Anne Montgomery spent much of her life entering places where women were told they did not belong. She pursued sports broadcasting when male coaches refused to be interviewed by her, became a certified official across five major team sports, worked for ESPN and eventually led a football officiating crew as its referee.

Then her television career abruptly ended.

What initially felt like rejection pushed Anne into teaching at a Title I high school. Her demanding newsroom mentality collided with the realities facing students experiencing poverty, hunger, homelessness and abuse. One encounter with a frequently late student forced her to reconsider how she judged people. Years later, a phone call from a hungry foster child led Anne—who never expected to become a parent—to open her home and become a mother and grandmother.

Today, she is also a traditionally published novelist, musician, scuba diver and lifelong rock collector.

🌟 Top 3 Highlights:

🏈 How Anne challenged entrenched barriers in sports broadcasting and officiating

❤️ Why understanding one homeless student changed her approach to teaching

🛤️ How career rejection unexpectedly led her toward motherhood, writing and a more meaningful life

This conversation explores resilience, change, criticism, second acts and the opportunities hidden inside an unwanted detour.