BAKERSFIELD -- Pep Fernandez is "Livin' the Dream."

From milking cows to Sportscaster, Pep has traded in hooves for highlights!

Pep can be seen Monday through Friday on ABC23 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. He's also the "mastermind" behind Kern County's favorite football show: 23 Yardline.

After growing up in the quaint village of Cottonwood (roughly 2,000 people about 2 hours North of Sacramento), Pep spent his first summer before heading off to college, milking cows at the Ewing Dairy.

He'd punch the time clock at 2:30 in the morning, milk 118 cows, clean-up, take a nap, and do it all over again at 2:30 in the afternoon!

Not his idea of fun, Pep ditched the dairy and attended Humboldt State's School of Journalism in Arcata, Calif. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis on broadcasting.

While in college, Pep landed his first on-air job at KAEF in Eureka, Calif., where he began reporting news and anchoring sports.

After nine months at KAEF, Pep made stops at KNVN in Chico, Calif., and KRCR in Redding, Calif., before moving to Bakersfield.

Pep feels blessed to be in Kern County. He says ABC23 is way better than milking cows!

When not in front of the camera, Pep enjoys spending time with his wife Tara, and his daughter Alana, watching and playing sports, and going to Today's Family Church.

Since moving to Bakersfield, Pep has tried out for the Blitz arena football team, The Brigade PDL soccer team, played a Harlem Globetrotter one-on-one, and raced a stock car at Mesa Marin Raceway.

When asked about working at the #1 rated TV station on the planet ABC23, Pep replied, "I'm milking every moment!"