IN CONVERSATION WITH MEGAN EUGENIO

interview by JANA LETONJA
photography by DEREK KETTELA

Emmy Award–winning host, commentator, and creator Megan Eugenio, better known to millions as “Overtime Megan”, has redefined what it means to be a sports personality in the digital era with her signature confidence, quick wit, and unmistakable East Coast energy. Known for her work with ‘Overtime’, Megan has built a loyal following with her authentic voice, smart humor, and genuine love for the game, whether she’s on the sidelines interviewing top NFL or NHL players, breaking down major moments on her podcast ‘Meg on the Mic’, or working with powerhouse brands like Gatorade, EA Sports, and Accelerator. But her impact stretches beyond sports. Her lifestyle, fitness, and fashion content have inspired a generation of young women to find strength and confidence on their own terms. 

You’ve become one of the most recognizable digital voices in sports media. How did your journey with ‘Overtime’begin?

I was 18, freshly moved to New York, and had just started at Pace University. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, never mind my career. About a month into school, I met a friend who worked at Overtime and asked if there was room for one more, and to my surprise there was. They were a smaller start up then, about 50 employees. I was hired to count inventory, organize excel sheets, collect athlete addresses for mailers, and more. After about a year of doing that two days a week in between classes, the head of social, Tom Weingarten, and CEO, Dan Porter, told me about a new app, TikTok. I figured I would try it and see if I could gain a following. Within a month, I had about 150.000 followers talking about my favorite sports teams and picking up trends. After 2 to 3 months, I was signed as talent for Overtime. The rest is history.

You were one of the earliest TikTok creators to bring sports content to Gen Z. Did you know at the time how pioneering that was?

I wish I could say I knew the impact TikTok would have, I would've not been so apprehensive. It was the perfect storm for my career, because I logged on before the Covid 19 pandemic, I was young and tech savvy, and my job allowed me access to the sports world. Pioneering is interesting because you never know you're doing it until you look back and think “Wow. Thank goodness I took a chance on myself.” It is always the best bet.

What’s been your favorite moment so far on the job — whether a game, an interview, or a viral post?

My favorite moments have been attending the Super Bowl time and time again. I love the energy and buzz every year. It is always bigger and better, and there is so much creativity through brand activations and experiences. I will never forget my first Super Bowl and how much the work shaped the woman I am today.

You’ve worked with everyone from Odell Beckham Jr. to Justin Jefferson. Is there an athlete who surprised you most in conversation?

Those are two great athletes I have had the honor of working alongside. There have been countless moments where you realize athletes are not only extremely talented but well rounded individuals. Recently, Tom Brady was a super fun interview for the opening of his CardVault by Tom Brady store in New York City. He is one of the greatest to ever touch a football, yet his energy was inviting and fun. He was down to do TikToks, photos, and an interview. For someone well known his entire life, he knows how to be present and engage with the people and events he is passionate about. I have always been a Tom Brady fan despite being a New York sports girl.

You’ve covered so many sports — NFL, NBA, NHL, tennis. Which one holds the biggest piece of your heart and why?

While I love any sporting event, hockey is a personal passion. Something about hockey has touched my life, whether the northern culture, the winter season because I love the cold, or the athletes, who are all class acts. At a game, you feel like you are with family watching TV together, all at the edge of your seats. It is high energy and fast moving and you can't look away for a second. I've built meaningful connections with creators and brands, including EA NHL, Bauer, and CCM. I also love sports I partake in, and with my ice skate and hockey stick collection, it is safe to say hockey is a big piece of me.

You recently won an Emmy for your work. What did that recognition mean to you after years of hustle in such a competitive field?

Winning an Emmy was such a shock. That award meant the world and was embracing the new way of capturing moments in sports. When I look at it, I think of the transformative moments that allowed the world to see how engaging digital sports content creation can be. In such a competitive field, we all try to be different, get that question first, think of a trend, get the most views, but what matters is the impact on your audience and how you curate content for their favorite teams and athletes. My Emmy is a representation that I’ve created with my team, connected with my audience, and built a stronger bond with my career.

You’ve said women in sports shouldn’t have to choose between loving athletics and loving beauty or fashion. How important is it to you to expand that narrative?

It is vital to continue the narrative for women in sports who feel they do not belong, that is why I do it. I was never athletic or on teams as a child. I was last to bat, last picked, or did not make the roster. That made me realize I love sports, but was not the ideal athlete. I was a girl who loved being part of a team. I wanted to show women it was okay to be feminine and still enjoy sports culture. I've always been excited to work alongside my male counterparts, not compete with them. There is beauty in embracing femininity and enjoying sports in a male dominated industry. Male dominated is a fact to me, not a negative. We have more men than women in sports, and that is okay. What is not okay is women feeling deterred from running parallel with that narrative. We are all in this together, men and women offer more than statistics. That is why I do it.

You’ve created content for the US Open and are credited with helping tennis trend among Gen Z audiences. What’s the secret to making sports cool again?

Sports have always been cool, but that is hard to tell a generation raised in a media central world. A lot of Gen Z is consumed with instant gratification, not the journey. The journey is the best part. Everyone wants the finals, not the preliminaries. I want to show it is cool to be in before the last day, before the championship, before the Grand Prix. It is awesome to be knowledgeable and partake as a spectator. There is an art in every sport and a community to be found, don't wait to be a part of that.

Your fitness content feels refreshing because it’s focused on strength, confidence, and balance, not aesthetics. What inspired that approach?

I love to focus on my health and well being. It is important to work out for endorphins, mental health, anti aging, and mobility. Social media created an obsession with aesthetics over health. I like to show it is okay to work out for health, not show. Focusing on cardiovascular health, flexibility, and coordination is vital as we age. Looks do not help us live longer, but taking care of the body that supports you does. Balance is in the gym and the kitchen. I love to cook at home and showcase diversity in my meals. Where there is focus on meals that adjust your body, I focus on fueling. A hearty meal is always made in the evening at my house, sometimes with too many leftovers. 

In your words, health and hustle can co-exist. How do you personally recharge between events, shoots, and long travel days?

It can be easier said than done, but I focus on my brain and rest. This involves getting off my phone, which I am on so much for work, and picking up other enjoyment. Doom scrolling feels relaxing, but activates our brains continually. I love to read, especially history books, a true non fiction girl. I feel I earn my entertainment through books rather than speeding through videos. When active, I love to ski and snowboard in winter and sail in summer. I love honing my craft in sports I enjoy and getting better. It is rewarding. And rest. Rest with my family is big. Reconnecting with friends and hanging out is important for our social nature, not texting and calling. I am very old school if you can't tell.

You’ve already conquered sports and lifestyle media. What is coming up next for you?

This career has so much to offer, and I am excited to see what it has in store. I hope to continue interviewing new and familiar athletes and creating content for my fellow sports fans. We are in the thick of sports season, so attending games happens often. You can always catch me at Madison Square Garden. The Winter Olympics are upcoming in Cortina, Italy in February 2026. I am honored to attend and experience sports I love, like skiing, snowboarding, and hockey. It is another opportunity to be considered for an Emmy, so we must lock in. You can find me on socials at an event, a game, or in New York City where I reside. Stay tuned.