
When the group of #powermentors we have coming to camp seems to be as diverse as the group of girls, that must serve as an indication of just how amazing our week is going to be. Our next power mentor reveal is Syd Atlas, who among her many distinguishable attributes is a globetrotter, mother of two, creative genius, and maybe most notably, a professional coach and driver of creative concepts. We were lucky enough to be able to conduct an email interview with her where she shared her insights on new experiences, what she was like as a teenager, and her take on confidence. Read on!
GGU: How did you get your start?
Syd Atlas: I started doing one-woman shows and making documentaries. I went from telling my story to helping others tell their stories.
GGU: You’ve been living in Berlin for about 22 years, correct? What was it like establishing yourself in a foreign industry and what inspired you most to become a business oriented global (expat) citizen?
S.A: I tried out many things and still am. Every job is a new experience and your relationship to that experience is what separates the men from the boys, or the women from the girls. Try things, don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Making mistakes is the quickest way to learn.
GGU: What were you like at fifteen?
S.A: I was confident. I always loved being a girl and now a woman and never saw a disadvantage. My face looked much older than my body and I had a terrible perm so needless to say, awkward.
GGU: What advice would you give a teenage girl today?
S.A: There is a reason people fall in love on their last day of vacation. That “what do I have to lose” attitude will get you far.
The energy wondering what other people will think about you is wasted energy. Do things. Take chances. Be kind.
GGU: What do you love most about what you do? What are you most proud of?
S.A: I love that my job balances perfectly how much I need to learn and how much I can give. If you are in a job where you are always giving, you feel burnt out quickly. And if you are always on a learning curve, then you feel insecure. I love watching the ever so slight changes that take place with clients and people having the courage to try things that make them feel uncomfortable.
We owe a huge thanks to Syd for taking the time to answer our questions, and we could not be more excited for August because I’ll let you in on a little secret… she has lots of things in store for us as a power mentor who aims to teach! And we most certainly are eager to learn.
GGU: How did you get your start?
Syd Atlas: I started doing one-woman shows and making documentaries. I went from telling my story to helping others tell their stories.
GGU: You’ve been living in Berlin for about 22 years, correct? What was it like establishing yourself in a foreign industry and what inspired you most to become a business oriented global (expat) citizen?
S.A: I tried out many things and still am. Every job is a new experience and your relationship to that experience is what separates the men from the boys, or the women from the girls. Try things, don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Making mistakes is the quickest way to learn.
GGU: What were you like at fifteen?
S.A: I was confident. I always loved being a girl and now a woman and never saw a disadvantage. My face looked much older than my body and I had a terrible perm so needless to say, awkward.
GGU: What advice would you give a teenage girl today?
S.A: There is a reason people fall in love on their last day of vacation. That “what do I have to lose” attitude will get you far.
The energy wondering what other people will think about you is wasted energy. Do things. Take chances. Be kind.
GGU: What do you love most about what you do? What are you most proud of?
S.A: I love that my job balances perfectly how much I need to learn and how much I can give. If you are in a job where you are always giving, you feel burnt out quickly. And if you are always on a learning curve, then you feel insecure. I love watching the ever so slight changes that take place with clients and people having the courage to try things that make them feel uncomfortable.
We owe a huge thanks to Syd for taking the time to answer our questions, and we could not be more excited for August because I’ll let you in on a little secret… she has lots of things in store for us as a power mentor who aims to teach! And we most certainly are eager to learn.