Author Spotlight - Robin Roberts

Source:  ABCNews.com

Robin Roberts is anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America." Under her leadership, the broadcast has won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning program.

When not traveling around the country or the world covering breaking news events, Roberts is at "GMA's" studio in Times Square conducting interviews with a diverse group of newsmakers. Her headline-making interviews include: President Barack Obama; First Lady Michelle Obama; actor Sidney Poitier; basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on his battle with leukemia; and Lisa Niemi on the loss of her beloved husband, Patrick Swayze.

Roberts has also done extensive reporting around the globe. She traveled to the Middle East with former First Lady Laura Bush, who was on a mission to raise awareness about breast cancer in the Muslim world; to Africa with former President Bill Clinton for a first-hand look at the AIDS crisis in that part of the world; and to Mexico, where she scaled the Mayan Pyramids as part of "GMA's" "The New 7 Wonders of the World" series.

Roberts also broadcast live from inside the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta in October 2009. It was the first time television cameras were permitted inside the CDC's special command center tracking the H1N1 "swine flu" virus.

In November 2009, Roberts hosted her first primetime special, "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville." The special took Roberts to Nashville, where she interviewed some of country music's biggest stars. She followed that with another primetime hour featuring an exclusive interview with Janet Jackson, the performer's first since the death of her brother, Michael.

In February 2009, Roberts made her red carpet debut as co-host of the ABC Television Network's Oscar pre-show, reporting live from the 81st annual Academy Awards with fashion expert Tim Gunn.

Roberts played an active role in ABC News' coverage of the 2008 presidential race. She interviewed the candidates and a wide-range of political newsmakers for "GMA;" traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to moderate a town hall debate with then-candidate Hillary Clinton; and reported live from Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day. Roberts was the first journalist to interview President Barack Obama after he was sworn in as President. Roberts also traveled the country by train with the "GMA" team as part of the network's ambitious "50 States in 50 Days" initiative in September 2008.

Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2007. Her courageous and public battle has been recognized with awards and honors from organizations around the country, including: The Susan G. Komen Foundation; The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program; and Gilda's Club, a non-profit organization founded by the late Joel Siegel.

 

In March 2007, Roberts' first book, "From the Heart: 7 Rules to Live By," was published by Hyperion. An updated version of the book, including an additional chapter on her battle with breast cancer, was released in 2008.

Roberts is a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and currently resides in New York City.

 

For additional information, visit ABCNews.com

From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By by Robin Roberts

I have been a fan of Robin Roberts for a long time.  I have watched her on Good Morning America for years.  I watched as she shared her very personal struggle with breast cancer.  One day I was in a bookstore, and her book caught my eye.  I couldn't wait to read it.  

In the introduction Roberts states, "After I deliver a speech I am often asked for a copy of it. The problem is I never write my speeches. I just talk. That is my hope for this book. It's just me talking to you. Talking about the things I have learned that have helped me find joy in my life and fulfillment in my work....There is no magical reason why I am where I am. And there is absolutely no reason why you can't be where you want to be. If it can happen for me, it can happen for you, too. And it would be a privilege for me to help you get there." 

That is exactly what she did - she just talked.  I really appreciated the humble approach that Robin Roberts took as she wrote this book.  She shared her humble beginnings and the lessons that she has learned throughout her life.  She wasn't promoting herself.  She was simply using the wisdom she has gained to help others.  That is admirable. 

The principles she has gained in her life prepared her for success.  They taught her rules that she lives by.  The seven rules she shared in her book are:

1. Position yourself to take the shot
2. Dream big, but focus small
3. If at first you don't succeed, dive back in
4. Never play the race, gender, or any other card
5. Venture outside your comfort zone
6. Focus on the solution, not the problem
7. Keep faith, family, and friends close to your heart

She relates several heartwarming stories about how she learned to live by these rules and how they have helped her to become successful.  I really enjoyed reading this book.  I tend to shy away from books that center on "life lessons" because I believe that only God can tell us how to make a success of our lives.  However, Roberts does not take the position that she alone is the authority on life.  The book was easy to read, encouraging and even entertaining at times.  I'm glad I read it.

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