Hitting the target
Zack Shen, Account Executive – USA
“For me, archery has become a way to recharge after work. I head to the range a few evenings each week, where the rhythm of drawing and releasing helps me focus, clear my mind, and project stress onto the target.
“That quiet discipline carries into my role at SE10 by sharpening concentration, patience, and balance. Just as each shot requires steady focus, our work also requires clarity and precision. Archery reminds me that calm and practiced effort leads to better results — both on the range and in the office.”
The joy of reading
Rosie Hopkins, Account Director – UK
“I’m one of the world’s biggest bookworms. I love all things fiction — talking about books, researching them, looking up awards, and, of course, reading whenever I can. My top books so far this year are The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, Foster by Claire Keegan, and Any Human Heart by William Boyd. I take recommendations very seriously — both giving and receiving — so please let me know your top reads and, in return, I’ll recommend away!”
Sewing things up
Bolly Methakittiworakun, Digital Marketing Manager – UK
“Sewing has taught me many lessons that translate directly into my professional life. It encourages creativity and experimentation. Trying new sewing techniques and experimenting with ads and content helps me discover what works best. If I don’t try, I’ll never know, and staying curious keeps me up to date with trends in both sewing and digital marketing. It’s also improved my attention to detail and clear communication; when testing sewing patterns for designers, I’ve learned to give precise, actionable feedback, ensuring instructions are clear and correctly understood — a skill that’s just as vital in marketing as it is in crafting.
“Both sewing and marketing are about testing, refining, and improving until you reach the best version possible. Most importantly, sewing has taught me to never be afraid to start. Creativity has no limits — only lessons, never failures — and we only discover the answers once we take action and learn from the results.”
Just keep swimming
Matt Pearman, Associate Director – Singapore
“I try to swim for an hour every morning before starting my workday. Beyond the clear health benefits, I find that it energises me physically, sharpens my focus, and helps clear my head.
“During my laps, I mentally map out priorities, reflect on what needs the most attention, and set intentions for how I want the day to unfold. By the time I finish, I feel refreshed, alert, and ready to take on the day with the right mindset.”
Rocking out
Damian Joseph, Vice President – USA
“For me, mental health starts with movement and music. Running and strength training keep my body strong, counteracting hours at a desk while boosting mood and confidence.
“Long runs build mental endurance too — teaching me to push through challenges in and out of work. Guitar offers another kind of escape. I’ve played since I was 15, sometimes professionally, and it’s something you never truly master.
“Each session connects me to my creative side, my musical heroes, and my friends. It’s therapy, community, and growth all in one — a lifelong adventure in sound.”
Swinging away
Ben Shaw, CEO
“I find golf is a great support to my mental wellbeing. I won’t pretend I don’t find it a hugely frustrating game at times, but it’s wonderful to spend several hours away from home or the office, focused solely on something else.
“It’s a long walk with some challenging tasks along the way, and I enjoy playing both with friends and on my own. The nicest thing about golf and mental wellbeing is that when you’re able to totally empty your mind and concentrate just on hitting the ball, that’s often when you play your best shots.
“There’s also a great parallel between work and golf: the more you put in, the more you get out. Over time, you improve — yet there’s always more to learn.”
A world of cinema
Mariana Santos, Account Director – USA
“I love watching movies — whether at home, at film festivals, or as part of the curatorial team for Chicago’s Brazilian Film Festival, MOSTRA. Even if I don’t always finish a film, I enjoy the experience of seeing the world through the eyes of different characters and cultures.”
Striking the right key
Hannah Kitchener, Associate Director – UK
“Something my colleagues and clients may not know about me is that I play the piano. I’ve never had a lesson, and my technique is probably dreadful, but that doesn’t matter.
“It’s a solo activity I do purely for the joy of it. When our roles at SE10 are so focused on strategic thinking and collaboration, having a space where there’s no objective other than relaxation and experimentation is an important mental reset. It allows me to return to client challenges feeling refreshed and more creative.”
Learning a new skill
Ben Poulten, Creative Designer – UK
“A hobby I’ve been working on is learning shorthand — specifically Gregg notehand. It’s a skill that’s become far less common as digital notetaking has taken over, but as someone who still enjoys writing by hand, I find it both useful and satisfying.
“Shorthand helps me capture ideas quickly in meetings or brainstorming sessions, bridging my love for traditional craft with modern creative work.”
Piece by piece
Jack Porter, Account Manager – UK
“I used to love doing jigsaws as a child, and after a few decades away, it’s something I’ve really enjoyed rediscovering. They require patience and perseverance, but the rewards are worth it.
“My family and I have started sharing puzzles, and they’ve gradually become more challenging. I love wandering into a charity shop to see what someone’s handed in, though you do risk ending up with 999 of 1000 pieces!
“It’s an incredibly satisfying endeavour, to place that last piece and smooth your hand across the flat, completed surface, to reflect on when you poured all the parts onto a table and got cracking. It’s a fun reminder that persistence pays off.”
How our pastimes inform our professional lives
Whether it’s mastering precision at the archery range, finding calm on the golf course, exploring stories through books or film, or creating something new with fabric or music, our hobbies remind us that growth comes from curiosity, balance, and passion.
Do you share any of the SE10 team’s hobbies? Get in touch.
Jack Porter
Account Manager
About the author
Jack is an account manager based in London, UK, who joined SE10 in 2022, assisting with media coverage and campaign management for European accounts. Arriving from a background in sports writing and video content production, thoughtfulness and consideration in presentation, and networking and building strong client relationships are key skills that have transitioned easily into PR. Jack has extensive experience in interviewing knowledgeable subjects and conveying received information to a wider readership in an understandable, relatable tone.
