Modern software teams chase speed and features, yet fatigue and poor communication still derail delivery. Quality appears as a human practice, not a toolchain. Simple rituals help: three slow breaths before meetings, a single word to set intent, coffee time without work talk, and a sleep on it rule for tough feedback. Such habits lowered stress and improved focus, even during a fintech rollout across 16 countries with no sick leave. Rested teams detect risks sooner, collaborate with respect, and ship saner code. The lesson is practical and urgent. Protect energy, model calm, and let small routines anchor agility and trust.
In this episode, I talk with Clara Ramos González about how self-care can raise quality and agility. We look at why communication failure still breaks projects and how breath can fix more than tools. Clara blends QA leadership with yoga and brings simple rituals to teams. Three deep breaths to open meetings. One word to set intention. Weekly coffee talks without work. A feedback rule to sleep on it. The message is clear. Bring your whole self. Lead by example. Small steps cut stress and help us build better software and healthier teams.
"So we need to start thinking about work in a complete, holistic, integral way. Because we are integral people. We cannot be split out and having different personalities and having different faces. And that takes a lot of energy to be sustained, you know." - Clara Ramos González
Clara is a Senior QA Manager specializing in guiding companies through their Digital Transformation. As a certified Manager, she provides Workshops for IT Leaders and Teams to elevate the team potential and engagement, and as a passionate advocate for Quality Assurance, she regularly speaks at various IT conferences, being a proud ambassador for the strongest brands in the industry. Clara shows she is a Yoga teacher and dedicated meditator, in one of her workshops: "Balancing Code with Calm: A guide to thrive at work and personal life", aiming to integrate daily work with spiritual growth, promoting a holistic approach to reduce stress and increase team satisfaction.
Mental health in the software industry often takes a back seat to deadlines, deliverables, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. In the recent episode of “Software Testing Unleashed,” podcast host Richie and guest Clara Ramos Gonzalez explore how traditional attitudes—like keeping personal and work selves separate—are hurting not only team wellbeing but also project outcomes.
Through her dual expertise as a senior QA manager and yoga teacher, Clara brings a refreshing perspective: “How can you be productive if you are not feeling well?” She points out that ignoring mental health isn’t just outdated, it’s unsustainable. IT professionals regularly report high levels of stress and fatigue, with studies consistently citing communication failures as the number one reason for project breakdowns. Clara advocates viewing ourselves as whole people at work, not just resources, and for leaders to embrace a more holistic approach.
Clara shares that the customary division between work and private life is a myth. “I cannot split it out. We need to start thinking about work in a complete, holistic, integral way,” she insists. Attempting to put on a work ‘mask’ and leave the personal self at the door only drains energy and stifles authenticity.
Richie brings up the Apple TV series “Severance,” which imagines a literal split between work and personal selves—and the disastrous consequences that follow. Instead of compartmentalization, Clara encourages us to show up every day as our full selves and connect meaningfully with teammates. The shift she advocates isn’t just about feeling good; it directly enhances communication, trust, and engagement, which are critical for high-functioning teams.
Clara’s methods for creating healthier teams are refreshingly simple—and proven effective even in high-pressure projects. She describes implementing weekly “coffee talks” where work topics are strictly off-limits. These casual meetings help build genuine relationships, with team members celebrating birthdays, sharing personal milestones, and getting to know one another beyond their roles.
She also introduced a unique twist on daily standups. Each meeting begins with deep breathing—just three mindful breaths to welcome calm and focus. Clara then invites the team to set a “one word” intention for the day: trust, communication, fun, or whatever they feel will guide their collaboration. Over time, these rituals have led her teams to remarkable results, with reduced stress and not a single sick day over the past two years.
Clara, a certified yoga teacher, brings ancient breathing techniques into the modern workplace. She explains “pranayama,” which are yoga breathing exercises designed to energize, calm, or cool the body. The standard three breaths before meetings are intended to bring focus and a sense of groundedness. For moments of high stress, she teaches “sitali pranayama,” a cooling breath used to lower anxiety and even blood pressure. These exercises, she says, take only minutes but help regulate emotions, prevent burnout, and foster a healthier environment.
Even team members who were hesitant at first have come to appreciate these rituals. Clara emphasizes that leaders set the tone by modeling these techniques, reinforcing that one minute of self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Clara leaves listeners with four actionable takeaways:
Coffee Talks: Weekly team chats without any work talk to build trust and rapport.
Reflective Feedback: Team members must wait a day before responding to feedback, fostering open-mindedness and thoughtful reflection.
Daily Intentions: Start each meeting with deep breaths and one word to guide the team’s focus and behavior.
Be Your Whole Self: Drop the act—bring your entire, authentic self to work, and encourage others to do the same.
Mental health isn’t a luxury or a side project—it’s the foundation of quality work. As Clara and Richie demonstrate, integrating mindfulness and authentic connection into daily team life leads not only to happier people, but also to more resilient, productive, and innovative teams. Whether you’re an individual contributor or a team lead, start with small steps: deeper breaths, honest conversations, and a commitment to self-care.