A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MY NEW LIFE
I left the hospital to work in TV! I started a new job at KTBS TV-3. In this new role, I am a co-anchor for the mid-morning news, host of the Healthline 3 show, and a health reporter/multi-media journalist/media Dieititan.
After beginning my business—Courtney Butts Nutrition—in 2022, I began contributing to KTBS on their Health Watch segments since February 2023. Little did I know a year later, that these segments would lead me to the opportunity to work full time at KTBS. I feel so fortunate for the opportunity to reach a larger audience, to speak on health, to share stories, to be challenged, to learn, and to grow here.
Previously, I worked at a hospital as an outpatient dietitian for two and a half years. I gained thousands of hours of counseling and learned a lot there. I walked alongside patients to help and encourage them through the science of nutrition. I taught weight management and heart disease-focused classes. I was also the cystic fibrosis dietitian, where I helped patients with the genetic disease dose their digestive enzymes and counsel them through other digestive issues. While working in the hospital, I met one of my best friends, Annette, a dietitian. I’m so thankful for the time and relationships I gained there.
Now, my day looks different. On any given day, I will be anchoring, reporting, editing, writing, interviewing, asking (lots) of questions, learning, growing, and enjoying.
Anchoring - Anchorwoman
This is where my co-anchor, Nate Fluharty, and I read words to the people of the Ark-La-Tex, ha! (Ark-La-Tex = Southwest Arkansas, Northeast Texas, and Northwest Louisiana).
Brian Fowler, our weatherman, me, and Nate Fluharty, my coanchor!
Our weatherman, Brian Fowler, also keeps us on our toes, and I never leave the anchor desk without a good ole belly laugh. This part of the job is the “glamor,” where I wear beautiful, professional clothing and lots of eye shadow. This was the most nerve-wracking part, initially. During my first week, my supervisor and I would practice anchoring and then watch it back for a little bit of affirming and critiquing. After almost two months of co-anchoring, I feel a lot more comfortable and confident, but I know I have much more to learn.
Health Reporting
Since I’m a dietitian, I can use my wellness expertise to create stories on all things health. I’m not kidding when I say I learn something new and introduce myself to someone new daily. It has been a whirlwind, but I can genuinely say this is the most rewarding part of my job because it’s possibly the most challenging. In this part of my job, I am a multimedia journalist. I’m responsible for setting up, executing, filming, and editing these stories. In the news world, the type of story I have been creating is called a VOSOT (VO-video, SOT-sound on tape). It’s about 90 seconds on an interesting health topic with a sound bite from an expert in the area of interest—usually a healthcare professional.
Every Thursday, I change things up, and I’m the expert talking about a hot topic in nutrition. This part is really fun because I can bring in props! I’ve talked about healthy Super Bowl snacks, heart-healthy fats, the health benefits of crawfish, what sourdough is and how it is good for your health, the difference between muscle and fat, and more. I do these segments once a week, and I love to have new, fresh ideas. If you have a topic you’d like me to cover, you can Ask the Dietitian, here!
Host of Healthline 3 show
I also host the Healthline 3 show. This 30-minute show features local healthcare professionals highlighting medical innovations and their practices. Topics can vary widely, including, but not limited to, eye health, weight loss drugs, bariatric surgery, cardiovascular health, colon cancer awareness, permanent contraception, fibromyalgia, and joint replacement surgery. I help facilitate conversations with the doctors for our viewers. The show also allows viewers to call and speak directly with the doctor live.
A day in the life
I wake up around 5:45 AM and get ready while reading/listening to scripture and a podcast. I’m two-thirds through the Bible Recap with Tara Lee Cobble, and I love it! Learn more about the study here! While applying makeup, I drink as much water as possible. After getting dressed and mostly ready, I feed my sourdough starter—’lil Richie—every morning. Coffee is on auto-brew for 6:30, and I fill ‘er up on the way out the door.
I have about an hour to review my script when I get to the station. The script includes the news we read on a teleprompter. I usually make small changes to fit my comfort level and readability. The biggest adjustment for me is knowing when to breathe LOL. So, I add a lot of ellipses (dot dot dots) to help me remember to pause/breathe, and I like to add an asterisk (*) for words that need emphasis. At around 8:30, I’ll finish getting ready—either curl or straighten my hair and finish my makeup (add lipstick, mascara, blush, and bronzer). Once in the studio, I’ll put on my mic and IFB—interruptible foldback. This earpiece lets me hear the tech directors and producers who help keep me in line. They will say things like “standby,” meaning we’re about to be live, or “two shot,” which tells me which camera to look at (there are three).
After the 9 AM newscast, I then review the script for the next newscast at 11 AM and I do the same thing all over again from 11-12. Some days I will host the Healthline 3 segments immediately following the 11 newscast for 30 minutes. The remainder of my day focuses on creating my health story. I then will spend time writing and finding videos that help me tell the story. A manager reviews my script before I go and present it, and at the end of my day, I present my daily health story in the 3 PM newscast.
After I’m done for the day, I change into workout clothes, pack up my desk, and head out the door. Once I’m in my car, I take off my makeup using makeup remover wipes on the way to the gym. I usually work out for 30-45 minutes or go straight home to take my dog, Bo, for a walk.
Don’t worry… I’m still seeing patients!
With the day job change from the hospital to TV, my schedule is admittedly busier and more unpredictable during the day; however, I still plan to see patients in the evenings and on the weekends via telehealth. I plan to create more programs that may be more accessible, like courses, once-a-quarter classes, or random in-person pop-ups, so stay tuned. :)
If you’re interested in scheduling a session with me, I offer self-pay and insurance-accepted services. Click this link to learn more!
