Originally destined for a career in print, 27-year-old Sarah Davis fell in love with broadcast in Hollywood and is now a go-to source for combat sports news on the Fight Network. What else does she hope to achieve in front of the camera? Find out in today’s YPDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m in front of the camera almost everyday bringing the viewers of Fight Network the latest news, updates, highlights and interviews from the combat sports world. Of course behind the camera, there’s a lot of work to do to get prepared. I research and write scripts on a constant basis for “Fight News Now: The MMA Edition,” a weekly show and “Fight News Now Extra,” a daily show. Out of the studio, I’m out in the field producing and reporting on everything from boxing to Olympic combat athletes to the latest trends in MMA.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I started at Fight Network in May 2011 and it’s been a whirlwind getting a grasp on the world of MMA, Boxing and wrestling. The great thing about my job is that I get to wear so many different hats like writer, host, reporter, field producer, and who doesn’t love live sporting events? I get to cover them! I was inspired to go into broadcast television while going to school in Los Angeles. Originally I was interested in print but my impatience to see my product in the magazine and the excitement of broadcast, especially live, at the news stations in Hollywood changed my mind!
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my job on a regular basis is working in the studio with my crew. We have a lot of laughs and a lot of fun putting our shows together. The other part I love about broadcasting is meeting so many people, learning their stories and being able to tell them to the rest of the public. Having the privilege to interview someone notable, then choosing the best parts and packaging it all together for a two-minute story is an awesome experience. You have all these elements and then you put the puzzle together the way you’d like!
The most challenging part is really keeping track of everything that’s going on in the combat sports world. Trying to be on top of it all is practically impossible but you do as much research as you can and interact with a lot of fight people. Any MMA fan reading this will know what I’m talking about as the sport has exploded over the last five years.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years? I’ll be hosting “Live With Sarah!,” see ya later Kelly Ripa! Just Kidding. I’d love to host a talk show and already have one of my best friends lined up to be my “Gayle” (Oprah fans will get that reference). And seeing as I’ve been in sports since I’ve started broadcast and love them, a dream job would be to anchor a sports show like SportsCentre or Sportsnet Connected.
What does success look like to you?
How do you answer this question without sounding cliché? I think having a balance is a key part of having success. It’s important to have a career where you continue to get better and your hard work and achievements are recognized but success in life also includes many other elements. If you can reflect on your career, relationships with friends and family, life experiences and say “life is good,” then I would say you are successful! It’s very personal for every individual.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
After all the volunteer work and interning that I did, to finally get a paying job on television was a very memorable milestone!
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Work hard, be yourself and believe in yourself, take risks, have fun and don’t give up.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Joe’s Team Triathlon to conquer cancer on July 7th will be my first triathlon and I hope to continue to do it again and again. Cancer is something that has affected my family and many other people and I believe that it’s so important to find a cure to this disease. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is also important to me as someone very close to my heart has Type 1 Diabetes.
What to you is notable?
Innovation, conversation, success
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Blackberry Baby! But as soon as it dies, I’m picking up an iPhone.