Sara Cox started her long-awaited role as host of BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show on a bright Monday morning in July, after eight years of being the perpetual bridesmaid.
The opening songs were Lizzo's "About Damn Time" and CeCe Peniston's "Finally", a choice she admitted was deliberately cheeky.
She told the reporter she felt calm on the day, saying the job felt like "finally" and that the track choice made her smile.
Cox praised the audience and her team, describing them as "the best listeners in the world" and "a brilliant bunch of people" who share her radio geek enthusiasm.
Since taking over, she has added new games such as "Let's Hear It For The Noise", offering listeners a chance to win branded "Sara Sox" socks.
Behind the scenes she is constantly messaging her team with ideas via WhatsApp.
During a visit, the reporter arrived at the BBC's London headquarters at 4.50 am, found Cox energetic, dancing to tracks, chatting with callers and eating an avocado wrap.
The super-fit mother of three, who last year completed a 135-mile run raising £11.7 million for Children In Need, stands for the entire three-hour show.
Cox explained she prefers to stay on her feet, citing a health podcast that warned prolonged sitting can cause inflammation.
Previously known as a 1990s "ladette" alongside Zoe Ball and Denise van Outen, she now lives teetotally, having stopped drinking in February after a final pina colada.
She is married to marketing executive Ben Cyzer, whom she met at Glastonbury in 2013; they share three cats - Watson, Peggy and Miso.
Her daily routine includes a 4.50 am alarm, a second alarm at 4.55 am, and occasional checks by her husband to ensure she has left the house.
On her first day, Hollywood star Tom Hanks appeared as a guest, and on the reporter's visit Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan joined.
Cox said dream guests would include Daniel Craig, Tom Cruise, Beyoncé and Madonna, noting previous interviews with the latter two.
She stepped into the role after former host Scott Mills was dismissed over a historical sexual-offence allegation; Mills is reportedly planning legal action.
Four team members confirmed the workplace feels happy and not tyrannical, and weekly listener figures have remained steady at about 6.37 million.
Despite challenges for legacy media, Cox believes radio will endure because of the personal connection listeners have with DJs, and she emphasizes the need for innovation on TikTok and Instagram.
She concluded she feels "pinch me" moments in the job and hopes that joy shows through.
