Natalie Cook, the 436th person I’ve met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, helps create conditions that allow others to thrive, in both her personal and professional life.

Nat has had the privilege of being a mum to biological, adopted and foster children, some of whom have had to deal with severe trauma. She provides love and safety for her children, while giving them the tools they need to live happy lives.

Nat also owns a consultancy, Blue Sky Mastery, which helps business leaders and executives discover their why, get clear on their goals, and create plans to achieve significant progress in just 90 days.

All of us, for better or worse, are shaped by our childhoods. Nat grew up in an entrepreneurial family, which is why she’s always had ambitious personal, financial and career goals. She also experienced a period of homelessness when she was 14, which is why she feels compelled to help vulnerable children.

Some people are very analytical; others are guided by their emotions; but what struck me about Nat is how impressive she is at both an intellectual and emotional level. Nat is a very methodical person who knows all her numbers; she’s also empathetic and relationship-centred. So her head and heart work in harmony.

That explains Nat’s latest venture, called Chat with Nat, which involves Nat meeting people from her network, so she can learn from them and get to know them better.