ted 2.

I'm a project manager, and...

I ❤ Wild mushrooms

by Christopher Sowerwine, Risk

My fiancée and I love to hike and seek waterfalls, beautiful views, and wild mushrooms. Particularly in California springs and falls, our hikes lean toward seeking mushrooms. We like to take pictures and ID the mushrooms we don’t know, and we forage the ones we know well that are safe and delicious to eat. Bonus: I love cooking, too. It is fun trying new recipes featuring mushrooms we pick.

I'm a customer relationship manager, and...

I ❤ Resin craft

by Helen Parker, Legal

I got married in the midst of lockdown in December 2020. To overcome the post wedding comedown I wanted to make the memories last a lifetime and I’d heard about resin bouquet preservation. By the time I understood the process my bouquet had long since shriveled so I decided to see what else I could salvage and made my first resin piece using confetti, a cake topper and a champagne cork! I spent all my spare time (still in lockdown) making more creations and gradually improving the end result. I was persuaded to do my first market stall in 2022 and I was stunned to sell a lot of my work and made a profit, since then I have enjoyed getting out at the weekends at various markets and selling my pieces as well as making bespoke items for anyone who commissions me. I am so delighted that people like my work enough to spend their money on it.

I'm a call centre supervisor, and...

I ❤ Performing with fire

by Ty Cone, Risk

I am a professional Fire Performer, Magician, Juggler, Unicycler, and Animal Balloon Artist. I'm known as TyTyThePartyGuy and I work with a professional fire and Circus group called “Odd Lab”. My goal is to be living art, to inspire others with my skills to pursue their own passion, to awaken a flame of curiosity and wonder. I perform all across New Mexico and Texas, at events such as Neon Desert, Chalk the Block, and even Burning Man. I do this as it keeps me healthy, I earn a bit of extra income, and to show others that anything is possible if you have a vision and are committed to making it a reality. Do something today your future self will thank you for, find something to be passionate about, and never give up as the master has failed more than the beginner will ever try.

I'm a publisher, and...

I ❤ Mosaics

by Nikki Levy, STM

My interest in mosaics started when I hired an artist to do a workshop for a girl scout troop and it looked interesting so I signed up for a class. My first mosaic was a small underwater scene. Then I did larger pieces like mirrors and a lantern. There’s something zen-like in creating a pattern and getting pieces to fit together like a puzzle. Mosaics allow both structure and creativity. I can get into a groove and hours will pass without being aware of the time.

I'm a court services manager, and...

I ❤ Bee keeping

by Valinda Plummer, Risk

I'm a nature lover and biologist at heart. During the pandemic I had an opportunity to help a master beekeeper rescue some honey bees out of a oak tree and from that moment I have been hooked. Bees are fascinating creatures that are in trouble in the natural world due to long-acting pesticides, global warming, murder-hornets, you name it, it's coming for the bees. Bees are amazing creatures with stunningly complex social structures that benefits food production around the world. My bees are gentle, I've had them for almost 3 years now and have been stung twice and deserved it both times. I've even harvested some of their honey last year which was a real treat.

I'm an artist and animator, and...

I ❤ Creating art

by Cory Collins, STM

I have been an artist and animator for as long as I can remember. I’ve worked on many different projects and games, but I have been at Shadow Health for 10+ years. I was the third person hired, and was the whole art department for years. We grew enough to hire a whole team over the years. I remain as a senior artist/animator and offer daily to tell stories of how things used to be! But this isn’t about work. This is about hobbies. I discovered papercraft about thirty years ago and have developed my version of traditional card modeling techniques. I mainly make characters and robots from early “B” movies, mostly sci fi and horror themed. I started 3d printing my own action figure designs over the last three years. The technology is truly amazing. I also animate for some of my friends projects such as short films and low budget sci fi movies. My favorite thing to do is build physical representations of digital ideas. Paper sculptures, 3d printing and adding interesting things like motors, lights, anything to give it movement.

I'm a product manager, and...

I ❤ Climbing

by Josephine Ziel, STM

My family and friends sometimes ask me when I pause… well being active is my pause. When I sit still, you might find me learning languages, writing poetry (working on my second book) or other manual creative activities. But most of the time, you’ll find me actively gardening, dancing (swing, rock, tango, etc.), or doing sports such as running, cycling, hiking or… climbing! I have discovered this sport during my studies in the mountains and loved that it’s bringing me close to nature while being a real challenge on physical level. Whether it’s being on a via ferrata, a rock climbing route, or bouldering in a room, I always learn new tricks and people support each other a lot.

I'm a proposal writer, and...

I ❤ Archery

by William Murphy, Risk

I grew up doing sport and I took up archery whilst I was at university and haven’t looked back since. I have competed at most levels of the sport, most recently having represented Wales in the CACE international competition. I work with several other athletes to promote inclusivity, and the mental health benefits of the sport. In my off season I spend a lot of time coaching beginners, helping others to get into the sport. The highlight of my time in the sport however is meeting my wife through the competition circuit.

I'm a software development manager, and...

I ❤ Building my kit car

by Jamie Robinson, STM

As a kid, I always wanted a Lambourghini - of course. As I got older and got real I looked at other ways of getting a performance car. I told my dad when he was dying that my son and I would build a hot rod. “You’ll need a lot of Zen for that” was his reply. But after a visit to the Stoneleigh kit car show we decided a kit car was the way and eventually chose the Aeon GT2. It is a unique design but the “kit” is very minimal unlike most. We are doing most of the technical engineering work ourselves, engine re-build, wiring, panelling etc but it is a great antidote to grinding away at the keyboard. It’s also a great way of spending time with my son (pictured above) in the garage and talking about life.

I'm an account manager, and...

I ❤ Art

by Jess Marks, Legal

I have loved drawing ever since I was young and realised, I was generally pretty good at replicating what I was trying to do. A few years ago, I decided to give painting a go and went to art classes at the local art institute. It was wonderful to be able to learn new skills and have homework, ensuring I took time for my hobby (sometimes it’s hard to get started). We even got to have an art exhibit and I sold a piece. For painting I use acrylic, but I also love drawing with all mediums. My goal is to be able to create my own pieces, rather than using other art work as references. Art helps relax my mind, especially if I pair it with a good tv show or audio book. Adult colouring books are a great place to start.

I'm a desktop engineer, and...

I ❤ Quilting & embroidery

by Russell Pool, Risk

When my wife Carol lost her law firm job during covid, she was going crazy not having something to do. I saw what she'd made with a $99 Singer sewing machine, and how she struggled to get it to do what she needed, so we decided to invest in a 12ft BabyLock Regalia Long Arm machine and a BabyLock Solaris II sewing machine. Think of an old HP Plotter with the X/Y movement with an ink pen to draw… Now scale it up and put a 20” deep sewing machine on an X/Y movement, 12 foot long. Now you have a computer controlled sewing machine. This machine is state-of -the-art and also does quilting and embroidering. With this, we created an LLC and now provide a quilting and embroidery service to the public. Business has been good and is growing steadily. She can turn out a fully finished Queen sized quilt every 3 days if she has no interruptions. She does amazing work, and I help run the longarm while she’s working on other things.

I'm a product manager, and...

I ❤ Birds

by Chantal Hamelinck, STM

In 2019 I saw a message on social media, where local wildlife shelter De Bonte Piet was looking for volunteers. As I am fascinated by animals I couldn’t wait to get a chance to observe them up close. Besides a lot of common species, some days we receive special ones: Foxes and hares, a nest of owls, or even types of birds where we first need to ask Google what exactly they are! I've learned so much about birds from fellow volunteers, that I can't walk outside anymore without listening to bird sounds and trying to find out who they belong to. Besides the fun part, we also do the difficult work, cleaning cages, and administering medicine. With over 5000 animals coming in per year, it's a lot of work, and the shelter depends a lot on anyone willing to volunteer. However, when the animals do recover, our hearts dance when we are able to set them free, back into their natural habitat.

I'm an account manager, and...

I ❤ Motor racing

by David Raeburn, Risk

I’ve always been a “petrolhead” (gearhead for my American colleagues), and have owned a wide variety of performance cars over time. I take these cars on track days, because that really is the only place you can legally see what your car is actually capable of. I get very frustrated when I hear people who buy Porsches, Ferrari’s, McLarens and so on, but have never been out on a track with them. You don’t know what you are missing, these machines are developed for the track, so go use it there! I started racing friends on cheap virtual driving rigs online, until a friend and I decided to try it for real. We discovered the RX-8 trophy amateur race series, which appealed because the cars deliver cheap, rear wheel drive fun in more or less stock form. This means in theory that all the cars on the grid are essentially the same, so the winner will be the best driver, not the person with the fastest car. We are competing in a 10 race series this year, and whilst we are unlikely to win it, we hope to be competitive, survive and not crash the car. I’ve posted a link where you can follow our progress, and even stream the races live!

I'm an operations manager, and...

I ❤ Tropical plants

by Tatiane Rodrigues Legname, Risk

I was lucky enough to spend my childhood between city and countryside, with my mom and my grandmother being plant lovers: I was always surrounded by flowers or foliage. When I first moved to live by myself, the first items I bought for my apartment were pots and a couple of small plants. At the beginning of the pandemic, I moved to a bigger house with a garden, and this was when my hobby grew: I am currently cultivating around 300 specimens of various species: aracea (philodendrons and anthuriums), begoniaceas, orchidacea etc. One of the best ways of spending a Sunday morning is taking care of each one of them and, after they are all watered and fertilized, spend time having a cup of coffee and admiring the beauty.

I'm a marketing manager, and...

I ❤ Podcasting

by Kara Szamborski, STM

I started podcasting about comic books professionally at comiXology (before Amazon folded it into Kindle), co-hosting and co-producing The comiXologist and comiXology Conversations shows as organic marketing content highlighting new products on the platform to listeners. I loved getting to talk about new favorite comic books available digitally and encouraging listeners to try new titles. There's a comic book out there for everyone, even if you don't think you're a comic book reader! Since 2017, I have been a regular guest (and occasional guest producer) on the I Read Comic Books podcast, a weekly show with a rotating guest roster discussing favorite comics and featuring a different comic book-related topic each week. I love our show's positive attitude and the range of tastes of our hosts! I always find something new to read. Check us out and find a comic book to try!

I'm a training specialist, and...

I ❤ Painting & drawing

by Richard Booth, Risk

I’ve been drawing and painting since my childhood. It’s the one hobby that’s always given me an inner feeling of peace and serenity. It can sometimes be challenging and frustrating, because I’ve got an idea that I want to interpret for the page or canvas, and it takes time to finalise. But when I have accomplished what I need to, it’s a wonderful feeling. I have painted all sorts of subjects, from superheroes, to sci-fi and military hardware, and animals. I often get asked to paint portraits of peoples pets, and I’ve painted almost every animal you could have as a pet (no spiders or tortoises yet though).

I'm an HR analyst, and...

I ❤ Solo travel

by Dee Café, REPH

Traveling alone allows me to go at my own pace, immerse myself fully in the new environment, and learn about each country's culture. I've traveled to many Asian countries, and each time I make it a point to bring something back with me: new knowledge, new friends who share my passion, and unforgettable experiences. I have numerous stories about getting lost in the middle of nowhere, accidentally booking a tour for next year, and even attempting to eat a local delicacy that I saw on the food channel. My hobby strengthens me and makes me grateful for everything.

I'm a product manager, and...

I ❤ Fine-art photography

by Doug Rosenoff, Legal

I received a small camera for my 10th birthday and I’ve been involved with photography ever since. I have had my work shown at a number of galleries and exhibitions across the US and have work in several private collections. Over the last few years, my photography has moved toward fine art work, primarily in the areas of landscape, botanical and still life subjects. Fine art photography really pushes one to be constantly creative: always looking for that novel composition, or lighting setup, or ways of conveying a particular feeling or stories. One has to learn to see and not to just observe. There are also lots of technical skills and techniques needed to make a truly striking fine art photograph, so it pushes you to use both creative and technical sides of your mind at the same time and to be completely in the moment.

I'm a journal manager, and...

I ❤ Crochet & knitting

by Loredana Donovan, STM

Give me some yarn and I’ll make a hat, scarf, or blanket for you or even your pets! My cat is spoiled with many blankies and toys I have handmade for her. I also love amigurumi – the Japanese craft of crocheting small, stuffed toys – and I made one that looks like my cat (shown in the picture). Besides yarn, I like crafts using other textiles – sewing, quilting, embroidery. And let’s not forget my love of poetry, photography, cooking & baking. In short, I love hobbies and creativity!

I'm an editor-in-chief, and...

I ❤ Brass banding

by Stephen Carney, STM

I started playing at 11 and continued for many years until studies and family restricted my time. I restarted when my daughter decided to play and I’ve been very actively involved since. It has been the perfect release for me and has given me brilliant opportunities such as playing on radio, films (Rocketman, Christophen Robin, Harry Price: Ghost Hunter and Allelujah ) theatre (Brassed Off at the Questor’s Theatre and Pity at the Royal Court Theatre) and television (Breakfast Time, This Morning, Ant and Dec’s Push the Button, the 5 O’clock show, the One Show, Britain’s got Talent, Call the Midwife), working with indie bands like Flyte and Sports Team and for royalty. I’ve met and got to play with some of the biggest names in brass music. I’ve established a bit of a niche in “fixing” bands with film production companies and normally get involved in doing a film every year, which is a brilliant experience. It is a very time-consuming hobby, but I’ve had just the best time and met some fantastic people.

I'm a decision support analyst, and...

I ❤ Running

by James Hancock, STM

I started running when I was 10, when my Dad first took me to my local athletics club, and ever since then, running has been my passion. I love middle and long distance running because it is so straight forward to do; anyone can start at any age and progress to be the best they can be. All it takes is hard work and dedication. My favourite aspect of running is racing; where I aim to keep improving on my times, to become the best runner I can possibly be. Special memories and highlights include my 5k PB of 14’32 and 10k PB of 30’08 within the last few months, as well as representing my county (Surrey) in various National events!

I'm a software engineer, and...

I ❤ Aerial dance

by Brandy Brasket, Risk

In 2019, I was looking for a dance or gymnastic hobby that would encourage me to improve my ability to move but it was hard to find much geared towards adults that have no prior experience. Thankfully, I found what I was looking for when I got an email about a beginner course to learn aerial dance. It would begin the next day about an hour away, but I jumped on the opportunity. It sounded fun and interesting, and I am so glad I took that chance! It’s now been over 3.5 years of consistent training on aerial hammock. I have improved my flexibility and strength, and I continue to find new ways to challenge myself.

I'm an infosec engineer, and...

I ❤ Homebrewing beer

by Greg Martin, Legal

My wife gave me the first kit when we started enjoying craft beer. That was Christmas 2012. Pretty early on I knew would be doing this for a while so I made an agreement to try to build as much equipment on my own to help control costs, so I’ve built, or modified, most of the equipment in my brewery. The best part of brewing is the community it naturally generates. I love sharing beer with friends, family and co-workers. We’ve done Christmas deliveries since the very beginning including 5 years of a Bourbon Vanilla Porter. I delivered growlers to friends during COVID lock-down and shared pints with friends over the fence (or ‘beer post’ as we call it). My friends can always access my kegerator and we have them over all the time to hang out.

I'm a head of content & data sourcing, and...

I ❤ Writing

by Verónica Rodríguez Arguijo, STM

I am very lucky because during my free time, I have the opportunity to combine my two passions: my love for writing and Intellectual Property (IP) law. Since 2006, I’ve been studying IP law in different countries, including my home and adopted countries (Mexico and the Netherlands). In 2016, I had the opportunity to join the team of the famous blog “The IPKat”, where I write in English about cases, news and law amendments regarding IP issues, from a European perspective. One year later, I also joined the renowned “IPTango” blog team, where I write both in Spanish and English. All in all, you will find me reading, talking and writing about trademarks, copyright, the metaverse, AI, Open Access - you name it!

I'm an account manager, and...

I ❤ Bass guitar

by Carl MacDonald, STM

I play bass guitar & sing in a Rock/Pop Guitar Covers band. A self-taught guitarist from the age of 12, my older brother is the lead guitarist in the band, so I decided to play the bass. We started a band in 1996 playing original songs, we never ‘made it’ so we changed to playing cover songs of our fave artists instead. I love performing live and find it very rewarding. A highlight for me was playing to 15,000 people at The Guineas Festival at The Rowley Mile Racecourse in my hometown of Newmarket, Suffolk – the HQ of horseracing.

I'm a graphic designer, and...

I ❤ Making jewelry

by Dorota Goch-Miller, Risk

Whenever I travel abroad, I like to visit local galleries or small artisan shops and select a piece of jewelry I haven’t seen before. During one of those trips, this time to Scotland, I came across a store with the most unusual jewelry pieces I’ve seen. One item that captured my eye and imagination was a necklace cut from various colored acrylics. Its uniqueness overtook me, and on my bus route back to the hotel, I drew about a dozen ideas on a paper bag. Once I got home, I started researching acrylics and laser-cutting, and soon, my first designs came to fruition. Friends and family wanted to know where I purchased the fun necklaces and earrings I would wear, and after turning them all into customers, I opened an Etsy store. I have sold my creations to women and men worldwide and continue to add pieces made from aluminum craft wire, inner-tube rubber, and items mixed with all three materials.

I'm a privacy programme manager, and...

I ❤ A cappella singing

by Emma Riley, Exhibitions

I’ve been singing for over 20 years now, founding Vocal Dimension Chorus and singing in my quartet Virtual Q.
We won Gold in our small chorus category last year and are currently getting ready to represent the UK for the third time in the International competition staged in the USA. We do concerts, sing at weddings, funerals, birthdays, school assemblies, and have sung in some unusual places like the top of the O2, BBC1 TV and the MGM Grand Las Vegas. Singing has giving me confidence, transferrable skills, friendships, the opportunity for travel and to further DEI for several organisations, and I even met my wife through it!

I'm a support engineer, and...

I ❤ Bowling

by Michael DelConte, Risk

Since being coached by a pro as a teen, my passion for the sport has only soared. I have bowled in leagues, tournaments, and just for fun. After a small hiatus due to the pandemic, my average is hovering around 200. After a recent 279, tying my high game for the third time ever, I am still seeking that oh-so-elusive 300-game. When I'm not bowling, I'm likely to be cooking or publishing novels.

I'm an infosec director, and...

I ❤ Pickleball

by Manny Khan, STM

My friends were mentioning that they were introduced to a new game called Pickleball. For the longest time, I just thought that it was another version of tennis, but while it might involve hitting a ball over a net, the games are very different. I gave it a go and fell in love with it. It's a great way to spend time with friends while staying active rather than being locked away in the gym. You can play in doubles or singles, and can have tournament style matches as well between friends and it's great for all ages. Many tennis clubs now have pickleball courts as well, so give it a try!

I'm an account manager, and...

I ❤ Quilting

by Elysia Williams, STM

I have only been quilting for a year, so I’m still early in my quilting journey! I’ve dabbled in a lot of artistic hobbies like painting, but what I like about quilting is that I can do it at night after my toddler has gone to bed, and it’s easy to stop and pick it up again later – no messy cleanup required! I am inspired by the many amazing modern quilters who share their designs online. I use those as starting point, but my eye for color compels me to pick unique fabrics to personalize each creation for its recipient.

I'm a content developer, and...

I ❤ Music and content creation

by Beant Dhillon, Legal

I began my journey as a classically trained vocalist and multi-instrumentalist in the Indian classical music discipline. I now make my own music and online content related to my Punjabi and Sikh heritage. I enjoy working with different people and sharing ideas, it pushes me creatively.

I'm a sales executive, and...

I ❤ Mountain biking

by Ginger Siska, STM

Biking has always been my freedom. I started biking at 9 years old as a way to get myself places but soon realized the sense of independence and thrill of moving myself with own power. Since moving to Colorado 6 years ago, I’ve traded the road bike for mountain biking as I find more challenge, accomplishment and enjoyment in the fresh air, flora and fauna of the mountains. It’s been said that biking is the “new golf course” as a lot of time spent in the saddle with other people in demanding situations gives insight into character, ethics and true personality; tailgating after a hard ride has also create a community I cherish.

I'm a VP marketing data management, and...

I ❤ Pottery

by Dorit Lange, STM

Take a lump of clay, and shape it into something beautiful and useful that will last a lifetime – and meanwhile enjoy the zen practice that goes with it. That’s why I got my first pottery wheel which now sits in my cellar studio. Well, to be honest the zen only set in after a few weeks of having mud fly all over the place, but I very much enjoyed learning a new skill. Next, I’m setting up my own oven so that I can glaze and fire at home. The best place to get started is a local studio or school.

I'm an account manager, and...

I ❤ Dog training

by Felix Evans, Legal

I started training my dog out of necessity when she was a puppy. During my time spent researching training ideas and techniques, I came across Competition Obedience and was drawn to the difficulty and skill involved, as well as the need to build a deep relationship. Obedience is challenging because much of it is not natural to the dog in the way that some more popular dog sports (e.g. scent work, agility) are. I enjoy working to make things fun for my dog while keeping her focused. We haven’t been to a trial yet but I am hoping we will this year.

THIS COULD BE YOU...

We hope you've enjoyed this story, and maybe we've inspired you to try out something new yourself?

It's easy to think that "I can't do that" or "I'm too old" or "I don't have the time", but it's well worth getting outside of your comfort zone and trying something new. You're sure to find lots of helpful people along the way, and the benefits can be huge.

If you are a RELX employee, just remember to check out our conflicts of interest provisions here (see page 13)

...and have fun!