2019: The Year of Change

Without a doubt, 2019 has been one of the best years of my life. I truly hope I am not jinxing myself by saying that as there is still about 48 hours left until the decade comes to an end.

Many of you already know this, but in June of this year, I made a life-changing decision to start a new career. At age 46, I left the news anchor desk for life in marketing. It was a move I’d been contemplating for several years and finally, in late 2018 the stars aligned and I started working part-time at Idea Creative Marketing. Things worked out well on that interim basis and by early 2019 I had been offered a full-time gig.

The decision wasn’t made lightly. I spent more than 20 years in the news business and 15 and a half at WSIL. However, the hours were weighing on me. Getting up at midnight two nights a week and 1:30 a.m. the other three was not the glamorous side of the news biz. Everyone sees the fun stuff on air but few know the rigorous involved in the industry. Working holidays, weekends, overnights. Missing weddings, family gatherings and other events are part of the news reality. I will add that my last day there was the most love I’ve ever felt. Former and current colleagues, family, friends and viewers heaped loads of praise (mostly undeserved) upon me. It was an amazing feeling.

I’m not complaining. It’s the life I chose. And when the time was right, I chose to leave the industry. Besides getting married in 1997, I can say it was the best decision I’ve ever made. My sleep has improved. I have more time to spend with my family. I don’t dread Mondays or countdown to Fridays anymore. I love my job, my coworkers and our clients.

The other highlight of 2019 for me was stepping back into the wrestling ring. As silly as it may sound to some, I LOVE pro wrestling. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d have a chance to actually wrestle. But I did in 2012. That one time was enough but I really wanted to do it again. In 2018 that happened and I honestly thought that would be it. However, Tyler Hatton, owner of Stride Pro Wrestling, gave me another opportunity.

Not only did we team up together we also won the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team titles. I know I had no business being in there, again I’m 46 and have never put in the work to train as the others in the business have. However, I’m more than grateful for the opportunity.

I wanted 2019 to also be the year that I land a TV wrestling gig as an announcer, commentator or interviewer. Admittedly, I didn’t do much to pursue this dream so I’m transferring that to a 2020 goal. With so many great companies out there an on TV or online, I am going to continue to work to make that happen. Of course, Stride is my home and I will never walk away from it. We’re working on plenty of big opportunities here as well.

So stay tuned. If 2020 is half as fun as 2019 was for me, it’s going to be amazing. Thank you to everyone who has followed and supported me on TV and now in my new role as Digital Marketing Manager. (Cheap plug, if you need a marketing agency, check us out online here or call 618-529-0969.)