Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nathalia Coppa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nathalia, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
I think self-care is something that we can’t overlook! For me the first step is to listen to myself and my body, and figure out what it needs from me on that day. Sometimes a good rest and relaxation day will do the trick! Other times it’s doing something that energizes me, like some yoga or going for a walk in nature. I also really enjoy reading, specifically fiction, and that allows me to jump into another world for a bit, which is one of my favorites ways to disconnect!
Sometimes my self-care is allowing myself to step away from my computer and my electronics for a few minutes and just be in silence. This really helps when I’m feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward.
I’ve learned that taking moments for myself is extremely important when it comes to my effectiveness. Burnout is real, and our bodies can only keep pushing for so long before it hits. Learning what helps me in these moments has been a journey, and not everything works for everyone. But I’ve enjoyed implementing some of these habits into my daily life and seeing how I feel more joyful and energized. So when I step back into work I’m usually more open and excited to get things done!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m an actor. Even though I grew up performing, I never thought there would ever come a day where I could say that.
I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember, but the dream of being an artist was very much just a dream for so long. I couldn’t go a day without dancing, singing, and making my parents sit on the couch to watch me perform. I’m incredibly thankful that from the beginning they have always had my back and have encouraged me to go after my dreams.
Being first-gen has often informed how I move through the world. Knowing the sacrifices and struggles my parents went through so I could be here now is something I consistently think about. I think a lot of my ambition has come from that. My parents have always been an example for me, and have showed me that hard work and dedication truly pays off.
Today I’m proud to call myself an actor and to have put in the effort to build an artistic career. I’ve had the opportunity to work on some wonderful projects in theatre and television as well! The best part is always getting to work with some truly amazing artists. I am so excited for the exciting things yet to come!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe three qualities that have been impactful for me on my journey so far have been patience, perseverance, and the willingness to learn! So much of this is easier said than done, and I definitely don’t have all the answers, but this is what has kept me going.
Patience is something I’ve struggled with for a while, and I know I haven’t mastered it yet, but it’s a skill I constantly strive for and acknowledge that it’s an essential for my career as a creative. Things will not happen in the exact way and at the exact time that I want them to, but believing that things will eventually work out for me is a helpful mindset shift. It goes hand-in-hand with perseverance. Reminding myself to be patient helps me preserver. We’ve all heard about the “slow and steady wins the race” concept, and even though this career is not a race, taking things slow and steady will most definitely keep you moving forward. I think both of these qualities are a practice. Not necessarily something you can learn overnight. I think a good way to star implementing these is just reminding yourself of them when you feel stuck and unmotivated. Bringing in your favorite elements of self-care in those moments can also be beneficial.
I really pride myself in my willingness to learn. The ability to admit that you still have room to learn and grow is absolutely essential for me, in any area of my life. As a creative I’ve found that allowing myself to try different methods, classes and skills help me figure out what works for me. Daring to be a beginner and to try something new is an experience that has often helped me get out of ruts and feel more energized within my creativity. I also think that we all learn and process information in different ways and you can only find what works for you if you actually try different things. I’ve found so much growth and joy in taking lots of different types of classes with different teachers, by listening to panels and watching webinars, by reading books and interviews. No need to overwhelm yourself by trying to do this all at once. But having an open mind to learning and being brave enough to do something you’re not immediately good at will already be a step forward no matter the result.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
As I mentioned before, their support has been everything to me. I feel extremely grateful and lucky to have had such amazing encouragement coming from my family. There have many days where I thought I was ready to quit and my family has always motivated me to keep going, but also assured me I would also have their support if I decided to change my mind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nathcoppa
Image Credits
Becca Murray
