Meet Alex Livingston

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Livingston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work-life balance has always been a struggle for me. In the TV industry you’re taught and expected to give your all at all times, no matter what is going on in your personal life. You sacrifice family time on weekends and holidays, miss birthday celebrations and weddings, for the overall goal to climb the ladder and in my case reach the anchor desk at a national network. Over time that can really wear on your mental and physical health and I didn’t realize how taxing it was for me until I had my son in 2023. That was truly when things shifted for me. I realized something that deep down I already knew but didn’t want to face because I truly loved my job. It was a huge part of me and without it, who was I? In reality, no job is worth missing out on your child’s life and your family’s growth. Now that I’m out of the TV industry (Amen to no more 3:45 a.m. alarms) and venturing into the world of entrepreneurship and forming my own brand, I finally feel like I’ve achieved some sort of balance. I also know that what that balance looks like will change over time and it should! Balance is all about prioritizing things in your life and for more than a decade, I kept my priorities rigid. Now that I’m living in it, I can firmly say we’re not meant to live life without balance. There are so many benefits to working, but there are also benefits to resting.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If you look back on the last decade of my life spent in the TV industry, you’ll see thousands of miles driven to jobs all across the country, countless stories of tragedy and triumph told, and years of early alarms anchoring a national morning show. While I eventually ended up on the anchor desk, which was always my dream, I spent many years shooting, writing and editing my own pieces and producing my own newscasts. I started my career in a small market in West Virginia and although it was hard being away from family and in an environment so different than what I was used to, I wouldn’t trade it. I made my mistakes there and also logged some personal wins before I moved to another station across the country (and three more times after that). This industry is not easy. The hours are hard, the stories we tell and things we see can be traumatizing and because you’re on TV, it opens you up to a level of criticism from viewers that can really hurt so a thick skin is a must. Thankfully my family was, and still is, an amazing support system for me. When I look back at my career in TV, I see that every station I worked at set me up professionally for the next step. I picked up new skills and gained confidence in my craft and although anchoring a morning show isn’t my job anymore, this time is really no different. The last decade has set me up for the biggest pivot of my life. I’m proud of the tools I’ve picked up along the way and have used while creating content for brands that I love and in special projects near and dear to my heart that will be announced very soon. When it comes to my story, I want people to know that you don’t have to stay in a box or in a place that no longer serves you. A career is not forever, you can change and so can your job.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a sucker for live music so one of the first things I would do would be to check out the lineup at City Winery. There’s something about an intimate setting with good food, drinks, and music that makes my heart so happy! There are a few restaurants I’d make sure to visit for dinner and drinks. First up – By George in The Candler Hotel. The dining room is historic and so beautiful and the service is top-notch. The food and drinks are delicious and the dessert is really the cherry on top. Another must visit would have to be Saints + Council. The spicy mussels appetizer?! Lord!! To die for. I also love a good brunch (who doesn’t?) so for that I’d make a reservation at Five Church. Both locations are amazing but for brunch I suggest the Buckhead location and make sure you book the sunroom because it’s stunning and instagram ready honey! You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Another brunch spot is Gocha’s Breakfast Bar. My oh my, the food here! This is another place where you can order anything and it’ll leave you wanting more. This restaurant has people lining up out the door, and rightfully so. I love taking visitors to Chattahoochee Food Works because there is truly something there for everyone and the little shops inside are so cute. I could spend HOURS in Adelina Social Goods. After you grab a bite to eat at the food court you can walk right over to Your 3rd Spot for games and drinks. It’s so fun to act like a kid and beat your friends in skeeball.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my husband. His support during my career pivot after being a part of a mass layoff at my company has allowed me to really focus on what’s important and what’s next for not only myself but for our family. He never panicked, never wavered and never stopped telling me he believed in me. As an entrepreneur you can experience imposter syndrome and lack confidence at times but he has always been a steady hand helping me through all of the ups and downs. I don’t know if I would have had the courage to pivot in such a drastic way if it weren’t for him. I’m so grateful for his love and encouragement.

Website: alexlivingstontv.com

Instagram: @alexlivingstontv

Linkedin: Alex Livingston

Other: email: info@alexlivingstontv.com

Image Credits
Brandon Rashad