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Welcome to the Absolutely Not Podcast, where we do the most and the least at the same damn time.I'm your host, Heather McMahon. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Absolutely Not Podcast.
I am so thrilled to have one of, I would say one of the most beautiful blondes I've ever seen in my life.Um, across the screen for me right now, you're at the ESPN headquarters right now.Is that correct, Laura?
That's correct.This is the NFL studio, Heather.So, um, honestly you, you, let's just say you're in here too with me.
Cause you might as well be.This is so cool.Okay.So where are you located right now?Where is the headquarters?
So we're in Bristol, Connecticut, which being a girl from the South, I never thought I would say that I lived in Connecticut, but that's where I am now.And there's not much else in Bristol other than ESPN.But this is it's a massive campus.
There's like 11 studios.There's like 11 buildings.It's huge.This studio is massive.Like I can show you guys.It's it's it's insane.Everything in here.
So this is where all of the NFL, uh, every game, this is where the, essentially the situation room, this is where it goes down.
Yeah.So the countdown, one of the countdown shows Sunday countdown is broadcast out of this room.Our daily NFL show to NFL live is out of the studio.
We use this for some other things too, but, um, and then, you know, anything else NFL, like we've got trade deadline specials coming next week.They'll all be out of here.
OK, so, Laura, I don't think that people really realize that once you go to the main campus, right, once you're a reporter for ESPN, when you're at the main campus, you're really kind of in the middle of nowhere, correct?
There's either the New York City campus down at South Seaport, which I visited two weeks ago, and it was really fancy and lovely.But this is like the main hub out in the middle of nowhere in Connecticut.
It pops up out of nowhere too.Like if you're driving down the street in Bristol, all of a sudden it's just like, you know, ESPN, that's this fancy sign.And there's all these big satellites and all this stuff.
And you come in there and you're like, you feel like you're on a college campus or something, which is really cool.My favorite part of the campus is actually the cafeteria, but that's a different story. Yeah, there's nothing else around here.
Like, in fact, it was a really big deal.I started kind of, like, coming here, filling in for people maybe around 2017, and they got a Chick-fil-A in Bristol.
And so, we were like, oh my God, you know, us from the South, like, we can go to Chick-fil-A now, which couldn't have been said before.
And really, my tradition, like, back then, every morning that I had a morning show, I would either, if it was a really early show, I wouldn't be able to do this, but after the show,
Or before, if it was later, I would go get the chicken minis from Chick-fil-A and then bring them, you know, with me to do the show.
Yeah, listen, it's all about survival, because once you're locked in on the campus, you're like, if you didn't bring enough treats for the Oregon Trail, you're not going to make it through the amount of shows that you have to do.
And I just want to introduce real quick you to the audience.Um, and I have my little list of all the things that you host and all the bad-ass things you do.Y'all you're listening to Laura Rutledge right now.
She's a host of sec nation host of NFL live.You do sideline reporting.You, uh, report for the college playoffs.You do a show at the masters every year and you do the ESPN red carpet for the NFL draft.What don't you do in sports?
Is there like one sport where you're like, I will never touch that like cricket or badminton or something like when you're coming up through the ranks at ESPN, do you have to start at the obscure stuff before you can make it to football?
Yeah, I mean, I did all kinds of random things.And like, it was funny because so I did gymnastics when I first started.I was doing a little bit of football, but like SEC Network, I was like, whatever you guys want me to do, I'll do it.
And then I had regrets about that because I didn't know anything about those things.And I thought, shoot, now I gotta like learn this from the ground up.I had, it's so funny because I definitely have dealt with nerves.
I don't know, I'm sure you have too.Like I see your amazing specials and I'm like, oh my God, how is she not just so nervous out there and you're killing it and you're so good.
But I would be doing these gymnastics meets, I would have such bad pit stains that I would be like standing there like this, holding the microphone, trying so hard not for anyone to see my pits because I was so nervous about it.
And it was a much smaller audience than even the stuff that I do now or that I would know better.But that was it.
I do think that like for young people who are trained to get into this business, you kind of have to say, yeah, whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.
I mean, I there are so many things still I feel like I want to do or need to learn how to do or whatever.But it really I learned a lot from being really uncomfortable at that time.
I mean, that's all comedy is.It's truly being in the most uncomfortable green rooms, in the most uncomfortable clubs.
I mean, if you are not absolutely cringing and constantly like, did I get hepatitis from performing at this venue, then you're not doing comedy, right?That's truly how I feel about it.
But listen, you're such a natural and you just like I recently am, you know, a newbie to doing some of the red carpet stuff, but just it's interviews in general.
And what people don't realize, and I always try to explain to my audience, like whenever I'm doing the Emmys or the Golden Globes or whatever, the amount of information that you have to know on specific individuals.
And you know, in the business, they call it giving people their flowers or their roses.You have to make sure that the person that you're interviewing knows that you know enough about them, their accolades, especially if they're professional athletes.
Like how much preparation goes into a specific game that you're showing up to?Because people don't realize it's basically like studying for the worst SATs of your life.
Oh, my God, that's so that's so true.And you sit there and you're thinking, like, you're trying to, like, also predict what you might not know, if that makes sense.Like, OK, so, yes, what's going to come my way?
That's going to just absolutely make me poop my pants in the moment and be like, oh, my God, I should have, like, looked that up and I should and. it, then it adds this whole extra, you know, kind of mind warp to the whole thing.
But I, so for instance, so this week, uh, I'll do NFL live every weekday and then I'll go to Jacksonville.We're doing Florida, Georgia for sec nation, which is going to be really cool.
And then I'll go from there to Kansas city for Monday night football.So, um, I'll kind of be preparing for the Monday night football stuff.Like while I'm preparing for the sec nation stuff, Which means my brain is just complete scrambled eggs.
But I would say that there are hours and hours throughout the week that go toward that.And then kind of what you hope, which I know this happened to you too, you kind of hope you don't use any of that stuff.
Like you hope some weird thing happens that or interesting thing or like fun story, or maybe even a dramatic thing that happens or you're like, okay, throw all that other stuff out the window.And I'm just going to live in the moment.
And but I think that being able to operate in the moment and think on your feet and come up with things really quickly is only fostered by the preparation and like the knowledge that you come in with.
If you don't have that, you kind of don't feel confident enough to do that in the moment.
You really can't bullshit interviews. Like I realized when I started doing any of the red carpet stuff, I would study so hard.And then you're hoping that you, like you said, you throw away the card.
You can just chitchat, have an honest conversation with folks.But if you don't have all that knowledge drilled into the back of your head, you will flail on national television.
And I see that I have flailed bad to like. Like, okay, you could find this clip, but this was so bad and also funny.So I do those interviews with the families at the draft, at the NFL draft.So it's like- Which that's already tensions are high, right?
That's gonna be so uncomfortable and awkward.
People are stressed and you're like, they're having this big moment too, when their kid gets drafted.And then you're like trying to inch up, cause you know, they're telling me in my ear, like, okay, you need to, and I'm like, they're having a moment.
Like, I don't want to be. I'm terrified of being in the background of the shot, like, you know, trying to shove my microphone in somebody's face.It's like this delicate balance.But there was this lovely family that, you know, their son gets drafted.
And, and I have a few questions that I kind of will just go back to that are always good ones.They always seem to work, except I will never use this, this one again, this one can't ever be used.So I asked this family, how far has this family come?
And this amazing mother who, this was the right answer, right?She was like, well, we came from Baton Rouge.Like, she thought I'm talking, you know, the actual mileage.She's like, we drove three hours from Mobile and we're in Baton Rouge now.
I was like, oh my God. I, and then I'm like, okay, very quickly, like, okay, but you know, what was the journey like?And then I'm like, shoot, they could talk about, well, the GPS got us lost, you know, like.
Yeah, we stopped in a Buc-ee's on the way.
I was flailing so bad.And it was actually a bad night because that happened.And then there was also another woman who on the paper, it says, this is her name.I go through the whole interview.I'm calling her a certain name.
And at the very end, she's like, except let me just correct the record because my name is actually Tanya.And I'm like, oh my God.
So like you can do all this prep.I had done weeks and weeks of prep for this.I worked so hard on it.And then I look like a total bumbling fool the entire night.
It was one of those where afterward I was like, all right, where's the biggest, like, give me a gallon of glass.I'm going to fill it with a gallon of white wine. pray for people forgetting the entire night, including me.
You know, it's funny, too, because I'll see like a mixed bag of criticism on the line of, you know, people being like, oh, Heather nailed it.Or they're literally like they hate my face and that they hope that my eyelids burn off like it's insane.
And they're like, oh, I could do that.I'm like, no, you can't. Live television, live interviews specifically are the absolute hardest gig in the biz.
I don't think twice when I'm going on stage to perform for thousands of people, I could get up on stage anywhere and be naked and let people throw shit at me and I would feel more comfortable than trying to like interview somebody on the spot.
I'm curious too, did you go to school for journalism or what was your journey into the sports journalism world?
So I came from Gainesville, Georgia, Florida, you're a Florida girl.I went to Florida.I did go to school.Um, I, my eventual major was telecommunication news.So at that time, like back in the stone age, and now there's all these.
sports journalism concentrations or majors, but they didn't have that then.So my technical major was news and then I was doing all the sports stuff on the side, but I didn't want to do news.
So I had to sort of do the classes, but I would do silly things like, you know, here's my broadcast journalism TV package on National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day.And that was like what I would do if I was doing the news class.
And then I would do, you know, the sports stuff.And I only did radio I did not want to be on TV.I really thought TV was not for me.I still feel that way often.
Like I would rather, um, we talk about like these awkward moments and kind of the cringe factor.Like I would rather just be audio only, but here I am.So, um, we all feel that way though.
We're women and we hate staring at ourselves and you can get complimented all day long, but it takes one person to say that, like, you know, I looked a little tired or cross-eyed and I'm like in a full spiral.That's just how it goes. I get it.Yeah.
One person says like you ate too, you know, you, you either you're pregnant again or like you're bloated.I'm like, you know what?I probably am not pregnant, but I probably bloated.So big announcement.
Yeah.You started in this like microcosm of, uh, just journalism in general.And then you were doing your own stuff on the side.And then when did you get that call that you knew you're bumping up to the big leagues?
Yeah, so it's funny.So I, you know, did kind of college football recruiting as my niche.It was more like the scouting side of football, but there really wasn't a female presence in that at that time.This is like 2011, 2012.
So I was like, all right, this is going to be my thing.So I'm like, hold on.
Can I ask you real quick, what do you mean you were doing scouting?I mean, if I was like, if I was an 18 year old guy and I saw you walking towards a field, I'd be like, I'm going wherever she tells me to go.What are you talking about?
Well, it was a little weird because
You know, I'm like in my phone, like I'm trying to date at the time in my phone.
I'm like, I'm like, oh, sorry, I got to answer this, you know, 16 year old kid back because he's telling me his top five schools, you know, like and and you should really see like he's really going to fit into a 3-4 system instead of a 4-3 like this guy can really bring it, you know, like it's so funny.
I covered all these guys, you know, back in high school then right now in the NFL and one of my worst hot takes at the time was that Derek Henry, who's like an incredible running back, should have played D line.
Now other people thought it too, but you know, I'm over there like scouting it out.And I'm like, Hey, guys, like, anyway, that tweet still surfaces sometimes.But yeah, so I was interviewing all these little kids and you know, trying to be cool.
And then like also trying to have a dating life.And these guys are like, What do you mean you're talking to some 18 year old?
Yeah, they probably thought you were a pervert.They're like, we don't know what this this beautiful woman is up to.You're like, no, no, no.Trust me.I got to tell this kid whether or not he's going to go to Florida or Alabama.
I got to give him information on his football career.And they're like, yeah, OK, yeah, sure, Laura.
Like you weirdo. Yeah, I would go up and down the state of Florida during that time, and I drove a black Mustang, and I got so many speeding tickets that I thought they were going to suspend my license.
And I was like, this is going to be really embarrassing to go to my bosses and say, I don't have a driver's license anymore because I'm just speeding around.But I would also
go like because I'd have to drive all night sometimes to get back to whatever the game was.
So I found this really good trick of pulling into a car dealership and parking my car there because it wouldn't be like notable that there was a random car at the gas station.I learned that the hard way.
So I was like, oh, I'll just pull into the car dealership, take a little snooze and then get up and drive the rest.
Wait a minute.Wait a minute.Hold on.So you're doing high school recruiting, but you're you're you're reporting on it, if you will.Yes.
OK, so you're reporting on high school recruiting and then you have to drive across the state of Florida to make it to the next collegiate game.
Yes.So a lot of times I would cover the Florida game, you know, on Saturday.But like Friday nights would be the high school night.So I'd have to.The only way to get back, you know, for an earlier game would be to just like drive through the night.
And if I was in South Florida, it takes a while to get all the way to get a long state.
Florida is a hot dumpster fire.We love it, but it's also... Wait, so that's a really smart tip, though.
You pull into a dealership so nobody bugs you, because I would imagine if you're pulling into, like, a Love's or whatever, then you're going to get harassed by some, like, lot lizard who's knocking on the door asking if you're on her territory.
So I would be... I'd be going into these gas stations, you know, buying my regular snack of Nerd Rope, beef jerky, whatever.
And a Red Bull to make it...
Yeah, make it the rest of the way.And I'm like, you know what?I think I'm going to just lean my seat back here for a minute and take a little nap.And then before you know it, someone's knocking on your window.
So I said in the future, I'm going to find a better plan.And that's how I ended up in the car dealerships.
It worked great.I would highly recommend it.You know what?This is really interesting.It's like you did this out of necessity.
But also there are days where I just get stuck in Atlanta traffic and I pass a lot of car dealerships and I might just pull that pull over to an Audi dealership and just take a 10. Yeah.
Wow.And I'm not going to buy a car, but I am going to take a nap in your lot.Thank you very much.Wow.
And also this so checks out.So you're saying this around like what you said, 2011, 2011, 2012, you know, like things were different than I could only imagine how hot you were in the black Mustang.Was it a hard top?Was it a convertible?Yeah.Oh yeah.
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So then, so after college and kind of in the next couple of years, I was working for Fox Sports, but I didn't really have like a home, you know, I was kind of doing everything.And so then the SEC network was starting in 2014.
And I was like, that's going to be it for me.I am going to get hired by this SEC network. I was 25.I was sending like these crazy stalker emails to anyone that has an ESPN.com email address.This person was probably in charge of like ESPN Deportes.
And I'm like, hire me for SEC Network.Like I, you know, my name, my maiden name, Laura McKeeman.I'm like, Come on, it's Laura McKeeman here.Like, help me out.They're like, who?But anyway, so I finally got somebody to email me back.
And this was like two weeks before the network's launching.I'm like, I have no chance.This is a joke.They wanted to interview me in the Atlanta airport.I honestly thought I was getting set up like my I'm from Atlanta.My parents live there.
I tell them I'm like, Hey, If you don't hear from me, like come to the Atlanta airport because you're being trafficked.
Yeah, you've been trafficked.They threw you on a Spirit Airlines flight to like Rancho Cucamonga and we're never going to see you again.
OK, like that was happening to me.But instead, I went, you know, did this interview.They came out of security, which I felt like, you know what?
Knowing Atlanta Airport security, you're pretty committed to me if you're going to come all the way out and go back in. So they did.And I thought I bombed it.I thought, well, that was a big waste of time.You know, I had regrets about my outfit.
I was wearing this like yellow blazer, yellow, not really my color.I thought me either.Right.Blondes, yellow.It's not our best.It's not our thing.
But anyway, so they called me like a week later and they said, yeah, we're going to hire you, you know, and to do the to do a sideline role.But it was like a 12 event deal.
So, you know, from like contracts, it was nothing, especially compared to what I had already been doing.I had recently gotten married and I went to my husband.I'm like, hey, I think this is a great opportunity.And he's like, whoa, what a pay cut.
Like, that's nothing, you know. We kind of had a conversation.I was like, just give me a chance to try this.Let me see if I can do it.If it stinks, I will make money some other way.
Like I will find, you know, OnlyFans didn't exist then, but I thought I'm going to find a way.
Listen, honey, if anybody, anybody listening to this, I think my entire audience knows we're all about one bad gig away from an OnlyFans career.
We all are, but it is.And that's okay.And, and, you know, I'm thankful for the time before that, when, when I don't have to, but if we do like, we'll do it is what it is for our families.So anyway, and then I got the job.
So then it was like, you know, I'm doing everything possible to just keep doing what, whatever they asked.That's how I ended up doing gymnastics and softball and baseball and like whatever sport possible.
Cause I felt like I needed the reps and I wanted to prove to them, you know, no matter what would be thrown my way, I would be able to get through it.
See, that's such a testament to the hard work though, because that's how I felt in comedy.Like when I was coming up, I would say yes to anything.I would do the random side gigs and nothing was above me.
I said, I have to learn every aspect, every facet of this business, because I also too feel like, and I always want to tell like younger gals, I'm like, learn what the producers are doing.Learn what the guys in the control room are doing.
It didn't even matter what area of work you're in.You could be working down at Goldman Sachs.Learn what the front desk receptionist is doing.Know every job and be nice to everyone so that then they're also on your side.
That's the key.It's so easy to be nice and to be fun and do kind things for people.Even do it from a place of selfishness if that's who you are.
it will benefit you now it's better if you could just be like a nice human but I have found that to be so true there have been many times when I thought okay I'm wasting my time being so nice and then it always pays off it really does yeah I do believe it does pay off and I listen I can tell you're genuinely you have good energy like you're just a good person but it was wild to me especially in our business because we are on the camera
It is so wild to me, and I am sure you have seen this coming up, when these people would act like assholes, especially to their entire crew, and for a moment, for a split second, you think, well, I can never be that, you know, I can never be that asshole, but I see that they're getting ahead of me so much quicker, but it always comes back.
always and I have so many examples of this happening and thinking, God, like nice people do finish last, you know, and what am I doing?
And, and, and then like, we all get tempted, you get tempted to be a little mean and to be like, Oh, let me try that out.Like, let me try to, you know, see how that would go stabbing somebody in the back.
And I've never, I've always felt like, okay, that's not who I am.That's not what I was raised to be.And that's important to me.And I always feel like super important to hold on to that.Right.
But but then every single time to a man, to a woman, the karma has gotten them like it actively plays out.And you're like, oh, my God, I end up feeling bad for people, which maybe that's my toxic trait.But yeah.
Oh, my toxic trait is I'm such a people pleaser.I'm sure I will have some business manager one day that steals all of my money.I'm left destitute.They blackmailed me.Somehow my sex tape is released and I'm like, well, it is it is what it is.
I'll still send him a Christmas card. They did me a favor, it's fine.Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Okay, so you're taking all these jobs at the SEC Network, you're doing all these obscure, not obscure sports, but you know what I mean, like when the goal is that when the big ticket item is to do the NFL, you're still doing all of the other, you know, maybe smaller sports, if you will.
And then what was the transition, what was the big break?
Yeah, so I started filling in on sports center here on campus and doing some other shows and then get up, which is ESPN morning show had launched and they had some changes happen there and they were like kind of just throwing anybody at it to see if anyone would stick and I was like.
I'm a stick.Yeah, like, this is gonna be my thing.And this is before I had kids.
And I was like, Alright, so basically, we lived in Birmingham at that time, I basically would live in a hotel in New York the entire year, like my husband is a saint because he let me do that.And he was so supportive of it.
And also he was like, Are you ever coming home?You know, He's like, you know, you're going to have to like be near me if we're going to ever have kids.I'm like, I get it.I get it.Just, you know, bear with me here.And he was great about it.
But that was really kind of I guess if I had a break, that was kind of it, because it was a chance to show.And, you know, during that time, I was doing a lot with Paul Feinbaum, who loves you, by the way.
Paul Feinbaum is everything.I love him.
Everything.He's the most amazing and like also, and I say this to his face, so this is not talking bad, but he's the most amazing and also awkward human being.And like, you just never know what's going to happen.But he's amazing.He loves you.
He loves supporting women, which is one of his best qualities. But anyway, so I was doing stuff with him.
I was showing, I think at that time, when I reflect on it, that, you know, I could be more than just, let me ask a question and point the microphone your way.I had opinions.
I had a unique knowledge base because I was doing so many games at the same time.So I'm bringing a little bit more insight than you're getting from somebody who's just reading headlines and things like that.
So did that and then COVID happened and we were living in New York City.At that time, we had fully moved there. And it was like, okay, well, everything's ending, you know, what are you going to do?
And we left New York thinking we'll be back in a couple weeks.And sure enough, we never went back.And I think in a weird way, as much as I felt at that time, I've lost my whole career.
They're not going to keep me on just to sort of like be this person via FaceTime from Birmingham, Alabama, I have nothing to offer, you know, was a very, very tough time on me confidence wise.
But then the NFL live opportunity opened up and they said if you're willing to, in the middle of this pandemic, move your family again, at this point, we had our daughter Reese, she was like six months old.
move again to Connecticut, we have an opportunity for you.And I said, yep, let's do it.And basically at that point, like bet on myself saying, all right, I haven't really been in the NFL space.I had been very tied to college.
I covered the NFL, but not like at the level of hosting the daily show.But I thought I'll find a way to do this.And good for you.
And I can't imagine like, you know, it's in the middle of the pandemic.Everybody's already panicked about where their next, you know, paycheck's going to come from.You have a brand new baby.
You just moved down South, which already felt like the wild, wild West.And now it's like move up to the middle of nowhere, Connecticut, and start this whole new career. Yes, yes.
And the funny thing, too, Heather, like if you think about so at that time, that's when kind of remote television started, where everyone's in these boxes.But prior to that, we never did that.Everyone was just all together.
That was the only way that we really knew how to do TV.And that that was true for any studio show across the board, not just sports. But so we're thinking, okay, NFL live, they're relaunching the show, it's going to be a little different.
It's the new age of the show, we're going to be together.And then they tell me, maybe a month before the launch, actually, no one's coming into studio because of COVID issues.So you're going to be in this this big old room by yourself.
And you've got to try to create chemistry, you've got to try to create credibility.And early on, I mean, I thought this is a failed effort.And this is, I mean, I truly thought like, this is going to be it for me.And I need to
start thinking of that second career, you know.But I would credit our group and they're such a fun group.They're there.
It's a hilarious group of people like Marcus Spears is this like Louisiana guy who's got so much personality who I had known for all these years on SEC Network.Dan Orlowski is like serious football guy, but you can also give him some crap.
So he's so much fun.Like we have so much fun with him.Mina Kimes, who is such a rock star.She's truly a trailblazer.She's the only true female football analyst and analyzes the game at such an incredible level.
Ryan Clark, who is one of the best people on television I've ever worked with.So we all became very close during that time and found ways to still have chemistry, even though we were never together.
And I think that's the reason for the success of the show, looking back on it.But man, there were some dark days, right?
for my dead dad's office during the pandemic like I have no idea who's watching this are we ever going to tour again, I think you know it doesn't that feel like it was a 100 years ago and also yesterday it. feels that's the best way to put it.
It feels like we could so easily all just go right back into that space.Yeah, like you find these moments of being really thankful that we're not there and thankful for everything, right?I think there's some renewed gratefulness for all of it.
It is remarkable to think about what that time was and just the uncertainty of not knowing, like, what is next?What am I going to be able to provide for my family and all of these things?
So, yeah, I think that was a turning point, though, certainly for me.
Laura, I'm so like, I'm so interested and I hate to even be like, what's it like to be a woman in this male dominated field?But we do very similar things. Okay.
I mean, I am, you know, if I'm going up at a club, it may, I may be one of five women that night that are doing the damn thing, even though there's so many of us doing it.It's just how, how it rolls.
What has been the biggest lesson that you have learned working in a male dominated field?
And I don't as I mean it can be a positive about the people they work with or a negative even just about the fans because I I did college game day for 90 seconds one day and I have never in my entire life.
I have never received so many unhinged messages from and in my entire life.It was crazy.
How do you deal with that?Every day.I mean, my goodness.
I was laughing so hard the other day you were talking about on your podcast about the DMs that you get and like sometimes keep some of those around that are kind of making you feel like a little good about yourself because it's like, you know, well, shoot.
I mean, if you think that, like, cool.And then you're also like, they might be a stalker or like, they might have problems.I have a few like that.And I'm like favoriting the tweets and then I'm like, I hope no one sees that I favorited that.
Yeah, you don't need a paper trail.You're like this guy.Your biggest stalker is the guy who opened the Chick-fil-A franchise down the street at ESPN.That's how dedicated he is to being close to you because he knows that you want nuggets.
But also, like, thanks for your compliments.And I say that, like, obviously, that's the silly side of it.I mean, the thing that I've found is that
I think the biggest lesson, too, is coming to the table with credibility and with a knowledge base that makes a difference to where they want to get you, you know, and I don't want to.That's so mean to me.
They do.They want to get you, though.Say it like it is, because they do.They want to get you.They want to be like, she doesn't know anything.
She never played.She couldn't possibly sit there and poke holes like, OK, well, she's only there because of this, that and the other.And she did this to her boss to get this, you know, all that.
We all hear it.Oh, it's so interesting, isn't it?If you're any any woman nowadays who's gotten any sort of credit for anything is she automatically slept her way to the top.
I'm like, it's insane.Couldn't possibly.And so I say that to say that then for all this time, I've thought, OK, so knowledge and preparedness could be my biggest weapons against that.And you come at me with you don't know anything.
Well, let me show you that I do. And also doing it in a way, and this is kind of the hard part, because I hope for my daughter that she doesn't have to feel this way in life, and that's something that I'm really passionate about.
Like, I'm always trying to say, let me make it comfortable for you, though.Like, I'm gonna dunk on you, but you're not gonna really notice. that I did that and you're going to feel good about it the whole time because I'm going to do it with a smile.
But I hope that the women of the future can say, I'm going to dunk on you and I'm going to be proud of it, right?Like, I think that's the next step of what it's going to be like for women.And I'm hopeful that we're getting there in a lot of ways.
And I don't ever want to be somebody that's like, I don't really want to dunk on people.Like, I want things to be nice and fun and funny and great.But of course, but it's exhausting.It's the world we live in.
Yeah, it's the world we live in. It would be so nice just to be able to do your thing and not to always have to be compared to like, oh, well, she's a woman analyst.
It's like you're just an analyst or, you know, you're a reporter or you're talking about sports or whatever, whatever the gig is.It's like just allow you to be you.And that is such a good point, though.They're always trying to poke holes.
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Oh my God, let me think there have been so many.Um, so I have definitely had, you know, some people that have brought some odd gifts.Yes.The odd gifts can be really weird.So somebody brought me,
these Native American like arrowheads, which is really cool collectors item.
But then what happened was I so I feel so bad because I'm like, I'm never gonna like throw it away or obviously if somebody so I come home, it's always a running joke, like I will come home with the weirdest things in my back.
And my husband will be like, if I didn't know, like I would be very suspicious of you with all these odd things you're coming home with.So I try to take the arrowheads home and I got massively searched in TSA.And they're like,
Ma'am, you know, do you have do you have any knowledge of the weapons that are in your bag?And I'm like, I don't have any weapons.Like, what are you talking about?I'm like, at this point, I'm like, at that time, I was like breast pumping.
I'm like, it's a breast pump.Like, that's what it is.Like, it's not a weapon.I'm like ready to fight because they're coming at me for, you know, providing milk for my babies.They're like, no, ma'am, you have.
You have arrowheads in your bag, like poisonous darts in your bag.
So I'm like, OK, well, So I forgot about those and trying to explain myself then led to further questioning and further searching.And so that gift to me was the most notable because I almost, I think, got detained at the airport.
And unfortunately, I had to leave the Arrowheads with those people there.I think they liked them, though.I think they felt good about that.
Um, and you know, if you took those arrowheads to like, like antique roadshow, you could, you could be $50,000 richer.
Like millions.And here I am.
Wow.I know I get a lot of, I love when I get like a monogram pillow with my face on it.That always brings me joy.I love the artwork, but people would bring me elaborate gifts, which was so kind.
But I was like, guys, I have to, I have three other cities I have to travel to this weekend.I cannot take this.What am I doing?So I just started giving everyone my exact home address.I'm like, just mail it, mail it.You know, it's fine.
I know.Well, it's funny because the ESPN address is like public knowledge.So I didn't know.I found out recently that I have a desk here.This whole time I've been like, oh, man, like they don't even give me a desk.You know, it's like a running joke.
And they're like, no, no, you have a desk.It's like amongst all these other cubicles.So I went to my desk just to see what it looked like.Right. It's, you know, a mile away, like I can't ever go there.
On my desk, there were so many gifts, snow globes, all of these cards, all these photos of me, like photos of me, you know, unfortunately, because I was in Miss America, there are some photos that exist in a swimsuit, which is a very bad thing to have in life because, you know.
And are they a little sticky?You get it, and you're like.
You're like, the card's a little sticky.There were some odd substances on them. I just wiped that away and said, oh, well, I still look cute.So there you go.
Yeah.And it's like a card from a guy named Carl.He's just like, really loved your talent portion.Yeah.Really love seeing you tap dance.Yeah.Oh, my God.So you're against.
Yeah.So there was all those things there on my desk and I and I left them all.I never I just, you know, so they're probably like this crazy person has all these things arriving in the mail room.Oh, someone sent me an edible arrangement one time.
Like, you know, you know, no, absolutely not. See, I would do that.I basically had started a female entrepreneur, multi-level marketing scheme of charcuterie companies because on my first tour, everyone was like, what can we bring you?
I'm like, well, I love charcuterie.And so they, we'd have 50 charcuterie platters that would show up to the backstage door and they'd have cards and everyone started their own charcuterie company.I don't know if anybody used gloves.
People were bringing me homemade cookies.I could have been eating edibles left and right.And I tasted and tested. and everything.
And finally, my tour manager, Chris, was like, hey, you have to stop eating all these gifts, because you're going to be so ill, and we have 400 more shows to do.I was like, fine, fine.So I'm so curious.So then you're getting these big gigs.
You've created this community.You're doing the damn thing.In your line of work, what is the pinnacle?What is the peak moment or the 10-year goal?
Yeah, so I think it's funny because I never like truly in in college and when I was like chasing my dreams, I wanted to be the Florida radio sideline reporter.Like I thought if I could do that, I've made it.So any of this is a surprise to me.
So I'm still always trying to like figure out what is, you know, kind of the next thing.I love to cook.So I do in 10 years, I would love to be able to say like,
I have a cooking show or I don't know, something like that, you know, in that case, which would be a total departure, although food and football go together really well.
Honey, you could do some sort of like Ina Garten elevated tailgate, just literally call it elevated tailgate.And you could make fabulous, you know, because in the south to everything is a mayonnaise or sour cream based dip.
But you could just like really elevate it all.And I would I would I would subscribe to that in a heartbeat.
I mean, you might have just created the whole thing.So we have it here.So I will give you all the credit.I mean, you know, from the Grove, like that's the best tailgating you're going to find.And that is elevated.
But a lot of these a lot of people need the ideas.Right.So maybe there's something there.So I would say that.But, you know, for me, it's like whatever big event
live show, which those are the craziest shows, as we've talked about, like live television, you have no idea what's going to happen.I love that.I love the combination of that with the biggest games on the sideline.
I can't, I can't believe I would even say that because I would have never thought like I, it could be me doing those.And truly like, even still now, I mean, before one of these NFL games or Monday night football is going to kick off.
And if I'm on the sideline, I try not to think about that because I'm like, Let's not, let's not think about who's actually watching this and how many millions of people and all that.
Um, but I, I think some version of that, you know, in the next 10 years would be really fun.Just even a variety of things.
Well, this whole entire podcast is, you know, it's, it's supposed to be a place where people bitch, but I just love like actually manifesting and creating goals and having everyone like ask for what they want.
So I get very horny for this kind of stuff. I am curious because, you know, I'm a road dog.I have my specific things that I have to have in my bag to keep me alive.
When you're on the sidelines, you're doing a game day or when you're traveling, what is in your bag?What is your survival?
So this is a great question.So I, so Tim Tebow, that's not a name drop.It's just like a funny thing.Tim Tebow got me on this like salt packet stuff.It's called salt of the earth.
And I don't know what's happening with it, but he told me that we don't, and if he said, he's like, Jesus.So if he says that, I'm like, it must be true.So he told me that we're not getting enough, like minerals and salts from our food.
And I don't know, maybe it's a placebo and it could be, you know, because I always need recovery after the previous night.I'm like, let me just drink a bunch of these salt things all day.And I feel great after these.
So I am. I am the most wildly dehydrated person you've ever met in your life.I live off the noon tablets.They taste like strawberry lemonade.Some of the other brands I love, but I can really take those when I'm hung over.
But if I take them and then I have to be on camera, I look like I've been sucking on salt cubes like a horse.So, okay.So you got to stay hydrated.
And then I always have an Uncrustable.I love the Uncrustables.Yeah, that is my comfort.If there if there's a day when I'm like, oh, my God, nothing's tasting good or like I can't.
If I have an Uncrustable, I could always have that, even if I'm feeling nerves and I'm like not feeling like eating.That's always good.And then I always have a million good idea.Uncrustables are so good.
I'm not sure putting those on my rider.Yeah.Oh, pins like like writing pens.
Yes.But then I can never find one.And then there's like all kinds of random other stuff.Like I'll find a baby sock in there, like somebody's passy.And I'm like, cool, let's take this to the field.Why not?
Yeah, I mean, honestly, that's a good luck charm at that point.But I did not think about the incrustable because it's actually kind of a perfect snack.You've got protein.You got a little sugar, some carbohydrates.
It's going to get you through that next two hours of television.And then you can have something decent when you come down.
Yes.And and that's what I usually do.Like I will I will sit there and think the whole day about like the postgame meal.So, yeah, whatever I need to do to secure that, if it means going at some weird time of the morning to like last.
So the last Monday night game I did was in Tampa and there was a public.So I was like, I'm going to get a pub sub for after the game.I felt so good about that move.
I thought about the pub sub for eight hours straight and it really was good, but it didn't quite live up to, you know, it'd been kind of marinating in its own juice for a while, but you can't get the oil vinegar.
That's the number one thing when you get a set.You can't even get oil and vinegar on a pub sub and you drive three minutes back to your house.It's over.It's over.Yeah.People don't ever get it.They're like, what do you eat before show?
I'm like nothing.I'm usually so nervous or I'm like randomly munching on random chips and bullshit backstage.And then when I am done about 45 minutes after a show, I am scarfing down 55,000 calories in a matter of 10 or 15 minutes.
And then I and then, you know, there's like a 6 a.m.flight the next morning.And I'm like, yeah, bubble guts the whole flight.But that's OK.Amen.Amen.But that's just like next to me.
I'm curious, too.And, you know, as a mom, as a mother, as a wife, are there days where you just feel like, how can I travel this much?How can I do it all? Yeah, every day.
Every day.I mean, you know, it's funny because so many people, and I'm sure you get these questions too, just in general, like, oh, you've got it all figured out.And like, you're just nailing it.And I'm like, no, I don't.This is a disaster.
I mean, this morning alone, I was like trying to do both kids.Like my husband, for whatever reason, was still asleep, which is fine.You know, men sometimes do that.And I'm like, you know.Men sometimes do that. I hate yelling at everyone.
And I'm like, that's a way to put it.And then, then I had to go get my hair done because my, I had such bad roots that everyone was yelling at me on Twitter about my roots.No, mine were way worse than that.No girl.
I've got my hair crews about to be here in about 10 minutes.They're going to be knocking on the door.Yeah.Amazing.You get it.You get it.
So this is, you know, so we got that fixed because it was really bad.And then I forgot my hair extension.So I had to after like yelling at everybody all morning, I had to text my husband and be like, Can you bring my weave?
And then he came in and I was like, Oh, you look so cute.Like trying to pretend like I didn't just go nuts the whole morning.So it's yeah. I think every day it's like you got to give yourself some grace in some places.
I always feel like I'm a moment away on camera from just having a massive mistake and like getting canceled because of it.
And I'm like, okay, you know, that's fine.Not not like makes you uneasy, but you don't want to get canceled at home either.So it's just like this constant. push and pull, and I just admire women so much.
I think we all, like there's so much going on in our brains.There's so much we're trying to manage.Nobody has it figured out.And it's like, then you're looking on Instagram.Things look great for some people.
I'm like seeing people taking these vacations.I'm like, oh, like I'm so jealous.And I'm like, you know what?They probably have something going on that isn't great for them either.So it's, I don't know.
I try to live in a place of like finding whatever I can every day to keep going.And then some days just stink, you know?
Listen, but that's such a honest and transparent way to look at it too, because that's the thing.Like everyone thinks that what I do is so glamorous.I'm like, you have no idea.I live in sky clubs.
I don't some, you know, there'll be months in like January and February.I will not see the light of day because I'm stuck in a dark theater.You know, it's you're away from your family.You're grinding, but you're doing what you love and you've paved
such a way for yourself and other women in the business.And listen, this is just our first interaction.I hope that, you know, I'm manifesting, we get to do something on camera together.We get to giggle.
I mean, I'll come and cook with you at a tailgate, whatever.I just think everything you're doing is so badass.And I feel so new to the sports world in the sense of getting to interact
with all these fierce females that are on, you know, doing the NFL and ESPN and everything.And I am just, I have such admiration for everything that you are doing.And I think you're such a badass and I love that you're an SEC girly.
And what other games are you going to?Are you going to be at Ole Miss?
So I let's we should manifest this right now because I am trying so hard to tell like my bosses and they get so annoyed with me because I'm like, hey, just looking ahead, everybody.
I think we should go to Oxford and my best friend is going to be there, too.She's amazing.You have to meet her.But anyway, so if you're going to be there, I'm really going to tell him we have to go.
I'm going to be there next weekend and I don't even, I think this could be really fun.I'll come on the sidelines.I'll, I'll hold your purse.I'll do makeup, touch-ups, whatever you need.I will be your bitch that weekend.
No, you're going to be front and center.We're making this happen.And then after that, we don't know where we're going, like usually week to week.It just kind of depends.But I, Ole Miss though, right now, like fingers crossed is
one of our potential options.So, and it's circled, I think, pretty high on the list.So, um, now I'm just going to be like, I quit if we don't go to Ole Miss.
Say Heather McMahon said, you, it says you better do this or I'm going to quit.Um, Laura, where can everybody find you?Where can everyone watch you?I just, I'm so obsessed with you and thank you so much for giving me the time of day.This is so cool.
You have no idea like what you do for women, what you do for all of us to continue to blaze these trails, to be in a man's world, absolutely dominating.
Like I have so much admiration for you, but also you're so freaking funny and you make us all laugh and it's the best.
We need that in life and we need somebody who lets us feel that whatever crazy we're feeling every day is like normal and fine and that you might feel it too.And I know it's helped me so many times and giving me a laugh when I needed one.
So you can find me on NFL Live.We're going to be
on air, we're on air every day at four, um, on ESPN and then sec nation on Saturday and, um, the occasional Monday night football game, which this week I'm doing, and it just depends on the day, but, um, all kinds of fun things.
I I'm thankful to be able to.Be able to say all that and to be able to say that you can find me those places.
Hell yeah, you are doing the most, not the least these days.I am so grateful that you came here.So everybody who's listening to the podcast, follow Laura Rutledge on all of the things, and hopefully you'll see a sideline together in Oxford.
And I'm going to tell you right now, I'm going to tell my hair girls, because I've been doing a little blonde, like a brown blonde.I want to go full throttle.I want to be as blonde as you because you look good.No, you should.
So I did the same thing.I was feeling a little dull with mine.Yeah.And I was like, let's brighten her up.I mean, the maintenance is brutal, and I'm going to have to be right back in there.
And I got these little friends right here that are like wanting to stick up and have their own life.But that's OK.
My cowlick is absolutely brutal.And but that's what you need.Every every fake blonde has to give themselves like a month of being a little bit of a brunette just so all your hair doesn't fall out.It's true.
Like it gives me every time.
I've never felt uglier.Yeah. Laura, thank you so much for coming on the episode.I love you.I mean it.And, you know, I'll see you on the sidelines, babe.Yeah, you will.Oh, this is happening.Thanks so much for listening to today's episode.
Don't forget to subscribe, rate us and leave a review.And as always, follow me on Instagram at Heather K. McMahon.See you guys soon.
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