How a Lifelong Rower Balances Career and Adventure

For Natalie Giurato, rowing has been part of life for decades — not only as a sport, but as a source of perspective, community and purpose.

“Rivers don’t run straight; they run in curves because of the sediment that runs downstream and shapes them over time,” she said. “The same goes for us: we’re shaped by the people and experiences that come in and out of our lives.”  

Natalie, a Georgia native and senior director of corporate communications at Cox Enterprises, first began rowing at age 11 on the Chattahoochee River. The sport sparked a passion that led her to row and coach at the University of Georgia.

It also fostered lifelong friendships and ultimately brought her together with her husband, fellow rower A.J. Giurato, a senior systems engineer at Cox Automotive.

Even today, rowing continues to shape not only how Natalie approaches teamwork and shared purpose, but also how she pursues adventure, builds community and finds fulfillment outside of work and family life.

Pulling in the same direction 

For Natalie, rowing has always underscored the importance of teamwork and unity. “You all have to work together; you all have to be on the same page,” she said. 

That mindset of pulling together — both literally and figuratively — continues to inspire how she collaborates with others, personally and professionally.

During her time coaching and coxing, Natalie also learned how to guide people with different personalities, strengths and experiences toward a shared goal, while giving them the tools and confidence they needed to succeed.

“I think anyone who’s ever had the honor of coaching others knows how rewarding it is to help people reach a goal they care about,” she said, “especially if you’re able to help them grow into new skills and new places.”

Finding fulfillment beyond the everyday 

While rowing shaped Natalie’s approach to teamwork and leadership, it also represents something more personal: a source of identity and purpose outside of work and family life. 

“I think you have to have different layers to who you are,” Natalie said. “You have to have these little adventures or things that bring different meaning to life outside of just career, outside of just family.”

As a mother of three, Natalie understands how easily work and family responsibilities can consume everyday life. But rowing has continued to provide her with space for adventure, personal growth and connection beyond her daily routines.

That perspective has helped shape not only her time away from work, but also the energy and balance she brings into it. “You can have a better career when you’re fulfilled outside of that career,” she explained.  

Today, rowing continues to take Natalie far from the Chattahoochee River where she first learned the sport.

Driven by a desire to accomplish something extraordinary, Natalie set an ambitious goal: to row in 100 cities around the world. So far, that pursuit has taken her to more than 70 cities worldwide, including roughly half of all the Olympic rowing venues used since 1900.