Throughout 2025, Taboolars have been reflecting on what performance means to them in and out of the workplace. Across the globe, we’ve seen how talents and hobbies, from running and cooking to music and dancing, help impact the work and daily experiences of Taboolars as they grow their careers here.

The same is certainly true for Karen Lopez, LATAM’s Senior Marketing Manager. She credits Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) as a mentor in personal strength, discipline, and resilience. As she trains toward her purple belt, Karen shares how BJJ is her secret weapon for tackling unique marketing challenges and advancing her career at Taboola.

What inspired you to explore the sport of Jiu-Jitsu?

After my dad passed away, I initially turned to running as an outlet, but I quickly realized it wasn’t leaving me feeling motivated. My brother and my husband, a black belt and a brown belt, respectively, inspired me to trade running for training with them.  They had developed incredibly strong mindsets through the sport, and I was instantly drawn to the focus required. When I was on the mat, my mind would go silent. When I was training, instead of constantly thinking about my dad, I was completely focused on learning the techniques and studying how people were moving. It became a life-changing form of therapy and continues to be a staple for my mental health.

How has Jiu-Jitsu impacted your work at Taboola?

BJJ has been vital in continuously shaping the same strategic and analytical skills I use every day in my role here. As a marketing manager, I’m a strategic bridge between our sales team and clients by using data and out-of-the-box thinking to drive client conversions and solve core business challenges. So, when I think about practicing BJJ, it’s much more than a sport or a martial art. When I step on the mat, I’m training for the exact mindset I’ve learned to apply to my job:

1. Technique and consistency over strength: What makes Taboola powerful is not brute force; it’s our precision, persistence, and ability to deliver consistent results. Through BJJ, I’ve learned that success isn’t about raw strength; it’s about technique and the dedication to apply it consistently, sort of like building out strategic marketing strategies.
2. Keeping composure under pressure: On the mat, you learn to stay calm under pressure, analyze complex situations in seconds, and make smart decisions even when at a disadvantage. That mindset has translated directly into my professional life: staying composed, assessing situations with clarity, and making thoughtful, data-driven decisions.

Describe a marketing strategy you’ve worked on where you applied lessons from Jiu-Jitsu.

I’d compare my training directly to launching Realize, Taboola’s new performance marketing platform. Just as competing in BJJ requires strategic planning, launching Realize did too. My team and I had to examine our markets, analyze the impact of performance, and think resourcefully to execute the entire campaign.

Performance is a huge part of both worlds. Through BJJ, I’ve learned that top performance doesn’t come from pushing harder; it comes from being strategic, disciplined, and patient. I’ve learned to trust my knowledge and the training I’ve diligently completed. This is what Taboola is all about: continuous learning, reinvention, and finding new ways to reach our goals by making small improvements every day. Staying calm when things get tough and trusting the process are essential in our culture and success, especially as we continue to grow and evolve in the performance marketing space.

How have your fellow Taboolars supported you on your Ju Jitsu journey?

My team is really active and values sports and fitness, so they understand the discipline and commitment it takes. During the months I was preparing for my competition, my team was amazing, constantly motivating me, checking in on my progress, and acting as a sounding board whenever I had doubts or fears.

In LatinX culture, we often share cafecitos (little coffees), a way to pause the workday and connect over coffee and pastries. During our team’s cafecitos, when I needed to be on a specific dietary plan, my team accommodated my needs and picked healthy spots so I’d feel included. They are the best!

What advice would you offer to those considering a career at Taboola?

Everyone develops transferable skills from their hobbies, so lean into your passions! Training in BJJ has helped me perform better at my job and refine my soft skills, and Taboola genuinely values bringing those skills and talents into the workplace. Throughout my four years here, I’ve found that they care about people as both employees and individuals, so be confident in showcasing the whole you, hobbies and passions included.

To learn more about why we are consistently ranked as a great place to work, check out the Taboola Life blog.  Visit our careers page and realize your potential with #TaboolaLife.