David Begnaud is the lead national correspondent for CBS Mornings and has been with the network since 2015. His coverage of Hurricane Maria in 2017 earned him the prestigious George Polk Award for public service. Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at the age of 6, Begnaud has raised public awareness about the nervous system condition, speaking openly about his own experiences with the symptoms and the subsequent bullying he experienced as a child. Today, Begnaud hopes that opening up about his own journey with Tourette’s will help lead to greater tolerance and understanding.
My approach to success is…
finding what it is that sets my soul on fire. Then, getting about the business of doing it, all the while saying yes to that which interests me and no to that which I don’t feel is right for me.
I never thought I could…
work for a national news network, which was my dream since the age of 6.
It all changed for me when…
I came out, stated I was gay, and then later that I had Tourette syndrome. That public disclosure was a personal victory for me and led to an expansion of my career in ways that set me apart and yet connected more deeply with the audience and my colleagues.
My biggest role model is…
Oprah. No one compares.
My favorite quote is…
Courage is the most important virtue; without courage you cannot practice any of the other virtues consistently.
I gain the most energy by…
telling stories that make people feel something and see something of themselves in the character.
I handle negativity and self-doubt by…
feeling it, allowing myself to be bothered by it and then moving on—at other times, not even paying any attention to it.
One thing I try to do every day is…
find the ideal work-life balance.
The most surprising thing about me is…
I have the taste buds of a 6-year-old.
The biggest risk I ever took was…
I haven’t taken it yet.
I define success as…
the realization that your work is not work, because your work is your passion. Therefore, you are not working, you are living your dream.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2023 issue of SUCCESS magazine. Photo by ©2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.