Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Sotolongo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about your career, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I came to Houston from Spain with my family when I was ten. At 18, I started working on a Telemundo music video show as a host, and I got to travel to sunny beaches while I got my degree in Communications at U of H. Go Coogs! I met my husband during one of our shoots in Acapulco, and fate would have it, that he lived in Houston too. Twenty-two years of marriage later, we have three kids and lots of lessons about life and relationships. After having our first child, I took a little break (10 years!) from TV to be a full-time mom.
In those ten years away from television, other than honing my skills as a mother of three little tornadoes, I made two documentaries. One about home-birth, the other about Hurricane Harvey. We lost everything after the dam releases in 2017. My film about the life-changing event documented the stories of ten families who shared their journeys. In my promotion of the documentary, I came to CW39 to talk about it. God knew what he was doing, placing me there at that moment. It would lead me to a position in Morning Dose, a show unlike anything out there. We bring news in an innovative way, and highlight community events, restaurants, and students. Grateful to be a part of the television world once again. Even though the alarm going off at 3 am is not easy, I’m thankful I get to do what I love both in front of the cameras as meteorologist/host and off-camera as a mom.
Has it been a smooth road?
The television industry has changed a lot in recent years. It’s competitive, fast-paced and constantly shifting. Working in that environment sometimes brings conflict between individuals. I’ve had to deal with people that didn’t believe in me, who created hurdles along the way by criticizing me negatively or harassed me inappropriately. I dealt with it through prayer and talking to trusted friends and family who helped me to confront the individuals. Believing in yourself and having a support system is key to surviving work conflicts.
As far as motherhood, we struggled with infertility for years. We had two miscarriages, It was a tough journey. Wanting to become parents and not being able to make us question our purpose, our marriage. But with the help of experts and three fertility trials, we finally had a daughter and later two sons. Now, being a mom is harder than I thought, and as much as I ADORE my little ones, they definitely push my buttons and challenge me to be better. I realize that I’m not the only one supposed to teach them lessons, they constantly reveal answers and invite me to see things in a different way.
I find that if we support each other, as parents, as co-workers, as human beings, we’ll be able to advance faster than by ourselves. There’s enough sun, and time to shine for everyone.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a meteorologist on CW39’s “Morning Dose”. We cover local news, weather, traffic, and sports in a way unlike any other! You can watch us Mon-Fri 6-9 a.m.! Having worked in television for over 15 years, I know it’s sometimes challenging to find a flow or work well together with a team. But here, it’s been a blessing to get to a comfort level with each other that is rare. We really know how to find the balance between having fun and presenting the news in a professional manner. We love to tell stories important to our community and we make time to highlight individual’s stories that might otherwise not be told. On any given day, we have had an actor, a pet segment, a chef, and an engineer on the show. The variety and flexibility we have on “Morning Dose” injects optimism and fun into your morning routine.
Being a meteorologist is a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. As someone who was deeply affected by the weather (after Hurricane Harvey), I know how important it is to be prepared when there’s a storm coming. Still, I don’t like to alarm people and instill fear when I do my weather segments. It’s my job to keep you informed and let you know what to expect, but I can do so in a calm, realistic fashion. Not simply talking about the dangers, but also informing you about the steps you can take for you and your family to be safe.
I love telling stories, so I look at my weather segments as a way to tell a story. Having made two documentaries, I continue to look for ways to share my passion for a variety of topics. I love to write, take pictures, spend time outdoors and laugh with my kids and my husband.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I feel that we constantly have to prove ourselves, while men in similar positions aren’t required to do the same. For example, I often get asked if someone tells me what to say or if there’s a meteorologist who does our weather graphics. I am in awe when I get that question. And I wonder if they would ask the same if I were a man. Why do we have to be questioned as far as our abilities are concerned? I am teaching my children that there is no limit to what they can do, other than the limits they place upon themselves. I wish society would not categorize and distinguish so much between “male” and “female” roles. Positions need to be taken based on skills and potential, nothing else.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariasotolongo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasotolongotv/
Image Credit:
Maria Sotolongo, Colin Kirkpatrick
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