Gracie & Taylor Mei on Fitness, Hate Comments, & The Pressure to Be Perfect

Hey, I'll accept your hours, listeners. You can now watch on Spotify. If you're subscribed to Spotify Premium, you can watch ad-free. Now let's get into the episode. She is the Calisthenic Queen. She is an IFBB Pro, placed top three all three years of competing. She's built a massive following of over four million across all platforms, and she's created her own Fitness app called the Little T app, where she offers fitness programs, nutritional guides, and online coaching. Taylor May, welcome to Adletes After Hours. I'm so happy to be here. I'm so excited. She is a Canadian queen, and I'm so glad that you're in LA, and you could come on, because we've been connected for a while now. So long. Like, for at least three years, I would say. Do you think? Yeah. At least, right? Yeah, maybe. Yeah. And like, I haven't been to LA pretty much in like two, three years, and that's why it's taking us so long. I know, I'm like, does she not like me? She don't want to clap with me. What are you going to Montreal? I was like, where are you? No, no, yeah. She literally messaged me when I was out in Montreal, and she's like, oh my god, wait, can we film together? And I'm like, I leave tomorrow. I was like, no! But we have talked about me potentially coming out to Toronto. Yes, not talked about. We have confirmed you will be coming out to Toronto. I've cleared my schedule. Yeah, we're flying out tomorrow. It's in the books. You guys heard it here first, so. Yes, so what are you out here for? For a Red Bull event, actually, super fun. Which is so iconic. Yeah, which is something that like, as a creator, you always see like these big name brands and everything. And you never think you're going to be a part of them, so to be a part of something so big is always so fun. And it's like, this is my life. It's like a pinch me moment type thing. For sure. You would probably experience the same thing too. Like big brands and you're like, no way, you know? Yeah, so. I think that's so cute that you actually still get so like, you get kind of angrily over these brands when you, you are the brand. Like, thank you. I feel like brands are knocking on your door left and right to work with you. You've been in this social media space now for how long? Like almost a decade, 10 years. Yeah, I started posting in 2017 and then I kind of like lifted off around like 2019, 2020. Okay. And then it's just been like steady growth since there and it's just been so much fun. But to think my journey started with me just being like, hey, I want to post videos just to see if I can like stay consistent in the gym to literally inspiring people being part of like fun campaigns and opportunities is just such a like a 360. Yeah, so I mean, I think that's why you're so incredibly successful because you went into it with such a pure heart. Like you just wanted to inspire people. You wanted to inspire people to move their bodies. And I feel like that's why we relate so much to each other because that's why I got into doing training blogs was I was like, I just want the girlies to get excited about practice and want to do gymnastics and want to move their bodies and have fun. And like kind of reframe what movement looks like for people. Yeah, because I feel like the workout space can be pretty toxic. Very. So like how have you kind of dealt with that being in the fitness influencer space for as long as you have? Like how have you kind of kept the toxicity out? I try my best to keep myself like grounded. So again, going back to more of like the gymnastics body weight movement. And I do feel like for me personally, calisthenics has been like one of the best communities I've been in where they don't focus on any of the toxicity and stuff like that. Yeah, I think in my life of competing in different sports, they all had their purpose and they all had their era. But I do think like, for instance, for bodybuilding, I decided to step away this year just because I found like getting to caught up in like your body to Smurfia, your eating habits, stuff like that can can can make fitness not feel fun anymore. Yeah, and like daunting or even just, you know, too much pressure. It's a job. Yeah, it becomes a full like bodybuilding is literally a full time job. Yeah, and sometimes it's just nice to step back and like enjoy life for a little bit. Yeah, so kind of tapping back into the, you know, the fitness stuff you worked with Jim Shark. Yes, yeah, for how long? That was for around two years back in like 20, 20 to 22 years. Yeah, only two, two and a half maybe two years, I think. Yeah, was Morgan Moroney and Steve Cook were they worth them like way longer? I feel like way longer. I was like, they were like the beginning. Yeah, I remember following Morgan before I even met her and being like, say, I love Morgan, she's my girl. Yeah, she's like what she stands for, what she does, everything who she is a human from even back then to now is just like, she's one of the best people I know. And to be on the team with them when they were on the team was super fun. Yeah, I think they were on it for like seven to like Steve even longer than Morgan. Oh, yeah, I think Morgan was like five years plus. He was like an OG. He was OG. Like if you thought about Jim Shark, you always thought about Steve Cook. Which is so crazy. And now it's kind of done a full 360. Yeah, because I feel like, well, you know, with everything brands go through different, you know, rebrands and everything. And like, I know right now they're like in like, they're running hybrid era. But before that, it was like all body building. And then before that, it was like, we are Jim. Like, I don't know, like the messaging like that brands just have a shift. Yeah, and I think what sucks is when they rebrand, they drop people that don't fit into that mold anymore. Or what they don't think is the mold anymore. Because I feel like as athletes, we also change all the time. We pivot constantly. Yeah, I mean, especially with I think you and I being fueled by passion, like we're just going to do whatever we feel like during that week. Yeah, and that's what I love about your content. It's like, you're very similar to me where you just, you just do random shit and you do fun challenges. And like, you do things that push you out of your comfort zone. But also like, you have your mobility Monday. You have the consistency in, you know, in, in crunched in it as well. Yeah. So having, I think like that balance of, okay, this is stuff that's really fun and different and consistently evolving while still having like your OG content. Yeah, like your foundation. Yes, like your, like your pillars that you go back to. Yes, but it is nice with social media that because you can, you know, go on to any trend or interest that you're wanting to post, it is nice that you can post whether I'm doing reformer or rock climbing or high rocks or whatever. And my audience is still as invested because they're invested in me as a person. Of the brand. Yeah, and not just like, oh, she's a bodybuilder. So I only want to see bodybuilding content. Yeah, it's nice that they're very open-minded and like willing to like accept all eras of my life. Yeah, you did a really good job of having multiple facets. So that people don't just see you as one thing. Yeah, but I think that sucks sometimes when you are again like with a gym shark where they're like, we just want runners. And you're like, well, I'm not just a runner. Yeah, like your audience is so much, but like sometimes. Like all the time. Yeah, like I'm really stressed, I'd be running. But like other than that, like you will not catch me running. So yeah, I think it's tough when like there are some brands that get so like pigeonholed and like tunnel vision on one specific. Yeah, whatever is like trending in them. Cause there's eras for everything. There was like the CrossFit era. There was the bodybuilding. There's right now it's high rocks. Like that's super trending. But like it changes over time. Like who knows? Like there was also a time where like where former was really big. Because all the celebrities were like promoting like, this is how I got my abs in my arms. The Pilates era was crazy. That was a strong one. High rocks is really big right now. Huge. Like every brand is on that. You know what I mean? Everyone's in it. I'm even like contemplating doing what I'm doing. I'm like this one together. She comes to Toronto and I trick her into a high rocks race. I'm like, by the way. By the way, there's actually a competition right now. She's trying to stop for it. So you know what? I would actually run on a high rocks for sure. We should do it. I would run on one. Let's do it. I know it's a really, really bold claim. But like no. I can't guarantee it's going to be great. But I would definitely for sure. Yeah. Okay. So I guess for Toronto. Iron rocks is October 1 to 4. So is it actually? See you then. Yeah. So you can play in the other time. Don't tempt me with a good time. We should actually do that. That would be really fun. That would be so much fun. And then I could like fly out maybe like a few weeks before and we just like film a bunch of content of us like training together. Yeah. And I'll just like push you through like workouts and stuff. Oh my god. And then we'll show up and just crush. Oh my god, you guys. Should I do a high rocks? Should we help on the freaking bandwagon? Do it. I mean, you're doing one in New York. I'm doing the New York one yet. Okay, when is that? That one's June 6th. And then I'm doing for sure the Toronto one. So you got to be there. I thought you would kick my ass. Yeah, I'd be so. Oh, you had me. Yeah, she had me on the beam today. She she kicked my ass. Yeah, so I get payback. Yeah, now the the vengeance is clear. Yeah, I haven't already planned. How are you feeling now kind of stepping into that new. You're again, like kind of pivoting or rebranding a little bit. You're getting into running. You said you're maybe training a marathon. I am. No, I signed up for it. I signed up for it literally a year in advance because I knew if I didn't you're locked in loaded. I was trained for it. Yeah, like now I've already spent I think it was like $178 to run it. I mean, that's it. So I'm like, I can't I can't waste $178 like I have to do it. So I have not even run a 10k in my life before. So oh, we're just going. Yeah, we just had full send. I love that about you. Yeah, so so that's also in October. Are we training yet? Not yet. Like yeah, because we're because running is part of high rocks. So like I consider it the same. Okay, so it's kind of like a little pregame for the big. They like pair it together. The big dog. Yeah, okay. But like 40 kilometers. I forgot she's Canadian so kilometers. Oh, I don't know what you guys are in miles. But it's 26.2 miles far far very far. It's about, you know, 30 minute drive. So I'll probably be running for at least like four and a half five hours. I don't want to talk about it. No, I think you'll be faster than that. No, I don't think so. I do not think so. I love the faith. I love it. But I'm going to just like they're little. I'm going to be like running alongside you like yeah, you can vlog beside me. I'm going to be like full mean girl's mom like. Yes, great to meet you. You're like, you're like, shut up. We like locked in like just get there. Just hangry like give me a goo. Yeah, literally. I'm so dead. No, I think you're going to smash that. I think the one thing that I really know about you just from literally outside looking and like obviously we just met today, which is so insane. I feel like we've known each other for so long. But like I really respect that you you are one of those people who like, when you commit something that you follow through. - Yeah, it's a locked in mentality. - It's all in or nothing, and that's how I am, and so I really-- - It's a good way to be. - It really is, but it's also quite toxic sometimes. - Oh yes, yes. (laughing) - I mean, seeing you get into the body building space, I was like, just saying prayers from outside, looking at-- - Yeah, I was locked in time for sure. - You were locked in, and how did you handle the food noise and the body dysmorphia, and all the stuff that the toxic things that come along with body building? - Yeah. - How did you manage that? - So I think my first year was the worst, like my in 2023, I was so focused and locked in for my prep, and then my first offseason, where you get freedom, I think that's where I let myself get up to like 124, which for someone my frame is pretty high, considering I've only ever really been around like 115. - We're talking about weight right now? - Yeah, whoa. - Yeah, I don't know, like 124 for the average person, it isn't heavy by any means, but for me, it was like, oh, I'm like up there, and like I physically felt like I was like bigger. - Yeah. - And so I think the main shift for me-- - 'Cause I had to bulk, right? - I had to bulk, yeah. It was just like, oh, so much food. We're eating food when you don't want to eat food. - Yeah, dude. - And then it's like during prep-- - That feels like that would be the hardest part, I think, for me. - Yeah. - Like working out-- - And then stuffing your face. - And then having stuffing your face-- - And then working out again. - Yeah, no, it's a lot. So for me, I think the biggest thing that helped me the next year for off season was not necessarily thinking of like this as like a free period, but more like a time to make a better version of myself for when I do cut down, to change in the narrative a little bit, and then making sure that I really did kind of hone in and focus on food is fuel. And during this part of my off season, it's okay if I look bigger or softer or whichever it may be because I'm fueling my body to like be lifting, have your weight so that way I can like build the proper muscle and support my body. - Yeah. - And then when it came down to like prep, I think I really had to train myself to realize that that peak week where you look amazing is just that week. Like you can't expect that look 24/7 as much as we would all love it. That part of my life is when you like lose your period, you're like so drained with energy, like so many parts of your life that are meant to be healthy aren't healthy in that moment. - Yeah. - And so it's like as good as it looks, like healthy is so much more important. - Yeah, like the functionality you've completely lost, you've lost all function. - Like getting out of my car was tiring. - Oh girl. - Like I was as low as like 70 grams of carbs, which is like literally nothing. - Oh my God. - I was like, I think my calories got as low as like 980. - Not even breaking a thousand carbs a day. - Yeah. - 'Cause I dropped down to 100 to 101 pounds. - I was gonna ask you what you weighed when you were. - Yeah, I was like, yeah, I was around 20 pounds. - You just flowed away. - Yeah, I literally, I'm not saying. - You don't need no gust of wind. - Yeah, and especially in Toronto. Save me, she's gone, she's gone. - We're putting ankle weights on her. - Yeah, like holy crap. - Yeah, so it's pretty intense. Like it's very regimented and it's a really great process to go through for discipline. 100% I think a lot of my growth happened throughout those years. - Huge challenge. - Yeah, like you really see that discipline is where everything lies in and it's not the motivation. It's not the fun. It's just like, can you be disciplined? But it's not something that I see myself doing longterm just because of how much I love being healthy. - Yeah, I was gonna say like that was a crazy surprise to me because I do feel like you emulate balance and you emulate health and wellness and not, you don't emphasize aesthetic at all. - No, no, no, no, no. I try to stay away from that as much as possible. - Yes. - Yeah. - So I thought it was like, oh, this is a crazy shit. - Now she's on stage. - Yeah, and I'm like, now she's like cutting a lot. - A lot. - I was just, I was really curious. But I do think you kind of are the perfect person for that kind of environment because you're doing it for the right reasons. - Yeah. - Versus someone who's like, oh, I don't eat that much. Anyways, it wouldn't be that hard to do. You can just cut, cut, cut, cut. - And just like not eat regardless. - Exactly. - And it's like, now it's an excuse to not eat. Like that's how my eating disorder brand would think. I'd be like, hell yeah, I get to like, I'm encouraged to not eat. Let's go. - Yeah. And it's like, I do feel like a lot of people don't talk about it in the body building world, but there's so many eating disorders that do happen. - Well, yeah. And it's just like, it makes sense because-- - It's like a professional eating disorder. - To an extent. - To an extent. - To an extent. - Yeah, like you lose your period. - And especially because a lot of the amateur athletes feel like they're alone in it because the pros don't talk about it. - That's fucked. - You know what I mean? That sucks. - They feel like, oh my gosh, I'm not meant for this because no one else goes through this and I must be so shitty of a bodybuilder because I'm amateur. But it's like, no, if you talk to any pro-- - We're all going through it. We just are going through it. - We are suffering. - We're just a little more effed up in the brain. - Yeah, we're just locked in so hard. (laughing) But yeah, it's such a different, it is such a different part of my life because like you said, I focus on function so heavy. - And were you so like bum to not be able to do the flipping and not be able to like train the way that you normally do because your style of working out isn't just weightlifting. - No, it's like functional fitness. - Yeah, it's calisthenics. It's flipping. It's fun stuff that like you genuinely love to do. So like, how did you deal with kind of having to put your passions to the side in order to achieve this goal? - It was really tough because like, I love like, you know, I have to play pickleball in the weekends in my friends, I do like a whole bunch of stuff. It's what makes me happy. - Yeah. - So to be so like pinholed in an area where I was like, no, you literally have to be a hundred percent dedicated to this and only this was extremely tough. And I think in my mind, because I knew it was after a specific goal of just like, I want to make sure that I'm like in 2023, it was like, I made this promise myself that I would do this and that's what carried me through my prep. 2024, what carried me through is because everyone kind of should on me in 2023 and I was like, I'm gonna prove you wrong. - Yeah. We'll talk about that after we go. - Yeah, wait, I gotta hear what that is. - So then 2024 was like motivated by like, prove them wrong. - You had to ship on your shoulder. - Yeah, massive chip, massive chip. And then it ended up like dumb, like backfiring me anyways. So then 2025 was my redemption year for like myself. And that's when after 2025, I've come out being like, I'm good. I'm happy. - I feel like your relationship with it all. - Yeah. - Like it feels so like accomplished and I feel proud. And I feel like there's something else I need from this discipline. - Yeah. - And I'm like happy to like explore other avenues of fitness. - You're like, I did it. - Yeah, I'm good. (laughing) - Top three, three years in a row, I'll take it. - I shoot, dude. I'll take it. That's crazy. Wait, so let's talk about 2024. - Yeah, 2024 was dark. - Oh, no. - Like my content was like, I think I cried a lot of my content. To be honest, like on my YouTube channel. - 'Cause you cried. - I know. - 'Cause I'm not a cryer, like I'm pretty happy. - You are so happy. - Yeah, but no, 2024 dark. - Girl. - Yeah. - I'm so sorry. - Yeah, it's because there was just so much pressure from 2023. You had the people who were like overly positive, like, oh my god, she's gonna win. She's so amazing, like her routines, like nothing can beat her routine. So there was a lot of pressure of like, oh my god, I have to be so good. - Everyone's expecting so much from you. - Yeah, everything's, but then you had the people who were like, she's not even fit. She looks fat on stage. She doesn't deserve what she has. She only has what she has because of Instagram. Like that coming from not only like strangers in the internet, but like from girls I was competing against. - No. - There was some people who were like, yeah, like, if I had done your routine, I wouldn't have been scored like that. Or like, oh, she only has it because of her Instagram. And I'm like, I've never been in a sport that's been like that before. - No. - And so I was just like, you know, like, that's like so mean and it kind of sucks. And so that also brought me down. - Like they just stole your thunder. - Yeah. - They literally just basically made excuses for your success. When you were like, no, I actually worked my ass off. - I was so hard. - I'm not here starving. - Yeah. - Your girl's starving. - Your girl's famished. - I'm angry all the time. - My boyfriend hates my guy. - Yeah. - Nobody talks to me anymore. - My parents were just over me. - Yeah. - It was crazy. Like, and the bodybuilding culture as well. Like, it's the same thing as, you know, the memes about Olympic athletes. When people were like eating chips and they're like, oh, that was a really bad like ski, whatever. - Yeah. - But it's like, the people judging you and being so mean are people who have, like, never. - Yeah, they don't understand her. - No. - Yeah. It's like, you're literally telling me that I look fat when you're eating a jar of peanut butter. - Yeah. - Like what? When you haven't gotten your ass off of the couch for three weeks straight, yeah. Like call me when you do what I do. - Yeah. - And then let me know how you feel. - So, people were nasty. - Wow. - Yeah. - I would have never expected that for you because you're just so lovable. Like, you have such a lovable space. You're so cute. And like, you literally do, like, we've just talked about, like, how we have similar content in a sense of like, our audiences are so supportive and loving and incredible. Like, we don't have communities that tear us down or like-- - We're like haters. - Everyone's so nice. - So then I feel like that would probably be such a big shell shock for you to then step into this new thing that you're so bright and bushy-tailed about. - Yeah, I was like, I did so good. - You're so excited. - My first year, it came second. It's so fun. - And people are like, you suck. - You're literally immediately like-- - I mean, that's the thing that was people just be jealous. Like, they're just pissed off that you didn't have to go through the gnarly process to get to the top. You just, you rocketed there because of how incredible you are as a person and how amazing you are at this sport. Like, sorry, but you've also-- - I've worked incredibly hard. You worked so hard and you've had so much consistency that it eventually just gave you the opportunity to step into a sport where it like, you kind of made it look easy. - I don't think. - And I think it probably pissed a lot of people off because it's like, it's not that easy. - And it's like, no, but like, I think too is like so many people don't realize that like, bodybuilders who are in the industry for so long, like they spent years just bodybuilding. - Yeah. - I spent years doing this stuff that like is worth 70%. 'Cause the way fitness works is like 30% posing 70%, what you can do. I've spent 20 plus years focused on the 70%. - Yeah. - It makes sense, I'm gonna place well because I focused all my attention on 70% and I'm working really hard towards a 30%. - All you have to do is focus on what you're doing. - What you had to do was learn how to pose. - Literally, pose and be okay being hungry. - And get a spray tan. - Yeah, oh, the spray tans, that's crazy work. - A spray tan? - A spray tan? - It's invasive. - Invasive? - Like, it's like, they have to like, lift your legs up and shit. - Yeah, like you have to like, open your legs, you kind of have to like, you kind of have to like bend over a little bit 'cause like you're in such a little small bikini, you can't have like one white patch. - Yeah, fair, I did. When I was getting spray tans in college, they would have me like, it's so TMI, but like, because I have a booty, like if they just sprayed me like this, I would get a line under my cheeks. - Yeah. - And so they would be like, you have to bend over. And I'm like, and I'm like, fully naked. And I'm like, we about to get a real close sister. - You're like, okay, enjoy the view. - Yeah, you're like, this is not awkward at all. - How did I get here? - Yeah. - I'm like, oh my god, I'm too white for this. I can't, no, that is why. I mean, low key cultural appropriation too, like. - Yeah. - It's so dark. And that's the thing is when I posted on my Instagram, people who don't know about bodybuilding are like, why does she look like that? - Yes. - And it's like, it's tough for me 'cause I'm not really in that world like that. I'm like, in my regular world. So I'm like, it's such a jump scared to my audience too. Like, I totally get the comments. I'm like, 100%. It makes sense to my people. - Yeah. - So it's weird. - That's so crazy. What was the best part about trying bodybuilding versus the worst part about bodybuilding? - I think the best part is like, learning mental toughness. Like, we talked earlier today, like, I'm mentally weak. - Like, barely is not strong up here. We've had to really work on it. - Well, we took her to the beams. She's like, this is something that no one knows about me, but I am extremely mentally weak. - Yeah. - And I will not be good up here. - I'm like, okay. - It'll take me a moment. - So I do think bodybuilding taught me, like, and gave me opportunities to really work on that. - Like work on your discipline and your mental toughness. - Yeah. And also just like, I think that like that horrible period of 2024 was like a good realization of like, it doesn't matter what people think. It matters what I think. - And you're doing it for you. - Yeah. - And that's why 2025 was like so glorious. - So empowering. - Because I was like, I don't give a shit about whatever one else thinks. I care about me. - Yeah. - And I think that's was like a huge win out of the bodybuilding world for me. - I love that. - Because it's probably such a big life lesson in general. - Huge, 'cause I have it on social media. Like on social media when I post things, I'm like, I like what I post, and that's why I'm posting it. And it doesn't really bother me if something-- - And you've been doing it for 10 years now, so it's normalized. - If you get a flop. - If you get a flop, like whatever. Like you just keep moving. - Yeah. - Things were coming at me in real life. It was like, okay, we have to like address that a little bit, right? - It hits different though. - Yeah. - You're like, oh, these people are actually talking shit on me. - Yeah, to my face, which is insane. - Yeah, so it was learning that. And I think the worst part of bodybuilding would be like, just the, 'cause I still look at food as like macros. - Oh. - I think that's something I never used to do before. - Mm-hmm. - It's really like a bad thing, 'cause it is good to properly fuel your body, but it would be nice if I could like at a dinner out. I could like shut that part of my brain off. - Turn off the food noise. - Yeah, just like, oh, if I'm eating a piece of protein, I'm like, oh, that barely had any protein. I probably need to order something else that was more protein. - Mm-hmm. - Like to have that shut off would be really good, 'cause I think that's the one negative thing that's really come out of it, is I just see things as like, hit your protein goals. - Yeah. - And especially because social media too, everything's protein. Protein, water, protein shakes, protein bars, like everything. - Yeah. - So it's a lot. - Like, yeah, it's a lot. - It's a lot. - Yeah. - I mean, yeah, with the fitness industry being as engulfed in it as you've been, how have you been able to kind of like keep out the crazy food noise and the trends and like all the things I feel like are very toxic? Like I've had to unfollow a lot of people in the fitness industry because it was becoming normalized to me when I'm like not even in it. And I'm like, this isn't even normal. Like to someone outside, it's just like, I don't know, it's a lot. - I think for me, like it's, I'm a fitness influencer, but like you're saying like I'm balanced, where I don't consider myself like all-time fitness every single time in my life. - Yeah. - I live about, like I'm not someone who's like 5am club or you're lazy, I wake up at like 7am to clock and that's like a good time for me. And I think there was a period on Instagram where it was like, my day starts at 5am, I like do my laundry, I make my bed, I have my protein. And like, it's like the perfect life. - Yes, you have to keep this act up and be this brand, that's so like perfect. - Like motivating. - Yeah, like if you're not this, you're not a motivated fitness person. - This is why you don't have apps. - Literally though, that's how it would be. And it was just like, it's not like good. So I do think how I've separated myself from that is just like, I know a healthy lifestyle and I think healthy lifestyle includes balance. And I've just tried to share that as much as possible throughout my pages. Like people see me, you know, like I'll post like food that I have eaten out with or like, all like, say that I miss the gym or something. Like you can be fitness and love fitness and not have to be like hitting all five stars every single day for everything you do. - I think that's why you're successful though. And like you're so much, you resonate so much more with your audience because it's relatable and it's it's far less intimidating. Honestly, like I see other fitness pages that I'm like, that is a lot. I'm sorry, like, you can't do that. - Yeah, you can't do you make me feel guilty for not stepping into a fitness gym and lifting fucking a hundred pounds. - Yeah. - Plus every single day of the week. Like that's not normal. Neither it's also not feasible with where I'm at in my life right now. - Yeah. - Like, people are busy. - People are girls are really busy. - Yeah. - Girls booked in busy. So then how do I figure out a way to help empower other women to see that there's other opportunities to stay fit, to have a physique that you want that you feel comfortable and confident in, whether that is a little bit bigger or really small, whatever it is that you prefer. I think like finding that thing that works for you and like, that's why I always try to like inspire my audience to like walk outside. Like you can always walk outside. You don't need a gym membership. You don't have to spend a hundred dollars. - I have to spend a hundred dollars cold. - I mean, maybe not can about. - Yeah, but you can walk indoor. - Yeah, I'm like, me and my hallway. - Yeah. - It's like, you can walk on a tread and binge watch trash TV. - It's true though. Like, it doesn't take a lot to move your body. - No way. - Like, playing with my dog like a rocket is exercise to me. Because like, I take them for walks, I throw the ball around like workouts don't have to be just strictly in the gym. - And that's why I don't call them workouts anymore. - It's movement. - I've completely rebranded. Like, I don't even use that word. I say, what's your movement of the day? - Yeah. - How are we moving our bodies today? Whether that's a home workout in your freaking living room with, you know, on YouTube. Like, we talk about our outfit, going for a walk, you know. - Going to a dance class. Like, literally anything is movement. - Yes. - It's good. - Even go act throwing. I don't freaking know. - Anything. - Get your Pilates arms through that. - The amount of people who like dis people who like, just do like, like sometimes Pilates classes. - Pilates, Pilates, yoga, whatever. - Yeah. - People are like, that's like not real fitness. And it's like, if it gets them moving, it gets their heart rate up. And it gets them like to the, the gateway of movement. - Yes. - That's all we're looking for. Like, I feel like, yeah, the really strict like club energy where it's like, what are you the fucking bouncer and you, you get to decide whether or not who's fit and who's not. Like, what is this? This is so exclusive for no reason. - Yeah. Considering fitness is supposed to be welcoming too. - It's supposed to be open arms. Everyone should be a part of this. And like, yeah, I, I hope with where we're headed with like, health and wellness, it's continuing to be more inclusive, more encouraging, more accepting. Like, I've heard, I've seen TikToks of people, you know, maybe they're plus size or they're just a little bit heavier and them speaking on their experience, like going into a Pilates class and the Pilates instructor like, shitting on them. - Yeah, it's so horrible. - Or like, being so rude and condescending to them and being like, are you sure you can handle that? It's like, what are we doing? - Yeah, why are we judging? - We should be encouraging these people to continue to come back. Like, create a safe space for the people to want to move their bodies because we know it's scary to go somewhere new and try and new work out. And that, and we're fit. - Yeah, you know what I mean? - I still get intimidated. I still get scared. I still get insecure. 'Cause you see other girlies, you know, prouncing around and they're tiny little outfits and they're-- - Yeah, matching sets, perfect hair, whatever. - So much that I-- - And I'm just like, I'm here. - Yeah, I'm like, rolled out of bed, like, right here. - Well, like, I went for a run the other day outside and I literally messaged Jackie and I was like, I'm kind of shy. I was like, he's like, why? I was like, because I'm like, not a runner. And like, what if I'm running on the road and someone's gonna be like, yo, you suck at running? Which I get so like, unrealistic. But it's like that, I get that feeling when people go into a gym being like, someone's gonna judge me. - Yeah, it's unrealistic, but I get it. - Oh my God, that's why I don't go to public gyms. I actually get so many gyms. I'm like, everyone's watching me, everyone's judging me. They know that I don't know how to do a proper workout. - Yeah, like, they just saw me mess up on my thing or like, whatever it is. - Like, I don't actually, I mean, people already know that it's like my audience knows. Like, I don't really do like, proper gym workouts. Like, I haven't lifted and God knows how long, tears. - Yeah. - And so like, I mean, you do movement, like, you do healthy movement that like, honestly, most people probably like, ignore like the stretching that you do, like the stabilizer work that you do, which is what people should be doing. - Yes. - 'Cause you can live heavyweight all day long, but if you can't touch your toes, what are you doing? - It's not functional anymore. - Yeah. - You're no longer gonna be able to set yourself up to have a proper long life where you are functional. - And like pain free. - Pain free, joint pain is like, one of the biggest proponents like, from lifting. And so I'm always like, I'd rather do low impact movement. That's gonna save my joints, but still build bone density. - Yeah. - And also it kind of creates this amazing momentum too, because you're not so sore the next day that you're like, I don't wanna do anything. - Yeah, I can't touch anything. - Like, I don't know about you all, but I hate being sore. So I'm like, if I'm sore sore. - Or you can't move. - I'm like, so annoying. - I don't wanna leave my bed. - Yeah, I get pissed off. Like if I've worked my legs too much where I like can't properly like run or something, I'm like, what did I do that? - Yeah, and then you're like, then you kind of blow off the next workout the next day and then you lose that momentum. So it's like to me. whenever people ask, like, how do you say motivated? It's like, baby steps. - Oh, huge, do one work out a week. - Yeah, just something, just be very realistic. Like, I always talk for 10 minutes a day. - Yeah. - That's good enough. - Tell people, like, say yourself, like, you don't have to be someone who's like, if you're first starting in your fitness journey, don't make 10,000 steps, going to the gym five times a week, eating your part, like, no, pick one thing. - That's where the toxic influencer stuff starts to really get to sleep in, 'cause you just, you feel guilty, you're like, oh my God, this person is telling me that in order to look this way, I need to walk 10,000 steps, I need to eat this, I need to do that. When also, it's not inclusive, because y'all are out here making money off of working out. - Yeah. - When you're telling these normal people to spend thousands of dollars on all of these supplements, on all of these workouts. - And time. - And time. - Yeah. - There are money spent on gym memberships, which are charged up to the ass. - Yeah. - What is that? And it's like $100 a month now or more to be at a gym. - That's the bare minimum, which is crazy. - Insane. - It used to be $25. - I know. - Not to age myself, but literally. - No, but it used to be so like-- - So it's inclusive. - Yeah. - It's inclusive. And now it's like, it's this like, weird exclusive club that no one can get into unless you're like-- - Jacked. - And ripped. - Yeah. - And like, you can ask for a comped, you know? - Yeah. - Membership, because you're a fitness influencer. I just, I think it's so bizarre that we've cut, it's kind of skewed that way. - Yeah. - But I feel like people like you are gonna continue to bring it back down to earth. And be like, no, this is what balance looks like. We're not all multi-millionaires. - Yeah. - We were talking about that earlier. Like a lot of the times people on, you know, people looking into our lives are like, oh, like you have millions of followers. You must be like a multi-millionaire. And it's like, I understand that some influencers like to post their like lavish purchases, but that's not the majority of us. Like a lot of us just like live within our means. - Yeah, we like work really hard. We have like, I don't know about you, but like for me, I think about like long term. - Yeah. - Like I wanna set up like a life for myself. I don't wanna be luxurious for like five years. I wanna have like a comfortable life for like many years. So it's- - 'Cause we know that we can't do this forever. - Ah, I'm not flipping. - No forever, bro. Like, give me a break. Your girl's tired. Like, I'm 30, approaching. You know, like this is the next decade for me. I gotta take care of myself. - Yeah, and you gotta be smart. Like I always say like, 'cause people have brought this up to me, whether it's other creators or like people that they were just like, I respect that you're not blowing your money on like luxury items or designer bags and stuff. And I'm like, I just didn't grow up around it. Like, my mom was not spending money left and right on materialistic things. Like we were spending money on experiences, on trips. Like we would do things where it was more like quality time versus like material things. - Yeah, like buying you like an $8,000 Chanel bag or something. - Yeah, it's like cool. - I'm gonna stain it. I'm gonna probably lose it. I'm gonna scratch it up and I'm gonna cry about it. Like why would I work? Why would I spend money on something that I'm gonna be stressed to use on a deal basis? - 'Cause I'm like the same way with you. Like, I just tell myself all the time, I'm like, you don't deserve nice things. Because I spill, I mess up, I forget. I have not earned the right things. - Unless I would keep the bag literally in like a glass case which like, it doesn't even make sense. Like, why would I have it? - The point of buying it at that point. Yeah, so for me, it's just like, I also too, just, I don't think it's relatable to have a brand surrounded by materialistic shit that just makes other people feel like they're poor. Like why would I rub my money in someone else's face? And also like, I don't have money like that. People really be out here charging me so much money for like, you know, they see you following and they're like, oh, we're gonna charge her X amount for a video day. And I'm like, I'm literally having you hold a camera for an hour. And you're charging me a grand. - It's just crazy. - What are we doing? - They just expect, they expect that we make so much money. 'Cause I think a lot of people think like, oh, millions of followers translates in two millions of dollars. - Yes. - And it doesn't. - I'll tell you that right now. - It really doesn't. And I respect, and I always say this. I'm like, hey, power to you. If you're like a Picasso with a camera, hell yeah, you should charge that much. I'm such a huge, like, I'm like, go. You should be able to charge whatever you want to charge because you've built your repertoire. I personally cannot afford that. And I'm funding everything myself. So like, when I say that though, they'll be like, oh, I'll do it for 200. I'm like, oh, so you were just big-balling me. Got it. You were just high-balling me so bad because you saw it falling and you assumed you could upcharge. - You assumed, yeah. - And to me, it's like a bit hurtful because it's like, you just be the person. - Yeah, let's take advantage of others. I get it though, it's expensive out here. California's hard to make money and to support yourself when rent is crazy high and everything, but-- - Life is just hard right now. Life is very expensive, like-- - It's very expensive. - Even like filling up your car for gas right now is a nightmare. Like, I like trying to get my gas tank all the way home. I'm like, you can do it. (laughing) Like, don't stress. But I don't think people actually understand too, like the level of stress because there isn't that, there isn't that, like, I'm trying to think of a world. - There's no security. - There's no insurance. - Everything we do is self-funded. Like, I'm self-insured for all my dental health, whatever. Like, I live in Canada, so obviously we have free healthcare, but anything extra is always funded by me. - But there's no guarantee for a paycheck every month. - No, unless you have a retainer deal, which I've never had, I literally could make $0 one month or $20 grand the next. - It's just like, there's genuinely no guarantee. - Yeah. - And I think that when people assume that we're all out here being millionaires and big ballers and we're spending money on everything, it's like, well, I think that's why people probably like fall because we're not doing that. - Yeah, we're like very responsible with our money. Like, we're just, we're financially smart. We're girl bosses for sure, but it's like, we're financially smart, we're like very aware. And I think because we know, and we've been in the industry for so long, that it's like, it's not concrete. What we made. - Everything ebbs and flows. - Yeah. - Because what we were saying, like brands rebrand all the time. - You can be a partner one day and not a partner the next. - Yeah. - You can be signed and then not resigned. So it's like, live, like, don't do that thing where it's like you spend tomorrow's paycheck today. - Yes. - And I'm trying to keep my paycheck so like, save. - Yeah. - So I do think that's like a very big misconception with influencers is that we just have endless money, endless opportunity. Like, it doesn't matter where we are in life. If you have over a million over whatever, like, they just expect you to have like opportunities coming in every single day. And it's like, it's not always like that. - Yeah. - And I think, thankfully, too, because people can literally stumble across your page and immediately see how hard of a worker you are. And so it does help build a lot of respect. And so I don't think people actually think about that for us. - For us, yeah. - Like, I think they see how hard we work and they're like, girl, get it. Like, I hope you get your bag. Because like, you see how much time and effort you're putting in and you're out here like breaking your back, you know what I mean? - Yeah. - Like, we're out here posting every single day just on the beach doing nothing. Like, we're always constantly working behind the scenes. And it's just like our audience really appreciates that. And like, you're saying like, we don't necessarily face that. But it is definitely something that goes on in influencing. - Yeah. - Creator. - It just sucks when we get like thrown into that pool. - Yeah. - Like, I don't know about you. But like, I'm very particular with like, if someone calls me like an influencer versus like a creator. - I was literally just like, I'm a creator. - I'm a creator. - Yeah, we're called creators. - Yeah. - And now I'm like, I do not identify with the word influencer. - Yeah, because we're creatives. Like, we, like, your podcast. We entertain. - We entertain. - Yeah. - Like all your like sportswap, everything like that. It's like, you're curating an idea. You're like creating a moment for entertainment. - Yes. - It's not just like, hey, watch this. - Yes. - You know? - And it's very personality-heavy and it's very inspiration-heavy. - This is a message. - Yeah, we're just out here trying to make the world a better place. And I think that will hopefully continue to inspire more creators to live more authentically and keep pushing that message. Because, yes, influencing can be a fucking cash grab. But there's also a side of it that I think is really beautiful and really uplifting and builds more community than divides. - 100%. - And so I'm really proud that like, we are both a part of that. - Positive side. - Yeah. - And that positive movement. Because, and we've also talked about brands where it's like, unless you're in on that movement, I don't want to work with you. - Yeah. - If you're here for the cash grab and you want me to just be a billboard and produce a bunch of sales for you, this isn't going to work. - Yeah, so that's what we're made for. Like we're made for being passionate about something and then from there we can share it. Because that's what's going to resonate with us and automatically resonate with our audience. - Yeah. - But people who are just in it for the money, it's like, you can also tell that. - You can tell. - Content. - Yeah. - How have you been able to stay relevant for the last 10 years? I want to know. Because I need the insight. - Oh. - Because I've only been doing this for three years. - Oh yeah, because you're like a little baby. - Yeah. - She's a baby. - She's a baby. - I think the biggest thing is like again, like building your community in a way where they're invested in you. - Yeah. - And that's what I've done over the last decade basically. And like regardless of what era I'm in, they've always cared about me as a person. I think too, like as I'm growing, my audience is also growing. Like with me and like, you know, I share a little bit more about my life. Like obviously I share Jackie now, who's my boyfriend on my social media. So people like, you know how many people are scared to share their relationship? Because they're like, I'm going to lose so many followers. Like my followers were jamming me, like we're so happy for you. And I was like, wow, like these people actually care about me. - Yeah. - Like my relationship has no impact on their life whatsoever. - Yeah. - But the fact that they're happy that I'm happy is just like, wow. - Yeah. - It's so cool. So it's just like being able to be like open and honest and build like a solid relationship with your following. Like take, like you take time to reply to every single comment. - Yeah. - So do I. like moment that they'll remember with like, "Oh, crazy, like humming it back to me one time and it made my day." Like that's where you build your community and that's how you build like a long lasting career. - And I think it's also this beautiful balance of like, they get excited to come back to your page and comment more, but I get excited to post. - Yeah. - Because I'm like, "Oh my God, the girl is having, they haven't seen my content today." Like I need to post something so that they get, we get to like talking, you know? It's kind of like my moment to connect with them on a daily basis, which is so crazy, but so fun. - And like, you're reaching so many people. - Yeah. - Like, when I get messages of people from like different countries or even like, I think the sweetest messages are always when people were like, "Oh, I watched my content with my daughter like with you." I'm like, "That literally like tops any feeling." - I know. So I think it's like, so-- - It just told me all the hate. - Oh, yeah. - It makes me forget about the hate. - I'm like, "Who?" - Yeah. - But it's like how you make people feel will always be the most important thing. - Yeah. - Like whether you're social media, whether you're a business nine to four, like nine to five, sorry. It's how you make people feel. - Yeah. - That's the end of the day, the most important thing. - I love that. - So. - I'm excited to see you continue to like, take us along for the journey. I feel like you've done a really good job at kind of pivoting also and being more vulnerable on your page and like, showing your personality more and doing, 'cause I always watch them like, I wanna like see more of her. Like, I feel like you've just got, you've got it going on, so. - Oh, thank you. - Yeah, I'm really excited that you're feeling more inclined to like keep branching out, trying to do things like doing the high rocks and the marathon. Just gonna be so many cool opportunities for your personality show up even more. - Yeah, 'cause I hate running. You guys will see, like, I think everything. I thought my vlog'd running. It's always like, get me outta here. - I'm so here for the running vlog. - I hate it. - How the hell do people even do running vlogs, man? - I've tried. - I like miss myself completely. - I'm running like this and I'm like, I don't look like a bobblehead. - Yeah, like I'm not cute when I go. - No, I don't look so cute when they're running and I'm like, I don't know. - I know. That's a tomato. - Yeah, I don't know. - Or like, how do they take extra time to like set up a tripod behind them, run away, run back, pick up the. Like, I'm like, yo, running is hard enough. I'm not doubling down by like setting up my tripod right now. - I forgot people do that. - Yeah, I'm like, yo, I'll just ask someone on the street, yo, can you take this and then air drop it to me, thanks. - Like, are we still doing that? - Yeah. - We're putting our phones down. I, oh my god. - Sony also, and I'm just like, yo, if I'm running, if the shot works, it works, if it doesn't, I'm not going back. - As a content creator, like that x-me out. 'Cause I'm like, I know what it took to get that shot. - Yeah. - You're like, I know how you got that. - I know what you're doing, like. - You spent it extra 20 minutes to get that shot. - That's crazy town. - Just where is someone to follow you, I guess? I don't know. - Just hire a stalker. - Yeah. - That's what she's saying. - Coltium Z pop rods, yeah. Catch them while you're on the rug. - You're like, do you get me? - That's so crazy. Have you experienced, you know, obviously, with being in the fitness influence or space, and you working as hard as you've worked in the last 10 years to build your physique, but also to build your following. Like, how do you feel about people that are fitness influencers, but they fake it? - It's really tough. It's really tough. 'Cause especially 'cause like, being someone who has now done bodybuilding where I understand nutrition and like, actual like, how to build muscle, and I see the workouts that are posted, or like, the diets that are posted, I'm like, sometimes it's such a negative message. Like, I'm so heavily against like, body checks before what I eat in a day's. Like, that's probably one of the biggest tricks I have. - Wait, what's the body check? - Like, when you like, they show their abs, or like, they're abs, you know what I mean? - Yes. - And they're like, what I eat in a day, like, and it's basically-- - In order to maintain this physique. - Yeah. - Is the message is what they're trying to say. Like, eat this, and you'll look like me. - Yeah, and I know they'll be like, this is like, for my goals or whatever, I'm like, but the overall arching message, 'cause no one really reads the description. They're gonna be like, oh, I want to cop, I want to look like you, so I'm gonna copy what you eat. - Yep. - And it's even worse when the content you're watching is like, there's no carbs in that meal. It's just protein. - What are we encouraging? - Yeah, like, why don't we feel like, are we kind of encouraging disorder to eat it? - Yeah, like, a lot of my what I eat in a day is open with what I physically can do. Like, I'll do it like a movement that I've done. So it's like, if you eat like me, you can fuel your body to do the amazing things. - Yeah. - I love that. - That's how I like to approach it, 'cause I think that's more powerful of a message than just showing my body. - It's also like less toxic. - Yeah, it's just healthier. - It also like, doesn't make people feel like crap about themselves. - Yeah, 'cause even when I see those what I eat in a day, I'm like, fuck, I don't look like that. - I feel like shit. - Yeah. - I'm like, I'm in fitness. - Yeah. - And I eat healthy, and I don't look like that. - Yeah. - 'Cause it's perfect lighting, it's posing, it's sucking in. - Yeah. - It's like, you probably think that the video in the morning when they're stomach is empty. - Yeah. - You know, like, or maybe they aren't eating at all. - I think there was like a thing where people need to, or not think, but I know someone posted a while ago where it's like, people need to realize that some of their favorite influencers who are posting their abs are influenced who are, who aren't eating, who don't have their period. Who are so, like, in a deficit that it's unhealthy. - Yeah. - And so it's like, you shouldn't strive to be that. - Yeah. - You know, so I think I put on threads the other day. Literally, like, if you're following someone who has got like, abs, and you want their abs, and they're posting a what I eat in a day, and you look at their food content, and it's not above 1200 calories, and there's no carbs in sight, do not follow that plan. - Yeah. - Like, you're not gonna look at that. If you're someone who's genuinely out of shape, and you go to that extreme, you're gonna feel awful. You're gonna look just like dead, like, you know what I mean? Like, you're not gonna be shredded. - Well, you're gonna try to do those workouts, you're gonna get hurt. - Injuries, yeah. - Injuries are gonna happen consistently, because you're not fueling your body properly. - You have no energy. - Yeah, I am. - So I think that's like, that's how I feel about influencers who aren't honest about things, 'cause, like, just be honest. Or like, peptides, oh, peptides are huge. Do you know those ones? - The GLP ones. - Yeah, or even just like the, what is it? - Like, the human growth hormone, those ones. - I think God are not in that world. I mean, obviously, you can't turn off the GLP one noise because there's ads for it literally everywhere. I don't know who that hell is funding this. - It's everywhere. - Where is it coming from? - I mean, since when is it okay just to like, promote something that one that hasn't like been that heavily studied? - Yeah. - Like, peptides are pretty new. - Well, I don't think also people understand like the actual crazy effects of GLP ones. I've heard some gnarly nightmare stories, like, dude. One time someone told me that their friends, I think she knew probably, obviously this is still not confirmed, but I heard a friend of mine said that a few of her friends were on GLP ones. They all developed basically something similar to Crohn's disease where they cannot hold in their shit. If they have to shit, I just come down to them. They have 10 minutes to get to a bathroom, otherwise they're shutting their pants. - Oh, that's awesome. - And I'm like, so y'all just wanted to be skinny, so bad that you're willing to be put into adult diapers at the age of 25. - Right. - Skinny feels so good until you shit yourself. - Like what, what? Like, that's not a vibe, bro. I don't get that. - You could pay me. - You could not pay me. - I would rather be fat. - I would rather have a regular bowel movements. Like, I treasure that moment in my life all the time to not control that. I've never heard that with, oh. - And I've heard about bone density. - Oh yeah. - It creates out the window. - Yeah, well 'cause you drop weight so fast, like it's not good for your, like your body can't, like anything that happens so fast, like your body can't properly adjust to it. - No. - And it's so bad. But I think it's like some of your favorite influencers are also like taking not natural things. And like they claim natty 'cause technically peptides are natural, which I don't understand. - Get the hell out of here. So they just like won't even talk about what they're on. - No. Like, and like some people like, there's in the bodybuilding world, there's like clan and there's like a couple other like, basically like steroid things, but they're not steroids 'cause they're not anabolic. So a lot of people won't say they're on steroids, they're natural because it's not an anabolic. - It's bleephole. - It's like that tiny loophole that they're like, I can get away with saying, I'm still natural, and you can look like me, but they're doing shady shit. - Very unnatural things. - Yeah, you're like, listen buddy. If you're, you didn't get that from just checking. If you're poking yourself in any part of your body, it's not natural. 'Cause they've been themselves injections. That's what peptide are. - Why do I think it was like a pill? - You're like, is it a vitamin? Is it vitamin C? - No, peptides are crazy. Like. - Like they're full blown. - Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like you have to get the, - I hate me. - Like insulin. - Like insulin. - Needle. - Oh my god, no. - Yeah. - And it's so crazy, guys. - Guys, are we okay? Should we go touch some grass? Should we just like take a moment of such a mean? - Yeah, literally. There's a guy who came into my DMs who like was a peptide company. He's like, I'd love to get you set up. Like these athletes all using it's completely natural. I was like, oh, like what are they? He goes peptides. I was like, I'm good. I was like, I was like, that's not natural. He goes, no, like our athletes use them. I was like, that's-- - Just because they use them doesn't mean it's natural. - That's great for your athletes. - Yeah, I'm good. - Couldn't see me. - Yeah. It's just, the world has become so skewed where they can, again, create these loopholes because peptides are considered natural because it's things that are already in our body. - Yeah. - So we're not putting foreign things in our body, but it's like, naturally we have these levels. Why are we increasing them? - I mean, it's the same thing as something as simple as melatonin. Like they say, you know, you can take melatonin and small doe says, it's great for helping you get a deep sleep especially if you're like on a plane, whatever. - Yeah. - But also like, you can't do it consistently or it will literally fuck up your melatonin levels that your natural melatonin levels. So then now you're not able to produce it. - Yeah, you can't sleep. - Yeah. - Now you're essentially reliant on this one little vitamin. - Yeah, this pill. - Yeah, but like, that is like a very small version of what you're talking about of like, now your body's completely reliant on it to get production for it because then your body's like, oh, well, we already have an over amount of it. - An overload of it. - Yeah. - We don't need to produce it anymore. - Well, that's a thing too 'cause I don't think peptides have like a crazy amount of research around them. I think they're pretty new. - Like, how would you put that in your body? - That part. (laughing) That part. No, but like, I think it's like maybe it's got, maybe I see it more on my social media 'cause I still have like a lot of the body. - You're still in the body, believe what you got. - So it's like still getting pushed towards me, but there's some bodybuilders who are out there just like fully like showing their peptides that they're taking. And I'm just like that. - They're showing videos with themselves injecting. - Not videos with themselves injecting. So I think that would probably get banned on Instagram. - Yeah. - But like they show like the little bottles. - The little bottles. - Yeah. And I'm just like that's for someone who is just a regular person and think like, oh like this bodybuilder's super shredded so you're big like I need to take these things to be that level. It's like, it's just such like a miscommunication. - Wow. - You know? - I mean yeah, like you're not fully comprehending the influence you have over these people. - Yeah. - And when someone is just desperate to get into shape. - Yeah. - They're so easily influenced. - Yeah. - Because they think that they're going to these people who are knowledgeable and professionals. - Yeah, professionals. - Professionals. - Mm-hmm. - In their craft and you're being completely misled. - Yeah. - It's like a spread of misinformation. - That's like, remember when those tees were really-- - Oh my god, the skinny tea. - That lady lady lady, again, made you shit yourself. - Oh my god, she's not sugar me. - Like those were crazy, but those people were literally promoting them all the time back and like what, like early to like mid to 2000s. - Yeah. - Like I remember being on social media being like, oh, do I get tea? Like, do I get it? 'Cause it was everywhere. And it's like, I think the sucky thing about now being in this day and age with social media being so powerful is like when it becomes a trend, these brands are thriving. - Financial. - Yeah, thriving. - Yeah. - Like they're praying, like they're praying on the skinny talk. They're praying on-- - Well, skinny talk is massive right now. It's like, have you seen that trend? - Yeah, I hate that trend. The one where, what is it? It's like nothing feels as good as skinny or something, right? - Food never tastes as skinny feels. - That's so insane. - Or food never tastes as good as skinny feels. You obviously have my good food, 'cause food is delicious. (laughing) - Don't know how to pursue it before, clearly. - You have not had good food then. - That is, no, it's so toxic. - Unbelievable to me. - But it's the fact that like people see that instead of having our reaction of like that so fucked, they're like, I'm gonna make that video too. - Yeah. - 'Cause they agree with that mindset. And it's like, that's, that's where, almost like in the cool aid. - Yeah, that's where I wish social media though, had like more rules. - There needs to be a guideline that pops up on that specific video and it's, and it says, this is encouraging on healthy behavior, please proceed with caution. - Yeah. - Like, this is not normal. - Yeah, or like it's like, you can't see this content until you recognize that this actually isn't healthy. - This is harmful for you. - Information being spread. - Yeah. 'Cause it is. - I mean, and the sucky thing too is like, this is a trend on tech talk. There is literally 12 year olds on tech talk, watching who are naturally insecure in their skin because yeah, what do 12 year old girls feel? - 12 year olds are so mean. So like, being that age, you're like, you're so vulnerable. - Yes, yeah. - And if someone's bullying you for being a little bit chunkier or being a little bit like, not being as skinny as the other girls. - Or just having a little bit muscle on you. Like, I know like so many people, like, I thought I was fat for literally a majority of my life because I was bigger than all of my peers. - Yeah. - Because I had muscle. - Yeah. - So then in my head, it was so warped. I was like, muscle is fat. - Yeah, muscle makes you feel, it wasn't, it was like muscle makes you feel masculine. - I was just big. - Yeah. - Yeah, it was a big girl. - And it was just like, I hated that because I remember, there was a period of my time, probably like early, like 2020, where I would walk around on like a tank top. And like, anytime I was in a tank top, I would always say comments up like, oh, like you work out your arms are like, oh, you look pretty big. And I'm like, bro, I'm 105 pounds. Like, I'm not big, but in my mind, I was like, I shouldn't work out my arms anymore. I should lose weight in my arms because I just felt big. And it's like, why can't we just see a strong woman be like, that's sick. - Why do we have to make a comment? - Yeah. And that's literally like, people always wonder why I'm insecure about my arms, because I cannot go a day wearing a tank top without someone making a comment. - Yeah, there's always a comment. - And stairs. - I have been insecure about my arms since I was very little. - It's a gymnastics arms. - It's gymnastics arms. And I should be proud of them because they can help me do pull ups and they can help me do amazing shit. - Yeah. - But instead, because people have no filter and don't realize like commenting on other person's body, it's fucking weird. - It's so weird. - Why are you commenting on the body? - Why would you ever come in? - Remember someone be like, you got some big arms. - Like why? - I would never. - Like why? - It actually like makes me feel like squeamish to even think about commenting on other person's body. - Yeah, it's like, if that's your mind, it's like that's an inside thought. That's an inside thought you don't say it out loud. - Keep that to yourself. - But like for the most part, like yeet. - But in their head, they're like, oh, I'm being encouraging. I'm saying something positive. - Could to you. - Yeah, it's not positive. - But I mean, I've talked to people in the past two where it's like, even you encouraging, I mean like, you being praised for looking a certain way, you do not know how we achieved that. - Yeah. - We could be starving ourselves for all we know. And all you've done is basically-- - It's amazing. - It's okay to do that first. - Yeah. That's what people understand about commenting on people's bodies is like-- - You have no idea. - You have no idea what's going on the background. Like you see them in this moment, in this five second passing. But maybe this person has been going through a really tough time. They haven't been needing, they haven't like, you know. - Yeah. - They've been running like crazy, but not feeling themselves, so they're so tiny. But if you tell them like, wow, you look so good, they're gonna be like, oh shit, like that made me feel good to be told that I look good. Like I should just keep doing what I'm doing. - I should just keep starving myself. - Yeah, and it's like, no bro, eat. Like just keep like, same thing with social media. Like it's like, I don't understand people who have the need to see something that they don't like and then to go on and like, shit on you in the comments. Why couldn't I never do that? - No. - Why do you care so much? - Oh, it's so weird. Yeah, I mean, just be mindful. You never know. - Just be nice. - You never know what someone's going through. And I think like, especially as women, like we are so self-critical that when someone makes a comment, it's like, you don't think we've already thought about that? - And we're out here. - That wasn't my brain rent-free. - Yeah, and we're out here trying to be brave and we're at tank top. And now I want to go back in a little place. - Like I myself got to go outside today. - It's fucking 90 degrees outside. - I know, where is a jacket? It's 90 degrees outside. I'm looking for my puffer jacket. - Yeah, I'm scared. 'Cause you're out here commenting on my arms and saying I look like a frickin' man. - Yeah, I mean like, it's just like, I understand people think they're making a compliment, but at the same time, it's like nobody asks for the compliment. - No. - You know, like, it's just. - I think the thing is too, though, is because we put ourselves out there on social media, they assume that we are looking for validation or we're looking for comments. - Yeah, or like it's, yeah, I don't understand that. When people are like, we're looking for scrutiny. - Yeah, they're like, well, you posted it on social media. So like, you put it out there. - You put it out there. - It's like, I walk around in public every single day. - Yeah. - You would never come up to me and be like, you're fat. But on social media, free game, apparently. It's like, it's like, people can't really put themselves in this scenario. - Oh my God, I was calling you fat. - People from 2023. - Yikes, bro. - Yeah, little people were like, she's not even in shape. (gasps) Crazy work. - Insert photo of her literally in shape. - What? - In the best shape of your entire life. - Yeah, it's just, but it's like, again, it's just that whole. - That's disgusting behavior, I'm sorry. - We're disconnected on social media. Like, if you're on the phone, people don't care. - Yeah, you're just a talking head, essentially. - Yeah. - Wow, it's weird. - Well, I want to shift gears because that is so frustrating. I actually want to beat some ass for someone saying that you're fat. - It's coming for you. - Like, who do I need to fight? - Yeah, truly. - Who's throwing hands? Who's making my friend feel bad for herself? - Like, what? - Yeah. - I always say this, and I got really good advice once, but basically it was like, if you didn't want to switch lives with that person, you shouldn't take what they have to say to heart. - Yeah. - And that has forever carried my self-esteem through, doing content, because anytime I see a bad comment, I'm like, I wouldn't personally want to switch lives with you, so I think I'm okay. - Yeah, it's like, if I would never take your advice, I'm not going to take your criticism. - That part, yeah. - And people have said too to be careful with getting praise. Like, when we get praise, to not take it too much to heart either, because you will be so quick to take the criticism personally as well. - Yes. - And so I also am like very, like, yes, I love sweet comments, and people telling me that I've impacted their lives in some positive way, and that really does keep driving me to continue doing this job, but yeah. Yeah, like, I don't, like, ego doesn't get filled up from it. - Yeah, it's not like that's like your life purpose. You're like, it's like, oh, that's like a nice bonus. - Yeah. - But your end of the day, again, like, our message on social media is to provide, like, positive vibes, like, healthy messages to people. - Inspire people to move their bodies. - Yeah. - And to have fun, and to love themselves. - Yeah, have fun. - Love yourself, move because you love yourself, not because you hate yourself. - Facts, not one. - That part, that part. - Okay, I want to hop into a little segment that we do here on the show called "Dear Athlete," and it's just an opportunity for us to give advice to our listeners. - Okay. - First question, it's kind of rapid fire. - Okay. - How do I maintain a consistent workout routine with a busy schedule? - Just, like you said, any movement, like, anything, like, if you pick one thing to be a consistent at, pick one small thing, and then try to execute it in a realistic way. Obviously, don't be like, I'm gonna do something five days a week if you can only do it three, say three times a week. - Yeah. - Yeah, that's how you build habits. - Yes, start small, because then otherwise, if you can't accomplish that goal that you set, you'll get discouraged and you won't want to do it. - Yeah, and then you'll feel like disappointing yourself. - Then you lose momentum. - Yeah. - And then you've lost the plot. - Yeah, and then you just feel down on yourself when you want to feel up. Like, you want to feel good. - We're moving because we love ourselves, not because we hate ourselves. - Yeah, small goals that are realistic. - Yes, yeah. - Even if they're minute compared to what you actually want to do, I think just giving yourself the opportunity to have baby wins. - Small wins are the biggest flex. - Small wins compound. - Yeah. - And they create big wins. And so if we cannot get to a big win, if we try to always. over, you know, overdo the big thing. And then you're like, I didn't accomplish my eyeshawk. And then just get up. - Yeah, so you can give yourself the proper tools, the proper steps to get there. - Yes, yeah. And I think Peggy backing on that, such a big thing that I've learned in my late 20s is there is no, not every movement is equal, but every movement is valued. And every movement is important. So like, for me, when I don't feel motivated to take a workout class or do a strength workout, whatever, or go for a run. - God forbid I have to run. - I'll go do volleyball. - Yeah, I'll go do pickleball. I'll find something that's fun, that fires me up, that I get competitive about, that is social, that brings people together. Because I think a lot of times too, with like certain workouts, it's like we're very isolated. - Yeah. - You go in solo, you do it solo you leave. - And there's no celebration of movement. There's no celebration. - There's a social part of it. - No, so I really feel like an athlete. When I do volleyball, I feel like a freaking athlete. We out here grind it. - You're like, look at me, we're competitive. - Yeah, it's fun. So finding movements that are actually fun for you, like you said, dance class, anything, anything, anything that really fills your cup because you'll look forward to every week and it'll be coming out of it for you. - Yeah, and you'll meet people who are active, who maybe will invite you to a run club, a different sport and it just gives you that gateway into more movement. - Yeah, you'll fall in love with it for a jar. What is something you've struggled with behind the scenes that your audience would be surprised to learn? And then how did you deal with it? - What have I struggled with behind the scenes? I feel like I say most of my struggles to my following. - Are you pretty open? - I'm pretty open on my struggles. Like I'll be on and be like, hey, it's tough. It's rough out here, it's tough out here. We are struggling today, 24. - I guess the biggest thing that I kind of went through, like this was primary before social media, so that's why my audience wouldn't really know about it. But when I finished university and I was like an athlete, like I was like on the competitive training team, it was really good. And then when I moved into adulthood post school, I had that loss of identity of like why do I work out? Like I'm not on a team anymore, like I don't really need to. So I think no structure. - Yeah, you had no structure. You're just kind of like, I'm not working out for a purpose. Like what's my purpose? So I think that was like kind of a struggle that I went through was finding a reason to work out. Because I felt like there was no reason to work out if I'm not on a sport. - Yeah, there's no goal. Yeah, there's a loss of that athletic identity. So it was like realizing and changing my perspective of what an athlete is. - Yeah. - Like there's athlete in sport, but I'm now currently an athlete, but I'm not part of a team. - Yeah. - And you're not technically in a sport. - Yeah, right now I'm just vibed. - But that's why you're still on athletes after hours. - Yeah. - Because I consider you 100% an athlete. - Yeah, most people will consider me an athlete. - And you live like an athlete. - Yeah. So it's a change of definition to find your new purpose. - Yeah. - It was like a period of time that I think something I struggled with, but now I've like overcome. I love that. And then it also encourages people to understand like athlete is such a loose term now. Like anyone can live like an athlete. - Yeah. - You take care of yourself, you eat clean. Like you move like an athlete. - Yeah. - Yeah. - If you're going to like basketball, soccer, like you're athletic, you're doing athletic things. - Yeah, you're living like an athlete. - Yeah. - And not if you want to identify as an athlete, like you 100% can because you're living like one. - Exactly. I think people have this misconception that being an athlete has to be like at the top level professional. - You're going to the Olympics. - No, you can be an athlete and being like doing athletic things as a regular person, not going to the Olympics, not being at the top of your game. - Yeah. - Yeah. - I love that. - What advice would you give to someone who's looking to get into the influencer content creator space? - Ooh, consistency. Just be consistent with it. That's the biggest thing with content is just being consistent and also creating a content schedule that's gonna like bring you joy. So don't just look at trends and be like, I have to do all the trends, I have to be viral. Like make content that you thoroughly enjoy is otherwise you're not gonna have fun doing it. And if you're not gonna have fun making content, like you might as well just go work a job that you're not gonna have fun with. Because that at least that provides stability. What we do is unstable. So you have to make sure that it's worth it for you and that you have fun, you have a message, you can have a purpose. - Yeah, I would say being authentic to you and being your 100% self because you will stand out. - Yeah, you will find your audience. - Yeah, like just because there's only one of you, right? So as much as you want to be-- - But you need to burn out if you're pretending to be something you're not. - Yeah, it's acting. - Yeah, it's really exhausting. - Go be an actor if you're gonna do that. - It's exhausting and I'm coming from someone who tried to do it that way. And I'm like, I can't, this is not sustainable. - No, you have to just be, you have to be goofy. - Yeah. - Like I always joke because it's like, I'm very put together, yes, but I'm also a very like silly goofy person, where I just like do weird things and it's just like embrace that, share it, show everyone. - Yeah, and like show up, show the bloopers, show the mess ups because that's what real life is. - That's who we are. - Yeah. - Yeah. - And that's why it was so fun filming with you today. We went to the gym before we came to the studio and literally I don't, we worked. - Yeah. - We worked, but it was like just fun. - It was not work. - Yeah, like literally just having fun. - We played for two hours. And in fact, like that's our job. Like we're so fun. - So privileged, so lucky to be able to do that. But I think we worked so hard to be able to have that privilege to have fun. - Yeah. - Like we worked for the hard, you know? - Super, yeah. - We worked for the fun because we knew that if we built a brand around being fake, it would consistently always be work. - Yeah, wouldn't feel fun. - It wouldn't be fun. - It would be a lot of pressure. And I feel like also when you're not truly yourself, you come across like a plateau of like inspiration for ideas. - Yeah. - Because you feel like you have to be someone that you're not versus if you're just who you are. Like you'll just naturally want to share things. - Yeah. - And you'll always have a constant flow of ideas. - Yeah, because you're the brand. - Yeah. - Exactly. There's like, just be yourself, have fun, be consistent. - Yeah, and have thick skin. - Yeah, that part. (laughing) Make emphasis on that one. - Maybe read the book, this little art of not getting a fuck because that is very important to note. Like you really got to not care what people think. And I remember when I first got into content being so scared when people were going to say about me still training. - Yeah. - I'm like, that's so cringe. Like everyone's getting, I'm so cringe for still training after retirement. - Yeah. - And three months in, I was like, no one actually cares. - No one cares. - Not a single person. - That's one thing is like, you think that you're a main character in someone else's story. When it's like, you are simply a background. - You ain't even a side character. - Yeah. - You're the bad guy. - You're not even on set. - Yeah. - You know, like you're actually irrelevant, which I think is a really good thing. - Yeah. - Like, do not make it a big deal than it needs to be. - And also like, the way, the thing that I tell myself to, like if I'm feeling comfortable as like, chances are like, I'm never gonna see these people again. - That part. - I have Paul on a random sidewalk thinks I'm fucking weird. Sick. I'm never gonna see Paul again. - Bye Paul. - Like, who cares? It's just like that. - Yeah. - Well, I'm so glad we got to do this. - I know, me too. - You're such a gem. I hope we can do more fun stuff in general. - Well, I'm having Toronto. You're sure we're doing fun stuff. - Yeah, we're doing it. - We're doing all the things. - I'm sucked in now. - Yeah. - With you. - I'm about to join the little team. - Yeah, she's about to do high rocks. - Yeah. (laughing) - Stay tuned. - Oh my gosh. Well, thank you so much for coming. I can't wait to see all the amazing things that you do with your high rocks and your marathon. - Oh, thank you. - Just all the incredible things you're continuing to do with your brand. You're such an inspiration to so many. So, thank you for being a light in the social media world. - Crazy, so nice. (laughing) - You're so nice. - Let me play. - Yeah, I have so much fun. - I'll see you guys next Wednesday. And they should like, follow, subscribe. We do all of the production in-house. Obviously, actually in-house. Literally in-house right now. - Literally in my home. - So every little level of support means the absolute world to me. And I'll see you guys next Wednesday. - Bye. (upbeat music)