Meet Jenny Anchondo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Anchondo.

Jenny, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
What a whirlwind! I’ve been in broadcasting for more than 15 years! I got my start while I was still in college at the University of Idaho. While getting my Journalism and Mass Media degree, I became the News Director of our college radio station, then got a job reporting on the local city council meetings at an AM radio station.

I most certainly didn’t have ANY connections in the TV news business and really didn’t know what I was getting into. However, I was absolutely determined to make it happen.

I actually got my first job in TV by driving around the country and dropping off VHS tapes of my work and asking to meet with management. I finally found someone willing to give me a shot at the NBC station in Yakima, Washington. I started as a producer and writer. Then, I worked my way up to a position as a reporter and evening anchor.

From there, I went on to anchor mornings for CBS in Tucson, Arizona and for Fox in Indianapolis, Indiana. I arrived in Dallas for a job as an anchor and reporter for Fox more than five years ago. I always had a dream of working for a national show and I got to check that box when I worked as a host for Morning Dose, which was a syndicated morning show based in Dallas.

Along the way, I got married to my remarkable husband, Heath Oakes. Our daughter, Brighton Valentina is now 19 months old. Heath is a sales manager, entrepreneur, and author of the book Ignorance on Fire. A couple of years ago, he started a podcast called Second Shot. It is a podcast focussed on inspiration, motivation and upleveling your game in life, business and family. Over the years, I’ve become SUCH a fan of podcasts for their flexibility and ease of content consumption. As the broadcasting industry has changed — I’ve realized this is really the future in terms of how audiences will be connecting to hosts, brands, and information. I’m happy to announce that I’m now joining Heath as a co-host on the Second Shot podcast!

In addition to that, I also work as a host, speaker, media coach and blogger for my positivity-based website, www.jennyanchondo.com.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Is any successful road smooth? The ups and downs are what allow you to climb back up with the wisdom you gained along the way.

I lost count, but I probably sent out 100 VHS tapes before getting a job. Once I got the job, I wasn’t even reporting and anchoring. I was preparing a show for another anchor. In order to report, I had to learn how to shoot video, edit video and put an entire show together. I worked a minimum of 12 hours a day so I could produce the show and also work on my reporting skills and prove myself. It isn’t sustainable long-term but it was a way to learn the skills I needed to excel and get my next job.

In the beginning, my broadcasting voice was harshly criticized. I kept hearing that I sounded too young. I couldn’t afford a voice coach (that first job paid $18,000/year), so I found a voice coach and offered to edit her website. She let me into her online voice coaching portal in exchange for web editing. I religiously followed her program and spent an hour a day studying it for FIVE years. I still do the vocal exercises to this day!

Each job move and an amazing job has been preceded by rejection. But, I always had faith that the right thing would come along and it did!

Please tell us about the Second Shot Podcast.
On the Second Shot podcast, we feature two new headlines each week and take a look at the life and business lessons we can glean from them. We are not political. But we are spicy! We have a goal of making you think deeper about the way you’re crafting your life and the way you’re conducting your day to day affairs. Our goal is that you leave inspired, entertained and uplifted. A lot of podcasts aren’t family friendly but ours is. We really think that “what goes in your ears goes out your mouth” and that you have to be infusing positive content into your day in order to succeed.

As far as anchoring and hosting goes — I do it ALL! I host live tv events and shows, red carpets, etc.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Only as an adult, and now a mother myself, can I fully understand how special this memory is. When I was nine years old, my brother and I were able to be in the delivery room when our youngest brother was born. I recall it so clearly. The anticipation of this new family member, the excitement of meeting him for the first time and the remarkable way my mother delivered him while still attending to my brother and me.

I remember thinking she was so strong, maternal and beautiful all at once. She did this all without medication and despite the fact that doctors had told her she wouldn’t be able to have any children after she had me. I recollect this being a true example of defying the odds!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jennyanchondo.com
• Email: secondshotcast@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennyanchondo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennyanchondo
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/jennyanchondotv
• Other: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/second-shot-with-heath-oakes-and-jenny-anchondo/id1202052472?mt=2

Image Credit:
Sarah Anna Hansen (In Second Shot logo photo)

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