1 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, and welcome back to Unfiltered, the jb L 2 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: podcast and I Heart Radio Production in partnership with jb L. 3 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Betty who. I'm so glad to have 4 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 1: you here with me on this journey. I've gotten to 5 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: talk to so many amazing people, and I really leave 6 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:20,959 Speaker 1: these conversations so inspired, so I hope you are too. 7 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:23,760 Speaker 1: I feel like I've spoken to some incredible young people, 8 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: and today's conversation is absolutely no exception. Our guest today 9 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: is not just an impressive athlete, but she is also 10 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: a literal Olympian. I am joined by Alona Ma, a 11 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: professional rugby player who was unapologetic on and off the pitch. 12 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: It's deeper than when I lose. Though. Rugby helped Alona 13 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 1: find the confidence in herself and her game, spreading her 14 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:50,120 Speaker 1: love for rugby, Alona documents the behind the scenes of 15 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:52,440 Speaker 1: her life as an elite athlete with her almost one 16 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: million TikTok followers. Undeniably, Alona is a big personality and 17 00:00:56,640 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 1: a powerhouse athlete. So why don't we get right into it? So, 18 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: I'm so glad you're here. I have so many questions 19 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,560 Speaker 1: for you, obviously, um, but the first thing I want 20 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,680 Speaker 1: to kind of start with is obviously it's I'm Australian, 21 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 1: so I know all about rugby, but it's not a 22 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: particularly American like cultured sports. So I want to know 23 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 1: like how you found it, or maybe how it found you. 24 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 1: I know you played a bunch of different sports in 25 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 1: high school, like taught me a little bit about how 26 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 1: it all got started for you. Yeah. Well, my dad's 27 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 1: actually a rugby guy. He's been playing like rugby for 28 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 1: thirty years, but he always encouraged us to play so 29 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,479 Speaker 1: many other sports, so you know, whether softball, basketball, fiel key, 30 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 1: We just played all these sports because he saw the 31 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:38,760 Speaker 1: benefits of playing sports, especially in girls, and being these 32 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 1: team activities. So I played a lot of sports, and 33 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:42,720 Speaker 1: I think I was just kind of made to be 34 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: an athlete, honestly, whether it's genetics or whatnot. You know, 35 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 1: sports was my social life. It was my club and 36 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 1: whatever sport I was in, that was my friend group. 37 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 1: I didn't you know, I did. It wasn't cool. Didn't 38 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: really go to parties or anything like that, but I 39 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: went to basketball games and then I tried out rugby, 40 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: and it like literally fit my body like a glove 41 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: because it was just and i'm amazing mix of physicality 42 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 1: that we don't see in a lot of women's games. 43 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 1: And it's the same as men, which you know, it's 44 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:08,919 Speaker 1: like men and women are the same. And in other 45 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 1: countries rugby is the ship, you know. In Australia, it's 46 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 1: the coolest thing, it's the biggest. Yeah, it's literally massive. 47 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:18,240 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, I mean the Australian women's seem just won 48 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: the World Cup in sevens and they've done all these 49 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: other things, and the thing that what they're doing for 50 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,799 Speaker 1: the sport is so impressive and so but they grew 51 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:27,680 Speaker 1: up playing rugby and I didn't. So I just we 52 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 1: all have a different way of thinking about it. So 53 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 1: I love rugby and I think it can really it helps. 54 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 1: It has helped me in my life, and I think 55 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 1: it helps so many other people as well. Yeah. I 56 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: really appreciate that your dad was really like girls are boys, 57 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,079 Speaker 1: Like my kids are gonna be athletes. It's like this 58 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 1: is a part of my lifestyle and the thing that 59 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: I love. Like, how much did you find when you 60 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,839 Speaker 1: were growing up, like how unusual was your sort of 61 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 1: your family life and the choices that your parents made 62 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 1: to sort of support that side of you. Yeah, I 63 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: don't think it was unusual that the girls are playing sports. 64 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: It was unusual in the way that he wanted us 65 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: to be the best in sports. He always tells the 66 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: story of like how I was pitching at a softball 67 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: game once and I was pitching hard and a dad 68 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 1: on the other team, you know, yelled at me to 69 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 1: slow my pitches down because I was pitching it too 70 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:13,680 Speaker 1: fast and then the girls could hit it. And my 71 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: dad was like, no, it's a fast pitch, leak. We're 72 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:17,640 Speaker 1: gonna pitch fast is what we're supposed to do. Because 73 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 1: I think a lot of times dads and men almost 74 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: tone it down for their daughters. They automatically like, oh, well, 75 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: it's my daughter, so she doesn't have to hit it 76 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:27,360 Speaker 1: as hard, she doesn't have to pitch it as fast, 77 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: she doesn't have to run as fast. But my son's 78 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,640 Speaker 1: better be the strongest, the fastest out there. It didn't 79 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:34,359 Speaker 1: matter if it was a girl or boy coming out. 80 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: Like my dad was, we're going to be the best 81 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 1: of what we do. And so the big thing I 82 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 1: think I took away to like, never tone it down 83 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: like him and my mom were, just like, if you're 84 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 1: gonna be the best at it and pitch it as 85 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 1: fast as you can, throw it as hard as you can, 86 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: run as fast as you can. And I think that's 87 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 1: kind of what has led me to be the athlete 88 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 1: that I am today, by having that confidence from your 89 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: parents to be your best. Yeah, that's so amazing. How 90 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 1: much do you like because rugby is a very physical sport. 91 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 1: Do you have like your recollection of the first time 92 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 1: you're like on the field and you're starting to like 93 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: get more into it and be like, oh, this feels good, 94 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 1: Like what does that feel like in your body? I 95 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: think if from even all the other sports I play, 96 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: and I might feel like you coach that would joke that, 97 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: you know, whenever I was on the field, I would 98 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 1: go through people to get the ball instead of around them. 99 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,840 Speaker 1: On a basketball I was always a power center and 100 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 1: I would power through people. So it was always the 101 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 1: thing I was wanted to do, but like never fully 102 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: encouraged to do in sports. I was playing kind of 103 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: maybe in basketball for sure, but it just is like 104 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:32,799 Speaker 1: so cool to go out there to be like truly 105 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 1: praise and applauded for my size and like find a 106 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: place where your size is like oh we want this 107 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:41,720 Speaker 1: because I mean, I feel like you feel the soccer field, 108 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 1: I'm very big, and I'm like, oh, well you want 109 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: to be probably thinner, move well, and whereas I wrong, 110 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 1: you feel it's like they saw me and they were like, 111 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,040 Speaker 1: this is amazing, exactly what I want. And I think 112 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: that's what's helped me as well. To grow into my 113 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: confidence of the person I am is like finding a 114 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 1: place that's really accepted me and being like, oh, no, 115 00:04:57,800 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: you're perfect, You're the perfect way you are. We want 116 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: you on a few old you know. And to find 117 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 1: that as like helped me tremendously and to translate my 118 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 1: speed and power into something on the field is like 119 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: just what I live for now. Genuinely sounds like rugby 120 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:14,680 Speaker 1: found you in that way where you're like, you come 121 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 1: into this world where you're all of a sudden, like 122 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: the things that you've been insecure about your entire life 123 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 1: for all of a sudden, the whole reason and purpose 124 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 1: that you're good at this thing Like that must have 125 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 1: felt so freeing and validating. Oh, it for sure does. 126 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: And I think one thing that really helped was like 127 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 1: I got into a couple of rugby teams, but then 128 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: once I got into the USA team and some of 129 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 1: my teammates on the USA team were like so cool 130 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 1: and just the way that they beat themselves. It is 131 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: wild to be around other confident women. He's like, it 132 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 1: kind of rubs off on you in a way. Yeah, 133 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: I love that. It's empowering and so like my teammates 134 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 1: on USA were like a lot of them are big 135 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 1: like me, and it was like cool to see this 136 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:51,719 Speaker 1: and be like, oh man, they're they're big like me. 137 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 1: Like I feel like I have a place to see 138 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 1: me in them as well. And you want to find 139 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: your own confidence, but it's hard, and I think there's 140 00:05:57,279 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: something to be said about somebody who has found their confidence. Hell, 141 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 1: bring you in your way so that you can find 142 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 1: your competence and then help somebody else. I think it's 143 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 1: kind of it can be effect and that's like something 144 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 1: that I want to do as well, because having my 145 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 1: teammates has helped me, and so I hope that I 146 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 1: can now help others because of what they've done for 147 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: me and when my mom's done for me and my sisters. 148 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:17,160 Speaker 1: So I love to hear that's also so perfect. Again, 149 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 1: I love You're the perfect guest for the show, because 150 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: the entire point of the show is to talk about 151 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 1: like being yourself and trying to find how to live 152 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:26,599 Speaker 1: into the best parts of yourself and the person you 153 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: were born to be. So it's so beautiful that you 154 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:33,480 Speaker 1: found this community. Like I think that's so special and awesome, 155 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: and it sounds like you've really found I mean, I 156 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 1: think what so many people spend their literal, entire lives 157 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 1: searching for it. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by responsibility. Like 158 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:44,359 Speaker 1: you say, it's really important to you to like show 159 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 1: you know, you've seen how women can make you feel 160 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:48,800 Speaker 1: about yourself, and now you want to like try and 161 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: kind of perpetuate that cycle of like showing little girls 162 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 1: that they can be strong and different in all of 163 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 1: these things. Like do you ever feel pressure for that? 164 00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: Like for me, I'll have a bad day, right and 165 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: then I I'll have to show up somewhere, and I'm like, 166 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:04,480 Speaker 1: it's really hard for me to be perceived right now, 167 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: Like I'm having a tough time and I want to 168 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: show up for you and be the person you want 169 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: me to be. Like do you deal with pressure in 170 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,760 Speaker 1: that same way? I think one thing I deal with 171 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 1: is like this idea of role model. Like everyone's like, oh, 172 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 1: you're a role model, and I'm like, because it's a 173 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,360 Speaker 1: scary title because I think with role model they attached 174 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:23,679 Speaker 1: so many things. Like people think role model, that's perfect. 175 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: They do all the best things, they say, all the 176 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: best things, they don't do anything wrong. So like that 177 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: worries me because like I hear like young girls who 178 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 1: followed me, and I'm like, I love aspiring young girls, 179 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 1: but like I am also a twenty six year old 180 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 1: woman who has all sorts of things going on in 181 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: her life. So like I'm a role model in some senses, 182 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: I'm role modeling that I've worked very hard. I've been 183 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: to school, I got my master's, I'm a hard worker 184 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: on the field. But then I'm not really role modeling 185 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 1: that I also like to get drunk and have fun. Yeah. Well, 186 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: and by the way, that's fine, Like that shouldn't disqualify 187 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: you from being a role model. You're being yourself and 188 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: enjoying yourself. And I think that's maybe what's odd sometimes 189 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 1: when you're put into this position of like you feel 190 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 1: like you have to be actually really perfect for people 191 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: to follow an example, and it's like no that I 192 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: think maybe the reason you were. You blew up on 193 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 1: TikTok is because you're being yourself. It's not because you're 194 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 1: trying to be a version of yourself. That's the role 195 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: model that cuts out all the bad stuff so that 196 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: people don't see it. It's like, no, this is just 197 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 1: who I am. Like here I am no for sure, 198 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:23,239 Speaker 1: And I think that's why I like, oh, yeah, I'm 199 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,880 Speaker 1: a role model in some ways, but also I am 200 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 1: a human being and I make all these mistakes, so 201 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 1: like that's sometimes feels the pressure, but like it's really 202 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:35,079 Speaker 1: just me being me, and I think people can genuinely 203 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 1: see that at times. Have you ever gone where people 204 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 1: call you say you're unapologetically yourself to people are say 205 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: that to you, yes all the time. I'm like, what 206 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 1: does that mean? We're living, We're being unapologetic, We're being authentic, sister, 207 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 1: that's what we're here to do. I'm like, what are 208 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,680 Speaker 1: all of you doing? Then? I think that's a crazy 209 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:54,680 Speaker 1: observation you've just made, though, because so many people cannot 210 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 1: be themselves and they have a built in apology. I've 211 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 1: met people who walk into a room and they say, Hi, 212 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 1: this is my name, and when they tell you their name, 213 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: you're like, are you sure? Why do I feel like 214 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: you're apologizing to me for you existing? Like that sounds great, 215 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 1: like cool for you. You know. I think it is 216 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 1: much more common than I wish it was. Where I 217 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 1: meet people who feel so um, whether it's that they've 218 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:20,839 Speaker 1: been made to feel shamed by other people or by 219 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: society or by their community, where they just feel like 220 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: they are looking for an outlet, They're looking for representation, 221 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: looking for someone to reflect themselves back to them so 222 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,560 Speaker 1: they feel like they then have permission to be themselves, 223 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:34,559 Speaker 1: which I think is the thing that you're ultimately doing. 224 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 1: Is no one gave you permission. You gave yourself permission, 225 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,319 Speaker 1: and no one will. No one ever gives anybody permission, 226 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 1: you know what I mean. It's like people wait around 227 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 1: their whole lives to be like, when is someone going 228 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:46,440 Speaker 1: to tell me that I can be amazing? It's like, 229 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 1: no one is ever going to do that for you. 230 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,600 Speaker 1: You just gotta do it. So you're already doing that 231 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 1: for yourself. And I think that people probably really react 232 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:56,080 Speaker 1: to that because they're like, you are all of these 233 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:59,319 Speaker 1: things right, You're not just this one dimensional, fake role 234 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 1: model person who's like this is you know, I'm so perfect. 235 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: You should follow me into the dark. You're like here, 236 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:06,280 Speaker 1: I am taking or leave it like you know, cool 237 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:10,440 Speaker 1: vibe and people who feel like they don't have the 238 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:12,959 Speaker 1: space or ability to just be like this is who 239 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: I am. World suck it like must be so inspired 240 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 1: and like shook by the fact that there are people 241 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 1: out there who really can. Yeah, it's always interesting all 242 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 1: these people say it to me, Like to me, I'm 243 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: like I said, I almost feel like it's a bad thing, 244 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: Like I like, I know what you mean. You know 245 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:33,480 Speaker 1: you because everyone says that, and you're like what I 246 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 1: have met in my life. So many people who have 247 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: so much self uh they are insecure about parts of 248 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:43,640 Speaker 1: themselves or have they hold hate inside themselves about themselves, 249 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 1: and so when they see other people not holding that 250 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:49,679 Speaker 1: hate and going I love myself, Like you don't have 251 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:53,959 Speaker 1: to like me, I love me. I think it's sometimes 252 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 1: can be really confrontational in a good way when you're 253 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:58,200 Speaker 1: like cool, there are people who need to see this. 254 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:00,120 Speaker 1: But then for people who don't like to see it 255 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,439 Speaker 1: because they have so much hate and their hard about themselves, 256 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 1: I think it's really painful to look out and into 257 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: the world and see other people being themselves and and 258 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 1: not hating themselves, you know, and not carrying around all 259 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 1: this shame. Yeah. And I think one thing that's really 260 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 1: helped me it was kind of the realization when I 261 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,080 Speaker 1: was just like taking a look around and I was like, Okay, 262 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 1: wait a second, everyone who I think is just the 263 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: beasnees who's like beautiful, skinny, perfect, is actually also very insecure, 264 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:29,120 Speaker 1: oh my god, always like everybody, And that is what 265 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:32,320 Speaker 1: really helped me. I was like, Okay, men who I 266 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 1: thought were the coolest, like they know how to talk, 267 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 1: their confident, I was like, actually, they're insecure, so I 268 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 1: think it's kind of a cool thing. Okay, well so 269 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 1: I'm insecure. We're all insecure, so let's just be insecure. Yes, 270 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 1: but like let's be ourselves because I think, like we 271 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 1: just are so afraid of being a kid, but we 272 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:50,960 Speaker 1: don't realize that everybody is afraid of being that. So 273 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: if we can just see one person actually being themselves again, 274 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: the effect of like helping others. It's like a domino effect, right, 275 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:00,080 Speaker 1: you push it over and then all of us and 276 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 1: everybody else is like, wait, can I do that too? 277 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:06,440 Speaker 1: And you're like, yes, join me, ladies, join usdown. Please 278 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:12,439 Speaker 1: come more on Unfiltered at the JBL podcast after a 279 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: quick break and now back to the show. I do 280 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:33,720 Speaker 1: want to know what's the like pre game ritual, locker 281 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:36,360 Speaker 1: room five. I want to know, like is it music? Like, 282 00:12:36,400 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: what's your how are you in the zone? Paint a 283 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 1: picture with your words, take me on a journey. Yes, 284 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: I like to think of myself as the hype woman. 285 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: I think of myself as the hype woman, Alona. Of 286 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:47,680 Speaker 1: course this is sick five. We can't go to a 287 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,560 Speaker 1: wedding together. We have big wedding energy. Do you know 288 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 1: what I mean? Big wedding energy. I'm always on OX two. 289 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:59,200 Speaker 1: I stay getting into fights with wedding DJs because I'm like, 290 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 1: I know what these people need. We need to have 291 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 1: a conversation about it. Okay, yeah we need some early 292 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: two thousands. Please please play fiance, Thank you so much. Yeah. 293 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: I like to get hyped. I like to think I'm 294 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:12,680 Speaker 1: kind of a mood setter for the team, and I 295 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: think a lot of my teams would agree on that. 296 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 1: One thing I don't do is I don't really have 297 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 1: any superstitions, like, oh, I have to eat a bagel, 298 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: with cream cheese, or like wear the same pair of 299 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 1: socks or something. Yes, I just think, like if I 300 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:29,080 Speaker 1: am banking my play on a pair of socks, that's 301 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: not that's not it. It's not a pair of socks. 302 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:32,559 Speaker 1: What I eat is can change. So I just try 303 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 1: to not have any superstitions like that. I love that 304 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:36,440 Speaker 1: I could eat whatever I want the day of I 305 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:39,360 Speaker 1: could do this, I could wear that whatever. So that's 306 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:40,920 Speaker 1: like main thing. So that's why I try to get 307 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 1: out of my head on game days. I always before 308 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: a game will write in my notebook. I write everything, 309 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: all these things you want to do, and then at 310 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: the end of it, I'm like, just do your job. 311 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 1: If you can just do your job, you'll be fine 312 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: out there. And then I lead us out into the tunnel. 313 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 1: That's something I really love to do. And then I 314 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 1: like to just set the vibes very uplifting because there's 315 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 1: some people in my team we just like to sit. 316 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:03,559 Speaker 1: They don't say a word, they just put their headphones 317 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 1: on and so like I let them do their thing. 318 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 1: But there's some people who want another person to hype 319 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 1: them up and play the song. So I'm like constantly 320 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 1: on my phone, like what what do we need? What 321 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:13,200 Speaker 1: tea paying song do they want to hear? Now? You know? 322 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 1: And then I just go out there and it's a 323 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:16,960 Speaker 1: very short game, four two minute games, so you just 324 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 1: gotta be on doing your job fourteen minutes. And then 325 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:22,040 Speaker 1: you come out and you you gotta relax, you gotta chill. 326 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: Do you feel like I feel this sometimes too when 327 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 1: I'm because if I'm in a good space right and 328 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 1: I'm like cool, I'm going to be the one I'll 329 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,120 Speaker 1: carry this entire fucking team if I need to, Like 330 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: I can have that energy as well on days where 331 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: you don't have that, when you're like maybe heading out 332 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: to do a game and you're like not feeling like 333 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: the twenty five out of ten Alona is ready to 334 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: like take responsibility for the whole team. Do you find 335 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: that you still can like flip a switch and be 336 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 1: there for other people and it kind of takes you 337 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 1: out of it, or do you find that you're sort 338 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 1: of like, I'm actually gonna take a back seat, Like 339 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 1: how do you show up for not only yourself but 340 00:14:56,960 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 1: your team in this role when you're like not having 341 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: your best day. I will say I think I take 342 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,920 Speaker 1: a back seat at time just because I feel emotions 343 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 1: very outwardly. I would say, like if I'm sad, I'll 344 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 1: show it outwardly. If I'm angry, I'll show it, And 345 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:14,640 Speaker 1: like that's wing I want to get better at. Like 346 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: if I've had a bad game before, i might even 347 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 1: show it before the pregame and I'll be like changing up. 348 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: So like that's even like I need to work on. 349 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 1: But like there have been times when I do take 350 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 1: a back seat. But what I'm trying to get better 351 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 1: at and it's constantly getting better, is like, Okay, flush it. 352 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:31,800 Speaker 1: That's happened in the past. You need to bring it 353 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: up whichever way it is. But I am somebody who 354 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 1: feels things very deeply, and I'll show it very deeply. 355 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,400 Speaker 1: So if I'm not feeling it, I can't fake things. 356 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: I can't fake I'm feeling. I think it's definitely hard, 357 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: and I don't think I'm that good at it. I 358 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 1: think I want to get better at it. So it's 359 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 1: like it's very hard for me at times to take 360 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:50,080 Speaker 1: a back seat because like I can take a back 361 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:51,720 Speaker 1: seat and somebody else can be on oxen trying to 362 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:53,520 Speaker 1: pump everyone, but I don't know, I feel fully pumped 363 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: me up. I think it's really I'm the one who 364 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 1: gets myself like I'm the one who does all this, 365 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 1: and that's something you know, I gotta work with and 366 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 1: I've got to be able to Okay, you know what, 367 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 1: you're down, Like you're sad about losing your sad about 368 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 1: how you played. Like you hear those emotions, you know it. 369 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 1: But what it's the action that you're going to take 370 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: to fix that. Because we can have all the bad 371 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 1: thoughts in the world, but it's like, what are we 372 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 1: going to do about it action wise? And how much 373 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 1: like you know, you said, like cool, if we're winning, 374 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 1: obviously I'm buying shots, like it's a different of course 375 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 1: we're going for it, But like, how much does winning 376 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 1: really mean to you? Is the competition like a huge 377 00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 1: part of what drives you or is it just about 378 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 1: the time you're on the field and and the life 379 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 1: and the community. Winning drives me because winning means funding 380 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 1: for my team, and winning means that we can continue 381 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: doing what we want to do. I would love to 382 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 1: be just playing rugby. Doesn't even care if I win 383 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: or lose, if we could still keep playing rugby, but 384 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: winning means that other young girls can come in and 385 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: have this. Other young girls can be professional athletes one day, 386 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 1: professional rugby players one day. So winning means so much 387 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: more to me, And I think I for sure understand 388 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 1: that because like for me, I've taken on this role 389 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,000 Speaker 1: of trying to grow rugby in the US, trying to 390 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,679 Speaker 1: grow rugby get other girls into it. So like winning 391 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: is deeper to me. When we didn't win the World Cup, 392 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 1: we didn't met in the World Cup, like that was 393 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:12,080 Speaker 1: deeper because like I want us to win to get 394 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: this funding so that we can continue having this program, 395 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,520 Speaker 1: continue to get girls in. So it's deeper for me 396 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:21,160 Speaker 1: than just win or lose, Yeah, which I think makes 397 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:23,760 Speaker 1: it more meaningful than when you do win because you're 398 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 1: like you're fighting for something more. Maybe that's like something 399 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 1: that is really meaningful as far as in sports in competition, 400 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 1: Like if it was all just you know, actually just 401 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:34,199 Speaker 1: a big game, it's like in the end, you're like 402 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,920 Speaker 1: it's a game, really, Like, yes, you have to want 403 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:40,240 Speaker 1: to play for something more. It sounds like I think 404 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:43,960 Speaker 1: your motivations are so strong because it's about servicing other 405 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,480 Speaker 1: young women, you know, it's about yeah, providing space and 406 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 1: community for this thing that you love so much and 407 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:50,919 Speaker 1: it's growing and you want to help grow it. So 408 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,919 Speaker 1: that's incredible. Yeah, it's a game, but like to me, 409 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 1: it's so much more and it's my life, it's my passion. 410 00:17:57,359 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 1: So yeah, it's okay if you win or lose. No, 411 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:01,479 Speaker 1: I want to win. I want to win because it 412 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:04,720 Speaker 1: means a lot. Hell yeah it does. Okay, So pre 413 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: warm up, you're on the ox. What's your favorite music? 414 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 1: You know, I care of music, that's my thing. What's 415 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 1: your vibe before game? Let me look at my quick 416 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:17,360 Speaker 1: tourney playlist? So then, oh yeah, tourney playlist. I want 417 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:20,400 Speaker 1: the tourney playlist. I'm gonna make you texats to me. Okay, okay, Well, 418 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,159 Speaker 1: I personally love it old some old songs, you know, 419 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: I'm an oldies girl. Yes, nothing will get me more 420 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:28,960 Speaker 1: hyped than that, to be honest, I got on here. 421 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:31,880 Speaker 1: How will I know? Winny Houston excellent, excellent choice. Why 422 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,399 Speaker 1: I don't know? Waiting for tonight? Jennifer Lopez. I love 423 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 1: Jennifer Lopez. I love Jennifer Lopez. I love with all 424 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:39,840 Speaker 1: my heart Helona. Should we go to a j Loo concert? Yeah? 425 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:42,399 Speaker 1: Have you been to a Jlo concert? I haven't, but 426 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:46,399 Speaker 1: she liked my post recently. But if you're listening, you 427 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 1: can't see us. But we are a silent because we 428 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:51,720 Speaker 1: are speechless because j Lo liked your post. What was 429 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: the post? Well, in the Olympics, I said she was 430 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 1: like my number one, and so she started like following 431 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: me and like, I've never been happier in my life. 432 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:02,359 Speaker 1: I think she's so talented. I'm squealing for you. Everything 433 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:05,720 Speaker 1: she does. Jlo melted my face off when I saw 434 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:09,159 Speaker 1: her live. A performer and actress, a singer, she literally 435 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: fucking does it all. Dancer, mom entrepreneur, you know what 436 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: doesn't she do? But yeah, if there's a j Lo 437 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:19,199 Speaker 1: concert coming up, let's do it. Okay, I'm putting this 438 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:22,680 Speaker 1: in our cow Okay, perfect, I got fire burning, John 439 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 1: Kinson hot in here, Nelly that always gets me hyped. 440 00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 1: Hot In here, I feel I can see the team 441 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:30,480 Speaker 1: getting really jacked hot. And here is a team song, 442 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:33,840 Speaker 1: Yes it really is. Let's get loud again, j Loo. Nice, 443 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: Let's get loud as a good one. Um, what do 444 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:40,040 Speaker 1: I got? I got promiscuous? Oh damn, I have the 445 00:19:40,119 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 1: thong song on here. I don't really know what, Yes, 446 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:45,640 Speaker 1: I know why that song goes um, this is how 447 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: we do it. Nice work it, Miss Elliott, push it. Okay, 448 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: I'm gonna need this playlist. This is a good playlist. 449 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:54,639 Speaker 1: This is to send it to you. It's really just 450 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: like whatever I want to listen to. And then I 451 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 1: have a teammate who only likes listening to Drake. So like, 452 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:00,880 Speaker 1: after I've gotten in all of my hits, She's like, hey, 453 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 1: can we turn on any Drake song? I'm like, yeah, literally, 454 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 1: any Drake song? Cool? Okay, Okay, I gotta I got it. 455 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:09,359 Speaker 1: But I do take pride in being the vibe master. 456 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:12,320 Speaker 1: It's a tough job, but I do it. You sound 457 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:13,720 Speaker 1: like you were born for it. I think this is 458 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 1: something we share. I like to be a vibe master 459 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 1: as well. I do. I love this energy and us. 460 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 1: I had a dream that if music failed me, I 461 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 1: would start a business where I became like basically vibe 462 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: master of weddings because I love weddings. I love love. 463 00:20:26,119 --> 00:20:28,000 Speaker 1: I love It's like the best day of everybody's life. 464 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 1: And then just like I love bringing the energy to 465 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 1: a wedding, any wedding I go to, like I get 466 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:33,400 Speaker 1: the dance floor going, you know what I mean? It's 467 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:37,600 Speaker 1: like very I think we share this energy. Yeah, you 468 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:39,199 Speaker 1: saw me at the League of their Own premiere. You 469 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:41,400 Speaker 1: saw me tear it up that dance floor. I saw you. 470 00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 1: I was like, there wasn't even a dance floor, flos, 471 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:47,240 Speaker 1: it was just a patch of like artificial grass right 472 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:50,720 Speaker 1: in front made it a dance floor. She made it 473 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 1: there with like one other one other person. It was 474 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:55,080 Speaker 1: just my best friend Sarah and I were like, this 475 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 1: is gonna be this is our night. We're dancing tonight. 476 00:20:56,880 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 1: Everybody else was like mingling and being professional and I 477 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 1: was like sweating and burning a thousand calories on the dance. Yes, 478 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 1: do it my thing. I love that. I need to 479 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:06,399 Speaker 1: do that more as well. And I think again, people 480 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:08,840 Speaker 1: just want somebody to get it started, somebody who will 481 00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 1: get out there and do it. Yeah, Okay. The thing 482 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,800 Speaker 1: that I really want to know, honestly is what is 483 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: like the thing that you could say is one of 484 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:20,280 Speaker 1: the number one things that helped you find the contentment 485 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 1: and who you are, the ability to be that sort 486 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 1: of like this is who I am. I'm really comfortable 487 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:26,760 Speaker 1: like and to be twenty six and already be like 488 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: so authentic and know yourself so well, like, how did 489 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:31,399 Speaker 1: you get there? How did you find this place that 490 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:33,639 Speaker 1: you're in right now? I think it's been a combo 491 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 1: thanks for sure. The rugby, like kind of all the 492 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:38,199 Speaker 1: things that I'm saying, like the rugby just being so 493 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:40,480 Speaker 1: accepting of you as a person, as your body type, 494 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:43,359 Speaker 1: as a person, my family for sure, like I have 495 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:46,920 Speaker 1: such amazing sports as my two sisters, my mom, my dad, 496 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:50,200 Speaker 1: you know, being who I am here and then my 497 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:54,120 Speaker 1: team environment as well, for my USA team has really 498 00:21:54,119 --> 00:21:56,880 Speaker 1: helped me out. And I think the number one thing 499 00:21:57,040 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 1: is just realizing, like everyone is so unique, it's so different, 500 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:03,600 Speaker 1: and this world would be such a boring place if 501 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,879 Speaker 1: we were all the same. And I want other people 502 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:09,199 Speaker 1: to feel so confident to be themselves, so even if 503 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:12,000 Speaker 1: that means I have to. I have so many awkward situations. 504 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: I get in, I say weird stuff, I do the 505 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:18,920 Speaker 1: wrong things. But out here being silly geese, just just 506 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:22,480 Speaker 1: a silly goose sometimes quirky, quirky you might call it, 507 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 1: but like to me, everyone is insecure and uncomfortable sometimes 508 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:30,240 Speaker 1: and like I am so much, but I'm like fuck it, yeah, okay, 509 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 1: I'm gonna be that way. But I'm gonna be myself 510 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:35,520 Speaker 1: in that way, and I'm gonna own up that I'm 511 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: loud and I say weird stuff sometimes and I love 512 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:40,560 Speaker 1: to do this and I love to watch this. So 513 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:43,639 Speaker 1: that's what's really helped me, is to like take a 514 00:22:43,680 --> 00:22:46,760 Speaker 1: look around and see that everyone is on the same boat, 515 00:22:47,119 --> 00:22:49,280 Speaker 1: and like if someone can just take a step out, 516 00:22:49,359 --> 00:22:52,480 Speaker 1: I think it helps a lot because I've seen people 517 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 1: who did that and how it's helped me, and I 518 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:56,600 Speaker 1: know I can help others. That's my last question for you, 519 00:22:56,760 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 1: is like a piece of advice for people who are 520 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:01,680 Speaker 1: trying to find themselves and live into themselves a little 521 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: bit more comfortably, like let go of any shame and 522 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:07,679 Speaker 1: fear about being themselves. Like what is your advice, especially 523 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:09,400 Speaker 1: the young woman, because it sounds like that's who you're 524 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 1: really trying to affected and create a safer space for 525 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:18,120 Speaker 1: in the world. Yeah, I think, like, really understand how 526 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 1: perfect you are and how everything that you are is 527 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:28,439 Speaker 1: like exactly how it's supposed to be because we're all different, 528 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 1: we're all unique. And again, I see this all the time. 529 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 1: It would be so boring if you're all the same, 530 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 1: it would be so so boring. And yeah, a lot 531 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:37,640 Speaker 1: of people are gonna like you. That's something I'm really 532 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:41,159 Speaker 1: trying to figure out because I want everybody to like me. 533 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 1: I would love it if I was everyone's favorite person, 534 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 1: but that's not the case, and that's just not going 535 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 1: to happen because I don't like everybody, So why am 536 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:53,119 Speaker 1: I gonna expect and like me? Yeah that's a good point. 537 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:56,320 Speaker 1: So not everyone's gonna like you, but again, you're not 538 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:59,680 Speaker 1: for everybody, and really just yourself and the freeness that 539 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:02,359 Speaker 1: you can feel when you start just appreciating the little 540 00:24:02,400 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 1: things about yourself and like appreciating what your body can 541 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:08,119 Speaker 1: do for you. That's the main thing I say, is like, 542 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:10,280 Speaker 1: you're not gonna love your body all the time, but 543 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 1: if you can appreciate what it does for you, like, okay, 544 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 1: well it's still wakes me up with the morning, it 545 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:17,119 Speaker 1: still takes me on walks and still plays rugby for me, 546 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:20,640 Speaker 1: So I don't know. I mean, it's so freeing and 547 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:23,200 Speaker 1: everyone wants to be themselves. That's the thing. Everyone would 548 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 1: love to be unapologelzic to themselves. So if you can 549 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:28,399 Speaker 1: just step out and be yourself, yeah, not like that, 550 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:30,399 Speaker 1: they're gonna vibe with it. But you've stepped out and 551 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:32,760 Speaker 1: you've done something so many people couldn't do well, and 552 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 1: the people who do, like, sure, some people might not, 553 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:38,919 Speaker 1: but the people who do see you and vibe with 554 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 1: you in your truest self are going to feel ten 555 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:46,760 Speaker 1: times more seen, ten times more represented, ten times more 556 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:49,159 Speaker 1: connected to you, which is like, especially for someone like 557 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:51,879 Speaker 1: you who really just values community and and you know, 558 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:53,679 Speaker 1: your favorite part about rugby is like the people you 559 00:24:53,680 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 1: get to meet along the way. It's like that, it's 560 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: so important and I think such a statement to live by. 561 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 1: So I'm so inspired and grateful for your time. I 562 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:04,199 Speaker 1: could literally let's go to Jlo. Okay, all right, you 563 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:07,359 Speaker 1: let me know out my arm you're twisting it. Fine, 564 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 1: I guess I'll be there. Wait. Thank you so much 565 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 1: for being yourself. Well, thank you. I want to thank 566 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:19,800 Speaker 1: Alonama again for joining me today. Talk about being at 567 00:25:19,800 --> 00:25:21,800 Speaker 1: the top of your game and man on man do 568 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:24,080 Speaker 1: we have so many plans coming up now. I'm gonna 569 00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:26,399 Speaker 1: get this playlist going in the gym. We're gonna go 570 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:28,399 Speaker 1: to Jennifer Lopez. You had it here first, Jolo, if 571 00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:31,920 Speaker 1: you're listening, that's it for today's episode. But joined me again. 572 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:34,639 Speaker 1: Next week. We have a very special guest plan for 573 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:37,000 Speaker 1: our final episode, so you won't want to miss it 574 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:39,399 Speaker 1: and don't forget to share thoughts with me on social 575 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:41,720 Speaker 1: or leave a rating and review for the podcast. Wherever 576 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 1: you're listening, you can always find me on Instagram and 577 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:46,639 Speaker 1: Twitter at Betty Who, and on TikTok and YouTube at 578 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:50,560 Speaker 1: Betty Who Music. Catch you next time Unfiltered. The JBL 579 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 1: podcast is produced by I Heart Radio and partnership with 580 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 1: j b L. Our show is hosted by me Betty Who. 581 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 1: Our executive producer is Molly soshe ep of post production 582 00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:02,600 Speaker 1: is Matt Stillo. Editor is Sierra Spreen. This episode was 583 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:05,320 Speaker 1: written and produced by Sierra Kaiser. Special thanks to our 584 00:26:05,320 --> 00:26:09,720 Speaker 1: friends at jb L Initiative and Donna M.