Confidence doesn’t always arrive when you think it will. In this episode, Britney Eurton shares what it really feels like to work at the highest levels of sports broadcasting while still questioning yourself behind the scenes.

We talk about imposter syndrome, live TV nerves, and the fine line between confidence and humility. Britney opens up about saying yes to opportunities that scared her, the thrill of live television, and why asking questions is never a weakness.

Britney also opens up about marriage, travel, and what it looks like to build a partnership with someone who truly understands her world.

What You’ll Discover:

• Balancing imposter syndrome and confidence (06:34)
• Saying yes despite fear (08:24)
• The adrenaline of live TV (17:18)
• Marriage, travel, and balance (11:34)
• Learning new sports and staying curious (24:43)

This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and full of perspective for anyone navigating ambition and self-doubt at the same time. Tune in to discover more about saying yes to opportunities and building confidence while learning.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_99aIPVB8RI 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/britney-eurton-32  

Check out more from Britney Eurton on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/britneyeurton/ 

[00:00:31] Lindsay: Hey guys, welcome to this episode of Things No One Tells You. I'm super pumped for you to meet a really good friend of mine who is someone that I just came to know in the past couple of years. But before that, I just got back from West Palm, where I was. Recently, because I was co-hosting the Eclipse Awards, which, for those of you who do not know, are basically referred to as the Oscars of horse racing.

[00:01:14] Just because being around all of those people that make the sport run, I just love it, and I love getting to know them. And when I was asked to do those awards. That meant I got to co-host with my friend Britney Ton. And honestly, I was kind of intimidated because Britney is, she's such an amazing reporter and host, and she has grown up around the industry.

[00:02:00] So she's gonna be reporting on that, but she is just awesome. Her star is rising so much. What I love about Britney is. She's not only a reporter, but she's also very much a host. She has so many different interests, but she's so good at what she does because she is so thorough, and watching her come up in this business, it's awesome because you realize how much it takes to learn the craft.

[00:02:44] Good at doing it. And I felt like I kind of had this imposter syndrome because I'm like, oh my goodness. Everything I hear is how important it is to just really be authentic in that room, and it's such a tight-knit group in this community. But Britney so put me at ease, like she's such a great writer, but she was just super helpful, too.

[00:03:33] And I think you're gonna find this fascinating, no matter what part of your career journey you're on, maybe. You're thinking about doing something different. Anyway, Britney has so much to offer. I love hanging out with this girl so much. But I also love the things that I learned from her. So she agreed to talk to me when she was covering the Magic Millions, which is a huge horse racing event in Australia.

[00:04:16] Britney: I like that.

[00:04:21] Lindsay: You're the best. And I mean, forget the fact that you're in Australia and you're joining me. No this is so awesome. So I shared a little bit about you, but Britney is like, for those of you that don't know, I came to know her.

[00:04:42] Britney: Oh, I love saying it that way. It is the Oscars of horse racing. Absolutely. We get dressed up in a ball gown, so why not?

[00:04:48] Lindsay: Oh man. And those stories, like from last year, I was like, whoa, this is awesome. Because it was like, like you came to play, your gown was amazing.

[00:04:59] Lindsay: It was so fun. I know that's a whole story in itself, like getting ready before and what it looked like.

[00:05:29] So I just wanna dive into what your journey's been like. But I do, I would love to just start if there is something that no one tells you that has been on your mind.

[00:05:50] So I'm getting people constantly telling me things because I ask for it. even if really, oh yeah. Oh yeah. I don't think that you could ever have enough knowledge. You are, in my opinion, never stop learning. I feel so lucky that I get to work with some. Unbelievable broadcasters, yourself included, but, oh, thank you.

[00:06:34] Never think that I'm good enough. And I know that I'm not trying to knock myself by any means, but, you know, that fine line that you walk between confidence and cockiness is something I never wanted to be close to. So I think I've lacked it a bit in my career. Impostor syndrome is probably what the official term is.

[00:07:16] Lindsay: It is so surprising to hear you say that, but I get it.

[00:07:42] Like, does it seem weird that I'm asking that question? Do you know? Which, to be honest, like that is a big part of the way that I felt when I was coming. I was so excited to do the Eclipse Awards last year. Like when they asked me, I was are they serious? Like they were like. I was so excited because for me, I've just always looked up to the sport as, you know, the story, like my dad covered it.

[00:08:18] Britney: It's crazy. It's stepping into new territories. Right. So that was a new realm for you?

[00:08:39] Matter if there's 1 million or 20 million people watching like the Kentucky Derby. I feel more at ease than being in front of a room of people, my peers, and those that I work with and interview all the time. I was terrified. I was absolutely excited to do it. Yeah.

[00:08:56] Britney: Seven.

[00:09:03] Britney: Well, I had spoken to Amy Zimmerman, who you obviously know -hmm. Who's the producer of the Eclipse Awards, and I've worked with her for a long time on NBC shows as well, and she. Challenged me to do something that scares me because most of the time, that will help me grow the most.

[00:09:52] It still scares me. Really don't say that. Oh, yeah, sorry. It doesn't, but I think that's good. It's a sense of adrenaline rush. If you don't have nerves, why are you doing it? That means the stakes aren't high enough.

[00:10:13] You're doing the magic millions, but can you tell people what this is like?

[00:10:33] So it's two major race meetings with 20 million Australian dollars on the line. There's a horse sale smashed in between for yearlings or one-year-olds. So a lot of money is changing hands, and you get to see the future of the sport. But in addition to that, there is a barrier draw, which is where they pick the post positions that the horses are going to run out of, and a beach Gallup.

[00:11:12] So all encompassing, really highlighting the horse, and bringing people closer to it. It's been a blast. It's like the course Olympics.

[00:11:22] Britney: I'm gonna steal that.

[00:11:34] Yeah. Show is the travel, the different, you know, projects, how is that all going? How's the balance?

[00:12:04] Pick up at the, you know, last-minute notice, to go somewhere. So he very much understands my travel as well for work. He grew up in the horse racing industry as well, in a sense. His uncle is a horse trainer, and he owned part of a horse that ran in the derby, which is how we met, actually, which is great.

[00:12:42] He also loves to travel, so he really tries to. Parlay any sort of work trip into a personal trip, too, if we can. He's here in Australia with me, I've gone with him to different work events, and it's just become a really wonderful balance. I don't know for how long, you know, we can constantly like, pick up and just travel the world.

[00:13:09] Lindsay: I mean, maybe forever. Like I do, I actually think that's the thing no one tells you, how great that can be when you are with someone who understands the industry. And I, you know, certainly on the flip side, I think it, it has its challenges.

[00:13:54] The drive for the story or the stakes of the event or whatever it is. It's like you can't replace that, you know?

[00:14:13] Mm-hmm. But you, I mean, you and Craig show how well it works, having two kids, two jobs, like it's just, what's your advice? We're newly married.

[00:14:33] I don't know, like, I feel like that's why I find what you do, the way that you navigate and work and organize your life, I find it fascinating. But I also think it's really awesome because it really, you know, you're doing the thing and it's great and, I think, it also is like there's a real power in. You're doing a variety of events, but also like being able to do really big things.

[00:15:24] Correct. And my dad, it was a journalist, yes. Horse journalist. And so my dad once said to me when I was crying on my bathroom floor, because we had just moved here and we were, Melvin and I were about to have like the first weekend we had off the same days. Since we had moved here, it was like, mm-hmm.

[00:16:01] And I'm like, I'm in Connecticut. Like, what have I done? So my dad was like, just. Get your shit together. Do you know what I mean? Like both of them. My mom was like, get your shit together, get a glass of wine, take a bubble bath. My dad's like, no, refuse

[00:16:18] Lindsay: Totally.

[00:16:47] So I'm like, why are you in bed before my children? Do you know what I mean? Like, whatever. So, but I just mean I guess that it's. It is real. Like that's very true. And now that we have kids and a family, you realize how that piece of it is true. Because to be able to do the kind of stuff that we do, especially like the amount of work that you do, it's like you've gotta really love it.

[00:17:18] Britney: Yeah. I don't think there's anything better or a bigger rush than when you're doing live TV, and I can't really explain that to anybody else until you're in it and you're in the moment.

[00:17:48] But for me, there's nothing more, more exciting, exhilarating, or rewarding than capturing those moments. So you're right, yo, have to love it. But that doesn't mean every day is gonna be a joy. It's, especially can be especially a grind. It's hard.

[00:18:09] That's something I'm trying to get better at, is like, okay, what does that look like? Right. All of a sudden, you've got a stretch, and that can be really great, but I think you also have to be really smart about that. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Okay. So how did your love affair with horse racing begin?

[00:18:35] Honestly, it's, those are my favorite moments I don't ride, which probably surprises people. Having a dad who was a jockey and is a trainer, but they never pushed that on me. I was always doing extracurricular activities like dance,r soccer, and gymnastics. But that didn't last long. not, I wasn't very, I wasn't very good at it.

[00:19:24] So it, it had to have been just going to the barn, and I've been. Going since I was born. I feel very lucky that it is a sport that I was introduced to at such a young age. But I never thought I'd work in it. That's the most surprising part. No, I had no interest in working in horse racing. I knew I didn't work, wanna work on the backside.

[00:20:01] Lindsay: Wow. So how did that pivot point come? Not that, that's a permanent pivot, by the way, because I really believe in.

[00:20:18] Britney: No, definitely. It's interesting. I, if I'm being honest, think I got burnt out. I've found that to be an actor, you just. You talk about loving it. I mean, you've gotta love it with every ounce of your being because it's not easy.

[00:20:58] And maybe at the end of the day, I found that I enjoyed being myself more than I enjoyed playing a character. I really. That's deep. Yeah, I like it. Yeah. Sorry, just gimme chills. No, I just, I think I'm inquisitive by nature, and I just love hearing people's stories. So being on the other end of this, like, I wanna ask you questions.

[00:21:38] Lindsay: What is your favorite moment in an interview?

[00:22:00] 'cause there is higher level of that in acting too. You're, like, connecting, you know, you're, I don't know how to describe what I really mean, but.

[00:22:21] It's why I love long-form interviews. I think I would. I don't need to be in front of the camera. Hey, don't, yeah, I don't wanna lose any of my jobs by saying that, but I, you know, documentaries, just being able to sit down and have a long-form conversation with somebody to the point where they feel comfortable enough to share something with you that's personal, whether that be emotion or story.

[00:23:07] That's my favorite part.

[00:23:26] It's, yeah. At ESPN, we had an interview guru that everyone had to sit with. John Soki, whom I just, I loved what he taught because he would work on that craft, and he would just talk about the arc of a, you know, a conversation and interview, and what goes into it. I think it's fascinating, you know, 'cause at the, I also really believe at the end of the day, that when we can find things that are relatable, that's when some of the magic happens.

[00:23:54] Britney: It's funny you say that because before I will even start an interview and you meet whoever you're going to be with, I instantly try and find some sort of connection because if I can get them with their guard down off the top of the interview Yeah, then I think it's gonna be so much better than if I just roll straight into it.

[00:24:25] Lindsay: I love that. How do you, how do you like, organize and figure out what types of sports you're doing?

[00:24:43] Britney: It's fun because I feel like I'm going back to school in a sense, and I loved. Researching and, you know, learning about, you know, new things and new sports. I just, I'm a fan of sport in general, which I know you are.

[00:25:27] Made it well known that I'm not an expert in soccer. And I appreciate the fact that they said, well, that's not why we're hiring you. We're bringing you in to give you, to give people another perspective, right? Because it's all about growing the sport. Horse racing is the same way. So if I can come into it with a very open and honest.

[00:26:05] I mean, I, there's sometimes I'll only cover a sport once. I covered aerials and moguls for NBC at Deer Valley one time. Nice. And it was. The most exhilarating, fun experience because there are so many of these types of sports that I'd be happy to learn about. But at the root of it all, it's the competition.

[00:26:31] Lindsay: Right? And, I think like what NBC says in their Olympic seminar, it's like everyone. Has, like, they find the drive somewhere. They all have their story, right? It's like,e what have they overcome?

[00:27:00] Britney: luge, skeleton. Again, I have not covered any of these sports before, but, and you know this, the team at NBC, especially around the Olympics, is remarkable.

[00:27:35] Share people that they might not know about these people, these athletes. And, hopefully, they wanna watch it again because of it.

[00:27:54] Like, are you an early riser or are you a no?

[00:28:09] Lindsay: I am, I feel like you have to be with kids. I have a hard time sometimes staying up like yes, I, but it's just like a, I don't know why.

[00:28:20] Like a 5:00 PM dinner, going to bed early. So I really think my prime time is between 12 and 2. I'm a really good person between 12 and 2. Are you Italian? Yeah. Yeah. There you go. Just a little siesta. Oh.My process. I think that it changes year in and year out because the more that I do, the more I find ways to be more efficient.

[00:29:01] I think that, you know, the bobsled team and the Olympics are putting out some really great stuff. So you just try and stay on top of it. But then I'll do my real deep dive, read into all of the packets. I'll put it into my iPad. I'll highlight all of the. You know, big ticket items that I think would be useful later on.

[00:29:27] Lindsay: Right. And then there's always, you know, a twist and a turn, which is really fun, but also like, okay, whoa. Right. You're right. I am always fascinated by how everyone comes together. I feel like you, and I have talked about this before, but how like the Olympics is one of those examples of like, you're working a lot of times with people that don't typically work, maybe at NBC the rest of the year, or maybe that, you know, and so.

[00:30:17] Really, ready to do the work, but being really open to people and their experiences and what they bring to the table and really asking questions, kind of like what you said in the beginning, like that to me, that is the thing that no one tells you about, like finding your way and this business and probably a lot of other business is just the willingness and the, humility sometimes to just ask questions. You know?

[00:30:41] Lindsay: And ask what you

[00:31:03] Mm-hmm. I just think it's more beneficial to you know, know that you don't know everything, and that's okay.

[00:31:23] Britney: I'm so embarrassed to say this. Oh, no. What? No, I just, I, love, I grew up on Kelly and Regis, and or, well, let's say, let's say Regis and Kathy Lee, and then Kelly and Regis.

[00:32:04] And I know it's not, I actually, this is even more embarrassing. When I first moved to New York, Patrick got me tickets to go to a taping of her show. Amazing. It was great, but just, you know, watching it from the standpoint of, wow, I would love to do that. She makes it look so easy, and you know, it's not because, you know, there's a lot of prep work that goes into it.

[00:32:32] Lindsay: I absolutely love that you said that. I think you would hit it out of the park, and I think yes, because it's the live audience. It's connecting, but it's. It takes a really unique skillset to do that. Yeah. I love it. I think that would be awesome.

[00:32:48] which I'm okay with being, you've gotta be able to make fun of yourself, make fun of, you know, just have a very loose rapport with everybody. Yeah. I don't know. It just looks like such a, such a.

[00:33:11] But then there's a music component. Mm-hmm. I've always thought, like, ah, my dream growing up was to be, I wanted to be Martha Quinn, which is really dating me, but on MTV. Oh, okay. I just wanted to be an MTV V today. Yeah, and talk about music videos. You know, anyway, that would be a lot of fun.

[00:33:32] Britney: No. No. Well, you could make it, you could bring it back.

[00:33:37] Britney: Yeah. Anything is possible.

[00:33:50] Do you have three things?

[00:34:10] Have you ever, oh, I got aboard a horse in Hawaii. My feet came outta the stirrups. I was bouncing on top of the saddle. It was terrifying. Did you fall? No. Thank God, but now I wish I had done right. You know, being older, I wish that I learned how to ride. Outside of that, I am petrified of sharks, so I don't often go in the ocean.

[00:34:41] Lindsay: Definitely don't go to Australia then.

[00:34:56] Don't ask me why, when we would go into the shark tunnel. I just, I can't even look at them. I can't look at photos.

[00:35:05] Britney: Yeah. It's embarrassing. Oh, a third thing. That is so hard. Sushi is my favorite food.

[00:35:33] The patches, which I love. I mean, I am a huge fan of the face roller.

[00:35:38] Lindsay: That has become my like thing. I am, it is a routine. It is in my freezer. I take it out. I just do the little, you know, like mm-hmm. So, so bad. I need get one of

[00:35:55] It's great. But it's an actual device. Oh, nice. That will get cold and will get hot. I, this isn't really a makeup routine, but I love microneedling. That would probably be my favorite. Oh, sweet facial bit. Milk blush, the one that you get, it's like,

[00:36:15] Britney: The brand milk.

[00:36:18] Britney: I do like it a lot.

[00:36:22] Britney: It's a good, it's good, a good gel blush and hourglass mascara. 'cause it, it comes off as like a, just like it's pilling

[00:36:30] Britney: A little bit. Yes. The tubes. Yes. Yes, exactly.

[00:36:34] Britney: Yes.

[00:36:36] Britney: And a good hat for any interview like this when you don't wanna do your hair.

[00:36:43] Are you wearing the milk blush?

[00:36:47] Lindsay: I love it.

[00:36:52] Lindsay: That's not true. I've seen it. Are you? Is there anything that you wanted to share before we say goodbye? It's the other end of the day for you.

[00:37:07] Gosh, I don't know. What do I wanna share? That you know, horse racing is a beautiful sport, and I hope that Yeah, if people don't know anything about it, they keep open minds and hearts and give it a chance, and, you know, go to the races and see a horse, and I think you'll fall in love.

[00:37:27] Lindsay: I love, by the way, that you said, the equine athletes, 'cause you're right. And I think when people hear it, you know, referenced like that, it, I don't know. I love the sport. I love being around it, and it does make me sad when, you know, when you realize that people don't see it. It's polarizing.

[00:37:50] Britney: I think that there are a lot of things in life that are polarizing, right? And sometimes. Not all of the information is out there. I think negative information grabs more headlines and positive ones, too. So I would just, I would challenge people that when they do read a negative article, an article to take a step back and say, well, what's the other side of the story?

[00:38:37] I have not met a single person in the industry who doesn't love these horses and want to do everything in their power to take care of them. You just see, I, my dad obviously comes to mind first because he's with them each and every day. I don't see my dad light up more than when he's at the barn with one of his horses.

[00:39:17] Lindsay: I wish people had the opportunity to go to the backside, mm-hmm.

[00:39:27] Britney: Yeah, absolutely. And then, beyond horse racing, watch the Olympics. So excited.

[00:39:43] Britney: Oh gosh. It's all different times because I think a lot of things are going to be on tape delay, of course, because of that. Right. That time change in prime time shown in prime time, right? Yeah, exactly. So I know that most of what I do and the times vary between each spo, rt too. You know, you could have a qualifying round that's gonna go early in the morning, so that won't be shown until later, but then you could have a final that is maybe more in the afternoon.

[00:40:28] USA Network on CNBC. Right. You know, Paralympics, we're gonna be going from around 4:00 AM Eastern to 2:00 PM Eastern in the afternoon. So that'll be after, just, it's, a really, great time for sport,

[00:40:53] Britney: Buying a larger suitcase? no. That, I mean, you know, this, the great thing about being on site, other than getting to witness it all, you know, firsthand, is, yeah, you do get the attire. So you don't have to think about what you're wearing, which is not, that's somebody that pe that's something that people tell you is how difficult it is to plan your wardrobe for events, particularly horse racing.

[00:41:35] Britney: It's on another level here, though.

[00:41:39] Britney: Oh. The fashion is unreal.

[00:41:43] Britney: And I'll say that's one of the biggest differences I've noticed here, is the, the media is very involved, whether it be print or on air, to cover each of these events. So there's an expectation to look good.

[00:42:01] Britney: Yes. With the Puffer and a Bean.

[00:42:09] Britney: Thank you. This is one of the easiest interviews I've ever done.

[00:42:25] Britney: Can't wait.

[00:42:53] And also to be on your toes,s it is such a highlight always to go and get our hair and makeup done together before the Eclipse Awards because inevitably, something funny happens. So. Anyway, thank you so much for listening to this episode. I hope that you enjoyed it. I hope that you'll watch for Britney during the Olympics.

[00:43:29] As always, we would love for you to subscribe, rate, and review. Share what you would love to hear more of. Until then, we will see you next time. Thanks so much for joining me. I can't wait to see you back here next week. Please don't forget, follow and subscribe to Things No One Tells You. And of course, if you're listening on Apple Podcasts.