For over two decades, mornings in Northern California felt incomplete without the high-energy, leopard-print-loving presence of Julissa Ortiz. She wasn’t just a face on a screen. She was the woman who did "Breakfast with Julissa," the one who rallied high schoolers on Friday mornings, and the personality who made waking up at 5:00 a.m. feel like a party you actually wanted to attend.
Then, she was gone.
The departure of Julissa Ortiz from Good Day Sacramento in 2024 left a massive hole in local morning television. For fans who had watched her grow from a wide-eyed intern at CW31 to a seasoned anchor, the exit felt abrupt. People have questions. Is she coming back? Where is she now? And most importantly—why did she really leave?
The Breaking Point Behind the "Good Day" Smile
TV news is a grind. It’s a 2:30 a.m. alarm clock. It’s living on caffeine and adrenaline while trying to look perfectly polished for a live audience. Julissa did that for 25 years. Honestly, that kind of schedule is enough to break anyone, but for Julissa, it eventually became a matter of physical survival.
In early 2024, a routine doctor's visit turned into a wake-up call. Her blood pressure was spiked. Her cholesterol was high. She was pre-diabetic. The woman who spent her career telling other people’s stories suddenly realized her own story was headed for a dark chapter if she didn't change things immediately.
She didn't just leave for a "new opportunity." She left because she had to choose between her career and her life.
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"I realized I had spent 25 years telling other people's stories," she later shared. "It was time to tell my own."
The Transformation: Losing 60 Pounds and Finding Peace
If you've seen photos of Julissa lately, she looks different. Really different. After leaving Good Day Sacramento, she embarked on a health journey that saw her lose 60 pounds. But it wasn't about some Hollywood fad diet or a magic pill.
She basically had to relearn how to be a human.
Instead of grabbing a quick coffee between commercial breaks, she started working with a nutritionist. She swapped the "morning show diet" for whole foods—grilled chicken, quinoa, and lots of water. More importantly, she started sleeping. For the first time in decades, she wasn't waking up before the roosters.
It’s easy to look at her transformation and think it’s just about vanity. It’s not. It was about reversing those scary numbers her doctor gave her. By the time 2025 rolled around, she had successfully reversed her pre-diabetic markers and found a level of peace that a live television studio simply can't provide.
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From Sacramento Intern to National Spotlight
People forget that Julissa is a Sacramento native through and through. She grew up here, went to St. Francis Elementary and St. Francis High School, and literally started her career as an intern at the very station she eventually helped lead.
Her path wasn't a straight line, though. She paid her dues:
- El Centro, CA: Serving as the Imperial Valley Bureau Chief for KYMA-TV.
- Central Coast: Anchoring at KCOY-TV, where she covered the massive Michael Jackson child molestation trial.
- The Drew Barrymore Show: Just before her departure, she represented Sacramento on the national stage, showing Drew (and the rest of the country) exactly why our city is special.
She’s also half of a Sacramento power couple. Her husband, Steve Large, is a staple at CBS Sacramento. Watching their chemistry—like the time Steve tried to do her hair on live TV—was a highlight for many viewers. It made them feel like a real family, not just "TV people."
Where is Julissa Ortiz in 2026?
So, is she coming back to the anchor desk? Right now, the answer is a firm no.
Julissa has transitioned into a life that prioritizes her daughter, her health, and her personal growth. While many fans hoped she was just taking a long vacation, her "leopard print farewell" was the end of that specific era.
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She has been spending her time traveling, hiking, and actually enjoying the Sacramento restaurants she used to use as landmarks when giving directions. She’s often spotted at Selland's on Broadway or cheering at Sac Republic matches, living the life of a local resident rather than a local celebrity.
Why the Departure Still Matters
The story of Julissa Ortiz and Good Day Sacramento is more than just a media personality changing jobs. It’s a case study in burnout and the courage it takes to walk away from a "dream job" when that job is no longer dreaming of you being healthy.
In the high-pressure world of 2026, where everyone is told to "grind" until they drop, her exit serves as a reminder that your health is the only true currency you have. She didn't lose her identity when she left the station; she actually found it.
Lessons from Julissa’s Journey
If you're feeling the same kind of "always on" pressure that Julissa felt, there are a few things you can take away from her experience:
- Listen to the Red Flags: High blood pressure and exhaustion aren't "just part of the job." They are warnings.
- Sustainability is Key: Her weight loss worked because she chose whole foods and a rhythm she could keep up with, not a crash diet.
- It’s Okay to Pivot: You aren't defined by what you've done for the last 20 years. You're defined by what you choose to do today.
- Prioritize Sleep: Moving away from a 2:30 a.m. wake-up call was the single biggest factor in her mental health recovery.
To truly follow in Julissa's footsteps of health and balance, start by auditing your own daily schedule. Identify the "caffeine and adrenaline" habits that are masking deep exhaustion. Consult with a healthcare professional to get your baseline numbers—blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C—and don't wait for a crisis to make a change. Like Julissa, you might find that the most valuable thing you can gain is the life you were too busy to live.