LOS ANGELES (TNA) – A career change is never easy, but former professional wrestler Lauren Jones is grappling with one unlike any other.

Jones, 25, is moving from the wrestling ring into the competitive world of TV journalism, and, unlike people who make midstream career changes in relative obscurity, she’s doing it on national television.

Jones recently spent a month in Tyler, Texas, attempting to become an anchorwoman on KYTX Channel 19, a middle-market news station looking for something, anything, to increase ratings.

Former wrestler Lauren Jones is now grappling with TV news.

Jones’ attempts to transform from former wrestler and model on “The Price Is Right” to serious TV journalist are now the focus of “Anchorwoman,” a reality show debuting on Fox on August 22.

Physically, the job of announcing the news isn’t as taxing as, say, doing a hammerlock in the ring, but Jones admits she had her work cut out for her during her month-long tryout – which she refers to as “boot camp.”

“At first, I did the softer stories like, say, summer activities, and moved to harder stories by the end,” Jones said. “Reporting about blood on the street was a contrast for my usual personality, which is exciting, but fun, happy and comedic.”

The job offer came up because of a meeting between station owner Phil Hurley and reality show producer Brian Gandinsky (“American Gladiators”). Two years ago, Hurley confessed to Gandinsky about his low ratings and the reality show mogul suggested hiring a model to do the news.

After lengthy deliberation, Jones was given the chance for the job, trial by fire.

She didn’t expect the emotional roller coaster that occurs from reporting hard news, but became addicted to the rush of reporting news on a daily schedule.

On the other hand, she did expect that trying to go from wrestling to TV journalism would give critics plenty of fodder, especially when she made mistakes during the early part of her training.

“I had to learn to how to enunciate and 'pronounciate,'” Jones said, adding, “You’ll see everything as I climb my way to the top.”

Still, the harshest comments came not from outsiders, but from her co-workers.

“There were some harsh critics at the station,” Jones said. “It taught me that there is always going to be competition. But, as I grew, so did a mutual affection between the cast and crew.”

For Jones, learning how to do the news was the hard part. Delivering it came easy.

“Being on camera is natural to me,” Jones said. “I didn’t have butterflies. It was just a matter of meshing all [my talents] together.

“I am genuine,” she added. “I am giving it my all. Sometimes, I mess up and laugh at myself. Other times, others laugh at me.”

While Jones’ coworkers had a tough time accepting her at first, they were all good friends by the end, and she credits the harmony to her willingness to take the risk in the first place.

“I heard that by the end of the month I was there, the other newscasters’ personalities were coming through onscreen more, and there was an energy in the newsroom.

“One of my co-workers pulled me aside and told me privately, ‘You taught me so much about seizing opportunities and fighting for what you want,’” Jones said.

Jones is currently in Los Angeles preparing for the premiere of “Anchorwoman,” but admits she may move back to Texas to pursue her new career.

“I am considering taking a job in Texas,” Jones said. “I love the adrenalin.”

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