Who is…a Jeopardy! Contestant?

Who is…a Jeopardy! Contestant?

As communications professionals, we’re all about telling great stories—but what happens when you become part of the story? That’s exactly what happened when I recently had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete on Jeopardy! and (my episodes have already aired so not a spoiler!) walk away as a four-day champion!

Like many lifelong fans of the show, I grew up watching and dreaming of one day standing on the Alex Trebek stage. The process to get there, however, is more challenging than most people realize. It all starts with an online test, and you may never get that call to audition. For me, I spent years taking the test and hoping I would someday get the call – when it came, I could hardly believe it.

Walking onto the Jeopardy! set is a surreal experience. The bright lights, the legendary podiums, and—of course—seeing Ken Jennings in person is enough to give anyone a case of the nerves. But once the game starts, it’s all about focus. The buzzer timing is as critical as your general knowledge itself, and staying calm under pressure is a skill we PR professionals know all too well!

Competing on Jeopardy! isn’t just about trivia—it’s about strategy, adaptability, and storytelling. You have only a few seconds to make decisions that could change the game, much like the high-stakes world of PR. Do you go for the Daily Double? Do you risk it all in Final Jeopardy? It’s a test of both intellect and instinct.

Being on Jeopardy! was an unforgettable experience—one that reinforced the power of preparation, the importance of confidence, and the thrill of embracing the unknown. Whether in the boardroom or on the soundstage, success comes down to staying poised, thinking fast, and telling a compelling story.

Now, if only real-life PR crises could be solved with a buzzer and a quick answer in the form of a question!