YARDNYC’s Post

Discover the transformative power of marathon running for leadership! 🏃♂️🌟 It's not just about finishing, but the journey of preparation, mental agility, and resilience. Overcoming challenges during business trips or family vacations hones your focus and emotional strength. Like managing a pregnancy, it demands balance in sleep, nutrition, and mental health, fostering inclusivity skills. Even amid pain and setbacks, completing marathons brings unparalleled gains. I achieved my personal best despite unexpected hurdles, proving that persistence pays off. No matter the obstacles, I press on, believing in the transformative power within me. Recently, faced with a professional setback, I contemplated quitting. However, my passion for fostering positive organizational cultures keeps me going. I am resolute in my mission, driven by clarity, passion, love for learning, and unwavering faith. As long as I breathe, I'm committed to building a better world. If you're seeking this power, join me in the NYC marathon journey! 🏅✨ Click the link to sign up and embrace the strength that comes from unity and mutual support. Let's empower each other and make a difference together! #Leadership #MarathonJourney #Resilience #PositiveChange"

Milestone Achieved: Completed My First Chicago Marathon! I am thrilled to share that I successfully completed my very first Chicago Marathon this weekend, and it was an incredible journey from start to finish! The months of training, early morning runs, and the unwavering support of friends and family have all led to this unforgettable moment. Crossing that finish line was a testament to dedication, perseverance, and the power of setting ambitious goals. This marathon was not just about running; it was a metaphor for life. It taught me valuable lessons: Resilience: There were moments when my legs felt like lead, but I pushed through the pain, knowing that setbacks are temporary. Time Management: Balancing training with work and other responsibilities was no easy feat. It reminded me that with proper planning, we can achieve anything. Dream Big: Setting ambitious goals and working relentlessly towards them is a path to personal growth. The marathon is a metaphor for pursuing dreams beyond comfort zones. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me along this journey. Your encouragement, cheers, and kind words pushed me to keep going even when things got tough. I would like to thank Chicago's enthusiastic and amazing crowd who came out early morning in chilly condition to support all participants. What's next, you ask? Well, I believe in setting new goals and continuing to challenge myself. The marathon finish line is just the beginning of an exciting journey of personal growth and achievement. Thank you, Chicago, TCS for the incredible experience. Remember, no goal is too big if you put your heart and soul into it. I hope my journey inspires you to chase your dreams relentlessly, one step at a time. #ChicagoMarathon #MarathonFinisher #DreamBig #NeverGiveUp #PersonalGrowth #RunningJourney #AchievementUnlocked

2023 was another year of growth and learnings. Growth 1) 23/24 is going to be our biggest year in terms of annual revenue 2) our team grew to 30 across multiple countries 3) the sheer variety of projects we took on increased - from Virtual Reality experiences to game publishing, to total brand revamps Learnings 1) finding the balance of maintaining profits while investing in growth - still looking for that goldilocks zone 2) team size is not always a flex - revenue should grow at a higher rate than team size or you're not scalable 3) Factors outside your control can severely affect carefully planned revenue forecasts. Be ready to pivot 4) don't let good times affect how disciplined you are with expenses - it can snowball and before you know it you and your team are approving low ROI expenditures that add up at the end of the year 5) risk appetite - currently finding out where I stand. Took some risks in 2023 that hopefully will pay off in 2024. The hyper growth vs steady growth models will be debated again in 2024. 6) empower teams - you can't hand-hold every project or company vertical. Provide a vision and a goal and trust your teams to achieve them. 7) many more micro-learnings that have been absorbed and become an organic part of my thinking process I'm privileged to be in a position that allows me these learnings, mostly thanks to an amazing team across InGame Esports and the partners & clients we work with on a daily basis. Looking forward to a fantastic 2024 with all of you 💯

 We do today what they won’t, so tomorrow we can accomplish what they can’t.” ~ Dwayne Johnson With just 8 weeks left until IRONMAN Florida, I'm in the midst of intense training, tackling the grueling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run, all within a 17-hour limit. It's been an exceptionally demanding week, with over 18 hours of swimming, biking, and running in the last 7 days. Highlights this week include: #Cycling: 163.7 miles, long ride of the week was the Uber Pretzel on Zwift, a 66 mile ride with 5,300 feet of elevation. #Running: 35 miles this week with a double run for 12 miles. #Swimming: 12,440 yards Despite approaching my 46th birthday in December, I've been training relentlessly for nearly three years. My commitment to heart rate training, a practice I've followed for years, allows me to train at this level and speed. Heart rate training aims to enhance swimming, biking, and running speed while maintaining the same (or lower) heart rate during training or races. In endurance events like IRONMAN, where you can be active for up to 17 hours, your heart is the key to success. This morning, I felt fatigued, likely due to yesterday's 66-mile ride with a 5,300-foot elevation gain or perhaps the 12 miles I ran on Friday. Instead of taking a rest day, I opted for a modified plan. I reduced my intended 9-mile run to a more manageable 6.4 miles and slowed my pace to maintain a comfortable zone 2 run at 8:56 per mile with a heart rate of 119. This adjustment allowed my body to recover adequately. This was followed by a 1.3-mile straight freestyle swim in 43 minutes with a heart rate of 105. Carefully managing my heart rate is crucial to continue training without risking injury or overtraining. Heart rate training demands patience and heightened awareness during workouts, but the rewards are undoubtedly worth it. #raceformore As you may know, I am raising funds for the IRONMAN Foundation. The money I raise will benefit community groups & organizations in our community(s) via grant funding. In 2021 alone, the IRONMAN Foundation distributed over $2.1 million to 1,500 organizations worldwide. $100 could mean bikes for several kids, money that helps keep a community center pool open or money that goes to honoring Gold Star families, or supporting diversity in sport through initiatives like Women For Tri, an organization I am passionate about as endurance sports has dramatically changed the trajectory of my own life. Please donate to the IRONMAN Foundation; every dollar counts!  https://lnkd.in/gWzgNCRw

2023: The Year in Review at IIMB As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on what sets us apart, inspires us, and gives us hope in tackling the challenges of the future. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gEHmy95J #GoldenJubileeCelebrations #IIMB50 #IIMB2023

It's true. After over seven years and countless memories made, it's time for me to cycle out of my leadership positions within the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) & the Association of Fundraising Professionals - New York City Chapter (AFP-NYC). Taking a step back from AFP is proving to be an emotional journey, intertwined with threads of bittersweet sentiments. Saying goodbye (see you later?) to an organization that has become a part of my identity is not easy. Stepping down means leaving behind a dedicated team and a cause that has become deeply ingrained in my heart. Celebrating successes, witnessing the growth of individuals within the organization, and contributing to meaningful changes in our industry have fostered a profound sense of fulfillment within me. I am looking at this departure as not an end but a transition—a passing of the baton. Cycling off the Global and NYC boards will offer an opportunity for fresh perspectives and for new minds to invigorate AFP's mission. Cycling off isn't a farewell; it is a culmination of experiences that have shaped not only the organization but also my own growth and perspective. The bittersweet emotions are a testament to the depth of the connections made and the significance of the journey undertaken. In case you need further evidence, take a look at some of my favorite memories below...

Running For Excellence

Day 20 of my 1 Mile a Day Challenge and feeling stronger than ever! 🏃♂️ From a 12-minute mile to crushing it in just 8 minutes! 💪 Join me in this journey of progress and self-improvement. #OneMileAtATime #RunningChallenge #FitnessJourney #ProgressNotPerfection #StrongerEveryDay