As a reporter, you write stories everyday and have covered all sorts of topics over the past two decades. What was your inspiration for writing Life's A Journey - Not A Sprint?

If I had to use one word to sum up my source of inspiration for writing Life's A Journey - Not A Sprint it would simply be "people." I'm talking about the people that I come in contact with everyday, and there are many. Many are friends and neighbors. Others are women and men or students I've met on stories or while doing speeches. And, as different as all of us can be, many of us share one thing in common. We are in a constant tug of war between struggling to achieve our professional goals while not putting personal fulfillment or essential time for our loved ones on the backburner. So many of us are torn between living-to-work and working-to-live, making time for themselves and finding ways to make our work experiences more rewarding on a personal level. People are my passion. I love to listen to what they have to say and use those thoughts to tell a compelling story. My book allows me to share the ways in which I've become successful in an extremely competitive career, energized myself and improved upon my life while finding an important and precious balance between home work and family.

My goal is to help others find that harmony in their lives while living out their dreams at the same time.

What impact are you hoping this book will have on your readers?

Life's A Journey - Not A Sprint is designed to help you navigate your way to the successes you're seeking whether its a promotion, becoming a better listener or partner or transitioning from college to career. I want my readers to know that they're not alone by feeling that life is stressful or even overwhelming at times when you're combining a very busy work life with a hectic home life. But, the key is that there are ways to cope and move beyond the stresses that become a drag on your mental, physical and emotional well being.

For those in life's fast lane, my book is a guide to help you smooth out the rough spots and keep your eye on the "prize" -- or the goals you've set out to achieve. It's a journey to living a richer and fuller life.

What types of challenges have you faced in your life and how has it helped you to write Life's A Journey - Not a Sprint?

We have all faced challenges in our lives that have shaped the way we deal with adversity. But, after about two decades in the television business along with having children, I felt compelled to share my experiences with others. And, there have been many challenges in this extremely competitive career. While I have been blessed with mentors, role models and family that would love you without big titles or masters degrees. There have been many naysayers. But, I never gave up. Instead, I've looked for detours around the roadblocks that have existed every step of the way. It's very gratifying to know that I can share my experiences - hoping it will inspire others. Being focused, more organized and having a deep sense of faith can move you where you want to go or sometimes just need to be.

I want readers to be empowered with information, move beyond barriers and be uplifted and feel compelled to change their lives for the better. I'm a true believer in the saying that "when one door closes another one opens."

You talked to other experts and conducted an informal survey from people around the country for this book. What insights can you share?

Certainly being able to talk with and interview a number of experts at the top of their fields from prestigious recruiting firms to renown experts in the area of food and nutrition has enhanced my journey as my book has unfolded. Information is power and allows us to therefore empower ourselves. Among them, internationally lauded poet, writer and educator Maya Angelou shared words of wisdom. Dr. Alvin Poussaint, a consultant to the award winning Cosby Show is a widely followed and highly regarded speaker and author. Dr. Poussaint gave me his expert advice on marriage and family -- keeping the bonds between couples strong when relationships are pulled in a dozen different directions. Barbara Rolls, Ph.D, the author of three professional books on food and nutrition and has served on the advisory council of the National Institutes of Health's Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Rolls and I shared a candid conversation as I interviewed her about the importance of weight control in conjunction with healthy eating and the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and attitude. And, there are poignant thoughts from the dozens of people I surveyed across the country who shared their amazing stories of triumph and advice on how to succeed when the road takes you down the path you least expected.

You've had a very successful career, who most inspired you when you were growing up and will you tell that story in Life's A Journey - Not A Sprint?

Yes. I don't think I could have written this book if I wasn't inspired by those around me, women and men doing phenomenal things in their careers or with their children and living positive and prosperous lives with their partners - despite incredible challenges. We realize that life is not easy. But, it's hard to imagine a world without inspiration. I write about my mother and grandmother who since a very young age have been a continuous source of my inspiration, going back to school and earnings degrees and coming to the United States from a small Island in the early 1900's. Life's A Journey - Not A Sprint has a collection of stories that will move you to make changes in your life.

You come in contact with so many different types of people from working moms and dads to CEO's to Dignitaries. With that in mind do you think there is a need for this type of book?

I truly believe in my heart of hearts there really is a need for this book. That's because so many people talk about being "stressed out" these days and trying to "do it all."

In Life's A Journey - Not A Sprint I wanted to go beyond talking solely about the difficulties involved in the challenges we face and focus as well on offering solutions to dealing with work and raising children and finding time for yourself. I spend a lot of my time talking to professional organizations, college students and business groups. When people come up to me they want to talk business "and" more and more about real life issues. They want to know how I've been able to be a mother, wife, active in my community, get to the school plays and the pediatrician when duty calls. Oh, and be on the set early in the morning - sometimes at 4 a.m. As I tell so many others, it's not necessarily "doing it all" rather, "doing what what you love" -- and doing it well!