861: From Pro Athlete to Data Engineer: Colleen Fotsch’s Inspiring Journey
Feb 11, 2025
auto_awesome
Colleen Fotsch, a former professional athlete turned Data Platform Senior Technical Manager at CHG Healthcare, shares her inspiring transition from swimming and CrossFit to the data analytics field. She discusses how her competitive mindset shaped her success, her innovative program merging fitness with data analytics for busy professionals, and the importance of mentorship in her career journey. Colleen also delves into the role of analytics engineering, emphasizing its significance as a bridge between data engineering and analysis.
Colleen Fotsch's transition from elite sports to data engineering showcases the importance of a competitive mindset in achieving career success.
The integration of physical fitness into daily routines can significantly enhance focus and productivity for data professionals.
Colleen highlights the value of mastering SQL and data visualization tools for career advancement in the dynamic field of analytics engineering.
Using modern tools like DBT and Sigma facilitates effective data collaboration, empowering teams to make informed data-driven decisions.
Deep dives
Journey from Athlete to Data Engineer
Colleen Fotch shares her incredible journey from being a collegiate swimmer and CrossFit athlete to becoming a data engineer. She won national championships and set an American record in swimming, followed by competing twice in the CrossFit Games. After an injury ended her Olympic dream in bobsledding, she utilized her parallel studies in data analytics to transition into a full-time role as a data analyst. This transition highlighted her determination to succeed in data analytics, paralleling her competitive sports mindset.
The Connection Between Sports and Data Success
Colleen discusses how the competitive mindset developed through sports translates into success in the data field. Her experience in striving for excellence in athletics equips her with proven strategies for pursuing job opportunities in analytics. She overcame self-doubt regarding coding abilities, realizing that perseverance in training contributed to overcoming technical challenges. This connection emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, reinforcing that the skills required for sports success are also applicable in the data profession.
The Importance of Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is presented as a vital component for desk-bound professionals, providing both physical and mental health benefits. Colleen expresses the significant improvements she experienced in focus and productivity after integrating exercise into her weekly routine. She shares tips for developing consistent exercise habits, emphasizing that even small movements, such as walking or short workouts, can make a big difference. This highlights the necessity of maintaining an active lifestyle to enhance job performance and overall well-being.
Career Progression in Data Analytics
Colleen narrates her career progression within data analytics and engineering, starting from her role as a data analyst at Homey. She highlights the importance of investing time in learning SQL, data visualization tools like Tableau, and understanding data engineering processes. As she developed her skills, she transitioned to an analytics engineering role, allowing her to work closely with stakeholders and contribute to critical modeling processes. This career evolution sheds light on the dynamic nature of data roles and opportunities for professional growth.
Utilizing Data Tools and Technologies
Colleen highlights her experience using DBT (data build tool) and Sigma for data modeling and visualization. DBT allows users to build and document their data models while implementing business logic, enhancing data consistency across various teams. Sigma's user-friendly interface is beneficial for stakeholders familiar with Excel, enabling seamless data interaction. These tools exemplify how modern data technologies streamline collaboration, improve analytics workflows, and empower teams to make data-driven decisions.
Creating the Proven Go Program
In collaboration with Tia Claire Toomey's Proven company, Colleen creates a workout program called Proven Go, aimed at busy professionals. This program emphasizes functional fitness with minimal equipment requirements, promoting sustainable exercise habits. By distilling her passion for fitness into accessible workouts, she seeks to help others maintain their health and well-being despite their demanding schedules. The initiative not only highlights the intersection of her athletic background and data career but also emphasizes the importance of fitness in personal productivity.
The Broader Impact of Fitness on Careers
Colleen emphasizes the positive correlation between exercise and career productivity, arguing that regular physical activity can greatly enhance concentration, motivation, and overall job performance. She advocates for a balanced lifestyle where fitness is integrated into daily routines, allowing professionals to be their best selves at work. By sharing practical tips on manageable workout routines and encouraging an active lifestyle, she underscores the significance of prioritizing fitness for long-term success. Her insights provide a roadmap for busy individuals striving to achieve a balance between work and health.
How does a CrossFit winner, bobsledder and swimmer go on to have a glittering career in data analytics and engineering? Colleen Fotsch talks to Jon Krohn about transitioning into very different career paths, how sports gave her the competitive mindset she needed for success in data science, and seeing the niche role of analytics engineering as a bridge between data engineering and analysis.
Interested in sponsoring a SuperDataScience Podcast episode? Email natalie@superdatascience.com for sponsorship information.
In this episode you will learn:
(05:49) Colleen’s path from athlete to data analyst
(1:14:41) About the data build tool (DBT)
(1:22:51) Colleen’s work at CHG Healthcare
(1:32:45) How Colleen and Tia-Clair got started with PRVN GO
