Name: Taffita (Taffi) Schurz
Nickname on the boards: Taffi
Member Since: January 2011
Occupation: Vice President, for the best eDiscovery company in the world, LDiscovery, LLC. (shameless plug)
Words to live by: The only time you look in your neighbor’s bowl is to make sure that they have enough. –Louis C.K.
And from two of the most influential leaders I know, who perfectly encapsulate how to live:
Keep smiling out there. –Nelson Bagnardi
Stay humble. –Chris Weiler
Favorite quote: I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass…and I’m all out of bubblegum. –From the great Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Favorite movies: The Godfather, Jaws, Gone with the Wind, Blues Brothers, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the old-school version).
Favorite food: My favorite meal is my Grandpa Fritz’s, and now my mom’s, version of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and milk gravy. Hands down, the best food on the planet. My other vices include donuts and anything with dark chocolate. Since joining CF I’ve gotten on the clean-eating train, but I still enjoy the occasional cheat meal.
Favorite music or artist: When I’m not celebrating the entire catalog of 80s music a person can get their hands on, I’m likely listening to hip hop. Let me know if you would like me to serenade you to the tune of Digital Underground’s Humpty Dance.
Favorite sport or activity: Crossfit of course! It’s changed my life. I’ve never felt better and in addition to lifting heavy shit, I’ve met the most amazing people who inspire me every day. Shout outs to Sheena, Rene, Julie, Copper, Ingrid, Mary, Nancy, Super G, and Kristen. What a bunch of badass women. Too many names to list you all!
Sport or activity that you are training for: Life. I need to be able to keep up with The Dictator.
Goals
Personal: I’m a worrier. I’m working hard to cut that nonsense out and to live life in the moment.
Professional: I’ve got my eyes set on a couple of tech certs. You know who you are Information Security…
Athletic: Thanks to the Strong Program with Justin, and Stack’d with Dan and Sheena, I finally conquered strict pull-ups. Now I’d like to start kipping more than a couple at a time. I also just started one-on-one coaching with Sheena and she is molding me into the athlete I’d like to be…which is someone who can rock n’ roll better HSPs and OHSs. I cannot thank the coaches enough for their support over the years.
I am passionate about:
My son, The Dictator (common theme here huh) - He’s my world and I want to make him proud every day.
Cooking and baking – Thank you mom for cleaning up all my messes and letting me lick the spoons every time. The kitchen is my Zen palace.
Advancing women in the Tech field - I have the privilege of serving as the Chapter President for Chicago’s Women in eDiscovery Board. It’s a wonderful way to bring exceptional women together to learn, grow professionally, and become a driving force of change.
Name some things we don’t know about you:
I used to be a cheerleader. No joke.
I broke my collar bone and thumb at the same time. How you ask? See point one. The girls threw me in the air and forgot to catch me on my way back down.
I was a lifeguard for five years while working at a resort and summer camp. Having a swimsuit as your uniform every day is pretty spectacular.
I play the trumpet and piano. My trumpet is one of my prized possessions. My father played it and before him, his cousin.
I was a jazz DJ for part of my college career. It was absolutely terrifying and I loved it.
Adventure you are planning: I’m taking my mom to Maui in May, and I cannot wait to show her my favorite island. We are also planning a full family vacation to Mexico for my dad’s birthday next February. This will be the first time he ventures out of the USA. Don’t worry Paps, the margaritas will calm your nerves.