PwC Life and Career – Gloria De Tommaso De Tora PwC

1 Your profession: Tell us what you do – for PwC and for your very own career?

I joined PwC in 2006. I started as an assistant in the HC Shared Service Center. Today I lead the payroll and employee data administration team. Besides, I’m a certified yoga teacher, I hold yoga and meditation classes and breathwork workshops.

2 Your path: What made you pursue this journey, and at what point was it clear to you that Yoga was not just a hobby but a career path for you?

When I started my career in HR, I was always very focused on delivering high-quality work, I never missed any deadlines, I deeply cared about the well-being of others, and I was always present and available for my clients. Of course, such a work ethic is valuable and important. But at some point, I noticed that I couldn’t focus anymore. I struggled to deliver the same quality of work and presence and I started to forget important things not only at work, but also in my personal life, like birthdays and events. In addition, I felt a constant back pain since I had stopped doing sports – I simply hadn’t found the time anymore.

I decided I needed to change something, researched some sports classes in my town and I found a yoga class very close to my home. I joined this class and I instantly felt calm and free. And since then I’ve never stopped doing yoga – I started with dedicating one hour of yoga or meditation to myself, at least once a week. After each yoga lesson, I felt that though all problems and worries continued to exist, they didn’t feel too close any more. This had a big impact on my life. I started being more present again, being more grateful for everything I have and enjoying the little things in life.

That yoga had helped me to deal with stress and anxiety and to build resilience was the starting point for me wanting to dive deeper: I started my yoga education journey. At the beginning, the education was meant only for me and my personal growth – yoga helped me to reach all of my goals even in times when the pressure and stress increased. But during the four years of education, the wish to share my knowledge and help others manage stress increased. I started to give yoga lessons, meditation and breathing-exercises classes. Ever since, yoga has been an integral part of my life – and I love sharing my passion with others, helping them find stability and resilience through practising yoga as well.

"Yoga had helped me to deal with stress and anxiety and to build resilience. That was the starting point for me wanting to dive deeper: I started my yoga education journey."

3 Your balance: How did PwC support you on this journey and how do you manage both streams of your career?

The flexibility and trust I received during the four years of education was extraordinary. Without the comprehension of my team and my team leader it wouldn’t have been possible. I was able to change my workload without any issues, which made it so much easier to focus on my yoga path. The flexibility at PwC was a key element for my “personal professional” journey. Then, I also perceived a lot of interest in yoga classes and was given the opportunity to give classes for PwC colleagues as well, and I absolutely enjoy bringing the peace that yoga and meditation offers me to my colleagues at the office.

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PwC Life and Career – Gloria De Tommaso De Tora

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