I recently had the opportunity to accompany Amy Summers to her in-studio segment on FOX’s Good Day New York. While I expected to be there to cover social media and provide moral support, I ended up learning an important lesson about staying grounded in purpose when things don’t go according to plan.
As we sat in the green room waiting for Amy’s segment, a producer stopped by to review her talking points. Before the conversation ended, Amy asked whether copies of her book LIFT would be displayed on set. The producer explained sharply that the segment would focus less on the book itself and more on helping Gen Z navigate AI screening tools and improve their chances of getting hired. Since we were there to discuss LIFT and its mentorship framework, the comment caught us both off guard.
The room became noticeably tense as I watched Amy process the information. It would have been easy to become frustrated or overly focused on what might not happen during the interview. Instead, Amy calmly acknowledged the producer’s direction while explaining how the principles in LIFT connected directly to the topic at hand. Rather than focusing on whether the book would receive airtime, she focused on the bigger purpose behind being there: helping young professionals succeed.
What stood out to me most was that Amy never lost sight of her agenda, but she was willing to adapt how she achieved it. She understood that when people don’t fully understand your purpose, they may sometimes assume your motivation is something else. Instead of pushing back, she stayed focused on creating value, trusting that if she served the audience well, the rest would take care of itself. That authenticity was evident, and the producer recognized that Amy’s goal was to help others—not simply promote a book.
Despite the unexpected conversation, Amy walked onto set with confidence and delivered an incredible interview. To our surprise, the set team had already created a beautiful display featuring the LIFT book, complete with butterfly and floral décor that perfectly reflected the book’s message. The interview with Rosanna Scotto was a huge success, featuring multiple mentions of LIFT, mentorship touchpoints, and advice for recent graduates. I even received another shoutout from Amy on live television!
Looking back, the experience reinforced the importance of purpose. Amy often talks about helping people connect their work to something bigger than themselves, and that day I watched her live out that principle in real time. Purpose is not about rigidly sticking to a plan; it is about staying committed to the outcome you are trying to create, even when the path changes. For Amy, it was never about book sales. It was about sharing a message that could help someone build confidence, create connections, and find opportunities.
It reminded me that every opportunity, challenge, and unexpected detour can serve a larger purpose if we stay focused on why we are there in the first place. That lesson continues to motivate me as I support Amy in her book launch and grow as a communications professional.
~ Maiya Barnhardt, Pitch Publicity® #PitchStar
FOX clip: https://youtu.be/Fea19bA8UcM