Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Zanella-Schaub.

Joanna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I started as a child actress when I was nine years old after moving from Mexico to the US. I began taking acting classes, theater until I finally got picked up by an agent and started working nonstop on television doing commercials, radio spots, etc. I transitioned into sports right out of high school because I’ve always had a love for sports and hosting came easy to me, therefore I became a sportscaster covering sports such as baseball, UFC and soccer all Over the US and México.

Working for the biggest Hispanic television network (Univision) for over four years was a dream to me. Especially growing up watching Univision and seeing all the sports broadcastings on the weekends covering sports etc. when I finally got to work for the company I could not believe it. I felt so accomplished and felt like my parent’s hard work coming to the US to give us a better future had payed off and they could be proud of me.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It hasn’t always been easy. I got more doors shut then I opened, but I kept at it and I knew that it was my passion, it’s what I loved to do and it what I wanted to do as a career. Many people told me I was only looks, but when they would see the knowledge I have in sports, they would be surprised. Many times I heard you are too curvy, you need to lose weight, but I loved my curvy self and knew that I had to make a stand and make other women see that it’s okay to be curvy, it’s sexy to be curvy, and we need to flaunt what we have and be confident about it. Being curvy never stopped me. It empowered me to show that you could do anything, no matter where you come from, what shape you are, what size you are and what language you speak.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?

As a sports broadcaster, I was known in the sports community due to the fact I would cover major soccer games for Mexico and then started covering the MLS. UFC was a huge part of my Career and actually became one of my favorite sports. I love fashion so I also started my own clothing line business JZSTYLE, which I have neglected a little I must say now that I am a mom of two, I am also studying interior design because I love transforming a house into home and giving it life. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am a hard worker, I never give up, and I don’t mind pushing the limits until I get what I want.

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?

Absolutely. Being the daughter of immigrant parents who left behind careers in Mexico to give their kids a better life definitely made me want to succeed more than anyone and make my parents proud. My dad came to the US as an architect and had to work Sales for Frito Lay, my mom worked for the Governor of our state in Mexico and came to the US to be a stay at home mom, to me that was the biggest sacrifice so I had to make sure that they knew coming to America was worth all the while.

Contact Info:

Website: Joannazanella.com

Joannazanella.com Instagram: Joannazanellaschaub

Joannazanellaschaub Facebook: Officialjoannazanella

Officialjoannazanella Twitter: Joannazanella

Joanna Zanella

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.