Embracing Discomfort as a Driver from Harvard to NBC with Rob Simmelkjaer

Moodally Matters

Episode description:
Mood management is essential to avoiding toxic productivity and burnout. No one knows that better than our guest this week on Moodally Matters. Erika chats with jack-of-all-trades Rob Simmelkjaer, whose long career as a television executive, lawyer, and journalist have overlapped in both challenging and amazing ways. From deploying his “back-up plan” (!!!) of going to Harvard Law, to hanging out with NBA greats like Magic Johnson during his time at ESPN, to building his own company based on his passions, Rob Simmelkjaer has experienced it all. With insights, advice, and wisdom obtained through decades of a unique career, Rob has something to offer everyone interested in having a better work-life.

About the guest:
Rob Simmelkjaer is the founder of Persona, a custom interview provider that preserves memories with professional video interviews and provides a platform for personal video answers from experts. Rob has over two decades of experience in television, working as an executive and on-air journalist for NBC, EPSN, ABC News, and more. Simmelkjaer is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he was awarded the Alexander Nagle Award for his coverage of the 1992 presidential election and Harvard Law School. During his tenure at ESPN, Simmelkjaer spearheaded the launch of a programming agreement between the network and the NBA, served as Vice President of International Development and Corporate Projects, and reported for ESPN College Football. He’s served as anchor and correspondent for ABC News Now, anchored MSNBC’s coverage of two Summer Olympics, and been named Senior Vice President of NBC Sports Ventures.

Show notes:
In this episode of Moodally Matters, Erika talks with long-time anchor and journalist and founder of Persona, Rob Simmelkjaer.
Highlights include:

-A look at Rob’s history in his field, from the time he left law to his years at ESPN, to his creation of Persona.

-Rob explains how his unique experience as an athlete, lawyer, and journalist provided an entrance to the field of broadcasting.

-Why Rob seeks out challenges and a bit of discomfort to produce his best work.

-The impacts of failing to fit into a particular ‘category’ and how that has made Rob’s professional life both more tenuous and more fulfilling.

-The pros and cons of walking away from enormous infrastructure to become an entrepreneur.

-Rob’s thoughts on how managing your mood can contribute to better group dynamics and avoid counterproductive timewasters.

-A discussion on when drive and motivation cross into toxic productivity and what to do to stay grounded.

-Rob’s predictions on wellness interventions in the coming years.

-Rob’s top three suggestions for people just entering the workforce.

Links:

Persona custom interviews website: https://personacustominterviews.com

Download the Persona app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/persona-talks/id1484042389

Persona Talks website: https://www.personatalks.com

Visit Moodally’s website: https://www.moodally.com

Download the Moodally app: https://app.moodally.com

Follow Moodally on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moodally.wellness/?hl=en

Subscribe to Moodally’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/moodally