Hi! My name is:
LAURA
HAMPSHIRE
Some would say I was born to talk!
I was raised on a 40-acre horse farm in Churchill, Ontario by parents who both starred on “Wayne and Shuster”.
My mother was a model turned elementary school teacher, while my father was a radio pirate in England, before becoming a popular singer here in Canada in the 1970's. It was a very interesting and incredible childhood!
I had a deep voice for a little girl and was always happy to entertain, put on a show for guests, and even wrote my own plays (always casting myself in the lead role, of course). Our house was always filled with music, which quickly became the oxygen of my life, and my father started taking me into recording studios with him, as soon as I could talk. That's how it all began...
I started out as a singer/actress/comedian in Toronto, working at bars and restaurants in between auditions. Then, I went back to school for Radio, TV & Film, and have made a living as an Announcer/Host, Producer, Writer, and News Anchor for about 25 years, which is amazing since I'm only 29! (Haha.)
I've had the privilege of working at some of the best stations in the country and some of the highlights of my career (so far) include:
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winning News Anchor of the Year (Small Market) from Broadcast Dialogue in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic
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being nominated for Media Person Of The Year at the 2001 Prairie Music Awards
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interviewing the legendary BB King
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becoming the first Female “Solo” Morning Show Host in eastern Ontario (Country96/96.3 Joe FM)
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spending a few years at 680 News in Toronto
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helping the 107.5 Kool FM Morning Show climb to #1 in the ratings for the first time in the station's history
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co-hosting the #1 morning show at Rewind 103.9 in Sudbury
I enjoyed an incredible year and a half as the Afternoon Anchor at Global News Radio, 900 CHML in Hamilton, before deciding to return closer to my family in the Barrie area in October 2019.
On Family Day in 2022, I helped co-ordinate and host the World's Largest Virtual Cooking Class by The Chef Upstairs and EJSE Studio. The event included participants on Zoom from 17 different countries and raised thousands of dollars in support of Daily Bread Food Bank and others around the world.
I spent almost 3 years working as the Morning News/Co-Host at 89.1 Max FM in Orillia and as News Director for Bayshore East, which included Max FM 97.7 (Collingwood) and Country 102 (Muskoka), before deciding to take a break from broadcasting in the summer of 2022, in order to care for my mother with dementia.
I hope to do some side projects in the near future and maybe even write a book about my experience in the "biz".
A few years ago, I decided to pursue another passion: fitness, becoming a certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach with CanFitPro. I love to help other people and I truly believe being healthy=being happy. I even started a FB group called The F-Word Sisterhood (Fun, Food, Fitness, Fashion & Friendship) as a place for women to empower and support each other.
I have also spent some of my free time as a Speaker and Physical Activity Ambassador for FitSpirit. It allowed me to mentor, inspire & motivate young girls (ages 12-17) to be physically active every day, while promoting confidence, and self-esteem through various workshops, activities, & events.
Other facts about me: I'm very happily divorced (allergic to marriage), am obsessed with Wonder Woman (have the symbol tattooed on my back), a crazy cat lady (all rescued), enjoy watching horror movies ('Seven' is my fave), am the “Best Auntie Ever” (I have that in writing), enjoy paddle-boarding (my meditation) & love to make people laugh (because life is too short)!
I hope you enjoy my material and look forward to hearing from you!
Much love,
Laura :)