Meet Annie O’Donnell

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annie O’Donnell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annie, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in North County, San Diego in a family of five children: 4 brothers and me, I am the only girl. Being in a male dominated household, life has pretty much revolved around sports as long as I can remember, specifically hockey. I spent more time in rinks watching my brothers play hockey than I did at the beach, and I loved every minute of it.

I get asked constantly if I wish I had a sister, and while I may have cried when my youngest two brothers were born, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Each of them are so important to me, and have helped me get to where I am today. I wouldn’t be me without them. Also, dealing with online trolls is Playskool compared to growing up with brothers.

My love sports really came from my dad, who I call a sports encyclopedia. The way he retains facts, stats, dates, scores, you name it always intrigued me as a kid. As soon as I showed an interest in sports, he fed right into it. He would leave me the LA Times Sports section at my seat at the breakfast table every morning, and after I was done reading, he would ask me questions about what was in the paper, whether it was my thoughts on a recent trade in the NHL or how I thought the Dodgers would do over their weekend series. He really made me feel like my opinion mattered from a young age, and it was so impactful for me that the most important man in my life cared about what I had to say. I am forever grateful to him for that.

My mom has been huge for me making my way in a male dominated industry. Growing up watching her walk into any room and command respect from everyone there was beyond powerful. Her confidence, ability to stand up for herself and others and work ethic were an amazing example while growing up, all while being a loving, supportive mother to five kids. She instilled in me from a young age to never apologize for being a woman and to never shrink myself to make anyone else feel comfortable. It’s have been everything for me not only making my way through the sports media world, but in life in general. I couldn’t have asked for better parents.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a sports content creator with a specific niche in hockey. I love all four major professional sports, but soon found my groove in my favorite league, the NHL. Despite the growing popularity of hockey on the west coast, being a huge hockey fan in Southern California still tends to raise eyebrows. I’ve always embraced it, ever since I was a kid.

I always knew my future would be in sports, at first I thought it was athletic training, then working in a front office, which I ruled out both through internships. It took me a bit to find my groove and what really set my soul on fire, even working outside of sports for a few years. I soon found my spark in the Fall of 2019 when I began making sports content on social media. It started when I launched my own sports podcast OD on Sports, which then evolved to short rants and fun skits on socials. From there, I’ve gotten to work with brands that I could’ve only dreamed of like the NHL, DIRECTV, Discover Card, Taco Bell, CCM Hockey, Bleacher Report and more. In addition, I’ve been a regular guest on Sportsnet radio channels, which I literally pinch myself every time I go on air that a girl from San Diego is talking hockey in Canada.

I really started making sports content out of a love of just being a fan, and wanting a space where I could truly be myself. I love fashion, rock n roll, referencing pop culture in daily conversations, and I’ve really built my platform off being myself and incorporating things I love into hockey. Whether ranting about a move the Ducks have made, making a skit to a SpongeBob sound or putting together a fun game day outfit, people are able to see themselves in my content.

Hockey is a sport that tends to be very stuck in tradition and in its own way in terms of growth, so it’s a challenge to break in. It’s been a steady, very rewarding journey growing my channels and really forming my brand. Lots of figuring out what works and what doesn’t, but that’s part of the process. As easy as it is to get sucked into metrics and engagement, valuing community and quality is the way to go. I remind myself that on days where I’m feeling down on myself. As long as I’m making content I want to se and I’m proud of, that’s what matters.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a sports girl, anytime my friends visit a game of some kind is involved. Whether it’s summers at one of the 3 MLB ballparks in Southern California. Dodger Stadium is my favorite park (biased of course) but Petco Park is beautiful and the food is incredible. You cannot go wrong with Cardiff Crack Nachos and a Cutwater margarita. But of course, being a hockey girl trips to either Crypto.com Arena or Honda Center are always in order during NHL season. Followed by trips to the beach with iced lattes or Mexican food in hand.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family 100%. I have the most supportive parents I could ask for, who have been encouraging me in this dream since Day 1. Even on the days I didn’t believe in myself, their faith has never wavered. I am eternally grateful for that. I also have to give a shout-out to my 4 brothers: Sean, Kevin, Matt, Paddy. Safe to say I wouldn’t be me if it weren’t for them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetannieod/?hl=en

Twitter: https://x.com/sweetannieod

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sweetannieod?lang=en 

Image Credits
golden breeze photography