Beyond Appinio: How our team balances work and passion projects

Written by Appinio's People Team | Aug 29, 2025 10:22:53 AM

This month’s edition of Life at Appinio takes a closer look at the things that keep us moving, motivated and happy outside of work. When you look at the whole week, a full-time job is only about 24% of your total hours. But since we spend roughly half the week asleep, work actually takes up closer to 48% of the hours we’re awake. That still leaves plenty of time for the hobbies, passions and side projects that bring balance to our lives.

Some of us head to the volleyball court, others teach Pilates, pick up DIY projects, cook new recipes or even record podcasts. These activities aren’t just ways to fill time, they give us energy, new perspectives and sometimes even skills that carry over into our work.

So in this edition, we’re shining a light on how our colleagues spend that other 52% of the week, and why those moments matter just as much as the hours at our desks.

Volleyball with Isa our Senior Research Consultant

What do you love most about it?

Whenever I’m on the court, my mind is completely on vacation. Volleyball is my best stress reliever. I love the strong bonds I’ve built with my teammates. Some of them have become my closest friends and I actually spend more time with them than with most of my other friends. I also love the flow of the game. When everything clicks, the passes, sets, and attacks all come together. It feels almost like magic.

What’s the biggest challenge or lesson your volleyball has taught you?

Volleyball has helped me develop soft skills I use every day, including handling difficult situations, finding solutions, and collaborating effectively as a team. Being a coach and team captain has taught me how to lead in a supportive way, recognise individual strengths, and help others perform at their best.

How does volleyball influence the way you approach your work at Appinio?

Volleyball gave me soft skills I use every day, including problem-solving, motivating others, and bringing out people’s strengths. As a coach and captain, I’ve learned how to lead in a supportive way. This translates directly into how I collaborate and manage projects at work.

Does it give you skills, habits, or energy you bring into your job?

In my team I am often the organiser, taking care of logistics, planning, and making sure everything runs smoothly. Volleyball energises me. After a training session or a match I leave the court feeling stress-free, recharged, and ready to tackle challenges. That positive energy often carries over into my work and keeps me motivated.

What’s one fun fact about volleyball that people might not know?

As volleyball players, we clap for each other after every point and even before each point to keep our energy up. In one of my typical Landesliga matches, that can easily add up to 200 to 300 high-fives and claps over the course of the game.

DIY with Erin our Senior Research Consultant

What’s your hobby and how did you first get into it?

I’ve always been drawn to character and history, which probably started when I was growing up in a big, old house. Watching my dad do DIY repairs sparked something in me. I’ve always had an independent mindset. If I can do something myself, why wouldn’t I? So when I bought my current home, built in 1927, I couldn’t wait to roll up my sleeves and start restoring it. It felt like the perfect blend of creativity, history, and challenge.

What do you love most about it?

I’m a nostalgic person and a bit of a history nerd, so working on an old house really speaks to my soul. I love how well things were made back then, whether it’s a piece of trim or a vintage table. Restoring instead of remodelling feels like preserving a story. There’s something magical about bringing old craftsmanship back to life.

What’s the biggest challenge or lesson DIY has taught you?

To slow down. I tend to go full steam ahead when I’m focused, but with DIY, rushing usually leads to mistakes or back pain. I’ve learned that to do things right, I need to be patient, precise, and intentional with every step. Even the simplest job can turn into a rabbit hole of hidden problems and unexpected trips to the hardware store, but I’ve come to love that part too.

How does DIY influence the way you approach your work at Appinio?

At Appinio, we move quickly, which I love, but I’ve learned that taking a bit of extra time can make all the difference. Whether it’s crafting the perfect survey or repairing original woodwork, thoughtful attention to detail always pays off. DIY has also taught me problem-solving on the fly, creative thinking, persistence, and resilience. When something doesn’t go as planned, you don’t quit, you troubleshoot, and that mindset carries over into my work every day.

Pilates with Holly our Senior Social Media Manager

What do you love most about it?

The community, hands down. I love watching my clients’ progress over time. It is incredibly rewarding. I also secretly enjoy seeing them push past their limits during class. Pilates has completely transformed my body and given me a new understanding of movement. Being part of this community in Barcelona and sharing what I love makes it even more meaningful.

What’s the biggest challenge or lesson Pilates has taught you?

Balancing it all is the biggest challenge. At one point I was teaching six classes, working a full eight-hour day, and training for a marathon. That taught me that discipline always outlasts motivation. It also showed me how important rest, boundaries, and saying “no” are to avoid burnout.

How does Pilates influence the way you approach your work at Appinio?

Pilates taught me that consistency and discipline matter more than waiting for bursts of motivation. This mindset helps me stay focused at work, even during hectic days. It is all about finding balance, setting boundaries, and keeping routines sustainable.

How does it help you recharge or stay motivated day-to-day?

Even though teaching Pilates is work, it is also my recharge. Moving my body, being part of a community, and seeing progress gives me energy to show up better in my day-to-day. After a stressful day, a 45-minute class leaves me grounded, refreshed, and fully present.

What’s one fun fact about Pilates that people might not know?

Pilates was invented by a German man named Joseph Pilates, so I like to think Germany is always in my heart.

Top tip from our Pilates Pro!

If you work at a desk all day, try back extensions and engage your core by pulling your belly button toward your spine. It is amazing for lower back support and helps counteract all that sitting.

Podcasting with Janet our Senior SEO Manager

What’s your hobby and how did you first get into it?

I love traveling and discovering new places, and I’m always listening to podcasts, even while working on spreadsheets. It felt natural to combine the two and share advice and recommendations about my trips. I started recording on my phone and did a little editing on Spotify for Podcasters. When friends gave me positive feedback and shared ideas, I knew I wanted to keep going.

What do you love most about it?

I love that I can talk about things I have experience in and share knowledge that might inspire others to explore new places. Traveling taught me a lot about practical things like night trains with my dog, travel documents, vaccinations, and special activities. Knowing that my content might help people makes it even more rewarding.

What’s a fun fact about your Podcast that people might not know?

One of my favourite memories is that my brother designed the podcast cover. It was one of the first things that got realised and helped me understand the project better. The fun fact is also that it helped me get used to hearing my own voice on recordings, which I used to dislike.

How does Podcasting influence the way you approach your work at Appinio?

Podcasting and work overlap in interesting ways. Sharing knowledge is something I love about my role at Appinio, and podcasting strengthens that skill. The process also recharges me. Planning, recording, and analyzing podcast content gives me energy, and I often apply the same focus and enjoyment to work analytics and repetitive tasks.

Cooking with Anmol our Video and Social Media Designer

What’s your hobby and how did you first get into it?

My hobby is cooking. I started when I was just seven years old. At first, it was learning the household basics with my mum, but around the age of ten or eleven it turned from duty into passion. I began experimenting, creating dishes, and discovering how much joy and creativity I found in the kitchen.

What do you love most about it?

I love the generosity of cooking. Food is not just about taste, it is about inviting people in, sharing something made with love, and creating memories around the table. I also enjoy the art of presentation, ambiance, and slowing down to truly enjoy food.

Do you have a favourite memory or funny story connected to cooking?

One favourite memory is cooking in Sicily and Rome through Airbnb experiences. I shared kitchens with complete strangers, created meals together, and met people who shared my passion. Another highlight was volunteering in a collective kitchen in Le Marais, Paris, where I cooked Indian food with French fusion and Italian dessert that fully sold out. These experiences made me realise food is one of the most universal ways to bring people together.

How does cooking influence the way you approach your work at Appinio?

Cooking makes me think creatively and visually. Just like plating a dish, I try to make my work presentation sharp, engaging, and appealing. It also taught me organisation: balancing multiple tasks at once while making sure the end result feels effortless.

Top Tip!

Start simple and make a risotto. It is meditative, teaches patience, and feels luxurious even though it is just rice, broth, and love. My tip is to not rush, stir slowly, and enjoy the process.

At Appinio, our work is energising and meaningful, and our hobbies help us bring even more to the table. Whether it is teamwork on the volleyball court, patience in the kitchen, or focus in Pilates, these passions recharge us, spark creativity, and strengthen the skills we use every day. Life outside the office does not replace work. It enriches it, helping us stay motivated, inspired, and ready to make the most of each day. If you are curious, passionate, and want to join a team that values both work and life outside the office, we are hiring.

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