Kelly Johnson

I attribute much of my success to the strong support system I have built around me, especially my family and friends. My mother was my greatest supporter before she passed away in 2024, and continuing to pursue my goals has become one of the ways I honor her memory and strive to make her proud. I am also grateful for friends who genuinely celebrate my accomplishments rather than view success as a competition. Having people in my life who sincerely believe in me, encourage my growth, and want to see me succeed has made a tremendous difference in both my personal and professional journey.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to just go for it, even when I’m unsure whether I’ll succeed. I experienced this firsthand when I responded to a post seeking writers for a racing website connected with Yahoo Sports. I simply offered to write, submitted my résumé, and within hours, after reviewing my work, they offered me a position. That experience reinforced the importance of taking chances and being willing to step outside my comfort zone. Since then, I’ve continued to embrace opportunities that come my way, and that willingness to take a chance has opened new doors, including the possibility of covering NASCAR.

The best advice I would give to young women entering my industry is not to be afraid or intimidated by being a woman in a male-dominated field. Other people’s negative comments or opinions should never determine your confidence, your abilities, or whether you feel that you belong. I also strongly believe in supporting other women rather than tearing them down to gain acceptance or attention. Trying to elevate yourself by diminishing another woman ultimately damages your own reputation and creates unnecessary division. Stay confident, remain professional, and make a genuine effort to encourage and support the women around you.

One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the increasing visibility of my writing. As my articles gain traction and are shared more widely, they have the potential to reach editors, website owners, and employers who may discover my work and create new career opportunities. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges is the experience paradox many young professionals face: employers often want candidates with experience, but gaining that experience can be difficult without first being given an opportunity. I believe continuing to put my work out there, take initiative, and pursue opportunities will help me build the experience and connections needed to advance my career.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are authenticity, kindness, empathy, loyalty, and staying true to my morals. As one of the younger professionals in sports media, I make a conscious effort to remain genuine and hold on to the excitement and passion that brought me into this industry rather than changing who I am to fit the room. Empathy is especially important to me as a sports journalist because getting to know athletes personally has reminded me that they are human beings, not simply public figures who are expected to be perfect at all times. I also believe in standing up for others when they are being unfairly criticized and treating people with the same respect and understanding that I would want for myself.