We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chrystal Stone a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chrystal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In late 2021, I was working as an executive assistant while pursuing an acting career in New York City. I had also dipped my toe in to the sports media world and I was feeling a strong pull to journey into that field as well. My everyday existence became a delicate balancing act. From submitting self-taped auditions, to posting sports media content. I received my undergraduate degree in theatre. Being an actor was what defined me. The idea of having to shed what had always been my identity to a completely new one was terrifying. So, I shifted my perspective and decided to marry my passions for performance and sports by becoming a sports journalist. In January 2022, at the age of 41, I took the biggest leap I’d ever taken in my life. I applied to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in sports journalism. A few months later, I was accepted to Arizona State University. I moved across the country to Phoenix, AZ and received my master’s degree in one year. One month later, I moved back across the country to Albany, NY, where I am now working as a sports anchor and reporter for the NBC-affiliate, WNYT NewsChannel 13. Everything I do as a sports reporter requires a layer of performance. Having on-camera presence, writing and delivering scripts, and connecting with people during interviews all tie into my experience as an actor. I never thought I’d be shifting careers at this stage of my life, but I’m glad I did.

Chrystal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am an actor-turned-sports reporter and anchor. I was an actor in New York City for over 15 years. In 2022, I shifted careers to go into sports media full time. I received a master’s degree in sports journalism from Arizona State University in 2023 and I now work as a sport reporter and anchor for NewsChannel 13 in Albany, NY. I get the opportunity to tell the stories of athletes in the Capital Region. I cover high school, college, semi-professional, and professional sports. In my job, I am a one-woman show. I shoot sports content, write, edit, produce, and anchor.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’m a huge sports fans, especially of the NFL, and most especially of the Dallas Cowboys. I organically grew my social media following by post reaction videos to games and sports news. I did it just to create a dialogue and a place where fellow fans (and haters) could discuss different sports topics. I noticed people started following me because they wanted to hear what I had to say about a particular game or sports topic. Find something you feel passionate about or that you are an expert on. You will find that people who share the same passion will follow you. Or they will come to your page for your expertise. And hashtag away.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’m driven to provide more female representation in the sports world. Our voices and perspectives matter. I seek out opportunities to cover women in sports and tell their stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chrystalstone.com
• Instagram: @chrystalstone_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrystalstone/
• Twitter: @chrystalstone_

Image Credits
Laura McDonald and Justin Wambach