Page 9 - Discover Winter 2021
P. 9
Weather Man
By Kate Hofstetter
Like the weather, Jamey Singleton’s life as a himself, especially at first. Early into the conversation,
meteorologist has been changeable - cloudy at times he explains that he suffers from anxiety attacks
with a chance of rain or sleet, and at other times hot brought-on, he believes, by shyness that he has dealt
with no relief in sight. But also like the weather, it has with his entire life. He is, in fact, painfully shy about
been mostly interesting, and at times exciting. meeting people. Dining out, he says, is a nightmare.
He is so recognizable locally that he frequently
To understand the man and get a true
attracts stares when out in public. To a shy person,
picture of him, we need to expose some parts of his
even friendly stares are intimidating.
life that he’d rather forget but has agreed to share.
Twice he’s had to fight for his life, and he’s only 42 It’s hard to believe that anyone so shy can
years old. Once to escape drug addiction, which was appear to be so comfortable and at ease in front of a
the underlying reason why he lost his dream job in TV camera. It’s not an act. He really is comfortable in
television… and again when a head-on collision on front of a camera, and that’s because he’s talking about
Route 122 in Bedford left him pinned against the the weather, a subject he loves and with which he’s
dashboard of his car. completely confident.
Today, Jamey is “back home” on Channel 12, “Weather forecasting,” he says, “is my passion.
where his career in television first began. His head is It’s not just a job – it’s life.”
“still in the clouds”, he likes to say, and his eyes are
Anxiety is a fear that grips most of us at one
generally on the colorful weather maps that blink
time or another - the fear of rejection or failure, or
continually from a collection of computer screens. He
that you might embarrass yourself. It causes butterflies
sits in front of a large desk next to a picture window
in the stomach and can make your voice quiver when
that reveals a beautiful view of the Franklin County
you try to speak. Or perhaps you can’t speak at all. In
countryside.
some cases, you even begin to sweat.
Born and reared in Rocky Mount, you get
“I can only describe it as the feeling you get
a strong impression that Jamey has never even
when you have to face your teacher at school and you
considered leaving. He loves his hometown and is
haven’t done your homework. Or when you are being
comfortable here. He has a sizable fan base; both of
interviewed for a job,” Jamey said. “It’s a voice inside
his parents live here, and one sassy cat who shares his
you saying you’ll fail.”
home has claimed him as her owner. Her name is Dot
The Weather Cat. He also proudly tells you that he’s
Such anxiety, he explained, can lead to
a “Funcle” - a “fun uncle” to niece, Tyler (“12 years panic attacks, which can be physically debilitating,
old going on 27”) and her brother Alex, the children depending upon the severity of the attack. A panic
of his younger sister who lives in the West Virginia attack can cause your blood pressure to skyrocket and
panhandle.
your heart to race. It leads to profuse sweating such
as an athlete experiences from physical exertion, and
Not surprisingly, Jamey’s a little heavier than
causes your arms and finger to go numb.
he was 20 years ago, but he still has a boyish face and
youthful appearance. He has a gentle, timid way about During one such attack Jamey called for an
him and seems a little uncomfortable talking about
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