In any ambitious project, a significant part of success comes from perspective: having a broad view, keeping your composure, and finding the right solution to overcome obstacles and move forward with a clear vision of your goals.

At work or in personal life, the same rules apply. Our colleague Cătălina Luca embodies these principles both with the Connections team, where she handles recruitment, and in her personal time, when she laces up her hiking boots, straps on her backpack, and heads for the mountains. It’s a hobby that not only improves her skills in the outdoors but also brings out her best self at work.

Transformation, a natural part of every story

Cătălina discovered her passion for hiking five years ago, and since then, her connection to the mountains has grown ever stronger and deeper.

“I was immediately drawn to the feeling of freedom and mental clarity it offers, and over time, I realized that many lessons from hiking apply to my professional work as well. Hiking requires planning, attention to detail, and flexibility — just like in recruitment. For each hike, I need to prepare my equipment, study the route, and anticipate potential challenges. Similarly, in recruitment, each candidate represents a unique path that requires a personalized approach and a well-thought-out strategy,” she says.

Mountain hikes are not simply walks, as the trails can vary widely, and Cătălina has already explored many of them. She has learned to relax on more accessible routes, like Mount Tâmpa (960 meters) and Mount Postăvaru (1799 meters), but also to test her strength, patience, and perseverance on the more challenging ones, such as Mount Moldoveanu (2544 meters) and Mount Toaca (1904 meters).

Of course, reaching the summit isn’t always easy. Over time, she has learned to better manage the unexpected challenges of hiking — from planning to improving her physical condition and properly managing her water and food supplies during longer treks.

“On the mountain, challenges are never in short supply. From unpredictable weather to moments when the trails were much tougher than I expected, each challenge has helped me become more resilient. I enjoy carefully planning each excursion and being always ready for a potential change in context, because when you’re on the trail, anything can happen. I’ve learned that patience and adaptability are essential, and I’ve come to realize that many lessons from hiking also help me in my professional work. In both cases, when the context can change — whether it’s the weather conditions or the complexity of a recruitment process — the key to success is to stay calm and seek efficient solutions. Challenges are a natural part of both activities,” Cătălina believes.

Lessons from the Mountains

For Cătălina, the lessons from the mountains are more than just a story of passion. They represent training that develops her personal qualities while broadening her perspective. Hiking has taught her that, often, the destination is just as important as the journey itself — sometimes even more so — and that one should savor it fully.

“Patience, perseverance, and the ability to assess situations quickly are just a few of the qualities I’ve gained. Plus, I’ve improved my physical condition and learned to manage resources better. The moments of relaxation in nature help me clear my mind and return to city life with renewed strength and a constant fresh energy.”

Tips for Beginners

• Start with easier trails and make sure to gather information before setting out.
• It’s important to have proper gear and always be prepared for sudden weather changes.
• Don’t neglect hydration, and bring an easily portable energy source, like protein bars or dried fruit.
• Enjoy every moment and don’t rush the trail. Hiking is not about the destination; it’s about the journey.

As you’ve already learned, we are a team with diverse passions. Today, two of our colleagues, teammates at work and on the sea, talk about the challenges of sailing when your hobby is sailing.

The Crew: more important than the boat itself

Dan Săndulescu has been with Connections since 2016, and when he’s not managing contracts and accounts, he analyzes international tenders, searching for new project opportunities.

His passion for sailing was discovered recently, just last year, when he was invited to participate in the Corporate Regatta with the Connections team, marking his first experience navigating the sea using sails.

As Dan is someone who loves the sea and already practices several water sports, sailing felt natural to him and immediately captivated him. He started researching and deepening his knowledge of this sport through courses and practice.

“I was fortunate to be part of two extraordinary crews: the one made up of my Connections colleagues, with whom we won the 2024 Corporate Regatta, and the crew I competed with in sports competitions, where we placed 2nd in the Romanian Cup and won the National ORC Championship, Class A2, all with the same beautiful yacht, Nitro,” Dan recounts.

Revelations on the boat

“I realized the importance of the crew, which is even more crucial than the boat itself when it comes to sailing. Every member needs to be 100% dedicated and involved, not just to fulfill their tasks, but also because they are directly responsible for the other crew members,” says Dan.

Is all this effort worth it?

“All the efforts fade away in the face of the joys and satisfactions you experience when you’ve raised the anchor, sailed out to sea, and cut through the waves, one after another, with the yacht straining against the power of the wind,” he believes.

Sailing – THAT experience

Claudiu Stăniloiu has been in HR for 18 years, and his connection with people fuels his energy and desire to innovate. He is constantly looking for new methods and results, and that’s how his relationship with sailing began (and continues).

After stories and jokes with friends, his official debut in this sport happened in 2023, when he said: “Let’s go to a Regatta. It’s great, it’s in a team, it’s the sea, and there’s the peace it offers,” he recalls.

How was it? “It was THAT wow experience that makes you want to do it again and strive for more. It came with a 4th place finish – disappointing at the moment because you missed the podium by a hair, but strong enough to motivate you to be more focused in the next race, to learn more theory, and to put more into practice,” Claudiu shares.

Sailing Challenges: what’s it like on the boat?

“Being on a boat is like being in a fast-food restaurant. You need to learn and be willing to take on any role the team covers. The first role I took on? I was the mastman (the guy who raises and lowers the sails). Secondary role? I was also the boat’s photographer (because you only raise and lower the sails once 😊),” says Claudiu.

Over time, he took on other roles and gained more experiences, which undoubtedly meant progress and personal growth, as he decided to stick with it. In 2023, he completed his boat license courses (Categories C, D, and S), and in 2024, together with his friends and colleagues, he achieved the big goal: 1st place at the Corporate Regatta.

“Of course, everything is full of challenges, and the most significant ones, which are beyond your control, are the changing weather and the sea. One moment it’s sunny, and the sea is calm, and in the next hour, the wind can pick up, and strong waves can appear. And as we say in Romania, ‘it can give you a bit of a panic,’ but we’ve already set the next goal: participating in the 2025 Bosphorus Cup (Turkey),” he reveals.

Why sailing?

Because it relaxes me, says Claudiu, and the visual landscapes you encounter have their charm. But also because you need energy (like in any sport), you need to innovate (the sea is unpredictable), you need to accumulate experience, and you have to be as efficient as possible to make it to the podium, says Claudiu. “It’s not a hobby you dedicate time to every day. But it’s a hobby where, if you want to perform, you have to ‘steal the craft.’ And yes, I have people to learn from and ask for advice.”

Advice from Claudiu & Dan for future sailors

CLAUDIU

“Don’t say no before trying something. Learn, experiment, and stick with what works and makes you feel fulfilled.”

DAN

“If you love the sea and want to master the wind, try sailing—you’ll be fully satisfied.”

Aura Damaschin: At 33, I Discovered That I Can Achieve More Than I Ever Thought

Precision, patience, agility, and discipline are qualities that intertwine to make a good RPA Developer and also a good kickboxer. How do we know this? From our colleague Aura Damaschin, who, after a full day of automating complex processes for Connections’ clients, steps into the kickboxing ring in the evening and demonstrates her extraordinary strength, helping her to push her limits, both at work and in her personal life.

The Logic of Programming and the Intuition of Fighting

In the world of automation, Aura is a master of details. Creating software robots for automating repetitive processes requires an organized mind and meticulous attention to detail. Every variable and condition must be anticipated and perfectly integrated into the code.

In kickboxing, however, the pace is different. There is no time for debugging. Everything happens in a fraction of a second, and each move is a combination of strategy, intuition, and speed, depending heavily on prior preparation.

“I had long wanted to practice a sport regularly. I physically felt this need, and the sedentary lifestyle I had since childhood became painful. Over the years, I tried various forms of exercise (rollerblading, cycling, running, tennis with friends, fitness), but I couldn’t integrate any of these activities into my routine. Everything changed at 33, when I took my first kickboxing lesson, during a very stressful period when I wanted to do something with high physical intensity,” Aura explains.

Algorithms and Training

When you automate a process, it’s all about repetition and continuous refinement until you achieve a flawless result. In kickboxing, training follows a similar dynamic: basic punches, defense techniques, and combinations must be practiced repeatedly until they become reflexes. “I train 3-4 times a week, and at home, I practice basic punches and do gymnastics,” says Aura.

Additionally, just as software robots need to be programmed to handle any errors or exceptions that may arise, Aura simultaneously prepares herself to handle unexpected situations in the ring. She studies her opponents and adjusts her strategy for each competition. Every strike and counter-strike must be thought out in advance, just like a well-designed algorithm.

Overcoming Fear

No matter how well-designed a program is, bugs can appear at any time. Similarly, in the ring, no matter how prepared she is, there is always the fear of an unexpected punch.

“The biggest challenge for me is the fear of being hit in the face. It’s an almost paralyzing feeling, but with each training session, I learn to manage it better,” explains Aura.

The experience of learning to manage fear and accepting that she cannot control everything has given Aura a new perspective on life, whether it’s dealing with an unexpected software error or a surprisingly strong opponent in the ring.

The Impact of Kickboxing on Life

Practicing kickboxing has not only shaped her body but also the way she approaches all aspects of life.

“I feel like I’m no longer the same person as before I took up this hobby. Kickboxing gives me purpose, direction, order, and discipline, pushing me to adopt other healthy habits to keep up. I quit smoking and improved my diet and sleep. I carry out my other activities more efficiently and have more energy, strength, and mental clarity. I’ve learned not to waste my energy needlessly and to be more understanding and tolerant of myself and others. I’ve also increased my productivity and capacity in other areas because I discovered I can do more than I ever thought.”

Advice for Those Who Want to Practice a Contact Sport

If you want to practice a contact sport, try several and find out which one suits you best.

You don’t have to force yourself to do sports, just remember why you started in the first place.

Fear is your best friend. It will help you take things seriously, push you to prepare, and make you better.

Alex Vîlcea: Success doesn’t depend on one perfect shot or one good decision 

He tightens his racquet and concentrates. Every serve is calculated, based on precision and instinct. Every stroke requires balance and timing, just as every business decision must be well thought out and goal-oriented.

Failures in the field are often like challenges in business – difficult but fundamental to evolution. Both require adaptability, learning, and resilience. In both tennis and business, it takes patience, strategic thinking and the ability to adapt quickly.

Alexandru Vîlcea is a Connector, he works in business development and one of his favorite hobbies is tennis.

It’s an activity that not only keeps me physically fit, but also gives me a great opportunity to relax and disconnect from the daily routine. I discovered tennis a few years ago when a friend invited me to a friendly match. What initially attracted me to the sport was the combination of strategy, speed and stamina needed to play well, but also the pleasure of spending time outdoors.

Practice, patience, perseverance 

In the beginning, tennis was just a curiosity, an opportunity to learn something new. With each practice, however, he discovered the pleasure of playing and perfecting her techniques – from serve to forehand. Over time, he realized that tennis and business have a lot in common: both need strategy, attention to detail, and a desire to constantly evolve. It wasn’t easy to integrate this passion into her daily life, but through dedication, he managed to organize her time in such a way that he could train at least twice a week. And, of course, he began to watch professional tennis matches closely to learn new strategies and techniques to apply to his game. Progress came gradually and it showed especially in the first matches he won. But victory on the court is not about one perfect shot or one good decision, but countless moments of practice, patience and perseverance. And the road from learning to hold the racquet to winning in two sets has often been a challenging one.

It wasn’t always easy. One of the biggest challenges was learning to stay calm and focused during matches, especially when I was at a disadvantage. To overcome these difficulties, I constantly worked on controlling my emotions and developing a strong mental strength, which allowed me to stay focused and improve my game.

Win or lose, the challenge stimulates you 

When we take up sports as a hobby, there are many benefits, physical, mental and emotional. We are stronger, more flexible, healthier, less stressed and more disciplined. We generally have a much better mood and mental clarity. So, all the hours Alex spent on the tennis court did not go “unpunished”.

I can’t help but notice how much tennis has helped me. First, it has helped keep me in excellent physical shape, contributing to better cardiovascular fitness and toned muscles. In addition, it has become an important source of relaxation and disconnection, giving me precious moments of escape from everyday. From a mental point of view, tennis has taught me to be more disciplined, patient and strategic, skills that have served me well in other aspects of my life.

At the end of the match, win or lose, it’s the challenge that energizes Alex. Whether he’s on the pitch or taking on the ‘coat’ of business developer, it’s about pushing boundaries and refining skills at every opportunity.

Tip for those who want to play tennis 

Be patient with yourself.

Tennis is a technical sport and mastering it takes time and practice. It is also essential to invest in quality equipment, especially the right shoes, to prevent injury.

Start with basic lessons.

Either with a coach or friends who have experience, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice or practice as much as possible.

Enjoy the game.

Don’t be discouraged by difficulties. Tennis is a sport that can be very rewarding if you give it the time and dedication it needs.