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Radio news has a lot to do with breathing right. When going live, I try to take a breath during the anchor lead-in to me, so that when Grant or Amanda tosses to me with "Mary?" I can start right away with my report. No second of sucking-in air for the audience to hear. I also try to not add funny breaths in the middle of a report.
Well, try is the key word these days. I'm seven 1/2 months pregnant and this baby is quickly growing up into my rib cage. I also have a cold this week. Both of these factors are making it much harder to breathe the same way I used to. That breath I take right before going live sometimes sputters out halfway through my report. I also have to take in more air if I have a longer live shot.
You know, probably nobody but my collegues notice. Please tell me it's not too big a deal to you listeners! Just as long as I don't add a big sniffle in the middle of a story, right? That's another funny thing...sometimes I try so hard not to sniffle or cough or sneeze when I'm on the air that my eyes will water. Many studio microphones have a cough button that you can quickly push and mute the offending noise. But out in the field I just suffer through 30 seconds of pain until my report is through, then I turn off the mic and grab water. Lots of water.
