Today’s interview is Mandy Henry, who I first met when she interviewed me for television! That was nearly 10 years ago, back in 2004 when I worked at UNICEF and the Asian Tsunami struck. As a full time presenter at MUTV (Manchester United television), she and her team did a brilliant job helping us create a high profile appeal with the Manchester United first team players to raise emergency funds from the fans.
We have stayed in touch ever since, and some time back Mandy took the Do What You Love e-course at a time when she was getting itchy feet in her job. It was clear that TV presenting is something that Mandy is brilliant at, and loves, but the way the job worked wasn’t working for her.
Today Mandy shares how she made the leap into freelance presenting, to allow her to stay doing what she loves, but in a way which suits her lifestyle, and talks about what she has discovered along the way. – Beth
Mandy Henry is a sports presenter on BBC television, and MUTV. She’s also a travel blogger in her spare time (to avoid any confusion, she goes by her married name of Gentleman when she’s not on TV!). Mandy has been a television presenter for 18 years, and started blogging as a hobby because travel is a huge passion of hers.
Mandy Henry
1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?
I’ve always loved presenting, having done it for many years, but in 2012 I took the big decision to go freelance. It was the best decision I have ever made, and has given me more freedom but also allowed me to have more control over the work that I do. It was always my ambition to work for the BBC, and I have now achieved that! I work on the BBC News channel; BBC Breakfast, and BBC World – I’ve always wanted to achieve world domination, ha ha!
Presenting on BBC Breakfast for the first time
2. What did you do before this?
I was a staff presenter at MUTV for 12 years. I’m actually still lucky enough to work there on a freelance basis and I genuinely love the job, but I also knew I needed a new challenge and to push myself more.
Interviewing Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (wearing £80,000 of diamonds!) – his last interview with me before he retired
3. What was you a-ha moment that pushed you to change?
I actually took part in the ‘Do What You Love’ e-course and it made me think a lot about my future; my goals in life, and made me question how happy I was. While I really loved my job, I think we all need to test ourselves no matter how much we enjoy what we’re doing. I just knew it was time to take action!
4. How did you make it happen?
I sat down and had a very constructive meeting with my employers, and also got myself an agent. Once I put some feelers out there, and I was confident of getting work elsewhere as well as at MUTV, I took the leap!
5. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was taking that leap! Being a member of staff really gives you security, and you have no worries in terms of work, but freelance life is a lot different, but it’s about learning to enjoy that difference, and be confident in your own abilities.
6. What is different about your life since you made the big change from in-house to freelance?
The whole working week is different. My job means I work a lot of late nights and weekends (working in sport means that’s inevitable!) I think it’s really important to enjoy the quieter times, as that relaxation time gets you through the busy months! Every day at work is also one I enjoy now, as I’m more free to be able to pick and choose the programmes and shifts that I want to do – it’s a real luxury, and means I never have a bad day at work, as I’m the one who agreed to do it in the first place!
Interviewing Olympic champion swimmer Mark Foster on the BBC News channel
7. What fun stuff do you get up to outside work?
I travel each and every time I have a long enough break from work to do so. I am so passionate about travel that I started writing a blog a few years ago, as I used to give people little lists of places to go if they were going somewhere I had been. My friends suggested I tell more people about my tips, and that’s where my Travel Lightbulb blog came from! I’ve been to many places including the Caribbean (over twenty five times!); travelled widely through Europe, and have also discovered some great parts of Asia. I love working hard to make money for holidays!
8. What is the best advice you have received?
My Dad has a saying “Life is not a dress rehearsal” and it’s really become a mantra for our whole family. I think it’s so important to enjoy life to the full – why not…..we only get one shot at it!
9. What keeps you awake at night?
Not a lot – when I do shifts on BBC Breakfast I have to get up at 4am to get to work for 5am, so I treasure my sleep!
10. And what gets you up in the morning?
Doing the job that I genuinely love – I feel so lucky to be able to say I’m doing the job I always dreamed of doing – not many people can say that!
You can find out more about Mandy on her Blog or follow her on Facebook.
