An premature harm, which left her out of the 2013 NCAA season, helped launch what would finally turn into her dream job. “The yr I tore my Achilles at UCLA, I bear in mind having a dialog with Miss Val (former UCLA head coach Valorie Kondos-Area), and her asking me what I needed to do with my life. I instructed her I needed to be a sports activities broadcaster and she or he requested me, ‘Because you’re injured this yr, what are you able to do to possibly 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 pleased with. “It’s so cool that it has advanced into one thing manner cooler than the place it began,” she mentioned. “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 strains. Her objectives set, Peszek put herself on the market able to deal with the street forward. It was a transition that proved difficult at occasions, and very like her expertise as an athlete, Peszek took every step as a possibility 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 bear in mind making a 20-page deck of recent concepts I had, completely different options, and what I believed I may convey to the desk. I didn’t even get by way of the primary slide. She principally mentioned, ‘We would have liked any person anyway, and also you’re in.’”
Peszek came upon rapidly precisely how a lot she didn’t know.
Primetime
Early on, Peszek realized to push herself manner out of her consolation zone and metal herself for critiques in an effort 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 possibly even somewhat harder at occasions.
“I believe it’s a very laborious profession for gymnasts particularly, as a result of we’re such perfectionists,” she mentioned. “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 could be actually harsh with me and watch the tapes and provide suggestions. It was in all probability one of the formative issues that I did early on to push myself as a broadcaster.”
Whereas many may see sports activities commentary as a historically male-dominated subject, Peszek mentioned working in inventive gymnastics, she hasn’t felt the influence of that historical past the best way ladies commentating different sports activities may. “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 buddies 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 finally, leap on the quick observe with NBC for the 2022 World Championships. Peszek discovered the work ethic she’d developed within the fitness center translated effectively to the hours and hours of preparation wanted for a dwell broadcast. The parallels turned obvious rapidly.
“It’s a profession that’s enjoyable as a result of you may all the time 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 mentioned. “You’re performing and also you’re exhibiting off your laborious work. Extra importantly, you’re exhibiting off the work of one thing that you just recognize a lot. And for me, educating new individuals in regards to the sport of gymnastics is de facto cool.
“My regular course of is placing verbatim interview notes, every little thing in a 20 to 30-page doc. For school, I’ve bought 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 might be in all probability going to compete in every occasion, we get lineups forward of time, and exhibits are quicker. Whereas, NBC, there’s simply a lot and a lot of the focus is on Staff USA. It’s distinctive to only concentrate on 5 ladies. [For the Olympics] not figuring out how I favored my notes – all summer season I used to be attempting to do it a unique manner every time simply to see how I favored it finest. Even till the final second, I’m highlighting and modifying.
“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 yr grind. Her rapport with John Roethlisberger particularly, 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 strain, 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 a terrific remark,’ or, ‘That was actually humorous that you just mentioned that, or that landed.’ Having that staff camaraderie helps me work out, simply in a non-judgmental manner, what went effectively and what I can do higher. It’s been nice.”
Similar to gymnastics, completely different kinds enchantment to completely different audiences. Peszek works laborious to make sure her preparation and intention with the published comes throughout to the very best of her potential every time, irrespective of the circumstances.
“It’s an business that’s subjective. One particular person can love your type and one particular person can hate your type. One thing that’s helped me is figuring out that I’ve completed every little thing I can to arrange 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 harm she suffered simply earlier than {Qualifications} in Beijing, watching Shilese Jones and Kayla DiCello withdraw resulting from 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 glad tears – individuals can hear that in your voice as a result of it’s genuine and also you’re excited for them. It’s manner more durable in these moments the place you’re so devastated for these ladies. I do know what they’re going by way of. It occurred to me on the most crucial second. It’s important to actually attempt to separate what’s taking place from the phrases which might be popping out of your mouth, but in addition seem to be an actual particular person.”
