My junior year of college at Fordham University, Swift Kick came to train us orientation leaders. Tom Krieglstein did his Dance Floor Theory and let me tell you, I never forgot it. My friend Kelly and I would always chant “From meh, to hmmmmmm.” I even participated in a #FreeHugs campaign four times after doing Dance Floor Theory. I loved the ideas Tom told in his energetic way. I loved how effortless he making new friends and connections seem. I think it is safe to say that Swift Kick changed my life a little and inspired me in my then first time role on an eboard of a cultural club.
The most clear memory in my mind of my Swift Kick training was when we were on a break to grab some food and stretch our legs. We had already gotten the Free Hugs signs and done free hugs on Tom’s request. I saw a girl holding up the sign across the room and on an impulse, I locked eyes with her, saw her huge smile, and went right for that hug. She was absolutely ecstatic that someone accepted a free hug when it wasn’t being forced on us to do so.
That girl’s name was Emily, and the rest of my college career we stayed friends. Thanks, Tom, Emily is pretty darn awesome.
As I was about to graduate last May, I remembered Swift Kick again, and emailed Tom. I said: Hi there, I don’t know if you’re hiring, but I think that I was meant to work in a company like yours.
After the application process and interview (turns out he was hiring), Tom hired me to be the Community Manager here. The thing is, Swift Kick helped me realize what I was meant to be: someone who works with students and is passionate about helping people be their best selves. And then Swift Kick doubled that prize by letting me join the team. Let me tell you, I am thrilled to be here and have been incredibly happy about it since I started in July. I have met amazing people and get to work with Tom every day. Guess what, he even laughs at my corny jokes. 🙂
My point is, when something inspires you, don’t forget it. Pursue it. I often marvel how I went from student participating in DFT to the person sending emails to schools who have booked Tom to do DFT. I get to see the other side of the awesomeness. So go after something that makes you stop and think. Take chances, send random emails, hug that person across the room. Your life will get increasingly more interesting.
-Sabina
