1 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:11,280 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Good Stuff. I'm Jacob Shick and I'm 2 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: joined by my co host and wife, Ashley Shick. 3 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,959 Speaker 2: Jake is a third generation combat Marine and I'm a 4 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:20,959 Speaker 2: gold Star granddaughter. And we work together to serve military veterans, 5 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:24,560 Speaker 2: first responders, frontline healthcare workers, and their families with mental 6 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 2: and emotional wellness through traditional and non traditional therapy. 7 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 3: At One Tribe Foundation, we. 8 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: Believe everyone has a story to tell, not only about 9 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 1: the peaks, but also the valleys they've been through to 10 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 1: get them to where they are today. 11 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:39,199 Speaker 2: Each week, we invite a guest to tell us their story, 12 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 2: to share with us the lessons they've learned that shaped 13 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 2: who they are and what they're doing to pay it 14 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 2: forward and give back. 15 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 1: Our mission with this show is to dig deep into 16 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 1: our guest journeys so that we can celebrate the hope 17 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 1: and inspiration their story has to offer. 18 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 2: We're thrilled you're joining us again. 19 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Good Stuff. 20 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 3: Today's episode is a lot of fun. 21 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: For me and her. You both are pretty amazing, and 22 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:10,200 Speaker 1: then you're out amazing everybody else. 23 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 3: Well, thank you, babe. 24 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: Well those facts. Today our guess is Natalie wood Stanier. 25 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 1: She's here to tell us the story of her childhood 26 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:21,120 Speaker 1: and the hardship she faced growing up. She's someone we 27 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 1: definitely consider family. She's an accomplished reporter and TV producer, 28 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: Dallas Cowboys cheerleader alumni, and she's proven it doesn't matter 29 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 1: where you started, you can accomplish anything you put your 30 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: mind to. This conversation with Natalie was amazing for me 31 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: because it always is fun when the two of you 32 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:39,920 Speaker 1: get together and I get to see how beautiful your 33 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: friendship is. 34 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 3: Agreed, so blest. 35 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 1: Very blest few Natalie's come along your life journey. 36 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 2: Agreed absolutely, and there's only one Natalie. 37 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: That's the truest thing that's ever been said on this show. 38 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 3: We know y'all are gonna love Natalie's story. 39 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 1: Absolutely. 40 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 2: I'm so excited to sit down with you and have 41 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 2: you on the good stuff because so much of my 42 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 2: life has been good because of our friendship. We go 43 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 2: way back, way back, way back like Cadillacs. Yes, Natalie 44 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 2: wood Stand, You're thrilled to have you with us today. 45 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 2: I was actually Natalie's intern, babe. True, that's how we met. 46 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:26,359 Speaker 2: Pretty much my whole life is because of her. Natalie 47 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 2: was this beautiful glamorous TV host in Austin, Texas, and 48 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 2: I needed one more internship for college. I was in 49 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 2: my senior year in college in Saint Marcus, and she said, well, 50 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 2: come be my intern. 51 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 3: Yes, just like that, I'm hired. Okay, cool, what does 52 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 3: it pay? Nothing? 53 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 2: You get hired for free your experience? Yes, experience, and 54 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 2: I did. I gained a lot of that, and then 55 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 2: step into your previous role. 56 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 3: Well, you copied me. 57 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 4: She actually got the job because I would be on 58 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 4: camera and she would watch me, and then I'd say, 59 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 4: do you want to try it? 60 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 3: So she would actually make fun of me. 61 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 4: Way, but being able to do that making fun of someone, 62 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,320 Speaker 4: you actually end up getting your own kind of developing 63 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 4: your own personality which is already there, but how you 64 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 4: portray that on camera maybe different. So anyway, she was 65 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 4: really just a natural from the very beginning. So when 66 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:17,120 Speaker 4: I went to our Dallas market, she slid right on 67 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 4: in that position in our Austin market and she was amazing. 68 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 4: So not brown hair braces though, no, no, no we. 69 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 1: Inmitation is a sincereous form of flatteryentually, and I was 70 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: I was mocking her, and they had already interviewed a 71 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 1: lot of other potential hosts. 72 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 2: And with experience, and then Hazelwood, our good friend Ryan Hazelwood, 73 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 2: who was both of our photographer for years, said, Kmire Camrath, 74 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 2: show them what you got and I was like, no, 75 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 2: I don't want to. And they were like, he's like nope, 76 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 2: show him and I did and then they were like 77 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: you're hired. I was like, oh crap. But it was 78 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 2: a lot of fun. We did that the Hot on 79 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 2: Homes TV show for many moons and fortunately just remained 80 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 2: really good friends. And that's just grown and grown and 81 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 2: grown over the years. 82 00:03:55,520 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 4: And yeah, we went through like pets, boyfriend, jobs, different 83 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 4: avenues of our lives together and good and the bad. 84 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 3: We were able to stick together. 85 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: Like legitimate sisters. Yep. Yeah, yeah, that's awesome. 86 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 2: Like you always say, babe, like you know, let us 87 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 2: thicker than water, hold my salad and watch this. Wester 88 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 2: Radalie is through and through one of my sisters. 89 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 1: Yeah. I believe that we choose. 90 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 2: Our family is now she's one of your sisters too. 91 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:24,840 Speaker 1: Yeah. It's a blessing and a curse. 92 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 4: When he and I first met, we found out how 93 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,279 Speaker 4: much we had in common. It was it was crazy 94 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 4: good and then we have you in common, which we 95 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:35,719 Speaker 4: both love so much well. 96 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:38,280 Speaker 2: And one of the things that I think so many 97 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 2: people are attracted to the both of you is that 98 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: you're so open to listen to people with zero judgment, 99 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 2: like this is in no judgment zone, and people just 100 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 2: know that. I've seen for both of you for twenty 101 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 2: years our friendship and then eight nine years our friendship 102 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 2: and now you know, relationship. People are drawn to your 103 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 2: energy and they feel so comfortable with you right off 104 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 2: the b that and it gives them the opportunity to 105 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 2: open up. I mean a lot of times for y'all, 106 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:06,279 Speaker 2: it's like people are spilling their soul to you, and 107 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 2: you're like, whoa you know. 108 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: Also blessing and a curse exactly. 109 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 2: But you're both so gracious in listening and helping, and 110 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:14,839 Speaker 2: I've surrounded myself with amazing people. 111 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:16,480 Speaker 4: It's interesting you say that, because if we could say 112 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 4: the same exact thing about you. 113 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 2: Just. 114 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 3: He got jokes. He's got jokes for days. 115 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,080 Speaker 2: Natalie. We wanted to have you on the good Stuff 116 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 2: for many reasons. You are a beautiful human inside and out, 117 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 2: and we are so blessed to call you friend. You're 118 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:39,279 Speaker 2: an incredible wife, mother, and stepmother. You know, your husband 119 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:42,160 Speaker 2: is a former black Hawk pilot Joseph Stanier, and you're 120 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 2: a television host, you're a producer, you're a former Dallas 121 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 2: Cowboys cheerleader. I mean, that's kind of a big deal, 122 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 2: especially here in Dallas, Texas. 123 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: It's probably a big deal in your world, period, isn't it. 124 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 3: When it comes to the NFL. 125 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 4: Really, I would say the most notable team when it 126 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:00,800 Speaker 4: comes to cheerleaders will be the Dallas Boys cheerleaders. 127 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:02,600 Speaker 3: Fair you probably. 128 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 4: Can't describe a Minnesota Vikings cheerleader uniform to me, maybe 129 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 4: you can, but I can guarantee you people in Minnesota 130 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 4: probably can somewhat describe a Dallas Cowboys chrailader's uniform. And 131 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 4: that's just because of what they've done from a marketing standpoint, 132 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 4: a longevity standpoint, and they've kind of been the leader 133 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,159 Speaker 4: in the industry, and I wanted to be a part 134 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,400 Speaker 4: of that. So that was I started that long process 135 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 4: to trying out and making the team. And I love 136 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:26,479 Speaker 4: the Cowboys. 137 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:28,679 Speaker 2: It was a good fit and you were actually devoted 138 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:31,679 Speaker 2: number thirty three hottest Dallas Cowboy cheerleader of all time. 139 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: Right it's number thirty three. There it is. 140 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 4: I don't really know what the source was, but it 141 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 4: doesn't matter because I made the. 142 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:40,480 Speaker 3: List that's going on the resume. 143 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 2: You've accomplished so much in your short life and been 144 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 2: a part of so many incredible things, and your energy 145 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 2: it's beautiful and it brings everyone else up when they're 146 00:06:55,400 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 2: around you. But it didn't always go way now. 147 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 1: It was rough. 148 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 3: You had a rough start. 149 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:04,559 Speaker 2: People see you and they see this gorgeous woman who's 150 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 2: done so much and accomplished so much and is so 151 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 2: kind and so giving, but they have no idea the 152 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 2: path that you've walked. Tell us about your childhood. 153 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 4: So my mom and dad divorced when I was an infant, 154 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 4: or when I was born. Actually, I don't even think 155 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:23,640 Speaker 4: that my dad came to the hospital to see me 156 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 4: because he had already. 157 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 3: Kind of moved on. 158 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 4: So my mom really was the one who was in 159 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 4: my life. She was a bartender my whole life, and beautiful. 160 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 4: My mom was so beautiful, So there's a lot that 161 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 4: gave her power with that behind the bar, but also 162 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 4: her poor decisions and life choices in men in alcohol 163 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 4: and drugs seeped into our lives, and that affected me 164 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 4: as a child. So I mean, I remember even in 165 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 4: elementary if my mom came home after working, but she 166 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 4: probably usually drank before she came home, And so in 167 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 4: the mornings, I would get myself up for school. 168 00:07:58,680 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 3: I would get myself ready. 169 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,120 Speaker 4: If there was breakfast in there, I would eat breakfast, 170 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:04,520 Speaker 4: and then I would go to her purse and I 171 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 4: would go get a dollar ten because that's how much 172 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 4: the lunch was at school. If there wasn't a dollar 173 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:11,560 Speaker 4: ten in her purse, then I didn't eat lunch that day. 174 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 4: And I couldn't wake my mom up to tell her 175 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 4: because she was in no place physically. 176 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, she was passed out, so there was no way. 177 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 3: So I remember going to school. 178 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 4: I remember sitting in the third grade and somebody didn't 179 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 4: eat their pizza, so the teacher brought it over to me. 180 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 2: Where did you grow up? And tell me about your 181 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 2: living conditions? 182 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:33,440 Speaker 4: So we lived in Conroe, Texas. I love Conro, but 183 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 4: we moved a lot, We got evicted a lot. So 184 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 4: I mean, when I drive down I forty five, I 185 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 4: can point out minimum seven apartment complexes that I lived 186 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 4: in on I forty five. So forget about the places 187 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 4: that I lived, like within the city, so. 188 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 1: That was tough. 189 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 4: We lived in a few trailers, but I still had 190 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 4: roof over my head. Have you ever been in a trailer? 191 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 4: I have, Okay, So this is how it goes. It's 192 00:08:57,480 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 4: like a maybe a little room, and then a bathroom, 193 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 4: and then the washer and dryer, and then a back room, 194 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 4: and then on the other side there's like a master bedroom. Yeah, 195 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:08,559 Speaker 4: mine was the back bedroom. To get to my room, 196 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 4: I had to jump over a rotting floor because I 197 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 4: could have fallen in fallen through the hole. 198 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 3: So what kind of fifth grader were you? 199 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:21,479 Speaker 4: The personality you've seen, the lack of filter, the hyperactivity, 200 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 4: this kid full of life. That's always been me, even 201 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 4: despite some of the situations and the scary nights that 202 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 4: I was in. 203 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 3: For some reason, have always been able to be. 204 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 4: This outgoing, gregarious, center of attention kind of personality even 205 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 4: as a fifth grader. 206 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 3: It's just I've always wanted to perform. 207 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 4: I didn't really have a fear of getting on a stage, 208 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 4: even though I wasn't good. 209 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 3: I don't know what I was getting on the stage four, 210 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:43,559 Speaker 3: but I would. 211 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 4: And so I have always had a very outgoing personality. 212 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 4: You're just sitting here putting on this good face and 213 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 4: being in drill team and active and putting a good 214 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 4: face forward, but still going home to a situation where 215 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 4: it wasn't a safe environment. And I also didn't know 216 00:09:59,880 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 4: what condition my mom would be in when I was there. 217 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 4: And I was a bus kid, So there's a church 218 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 4: that would always pick me up on Sundays and Wednesdays, 219 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 4: and I loved going to church, and I would go 220 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 4: there and I would see the love in this environment, 221 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 4: and that's what I wanted, Like, I just wanted this 222 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 4: stability that I felt in church every Sunday morning, and 223 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 4: I went to night church and then I went to 224 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 4: Wednesday church and I saw that and it's what I 225 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 4: gravitated to because I felt the love that this congregation 226 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 4: had for each other. And I also knew what condition 227 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 4: mentally they would be in when I was there as well, 228 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 4: which I feel like gave me some bit of stability. 229 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 4: I was in the fifth grade and at that point 230 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 4: we lived in a town called Willis, which is just 231 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 4: a little north of Conro. We were in this condo 232 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 4: and I came home and I remember hearing my mom. 233 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 4: She was doing lines of coke. And that's the only 234 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 4: time I've ever heard my mom doing cocaine. I've never 235 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 4: had seen it or hurt, but I knew and I 236 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 4: knew what it was, and I just I cried because 237 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:06,880 Speaker 4: I wanted my mom to be what I thought was 238 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:09,599 Speaker 4: the version of normal, a normal mom, and I just 239 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:12,000 Speaker 4: knew she wasn't, and she's sitting there doing drugs. 240 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:14,719 Speaker 3: She didn't realize I was home. And it was at 241 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 3: that moment that. 242 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,079 Speaker 4: I prayed to the Lord and I decided, Okay, I'm 243 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 4: going to make a deal with God, because that's what 244 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:23,200 Speaker 4: fifth graders do. They make a deal, like, Hey, if 245 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 4: I make this deal with God, then he'll help me 246 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 4: kind of deliver me from this because I knew that's 247 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 4: not where I wanted to be, and even as a 248 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 4: little girl, I knew I wanted to be. I didn't 249 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 4: want to be taken care of by a man because 250 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:36,440 Speaker 4: I'd never seen that. I wanted to be independent, and 251 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:39,080 Speaker 4: I knew, like women in the church who were independent, 252 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:41,679 Speaker 4: I could do it. I just had to figure out 253 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 4: how to do it. So I prayed to God and 254 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:50,200 Speaker 4: I said, I won't drink ever, I won't smoke or 255 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 4: do drugs, and I won't have sex until i'm married, 256 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 4: if you'll please help me not to end up like 257 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 4: my mom while she was doing lines of coke. And 258 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 4: that's how desperate I was. I wanted to figure it out. 259 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 4: I wanted to fight. I wanted to come above that, 260 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 4: because it's not fun when you come home from school 261 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 4: and you can't bring friends home, right because you don't 262 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:13,680 Speaker 4: know what condition your mom is going to be in, 263 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 4: or she's going to be there, or in honestly, what 264 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 4: condition the house is going to be in. Clothes weren't washed, 265 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:21,120 Speaker 4: and it just wasn't taking care of Again, when you're 266 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 4: serving a god of alcohol and drugs and sex and 267 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:30,199 Speaker 4: center of attention, right, the children are going to pay 268 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 4: the price. So I knew I had to figure that out. 269 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 4: And I thought, if I don't drink and I don't 270 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 4: do drugs, and I don't smoke, and I don't center 271 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 4: my life around men, then maybe that's a good path 272 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 4: to have. And I think that was also being probably 273 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 4: taught to me in the church that I was going 274 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:49,439 Speaker 4: to as well as far as good choice is good life, 275 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 4: bad choice is bad life. Here's a fifth grader now going, Okay, 276 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 4: I made this deal with God, and I know he'll 277 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 4: hold up on his end, but I got to hold 278 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 4: up on mine. And the men she brought home also 279 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 4: brought in another element concern for me. Some of the 280 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 4: men that my mom brought home took advantage of me 281 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 4: because she was passed out on the couch, so they 282 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 4: took advantage of me sexually. The first time I remember 283 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 4: that happening was, oh gosh, definitely happened in the third grade, 284 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 4: and I'm trying to remember. I think it happened probably 285 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 4: in the second grade. And then my mom dated a 286 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 4: man for a very long time that lived in our 287 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,959 Speaker 4: house who would he never touched me. I just called 288 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 4: him staring at me, or he would open my blinds 289 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 4: just the perfect way so that when I was in 290 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 4: my bedroom he could come out and watch me. I mean, 291 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 4: he was that guy former pastor. It's interesting because you 292 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 4: always hear about kids not telling that stuff, and I 293 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 4: don't know that I ever told anybody because I didn't 294 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 4: know where I would go. You know, it was still 295 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:51,839 Speaker 4: my mom number one, who I love so much, and 296 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 4: I still had her, but I didn't. 297 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: I don't know. 298 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,000 Speaker 3: I mean, I had I had the church, I could 299 00:13:58,040 --> 00:13:59,440 Speaker 3: have told the church, and I didn't. 300 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 1: Same me, I was molested when I was young, and 301 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: it was like it was just such a different time 302 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: and it's still I think it hadn't changed a whole lot, 303 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 1: Like who do you tell you? You just don't talk 304 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 1: about that stuff to me from what I remember in 305 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 1: the church I grew up, and even in the church, 306 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 1: you put on your Sonday best and you go act 307 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: like everything's rainbows, roses and lollipops. Like I don't remember 308 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 1: there being a whole lot of vulnerability. I don't remember 309 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 1: there being a whole lot of conviction and being authentic 310 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: and genuine. And not to say that it didn't have 311 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: its positives, because it definitely did, but I feel like 312 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 1: as far as from an emotional and psychological standpoint, it 313 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 1: didn't do a lot and helping me grow and looking 314 00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 1: back on it now as an adult and having lived 315 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 1: a life I've lived, like it's to discuss me, Like 316 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 1: I think there was a bunch of cowardice and ignorance, 317 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 1: both chosen and for me. You can't be a pillar 318 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 1: or a leader in your community if you're one of those, 319 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 1: because there's kids around you. One and four is what 320 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: the statistics show, right, One in four children that are 321 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 1: sexually molested, sexually violated one way or the other. I'd 322 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 1: be willing to bet it's higher than that. I mean, 323 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: that's the ones that could, that were strong enough to 324 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 1: say something. 325 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 3: I mean, Jay, there's three people in this room, and 326 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:32,840 Speaker 3: two out of three. 327 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:36,240 Speaker 1: Right, I believe. And I've told you this before, like 328 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 1: you epitomize what it means to be a warrior. You 329 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 1: don't have to be a gun slinger. You don't have 330 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,760 Speaker 1: to be a lead slinger and wear a uniform and 331 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 1: do all that. I'm drawn to people that have the 332 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 1: the emotional scars, and I think that's my inner gladiator 333 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 1: that is drawn to those people. And even in the beginning, 334 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 1: from when we first met, like it was, even though 335 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: you annoyed the hell out of me, No I didn't. 336 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 1: You did, but I didn't. 337 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 3: I chose not to see that. 338 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 1: You chose, you choose to never see it ever from 339 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: anyone ever. But to know now what I know. I 340 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: knew it before you told me. I knew there was 341 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: a lot more behind behind the eyes. And I feel 342 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: like that's a gift to God thing. But that's what 343 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:30,360 Speaker 1: I'm drawn to, is I'm not I don't care about 344 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 1: the cheerleader stuff. And the accolades, like I don't care 345 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:35,280 Speaker 1: about any of that stuff. Like, You're right, I couldn't 346 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 1: describe what a cheerleader outfit, costume, uniform, okay even down 347 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: to the cowboys, right, because it's not what I But 348 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 1: I'm also very passionate about the game of football. Well, 349 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:52,200 Speaker 1: let me show you a picture. No, Like, I don't 350 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: need to because I'm kidding. Jackson has a picture signed 351 00:16:55,400 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 1: by you. I admire your warriorness so much because you 352 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: could have picked a lot of different paths, especially in 353 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: the industries you're in, because it was real easy in 354 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 1: those industries to like it wasn't hard, like you could 355 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: definitely fall in to the same thing that your mother 356 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 1: fell into. It's admirable that you were able to stay 357 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 1: set fast on a certain course. Not to say that 358 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: I'm sure you had horrible things happen after the fact 359 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:26,679 Speaker 1: that we're out of your control. That to me is 360 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 1: what being a gladiator is all about, fighting against the odds, 361 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 1: even on the bad days, knowing that you are stronger 362 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 1: than any circumstance. 363 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 4: It's interesting that even as a child, somehow was I 364 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 4: and other kids you somehow compartmentalize to be able to 365 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 4: push it back, not down where it's going to boil up, 366 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:50,040 Speaker 4: because I've actually never felt that way. I've accepted what 367 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 4: happened to me. I compartmentalized it and said this sucks, 368 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 4: and I either let that bring me down or I 369 00:17:56,440 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 4: use it to make me stronger. I was embarrassed about, 370 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 4: you know, being in those situations and being that vulnerable 371 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 4: as a little girl and having a man do that, 372 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 4: but it empowered me. People do bad things. I don't 373 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 4: think God. 374 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: Puts bad the hinds the people free will. 375 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 3: It happens. 376 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:17,640 Speaker 4: I was in college and I became a camp counselor 377 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 4: so that I could share possibly my story with other 378 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,440 Speaker 4: teenage girls who might be battling as well. That God 379 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:25,879 Speaker 4: could use me to share that story as well. That 380 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 4: was kind of my own therapy, right, finally telling somebody, 381 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:31,840 Speaker 4: because I didn't tell anybody for a very long time 382 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:33,159 Speaker 4: that those things had happened to me. 383 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:37,119 Speaker 1: It's amazing the way that lifts off the soul. It's 384 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:39,959 Speaker 1: I mean literally, yes, I mean I just said it 385 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 1: a couple of years ago speaking to I was speaking 386 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 1: like a lot, like thousands and thousands of people, and 387 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:47,919 Speaker 1: it just flew out of my mouth and then I 388 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:50,439 Speaker 1: went to apologize, but then I was like, no, I 389 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: did apologize. I think, oh, you heard it, And then 390 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:54,400 Speaker 1: but then I was like, no, I take that back. 391 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:57,959 Speaker 1: I'm not sorry. I'm not sorry about that. Like, just 392 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,879 Speaker 1: to be able to say that, and the weight that 393 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 1: was lifted off was like, goh, man, I wish I'd 394 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: had the strength or courage or permission or whatever. It 395 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:12,480 Speaker 1: is a long time ago to do this, because I 396 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 1: think mentally and emotionally I would be further than where 397 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:18,240 Speaker 1: I am now. 398 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 3: Maybe you weren't emotionally ready to do it back then. 399 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 1: I look back on it, just like any of us 400 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:28,120 Speaker 1: at the stable could look back on it, and there 401 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:34,600 Speaker 1: was no foundation, I mean zero to talk about anything. 402 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, that was so taboo when we were growing up. 403 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 1: And thinking about how it still is right. Our children 404 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 1: are our future. We have to empower them in healthy 405 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:48,400 Speaker 1: ways and give them a healthy foundation and give them 406 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,119 Speaker 1: permission and courage and all the other things to be 407 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:54,280 Speaker 1: able to be open and vulnerable without judgment. 408 00:19:55,200 --> 00:20:00,160 Speaker 2: Did you ever falter on your deal with God, Ashley? 409 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 3: No. 410 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 4: I I still don't drink and I don't smoke, and 411 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:06,680 Speaker 4: I don't do drugs. I do have sex, with my husband. Sorry, 412 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 4: Jake wants to here. 413 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:10,879 Speaker 3: It is here, it is you know, it's a fact. 414 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:12,760 Speaker 3: She's just speaking the truth. 415 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:16,679 Speaker 1: God, does Joseph know that his one role on this 416 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 1: planet was to be your your husband? Patients of Joe 417 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 1: Chosen patience? I mean seriously, how I mean, God, bless 418 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:26,200 Speaker 1: you Joseph. 419 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:30,399 Speaker 4: I know well you want to pray for him right now? Okay, okay, 420 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 4: good good. I was a good girl, I really I thought, 421 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 4: you know, their temptations are there. I certainly made out 422 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 4: with boys all of that, but I didn't I would 423 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:42,399 Speaker 4: go to parties and I did not drink. That was 424 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 4: never a temptation for me. 425 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:46,800 Speaker 1: Drinking, Yes, I think, because you're so repulsed. I was. 426 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:49,240 Speaker 4: I was repulsed by I was repulsed by that, but 427 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:51,359 Speaker 4: I was more repulsed by the what it turned my 428 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 4: mom into when she. 429 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 3: Was liquor drunk, really, even beer drunk. 430 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:57,480 Speaker 1: Does she get mean me? 431 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 4: She got so mean, not physic with me, but the 432 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:03,600 Speaker 4: things that would come out of her mouth. It would 433 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 4: have been better for her to throw a bile. 434 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:09,200 Speaker 1: You probably would rather probably. 435 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 4: And her to still being somewhat the right mind, yes, 436 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:14,879 Speaker 4: just because it was just it was disgusting. It was 437 00:21:14,920 --> 00:21:17,159 Speaker 4: evil and that was what made me so nervous when 438 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 4: I would come home from school because I didn't know 439 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 4: what I. 440 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:20,639 Speaker 3: Was going to get. 441 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 4: I didn't know if I was going to get beer drunk, 442 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:29,000 Speaker 4: just sloppy liquor drunk, hateful and mean, or my mom 443 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 4: recovering and sober. 444 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:36,160 Speaker 3: Hungover, hungover? Did do you ever have to clean her up? 445 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 3: I'm trying to think if I ever remember? I just no, 446 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:43,200 Speaker 3: I didn't. I don't know that I would have known 447 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 3: how to do that. 448 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 4: There was always men around, honestly, and so she was 449 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 4: passed out in that bed. 450 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:52,359 Speaker 3: So but you learned responsibility at a young age. I did. 451 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:53,920 Speaker 1: I did grow fast. 452 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,720 Speaker 2: Yes, When did you first become involved with dance? 453 00:21:57,840 --> 00:21:58,080 Speaker 1: Cheer? 454 00:21:58,359 --> 00:21:59,080 Speaker 3: How do you find out? 455 00:21:59,119 --> 00:21:59,199 Speaker 2: You? 456 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:01,200 Speaker 1: How a passion introduction to that world. 457 00:22:01,760 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 4: I tried out for cheerleader in the seventh grade. My 458 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 4: mom dropped me off and I tried out and I 459 00:22:06,320 --> 00:22:09,240 Speaker 4: did not make cheerleader, and I remember running to my 460 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:11,560 Speaker 4: mom and said they didn't think I was good enough, 461 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:13,760 Speaker 4: and I was crying in my mom. She loved me 462 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 4: so much through that, you know, she was so proud 463 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:16,960 Speaker 4: of me for trying out and that was a good time. 464 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:18,679 Speaker 4: I mean, it was a really good time, but I 465 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 4: did not make it. And then I heard about a 466 00:22:21,160 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 4: drill team and I was like, well, there's more girls 467 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:26,720 Speaker 4: on the drill team and I'm not trained, but maybe 468 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 4: I'll try out for drill team. And they took me, 469 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 4: and that was another God moment. Why why did you 470 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:33,840 Speaker 4: try out for cheerleader? Why did you go for drill team? 471 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 4: I think I wanted to be a part of something 472 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:39,200 Speaker 4: I wanted to be a part of. 473 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:40,920 Speaker 3: First, it was a stage. 474 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 4: The field was a football stage, you know, for halftime 475 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:47,439 Speaker 4: or for the sideline if I had made cheerleader. But 476 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 4: also then I got to be a part of a 477 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:53,920 Speaker 4: community of other girls who would be sharing the same 478 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:54,600 Speaker 4: thing that I was doing. 479 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:55,239 Speaker 3: And I loved it. 480 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:58,040 Speaker 4: I loved putting on a show, and drill team actually 481 00:22:58,080 --> 00:23:02,000 Speaker 4: was more aligned with putting on a show then even cheering, right, 482 00:23:02,040 --> 00:23:04,359 Speaker 4: So it actually worked out really well for me and 483 00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 4: I stayed with drill team from seventh grade and my 484 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:09,520 Speaker 4: senior year I was the major, so that drill team 485 00:23:09,560 --> 00:23:12,520 Speaker 4: that I just loved and adored, I ended up becoming 486 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,800 Speaker 4: the leader, the leader my senior year. 487 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 2: Do you feel like the environment that you grew up in, 488 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:20,879 Speaker 2: and it's easy for us to sit here in forty 489 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:23,560 Speaker 2: five minutes and just glance over it and talk about, yeah, 490 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 2: this was your reality. But this was your reality. This 491 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:28,520 Speaker 2: was your day in, day out, the fear of not 492 00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:30,080 Speaker 2: knowing what you're going to get when you go home. 493 00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 2: Do you feel like that environment is what caused you 494 00:23:36,080 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 2: or drove you to take so many risks? Fast forward 495 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:41,359 Speaker 2: into your adult life, You're now a reporter. You're on 496 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:45,200 Speaker 2: camera on television, not an easy job, especially the live shots. 497 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:47,360 Speaker 2: And then fast forward now I'm going to try out 498 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:50,560 Speaker 2: for Dallas Cowboy cheerleader because that's the best. Was that 499 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 2: drive part of the environment that you grew up in. 500 00:23:55,359 --> 00:23:57,720 Speaker 4: I think I always had a drive, but to figure 501 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:00,880 Speaker 4: it out. When I made that deal with God, I thought, Okay, 502 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:02,399 Speaker 4: I'm going to go for it because he's not going 503 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 4: to let me down, because I'm going to keep up 504 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:07,240 Speaker 4: my end of the bargain. And so maybe that gave 505 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:10,000 Speaker 4: me a little bit of confidence. Even though I had 506 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:12,240 Speaker 4: never cheered, even though I had never danced, there was 507 00:24:12,280 --> 00:24:15,639 Speaker 4: at least a little bit of just natural talent enough 508 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:18,879 Speaker 4: to make seventh grade drill team. And then making that 509 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:22,159 Speaker 4: drill team built on that confidence, and then I became 510 00:24:22,240 --> 00:24:25,200 Speaker 4: a better dancer even college when I was doing show 511 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:28,400 Speaker 4: choir and I was dancing there as well, not as detailed, 512 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 4: but we were still dancing. All of that kind of 513 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 4: pulled together to help me with the path that I 514 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 4: chose to take. I talk about my mom and my childhood, 515 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:43,760 Speaker 4: and it was tough, but I didn't pick that. God did, 516 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:47,440 Speaker 4: so I knew he had me there for a reason, and. 517 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,159 Speaker 3: I didn't like it. I didn't like a lot about it. 518 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:52,119 Speaker 4: But now I can look back and I can be 519 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 4: more open about what happened to me as a child, 520 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:57,680 Speaker 4: and I can talk about it with a little less embarrassment. 521 00:24:57,720 --> 00:24:59,760 Speaker 4: There's still always a little bit of embarrassment for me 522 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 4: to admit that some grown man put his hands on 523 00:25:04,359 --> 00:25:05,119 Speaker 4: a second grader. 524 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 1: He is embarrassment or you ain't a shame that's ingrained. 525 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:09,440 Speaker 1: I don't. 526 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 3: I don't. 527 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:13,160 Speaker 1: I think it's ingrained in the DNA. 528 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:15,359 Speaker 3: To be embarrassed her, to be to have the shame both. 529 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:18,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a part of the human words. 530 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:20,280 Speaker 4: Well, people look at me differently and not want to 531 00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:22,920 Speaker 4: be around me like well men not would a man 532 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 4: not want to date me? 533 00:25:23,960 --> 00:25:26,640 Speaker 1: It's getting way less and less how much I care 534 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:29,600 Speaker 1: what people think. But it's taken a long time, same 535 00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:32,160 Speaker 1: and a lot of bombs and bruises to get there. 536 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:34,560 Speaker 4: Well, and I knew if God put me there, that 537 00:25:34,720 --> 00:25:37,720 Speaker 4: was my mom and a dad who really missed out 538 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 4: on a really cool girl. Be honest with you, right, 539 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 4: but but you know, but you are. But those were 540 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 4: my parents and this day my mom life has slowed 541 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:53,840 Speaker 4: her down a lot, and my mom is in my life. 542 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:56,359 Speaker 4: I'm happy to say. We don't talk a lot about this, 543 00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:58,880 Speaker 4: but I do have very honest conversations with her now. 544 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:02,080 Speaker 4: She accepts it as much as she can. And the 545 00:26:02,080 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 4: way that she accepts it is by changing the subject, 546 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:07,119 Speaker 4: not yelling at me or telling me that I was 547 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 4: wrong or any of that. She now just avoids she 548 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:14,159 Speaker 4: avoids the conversation, but she knows it's there. But I 549 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:17,800 Speaker 4: think her avoidance is just maybe her way of dealing 550 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:20,360 Speaker 4: with what she knew she. 551 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:23,159 Speaker 3: Was doing back then. I mean, she probably wasn't in 552 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:24,399 Speaker 3: the best place to have children. 553 00:26:24,840 --> 00:26:27,880 Speaker 2: What was the relationship like through your high school years 554 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:29,239 Speaker 2: into adulthood. 555 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 3: With my mom? She wasn't there. 556 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:33,199 Speaker 4: Actually, my senior year I ended up living with my 557 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:36,240 Speaker 4: sister in her apartment and Julia just had a child. 558 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:39,960 Speaker 4: But I lived with my sister and I finished there 559 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:42,360 Speaker 4: in college. I didn't know where my mom. 560 00:26:42,320 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 1: Was all throughout college for the most part. 561 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:47,840 Speaker 4: Yes, toward the end, she actually moved in with her mom, 562 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:50,440 Speaker 4: my grandmother, because life had kind of started to slow 563 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:53,360 Speaker 4: her down. My mom came from great parents. My mom 564 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 4: came from my Papaul helped start Houston Lighting and Power. 565 00:26:57,040 --> 00:26:57,679 Speaker 3: They did okay. 566 00:26:57,720 --> 00:27:00,879 Speaker 4: They were a nice middle class, upper middle class family, 567 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:04,400 Speaker 4: and she was blessed and had my uncle, her brothers, 568 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:06,560 Speaker 4: you know, has his masters and centinary. I mean, she 569 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 4: came from this, but she just had kind of the 570 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:12,520 Speaker 4: ingrained and party lifestyle. That's when life started to slow down. 571 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:13,760 Speaker 4: And then I knew where my mom was. 572 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:17,280 Speaker 1: But where would you do like Christmas and Thanksgiving, like 573 00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 1: when you had the big breaks and coach friends. 574 00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:23,040 Speaker 4: And then in summers, I was a camp counselor sky 575 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:26,800 Speaker 4: Ranch and I loved it. I mean, so I didn't 576 00:27:26,840 --> 00:27:29,520 Speaker 4: really have a home to go to, but I had 577 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:32,919 Speaker 4: amazing friends and amazing people that if I wanted to 578 00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:33,720 Speaker 4: go with them, I could. 579 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:36,720 Speaker 2: So we're so blessed through that, And you talk about 580 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:39,639 Speaker 2: your drill team coach who gave you the scholarship, and 581 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:42,200 Speaker 2: that has been a huge theme throughout your life. 582 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:47,960 Speaker 3: Your coaches, my coaches, Betty Buckner, Danielle Rapp, Larry Brumley, 583 00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:50,200 Speaker 3: my choir director who gave me a full ride if 584 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:54,880 Speaker 3: I agreed to be the choreographer, Christine o'hagen who told 585 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 3: me about Panola, which changed my life, getting to go 586 00:27:57,760 --> 00:27:59,360 Speaker 3: to Stephen F. Austin. I love East. 587 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 4: Texas and I love SFA. I love ESFA. It's a 588 00:28:03,080 --> 00:28:07,359 Speaker 4: great place. God brings somebody for everyone. There are people 589 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 4: in your life. God is put there, and you guys 590 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:12,600 Speaker 4: can strengthen each other. And I don't want to say 591 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:15,560 Speaker 4: use each other, but in a sense you are. You're 592 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 4: there to sharpen each other. And God gave me that. 593 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:21,280 Speaker 4: It's interesting because I did get a pel grant. 594 00:28:21,320 --> 00:28:21,680 Speaker 3: I did. 595 00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:23,640 Speaker 4: I did have school loans, but I paid all those 596 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:27,880 Speaker 4: off and now I'm able to donate to kids who 597 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:31,920 Speaker 4: in this situation. Somebody did that for me, this little 598 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:34,840 Speaker 4: girl who nobody really knew other than just being the 599 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:38,560 Speaker 4: hyper piper running around, you know, full of life. But 600 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:42,560 Speaker 4: mister Gibson believed in me, and hardly knew me but 601 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:45,800 Speaker 4: saw something. It's just as a believer, I will never 602 00:28:45,920 --> 00:28:49,960 Speaker 4: ignore the fact that this deal as a fifth grader 603 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 4: that I made with God was honored by him. 604 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:58,600 Speaker 1: It's a testament to the perseverance and the resilience that 605 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:01,360 Speaker 1: you've gotten you. I think that in a large part 606 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:03,200 Speaker 1: you're born with you know. And I was on the 607 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:05,160 Speaker 1: fence for a long time about these God gifts and 608 00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:09,040 Speaker 1: all that, all based on trauma. Right clearly lost that one, 609 00:29:09,280 --> 00:29:14,320 Speaker 1: Thank God, but you've got more than most. It's inspirational. 610 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:15,520 Speaker 3: Thank you. 611 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 1: You should say that. I don't tell a whole lot of. 612 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:18,960 Speaker 3: He really doesn't. 613 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 2: I'm sitting over here and shock. You went from the 614 00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:32,240 Speaker 2: football field is your stage to getting a job on 615 00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:35,719 Speaker 2: TV and then trying out for the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders 616 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 2: and making it tell us about that transition. 617 00:29:38,360 --> 00:29:41,160 Speaker 4: Gosh, I really was born a ham, for sure, but 618 00:29:41,480 --> 00:29:42,480 Speaker 4: you sounds so country. 619 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:45,480 Speaker 3: I really was born a Ham. I was lowering. 620 00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:49,080 Speaker 4: He didn't make me really good, like not like the 621 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:51,920 Speaker 4: vocal talent of like Lady Gaga. He knew because he'd 622 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:53,720 Speaker 4: be like, I can't give her that much power because 623 00:29:53,720 --> 00:29:56,280 Speaker 4: she'll abuse it. So he made me a really above 624 00:29:56,360 --> 00:30:01,320 Speaker 4: average singer and a somewhat above average dance and he's like, 625 00:30:01,360 --> 00:30:02,880 Speaker 4: I'm gonna give you a little of this and you 626 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:05,480 Speaker 4: go with it. So that's what I had, so I did. 627 00:30:05,720 --> 00:30:10,120 Speaker 1: So do you agree with the statement that at some 628 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:14,880 Speaker 1: point hard work will supersede god given talent? 629 00:30:15,520 --> 00:30:18,000 Speaker 4: I think that the god given talent, if you put 630 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:22,640 Speaker 4: the hard work with it, can make you unstoppable. Seems dramatic, 631 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:26,719 Speaker 4: but it can. It makes you more powerful supersede it. 632 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:30,239 Speaker 1: No, So think about the people that are listening that 633 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:36,600 Speaker 1: were in your boat average, your above average singing, dancing, 634 00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:37,840 Speaker 1: what have you? 635 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:38,600 Speaker 3: Academically? 636 00:30:39,320 --> 00:30:42,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, I know you knew girls who had to in 637 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:45,240 Speaker 1: those worlds that could you show up and just be awesome? 638 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:47,800 Speaker 3: Oh I hated it. I didn't hate them. 639 00:30:48,080 --> 00:30:49,760 Speaker 4: Oh, but they would show up and they'd learn eight 640 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:53,160 Speaker 4: eighths and then they would be like here it is, yes, 641 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:55,600 Speaker 4: but you had, but you I did. 642 00:30:55,840 --> 00:30:58,640 Speaker 1: That's my point. Yes, for those people listening that are 643 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:01,960 Speaker 1: like I just need to don't be afraid to put 644 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:05,320 Speaker 1: in the sweat equity that's right, burn your pain is fuel. 645 00:31:06,960 --> 00:31:09,360 Speaker 4: I'm glad you said that because my daughter, who has dyslexia, 646 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:11,360 Speaker 4: I had a very honest conversation with her. 647 00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:12,560 Speaker 3: I said, here's the deal. 648 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:14,000 Speaker 4: You're going to have the kid next to you that's 649 00:31:14,040 --> 00:31:15,440 Speaker 4: not going to have to study and is going to 650 00:31:15,440 --> 00:31:17,280 Speaker 4: get the A. And you are going to have to 651 00:31:17,320 --> 00:31:18,960 Speaker 4: put the work in because it didn't go into your 652 00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:21,560 Speaker 4: brain quite as easily as it went into his brain. 653 00:31:21,840 --> 00:31:24,360 Speaker 4: But that's okay. If you put the hard work in, 654 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:26,520 Speaker 4: there's a good chance you're going to be much more 655 00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:30,360 Speaker 4: well prepared for the future because you had the discipline 656 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:33,080 Speaker 4: to do the hard work. Now I understand what you're 657 00:31:33,080 --> 00:31:34,920 Speaker 4: saying now, and absolutely I do agree with that. 658 00:31:35,200 --> 00:31:37,560 Speaker 2: You have to work hard, so you take your work 659 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 2: ethic and you enter the field of television. How did 660 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:40,640 Speaker 2: that journey begin? 661 00:31:41,840 --> 00:31:44,840 Speaker 4: So I was actually going to be a nurse. I 662 00:31:44,880 --> 00:31:47,640 Speaker 4: went to nursing school. I was in nursing school, and 663 00:31:47,680 --> 00:31:52,400 Speaker 4: I well, they started me in the nursing homes and 664 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:54,000 Speaker 4: I thought, I don't know, like this is for me. 665 00:31:54,840 --> 00:31:58,880 Speaker 4: So I prayed about it. 666 00:31:59,400 --> 00:32:02,680 Speaker 1: But that was greatness because jeriatrics are the ones that 667 00:32:02,720 --> 00:32:05,440 Speaker 1: threw you off on nursing. God b well, I think that. 668 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:07,480 Speaker 3: They did that on purpose. But I was like, I 669 00:32:07,480 --> 00:32:08,360 Speaker 3: don't think it's apposed to. 670 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:11,640 Speaker 4: Be a nurse, And so somebody asked me when I 671 00:32:11,680 --> 00:32:13,160 Speaker 4: was thinking about geting out of nursing, what have you 672 00:32:13,200 --> 00:32:16,560 Speaker 4: always wanted to do? And I said, I really, okay, 673 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:18,240 Speaker 4: don't laugh, but I think I want to I would 674 00:32:18,280 --> 00:32:20,959 Speaker 4: really like to stand in front of a tornado and 675 00:32:21,040 --> 00:32:23,360 Speaker 4: report on it and my hair's flying in the wind. 676 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:24,440 Speaker 3: They were like, then do it. 677 00:32:24,840 --> 00:32:29,360 Speaker 4: And I'm like, but how really, how likely is it 678 00:32:29,440 --> 00:32:32,080 Speaker 4: for me that I could end up on television? And 679 00:32:32,120 --> 00:32:34,120 Speaker 4: they said, well, the good thing about news is you 680 00:32:34,160 --> 00:32:36,480 Speaker 4: don't have to know a lot about a little. 681 00:32:36,840 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 3: You have to know a little about a lot. 682 00:32:39,280 --> 00:32:42,880 Speaker 4: So that is you agagate party. 683 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:45,800 Speaker 2: You have to know a little about a lot, jack 684 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:47,280 Speaker 2: of all trades, master of none. 685 00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:50,000 Speaker 4: Okay, I went and I got a degree in communications 686 00:32:50,080 --> 00:32:52,880 Speaker 4: radio television. I interned at Channel eight in Dallas, Fort 687 00:32:52,920 --> 00:32:56,240 Speaker 4: we at WFA uh huh yep, and then land in 688 00:32:56,280 --> 00:32:59,840 Speaker 4: my first job as a reporter at kvu E ABC 689 00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:04,200 Speaker 4: in Austin, Austin, Texas. Way way in over my head, 690 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:07,560 Speaker 4: like you shouldn't start probably in Austin, but somebody believed 691 00:33:07,560 --> 00:33:09,160 Speaker 4: in me and gave me a job. 692 00:33:09,200 --> 00:33:14,239 Speaker 3: And they were looking for a reporter and and. 693 00:33:14,120 --> 00:33:16,560 Speaker 4: Oh man, but one of them still my best friend. 694 00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:18,920 Speaker 4: Of this day and actually got her producing jobs. She's 695 00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:21,000 Speaker 4: one of the best reporters I've ever seen in my life. 696 00:33:21,320 --> 00:33:24,280 Speaker 4: But we've been able to actually help each other find jobs, 697 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:29,040 Speaker 4: like like you did, for production jobs and stuff like that. Well, anyway, 698 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:31,560 Speaker 4: so that's how I ended up on television. 699 00:33:31,960 --> 00:33:35,840 Speaker 2: And he did that wonderfully well for over a decade, 700 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:40,000 Speaker 2: and then at the riple age of thirty one, decided 701 00:33:40,040 --> 00:33:41,640 Speaker 2: to try out for I did. 702 00:33:41,720 --> 00:33:44,840 Speaker 4: That's right, Yes, thirty thirty one years old. I tried 703 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:46,160 Speaker 4: out for the Dallas Cowboys. 704 00:33:45,840 --> 00:33:48,280 Speaker 2: Cheerleaders against seventeen and eighteen year olds. 705 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:50,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, you know, I think it's like the 706 00:33:51,280 --> 00:33:55,120 Speaker 4: well eighteen eighteen, Well you have school, yes, eighteen, there's 707 00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,520 Speaker 4: no age limit on the other side of the scale, 708 00:33:57,560 --> 00:33:59,400 Speaker 4: but you have to be eighteen and most. 709 00:33:59,240 --> 00:34:01,680 Speaker 1: Of the girls are eight yet there's not no Yeah. 710 00:34:01,480 --> 00:34:04,480 Speaker 3: You could try out. You could try out, like could 711 00:34:04,840 --> 00:34:05,800 Speaker 3: you could try out? You can? 712 00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:08,440 Speaker 4: They had no, They've had a lot of guys try out. 713 00:34:08,440 --> 00:34:09,920 Speaker 4: I don't know if the jump splits are going to 714 00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:11,040 Speaker 4: be in your favor. 715 00:34:10,719 --> 00:34:13,000 Speaker 1: But you can take my should it's good? 716 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:16,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean the you know what, let's do it. 717 00:34:16,440 --> 00:34:20,359 Speaker 4: Okay, Okay, So anyway, I tried out for the Dallas 718 00:34:20,440 --> 00:34:23,480 Speaker 4: Cowboys Shielders, and I thought, I know, I'm only thirty one, 719 00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:28,000 Speaker 4: but some reason I think I'm cute in the stands. Maybe, 720 00:34:28,360 --> 00:34:30,520 Speaker 4: So I tried out, but I did not make it. 721 00:34:30,520 --> 00:34:30,960 Speaker 3: My first year. 722 00:34:31,000 --> 00:34:32,600 Speaker 4: I was the last one cut the day before squad 723 00:34:32,640 --> 00:34:34,640 Speaker 4: photo and they're like, we've put a team together. You're 724 00:34:34,680 --> 00:34:38,759 Speaker 4: not on it. But to go from a thousand applicants to. 725 00:34:38,920 --> 00:34:41,759 Speaker 1: They only take a thousand. 726 00:34:41,239 --> 00:34:43,319 Speaker 3: No no, no, no, no, they. 727 00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:46,080 Speaker 1: Can they can have anyone can walk in and give anyone. 728 00:34:46,520 --> 00:34:50,840 Speaker 4: Anyone who's eighteen can walk in and get Yeah. So 729 00:34:50,920 --> 00:34:52,880 Speaker 4: I walked in, tried out, didn't make it. So I 730 00:34:52,880 --> 00:34:54,560 Speaker 4: had to come back the next year because to get 731 00:34:54,560 --> 00:34:56,240 Speaker 4: that close and then not make it. 732 00:34:56,480 --> 00:35:01,520 Speaker 2: And you say that nonchalantly, like that tryout process is exhausting. 733 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:04,000 Speaker 4: It really is the most rewarding nightmare I've ever been three. 734 00:35:05,280 --> 00:35:07,960 Speaker 4: It is because you've got a thousand cameras on you. 735 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:10,959 Speaker 4: They had this hit television show, which didn't really bother 736 00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:14,000 Speaker 4: me as much because I come from television. But you 737 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:16,839 Speaker 4: know the world is watching you and judging you for sure, 738 00:35:17,239 --> 00:35:20,040 Speaker 4: you know, I mean, you get comments like, oh, Natalie Woods, 739 00:35:20,080 --> 00:35:22,799 Speaker 4: she's got her sentrum silver and her locker because I 740 00:35:22,840 --> 00:35:23,320 Speaker 4: was older. 741 00:35:23,400 --> 00:35:24,040 Speaker 3: I know, I hurt. 742 00:35:24,320 --> 00:35:26,480 Speaker 4: I'm like, I know, so I cheered at thirty two 743 00:35:26,480 --> 00:35:27,520 Speaker 4: and thirty three years old. 744 00:35:27,719 --> 00:35:29,319 Speaker 3: They took me and I made the team. 745 00:35:29,400 --> 00:35:31,839 Speaker 2: And how many cuts like you go to your from 746 00:35:31,880 --> 00:35:32,960 Speaker 2: the very first. 747 00:35:32,800 --> 00:35:37,680 Speaker 4: There's a thousand applicants and they cut down to probably 748 00:35:37,719 --> 00:35:40,240 Speaker 4: a little over one hundred that make it to semifinals 749 00:35:40,280 --> 00:35:44,200 Speaker 4: and then finals you get probably I don't know the 750 00:35:44,280 --> 00:35:48,320 Speaker 4: thirty thirty five girls, but you joined the veterans. At finals, 751 00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:51,240 Speaker 4: you're probably I don't know, probably about sixty seventy girls 752 00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:53,680 Speaker 4: maybe in finals. 753 00:35:53,239 --> 00:35:55,600 Speaker 2: Because they make all of the veterans try out again 754 00:35:55,719 --> 00:35:58,000 Speaker 2: correct to prevent complete take forty five. 755 00:35:57,880 --> 00:35:59,839 Speaker 4: To training camp, and then two and a half months 756 00:36:00,200 --> 00:36:03,319 Speaker 4: training camp, blood, sweat and tears, seven to midnight every night. 757 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:06,319 Speaker 4: Then they'll cut down to thirty six and they'll make 758 00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:07,399 Speaker 4: a squad of thirty six. 759 00:36:08,160 --> 00:36:08,960 Speaker 1: Then you get paid. 760 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:12,720 Speaker 4: Well, then I got fifty dollars a game before Texas, 761 00:36:13,040 --> 00:36:13,640 Speaker 4: but I didn't do it. 762 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:14,080 Speaker 3: For the money. 763 00:36:14,200 --> 00:36:16,680 Speaker 1: I think that's one of the brilliant things about that 764 00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:20,240 Speaker 1: squad in particular, yeah, is that if you're not passionate 765 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:22,240 Speaker 1: about that, because you're not doing it for the paycheck. 766 00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:24,000 Speaker 1: You're not gonna make it. 767 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:25,600 Speaker 3: No, that's true. 768 00:36:25,840 --> 00:36:27,360 Speaker 4: Yeah, and you're doing I mean a lot of the 769 00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:29,799 Speaker 4: girls that you're doing it for a stepping stone, because 770 00:36:29,800 --> 00:36:30,640 Speaker 4: that does open up. 771 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:32,520 Speaker 3: A lot of doors for them. I was at the 772 00:36:32,520 --> 00:36:33,080 Speaker 3: TV show. 773 00:36:33,160 --> 00:36:34,799 Speaker 4: I really wasn't because I think that was one of 774 00:36:34,840 --> 00:36:36,839 Speaker 4: the director in the choreographer like, what are you really 775 00:36:36,880 --> 00:36:37,239 Speaker 4: here for? 776 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:38,919 Speaker 3: And I was like, this is the icing on the cake. 777 00:36:38,960 --> 00:36:39,200 Speaker 2: For me. 778 00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:41,200 Speaker 3: To be able to wear that uniform and to be 779 00:36:41,280 --> 00:36:44,080 Speaker 3: on that field and be a part of the best 780 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:46,799 Speaker 3: would be amazing. 781 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:48,840 Speaker 4: So I didn't care where I stood in the squad photo. 782 00:36:48,840 --> 00:36:50,200 Speaker 4: I didn't care if I was in the back because 783 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:50,760 Speaker 4: I wonder. 784 00:36:50,600 --> 00:36:52,400 Speaker 1: How that seventh grade cheercoach feels. 785 00:36:52,719 --> 00:36:55,560 Speaker 4: She's actually pretty awesome. I reached out and I'm like, 786 00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:57,640 Speaker 4: you know, you cut me. She's like, girls, I was 787 00:36:57,680 --> 00:36:58,440 Speaker 4: building blocks. 788 00:36:58,520 --> 00:36:59,040 Speaker 2: You're welcome. 789 00:37:02,400 --> 00:37:04,600 Speaker 3: But you know what, It's true. 790 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:08,200 Speaker 4: Because that type of cheer is very different, very Dallas couple. 791 00:37:08,239 --> 00:37:10,560 Speaker 3: Sure is a mortial team. Yeah, it's more deals. It 792 00:37:10,640 --> 00:37:11,840 Speaker 3: actually worked out in my favor. 793 00:37:11,960 --> 00:37:13,959 Speaker 2: And I remember the night you called me to tell 794 00:37:14,000 --> 00:37:16,400 Speaker 2: me that you made it. I remember how ecstatic you 795 00:37:16,440 --> 00:37:18,640 Speaker 2: were tell me about that moment when you found out. 796 00:37:19,320 --> 00:37:21,080 Speaker 4: For a lot of guys, it would be like making 797 00:37:21,120 --> 00:37:24,319 Speaker 4: it into the NFL. Not very many people can say 798 00:37:24,320 --> 00:37:27,040 Speaker 4: that they've played in the NFL. It's the same thing 799 00:37:27,080 --> 00:37:29,799 Speaker 4: for a squad like this or the Rockets, to say 800 00:37:29,840 --> 00:37:32,719 Speaker 4: that you've done it and that you made it and 801 00:37:32,760 --> 00:37:34,879 Speaker 4: that your hard work paid off because it was hard work. 802 00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:36,000 Speaker 3: That was a lot of hard work. 803 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:38,600 Speaker 4: I wish I could explain a moment because I gave 804 00:37:38,640 --> 00:37:42,560 Speaker 4: two years of tryouts to that, tryouts and diets. I mean, 805 00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:48,000 Speaker 4: you know, just discipline, the hard work to finally be 806 00:37:48,120 --> 00:37:49,640 Speaker 4: chosen and to know you made it. 807 00:37:49,719 --> 00:37:52,759 Speaker 3: There really is nothing like it. You figured it out. 808 00:37:52,880 --> 00:37:54,160 Speaker 3: I figured it out, all right. 809 00:37:54,480 --> 00:37:57,400 Speaker 2: Thinking back on your life's journey, is there a particular 810 00:37:57,440 --> 00:38:01,040 Speaker 2: person or organization that's made a huge impact on your path? 811 00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:03,520 Speaker 3: No, next question, just kidding. 812 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:08,560 Speaker 2: That, lie, there's a lot. 813 00:38:08,880 --> 00:38:11,320 Speaker 4: Not only did I have the Lord above that I 814 00:38:11,320 --> 00:38:13,360 Speaker 4: could pray to, but I had kind of a Jesus 815 00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:15,680 Speaker 4: and skin. I had families who take care of me. 816 00:38:16,120 --> 00:38:20,080 Speaker 4: Even in high school. Emily Holmes's mom when my mom 817 00:38:20,120 --> 00:38:22,440 Speaker 4: couldn't take me to practice, she came and picked me 818 00:38:22,520 --> 00:38:24,360 Speaker 4: up and I had to do ten high kicks for 819 00:38:24,400 --> 00:38:26,160 Speaker 4: every minute I was late, but I didn't care. She 820 00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:29,279 Speaker 4: still came, she still took care of me. The fact 821 00:38:29,280 --> 00:38:31,840 Speaker 4: that I even made drill team with no training, I 822 00:38:31,880 --> 00:38:34,000 Speaker 4: think that's a god thing because that was something to 823 00:38:34,120 --> 00:38:37,880 Speaker 4: fill my time with, something productive, and so I was 824 00:38:37,920 --> 00:38:41,160 Speaker 4: able to dance on this dance team of ninety ninety 825 00:38:41,200 --> 00:38:43,919 Speaker 4: girls and it was phenomenal. But then the bills come. 826 00:38:44,440 --> 00:38:46,480 Speaker 4: My mom's not we're not going to pay that. I mean, 827 00:38:46,520 --> 00:38:49,520 Speaker 4: my dad's not my life, my mom's obviously, that's not 828 00:38:49,560 --> 00:38:51,200 Speaker 4: where the money's going to go if we're not even 829 00:38:51,320 --> 00:38:55,600 Speaker 4: washing clothes. So Betty Buckner, my drill team director, put 830 00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:57,640 Speaker 4: me on full scholarship because she finally came to me 831 00:38:57,680 --> 00:38:59,759 Speaker 4: and said, we really need this money. And I just 832 00:38:59,840 --> 00:39:02,160 Speaker 4: lost it because I knew right then I was going 833 00:39:02,200 --> 00:39:03,600 Speaker 4: to have to tell her I couldn't be on the 834 00:39:03,680 --> 00:39:06,560 Speaker 4: drill team anymore because I wouldn't be able to pay 835 00:39:06,560 --> 00:39:08,600 Speaker 4: for it. And when she got my whole story, she said, 836 00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:10,400 Speaker 4: that's not going to happen. You're absolutely going to be 837 00:39:10,400 --> 00:39:12,279 Speaker 4: on this drill team and we're going to put you 838 00:39:12,280 --> 00:39:14,319 Speaker 4: on a scholarship. Nobody knew it, but they covered my 839 00:39:14,400 --> 00:39:17,200 Speaker 4: cost and that's a public school taking care of that 840 00:39:17,280 --> 00:39:19,919 Speaker 4: for me. You know, I talked about all the organizations 841 00:39:19,960 --> 00:39:21,880 Speaker 4: that really kind of helped pave the way for me, 842 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:24,919 Speaker 4: But I think what's more impactful were the people within 843 00:39:24,960 --> 00:39:28,799 Speaker 4: those organizations who took care of me, who loved me 844 00:39:29,040 --> 00:39:32,440 Speaker 4: and protected me, like Betty Buckner, my drill team director, 845 00:39:32,520 --> 00:39:36,640 Speaker 4: Daniel Rht, my drill team director Larry Brumley at Panola. 846 00:39:36,840 --> 00:39:39,120 Speaker 4: It was the people that God put in those organizations 847 00:39:39,200 --> 00:39:39,799 Speaker 4: to help guide me. 848 00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:45,879 Speaker 1: What do you do to decompress or unwind or recharge? 849 00:39:46,880 --> 00:39:52,759 Speaker 4: Pickleball, roller skating and watching my kids play sports they 850 00:39:52,760 --> 00:39:54,759 Speaker 4: love that pumps me up. 851 00:39:55,400 --> 00:39:56,080 Speaker 3: That's awesome. 852 00:39:57,280 --> 00:39:59,600 Speaker 2: Last question, what feeds your soul? 853 00:40:00,280 --> 00:40:03,399 Speaker 3: It is everyone that is in my life now, who 854 00:40:03,480 --> 00:40:05,920 Speaker 3: chooses to be in my life and who allows me 855 00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:09,080 Speaker 3: to be in their lives. That's the most important part 856 00:40:09,080 --> 00:40:10,960 Speaker 3: to me because it was people who got me here 857 00:40:11,280 --> 00:40:13,400 Speaker 3: to where I am, and till the very end, it 858 00:40:13,400 --> 00:40:15,760 Speaker 3: will be the people who are part of my tribe. 859 00:40:16,280 --> 00:40:17,960 Speaker 1: It's people. Now. 860 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:20,839 Speaker 2: When I think of you, I think of beauty, yes 861 00:40:20,920 --> 00:40:23,480 Speaker 2: on the exterior, but so much on the interior. And 862 00:40:23,520 --> 00:40:26,840 Speaker 2: the word that always comes to me is grace because 863 00:40:26,840 --> 00:40:29,319 Speaker 2: of the life you've lived because of the path that 864 00:40:29,480 --> 00:40:33,040 Speaker 2: you've not only been put on, but then chose. I'm 865 00:40:33,080 --> 00:40:35,279 Speaker 2: just I'm so proud to call you friend, and I'm 866 00:40:35,280 --> 00:40:38,080 Speaker 2: so proud to see all the wonderful things that you're 867 00:40:38,120 --> 00:40:41,600 Speaker 2: doing and to know where you came from. You truly 868 00:40:41,640 --> 00:40:46,440 Speaker 2: epitomize grace and forgiveness and love. Hearing your story today, 869 00:40:47,000 --> 00:40:49,840 Speaker 2: you always had faith, you never lost the faith, and 870 00:40:49,880 --> 00:40:53,000 Speaker 2: I think that's just such a beautiful thing. And I'm 871 00:40:53,040 --> 00:40:55,440 Speaker 2: just so grateful to call you friend. Thank you for 872 00:40:55,480 --> 00:40:56,600 Speaker 2: being on the good stuff. 873 00:40:56,800 --> 00:41:03,040 Speaker 1: I'm so grateful for our world's collided way back when, 874 00:41:03,640 --> 00:41:05,040 Speaker 1: and to be able to sit down and do this 875 00:41:05,120 --> 00:41:06,759 Speaker 1: with you, knowing you the way I know you now, 876 00:41:06,760 --> 00:41:11,160 Speaker 1: and knowing how close and how strong the bond is 877 00:41:11,200 --> 00:41:14,040 Speaker 1: between the two of you. It's really cool to be 878 00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:16,879 Speaker 1: a part of it. And I feel privileged to know you. 879 00:41:17,120 --> 00:41:19,839 Speaker 1: When I tell people you're worth fighting, bleeding, and dying for. 880 00:41:20,080 --> 00:41:24,279 Speaker 1: Couldn't possibly mean that more when I say that, but 881 00:41:24,440 --> 00:41:27,640 Speaker 1: especially to people like you that you just your existence 882 00:41:27,719 --> 00:41:29,520 Speaker 1: makes this world a better place. 883 00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:31,719 Speaker 3: Well, I love you, guys, We love you. You make 884 00:41:31,800 --> 00:41:32,200 Speaker 3: us better. 885 00:41:32,719 --> 00:41:35,239 Speaker 1: Nally, it was an absolute pleasure to have you on 886 00:41:35,320 --> 00:41:36,000 Speaker 1: the good stuff. 887 00:41:36,280 --> 00:41:43,000 Speaker 3: Thank you for having me. Wow. I love her energy. 888 00:41:43,040 --> 00:41:46,759 Speaker 2: I love sitting down with her and just shooting the breeze. 889 00:41:47,520 --> 00:41:51,279 Speaker 2: It's always so uplifting. It's always so inspiring and enlightening. 890 00:41:52,239 --> 00:41:55,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. I mean because of her life's journey. She's just 891 00:41:55,920 --> 00:41:59,759 Speaker 1: a plethora of knowledge and inspiration at the life. 892 00:41:59,480 --> 00:42:01,920 Speaker 3: Game, agreed. And you know, we talk about this all 893 00:42:01,920 --> 00:42:02,279 Speaker 3: the time. 894 00:42:02,400 --> 00:42:04,800 Speaker 2: So many people who had a rough start in life, 895 00:42:05,280 --> 00:42:09,120 Speaker 2: they use that, they channel that and all of those experiences, 896 00:42:09,160 --> 00:42:12,080 Speaker 2: those dark times, and they use that to inspire them 897 00:42:12,080 --> 00:42:14,839 Speaker 2: to go accomplish great things in life. And I'm so 898 00:42:14,960 --> 00:42:16,799 Speaker 2: blessed that she's been my friend for so many years 899 00:42:16,840 --> 00:42:18,560 Speaker 2: because she truly inspires me. 900 00:42:19,360 --> 00:42:19,560 Speaker 3: Yeah. 901 00:42:19,719 --> 00:42:22,319 Speaker 1: Likewise, and I don't say that lightly. You have to 902 00:42:22,360 --> 00:42:26,440 Speaker 1: dig deep to find people that are true inspirations that 903 00:42:26,640 --> 00:42:30,080 Speaker 1: actually feed your soul. And I truly feel like NAT's 904 00:42:30,120 --> 00:42:32,560 Speaker 1: one of those people for me, and I'm grateful to 905 00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:32,879 Speaker 1: know her. 906 00:42:33,040 --> 00:42:36,240 Speaker 2: Can you imagine a child making a promise to themselves 907 00:42:36,280 --> 00:42:38,920 Speaker 2: at such a young age and then standing by that 908 00:42:39,080 --> 00:42:39,760 Speaker 2: for years. 909 00:42:40,120 --> 00:42:42,480 Speaker 1: It goes to show you that her being so rooted 910 00:42:42,480 --> 00:42:45,320 Speaker 1: in her faith, it shows you that she was able 911 00:42:45,760 --> 00:42:50,359 Speaker 1: to feel that she had something at a very young 912 00:42:50,440 --> 00:42:53,000 Speaker 1: age that I think a lot of people don't get, 913 00:42:53,200 --> 00:42:56,040 Speaker 1: if ever until later on in life. 914 00:42:56,320 --> 00:42:59,000 Speaker 2: Right and the world is certainly a better place because 915 00:42:59,040 --> 00:43:02,040 Speaker 2: she was faithful to that promise facts. 916 00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:04,080 Speaker 1: I mean, her conviction second to none. 917 00:43:04,239 --> 00:43:08,160 Speaker 2: From a trailer park in Conrod, Texas, to the Cowboys 918 00:43:08,200 --> 00:43:11,440 Speaker 2: Stadium in Arlington and beyond. We're just so grateful for 919 00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:13,760 Speaker 2: Natalie all that she brings to this world and making 920 00:43:13,760 --> 00:43:17,680 Speaker 2: it a beautiful and better place. Thank you so much 921 00:43:17,760 --> 00:43:20,480 Speaker 2: for listening. If this episode touched you today, please share 922 00:43:20,520 --> 00:43:22,680 Speaker 2: it and be part of making someone else's day better. 923 00:43:23,000 --> 00:43:25,040 Speaker 1: Put on your bad ass caves and be great today. 924 00:43:25,120 --> 00:43:28,520 Speaker 1: And remember you can't do epic stuff without epic people. 925 00:43:28,880 --> 00:43:30,520 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to the good Stuff. 926 00:43:33,200 --> 00:43:36,840 Speaker 2: The Good Stuff is executive produced by Ashley Shick, Jacob Schick, 927 00:43:37,080 --> 00:43:40,759 Speaker 2: Leah Pictures and q Code Media, Hosted by Ashley Shick 928 00:43:40,840 --> 00:43:44,880 Speaker 2: and Jacob Schick, Produced by Nick Cassolini and Ryan Kant's 929 00:43:44,920 --> 00:43:50,040 Speaker 2: House post production supervisor Will Tindi. Music editing by Will 930 00:43:50,080 --> 00:43:52,840 Speaker 2: Haywood Smith, edited by Mike Robinson,