Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Alexandria.
Julie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I moved to New York City with two suitcases and a dream to make it on Broadway. A few years later, I found myself hosting the New Year’s Eve ball drop, live in Times Square for MTV. After years of working as an entertainment host, and theater actor, I found my way onto the sidelines of College Football and Major League Baseball. The New York Mets gave me my first job as a host of their weekly magazine show. From there, I covered College Football for FOX, Sports Illustrated and the Big Ten Network. I hosted content and interviewed players and celebrities on red carpets and pre-game. From the Emmys to the U.S Open; I did it all. New York was my home for nearly fifteen years when I got the call to join the San Diego Padres broadcast team on FSSD. I was excited about the opportunity but saw it more as just a “summer job”; intending to return to the Big Apple to continue on my path in front of the camera. It was here in San Diego, during that Padre’s summer, that I met my now husband, who convinced me to stay. Four years, a marriage and a baby later – here I am: still hosting, writing, podcasting, and mom-ing.. just with better weather.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The most difficult decision, albeit a lucky one – was to follow my heart and “settle down” as so many do; in a place that did not offer the same opportunity as a major market like New York or LA. I had worked my whole life for my career. My likeness adorned billboards and city busses in New York. The work was in New York. Commuting to LA was not a viable option, so the only way I could keep my career going while concentrating on starting a family and building a life with my partner as if I created the opportunities myself. It took a couple of years – and a lot of “Thanks, but no thanks” as I peddle my video content production and hosting services to San Diego companies. I wanted so badly to host, but the grind of a sports season was too much time away, and would not have afforded me the goal of planting roots in America’s Finest City.
I took on a few jobs here and there – from working with the San Diego Tourism Authority to hosting a lifestyle show on CBS San Diego called “This is SD”; now in season 2. But it wasn’t until the wonderful folks at La Vida Baseball gave them the opportunity I had only dreamed of: hosting live, daily sports and entertainment show – from my own home! Perhaps I just needed technology to catch up to my goals, or perhaps it was being in the right place at the right time. Whatever it was, I am so proud to be doing the work that I love for an amazing outlet that is not only socially conscious but talks about Baseball in innovative and creative ways. LaVidaBaseball.com is all about creating content for Latino Baseball fans; with four hours of live streaming content a day, five days a week. With baseball employing more Latino players than ever before – there is a deficit in how we tell those players stories, share their (often trying) journeys to the Big Leagues; as well as shine a spotlight on the cultural impact these players have on their teams and the fans.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
With the ability to build a home studio in my home office, I can create content for the live streaming “La Vida Baseball Live!” as well as host a Podcast called “Do Tell Mama” Sponsored by Providence Saint Joseph Health which focuses on pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. It can be found on www.dashradio.com, on the future of health channel.
I’ve also been able to leverage my new found motherhood role in being a brand ambassador for numerous companies on social media. I also create video content for these companies to air across their social media platforms. My son, Kingston just recently turned one and It has certainly been a bit of a balancing act, but one that I welcome, as my new found role has truly informed the content I create.
All businesses need content it’s a fact, but many don’t know how to go about producing it. That is where I excel, with over ten years in the TV/Online content business. I understand how to generate meaningful content engagingly with or without an on camera host!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is always a moving target. Once I have achieved what I had set my mind to – I say: “Great, did it, now let’s move on to the next”. I also believe in refining what your goals are because they can change over time, and that’s ok too. I used to think that women who left the entertainment business to start a family were deserting their careers. I saw it as just another opportunity for me to jam myself into whatever job they left vacant. It wasn’t until I had met the right person, and felt truly ready (No false alarms here) that I realized what they had known all along. What matters. It took me a long time to put relationships and people I love before my work, but in that, I found a sense of freedom and strength. In baseball, they have a saying “Don’t live and die by every pitch”; which to me meant – stop predicting all of your self worth on the jobs you book. It’s safe to say that success looks very different to me now, as a wife & mother. I used to base success upon how many networks I worked for, how many big names and marquee events I interviewed & attended, and to a certain extent – how big of a personality I could become. My view has changed in that – I see success as how content you are at the end of the day. Knowing I wouldn’t trade it and feeling that quiet calm was my first cue I was onto something good.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.juliealexandria.com
- Instagram: @juliealexandria00
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.alexandria/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieAlexandria
Image Credit:
Rich Soublet Photography
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
