An premature damage, which left her out of the 2013 NCAA season, helped launch what would in the end change into her dream job. “The 12 months I tore my Achilles at UCLA, I keep in mind having a dialog with Miss Val (former UCLA head coach Valorie Kondos-Area), and her asking me what I wished to do with my life. I instructed her I wished to be a sports activities broadcaster and he or she requested me, ‘Because you’re injured this 12 months, what are you able to do to perhaps take step one in getting expertise?’”
Out of that early dialog got here Bruin Banter, a fun-loving, dynamic and in-depth behind-the-scenes take a look at the Bruins all through the season, one thing Peszek stays tremendous happy with. “It’s so cool that it has advanced into one thing means cooler than the place it began,” she stated. “It’s been actually particular for me to look at it take completely different shapes over time.”
What got here subsequent was a whirlwind proper to the entrance traces. Her targets set, Peszek put herself on the market able to sort out the street forward. It was a transition that proved difficult at instances, and very similar to her expertise as an athlete, Peszek took every step as a chance to enhance and develop her skillset.
“After I graduated, I flew as much as San Francisco and requested for a gathering on the Pac-12 Networks. I keep in mind making a 20-page deck of recent concepts I had, completely different options, and what I believed I may carry to the desk. I didn’t even get via the primary slide. She principally stated, ‘We wanted someone anyway, and also you’re in.’”
Peszek discovered rapidly precisely how a lot she didn’t know.
Primetime
Early on, Peszek discovered to push herself means out of her consolation zone and metal herself for critiques with a view to guarantee she’d have the instruments to be her finest in what she calls a sink or swim business. She additionally acknowledges for a gymnast, broadcasting is a path that proves perhaps even a bit of tougher at instances.
“I believe it’s a very arduous profession for gymnasts specifically, as a result of we’re such perfectionists,” she stated. “You apply your routines all day, day by day. In sports activities, in gymnastics, you actually don’t apply issues off the cuff. I truly employed a broadcasting coach and he can be actually harsh with me and watch the tapes and provide suggestions. It was most likely one of the crucial formative issues that I did early on to push myself as a broadcaster.”
Whereas many would possibly see sports activities commentary as a historically male-dominated subject, Peszek stated working in inventive gymnastics, she hasn’t felt the affect of that historical past the way in which ladies commentating different sports activities would possibly. “Possibly as a result of I’m commenting on feminine sports activities, it’s a bit completely different. I did do sideline for soccer, and it had a unique vibe and perspective. I do know that exists. I’ve by no means felt handicapped by my gender, and I’m prepared to wager that none of my pals have both. However then, I consider that and know we’ve all completed sports activities at a excessive degree. Possibly there’s this notion that I wish to be the very best. I don’t wish to be given something as a result of I’m a feminine, I wish to earn it.”
Throughout COVID, Peszek’s plans with the Pac-12 needed to be placed on maintain, opening the door for her to just accept alternatives with ESPN and ultimately, soar on the quick monitor with NBC for the 2022 World Championships. Peszek discovered the work ethic she’d developed within the gymnasium translated properly to the hours and hours of preparation wanted for a stay broadcast. The parallels turned obvious rapidly.
“It’s a profession that’s enjoyable as a result of you may at all times be taught extra and also you’re by no means going to have an ideal present, however you continue to get this adrenaline rush,” she stated. “You’re performing and also you’re displaying off your arduous work. Extra importantly, you’re displaying off the work of one thing that you simply respect a lot. And for me, educating new individuals in regards to the sport of gymnastics is absolutely cool.
“My regular course of is placing verbatim interview notes, every little thing in a 20 to 30-page doc. For faculty, I’ve received it dialed down on how I like my notes. It’s a bit simpler as a result of there’s solely a sure variety of individuals which are most likely going to compete in every occasion, we get lineups forward of time, and exhibits are sooner. Whereas, NBC, there’s simply a lot and a lot of the focus is on Staff USA. It’s distinctive to only deal with 5 ladies. [For the Olympics] not understanding how I preferred my notes – all summer season I used to be attempting to do it a unique means every time simply to see how I preferred it finest. Even till the final second, I’m highlighting and enhancing.
“To place it in gymnastics phrases, these notes are my grips. I couldn’t do a broadcast with out them!”
Peszek can also be fast to credit score the camaraderie among the many staff at NBC to her success and pleasure of her job, particularly when it got here time for the Olympic 12 months grind. Her rapport with John Roethlisberger specifically, has additionally been key to her progress as a commentator. The Peszek – Roethlisberger pairing has been a optimistic one, and Peszek notes their communication with one another helps below the stress, whether or not it’s debriefing the present, engaged on setups, or getting suggestions.
“John and I are simply really easy and nice [about saying], ‘Oh, you had such an incredible remark,’ or, ‘That was actually humorous that you simply stated that, or that landed.’ Having that staff camaraderie helps me work out, simply in a non-judgmental means, what went properly and what I can do higher. It’s been nice.”
Identical to gymnastics, completely different kinds enchantment to completely different audiences. Peszek works arduous to make sure her preparation and intention with the published comes throughout to the very best of her means every time, regardless of the circumstances.
“It’s an business that’s subjective. One individual can love your model and one individual can hate your model. One thing that’s helped me is understanding that I’ve completed every little thing I can to organize and have good intentions with what I’m saying.”
Being within the sales space means Peszek is usually reliving her personal gymnastics expertise whereas on air. After her personal ankle damage she suffered simply earlier than {Qualifications} in Beijing, watching Shilese Jones and Kayla DiCello withdraw because of accidents on Day 1 of the 2024 U.S. Ladies’s Olympic Trials rapidly turned the toughest broadcast she’s ever completed.
“The primary 5 minutes of the present was essentially the most gut-wrenching. It’s one factor to get emotional for an athlete and have comfortable tears – individuals can hear that in your voice as a result of it’s genuine and also you’re excited for them. It’s means more durable in these moments the place you’re so devastated for these ladies. I do know what they’re going via. It occurred to me on the most important second. It’s a must to actually attempt to separate what’s taking place from the phrases which are popping out of your mouth, but in addition look like an actual individual.”
