Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I Am One by Ginger Zee

ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee is no stranger to covering natural disasters. In her new memoir, Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I Am One., Zee discusses her life and admits in an interview with her Good Morning America co-host, Robin Roberts, “I am messy.” It is not self-depreciation, a but self-awareness that Zee brings to the interview— the same self-awareness she brings forth in her book. Stressing self-forgiveness, depression and the very real pressures of life, Zee is candid, insightful and incredibly funny!

Recently, we did an e-chat with Zee and asked her about the book, finding a life-career balance and what her life is like behind the camera. Here’s what she had to say:

BookTrib: You’re very funny, have you ever thought of becoming a stand-up comedian?

Ginger Zee: Who said I’m funny?! I love whoever wrote this and you obviously have outstanding taste. In all seriousness, no, I have not considered being a stand-up comedian— that has to be one of the most difficult jobs in the world. My husband would be much better at it.

BookTrib: You have a demanding, early schedule.  Does your circadian rhythm go with your schedule? 

Ginger Zee: There is nothing normal nor rhythmic about the schedule I keep. I don’t know what it feels like to wake with the sun but I’m guessing it’s a euphoric experience.

BookTrib: You’ve covered several mega storms, what’s it like in the newsroom when one is about to hit?

Ginger Zee: When most of the major storms hit, I’m in them versus in the newsroom. However, in the newsroom this year, because I was pregnant, I was able to give great detail and science from the desk so it was quite refreshing. During these events, there’s a long lead-up in the forecast then a climax of looking for video, observations, statistics and live locations to showcase and emphasize the power and breadth of these storms. Then we dive in and tell the human part of the story— the part that matters most.

BookTrib: You’ve lived in so many different cities. Do you have a favorite? How many frequent flyer miles have you racked up?

Ginger Zee: Doing the bi-coastal LA to NYC thing for Dancing with the Stars got me to Diamond on Delta, which is so fun, but other than that my mileage is sporadic because from Vietnam to Rochester, Minnesota, my travels usually take all different airlines.

BookTrib: What made you start the Food Forecast with Ginger? Can you tell our readers about it?  We would like to offer a link. 

Ginger Zee: That came from my decade long dream of combining my two favorite things: climate and wine. I kept saying, ‘Wine Weather,’ ‘Weather and Wine,’ that’s a show, but it wasn’t broad enough. Then ABC Digital gave me the tools to create ‘Food Forecast’ which is a series that dives into the science behind climate change and its impact on some of our favorite food products or agriculture. 

BookTrib: You talk about all the mistakes you’ve made in your life. When did you realize you needed to write this book?

Ginger Zee: After I did Dancing with the Stars, they touched on my anorexia, briefly, and the outpouring of support, families dealing with it and thanking me for sharing— it inspired me to share the rest of the story, because anorexia was only the beginning. 

https://youtu.be/LQRxy-4Kvaw

BookTrib: A lot of women, especially those in the limelight, feel the need to be and look ‘perfect,’ yet in your book, you’re refreshingly honest about what a disaster your life is off camera. If you could offer one piece of advice from your book for people to take away, what would it be?

Ginger Zee: Forgive yourself… and others. What matters today will not likely matter tomorrow, next week and definitely not a year from now. Almost everything can be put into that checklist for a much happier existence. 

BookTrib: We like to ask our writers one quirky question. Since you have such a great sense of humor we were wondering if you’ve ever seen the movie To Die For? If you have, what did you think of it?

Ginger Zee: I’ve not seen it, but quickly looked it up and obviously need to. I can already tell I’m going to be pissed she’s not a real scientist and that perpetuated the stereotype I hate as a female scientist.  But it’s Hollywood, I get it and will probably love it!

 

You can follow Ginger Zee on Twitter at @ginger_zee. Read a preview of or purchase Natural Disaster: I Cover Them. I Am One.: