Stephanie Abrams

One of America’s top morning weather personalities, Stephanie Abrams, joins host Kraig Kann to talk about her rise to notoriety and the rainy days that accompanied her success.  Energetic, entertaining and engaging, Abrams is a non-stop storyteller with a big following!

The Weather Channel star shares tales about a visit to Space Camp, the impact of her father, having college degrees from both Florida AND Florida State, and responsibility to the viewer during severe and potentially tragic weather situations and the way she deals with the positive and negative reactions on social media. 

So much more ... it’s a can’t miss lively chat with one of television’s top personalities on this edition of Tracks To Success! 

Watch Tracks To Success on Kraig Kann's YouTube Channel!

Transcript

1 (4s):
Welcome to tracks to success brought to you by presentation partners. This is the podcast that brings you inspiring people and they're inspiring stories. How did they find their way to the top and how can their path help you do the same? Here's your host network, broadcaster, executive and entrepreneur. Craig can

0 (25s):
<inaudible>

2 (31s):
Right now on tracks to success. You'll hear from one of the most popular women on television and whether or not, you know, her as so many do depends on how much you know about the weather. She's a Florida girl who actually has degrees from Florida state and Florida. She's probably okay with you calling her Spacey and we'll discuss why she's made a living covering natural disasters, but loves the calm of the outdoors and travels more than most. She's not just a meteorologist, she's an entertainer and slapstick humor is part of her shtick.

2 (1m 12s):
It must be pretty cool to hang with the likes of Al Roker, Jim, Ken Tory, and Mike Bettis. But the woman who's mixed on air pushup contests with being planted directly in the eye of the storm is clearly her own brand, a Ray of sunshine for those she works with and a darn good reason to wake up for the weather. Her name is Stephanie Abrams, her inspiring story, and this edition of tracks to success starts now, Stephanie, this is an absolute

3 (1m 52s):
Blast to have you doing this podcast. I just need you to know that upfront.

4 (1m 56s):
I think just as excited. I mean, it's been a while since we chatted, so I'm super excited to catch up.

3 (2m 1s):
It's going to be fun. So let's tell people just for the sake of this, how we met, it was actually through the camera. And I want to see how well you remember this, each of us in a separate studio, right? I was hosting the pregame show on golf channel. It was the masters week and you were giving us masters whether on like that, the eights or the tens or whatever, and neither of us like to have any fun at all. So it was pretty much of a boring segment. Is that how you remember it

4 (2m 28s):
Boring? It was awful. I remember. Yeah.

3 (2m 30s):
Okay. I just wanted to see if, if you repeated that story to a bunch of people, or is this something that you and I are the only ones that

4 (2m 36s):
No, I remember, I feel like you and I were Cuban saying about one of the holes, because I had looked up weather facts and the holes. And I feel like there was some exchange about one of the holes that there was, there was something about weather and holes. And I just said holes a lot of times, and it just sounded really awkward, but am I right? Or am I right?

3 (2m 56s):
Well, I think you were right. We were probably talking about how the weather might be different on the first tee as it might've been at amen corner on 12, 13, 14, 13, 14, 15, et cetera, those holes, you know, so we might've been talking about that.

4 (3m 11s):
I think so I'm just trying to not say whole again for like the 45th time in a row now.

3 (3m 16s):
Okay. So let's do this first things on the question front. We could talk a lot about meteorology and we will, but we need to start this thing with talking about you going to space camp. Are you serious

4 (3m 32s):
Twice? By the way, I went twice so long story short, my dad loves space. He loves all signs that he was really why I got into science was he took us, you know, to the national parks when we were kids. Haley's comment. When we were kids, he had a telescope, he brought us outside. I remember, I don't really remember, but I think I remember seeing Haley's comment. I was really little and we grew up in Florida. And so we used to watch all the launches in school and they first space camp we went to was actually in Florida. And then the second one was when we were a little bit older and they started having it in Alabama. And that's when you go for a whole week or whatever. And it was I still, to this day, one of the best experiences of my life with the exception of the fact that during our mission, you actually fly a real mission.

4 (4m 16s):
Someone forgot to close the payload Bay doors. And so we burned up in reentry.

3 (4m 20s):
Oh my gosh. But you're still alive to tell the story,

4 (4m 23s):
Thankfully. Yes, but we did not win. You win awards at the end. I don't think our team won a single award.

3 (4m 28s):
Okay. Actually, you got one of the greatest awards, greatest honors, probably in your life. You were inducted into the space camp hall of fame in 2000. What? 12.

4 (4m 41s):
Yeah, but Craig, I think from the gist that I'm getting from you, I feel like you need to go to space camp. I think that's, what's really behind this and they do have adult space camp. If you want to go, I can hook you up.

3 (4m 50s):
What am I going to learn seriously?

4 (4m 53s):
Well, hopefully you learned to close the payload Bay doors. When you go there, you get to do all these things that make you feel weightless. You get to wear the whole outfit. You know what I mean? Like the jumper you get to set off rockets. I remember doing that. There's lots of really fun stuff.

3 (5m 8s):
Okay. Let's table that for now. Let's, let's go back to your childhood and I want to know where you grew up and what kind of a kid you were on the neighborhood block.

4 (5m 20s):
I grew up in West Palm beach, Florida. And I was a tomboy to the point where I got stung by two yellow jackets, right underneath my eye when we were playing baseball, because one of the neighbors, a mailbox had one of those bushes around it and I went flying into it and it got stung. I also got a fat lip one time when I was playing with the boy neighbors. So I was a rough and tumble kid outside, no shoes, bathing suit and like wrestling type of a kid.

3 (5m 46s):
Oh my,

4 (5m 47s):
Yeah. I played sports. I was, I was definitely a tomboy.

3 (5m 50s):
So what's your best sport? Like the secret to your success as a child? What sport did you compete with the guys and beat them?

4 (5m 58s):
Tennis. Tennis was my sport. That's what I grew up playing. And I still love tennis to this day, but you know, I was definitely the tomboy. I was rough and tumble and I still am. I'm really not interested in, you know, stereotypical, girly things. Like I don't get my nails done. I can't stand shopping. I mean, I'm not into any of that stuff. Oh, I like it is torture for me when a husband and I go shopping. I'm like the dude sitting in the corner, you know, reading my phone while he's shopping.

3 (6m 24s):
So you never saw Hamilton. You don't want to go to Broadway or do any play.

4 (6m 28s):
So I love, love Broadway. I definitely do love Broadway. We go to so many shows. That's definitely one of the top things we do in our lives.

3 (6m 37s):
Okay. That's cool. Now who gave you back in your childhood days? The tools and the confidence to do what you're doing now, who was your influencer when you were a kid?

4 (6m 49s):
So, you know, my dad was a very hard worker. He was a physician infectious disease specialist, HIV specialist. And I saw my dad working, you know, 14, 16 hour days. He had his own practice. And so I saw that work ethic and it fit my personality, that work ethic. So I got my work ethic from him. Now, when it comes to confidence, you know, my family, there was multiple divorces and whatnot. And you know, my deal was like, I had to make it on my own. Like I wasn't going home. I had to make it on my own. And so, you know, that really was a catalyst for me being successful and making sure that I was successful.

3 (7m 27s):
So you, you go through high school and then you do something that very few people could ever a say they did. And B be allowed to do without serious turmoil. Do you know where I'm going with this?

4 (7m 43s):
No, I don't. I'm not sure. Oh, I know you're talking about Florida, Florida.

3 (7m 46s):
You went to Florida and Florida state. I mean, that's like going to Auburn and then going in, I'm going to get my masters at Alabama or if you're like me and you're a Missouri guy saying, you know what? I think I'll go pick up an extra degree from Kansas. That just doesn't happen. It's not allowed.

4 (8m 1s):
Probably I'd need to make it known that I bleed orange and blue. I'm very thankful for my degree from Florida state, but I bleed orange and blue. Now, how I got there was my dad was a, went to Michigan undergrad at Miami medical school. That's how we ended up in South Florida. My sister also went to Michigan undergrads. We used to go and I was raised by my father and we used to go to football games in the winter. And you know, dad's like, Oh, here throw this little windbreaker on. You'll be fine. You know? And meanwhile, it's like snowing, you know, we're sitting there and this thing, and I said to my sister, how do you, this is crazy. But all I knew was maize and blue. And I still cheer for Michigan, like crazy. And so I got accepted. I said, here, dad, I'm going to save you 30 grand a year or whatever. And I'm going to go to Florida where it's 50 bucks a credit and it's warm.

4 (8m 44s):
And so it went to U S knowing I wanted to do math and science. I did physics, chemistry, oceanography, geology, every math and science. You know, I could possibly do have a minor in math, the whole thing. And I fell in love with meteorology because they explained why the sky was blue. Why, you know, in Florida, it rains on one side of the street, not the other. And I was also influenced by a hurricane Andrew, which came through South Florida in 92. And it was South of us. We were in West Palm. We didn't have damage, but we drove to the keys after it. And I just remember thinking how in the world did wind and rain do this. This is wild. And so that's, you know why I ended up in meteorology. I took my, you know, like meteorology one Oh one and I fell absolutely in love with it.

4 (9m 26s):
So they didn't have a program at Florida long story longer. I got my minor in math, my geography degree, everything transferred to Florida after I got my meteorology degree there for a state, I should say.

3 (9m 37s):
So you didn't know necessarily you wanted to be a meteorologist when you got to Florida,

4 (9m 44s):
Not a hundred percent. I knew that I want to do something math or science related. And for a long time I wanted to be a volcanologist. I thought volcanoes were just the coolest. I mean, they still are, how could they not be? And then I wanted to be an oceanographer because I love the ocean, you know, growing up in Florida and whatnot. And for some reason with meteorology, I think seeing Andrew, and then the fact that there was so much math and physics, and it can explain all these things around us that we see every day I fell in love with it.

3 (10m 10s):
I just learned a new word. I'd never heard of volcanologist seriously. Like I can't imagine walking up to a girl in high school or college and saying, what do you want to do? And you drop that on me. I wouldn't even know where to go with that.

4 (10m 23s):
I'd like to be a vulcanology.

3 (10m 24s):
Yeah. I don't know. I don't know where I go with that. So a lot of people, you know, and I did the local TV thing for like eight years now. Right. And you know, the weather guys and the weather women is that work. Does that work for you? Okay. They always said that too. They would always say, you know, the producer would come and say, Craig, we need to steal 30 seconds from your sports cast. And I'm like, Oh, here we go again. And it always went to the weather person. I meteorologist they took my time, but I don't think people at home really realize how much more there is to it than just standing in front of a green screen green screen, which I think scares people anyway. So there is so much involved to going out there and presenting the weather fair.

4 (11m 7s):
I would say fair. I mean, a couple of things people don't know is that we add live, and I know you can vouch for that, that meteorologist go out there. There's no scripts. So we have to study it and know exactly what we're talking about. And on top of that, weather is never the same, which is one of the reasons I love it.

3 (11m 24s):
Well, there's also been around for a number of years,

4 (11m 27s):
Just a few, just a few. And I always like to say the atmosphere is like a hamburger. And so it's not like you're just looking at one thing and determining the weather, you literally have to look at every single layer in the atmosphere to determine what the heck is going to happen for all events for severe winter. It doesn't matter.

3 (11m 46s):
Do you like the fact that people tell whether people that they're wrong almost all the time?

4 (11m 53s):
If I had, you know, like,

3 (11m 54s):
Oh, if I could make money a 50% wrong, I was having like, if I can make money off, how many times I've come? Someone has said that to me, you know, I have, I have a buddy. I went to college with, okay. And he's a meteorologist. And he ended up in Seattle and I said, dude, that is the easiest gig in local news being a weatherperson in Seattle because it's 60 degrees in drizzle every day. I mean, who can't do that? He makes way too much money. Now. He runs his own business. So it's not that big of a deal, but there is so much more to it. And I know the math and all that stuff plays into it. So. All right. I know you just brought up one of the hurricanes that you were talking about that influenced you. And I was going to get to that in a second, but you're way ahead of me.

3 (12m 37s):
So you've been right in the middle of it. Tell us what a meteorologist feels inside. Okay. When there is an impending hurricane or there's, you know, a tornado watch warning, et cetera, what happens inside you?

4 (12m 55s):
I think the best way to describe it is, you know, if you're watching NASCAR or something and you hear those engines rubbing, you know, and they're getting ready to go, I think that's the best way to describe it inside of me. Everything's revving. And I'm thinking, okay, I've got to remember to say this. I've got to remember to warn people about this. I need to remember to explain this and how this happens and why this is going to happen. And so I think that engine just starts going of everything that I need to remember to make sure that, you know, I communicate and articulate well in us.

3 (13m 27s):
So with that, let's talk about some specific hurricanes, because they've had such an effect on people and obviously a huge effect on you in your career. You talked about Andrew and Francis Katrina. Is there anything that stands out? I mean, I was, I was researching and looking at stuff. I mean, you've been almost hit by debris. Maybe you have been hit by debris, but do you ever get scared for your life? I know you reporting and providing a service, but my gosh,

4 (13m 60s):
No, I can understand that. So, you know, a couple things Katrina, you know, Katrina and then subsequently Michael, nothing compares to those hurricanes that have the surge that just wipe out a community. I mean, there's no words to describe it, except for it feels like you're on a movie set. I remember specifically saying that to my colleague, Jim Santori is I feel like I'm on a movie set. It is that outrageous and hard to describe? No, I don't fear for my life because being meteorologists and, you know, unfortunately we get a bad name, but we know what's going to happen. And I remember being in, I believe it was Ike and seeing people stand on the sea wall, right. You know, in Galveston. And I'm thinking these people are insane because those waves are gonna crash over.

4 (14m 43s):
I would never do that. So having that degree, having that background, that experience, I know where to stand, what to do. And I, to myself, when those winds shifts around these people are in trouble, you know, and I know when that wind shift is going to happen. So having that experience and knowledge, even at listen in Michael, we were right where it was going to come in. All right. We were, we, we got to Mexico beach, which is where, you know, it came in and we were just to the East of Mexico beach, I'm in a house. And they told me that it was rated for this, that, and the other, and a book up above booklet box. But he was on the beach. It was literally just on the other side of, you know, <inaudible> and I was like, are you kidding me? There's a cat five. Absolutely not. And I said, that's it we're out. And we left that morning because it was not worth it for me.

4 (15m 27s):
I don't need an Emmy. I don't need the attention. I don't need it. It's not about that. It's about getting, you know, people safe. I'm not there for, you know, the attention. And I left because I'm not putting my crew in danger, not putting myself in danger, you know, in these crews, you know, it's their livelihood and I'm not putting everyone's life in danger. That would be on me. And so we left and I made sure we went to Panama city beach and we were safe and fine there and, you know, able to broadcast the whole time and everyone was fine.

3 (15m 53s):
So as we watch these things and let's face it, you know, when weather hits, if you will, our TV sets go on and we rely on you and we're looking for that credibility factor. And yet there's an unpredictability to it as well. You know, here's what the current model says, and here's the track. And I live in Florida, so, you know, I'm following the track and then it veers off to the right and everybody's already been shopping and everybody's boarded up their house and all that stuff. Do you ever think about the credibility factor? Is that something that goes through your mind?

4 (16m 28s):
Yeah, absolutely. And you know, what's really challenging for us is that people might hear one thing and then they hold onto that and they, you know, aren't necessarily listening to the other things that you're saying, or they just look at the cone and, you know, so it's definitely the most challenging part of, one of the most challenging parts of our job is to articulate when to do what, when and why all this is happening type of a thing, because the reality is, is, Oh, I'm having a mental block. The one that just came up the coast of Florida and ended up making landfall on the outer banks just last season, it was a real close call with Florida. And, you know, listen a mile or two difference off shore if that's too close to call, you know, like, so there are some times when, you know, unless it's 20 miles off shore, if, if you're messing with a mile two miles, 10 miles, that's just too close, you've gotta be prepared.

3 (17m 20s):
Yeah. So when they announced, I guess at the beginning of the year, how did tell me how this works when they announced the names for the hurricanes for the year? Is that, is that a big day at the weather channel?

4 (17m 35s):
Well, here's the thing. You can see them all online and they rotate every six years and they just, you know, when one is retired, they stick another name in there. But I do think it's something, you know, that people look forward to every year is their name going to be on the list, do know someone's name, that's going to be on the list, but it's not always something, you know, that you want to be excited about. Right. Because these can do real destruction and, you know, it's, it's one of those things where it's like, you kind of excited to see your name, but on the same time, it's like, Oh no, because there's certain names that just live in infamy and people, you know, relate to.

3 (18m 10s):
So let's talk about that for a second. The seriousness, the severity, the tragedy, I'm sure. Just as much as you're on the frontline as a storm is moving in. You're also they're reporting on the aftermath. How, how difficult is that?

4 (18m 26s):
It is. And when, you know, when I first started, I had major survivors guilt coming back to my apartment, everything was fine, you know, but you talk to these people and literally there wa there where their lives have been wiped, clean of the foundation of their home. Don't know how to start, where to start, you know, financially how to come back. It's really, really tough, no matter where you are, the hurricane, even a tornado or flooding, it's just overwhelming with Harvey. All of that flooding, I've been to tornadoes where a home is gone and people might say, Oh, well, it's just a home. And I agree with that as long as everyone's happy, but that's hard to rebuild from really, really tough.

4 (19m 8s):
Yeah.

3 (19m 9s):
Stephanie Abrams is our guest on this edition of tracks to success, tracks to success is brought to you by presentation partners, visual storytellers, passionate about connecting presenters with their audience. All right, Stephanie, you aren't just a weather person or a meteorologist. You are an entertainer, right? I think that's fair. I've seen pushups. You doing pushups on camera and a lot of other goofy stuff. You have fun with your job. What are some other things I haven't seen?

4 (19m 43s):
Oh my goodness. What have you? I, for some reason, I just looked at a picture that I was going to backbend. I'm like, why am I doing a bat? What is wrong with you? Abram's like, really, what is wrong with you? But let me try to think of, you know, I've done incredible things to do a story. I pitched a, you know, about the atmosphere. I wanted to go skydiving to able to articulate what it is. You know, I've danced with people. I, you know, I really think the way, well, for me, at least I was wondering why do people love Oprah? Right? All those years when we were growing, why do people love Oprah is because she's real, she's vulnerable. She's herself. And so I was like, you know what? My goal is just to be myself. And so I'm as close to my self as I am on camera, as I am off camera, there's a little editing because it's a family show, just kidding.

4 (20m 29s):
But you know, I really just am true to myself. And I think that when you see some on TV and you happen to really like them and connect with them, you know, they're being true to, you can just feel it. You feel that realness and that vulnerability and that openness.

3 (20m 43s):
Oh, I think people love that when people can say, you know what? I made a mess this up. I, if any golf fans are truly listening to this right now, and they heard me talk about amen corner, and I rattle off the holes, they're going to go, wait, come on, Ken. Don't, you know what the holes are for? Amen corner. Of course, I know what the holes are, frame and corner. And you just have to say, Hey, I said something wrong. I did this wrong. Here's the real me. This is me on TV. I'm presenting with you. I'm having fun with you at the end of the day, it's all about entertainment. And if people follow you, Stephanie, on, on social media, they get a real dose of the real Stephanie Abrams. I mean, you use that to your advantage.

4 (21m 22s):
I don't know how to be any other way. So that's a plus for me is I don't feel comfortable. I feel weird if it's not authentic and if it's not real and you know, for anyone listening out there, I also have no problem with people that troll or any of that stuff. I just delete them and move on. Like, this is me. If you don't like it, okay, then you're blocked. Like it's not a democracy. My social media is not a democracy. And I also think it's silly to clap back at these people because you're doing exactly what they're doing to you, you know, type of a thing. And so, you know, someone today in fact was just saying how, Oh, they can't watch me anymore because I got so much plastic surgery. Well, I'm the most natural person on the planet I like to eat.

4 (22m 2s):
Non-pro like, it's never even crossed, you know? And so delete block, like done. I just don't engage in these people and I'm just myself and, you know, take it or leave it

3 (22m 11s):
So we can officially say, you've never had any work done. And they deserve to be blocked.

4 (22m 16s):
Absolutely. Yes.

3 (22m 17s):
Good for you. Good for you. Let's by the way you think social media is a, is a great tool though, as well, to connect with people, do you not, but you probably have to use it in a certain way. How do you feel about social?

4 (22m 29s):
Okay. So I think it is a phenomenal tool to connect a hundred percent I'm with you on that. You have to not worry about the haters though. I mean, it's so silly that you're getting, listen, you only get, I learned this a long time ago. You only get fired up and upset about something. If you believe it to be true or part of it to be true. So for instance, if I said, Oh, well, you're, you're just a purple people eater. You would be like, ha ha whatever, that doesn't make any sense. But if someone offends you and calls you, you know, dumb, or, you know, whatever it is that upsets, you you'll get riled up because you think it to be true. And so for me now I take, when people insult me and I try, I check myself and I'm like, okay, am I getting fired up?

4 (23m 12s):
Okay. I need to work on the fact that I don't have self esteem about this, this or this. And so I use it as a tool in my advantage. Right. And so I think it's an interesting study and you just have to be careful who you're following, like, okay, new people or don't follow along. If they, you know, don't make, if you don't enjoy their content. Yeah. So it's like, we're in a democracy. You don't have to fire back at people that are being sassy and everything else. So that's kinda my take on social media is, you know, use the positive in it.

3 (23m 41s):
Try to provide value, try to entertain, try to give people something they can't get somewhere else, be authentic and be real.

1 (23m 55s):
In addition to hosting this podcast, Craig leads the Cannes advisory group focused on elevating communication for companies and individuals, company consulting and powering team and individual workshops, mind altering webinars. And Craig's inspiring keynotes for your conference or company meeting. They're all on the menu of services. Can advisory helps companies clarify their message helps professionals build and showcase their brand and helps everyone present their best selves. So if you're the leader of a team or company looking to give your employees a game changing one day experience, or an individual who wants to become a speaker and presenter that gets other people talking visit Ken advisory.com.

1 (24m 45s):
And when you do connect, make sure to mention the tracks to success podcast, to receive a special discount on any of the can advisory services. That's can advisory.com. Now back to the interview,

3 (25m 2s):
Throw some names out of people that you work with and you give me 30 seconds, whatever. Tell me a story about your time with them. Let's talk about Mike Betts first. Okay. You guys kind of were linked together early on. You had your own show together,

4 (25m 18s):
Married. Everyone thinks we're married. Can we also put that out there? Oh my God, Google, Stephanie runs. My business has this whole thing about how his current wife was. It's like the most ridiculous. It's literally like those things are public knowledge. You could go see that, but there's a whole story online about how we were married. And it's hilarious. Yeah. I digress.

3 (25m 40s):
Yes. Jim can Tori. I mean, everybody knows this guy. Yeah.

4 (25m 47s):
He is also the same person on TV as he is. He is that intense, like, Hey cam man, it's time to go already from some I'm tying my shoes. Like he's just this real passionate dude about everything. He's so fun also to hang out with, you know, outside of work and whatnot. But I would say he is as passionate on TV. Has he is off TV about everything

3 (26m 11s):
Is his nickname. Really can man

4 (26m 13s):
Can man. He has a lot of different nicknames, but cam man is definitely,

3 (26m 17s):
That's been one of my nicknames since I don't even know when that, so I already know. I like him even more now. Okay. So you almost threw me there for a second. Let's talk about Al Roker, wake up with Al. Okay. You get, you're getting to be like with all the cool people on the today show now.

4 (26m 32s):
Yeah. And everyone is so nice. Roker, I have to say is one of the most compassionate, hardworking, this dude does not stop. Like you think, Oh, you get to the, you can kick your feet up. No, he runs his own production company. He's doing today's show. He was doing wake up without with me. He's the first person there last person. I mean, he is a really hard worker. And so, so, so thoughtful and kind and inclusive and generous. I can't say enough. Good things about him.

3 (26m 59s):
Best unscripted moment from any of the three people that I just mentioned,

4 (27m 5s):
There was one time when Ben is, I kept talking and he just like put his hand out, like in drag me off the set. That was actually pretty funny.

3 (27m 14s):
And by the way, you're so good at boomerang too. You do a lot of boomerang on social media

4 (27m 19s):
Because you, as you know, when you do TV, it's good to have movement. Right. So I think the boomerang is a very shortcut way to have movement in your video.

3 (27m 27s):
Got it. What do you do away from work? Are you like the, the nerd type that sits around and reads books? Are you a Netflix person? Do you, do you like college football? Do you watch games? Are you glued to that? What do you do

4 (27m 41s):
Basically? Yes. Yes. And yes. So as I mentioned, shopping is not my thing, you know, getting my hair done and like that all stuff is not my thing. So I'm a big reader. I do really like books. I definitely love watching Netflix. I would love to get back into playing tennis more. I was doing marathons for awhile. And just recently I've gotten into Pilates, which has been my big thing, but I also really like to cook. Cause I'm also super passionate about how food affects your mental health and just your healthy body anyway. And so I'm really passionate about that and hoping at some point I can get into, you know, like mental health and controlling your mind. I'm really, really interested in that.

4 (28m 21s):
And meditation, does it help? Does it not help? And just basically overcoming your negative self talk and how to do that? Because like anything in life you have to take actual action. You know, there's all these wonderful speakers and everything, but for me, it comes down to like, I have to stop myself and take action. And one thing that helps me do that is the way I eat.

3 (28m 43s):
And so that's for me is a very big interest. So I bring five people over to dinner at Stephanie Abrams house. You're cooking in 30 seconds or less what's our meal.

4 (28m 54s):
Okay, well we can have lentil, sloppy Joes if you'd like, which is nothing process all from scratch, no sugar or any of that sort of stuff with perhaps air fryer. I got an air fryer. I'm obsessed with cauliflower on the side. And then for dessert, I can make you my homemade banana ice cream with my homemade almond butter, which is basically just frozen bananas and I can make it into an ice cream. And then you put my own butter is just almonds and coconut oil that I make myself and mix it all together. And you could add some frozen berries to that. So it was like a peanut butter and jelly ice cream. It's really good.

3 (29m 25s):
Does that sound? That's awesome. Yeah.

4 (29m 29s):
And then you feel good when you leave, you don't feel like gross and bloated and all that sort of stuff and your body can use the nutrients and you're on your way.

3 (29m 37s):
How much speaking do you do to groups? And what's your message to people because my gut tells me that they just want to know what it's like to be in the line of fire when weather hits.

4 (29m 47s):
Yeah. You know, I would say most people ask me about the storms and I should really do a proper message about, you know, your life storm and being an actual storms and share more about my life. I think it would be really help a lot of people. But when I do start talking about, you know, some more personal stuff, you know, you get a lot of people that are just like, thank you so much for sharing that type of a thing. So yeah. I mean, there's definitely some sort of connection between real life storms and then just your inner storm.

3 (30m 17s):
So you just nailed one of my questions because we see bad weather a whole lot and we all face in life, the challenge of weathering a storm. So there has to be some moments in your career. I mean, we both do TV. You've had to weather some storms in your personal life. How, how have you gone through those? What's what's one, that's been the biggest toughest challenge for you?

4 (30m 40s):
You know, there was one time when somebody, I was going to say that I really, really tough and which is interesting is people don't know, we would go to a commercial break. This is a while now. And I would be crying during commercial break coping with this personal thing on the side, right. In my 10 minutes I had off there. And then you boom, have to get right back on air. And it's like, wipe those tears and let's do this. And so I think people can relate to that, whether you're on TV or not, perhaps if you're a teacher or if you're in an office, it's like, you go have your moment and then you have to come back and, you know, get right back in that conference room or in front of the students or in front of patients. And we're doing the same thing on TV. And I'd really love to Blake break that barrier and let people know really what it's like, you know?

4 (31m 23s):
And so I think everyone can relate to that where you have a big meeting or something and you're stressed and there's something else going on in your life too bad. You've got to either go cry it out or suck it up or whatever. And you've got to show up.

3 (31m 34s):
Yeah. You know, I found myself in my TV career challenged to do show after show, after show, you know, three a day, how do you stay motivated?

4 (31m 49s):
Here's the best thing. I literally love what I do. And so I it's, it's incredible. I've now I've been at the weather channel. It'll be 17 years this year. I started in Oh three and I still love it. And I think that's the key in life. Everyone's like, well, what would you do if you weren't a meteorologist? And I was like, you know what, that's a good question. But I would be doing whatever it is that I love. And that is key in life. And you will be successful if you do something that you love, because it's when you're passionate, when you're really in love with something, it just flows through you. And so I think that's really key. And I got lucky that I figured it out at a young, young age and I've been able to live that for so many years.

4 (32m 32s):
I feel very lucky.

3 (32m 34s):
Is there a next someday for Stephanie Abrams? I mean, you have so much fun. You've talked about doing what you do. Have you ever thought about a career pivot? What that might be, what it looks like, where you might want to go?

4 (32m 47s):
Well, I'd love to go to space if that's an option. I think that would be, I still think about that on a regular basis. That would be mega cool for me. You know, I really would like, I really like the mental health and like natural food type of a thing. I really liked that a lot and I'm very passionate about it. And so I'm Devin thinking about that, you know, along the way. So we'll see.

3 (33m 12s):
It seems like you could be on the cooking channel or cooking network.

4 (33m 16s):
Well, I mean, I think like people, you know, this day and age, so many people are so misinformed. Like everyone will say to me, Oh, I said, listen, if you literally buy one ingredient food, you will feel better. You will lose weight. Your things will be clearer, you know, but I don't think people understand how much that really can make a difference in their lives, you know, and over getting over your head, like with all, you know, with everything that's going on in the world, I try to really stop myself and get my head straight. And it's been years of practice doing that, like, okay, that's an irrational thought, let's stop that. You know, but it takes a lot of work just like going to the gym, just like your job.

4 (33m 57s):
I mean, you know, you really have to be in tune and, and take the action.

3 (34m 3s):
Couple of career questions before we go. I'm assuming, I'm assuming people have told you, you're probably an incredible mentor to other people that maybe are interning or some that want to be in the business. And my gut tells me as well that you really enjoy that. How important is it to have a mentor? You didn't get where you are without one. I guarantee it.

4 (34m 26s):
I didn't. So it's interesting to see how I actually ended up on my career as a really I'll tell you the story real quick, couldn't get a job like everyone when you graduate college, right? Like you can't ever get a job. The, a guy left the ABC affiliate in Tallahassee to go do weekends in Delaware. And they give me the job I'm making 19 five and the morning guy a few months after a mayor gets arrested for writing bad checks. No joke. They put me on mornings. I was like, can I have a raise? They're like, no, I'm like, cool. I'll do it. And so, you know, I'm now I'm doing mornings. Well, I had no shame in my game, Craig, I literally got a list of all alumni and even people I didn't know. And I said, hi, back in the day, this is VHS tapes.

4 (35m 7s):
Hi, my name's Stephanie, will you please look at my tape? I sent it from Janice Hoff to Dallas rains and everyone in between New York and LA. And I had such so many people give me feedback and help. One of those people happen to be at the weather channel and her name was Terry Smith. And so she said, well, send me a tape every month. I'll critique it. Great. Thank you. And so that was kind of how I ended up there. I was at the ABC affiliate for nine months and she just kept sending me my tape back and I'd sent her another one and I just had no shame. Right? Like people think a weirdo fine, but I don't really care what someone's going to say. So that's how I got into the weather channel actually was doing. That was just having, so now I like to do that for other people.

4 (35m 49s):
So my professor says, Hey, will you review some sure, absolutely send it my way now it's YouTube though. Not VHS, but

3 (35m 55s):
Do you get a lot of calls from, you know, students are or would be meteorologists or those that are in, you know, Yuma, Arizona, or, you know, Biloxi, Mississippi that want to do what you do.

4 (36m 9s):
Yeah. Here and there, you know, here and there. And I think now,

3 (36m 14s):
I mean, you're so high profile and I mean that in the most positive way you, you are on, it's kind of like golf, right? There's not 12 golf channels. There's not 12 weather channels. If you want to watch the weather and you're gonna turn on the weather channel, you're gonna see Stephanie Abrams, you turn on.

4 (36m 28s):
But you know, I don't feel like that. I feel like every other part, you know what I mean? Like I don't, I intellectually, I hear that, but I don't feel that at all. And so, you know, I'm more than happy. Like people reach out on social media. I, you know, I just want to help people, like I was helped. Right. Because there's little tweaks that someone will say you don't think about as, you know, being on air there's little things you might repeat all the time that you don't know you're saying, or, you know, we had consulted ones who looked at my tape and it was like, don't tell me to take my rain coat or umbrella, you know? And so I started thinking, you know what, that's right. And back then there was paper bags. I'm like, you know what? The paper bag gets wet in the rain, all the groceries fall out. So I started, you know, learning, it's a real technique, you know, to learn. And if I can help instill that into someone and kind of teach them the ways, then I'm more than happy to

3 (37m 14s):
Okay. Be the mentor. Now live, this podcast is called tracks to success. All right. Your success and your journey is your own. You own it. But what's one piece of advice that you would give to anybody trying to break into the TV business.

4 (37m 33s):
Never give up. If I had one piece of ice, never give up because I'm sure like you, maybe not though, you're you're Craig. I mean, come on. I got a lot of rejection letters.

3 (37m 42s):
Me too. I saved everyone by the way.

4 (37m 44s):
But do I have him in a photo album too? So I would say never give up work as hard as you can and think out of the box that is key and listen to people. I used to, I would go around when I first got to the weather channel and I asked one of the guys who would do a bunch of packages. I'm like, could we sit and do like my voice? I need to get my voice for sure. And he would sit there with me like an hour, once a week or whatever. And we would read script just to like help you learn how to read script better. I sat with one of my bosses back in the day. And he's the one that was like, if you're out on a live shot, you need to move. There's a reason you're out. And I'm like, great. You know? And so not to be like offended by tips that people are giving you.

3 (38m 22s):
Yeah. That's, that's really cool. I tell people, don't wait for people to take notice, do things that are relevant, that add value that make people take notice and work your tail off.

4 (38m 35s):
I would say the other piece of advice,

3 (38m 37s):
And this was one of my bosses, you know, I, I asked to go into hurricanes. I got there in Oh three, remember, Oh, four or five were historic and Oh three, the second I got there, I was like, I want to go on hurricanes. And so I went to his office like every week. I'm like, can I go yet? Can I go yet? Can I go yet? Can I go yet? So be persistent and voice what you want to do and just do what you want to do. You know, if you come up with an idea, just do it. You know? I mean, I still do that. Now. I started a new series called science with Steph. I'm like, Hey, I'm just letting I'm going to do this. Okay. You know, and you just do it, you know, he'll use it. And so those are some of the pieces of advice that I would give to anyone in any profession, no matter what it is. All right. Two quick little things. Does Stephanie Abrams hang out at the beach and like, if you do, does everybody come up to you and go, what a beautiful sunny day, Hey, is it gonna rain later?

3 (39m 23s):
Like what happens when people see you out there? Do you get bombarded by weather questions?

4 (39m 28s):
You know, not very often, but I have the hat and sunglasses on type of a thing. I just read my book, you know, and kind of stay to myself. Usually Jim, he's a little more recognizable with that ball and head people would start running the other direction type of thing when he's at the beach.

3 (39m 40s):
Yeah. Okay. Guess what? We're going to end this where we started sort of, okay. All right. You said you would love to go to space in the outer space. Alright. What planet? What would you do? How long would you be there? Would you ever come back? Like, would you want to work on the international space station?

4 (40m 1s):
I think that would be incredible. Do you not think that would be incredible?

3 (40m 5s):
I don't know. I'm afraid of Heights number one. And I don't know that I could make it there. Plus I'm a little bit high maintenance sometimes. I don't know about showers and stuff like that.

4 (40m 14s):
Right. And all that sort of stuff. I mean, I think I have to go to Jupiter. Right? Cause it has that huge storm on Jupiter. The big red spot, which now they're saying is orange, but I mean, I think it would have to go there to see the big, huge, biggest storm, like in our universe.

3 (40m 27s):
So you would love it. You'd go up there for two weeks. If they named you as the next female to go up into outer space, you'd be there in a heartbeat.

4 (40m 35s):
Yes. If I could do it, I mean, in my old age now in roller coasters, like I used to be front of the rollercoaster, hands up, ready to go. I mean, I don't know. Like they put you really through the ringer to have to get up into space. I once did was on one of those trick planes where you flip around and all this sort of stuff. And I think I pulled like half a G and I was like, I'm nauseous. I don't know if I can do it. And they were like, really Abrams, like, come on now you got to pull more Jesus than that. So yeah.

3 (40m 60s):
When you wake up tomorrow, do you want it to be sunny or do you want rain to talk about?

4 (41m 5s):
I would say I would like rain to talk about, but I would like it to be sunny because it's been raining so much in the South. It would be nice to have some sun.

3 (41m 13s):
You have been a Ray of sunshine on this podcast. I've been looking forward to this, Stephanie, I think the world of your work and you are so much fun. I truly appreciate the time we just got to spend.

4 (41m 26s):
Well, I hope we get to see each other sooner than later.

3 (41m 29s):
Take care. Stephanie. Thanks so much.

4 (41m 31s):
Yeah, no worries. Thanks for having me

2 (41m 39s):
In our conversation. Stephanie shared stories about being in the eye of the storm and facing stormy times, head on, which leads me to my one last thing. If you want to be an influencer, find a way to be your best. When times are toughest, there's the same about ship captains that says anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm. And with that also comes the line that experienced sailors didn't learn from calm seas. In my workshops, I talk about how executive presence means among other things. Having a calming way when times are tough.

2 (42m 20s):
Not many people pay attention to your leadership when things are going great. But when things get a little Rocky for everybody, that's when people look at you to see how you'll react, building a leadership brand requires you to have answers for people when they're struggling. It also requires you to be a good listener and also to be able to communicate clearly and with purpose when there's a crisis. So stand tall, learn to weather the storm and show others the way do that. And your tracks to success become a whole lot easier. I'm Craig can until next time.

2 (42m 60s):
Thanks for listening.

5 (43m 1s):
<inaudible>

1 (43m 5s):
You've been listening to tracks to success, brought to you by presentation partners, visual storytellers, passionate about connecting presenters with their audience. Don't forget to subscribe to the show for more great interviews and thoughts on reaching your highest personal and professional summit. You can follow Craig on Twitter and Instagram using the handle at Craig can and for exclusive tracks to success, content and news about our upcoming guests, you can find tracks to success on Twitter. It's at tracks to success.