Championing Women’s Health and Advocacy: A Conversation with FOX LA's Marla Tellez

If you don’t know her already, you should! Here, the Lynne Cohen Foundation’s own Amy Cohen Epstein sits down with longtime women’s health advocate Marla Tellez, an Emmy-winning journalist and anchor, about her journey in broadcast journalism and her passion for advocacy in women’s health. For over a decade, Marla has been a dedicated supporter of the Lynne Cohen Foundation, consistently hosting LCF’s annual fundraising event, Kickin’ Cancer, to raise awareness and support preventive care. Through her work on-screen and off, Marla champions health, wellness, and the power of storytelling to inspire change. Join Amy and Marla as they discuss the resilience, responsibility, and purpose that drive Marla’s commitment to making a difference in women’s lives.

Amy Cohen Epstein:
I am super excited to be interviewing Marla today—this is my most intimidating interview ever.

Marla Tellez:
That’s wild! Come on.

Amy:
You’re a professional! I do this because I think I’m good at it and it’s fun, but you’re a reporter, an interviewer, a journalist, a producer. This is so exciting that I get to ask you questions, but I’m totally freaked out.

Marla:
First, you’re amazing at what you do. And second, I’m not used to being the one answering questions. I much prefer asking them, so I’m a little uncomfortable, too! But I love being in that space where I’m uncomfortable because that’s where the magic happens. So let’s do this for you, Amy. I’ll do my best.

Amy:
Well, thank you. I know you don’t have a lot of free time, so giving me an hour is really generous. Did you skip a run for this?

Marla:
I did! I knew something had to give, but you’re worth it. And honestly, I was tired, so I didn’t want to run anyway.

Amy:
Let’s dive in. I love asking people questions, really getting to know them—not just as a person, but what drives them. What drew you to journalism? Were you one of those kids who watched Diane Sawyer and thought, “That’s who I want to be?”

Marla:
My answer might surprise you. Unlike a lot of my colleagues who knew from a young age that they wanted to be in front of the camera, that wasn’t me at all. I was very shy. I’d actually beg my teachers not to make me do oral presentations, and they’d often let me write extra reports instead. Growing up, I was more into sports, and I had no clear goals. But as I got older, I realized I was a little argumentative and competitive, so I thought I’d be a lawyer.

Amy:
So what changed your mind?

Marla:
I worked for an attorney in San Francisco for a year while in college, but I didn’t love it. I found the work mundane, like bookkeeping. I’d always enjoyed researching, staying current, and writing, so I thought, “Maybe I’ll be a magazine reporter.” I even thought of working for People magazine! I was a huge consumer of local news, though, and there was this one anchor I admired—Leslie Griffith. She passed recently, but as a kid, I’d watch her and think, “Why would someone choose to do this? Isn’t she embarrassed?” The idea of talking in front of people terrified me.

Amy:
Was the news always on at home?

Marla:
Yes, my mom was a single mom and a big newspaper reader, so the news was always part of our lives. But it wasn’t until I decided law wasn’t for me that I considered TV. I wrote handwritten letters to the local TV stations, and one anchor, the top anchor at the station, responded and put me in touch with the right person. I got an internship, and the minute I walked into the newsroom, I knew I was in the right place. It was chaotic, stressful, and bustling, like being at a sporting event. I loved it.

Amy:
What was your first role there?

Marla:
I started on the assignment desk and went out with reporters. My only goal was to be a writer because I had no interest in being on camera. Eventually, I pushed my way into a small station for my first job. I called every day for two weeks until they picked up and asked who I was. The executive producer said, “Show up tomorrow at 2:30 a.m.” So I did.

Amy:
And what was it like to see your work go live?

Marla:
I remember watching the anchor read the first story I wrote, and it was incredible. I felt proud. Eventually, one day, the producer didn’t show up, and they asked me to take over. I produced the show, and everything went fine. The general manager called me in and offered me a job as an associate producer, then promoted me to producer. But I still didn’t want to be on camera.

Amy:
So when did that change?

Marla:
A mentor convinced me to try it, so we went out with a camcorder, and I started doing stand-ups in random public spaces to get comfortable. It was terrifying. But I made a fake reel, sent it around, and got my first reporting job in Salinas. I went live for the first time in the studio, and the teleprompter malfunctioned, spinning the words and the camera. It was like a nightmare! But I kept going.

Amy:
It sounds like you learned to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations.

Marla:
Yes, exactly. It’s still not completely natural, but I’ve learned to do things out of my comfort zone. And now, as an anchor, I get to tell stories that matter to me and connect with people in a meaningful way.

Amy:
What are some memorable stories you’ve covered?

Marla:
The stories that resonate are always the human interest ones. I interviewed a young fitness trainer with a rare kidney disease who was on dialysis and just wanted to be healthy. We told his story to help him find a donor, and he eventually got a transplant. Watching him come home healthy was emotional. It’s stories like that—where I see the impact—that make this work meaningful.

Amy:
You’re so passionate about health and advocacy. Do you see yourself as an activist?

Marla:
I don’t think of myself that way, but I do believe that if you can make a difference, you should. Giving a voice to the voiceless is what journalism is all about. If I can help someone by telling their story, that’s what I want to do.

Amy:
You’ve been a huge supporter of our Kick in Cancer event for nearly a decade. How did you get involved?

Marla:
Christina reached out to me when I first moved to LA, and I’ve been doing it ever since. It’s such an inspiring event. I love seeing the teams come together every year and getting to know their stories. It’s amazing to be a part of something that raises awareness and brings people together for a cause.

Amy:
You bring so much energy to it. And as a supporter of preventive care, you’ve done a lot to inspire others to take control of their health.

Marla:
Thank you. I’ve learned so much through covering stories on women’s health and advocacy. My two maternal aunts are breast cancer survivors, so I started getting mammograms in my thirties. I want to encourage other women to be proactive about their health.

Amy:
Thank you, Marla. Your work is truly impactful.

Marla:
Thank you, Amy. I’m grateful to be able to share these stories and support causes like the Lynne Cohen Foundation.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.