Montclair has long been home to journalists, creatives, writers, the film industry, and newscasters. This is because of its eclectic and diverse tone and cultural offerings. The proximity to New York City is also an inviting perk. These reasons and more are why Pix 11 News Early Morning Anchor Vanessa Freeman and her family live in Montclair. Read on to learn more about Vanessa, how she landed in Montclair, and her favorite spots to visit in town when she is not anchoring Pix 11 News.
The Montclair Girl: What made you choose Montclair as your home?
Vanessa Freeman: My husband and I were looking for the perfect place to find our forever home. We lived in Essex County and would visit Montclair often for dinners and brunch. We loved the town’s character, charm, diversity, and eclecticism. It is also accessible to New York. Additionally, my husband and I knew Montclair was the perfect environment to raise children in because of the diversity in Montclair. You get different forms of thought and perspectives from the people of Montclair.
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MG: What led you to journalism + broadcasting?
VF: Originally, I always wanted to be a psychiatrist. I loved to figure out what made people tick and what made them happy and sad. Honestly, as I look back, I think I was more intrigued by people’s stories, their trials and triumphs, and how you can tug on the string of moments in someone’s life and find the behaviors they exhibit or choices they made that are tethered to it. When I was in high school, I did my first theater production. The theater director suggested I consider journalism because she believed I had a great presence and was a talented writer. I pivoted from psychology to journalism and began interning through high school. After high school, I went to Marymount University and graduated with a degree in broadcasting journalism. I worked in Washington, D.C., at NBC News and MSNBC and then for our local News12 networks before joining Pix11 News as their early morning anchor.
MG: Please tell us about your non-profit, 1 Woman 4 All, which raises funds to buy new undergarments for women in shelters or who simply cannot afford to buy new undergarments themselves.
VF: The organization 1 Woman 4 All started with the core pursuit of empowering women and girls. I learned that underwear is one of the most under-donated pieces of clothing in shelters, crisis centers, and communities that are underserved. Women and girls who don’t have that foundation layer of protection are shown to be withdrawn and not show up as their best selves. 1 Woman 4 All provides this demographic with the under-arms they need to be their best selves! To supplement that material support, we have a wide array of programming that provides mentorship, confidence building, social work, career counseling, and ongoing health and wellness support.
MG: Your workday must start incredibly early. What is your daily routine?
VF: YES! My Morning Marathon starts at 1:30AM-2AM, depending on how many times I hit the snooze button! I wake up, do my hair and make-up at home, get dressed, and get on the road. Because my morning starts so early, every second is really spent preparing for the show, allowing some extra time for makeup touchups, possible wardrobe fixes, and reading over scripts before we go live. Sometimes, all of these things happen as we get the 10-second countdown to go live. After the three-hour live show, I go to my desk and take a breather, eat breakfast, which is technically like our lunch, and work on stories for my franchise, “On The Rise.” I’m usually out the door around 10 AM and go straight to CrossFit, which I do twice a week. That’s one of the wellness rituals I do, intentionally for my stress and anxiety relief, and it allows me to just be in my own head, away from both work and home. Once I leave the gym, I go home, and it’s the Mommy Mode show from noon-6:30PM with my 1-year-old and later with my 5-year-old after pick up from school. Once he’s home, it’s the mad dash to dinner prep, cooking, bath, and bedtime. Once they’re down, I try to cram my shower, hair prep, skincare, and sorting my outfit for the next day into 45 minutes to get in bed before 8PM. Sheeessshh, is it the weekend yet?!
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MG: How do you balance life with motherhood, marriage, a full-time career, + time for yourself?
VF: For me, finding balance is being able to raise the flag and tap someone else in while I get a reprieve. Being on TV means you’re “on” for the camera and the communities you represent and serve. You’re on for your family and the ancillary groups, sports, and events that come with them. So many of us have these balls in the air, and we have to show up consistently with a certain level of energy and enthusiasm. Admittedly, I found myself getting frustrated because my day is wound so tightly it doesn’t allow for this elusive, unattainable balance that everyone expects you to have! Instead, I’ve accepted that it won’t happen daily or even weekly, but I make sure I find pockets of time when some amazing lifelines can step in and give me a break. Finding balance for me has also been being devout with that time and not negotiating when it comes to owning it as yours.
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MG: What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
VF: When I’m not working, I love working out — CrossFit and my Peloton! I really enjoy movement and play, so I love taking my kids to these giant trampoline parks, bouncy houses, and anything with a ball pit and bubbles. I say it’s for them, but it’s really for me! A great brunch or dinner with amazing people and delicious food is unmatched.
You can follow Vanessa on her Instagram page, @vanessafreetv.
Head to @themontclairgirl on Instagram to learn more about Vanessa’s favorite Montclair spots.