I’m Back!
Posted by AlexisTuesday August 28, 2012
Categories: Family, Fun
For the better part of the past year I have been fairly private; hidden from the public eye. I had this website built a little over a year ago with the hopes that I’d get back to writing on a regular basis. Well, here I am. I’m back and anxious to share some news with you!
For those of you who do not know what I’ve been up to since I left Fox, let me briefly fill you in. I am the CEO of a not-for-profit in the childhood obesity space called the GENYOUth Foundation. Our mission is to create a movement that inspires youth to change their behavior. Our flagship program, Fuel Up to Play 60, a partnership between the National Football League and the National Dairy Council, encourages and empowers kids in over 70,000 schools across the country to eat nutrient-rich foods and to be physically active for 60 minutes a day. It is the largest in-school nutrition and physical activity program in the country.
As CEO, I am responsible for raising awareness about the childhood obesity epidemic and the dire need to get kids moving and eating healthy, and for building solutions to the epidemic through programs, education, tools, resources and partnerships that help remove the barriers to a healthier environment for our children in schools and local communities. It has both been one of the most gratifying roles I’ve ever had and the most daunting. The statistics are terrifying and the time to do something about it is slipping away daily. Each year more and more of our children face life threatening and chronic conditions that could be reversed if we only helped them and empowered them to make educated decisions. I hope you will allow me to share why we must act now as you read this blog in the future.
Now let me share why I have been so private over the past year. Jade Declan Glick was born on May 17th at 6 pounds 13 ounces. She is a beautiful, little angel. She has been one of our greatest blessings and most wonderful surprises. A little over a year and a half ago, my husband had a very rare spinal condition which required spinal surgery. He was in such terrible shape for so many months that we were told we were not likely to ever have kids again. With three beautiful, healthy boys: Logan (10), Kyle (8) and Slate (5) we didn’t think twice about it. Another child was not in the cards and we were fine with that.
Late last October we discovered we were pregnant. We couldn’t believe it. We didn’t think it was possible. We knew it was a blessing and when Jade arrived on the morning of the 17th, we knew why. Our family is now complete.
In addition to having a new baby this past year, we moved to a new home, Logan graduated from lower school, and I turned 40. It’s been quite a year. With a little over a week to go before school starts we’re enjoying our last summer days together before our youngest boy Slate goes off to kindergarten. How time flies!
The new house has been a joy and a blessing too but it certainly took some time getting used to. As a born and raised New York City child I’ve never lived anywhere outside the city. In fact, I’ve lived in an apartment my entire life. To live in a home where we have a basement for the boys to play is quite the treat. I’m getting used to the stairs, the commute and the silence. The biggest adjustment is the lack of restaurants and food delivery. I used to know by heart the phone numbers of every takeout restaurant. How the times have changed!
I call the house BBB’s house. When Logan was little he used to love a television show created by Disney called, “The Bear in the Big Blue House.” We literally bought the Bear in the Big Blue House’s house. Our first Christmas this past December was everything I dreamt it would be as a child. A home filled with lots of noise, laughter, chaos and love. A day doesn’t go by that we don’t pinch ourselves and count our blessings.
Watching Logan graduate from lower to middle school this past June was a moment we’ll never forget. As the oldest, he has led the way and tested every boundary possible turning into a little gentleman. At 10, he looks and acts like a 14 year old, and has matured into someone I’m proud to say I’d want to be friends with. He has grown up so quickly and so wisely. He’s become a serious ice hockey player, playing on a travel team four days a week during the school year. It’s a huge commitment but we’ve all grown to love it and the friendships we have developed as a result of it have been a wonderful surprise.
Kyle is about to begin 3rd grade and play on his first travel soccer team. He’s so excited. So are we. He’s a terrific athlete and such a handsome, loving boy. Thankfully we don’t need to discuss girls just yet. I’m afraid :)!
As Slate gets ready for kindergarten, my heart skips a beat. He’s been my baby for so long. The thought of him running off to school with a backpack in hand has me a bit teary eyed but I knew this day would come. He is our little lover. When Oren, my husband, walked out of the delivery room to announce to our family that we had a girl, he wrapped his arms around my husband’s leg and cried tears of joy.
Turning 40 was a lot less stressful than I thought. Several weeks before my birthday, I stole one of my only moments of silence this summer and took a bike ride along the beach. As I listened to some great tunes, I thought about where my life is at 40. As I told my husband when I got back to the house, I’m exactly where I want to be and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m in love, fulfilled, and passionate about my family, my four beautiful children, the chaos that comes with it and my career choices. I have so much to be thankful for.
Speaking of career choices, the media, as many of you know, is still near and dear to my heart. People ask if I miss it. I do. Especially during conventions, elections and when the economy is front and center. I have always tried to put my political science degree and my economist / Wall Street background to good use. Thankfully I am still able to do both. I do speaking engagements, host and moderate panels for corporations, trade associations, conferences and counsel private leaders and their companies. And, when the timing is right, I get back on the tube to share my reaction or point of view on a story.
A little over a month ago, I was fortunate enough to get a call from the Editor of Forbes who asked if I’d be interested in doing a story. Without hesitation, I said yes. It was time to get back in the saddle again. So I hopped on a plane to Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, to interview the President, Dilma Rousseff, one of the world’s and Forbes’ Most Powerful Women.
I had never been to Brazil and like every great story, the story behind the story was as exciting and titillating as the story itself. In a 40 hour trip I traveled through five airports stopping in Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Sao Paolo, interviewing not only President Rousseff at the Presidential offices, but local entrepreneurs who seem to be springing up in every corner of Brazil. Brazil’s emergence as a world leader and growing economy is a fascinating story, but Dilma Rousseff’s personal story is even more jaw-dropping.
When I first met her, I was taken by how striking she was. In typical Brazilian tradition, she greeted me with kisses on each cheek – a very welcoming response from a woman as powerful as the President. I wasn’t sure what to expect after reading about her. She’s been called “the Iron Lady.” In some circles, it’s meant to be a jab against the President. In others, it’s a compliment. I found her to be lovely, engaging, exceptionally intelligent, and powerful – very powerful.
After having interviewed or been interviewed by some of the most powerful women in the world including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, former Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice, Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman, designer Diane von Furstenberg, the ladies of “The View,” Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, FDIC Chair Sheila Bair among many, many others, I have discovered very similar traits in these women. They don’t take no for an answer. They are unbelievably passionate, headstrong, intelligent and committed – women many of us aspire to be. Only in Dilma Rousseff’s case, what impressed me most as she spoke to me in Portuguese in her Presidential office, was her humor, her laughter, her love of opera, reading and movies, and her acknowledgment that she is quite proud of what she has accomplished. Too many times I’ve interviewed or worked with powerful women who are never satisfied. President Rousseff was more than satisfied and clearly had made time to reflect on her meteoric rise. Don’t mistake me, she has a tough job ahead, but she is the kind of woman I’d like my daughter Jade to learn from when she grows up and asks, “Mommy, can I be President one day?”
Of course, I couldn’t take the trip without promising to bring home Brazilian soccer jerseys for my boys!
The Forbes Most Powerful Women issue is on newsstands now. Please grab a copy. My story on Dilma Rousseff is the cover story for the issue. Here it is. Enjoy it!
http://blogs.forbes.com/alexisglick/
So I guess you could say I’m back. My blogs won’t be this long as we move forward. I look forward to sharing a little bit of me, my family and my work here. I hope you will come back and laugh a little with me.
“Love what you do and do what you love.”
Alexis