Feel the fear and do it anyway
-Jillian Michaels
You’ll find me on camera, over the radio and at live events covering sport and children’s entertainment. I’m not picky about the sport itself, as long as it includes skill, inspirational stories, a bit of drama and competition- I’m in!
I’m open, I’m honest and I do a seriously good interview.
I’d love to pretend that I’m so chill and unbothered, breezing my way into the career I want, but the truth is that I’m somebody that tries really hard and doesn’t give up. The ambition started after I survived childhood cancer, an experience that has completely shaped by mindset and driven me to start the charity Kids’ Village, outside of my presenting work.
Acting was my first target, the love of a bit of attention and a microphone has been a long stay, and I was desperate to be in professional shows. I would sit at the kitchen table, aged 10, and nervously phone local theatres asking if there were any auditions. It all paid off when I got my first part, still wearing a wig after cancer treatment. I achieved my goal of getting into drama school for university but finished a 3-year acting degree knowing it wasn’t quite for me.
If I was on a top trumps card, my sporting ability might be a 4 at best. I grew up in a family of immense physical talent, my dad was a semi-professional footballer, my mum excelled at everything, and my sisters are a British Champion gymnast and Professional Dancer respectively and I even married a Cricketer.
I’ve always loved sport, forced my way in, was netball captain when really I had no business even being in the team but now I’ve found my role in a world I love. If you’ve read this far, you won’t be surprised to know that after being turned down twice, I turned up and convinced the boss to give me my first role at BBC Radio Derby…
In Sport, it's the people and their stories that capture me and that pre-game feeling of possibility, where non of us know what is going to happen to all of these athletes that have worked tireless for the same thing, that really seals the deal.
Children’s entertainment has been a fun surprise, that makes a lot of sense in connection with my charity Kids’ Village. The imagination, silliness and heart is right up my street and there’s nothing better than making everything special and seeing the world through a child’s eyes.
It’s been a wiggly journey to where I am now, I’ve been a producer, a writer and even a kids ballet teacher but all these things make me pretty brilliant at what I do now, even if I do say so myself. Which I do.
You’ll find me…
…At home in Lichfield with my husband and dog Willow, the centre of the country and my personal universe.
…On the terrace at my local cricket club or living the dream, being paid to work at the football on Saturdays.
…Training for a wild challenge, I’ve not given enough thought to, like cycling Costa Rica, running a half marathon or climbing Kilimanjaro.
Personal profiles:
ENFJ: The Coach
Kolbe: 4-2-9-5.
Strengths Finder: Competition, Significance, Communication, Achiever, Strategic.
Insights Discovery colours: Yellow/Red