Finding Balance: How Hobbies Enhance Professional Life with Paula MacDonald

That Solo Life, Episode 272: Finding Balance: How Hobbies Enhance Professional Life with Paula MacDonald

Michelle Kane [00:13.096]-[01:27.697]: Hello, and thank you for joining us for this episode of That Solo Life, the podcast for PR pros and marketers who work for themselves. People like me, Michelle Kane with Voice Matters, my wonderful co-host, Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro, and we are so excited to have a guest with us today. We always love guests. And today, we welcome Paula MacDonald, APR. Paula has had an incredible journey going from an aspiring student filmmaker to solo PR practitioner, and her story is one of adaptability and creativity. With a background in technical theater and a degree in film production from the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts, Paula brings a unique perspective of visual communication and storytelling to her PR work. As the Principal Consultant of ImageSuite PR in St. Petersburg, Florida, Paula leverages her storytelling skills to serve clients in professional services, hospitality, sports and agriculture. Her leadership in PRSA, both at the chapter level and nationally, underscores her commitment to the public relations industry and to independent practitioners. And we are thrilled to welcome you today. Hello, Paula, how are you?.

Paula MacDonald, APR [01:27.697]-[01:31.172]: I'm great. Thank you. That was a wonderful introduction. Thank you so much.

Karen Swim, APR [01:31.172]-[01:40.617]: It's so wonderful to have you, Paula, and go ye mighty Trojans!

Paula MacDonald, APR [01:40.617]-[01:47.101]: It's been a while since I've been back there, but I did go back a few years ago. It was looking very good.

Karen Swim, APR [01:47.101]-[02:04.542]: Yeah, it was. And yay for those of us who majored in one thing and sort of worked it into a career pivot of sorts. I was a psychobiology major and I really believe it did prepare me for PR as much as I'm sure theater prepared you as well.

Paula MacDonald, APR [02:04.542]-[02:39.178]: For sure. That's really, really an interesting pathway. And yeah, my degrees in film production, as Michelle mentioned. So there at USC, I learned traditional Hollywood-style filmmaking. They were training people to be the Steven Spielbergs of tomorrow. I did script writing and storytelling as a major part of my studies there. But I've been really fortunate to be able to have opportunities to, over my career, bring that creativity to the world of business. So that's been really fun. And I've enjoyed it immensely.

Karen Swim, APR [02:40.050]-[03:29.800]: I love that. I think that if there are any aspiring PR pros out there, it just shows how more robust and well-rounded your career can be when you don't do the traditional major. Because the parts of your job that you can do probably better than many of us, you actually are related to what you majored in. So you have that skill set and that there's absolutely a place for that in PR. I think sometimes people are afraid to come into the profession or pivot because they feel like their background isn't a match. But it's one of the beautiful things I love about being a solo, too, is that nobody tells you where you need to specialize or what things that you can bring to the practice of PR, because you can shape it around your own experiences and expertise. So I love that.
Paula MacDonald, APR [03:29.800]-[04:00.146]: Yeah, that's very true. And we see that a lot in the APR program as well. I've co-chaired the Tampa Bay Chapters APR program for a number of years. And transitioning that over to new leadership now, but over the course of time, I've seen so many candidates have come through with different majors and degrees, and the APR gives them a nice framework to be able to develop their careers in PR. So if anyone is interested in the APR and interested in exploring it, I'd be happy to answer questions for that as well.

Karen Swim, APR [04:00.146]-[04:43.988]: That's wonderful, and I completely agree. It's actually, that was my motivation for getting my APR credential as well as I came from a different background and wanted to have that framework. I knew the practice and I knew that I had the expertise to do it and have been doing it, but it feels like it just gives you an operating system, a methodology, and then the common language to be able to succeed. And it definitely made me a more confident practitioner. So your career is super impressive, but today we want to talk a little bit about an interesting hobby that you have developed. So tell us about your hobby and how you got started.

Paula MacDonald, APR [04:43.988]-[05:23.344]: Yeah, that's kind of why I'm wearing my t-shirt today to promote my hobby. I'm not dressed in the business look because one night in 2022 I sat on my couch watching pro skateboarder Tony Hawk's documentary film called "Until the Wheels Fall Off." And something clicked in me when I saw his passion for skateboarding and how he continued to push hard on that into his later years. So that inspired me to go to my local skate shop and buy myself a skateboard for my birthday. And I learned to skateboard at age 53.

Michelle Kane [05:24.284]-[05:25.645]: I love that, that's incredible.

Paula MacDonald, APR [05:25.645]-[05:59.256]: That's amazing. I'd been a BMX racer as a child, and at that time, Vans, the shoe company, was bringing a giant Lucite skateboard ramp to the BMX tracks to introduce skateboarding to the kids. And I was always really interested in it then, but racing was kind of my passion at that point. And it looked fun, but I had never really done anything else with a skateboard other than just kind of going down my driveway in a straight line. So now I'm going to skate parks and riding ramps, and I am having the time of my life.

Karen Swim, APR [06:01.213]-[06:34.658]: My gosh, Paula, that is so amazing. That's crazy. So that's a scary hobby in some ways. How did you kind of get past, like, you know, the voice in your head? Because we all have it, like, I could fall, I could really hurt myself, or I could look silly. And I think that stops us from doing a lot of things. So tell us how you did that, because we can all use the tips.

Paula MacDonald, APR [06:34.658]-[08:04.576]: Yeah, that is really a big thing to overcome, especially when you're starting something like that, that has a little bit of an element of risk to it as an adult. That's kind of, when I meet people who are interested in skateboarding as adults, that's kind of the first thing that comes out of their mouth as well. I could never do that because I'm too clumsy or you know I don't have good balance and yes all of those things are possible if you keep telling yourself that but it's kind of that's part of the challenge of skateboarding at any age is overcoming those fears and those self-limiting beliefs that hold us back. So it's been a great learning experience for me to kind of let go of that let go of that self-consciousness. Obviously when I'm going to the skate park I'm taking precautionary measures, like I'm wearing pads, I don't look cool. A lot of people don't skateboard with helmets and pads, but I do, because I do still have that sensibility, I guess, that when I'm out there, I want to make sure that I maintain my health as best as possible for my clients. So risk guards are the number one in the helmet, but just kind of pushing through those fears and trying new things, as well as just kind of working on your own skills when you're off the board, you know, balance. I'm working on balance a lot and just maintaining strength and fitness overall.

Karen Swim, APR [08:04.576]-[08:49.404]: I feel like a lot of what you just shared really applies to our professional lives as well, too. You take, you take, I think, it's measured risk, right? It's not just risk for the sake of risk, but it's thoughtful and you put in the guardrails that you need, to make that shift. And then as you know, you said something really big. It's not just about, you know, game day. It's not just about the campaign or the launch or getting the work, but it's about that preparation outside of it in those off hours. So even when you're not practicing that skill set, it's developing it. Has that, um, has your hobby, um, fed back into, you know, how you approach your career at all?

Paula MacDonald, APR [08:49.404]-[10:01.398]: Yeah, I think, you know, like you mentioned, going back to the APR program, that gives you those kind of guard rails and kind of gives you a process. And, you know, research and planning is a big part of the campaign process and, you know, just making sure that you're prepared. But like for me with the skateboarding, throughout the pandemic and afterwards, I was really feeling a lot of anxiousness and very isolated, which is kind of strange considering I'm really an introvert. And you know, I'd obviously been working for a number of years at home as a solo prior to all of that happening. But I kind of needed a way to get out of my own way. And you know, I had gotten to the point where like work was my hobby, which was very unhealthy. So finding skateboarding really helped me to break through a lot of that anxiety and stress. And it opened up a new network of activities and friends and gave me more ability to focus, use focus and precision and courage to try new things, not only in my personal life, in my hobbies, but also in my work.

Michelle Kane [10:02.933]-[10:32.473]: You say hobbies. We have a joke here on the podcast and amongst ourselves of us solo PR pros, it's like, What's a hobby? So you are amazing for not only making sure you make time for that. And, and, and because I think it does make us better people. I mean, I don't think, I know, it makes us better people to have hobbies to enrich ourselves and pour back into ourselves. So I How do you see your hobby evolving in the future? I mean, clearly it's dovetailing beautifully with your work already.

Paula MacDonald, APR [10:32.473]-[12:09.598]: Yeah. I mean, I definitely want to continue skateboarding and trying new things. I don't really think at this point in my life I'll be physically able to learn a lot of the big and amazing tricks, but like just being able to roll in on a large ramp and, and working on, um, continuing to work on balance and technique, as well as something that they call switch skating, which means that you are doing the same tricks or skating the same, but with your non-dominant foot. So it uses like the whole other side of your brain. And that's great for brain health. So I'm trying to learn everything the traditional way, which I skate what they call goofy, which is I push with my right foot. So switching and pushing with my left foot. I do that every session and just get out there and just work on balance. And then beyond skateboarding or just kind of in tandem with skateboarding, I've recently talked and discovered some different passions and hobbies that I'm exploring consistently, which sounds very strange, but I have discovered that I have a passion for puppetry. So I'm kind of combining those passions and interests in early childhood education, video production, with my skateboarding passion to perhaps build a puppet for some skateboarding education for kids. So that's kind of how I see the things expanding in the future.

Michelle Kane [12:09.598]-[12:23.703]: That's incredible. And you know what? I mean, at the outset, you know, you could think, oh, this is, you know, how is this all going to fit? But as you explained it, it fits beautifully. That's incredible.

Karen Swim, APR [12:23.703]-[13:24.093]: Yeah, I love that you gave yourself permission to, you know, it started with a hobby and then you just gave yourself permission to explore things that make you feel great and that light you up. And then because you're, you know, somebody that really is purpose-driven. You've found a way to not only just do something that you enjoy, but to use it to make a difference. That's pretty cool. Yeah. Which with your skateboarding, we haven't talked about this, but you saw, you know, typical PR pro, we can never just go in and just be a part of something. We've got to leave our impact. And if there is something that needs to be fixed, we problem solvers are going to solve it. So tell us about, you know, You saw gender inequity or the lack of representation of genders in skateboarding and you did something about it. Tell us about what you saw and then the solution that you came up with.

Paula MacDonald, APR [13:24.093]-[15:32.175]: Yeah. Well, women in skateboarding, that has been growing exponentially, actually since the pandemic, since 2020, there's been a skyrocketing increase in the number of females who are getting into skateboarding. And I think that's largely due to a couple of things. One, the Olympics has really helped kind of bring visibility to girls skateboarding and there's really just kind of more openness to females at the skate park now, but you know, it's still somewhat challenging. It's very male dominated.

So in January of this year, I embarked on bringing together more girls and women into skateboarding and I formed a nonprofit called Girls Skate Inc. And our mission is to bring the magic of skateboarding to girls and women of all ages and skill levels. And really, kind of the motivating piece that started this was that our local indoor skate park, the Skate Park of Tampa, which I'm wearing their logo shirt right now, it's a really famous indoor skate park in the skateboarding world. It's featured in a lot of video games and has been around for quite a while.

They had typically hosted monthly girls meetups back before the pandemic, and then Of course, when that happens, they stopped doing those. So I had just gotten started skateboarding and I was asking them, you know, when they were going to bring those back. And they kept saying, well, maybe soon, maybe soon. So I finally said that I would be happy to help organize the events. And then they agreed to let me do it. So even though I'm not an expert level skateboarder with my communications background, I'm very good at event organizing. So it works out really well. And we get about 50 to 60 people at all the events from ages three all the way up to 60 plus. And it's just been really great to see the friendships that are forming by bringing the girls and women together and even more meetups coming into the area now. So I'm really excited to see it grow.

Karen Swim, APR [15:32.175]-[15:52.709]: That is so fantastic. And for our listeners, we will definitely share the links. in the show notes so that you can support Paula. And my goodness, if you are in her local area, we encourage you to join her at the skate park. I mean, that sounds so fun.

Paula MacDonald, APR [15:52.709]-[16:09.825]: Yeah, absolutely. We've got pads and gear if anybody wanted to come out and try for the first time. Yeah, it's fun. It's a fun thing. I got a reporter to actually try skateboarding for the first time when she came out and did a story on our group. So it was pretty cool. Oh, that's so cool.

Karen Swim, APR [16:09.825]-[16:20.826]: You know, even if you try and you're like, OK, that was fun to try and it's not for you, it does at least open you up to not being afraid to pursue things that scare you.

Michelle Kane [16:21.670]-[16:51.922]: Yeah. And that's, I mean, that's beneficial in so many levels, isn't it? Right? Because I don't know about both of you, but I am the queen of talking myself out of things or rationalizing my way, you know, thinking, Oh, no, it's too much time. Oh, this, that, the other, but to just do it. And because clearly it's, these are passions that have been planted in you. So of course you have to pursue them. And I hope our listeners and even, you know, Karen and I can be encouraged by that.

Karen Swim, APR [16:51.922]-[17:34.582]: Yeah, for sure. We, you know, our audience, you know, our audience well, and you're a part of the solo PR pro community. This is just such, it's, I'm taking so much from this. And, and even after, you know, we talked prior to the podcast, I've really thought about a lot of the things that you shared and what you're doing and it, It really encouraged me to be reflective and to really say, you know, what have I been missing out on because I'm afraid of how I'll look or I'm afraid of it not going right? And so it's changed my perspective. What advice or inspiration would you share with our audience today?

Paula MacDonald, APR [17:34.582]-[18:38.945]: Yeah, I think that's a big hurdle to overcome, and it's one that if you can work yourself past that, it helps you in so many ways, I mean, personally and professionally. And I think, you know, I listened to a podcast recently with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and he was talking about brain health and the importance of doing, not only doing something new, but maybe something that scares you, as being good for creating pathways in the brain. And, you know, for me, skateboarding gives me plenty of that, because I'm scared a lot. but loving it like I'm running to the skate park because I'm so excited to do it. But it's important for all of us to explore you know what what in our youth brought us joy and how we can bring some of that back to our current lives because there's really never a good time to do a hobby when you're busy at work but it's something you have to make time for to to make a deeper life for yourself.

Karen Swim, APR [18:40.997]-[19:31.767]: I love that. And we constantly talk to people about self-care, you know, mental and physical wellbeing. And so, obviously, we know we want to do the right things to take care of our physical and mental needs. But I think sometimes that we forget to really encourage people to pursue things outside of work, to pursue hobbies and to pursue interests. And I love that you brought up that there's a connection to that, to our, you know, to our wellbeing as well, because you're right, you know, doing those things and challenging ourselves to do new things is good. And it does, you know, it, it exercises our brain, it creates those new pathways. And that's, that's important, no matter what age you are to take care of this organ, right? We need it. And I think for sure.

Paula MacDonald, APR [19:32.313]-[19:52.018]: you also come up with some of your best ideas when you're not like in front of the screen. So giving yourself time to relax and do something that you find pleasurable is, um, gives you an opportunity to actually think more clearly and think more strategically for your clients as well.

Karen Swim, APR [19:52.018]-[20:33.897]: Yeah. I think we just kind of get out of our own way. That happens to me all the time when I'm running, like, cause I'm not thinking, I'm just allowing myself to be in the moment and it's just, you know, running has its own adrenaline high there. And so when you're not thinking about it and you're completely relaxed and just having a good time and enjoying that moment, ideas start flooding your brain or you suddenly, a solution to a problem is so crystal clear rather than sitting and pondering over it. And when you're like at your desk and you're like, oh, what do I say? How do I do this? Michelle, I think you might be muted.

Michelle Kane [20:33.897]-[21:29.205]: That is paralysis analysis, right? Oh, my goodness. And, you know, I think the one major takeaway that we can all take away from this, a couple of them, right? Do it afraid. And also, don't think of hobbies as indulgences. Right, these are not indulgences. It's necessary to be a full person because I think before we got immersed in running our business or even just being a practitioner in communications, we were full people. And it's, you know, along with getting older, that can fall away because more responsibilities come in. But as you say, I think it's so key. So I think if any of us take something away from from your adventure, Paula, I mean, thank you for not only following what you know you need for yourself, but for taking the time today to share it with us, because we all need this.

Karen Swim, APR [21:30.505]-[21:42.932]: I'm also equally excited to follow your puppeteering journey, that is. And whatever else you do, because, you know, knowing you, I don't think it's going to stop there. Right.

Paula MacDonald, APR [21:42.932]-[22:02.457]: I'm building one right now. I have it right here. It's does not have does not have a face yet, but I'm actually I hand sewed it. I'm taking a sewing class so that I can learn to sew because that's another goal that I had for me myself in my life, but I've been hand sewing this one. So yeah.
Michelle Kane [22:02.457]-[22:12.782]: I love it. It's a beautiful, a beautiful purple furry, delightful puppet in the making and can't wait to see it become its full self.

Karen Swim, APR [22:13.042]-[22:46.753]: There is nothing that you can't do. And this is a great thing. It's just like once you exercise yourself in one area, who knows what other gifts, talents, and interests you'll develop. I love that you now have learned to skateboard, have organized a community around skateboarding, started a foundation to get more girls and women interested in it, And you have started puppeteering and you're learning to sew. That's a goal of mine too. I cannot sew up. I love to use a sewing machine.

Paula MacDonald, APR [22:46.753]-[22:54.259]: And I'm still working with my clients too. Oh, that too.

Michelle Kane [22:54.259]-[23:01.265]: So if our listeners want to connect with you, Paula, where, where are the best avenues? What are the best channels to get in touch with you and find you?

Paula MacDonald, APR [23:01.265]-[23:16.887]: I probably hang out most on LinkedIn from a professional perspective. So my LinkedIn account and then, You can follow my group, Skateboarding Adventures, on Instagram. That's the only place we are. And it's girls-sk8.fl

Michelle Kane [23:16.887]-[23:30.710]: Fantastic. And we'll put these links in the show notes, of course. But oh my goodness, Paula, we can't wait to have, we're gonna definitely have you back. I mean, we have to, because we need to find out, we need to find out how things are progressing. But man, we can't thank you enough.

Karen Swim, APR [23:30.710]-[23:32.170]: Maybe we'll come and do a puppet show.

Paula MacDonald, APR [23:32.767]-[23:38.477]: Maybe a solo PR pro puppet mascot.

Michelle Kane [23:38.477]-[23:40.160]: I love it.

Karen Swim, APR [23:40.160]-[23:41.162]: Oh my gosh.

Michelle Kane [23:41.162]-[24:04.100]: Yes. Let's do it. Thanks for having me. Oh, absolutely. And please, everyone, please follow Paula. Again, we're going to put those links in the show notes. And if you found value in this podcast episode today, and how could you not, please share it around because it's definitely worthwhile to take care of you. And until next time, thanks for listening to That Solo Life.