April 4, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andy Seeley
UCFAthletics.com
Varsity Knight Natalie Braddock has been performing for most of her life. Although most of those performances were in an athletic venue, Braddock now spends many of her days at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as a performer. She holds an undergraduate degree in Education from UCF (2009) and a master's from UCF in Teacher Leadership with a specialization in Gifted Education. Braddock is putting those degrees in education to good use as a teaching assistant with Florida Virtual School.
We caught up to Braddock recently and spoke with her about her starring role at Magic Kingdom, her career in education, her time at UCF, her continued support of the Knights and other topics.
UCF Athletics: I understand you're a performer at Disney World. What can you tell us about that and how you got started there?
Natalie Braddock: I've worked at Disney World for two-and-a-half years, since October of 2010. I am a performer there. I went through an audition process and was chosen for my particular part.
| When she's not performing at Disney World, Braddock enjoys hanging out with her buddy Duke. |
UCF Athletics: You had to be ready to perform every day as a track and field athlete. How does that translate to being ready to perform in your role at Disney World?
Natalie Braddock: Being an athlete, you have to wake up every day and be prepared, no matter what you feel like, to go outside and give 110 percent at every practice or meet I've ever been at. It's kind of like in this job, too. When I go to work as a performer, I have to know that if I'm tired or having a great day, I have to give the same 110 percent. Because that's what guests would expect and what they deserve when they come to Disney.
UCF Athletics: Holding an education degree, I would think interaction with young people every day at Disney would be a rewarding experience.
Natalie Braddock: It's the most rewarding job, probably in the world, hands down. Every day is something different and more special. The smiles that we get to see every day from guests and the interactions as a performer that I get to witness and be around is just magical. It's just a dream come true to work at Disney as a performer, where I impact children's lives every day.
UCF Athletics.com: And you're fortunate, because you have two jobs where you get to impact young people's lives.
Natalie Braddock: You always have to be their (the students) cheerleader and support and encourage them to help them and make them realize that you can do this, you can finish this class or this assignment. You have to encourage them along. I talk to students about college and how amazing UCF was. I have talked to girls and guys who are in athletics and they will tell me they are practicing every day after school for football or track. I can tell them I ran track in high school as well and took part in a lot of other sports, as well. I have also told them that I got a scholarship at UCF and I ran at UCF. I think that helps them realize 'I can do this. I can go to college and play a sport and graduate.' It helps them see that this really does happen. I think it's important for me to tell them stories like that to maybe help push them or encourage them to do their best.
| Natalie Braddock on the track for the Knights back in 2007. |
UCFAthletics.com: How did your time at UCF prepare you for your future and your career?
Natalie Braddock: I think track had a lot to do with it, because it helped me learn about discipline and time management. We always had practice at a certain time and we had to be prepared to go to practice and leave exhausted, but still have enough energy to go to class, do homework and keep everything together. That prepares you for the real world, the hard work and discipline it's going to take to get a job and keep it.
UCFAthletics.com: Wow did your academic career help prepare you for your position with Florida Virtual School?
Natalie Braddock: The education department was great. I was in the STEP (Supporting Teacher Education Pre-professionals) Program when I was a freshman. It was a group of us who came in as freshmen together and we had the same classes through the first couple years and the same advisor. So they helped us, made us feel comfortable. Also, with UCF having a rule that you have to take and pass all your certification tests to be a teacher before you graduate. I think that was real important, too. It helped get your mind set straight, like 'Hey, I'm going to take this test to be a teacher when I graduate in six months.
UCFAthletics.com: How often do you get out to UCF and cheer on the Knights?
Natalie Braddock: I go to most of the football games. I have season tickets and my family always comes to them as well. When there is a home track meet, I love to go to those. I just sit out there and I can watch that all day. Seeing the athletes running, it's bittersweet because I wish I could still be out there running. I run on my own, but it still isn't the same as having a coach out there pushing you. I also really enjoy going to the basketball and baseball games. I'm definitely still involved.
UCFAthletics.com: How proud are you of what the track and field program has accomplished, with UCF's first-ever NCAA Champion and a fifth-place finish at indoor nationals?
Natalie Braddock: It's very exciting. I love to hear UCF in the news and hear people say positive things about our athletic program, because it's great seeing UCF Athletics succeed. Our freshman year was when the football team turned it around and went from a 0-11 record to winning a (division) title. Since then, the last few years, things have grown tremendously. We're getting some of the best, top athletes in recruiting. We're on the map. I'm really proud and it's in all areas, not just track. But for track, that's awesome. It has grown a lot and we have some great coaches. It's very exciting to see. I couldn't be more proud to say that I'm a UCF Knight.
This is the first installment of Varsity Knights Q&A, which will be a regular feature here on UCFAthletics.com.
If you're a Varsity Knight with an interesting story (or if you know one), please share your story with us for possible inclusion in a future Varsity Knights Q&A. Send us an email at aseeley@athletics.ucf.edu. Charge On!