‘Dancing news anchor’ is disciplined about fitness
Fox 26’s Martin credits strength training and cardio workouts for helping him on dance floor and beyond
L ocal television personalities are known to showcase their hidden talents on social media. Some sing like Celine Dion, others play tennis like Serena.
Then there’s Jonathan Martin, evening news anchor for Fox 26, who can dance like a mashup between Bruno Mars, J.Lo. and Usher. The 30-something Atlanta native dazzled the audience at the recent Dancing With the Houston Stars charity event. He was paired with a professional dancer from the Urban Souls Dance Company and presented a routine with a mix of modern dance and hip-hop choreography.
It was fast and energized, and Martin commanded the stage like he was performing with J.Lo. herself. After he took a bow, he gave the audience a glimpse of his six-pack abs, the result of his daily workouts. Martin and his dance partner, Alexis Anderson, tied for first place in the charity competition, in which proceeds went to support the dance company.
“I didn’t know he could dance like that,” Anderson, 27, said. “He’s such a hard worker and was very eager to take on the project like a professional. He could definitely dance professionally if he wanted to.”
After his TV station aired a segment about his performance, Martin received an onslaught of emails and social-media comments praising his fancy feet. Mayor Sylvester Turner, who also is known to dance in public, called Martin to say he was blown away by his moves; other viewers dubbed him the “dancing news anchor.”
“I was hesitant to do the (dance) competition because I didn’t want it to affect my credibility as a news
journalist,” Martin said. “But the opposite happened, and it was a way to connect with people I never knew was possible. It’s been amazing. I’ve gotten so many great comments that people see me as regular guy. No one knew I could dance.”
Martin posted clips from his dance practices on Instagram. He credits his workouts with helping him keep with up with the dance practices nearly two months leading up to the competition.
At O Athletik in the Heights, Martin pushes a 275-pound tire like Hercules. Moments later, he’s climbing backward up a steep incline. His workouts alternate between strength training and cardio, including 20 minutes on a Stair Master or jumping rope in twominute intervals. He also does more ab exercises — at least three rounds of 20-25 hanging leg raises, ab crunches, two-minute planks — in one session than most people probably do in a year.
“I’m very disciplined. I love mixing it up and shocking my body with something new. I think you feel better when you are fit,” he said.
Fitness, sports and dancing have been apart of Martin’s life since childhood. He learned to dance listening to MC Hammer at home in Atlanta with his two brothers, who both work in the music industry.
“Dancing became a thing in our household. Every reunion, every event turned into dancing.”
From an early age, Martin also had a passion for television. He broadcasted the announcements on close-circuit TV in elementary school. By the time he went to college at Auburn University in Alabama, he knew he wanted a career in TV broadcasting. He joined the CBS affiliate in Augusta, Ga., as reporter after college “making so little, I had to call my dad every two weeks for grocery money.”
He later worked in Nashville, Tenn., as a national correspondent for an international news service. He covered everything from race riots in Ferguson, Mo., to Texas-Mexican border issues.
In 2016, he joined Fox 26 as an evening anchor. In that time, Martin has covered some of the biggest news events — the Super Bowl, the World Series, Hurricane Harvey and the death of Barbara Bush. “Houston has embraced me. I’ve been able to do so many amazing things in Houston,” he said.
Martin shared the TV spotlight with former anchor Melinda Spaulding, who left last fall. He credits her with showing him the ropes and pushing him “to be my best self. She would step out of her light to make me shine.”
She even encouraged him to share his workout photos on social media.
“I used to be so afraid to post any fitness photos. Melinda told me I didn’t have to dim my light or be ashamed of being fit. Now, I have people say, ‘I didn’t know all of that was under your suit!’ ”
Martin usually works out a hour or so before he heads into the office. He incorporates a Pilates class at HardCore Pilates on Kirby when he can. It’s all part of his attention to taking care of his body and health. He says he’s not into meal preparation, but sticks to a no-fried, low-sugar and low-carb diet.
“I was the skinny kid with a big head growing up,” Martin said. “I always wanted to put on muscles. So I got very disciplined about it. I don’t like the treadmill and so I don’t do it, but the things I do like to do in the gym, I do with conviction. It’s made all of the difference.”