Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Coscarelli.
Erin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a little kid I would always write these short stories. Having the ability to be creative on a piece of paper was where it started for me. I’ve always found stories to be therapeutic. It’s amazing I fell into journalism because there is so much writing in the job description.
I grew up with two older brothers who were sports obsessed. So growing up I played every stick and ball sport I could. Soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball, track and field were just a few.
In college at USC, I covered the Trojan football team on their way to the National Championship. Since then I’ve enjoyed getting to work on some very cool sporting events; from college football sideline reporting, covering the X Games, hosting a national morning show for NFL Network, an ABC primetime surf show produced by Kelly Slater as well as MotoCross for NBC Sports. No doubt I’m blessed by all the professional opportunities my career has given me. It’s been a fun ride!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The most recent obstacles happened during the busiest season of my career.
I had just finished filming ABC’s, “The Ultimate Surfer,” and I was slated to start working pre and post-game shows for the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the middle of the NFL season in 2020, my brother unexpectedly passed away. It was a really challenging time because five months after losing him, my father was diagnosed with cancer.
The following year in 2021, ‘The Ultimate Surfer” began airing and I was about to start working another season with the Raiders. I was covering what was a pretty crazy season for the Raiders. They had just fired their head coach and released their first round draft pick for killing someone in a high speed accident. All the while, I was flying back and forth from Vegas back to LA to be with my father in the hospital. We couldnt be with him when he found out the news because Covid wouldnt allow visitors in the ER. So while I was trying to promote my surf show and cover the Raiders, I received a call from the ER doctor who said, “you need to stop driving.” She told me his cancer returned but this time it spread to his brain. We lost him one month later on November 19th — the same day they got married.
Losing my dad was really disorienting. I was unsure of how to take steps moving forward both personally and professionally. One of the biggest lessons I learned throughout this was that it was ok to lean on people and let them know how much I was struggling. I was trying so hard to keep these big worlds afloat and pretending I was ok but I couldnt do it anymore. Life was teaching me that nothing really is in your control.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When you face challenges like this you have an option to start sharing your story hoping it helps someone maybe dealing with the same. I miss my dad and brothers so much but the pain has made me a better, more compassionate journalist. In my opinion, the most important aspect of any journalistic job is curiosity. Being curious about what it’s like to be in the shoes of another. It’s a fast-paced job and your achilles heel will always be pressure…so try to slow down and create a space for someone else to feel comfortable enough to reveal the magic in their own story. My favorite part of my job is creating an environment where someone feels comfortable enough to be their true self.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success for me is not a professional destination, a car or a house. It’s a feeling. The feeling of unapologetically showing your most authentic self. And inspiring others to do the same.
To collaborate on creative projects where you have the freedom to spark authenticity, purpose and joy. Laughter and success go hand in hand to me. If I’m laughing a lot…I’m usually exactly where I want to be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/erincoscarelli
- Facebook: facebook.com/erincoscarelli
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/erincoscarelli
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG02fIwnE53rZGb4rRybXcw?app=desktop
