It is no secret Arrow McLaren has an insane number of superheroes on the team. Are we flying around saving puppies from burning buildings? No. However, we are doing something just as admirable: showing up as our authentic selves.  

This Pride Month, the team is highlighting the importance of being true to yourself. Whether you are at track, work or in your daily routine, we’re proud of who we are.    

Pride is allowing the team to welcome and embrace all of our fans and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES community, and we continue to work to create a safe environment for those to show up as themselves, including employees.  

We talked with members of our team on the importance of being in places where you can be you. Because, racing is for everybody.  

Meet Jody Scott, Director of People, and Cristina Padilla, Senior Specialist Sustainability. 

What does it mean or even look like for you to be able to be yourself?  

Jody: It means everything to work in an environment where I do not have to edit who I am at the front door. This is a work environment that welcomes you for who you are, no questions asked. It makes all the difference to me. 

Cristina: Being myself means feeling comfortable and confident in my own skin, with my own thoughts and in my own company. For me, that starts with self-acceptance and love.  

How do you bring your authentic self to work every day?  

Jody: I’m an open book. I can see the light in an unperfect world, sharing stories about my daughter, my wife and my pup Checkers at work. Just being able to talk about my “whole” family in this racing environment is key! 

Cristina: I’m in a stage in my life where I refuse to be anything other than me. I will not reduce myself or silence my voice to be more palatable for others. I’ve gotten this far in life and earned my spot on this team by being who I am, so that’s what I’ll continue to do every day--at work, at home and in the world.  

What has been the most-challenging aspect about working in racing? And, at the same time, the most-rewarding moment? 

Jody: I’m sure I’ve not had my most-challenging moment yet.  The most-rewarding (moment) is working with some pretty amazing team members and athletes combined that make this team the championship contender it is! 

Cristina: The most-challenging part of working in racing has been the loneliness. I am the only Latina and the only one in my department (Sustainability) at Arrow McLaren. For some time, I was also the only sustainability professional working for an NTT INDYCAR SERIES team. That has been a first in my career. It’s difficult to have no one that fully understands the struggles, that can commiserate in the setbacks or even to share in the victories. It’s especially difficult to be a team of one in a work setting that is all about teamwork and camaraderie.  

On the other hand, the most-rewarding moments are when I’m reminded that I am a part of something bigger than myself. When I see Latinos at the races, waving Mexican flags and cheering for our team, I’m immediately uplifted. It feels like a merging of two separate aspects of my life. It makes me proud that Arrow McLaren has this special connection to the Mexican community and even more so that I get to be a part of it.  

Who do you look up to or are proud of when it comes to being authentic? 

Jody: I can think of many; however, one person this team knows well is Gavin Ward. He brings his authentic self to this job every day, and that’s the kind of leader I want to work for. 

Cristina: I admire the female leaders on our team and in all of motorsport. It already takes an immense amount of courage and strength to take leadership but especially in a male-dominated industry. It’s indescribably difficult to be the only person in the room who looks like you, whether that be gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. Then to do that authentically… to me, that is superhero status. Authentic representation is so, so important to me and those who I hope to follow in their footsteps.  

What is your favorite way to practice self-care? 

Jody: A good workout (or row on the water), followed by a shower and a cold beer! 

Cristina: I love to practice self-care by simply spending time at home. Whether I’m gardening, reading, walking my dog around the neighborhood, I’m with family or alone. It grounds me and restores my energy to spend time where I feel most safe, comfortable and loved.  

What positive affirmation would you give to those out there who may be struggling with their self-confidence and self-love? 

Jody: Look at yourself in the mirror and say, “You’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like you!” I’m kidding, if you know the SNL skit, but it does ring true and could be a bit of a motivator! 

Cristina: I would remind them that they are already enough – just as they are. You don’t need to accomplish X, or buy Y, or do Z in order to be worthy. You are already worthy of love, worthy of safety and worthy of happiness.  

Loving yourself in a world like today can at times be (let’s be honest) hard. Being yourself in environments where you don’t feel comfortable is hard. Just showing up can be hard.  

But we all can have a little more Pride in our life. Remember you are enough; you deserve to take up space and you are celebrated here.