Kristina Zias Isn't Afraid To Ask For Help

Summary

Brutally Anna: Kristina Zias Isn't Afraid To Ask For Help

Episode Release Date: May 13, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Brutally Anna, host Anna Kai engages in a heartfelt and insightful conversation with the renowned fashion and lifestyle blogger, Christina Zias. Known for her body positivity advocacy and influential presence on platforms like the Drew Barrymore Show and People magazine, Christina opens up about her personal and professional journeys, revealing the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her into the confident woman she is today.

Background: The Journey of Christina Zias

Christina Zias, the founder of the blog Ms. Zias, began her journey in 2011, navigating the tumultuous waters of the blogging world despite facing criticism and doubts. Over the years, her authentic voice and vulnerability in discussing body confidence resonated with a wide audience, propelling her into the spotlight and establishing her as a prominent figure in the digital space.

"I've been creating content for maybe eight years without making a single penny. I just love doing it." [04:39]

Identity and Content Evolution

Despite her early success, Christina finds herself grappling with an identity crisis. With two young children and a recent cross-country move, she questions the direction of her content and seeks to evolve beyond the body positivity messages that initially garnered her acclaim.

"I don't necessarily feel like every post needs to be a body positive post because now I feel confident." [05:26]

Christina expresses a desire to explore new facets of her identity, such as motherhood and her roles as a wife and woman, without solely focusing on her physical appearance. This internal conflict highlights the ever-changing landscape of personal branding and the need for creators to adapt and grow.

Fitness Journey: Embracing New Challenges

In an inspiring shift, Christina shares her foray into fitness, training for a triathlon as a means to reclaim her physical and mental well-being postpartum. Her journey is a testament to overcoming self-doubt and embracing challenges with a "delusional confidence."

"I have delusional confidence. Why not? I just knew I was gonna finish." [07:56]

Through her training, Christina discovers the importance of solo time and the mental clarity that comes from physical activity. This endeavor not only strengthens her body but also reinforces her commitment to self-love and resilience.

Personal Life and Marriage: A Partnership of Adventure

Christina delves into her relationship with her husband, Steve, whom she met at the Jersey Shore. Their shared adventurous spirit led them to make significant life changes together, including relocating to Los Angeles and later moving back to New Jersey. Steve's unwavering support and shared responsibilities in parenting create a balanced and harmonious household.

"He can just calm all the negative noise in my head. He just eases that." [36:21]

Their partnership exemplifies mutual support and the importance of having a "partner in crime" to navigate life's uncertainties and ambitions.

Cultural Influences and Challenges: Navigating Identity

Growing up in a predominantly Asian community in Edison, New Jersey, Christina, a Greek-American, discusses the cultural pressures and expectations instilled by her immigrant parents. The emphasis on persistence and the legacy of her family's sacrifices influence her drive for success and the need to honor her heritage.

"I think there's a responsibility to make them proud." [42:25]

Addressing the challenges of cultural ignorance, Christina recounts instances where her ethnicity was mistakenly identified, highlighting the ongoing struggle for recognition and understanding in diverse settings.

The Fig Tree Story: Spiritual Signs and Homecoming

A poignant moment in the episode is Christina's recounting of the enigmatic fig tree at their New Jersey home. The fig tree serves as a spiritual sign from Steve's late father, guiding them to their dream home and symbolizing a connection beyond the physical realm.

"It's like, sometimes you just have to lean back and relax, literally, and let life do the work for you." [09:22]

This story underscores the theme of intuition and the unseen forces that influence our life choices, reinforcing the idea that trust and openness to signs can lead to meaningful destinations.

Overcoming Rejection: Turning Setbacks into Success

Christina shares a transformative experience of being rejected from a desirable job shortly after college. This rejection, while initially devastating, became a catalyst for her decision to move to Los Angeles and pursue her passion for blogging full-time.

"This was a perfect example of, like, you don't know what you're capable of until you try." [21:28]

Her ability to view rejection as an opportunity for reinvention highlights the resilience required to turn setbacks into stepping stones toward success.

Managing Career and Family: Balancing Chaos and Creativity

Juggling a thriving online persona with motherhood and personal well-being, Christina discusses the importance of structure, outsourcing tasks, and prioritizing self-care. Her honest portrayal of the chaotic yet fulfilling aspects of her life offers valuable insights for listeners striving to find balance.

"I'm investing that time in for me. And it made me realize how important that is." [12:42]

By outsourcing tasks and setting personal boundaries, Christina emphasizes the necessity of self-care and the benefits of delegating responsibilities to maintain mental and emotional health.

Conclusion: Embracing Authenticity and Support

Throughout the episode, Christina Zias exemplifies the strength found in authenticity, the courage to ask for help, and the power of supportive relationships. Her journey from a passionate blogger facing an identity crisis to a confident influencer balancing family and career serves as an inspiration for anyone navigating similar challenges.

"You don't have to say yes to everything. It's okay to prioritize." [25:25]

Notable Quotes

• "I feel like I'm having a little bit of an identity crisis right now." – Christina Zias [03:29]
• "You need to stop waiting and start doing." – Anna Kai [29:28]
• "People are following me because they've enjoyed following my life over the past decade." – Christina Zias [63:45]
• "I have trust in me. I have trust in Steve." – Christina Zias [61:25]

Final Thoughts

This episode of Brutally Anna offers a deep dive into Christina Zias's multifaceted life, exploring themes of identity, resilience, cultural heritage, and the importance of supportive partnerships. Listeners are left with a powerful message about the beauty of embracing life's brutalities and finding truth through honesty and self-love.

Follow Christina Zias

For those inspired by Christina's story, you can follow her journey on her website and across social media platforms to stay updated on her latest content and triathlon training progress.

Transcript

[Christina Zias]

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[Anna Kai]

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[Unknown]

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Welcome to Brutally Anna, a podcast about finding love Losing love and all the things we think about but don't talk about enough. I'm your Anna Kai, AKA maybe both across social media, here to remind you that life can be beautiful even when it's freaking brutal. Thirteen years ago, Christina Zia started her fashion and lifestyle blog, Ms. Zias, ignoring those who called her cringe for doing so. And since then, she's been teaching us that being cringe can lead you to being featured on the Drew Barrymore Show, People magazine and so much more. Here to talk all things body positivity and confidence is the Queen herself, Christina Sias. Thank you so much for being here.

[Christina Zias]

Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited.

[Unknown]

I am so excited. So I have all these questions and I am going to get to some of them, but I really just want to talk to you today because I know you and even if the listeners don't know you, they can go find you at Christinazias. What are you worried about right now? Like, what? Cause I just realized I'm like, everybody's always worried about something. What are you thinking about right now?

[Christina Zias]

I feel like I'm having a little bit of an identity crisis right now. So that keeps me up at night. I've had two kids within the past three years. I've also moved across country, so I just feel like there's so many moving pieces. And I started my website in 2011. Right.

[Unknown]

You are OG. OG blogger.

[Christina Zias]

OG. OG blogger. And the landscape has changed so much. I have changed so much. So I kind of just feel like I'm worried about what's next and not worried in the sense of, like, oh, am I going to be successful? I'm just like, what's going to make me happy? Like, what's the type of content I want to create? Like, who am I serving? Like, I think I'm having a little bit of an identity crisis in that.

[Unknown]

Because so much has changed for you.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, so much has changed for me. And I don't necessarily feel I love talking about body confidence because that to me is so important. But that is kind of like what made me, like, blow up, I guess, or those viral moments.

[Unknown]

That's what gave you the career.

[Christina Zias]

That's what gave me the career. Right. That I was.

[Unknown]

But we change and we need to evolve.

[Christina Zias]

Exactly. I was creating content for maybe eight years without making a single penny.

[Unknown]

Wow.

[Christina Zias]

Without making a single penny. I just love doing it. So I just kept doing it and then finally.

[Unknown]

Did you start off with body positivity or did you start off with fashion? Or what did you fashion. Okay.

[Christina Zias]

I was really struggling being a fashion blogger in my size. And the land has changed, obviously a lot. But back then people would go to like showrooms and pull clothing and I just, I couldn't do that and fit into anything. So that was tough. And then once I started talking about being a little bit more vulnerable and talking about my body and my body confidence is. That is what really drew an audience and then helped me gain some virality, that started making me money. But now I don't necessarily. Excuse me. I don't necessarily feel like every post needs to be a body positive post.

[Unknown]

Right. Because things.

[Christina Zias]

Because now I feel confident.

[Unknown]

Yeah. You're like.

[Christina Zias]

And I don't like necessarily need to talk about my roles or my cellulite.

[Unknown]

You've evolved. You've evolved.

[Christina Zias]

I've evolved. You know what I mean?

[Unknown]

They're still there.

[Christina Zias]

They're still there. It's fine. So I. But for me I'm like, wait. But that's what people have come to me for. So I kind of feel like this pull and I just feel a little lost.

[Unknown]

Do you know what you want to talk about? I guess it's like when you are at the end of the night, like because you have this public facing Persona, but I'm sure you have a private Persona to your husband. Like, what do you wanna talk about? What's interesting to you other than being confident in your own skin?

[Christina Zias]

Well, I do think that being confident in your own skin, I think has so many different verticals. Like, being confident as a mother is important to me. Being confident as a wife, just being confident as a woman doesn't necessarily have to be about my body.

[Unknown]

Maybe it doesn't have to be about your size.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

You recently got into running.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

And you're training for a triathlon. What kind of spurred that? Was it because you were doing a little bit of soul searching and trying to figure out what you like to do outside of being a mom and a content creator and a wife?

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, I think a little bit of everything. I think that one, I felt like I was in the worst shape I've ever been in my life was that postpartum. Postpartum.

[Unknown]

And you did it twice in like the span of what, three years, two and a half?

[Christina Zias]

Well, my kids are two years and one month apart, so yeah. So yeah, I feel like I've been postpartum for like three years, four years now. So I think it was a little bit of that. I was like, I feel like I want to get back into Fitness. I used to be obsessed with working out. And then I just kind of life took over and I lost that. And then honestly, my brother was like, hey, I'm going to do this sprint triathlon. Do you want to do it with me? And I was like, yeah, how hard can it be? Like, I just needed a goal. I also have sometimes like, delusional confidence. Like, someone messaged me the other day and they're like, hey, like, would you ever run a marathon? And I'm like, yeah, why not? Why not?

[Unknown]

Why not?

[Christina Zias]

I definitely have that mentality. Why not? So this opportunity presented itself and I was like, you know what? Why not? Like, let me just train for it. I also don't have an ego, so I don't feel like I don't care if I'm not the fastest runner. I honestly don't care if I'm. Well, I maybe do care if I'm like the last person to finish, but I don't need to be the person who has the best swimming time, the best biking time. I'm doing this as a challenge for myself and who I was a year ago or even honestly, the beginning of this year. Who said there's no way I can do this.

[Unknown]

You said that the other day in your stories. You're like, the only person I'm running against is who I was a couple months ago.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah. And I feel like. And I feel so strongly about that.

[Unknown]

That's amazing because a lot of times.

[Christina Zias]

People are like, I can't do that. Like, I'm a slow runner or they're embarrassed. It's like, literally, who cares?

[Unknown]

Well, it's all about your personal best and beating your previous personal best rather than trying to beat someone else's personal best 100%. Cuz like, everyone's in their own lane.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah. And I love it. I love it. Especially the swimming part. It feels so good.

[Unknown]

Really? You like the swimming part?

[Christina Zias]

Oh, my God.

[Unknown]

I can't swim for shit. Like, I can barely stay afloat. But I have my scuba diving license, which is like, me too. You do?

[Christina Zias]

Yes.

[Unknown]

Kind of on brand for you. Very off brand for me.

[Christina Zias]

It is a little off brand for.

[Unknown]

You because you love to travel and I am not, like an adventurous person.

[Christina Zias]

Wait, why'd you get Patty certified for a guy, obviously.

[Unknown]

My ex boyfriend was so super into scuba diving. He was into this because we were living in New York and he was like, every other month I want to fly down to like, one of the islands because it's actually really cheap to do so on JetBlue.

[Christina Zias]

If you like, time it right.

[Unknown]

And so, you know, he was really into scuba diving. So I got my padi license. I'm pretty sure I would have to go get, like, a refresher course now, because it's been, like, 10 years since I've gone. But there's this portion of the license where you have to, like, stay afloat for 10 minutes. Do you remember that?

[Christina Zias]

I don't remember part of the test, but, I mean, we had to do a lot of swimming. And. Yeah, I think I do remember that.

[Unknown]

Yeah, you have to stay. You have to tread water or float for 10 minutes. And I did not know how to tread water or float before that Patty. But you know what you were saying about that?

[Christina Zias]

Well, I just have a lot of fat on me, so I'm buoyant. So I could literally lay back and just coast. That's really funny. That would never be a concern. I'd be like, oh, I am good. But, like, Sunboy, like, I don't need.

[Unknown]

Someone can float, but I didn't know how to do it. Most people learn how to do it before they take the test because it costs money to take the test and everything. But you know what you were saying? You're like, I have delusional. Like, you'll figure it out. Like, this is why. You should just figure it. This is why I have my Patty license. I started treading water. You know, the instructor put on the timer, and he's like, okay, for 10 minutes, you guys have to just float, right? Don't die. And so I started treading water, and I was, like, really exhausting. And I was doing it for, like, a minute, and I was like, I can't last another nine minutes. And I just, like, looked around, and other people were tread. Some people are, like, really good at treading water, like, very, like, casually. I'm like, who are these fucking swans? You're, like, going like, I was dying. I was like, yeah, drowning. And I was like, all right, I. I cannot fail this. And I was like, okay, let me just try floating back on my back. And I did it. And I was like, I can float. And I was like, this is so much easier. And I think that's, like, so metaphorical of life. It's like, sometimes you just have to lean back and relax, literally, and let life do the work for you. And then I was like, I could do this for half. And then they were like, 10 minutes is up. It's like, I could go longer. I can go longer. So that's. I can't really? But I. I can't do a breaststroke, but I have my patty license, which, again, that is a flaw in the system there. But it's fine. Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

I will say, like, sometimes I think when I'm like, wow, scuba diving is kind of dangerous.

[Unknown]

It is like, it is my mom, but she was like, anna, what if one of the very. She. Because she was very nervous about me scuba diving. So I think she's very glad that I no longer do it. She's like, you're so small, and there are so many big fish in the sea. What if one of them eats you?

[Christina Zias]

That was her concern.

[Unknown]

That was her concern. It was. I was like, okay, than. Thank you for putting that new fear into my brain. But back to the topic of, like, you know, training for a marathon and just doing. So you're training for a triathlon. What have you learned about yourself since you started running? And you said you're not very fast and it's hard and everything, but, like, I feel like the point of a lot of physical activity, at least for me, is the mental benefits and what I can, like, learn and the epiphanies I can get from, like, you know, pushing through that one mile that I didn't want to push through. So what have you learned?

[Christina Zias]

Well, I think that a lot of times I'm guilty of comparing myself to others, right?

[Unknown]

Oh, my God, Aren't we all? And also, by the way, our career does not help.

[Christina Zias]

Our career is the hardest. Are you kidding? When it comes to.

[Unknown]

There's no way to, like, remove yourself from what everyone else is doing.

[Christina Zias]

Absolutely. And also.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

False. Not exactly. Nothing else needed. So I think that has been the. One of the biggest thing is that I literally don't, like, who cares about anyone else? Like, this is just a solo journey, right. Also, I do think that a lot of times I've been like, oh, I can't do this. I can't. Like, first running. It takes me back to, like, those days in high school where I would try to do everything to get out of gym class because, like, you have to, like, run, like, I don't know, a quarter mile that day. And that was just torture. Like, I was not someone who was in shape to run. I never ran. And now I have to run in front of my entire gym class like, the guy had a crush on. And it just. I think ever since those days, I was like, I can't do this. I cannot run. I'm not a runner. And now I'm like, okay, well, I'm not really Like a runner. But I actually am. Like, I am running right now.

[Unknown]

So I'm a runner. Because you're running.

[Christina Zias]

Because I'm running. Right. Doesn't matter how fast I am or my form. And there's things I have to work on. But I think that it has just stopped me from saying, like, I can't do something. And then also just my days are chaotic, honestly, with my work and my kids. And I feel like that is the moment, that half hour of running in the morning, that is for me. That is just for me. That's when I can like, forget about my family, I can forget about work. Like, I am just investing that time in for me. And it made me realize how important that is. And that in order for me to be happy and fulfilled, like, I need to continue, like giving myself that solo time.

[Unknown]

Because if you're always pouring out, I mean, you're not pouring back into your own cup. It's like, you know, you. You're empty.

[Christina Zias]

Exactly. And you have exhausted. Like.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

That at least fulfills me in a way where first of all, it energizes me physically to start my day like that. And then I'm like, okay, I did this for me. Like, what can. Now I feel like I can serve everyone else a little bit better.

[Unknown]

Yeah. And so I was also the same as you in gym class. I hated gym class. I was always trying to take dance class instead of gym class to fulfill my, like, physical activity requirements. But dance class was like, never at the right time or something.

[Christina Zias]

We never had dance classes in Jersey growing up. Like, what?

[Unknown]

I was in Philly. Outside of Philly. We had dance, but it was like offered only at the times that like, I had to take like an English class or whatever. So we had to do. Because you and I are like around the same age. Did you ever have to do the Presidential Fitness Test? Do you remember that?

[Christina Zias]

No. Wait, it was that level with like push ups, sit ups, like a whole. Yes. Okay. Yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

Did you go to public school?

[Christina Zias]

Yes.

[Unknown]

Okay, so that I'm sure you did then which is this.

[Christina Zias]

Running is probably part of that.

[Unknown]

Yes. You had to do a mile run two times a year. And I was like, yes, that's a mental fitness test. They were like. And I think the thinking was to, like, looked into this because they retired this Presidential fitness test in 2013. Obviously the year I graduated college, I was like, thanks. You're no longer subjecting children to like, this, like, horrible physical. I'm like, why are you telling a 10 year old to do Sit ups. The thinking was, who created this presidential fitness test was like, back when they were trying to prepare kids to go to war, like during World War I, I think. And they were like, oh, we want them to be physically fit so that when they get to 18 and they get drafted, they can go to war. I was like, I am not going to war. Okay, so we don't need to do, like, I still can't do a pull up, but.

[Christina Zias]

Oh, my gosh, the pull ups and the ropes. The pull. No, I'm sorry. Like, pull ups are the most challenging thing I've ever had to do in my entire life. I've never been successful at it, ever.

[Unknown]

I think that's why women are so. Because I think women in general not, you know, obviously there's women that have killer upper body strength, but I think women in general, like, just like, are not as into, like, the upper body strength. I think that's why, like, we're so into, like, arms. Like, I feel like a lot of women are into, like, sexy arms on men.

[Christina Zias]

Maybe that's why. Yes, yes, yes. We also. That's so funny that you said that is why they do that, because I'm on the Chinese kindergarten algorithm. Have you seen those videos?

[Unknown]

No. What is.

[Christina Zias]

You're gonna see them now.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Christina Zias]

You don't. What's going on in China in these kindergarten classes is insane. Like, these kids are professional athletes. The way they are dribbling the basketballs. These are. You have to watch these videos.

[Unknown]

I'm dying. This is absurd. Why are you on this algorithm?

[Christina Zias]

I don't know how it came up. I think it's Chinese kindergarten. I don't know how I'm.

[Unknown]

Was it in English?

[Christina Zias]

Yes. It's just video.

[Unknown]

It was just video. So is there any, like, audio or is anybody speak.

[Christina Zias]

It's just literally, mostly it's probably like, we're fucked here in America. Look at kindergartners in China. That is what it's about, okay? And it is wild. Like, these kids are professional athletes. You have to see it.

[Unknown]

Okay? Everyone talk about taking somebody's highlight reel and like, you know, you don't like. But also, like, coming. Because I'm Chinese, like, coming from a background where, like, there is, you know, there's a Cause that's hilarious, first of all. But also, like, that kid is probably has no life like that kids are probably like. Or what they're doing is. There's a billion people in China. They're taking like the, you know, 500 proteges there are and putting it on video. Because, you know, there's always these kids that are like, oddly good at everything. So it's like, okay, you're a protege. Or like the kids who, like, learn how to do calculus before, like, years old.

[Christina Zias]

These are classes of like 30 kids all dribbling at the same time in uniform. I think. I think we came.

[Unknown]

Yeah, it's fine.

[Christina Zias]

You know what? I'm in a group chat with, like 10 of my best friends from college, and three of them are educators, and one went to teach abroad in China for a little bit. And I think that's probably how this conversation came up. Someone's like, have you seen kindergartners in China? So anyways.

[Unknown]

But it is, you know what it is? There's also a cultural thing too, where it's like, Asian culture is very focused on discipline. And I think that is, like, instilled at a very young age. So it's a lot. Whereas, like, I think American culture is more focused on creativity and, like, letting just kids be who they are to an extent. But yeah, that is. That is a perfect example of, like, you know what? Don't compare yourself to the Chinese kindergartners. You're doing fine.

[Christina Zias]

Thank you.

[Unknown]

But, like, I hated the Presidential Fitness Test and I never could run the mile. And I had an existential crisis when I was like 26 and I was like, I'm gonna sign up for the New York City Marathon.

[Christina Zias]

Oh, my gosh. Have you run it?

[Unknown]

I have. And I'm not athletic. So here's the thing.

[Christina Zias]

Okay. This is motivating.

[Unknown]

Yes. Okay. I am. Could never do the mile run. And every time. And I did do it because we had to. I think my average pace was like a. Somewhere between a 13 to 15 minute mile, which is basically walking fast.

[Christina Zias]

Walking. It's fast. My mom can walk through like a TJ Maxx way faster than that. My mom's like an 8 minute TJ Maxx sprinter.

[Unknown]

Like, that's what you have to get. You just gotta get some, like, weird TJ Maxx caramel popcorn at the end and then you'll go for it, you know? But I think so. I was like, I'm just going to sign because it was the age, like, all my girlfriends were signing up for, like, marathons and everything. I was like, I'm just going to try. I signed up for the New York City Marathon. I was like, if I get in via the lottery, I will run it. And I did.

[Christina Zias]

How long did it take you to train for that?

[Unknown]

So that's the funny part. I started training. I was like, I got in, I think in February and the marathon's in November. I was like, I have so much time, you know, I'm going to train. I'm going to. So I started training and I didn't really have a plan. It was just like, I'm just gonna run a shit ton and just hope for the best. So it started off, you know, three miles, then five miles, then eight. And then I had run half marathons before, but half marathons are very different than a full marathon. And so I was like, I know I can run a half. And I think I started running just way too much too soon. And I also was, like, really bad about warming up stretch. So I then injured my foot. I got like a tiny fracture in my foot from, like, overuse. I don't know. So this was, I think May. And my podiatrist was like, stop running. Basically. You just. You just can't run. And I was like, okay, cool. So I'll just stop running and then hope for the best. And I didn't know it was. But it was like, far enough from the marathon that I was like, okay, we still have time to heal and then start training again. And then come August, September, we're like two months away. Like, I really need to be training. I was like, I feel like I don't have enough time to train the way I want to because, like, my way of approaching everything in life is being over prepared. And I no longer had time to be over prepared. So I went on one 16 mile run from, like, I don't know, the west side to the east side in New York, and I did it. And I was like, we're just gonna hope for the best for the rest of the 10 miles.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, and you did it.

[Unknown]

And I then carb loaded for the whole month of October, November, I just ate a ton of carbs, did a 16 mile run, and just hoped for the best. And I remember my boyfriend at the time took me out to dinner to like, an Italian dinner before the marathon the night before, just to be like, hey, you got this. But also like, what if you don't got this? Because literally you haven't really trained. He's like, I know you've run 16 miles, but you do realize that the marathon's 26.2. Like, there's an extra 10.2 miles in there. And he was like, what if you don't finish? And I don't know where the hell this delusional self confidence came from, because I. I typically Am not like this. But I was like, I will finish. I just knew. I just knew I was gonna finish and I did. And I not only finished, but I finished at 3. 59. So under four hours at an average of 8. 59, which was insane. And that was a skill that I had no idea was in me until I tried that. It was stupid. I don't suggest anybody else not train for a marathon and show up hoping for the best. But that is a perfect example of, like, you don't know what you're capable of until you try. We all have these hidden talents that we don't know. And like, if you just say to yourself, like, oh, I couldn't even run a mile in high school. Who am I to you?

[Christina Zias]

Don't know.

[Unknown]

You might get to this triathlon and like, own it, you know?

[Christina Zias]

It's like, no, I do feel like I can.

[Unknown]

Yeah. Yeah, you should, because trust me, I was like the smart kid that was.

[Christina Zias]

More carbs. Wait.

[Unknown]

Actually, I don't know if there's any science in this, but just like eat as much fucking pasta and bread as you can the month before. And I swear that.

[Christina Zias]

No, I actually feel like I'm not eating any carbs.

[Unknown]

And you're training for a triathlon.

[Christina Zias]

Yes. I feel like I'm on a very protein heavy diet, which is fine, but like, I should probably eat more carbs.

[Unknown]

I.

[Christina Zias]

It's. My brain is turning right now. I'm like, I need to look up diets.

[Unknown]

I'm not a nutritionist. I cannot speak. So if this is totally wrong, forgive me, but I just heard from somewhere that like, when you do, you know, like cardio, you.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, people carbo load like the day before.

[Unknown]

But I was like, I couldn't train the way I wanted to, so I'm in a carb load like nobody else will. You know, you gotta be extra.

[Christina Zias]

There's like this pen Dewak I've been dying to try and take.

[Unknown]

Give yourself permission, right?

[Christina Zias]

Oh my gosh, that's funny.

[Unknown]

Every day, all day. So that's really cool. I mean, I think it's so. It's inspiring for me to look at you because I struggle with so many of my daily activities in my life and my career. And then I think about you and I'm like, you have these problems and you do it with two fucking kids. How. How do you manage it? I know it's like you figure it out. But like, do you like, is there any structure to your day or do you just throw three sheets to the wind and Say hey.

[Christina Zias]

I'm not gonna lie. Like I, I throw three sheets to the wind and say, hey. I do try to have some structure, right? Like for instance, I'll try and get my workout done in the morning. I'll set my alarm for 5:30 and I try to get up and do a workout before the kids wake up. Because I know otherwise, like the day is just so hard to get that done where before I used to. I'm just like an early riser. I like waking up early. I feel like that's the opposite of you.

[Unknown]

Are you to bed early then too?

[Christina Zias]

Not as early as I should be.

[Unknown]

You just don't sleep.

[Christina Zias]

I don't sleep as much as I should. Yeah, I definitely don't. I definitely get that from my mom. My mom has not slept in 30 years. Like it is wild. Like that woman has an insane amount of energy.

[Unknown]

Jealous. I am not like that. I need like seven to half function and really eight.

[Christina Zias]

That's the. I can. So I can function on less sleep I think is a gift that I have. But I am more creative in the morning and I just, that is when I work the best. So before I had kids I would get up at like 5:30 and that's when my day would start working. Like I just love that morning hour. And now unfortunately I have to choose working out or working during that time. And I end up choosing working out because I'm like, I need that for my mental and physical health.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Christina Zias]

So then the rest of the day is kind of chaotic. My partner is super involved. He's as much of a parent as I am. So I think that makes it a little bit easier. I feel like a lot of moms are just everything falls on them. And I do feel like I'm still default parent. Everything just falls on you. There's like a mental.

[Unknown]

You're still the woman as a mom.

[Christina Zias]

That like men just will never experience for sure. I'm like, have you even thought about camps for the kids? Like that thought has never crossed your mind. I was like, I signed them up to two already.

[Unknown]

You know, men are not like super big forward thinkers. I feel like my husband's very in the moment, which is good because I need the reminder to be in the moment. But it's like, okay, we need to plan for the future because then the future is going to get here and be like, oh, all the camps are full.

[Christina Zias]

Right? Exactly. So a lot of that takes place. But I also just feel like I am kind of someone who can thrive a little bit in the chaos. I've always been like that. So I think it helps me with kids being like, okay, it's fine. Like, it doesn't always. It can be messy. It's just messy. And that's how it is. I'm like, in this stage of life, and I've talked to so many of my friends who are like this, and maybe their lives are a little bit easier because they're more structured, and they have more structured careers where they have to show up at a certain time. I think that's what makes this job a little bit more challenging, is that so much weight falls on you because you're your own boss. You have the time management. All falls on you, as well as the creative everything.

[Unknown]

No one to blame but yourself. You don't get something done right.

[Christina Zias]

However, I feel, like, so lucky and so blessed that I'm like, okay, like, I can do things later on, or, like, it can be pushed to tomorrow. And then just every day, it's, like, prioritizing, like, what's most important, whether that's. Like, yesterday, I was like, I have so much work I have to do. I really want to work. But I was like, you know what? Like, I really, like, I volunteered at my son's school to be celebrity chef. I'm like, to me, this is more important today than, like, editing this video.

[Unknown]

And by the way, you're gonna remember being a celebrity chef at your son's school forever versus you're. You're gonna edit the video. Eventually you won't remember that.

[Christina Zias]

And also, for the first time in my life, I started outsourcing.

[Unknown]

Really?

[Christina Zias]

I was like, wow, I needed this.

[Unknown]

How? Like, do you have an assistant?

[Christina Zias]

I have an editor. Oh, you have an editor? I have a video editor that I was like. And she doesn't help me with every single video, but she's someone who I will be like, hey, can you edit this video for me?

[Unknown]

For your short form or for your podcast?

[Christina Zias]

Short form. Both.

[Unknown]

Oh, okay. Amazing.

[Christina Zias]

So I started outsourcing. I was like, I can't. I literally can't do this anymore. Everything's falling through the cracks. And I was like, wait, like, I don't have to do it all. There's people who can help you. Or, for instance, like, I put up shoppable posts, and I have someone who helps me make them.

[Unknown]

Oh, that's awesome.

[Christina Zias]

So I will send voice notes and be like, hey, I love this outfit. This outfit. This outfit from Abercrombie. There's a sale going on. Can you put it into a canva board for me, and then I'll link it where before, like, that would take me an hour to do. So being able to send that voice note has really helped me.

[Unknown]

That's amazing, you know, And I think it's okay to ask for help. I think as women, we are always taught, like, we have to do it all on our own. So it's great that you figured out, like, that balance.

[Christina Zias]

Also, I moved back to New Jersey where my family is, and that has helped me, like, honestly.

[Unknown]

Was that a big reason why you wanted to move back?

[Christina Zias]

Yeah. I mean, I freaking love my neighborhood. I feel like I literally could have chosen the better place in New Jersey to move.

[Unknown]

You, like, live on a lake or a pond?

[Christina Zias]

I live on a river.

[Unknown]

It's beautiful and stunning. Ducks and swans.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, it's. It's really magical. But the thing is, like, I was like, I need my mom. I. I need help. Like, so that was. I'm okay with asking for help.

[Unknown]

So you recently made a very, very big move, as we talked about, from LA to New Jersey. You were in LA for how long?

[Christina Zias]

12 years.

[Unknown]

Did you meet your husband Steve out there?

[Christina Zias]

No, I actually met him down the Jersey Shore, which is ironic because that's where we live now. And then we were dating for a year and a half, and I was just, like, in my early 20s being like, what the hell am I doing with my life?

[Unknown]

Did you meet him, like, out on the Jersey Shore?

[Christina Zias]

I was working as a cocktail waitress. And it's so funny because he.

[Unknown]

How old were you?

[Christina Zias]

I was 22.

[Unknown]

And how old was he?

[Christina Zias]

He was 27.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Christina Zias]

And he doesn't drink. He doesn't really party. And he was at home watching the movie yes Man. And his friend kept calling him, being like, do you want to come out to dinner? You want to come out to dinner? He's like, no, no. And he was watching this movie. He's obsessed with Jim Carrey. He's like, you know what? Let me just go. And he went out to dinner with his best friend, his best friend's dad, and his best friend's dad's friend.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Christina Zias]

And while they were leaving, they happened to know someone who was throwing a private party upstairs, and that's where I was working.

[Unknown]

You were working the private party?

[Christina Zias]

I was working a private party, yeah.

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[Christina Zias]

And he, yeah, we just like locked eyes and he approached me and we dated and had kind of like a whirlwind romance.

[Unknown]

Did he ask you out right away? Like, did he start chatting up?

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, he did. I honestly remember the first thing he said. I was like, oh, this is a weird pickup line. He's like, how tall are you? And I'm like, that was this. That was the first thing he said to me.

[Unknown]

That's actually such a green flag, though, because it was like, it's like, I don't know, it's like a very cute, like, opening. It's almost like, I, I think it's like a red flag when men are too smooth with the opening lines.

[Christina Zias]

It's Almost like. But you know what? I remember it was funny to me because I was like, okay. But I was thinking, how tall is he? Because he's really tall.

[Unknown]

He's really tall.

[Christina Zias]

He's really tall. And I remember being like, oh, he's like really tall. And like thinking that was sexy, you.

[Unknown]

Know, because how tall are you?

[Christina Zias]

I'm 510 and I was wearing heels, so I was probably like 6:1, 6:2. So he was probably like, damn, this girl is huge. He's like, great. Yeah. So any. He. We started talking, he asked for my phone number, he texts me literally like two minutes after he left and just started making plans.

[Unknown]

I mean, see, that's a perfect example of like why the right man will never leave you wondering, oh, you know he will.

[Christina Zias]

He gives so much. He loves giving relationship advice to my friends too. He's like, trust me, if a guy likes you, you will know. You will know. He's like, even with Ray, who's my podcast host, he would always try and tell her that because she was struggling with these guys who were not giving her the attention that she deserved.

[Unknown]

Right. Or breadcrumbing, you know, they sort of, they're like, oh, you know, it's not a no, but it's not a yes.

[Christina Zias]

Totally. But Steve would be like, he would make all the plans. He would drive from Staten island to New Jersey to pick me up, to drive me to New York City to go on a date to drive me home.

[Unknown]

Oh my God.

[Christina Zias]

And if you know the logistics of the tri state area, that is insane.

[Unknown]

That's like a lot of time in the car for him.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

I mean, if you were in New Jersey and he was in Staten island, to me that's basically a long distance.

[Christina Zias]

I guess it kind of was. Right?

[Unknown]

Because it just takes so much time to navigate the traffic of the tri state area, literally. So that's insane that you. How long did you do that for?

[Christina Zias]

So a year and a half. So we met and we dated for a year and a half. And then I had this weird epiphany. I woke up one morning and I was like, what the fuck am I doing with my life? I'm 23 years old. I was trying to pursue TV hosting and started this blog and I was not successful at either of them. I was working at Nordstrom in my hometown, which is my college job, and I was like, literally, what am I doing with my life? I'm living at my parents house, my mom's doing all my laundry. Like, I didn't want this anymore. And I couldn't move to New York City because it was so close and so expensive. It made no sense. So I was like, I'm going to la. And I. I'm not even kidding. I woke up, I said, I'm going to la. And I told Steve. I was like, I'm moving to la. He's like, what? He used to be, and he used to be an actor and did fitness modeling. So he'd go to LA all the time for work. So he's like, okay. He's like, I'll come with. I was like, really? And he's like, yeah, let's do it. We were out there two weeks later looking for apartments. And then a month later, we went out there two weeks later looking for apartments. He.

[Unknown]

I love that. He was like, I'll just come with. I'll uproot my life too.

[Christina Zias]

He literally was like, okay. He's like. He's like, I want to be with you. He's like, pretty much was like, can we do it together? I was like, let's go if you want to. But I was like, I'm doing it either way.

[Unknown]

Wow. You were ready to. Did you get to a point where you're like, if you're not coming with me, we're either going to do very, very long distance or break up.

[Christina Zias]

It wasn't a conversation because as soon as I said that, he was like, okay. He's like, I think he was down for the adventure, you know? And I'm not kidding you. Two weeks later, we were out looking for apartments. He was like, okay, well, I. I train people. I can train. So he went to Equinox to find a job. I went to Nordstrom. I was like, I can work at Nordstrom in la. This is what I was doing anyways. And. And you know what it's like being an actor trying to beat TVOs. You need, like, another side hustle to, like, actually pay your bills. So we found jobs. And then a month later, we got there, we didn't even have an apartment. We stayed at this guy on this guy's couch. Ho. I knew from college and found our apartment that weekend.

[Unknown]

Wow.

[Christina Zias]

And then we were like, we'll try it out for a year.

[Unknown]

And then 12 years later, do you ever think about. I mean, I think just that story juxtaposed against the fact that you were like, should I sign up for, like, a triathlon? Like, I think every time you think about, like, starting something new and how scary that is, you should think about, like, where you come from. Because the Stakes were actually so much higher then. Like, you have so much more now. You have financial stability now. You have a family. Like, you have your family. And I think it's, like, so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day of, like, what we have yet to accomplish that. Like, it's really interesting to hear where you came from because you literally came from sharing a couch with your boyfriend and working these side hustles that you didn't really want to do to now. And even though you have so much further to go, it's, like, really cool to hear that you just kind of figured it out and that you had a partner in crime and you got lucky, girl, that you got. You found a man at like 21, 22 who was just down for the adventure. I couldn't even get somebody to call him, like, my boyfriend.

[Christina Zias]

No, I will say Steve really is my partner in crime. He is like. I mean, my ride or die. Like, I feel like he has this ability to. My. My dad asked me one time, and he was like, what. What is it most that you, like, love about Steve or whatever? And I was like, he, like, can just calm, like, calm me down. Like, he knows how to calm all, like, the negative noise in my head. Like, it just brings me down to, like, a level where I feel like, like, so calm. And I can be an anxious person. He just, like, eases that. And then also, we both have just. He's a Sagittarius, I'm an Aries. I don't know. We just have this, like, crazy adventurous spirit together.

[Unknown]

Do you believe in soulmates because you met your husband so young?

[Christina Zias]

No, I don't believe in soulmates. Oh, I don't know. I feel like you have multiple soulmates. Like, I love my husband, and I think he's a great partner for me, and I love this life that we're living. But, like, I feel like another version of me, someone could have brought out another version of me too, you know?

[Unknown]

Right. And it's like, you know, you'll never know the life you didn't choose, but you love this life now, and that's what matters. Yeah, I think I agree. I don't think. I think women place too much emphasis on the soulmate. And it's like this thinking that, like, if they leave, oh, my God, I'll never see or find another person like this. And it's like, that's just a very limiting belief. But, like, it is really cool that. Did you date prior to Steve?

[Christina Zias]

I did date prior to Steve, but no, no, I never had, like, serious boyfriends prior to him.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Christina Zias]

So, you know, I also, like, very. Was raised in this culture where my dad, like, I feel like my parents really instilled this. Like, if a man doesn't do this for you, like, don't waste your time.

[Unknown]

Interesting.

[Christina Zias]

Like, I would be in college be like, if he's not taking me out to dinner, like, I'm not interested. Like, I just had a very high bar. Yes.

[Unknown]

So you kind of filtered out the noise right away. Is that because. So you're Greek. You're 100% Greek. Are your parents from Greece, or are they, like, first generation?

[Christina Zias]

My mom was born in Greece. She came here when she was 10 years old. She's from this little village, Plat in Limnos, which is my favorite island ever. And my dad, both of his parents were Greek. First generation here, but he was born in Brooklyn.

[Unknown]

Okay, got it. So they're like. So they're second generation or your mom's first gen. No. Your mom's an immigrant?

[Christina Zias]

My mom's an immigrant.

[Unknown]

My dad's first gen. First gen or second gen? I don't know. I don't know how it works. Anyways, not important.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah. Greek was my first language. I'm very, like, much raised in the culture.

[Unknown]

What do you. Steve's not Greek, is he?

[Christina Zias]

He's Italian.

[Unknown]

He's Italian. Okay.

[Christina Zias]

So very similar. His dad was born in Italy, moved here. His mom was born here, but both from Italian descent.

[Unknown]

I think culture is, like, so interesting because I think about my culture and how I grew up in Pennsylvania, not really surrounded by people who were of my culture. And the older I've gotten, the more I realize just how Chinese I am, even though I grew up in very, very, like, suburban, white America. Like, what values have you kind of taken from Greek culture that you sort of instill in your kids now or feel like makes you different because you were raised with a heavy influence of Greek culture?

[Christina Zias]

Well, first of all, it's so funny because I was raised in such a predominantly Asian community.

[Unknown]

Oh, you were?

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, In Edison, New Jersey.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God. It was. That is so Asian.

[Christina Zias]

It is so Asian. It's like, I think one of the. The top Asian.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Christina Zias]

Cities outside of Asia that in, like.

[Unknown]

Bergen county, too, is very Asian. I know.

[Christina Zias]

I think for me, it's more about. It's just, like, the family traditions.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

Like, and having that value. Like, I think my mom, she probably still calls her dad, like, five times a day. My papu's 100 years old.

[Unknown]

Oh, my gosh. That's amazing.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

So bodes well for you.

[Christina Zias]

What happened?

[Unknown]

Bodes well for you. The longevity genes there.

[Christina Zias]

Knock on wood. I think it's just that respect for your family maybe, and the influence that your family has is one thing, I think, persistence. I feel like that is something that has always been taught to me. And I don't know if that's so much of a Greek culture thing or just my parents, honestly, or just sort.

[Unknown]

Of like an immigrant thing.

[Christina Zias]

An immigrant thing, probably.

[Unknown]

What did they do when you were a kid? Like, what did they do for work?

[Christina Zias]

My dad has worked in finance his entire life. And then my mom was a stay at home mom. She worked in finance and then ended up leaving once we were born.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

But my dad always just tells me a story about his mother, who. She was like the president of the Philopticos, which is like the Greek women's club at church.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Christina Zias]

And he was like, gosh, he's like, she just was like a huge personality. And he was like, my mother would have done so many things with her life if she was born at a different time.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Christina Zias]

So anyways, I always just like, think about her and like, that message. And he just spoke so highly of her having such a vibrant personality, being stuck in her generation, in that era.

[Unknown]

Do you think that inspired you to go out and do what you're doing now?

[Christina Zias]

I think so. Or I think that I just always have it in me. Like, I think about that sometimes. I'm like, we, like, people paved the path. Like, I wasn't always. I wouldn't have always been able to do this.

[Unknown]

Right. That's a huge motivating factor for me too, is that, like, I wanted to do a very atypical thing in my life. I wanted to be a creative, but I was also like, I just. I can't just quit because it's not just about me. And I think maybe that's an immigrant thing. It's like, it is not. You do not exist in a vacuum. You are a legacy of what somebody else did, you know? And I was thinking, I was like, my parents did not come here so that they're. I'm an only child, so it's not even like, I'd be like, well, at.

[Christina Zias]

Least I have, like, a successful friend. That's a lot of pressure.

[Unknown]

I was like, it's just me. I am the lineage. And so it's like, I was like, I just, you know, I could not live with myself if I didn't try to pursue some sort of career. Because they and, you know, my mom gave up a lot of her because they couldn't afford a babysitter. So, you know, she's very educated. She has her math, but she couldn't really pursue a career because somebody had to, like, take care of me. So she worked, but she didn't really work in the job that she, like, wanted to. And so they gave up so much. And so I was like, you know, like, what do I have to fear?

[Christina Zias]

I think that really is an immigrant child thing.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

I don't think that a lot of people in America necessarily feel that pressure from their families.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Christina Zias]

And I sometimes I'm like, I don't think my parents put this pressure on me. I feel like that is something I've put on myself. Like, my parents were like, we paid for your college. Like, if you don't, like, get this job, like, you're a failure and, like, you've let us down. Like, there's never been those same. But there has been that inherent guilt almost, and pressure I put on myself because I am thankful and appreciative, and I do feel like there's a responsibility to make them proud. And I also. You're an only child, but I'm a eldest daughter.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

Which is a whole thing. My dad sent me this, like, thread, and my dad, like, sends me articles ten times a day, and he's like, have you heard about this elder daughter theory?

[Unknown]

Like, yes, dad. Yes, I have an influencer.

[Christina Zias]

So I do think there's, like, that pressure as well.

[Unknown]

What is the whole eldest daughter like thing? I've heard it, but, like, what is. Because I don't know. You know, it's like.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, well, I will say I don't necessarily feel like that I am the eldest daughter to say, but essentially the eldest daughter is said to take on the responsibility of the family.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

And I have seen that. I have friends that are the eldest daughters, and they are pretty much responsible for their parents after a certain point.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

I think that's, like, pretty much what it is.

[Unknown]

But it does tie into, I think, like, immigrant child guilt. I talk about that all the time.

[Christina Zias]

And it's not immigrant child guilt. Like, unless you know it, you don't understand it.

[Unknown]

Yeah. It's this idea that, like, to me and my parents never put any pressure on me. Never. They were never, like. They just wanted me to be happy, literally. They were like, just go and do what makes you happy. But it is this idea that, like, I think what happens is you see your parents sacrifice so much for you.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

And that's not to say that if you're not an immigrant, like, your parents don't sacrifice for you. But it is so much harder to make it in this country when you don't speak the language, when you're not of the culture. And then when you've seen, you know, I mean, we live in a very woke culture now. That was not the case when we were growing up. I saw my parents be subjected to a lot of racism and discrimination when I was growing up. And so I think there's like this idea that, like, you have to make it worth it. You have to make what they went through worth it.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, I think that since my parents had like a little bit more, I had more of a traditional life in the sense that, okay, my dad had a career, my mom was a stay at home mom. They kind of like expected a more a similar life for myself. And there was a lot of times where we're like, what is she doing? Like, okay, like, maybe you, like, need to give up on this like, influencer, taking photos of yourself, yourself thing. Like, I remember my mom being like, you are so good at sales. Like, I worked at Nordstrom and I was like a salesperson, but I was one of the top sales people, you know, Like, I was like, no, I'm really good at this job.

[Unknown]

I could see that.

[Christina Zias]

And my mom's like, you know what? You should go into pharmaceutical sales. She was watching Two and a Half.

[Unknown]

So creeped out right now because that's what my dad told me to go do. Because he was like, you should go. You're so. I was, I was in sales and real estate. But I let. He was like, you should go into pharmacy. Because he's in, you know, he's a scientist. He's in for. He was like, oh, you know, you could make so much money, like, pushing pills. Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

I was like, I don't even really take Tylenol. Like, I'm not gonna like, what is pharmacy? No, that is funny. That's why your dad came up with it. My mom came up with that. That's because she was watching Two and a Half Men. And Penny on that show, like, was trying to be. Was a struggling actor. And then I think she went to pharmaceutical sales. Anyways, I was like, I am not doing that. I'm not. So now that I have found some success and was persistent in my career, I do feel like a pressure to be like, no, like, I paid this path. I'm going to be successful in it.

[Unknown]

Right. And like, you did it on your Own. And you, you're living life on your own terms, which I'm sure is like a breath of fresh air for them because again, it's like, it's not like they expected you to have a career, but it was almost more nerve wracking, I'm sure, for them that you were trying to pursue having a career. They were like, please just like have.

[Christina Zias]

A baby and be a stay at.

[Unknown]

Home something that we can explain to our friends.

[Christina Zias]

Right. And I think they were just like, you know, the family is scared of like instability.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

And I think your parents just want like a happy, stable, like, they don't.

[Unknown]

Want you to be special because trying to be special sometimes means you're subjected to more like trials and tribulations.

[Christina Zias]

Totally.

[Unknown]

That's so interesting. Okay, so I want to talk about. You talk a lot about body positivity and you are confident now. You said this. You're like, you know what? I talk about this a lot. I'm having an identity crisis because I'm conf. Confident now. I don't need to talk about my cellulite, but I feel like I'm really comfortable with who I am now. And I don't struggle with like body positivity, but I've always struggled with like race and like being Asian. And so everybody has, you know, pick your battle. Right. Do you still feel like there are times when you walk into a room and you forget that you're confident? Because I feel like sometimes I'll walk into a party or I'll walk into a room and like, for me, how it shows up is that I spend so much time like trying to figure out how to love myself as an Asian American woman and not wishing I was white or anything. And now when I go back to like my hometown or I go into a room where it's like all white people, I'm like, I notice and like there's a second where I almost am like, oh, I feel out of place again. And it's like this constant reminder. So I'm curious, like, do you ever walk into a room or a party and you're like, oh, like, revert to like, hey, I'm bigger than the girls here.

[Christina Zias]

Well, I guess there's two different scenarios I can think of. Recently I have been put into like, more uncomfortable circumstances since I moved. So I lived in LA for 12 years. Right. So I was very familiar with the people there. This scene. Now I come to New York and I go to events. I'm like, I don't know anyone here. And that can be overwhelming. Right.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

I will say in those circumstances, I don't think about being the biggest person in the room. That doesn't faze me anymore. As long as I like my outfit, if I like my out outfit, and I feel confident with the way I look that day. Like, I don't care.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

How big I am or if everyone else is thinner than me. It's more about, like, I feel like I am constantly trying to put the effort in to meet new people. I'm always the person approaching at the party.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

Always. I. I just feel like I have to put that effort in because otherwise I'm, like, sitting in the corner, and that just makes me feel anxious and nervous.

[Unknown]

It's really. And especially in these, like, I. Because I. I have a lot of social anxiety with big groups of people in parties. Like, bigger than four, because it's like, who am I supposed to talk to? You know? But it is always like, it's hard putting yourself. It's hard introducing yourself and being like, I'm Christina or I'm Anna and being the first person. Because I think there's still this element of. It's like, you know, there's still this emphasis on being cool that I wish wasn't a thing. But it's like, oh, like, you can't try too hard. And it's always like, I've tried so hard for everything in my life, and so, like, I will continue to try, but I think that's. That's what makes you so approachable. Like, I remember the first time I met you, it was like, so you were so open, you know, because there's no ego there. There's no, oh, do you know who I am? Or, like, what have I done? Or anything like that, you know? But it is tough because sometimes you don't get that energy back.

[Christina Zias]

Right. And that's the thing. I'm very good at putting that energy out. And then, like, when it doesn't necessarily come back, that's like, okay. Like, okay. Figuring out how to navigate that in every single situation can be a little bit challenging.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

When it comes to the body confidence. And I never thought I would feel it like this, but I live in the suburbs now.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

And I've also, for the past 12 years, been in this body positivity world where, like, everyone on online for the most part, was hyping me up. Right. I'm telling you, like, I'm uncomfortable in my skin. Like this, what I've done. People are like, yes. Like, I feel that way too. So There's a lot of positive energy also in, like, the content creator world. Like, I was friends with so many people in la. Now I'm in a suburban bubble. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. Like, I went shopping in my town. I'm not even kidding you. The boutiques there did not carry above a size 28 jeans. I'm like, what the hell? I'm like, you don't even care. I'm like, this is why I, like.

[Unknown]

Don'T shop in person. I, like, only shop online now.

[Christina Zias]

I'm like, you don't even carry above. You don't carry an xl. Like, forget about plus size. You don't even have an xl. And I, like, this was happening over and over again. And I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, is everyone in this town just thin? And started to look around. I'm like, oh, oh, everyone is really thin. So then I started to get into my head a little bit for the first time in a very long time. And I was like, wow, this is so weird. Like, I share my life online. I do TV segments. I'm like, part of the Drew crew for the Drew Barrymore Show. Like, I'm fine talking about my body and stuff like this, being in front of millions of people, but now I'm in, like, this little suburban bubble, and I'm finding myself a little insecure for the first time in a long time. And I was like, why is that? And I live in a beach town. And I'm like, oh, my gosh, summer's coming up. Like, everyone's going to be at the beach club in their swimsuits. I'm like, what do I wear in front of these people? I'm like, do I wear a bikini like normally?

[Unknown]

I saw a video where you did recently. You're like, just wear the fucking bikini.

[Christina Zias]

And I'm like, normally, I would wear that, but I'm like, now. I was like, is it okay to wear a bikini in front of these other moms? And I think that there's something about moms and, like, suburban moms that start to make me feel insecure about myself. And maybe because I don't have a traditional job, I'm like, wait, are people gonna judge my career? The fact that I'm putting myself out there, the fact that, like, I might be the biggest person in this room, but I'm wearing a bikini when they're like, you know what I mean?

[Unknown]

Right, right. And you don't have, like, an eight.

[Christina Zias]

Pack, and I don't have an eight pack. And they're probably like, ew. So I'm like, they probably. And it's probably because they're insecure in themselves and judging their own bodies because they would never feel comfortable to wear a bikini at the beach club in front of the other parents and the kids if their stomach wasn't like, flat, you know. But I'm like, that's a reflection on them, not on me. But this is a new world. I'm navigating that. For the first time in a very long time, I felt myself. I've heard a different dialogue, right?

[Unknown]

And I think it's important to catch yourself and admit that, because I felt very similarly to you when I left the city. Because LA and New York are very diverse, right? And it's, you know, it's easy putting yourself out there when, like, everyone doesn't look like you, right? When everyone looks like something else. And these are very, you know, people come from all different walks of life in these two cities. And for 11 years I lived in New York and I never felt out of place because even if I was the only Asian person in the room, I wasn't, you know, the only person of color in the room. Or like, you know, it's just, it's different here. And then I moved to Connecticut and I also married a man who's from the suburbs of Boston. And. And I remember the first time he's from the suburbs of Boston, so he's really into Cape Cod. And so he took me to Cape Cod for the first time. And I viscerally remember the first time I went to a party and I was like, this is the first time I have been in a room with all people who don't look like me in so long, who are all of this one culture. And that's. And nobody was judging, you know. But it is something you catch yourself. You're like, oh, wait, I spent all this time working on myself, figuring out how to feel comfortable in my own skin. And the first time I'm like a fish out of water. Maybe I'm not as confident as I thought I was.

[Christina Zias]

You know, it's interesting you say that about diversity because I'm white, right? Like, I'm Greek, but I am white, right?

[Unknown]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Christina Zias]

But I grew up, I would say, in my town, like, it's so predominantly Asian. Like, being a white person was rare. Okay? Which is fine. Like, so. So I have so many diverse friends and I lived in New York, in la, I went to Rutgers. Like, I was always in such a diverse community that I think that was just my normal. But now. And maybe that's part of it, like, where we move to feels very white suburbia. And as a white person, I still think I'm like, oh, wow. Like, it feels different for me.

[Unknown]

Right?

[Christina Zias]

And I'm white.

[Unknown]

And it's about the culture. It's not so much about being white, as I always say. It's about, you know, the culture and whether. And I'm trying to be PC about this, obviously, but I think it is very much. I say this to my husband all the time. It's the difference between being in New York City and being in a room full of white people who just understand, like, you know, 100% who get it, like, who understand diversity. And me going to. You know, we were in Cape Cod last weekend.

[Christina Zias]

I love Cape Cod, by the way.

[Unknown]

Cape Cod is stunning. Love it. But we went into a store, and the man who's like, we're getting, like, a sign for our house, right? And it's, like, from, like, a very old, like, woodworking store, like, that has been around for, like, 30 years in Cape Cod. And this man is, like, 80 years old, and he turns and he's like, looks at Dave and me, and he's like, oh, I had to stop myself for a second. Cause, you know, Dave, you know, this. You know, my husband looks just like my tenant. I was like, oh, okay, all right, fine. And then he's like, and my tenant just married a Mexican girl, too. What? And I was like, you know when you get, like, secondhand embarrassment.

[E]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Unknown]

I was like, I just. The. Something in me just like. I was like, oh, my God. I was like, okay, just. Just make this man feel okay about the fact that he really was ignorant. Right? I mean, I was like, well, I have been. I have been mistaken for Mexican before when I'm tan in the summer. And he was like, oh, did I get that wrong? I was like, yeah, I'm Chinese. And he was like, oh. Oh, I'm. It was just the most awkward. I'm, like, sweating even, like, thinking about him. And, like, that's the difference between white in New York and white.

[Christina Zias]

Right, right, right.

[Unknown]

Where he's from.

[Christina Zias]

You know what's funny? That you say that, and I wonder how you feel about this, being an actor.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

But for me, like, as someone who was hosting, I tried acting for a second, and I was like, I'm literally the world's worst actor, like, ever. I was always like, you want to be ethnically ambiguous? That was always a huge term And I used to host a podcast about the Bachelor, and we got written up once, and we got written up as being, like, as one of the top bachelor recap podcasts. And one of the reasons they spotlighted us was because our panel was so diverse. Diverse. And they're like, Zias, the lead host, who's Latina, and. And I was like, oh, my God. And I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, how are you gonna just, like, assume that? Like, also, like, if you do any research at all, Like, I mean, I guess you have to dig a little bit. Doesn't have, like, Grease.

[Unknown]

It's so bold of them to just assume. Like, you should just. Dave was, like, standing there, and he was like, we walked away. I mean, you got to give. Like, he was 80s and he probably never.

[Christina Zias]

It's not like anything. There's no malicious intent there.

[Unknown]

It's just. You know what it is? It's ignorance. And I think that's the difficult part for me. Like, going into situations where I lived in New York and people weren't ignorant, and now going into situations where people are ignorant, it's like, okay, you're not trying to be racist, but, like, I shouldn't have to, you know, educate you. Like, at our wedding, somebody went up to my friend's dad, who's Asian, and he's 6ft tall, and like, my dad is 57 with glasses and looks nothing like him, and congratulated my friend's dad on. On his daughter's wedding. And it's like, stuff like that, I think pisses me off because it's like, it's ignorance, but it's almost like it's like willful ignorance. Like, you should know better. Like, we're in a different. But you forget that there is life outside of the coast. Like, we are in our own bubble. No matter how, you know, cosmopolitan and, like, you know, diverse we think we are. It is a bubble to live in this Tri State area.

[Christina Zias]

100%.

[Unknown]

So many different parts of the country that do not think like us. And there should be space for that too. So. Yeah. So, okay, so you were Latin. Wait, did you ever correct that guy?

[Christina Zias]

I actually never did. I never did. I never, like, wrote. I was just like, oh, that's so funny. But I was like, wait, my agents would always submit me for Latina roles. They're like, you could pass.

[Unknown]

You could. I mean, I guess. Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

I was like. And I was like, that's business.

[Unknown]

And this is not like, like, obviously Greek. Is it Greek?

[Christina Zias]

It is Greek.

[Unknown]

It is. Okay.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah. And you know, it's funny, I haven't taken my last. My husband's last name. I still go by.

[Unknown]

Yeah, your maiden name.

[Christina Zias]

My maiden name.

[Unknown]

I haven't either.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, but people will always be like, Diaz. And I'm like, no. And Steve's always like, see, my name's way easier. No one, like, mistakes that.

[Unknown]

I'm like, although Zs is so easy, it's like, you know, at some point, people are just being lazy. That's the thing. I'm like, it's not even hard. It's not hard.

[Christina Zias]

Is an ice cream. Like, do you ever have to phonetically spell things?

[Unknown]

Yes, all the time. Well, not Anna. Most people get that. But, you know, it's like people are just lazy when it comes to names. And, like, I just feel like it's so absurd when people spell like. Or they'll like, spell Anna A, N, A when they're, like, reaching out in a pitch email or something. I was at a brand event the other day and, like, speaking on a panel, and they're like, oh, what's like, the one red flag that you can tell brands that you get in your inbound? And I'm like, when a brand wants to work with me, but they go deep, dear Anna, and spell it D A, N, A. I'm like, what? What did you do? Or they call me. Some people think my name is May because my handles may be both. So they think my first name is May, I guess, and my last name's be both.

[Christina Zias]

What?

[Unknown]

I literally have so many people calling me like, hey, May, thank you so much. I'm like, oh, my God, this is.

[Christina Zias]

That is funny.

[Unknown]

I'm like, I have my name written out up top.

[Christina Zias]

Sometimes you gotta spell it out for people. Like, guess it's.

[Unknown]

It's. Yeah, it's rough. Okay, so your husband is in construction, and you are an influencer, and we talked about a little about this when I first met you, but you are both in two lines of work that are extremely unpredictable. Nobody has a 9 to 5. How do you manage that? How do you manage the uncertainty? Like, do you think about that or do you. I mean, obviously you're. You're crushing it, so. But there's still, like, to me, I have so much uncertainty in my career, but my husband has a 9 to 5. That being said, he's always like, if you want to make it in any career, there's no such thing as a sure thing, you know?

[Christina Zias]

You know what? I've watched my dad, who worked in finance, who had a very Structured career and like, he's lost his job at certain points.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

So I do feel like no matter what, like, you're. There's never any certainty. And sometimes, like, I do get a little worried about it. Like, we have two kids. Like, we bought a house. Like, there's, like, bills to pay.

[Unknown]

What do you guys do for health? Health insurance? I'm so.

[Christina Zias]

Oh, my gosh, don't get me started on that. Like, I know we pay, like, an insane amount and we still have awful health insurance. Yeah, it's the worst. But other than that, I love having flexible schedules. It can feel chaotic at times, but I don't think I would be able to be as successful in my career if I didn't. If I didn't have a partner who was willing to be as flexible even either.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

And I feel like sometimes I'm thriving, sometimes he's thriving. And it's just like, we're always just, you're a team.

[Unknown]

We're a team. Well, it's very symbolic that he just. You were like, I'm moving to la. And he picked up and went with you because he's just down for whatever happens.

[Christina Zias]

Also, honestly, like, I know our jobs are unpredictable, but I believe in myself and I feel like if all this were to go out the window tomorrow and I need to make money, I'd find a way to make money. And I also know that my husband would do this. So I just feel like I have trust in me. I have trust and done it before.

[Unknown]

You picked up and you moved to.

La and you're like, I don't have a job out here lined up. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I will figure it out. Yeah, and you have been. And.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah, and. And him too. And I also am, like, not afraid to be. Like, I obviously, like, I can get insecure. Like, I want to be the best at things, but I also don't have an ego where if I need to be like, hey, like, I lost my job. Like, do you know anyone who's looking? Like, I. I just feel like a lot of times people are scared to put themselves out there like that. And sometimes you have to humble yourself and be like, I need help. Like, do you know anyone?

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

And I'm not afraid to do that.

[Unknown]

You learn the most when you humble yourself because if you think you know it all, you're never going to be, like, open to receiving from other people, which is. How do you. How have you managed to. So you did this for eight years before Making a dime off of it. But, like, I guess because I have done this for a very short period of time in comparison to you. How have you managed to stay consistent and, like, keep going and continue doing this? And you're still building, Especially when you came up in an era that was very different. Like, what do you do on days when you're just, like, burnt out and. Because we all get it. Creator burnout. Like, how do you refill your cup?

[Christina Zias]

I mean, honestly, right now I'm just like, give myself grace. And I'm like, you know what? Something doesn't need to be posted every single day.

[Unknown]

No. Oh, my gosh.

[Christina Zias]

It really doesn't. Like, and sometimes I, like, get hard on myself. I'm like, oh, you haven't posted. Or like, you're not feeling creative. And I. And I'm like, my life is chaotic, and sometimes you can't feel creative in the chaos. So I take myself out of those elements when I need to, but I honestly just feel like it's okay to not feel 100% all the time. Like, my career has ebbed and flowed so much. And for me, when I'm, like, lacking that creativity, I kind of just immerse myself in something else. And I feel like that helps remind me and refuel me that you have.

[Unknown]

A life outside of your online Persona.

[Christina Zias]

And also, like, honestly, like, my online Persona really is my life. So sometimes I'm like, oh, do people, like, want to see me building this, like, kids table? And I'm like, actually, like, no. And then sometimes I'll. I'll vent that to my friends or whatever. They're like, wait. I kind of, like, love seeing, like, the messy mom moments, you know? So I think a lot of times it's really easy to, like, overthink things. And I'm like, no, people are following me because they've enjoyed following my life over the past decade.

[Unknown]

And I. So when I was doing research on you, I also went into Reddit because I always love to see what the Redditors.

[Christina Zias]

Oh, my God. I never go into Reddit. I'm so nervous. I'm sweating.

[Unknown]

Oh. I go into Reddit because I'm like, I want to see what they say about themselves, and I also want to see what people are saying about them because.

[Christina Zias]

Wait, what they say about themselves?

[Unknown]

No, what people like, what you say about yourself. When I interview somebody, I want to know what the, you know, guest is saying about themselves when presenting. And I. I also want to see what people are saying about them on Reddit. If they are on Reddit and people have generally very, very complimentary stuff. You showed up and somebody was on a feed where it was like, oh, which influencers do you always buy from? And which ones do you never buy from? Which ones do you know are just pushing product to pushing product? And obviously people just chimed in. And then one person said, oh, anything Christina Zias like, tells me to buy, I buy. And it's great.

[Christina Zias]

That's great.

[Unknown]

And I think that's great because, like, that is your brand. Like, you share your life and they're genuine moments and they're messy. And that's what I love seeing from you because it's like a reminder. I'm like, okay, so she's doing this with two kids and she's figuring it out and we're gonna all be fine. You know, she can do this. I want to ask you about the fig tree story because I thought it was so interesting because you had been grappling for like three years. You said about whether to buy a house in LA or whether to settle down in Jersey. And I'm so. I'm very spiritual. I don't consider myself religious. Were you raised with any sort of religion?

[Christina Zias]

I mean, I'm Greek Orthodox, but I wouldn't say. I honestly feel like I'm like, really bad Greek Orthodox person. Like, I don't know that much about my religion, like, for in the. In the Greek household or in the Greek community. For me, me, it's been so much more about the traditions, the Greek traditions versus, like, necessarily, like the religious aspect of it. That's at least what I take away from the culture.

[Unknown]

Right. It's a culture rather than a religion.

[Christina Zias]

For me at least. But, you know, like, I baptized my kids in the cat in the Greek church. Like, I married in the Greek church.

[Unknown]

Okay, so I know this fig tree story, but can you tell this story? Because I think it's so cool.

[Christina Zias]

Yes. Okay, so. So my husband and I have been debating whether or not to stay in LA or to move to New Jersey for three plus years. We bought a house in Los Angeles in 2020. Literally bought it. And two days later, the pandemic happened and we ended up flipping that house. It was a business opportunity for us. And since then we were like, what do we do? What do we do? And I think for us, we just felt so confused, right? Like. Like, we built our lives in la. His family moved in la, so we felt a lot of ties to there. And then my family's in the East Coast. I feel like we needed to Change, blah, blah, blah. So we were going for not kidding you, three years seeing homes on both coasts wild. And we finally found this house in New Jersey. And it was in our dream neighborhood. It was on the water. That was like something that my husband just was really manifesting, a house on the water. And I was like, that's crazy. Like to buy a house on the water, like, that's just first of all, heart to find. There's not that many of them anyways. We found this house and we're like, okay. It seems like it checks all of our boxes. My parents went and saw it, saw it for us. They're like, house is a little bit older, but you're going to love this neighborhood. We're like, okay. We put an offer in on it, they accepted it. So we go to do inspections on the house. We really like it. We're like, okay, I guess we're moving forward with it still. Like, honestly, we were not all in. Even though we put a deposit in. We're like, we can always get it back if we want to. We just weren't sure. We ended up going back to the house again, flying back and forth by the way, with two kids from LA to New Jersey. And at this point we negotiated again with the house. We had it. We are going in there to do last minute measurements. And honestly we were doing measurements. That's what they told us. But this, what really happened was it recently rained a lot and we were going in there to make sure nothing was wrong with the house because we were just worried about, about it. So it was like a combo of both. We're like, if we need to get out of it, we can still find a way, right? And the owners of the house happened to be there because they were moving things out. This was a couple weeks before we closed on the house, which if you buy a house, it's like a very long process. So it wasn't until even a couple weeks before this that we were still unsure. And we're talking to the owners and all of a sudden my husband and I are upstairs and this guy comes up to my husband. He's like, you. He's like, you're. You're buying this house? He's like, yeah. He's like, you're the husband. He's like, yeah. He's like, come down, I want to show you something. Something. It was the owner's son. And we're like, what the heck? We're like, Steve and I immediately, worst case thoughts. We're like, something's wrong. With this house that he's going to show us. And he randomly takes Steve outside to the backyard, and he's like, you see this tree? This is a fig tree. It's a white fig tree. He's like, I. I planted this tree during COVID and it is my pride and joy. He's like, whatever you do to this house, please do not cut down this tree. And Steve got chills throughout his entire body. Body. I have chills saying this, too, because his dad, who passed away, Planted a white fig tree in the house that they grew up in. And it was his dad's pride and joy. He loved this tree so much. Every winter would wrap it up, Every summer would unwrap and do everything to take care of it, Protect it from the. The squirrels and the deer. And when his mom sold the house, they cut down the tree, and his whole family was devastated. So the fact that, like, this randomly, there's, like, one fruit tree in the.

[Unknown]

House, and it's, like, in a random spot. It's next to a fence or something.

[Christina Zias]

It's not even by any of the other landscaping or anything. And the fact that he, like, singled out Steve.

[Unknown]

I know.

[Christina Zias]

And told him this. And two years before this, we had another experience with Steve's dad. I told you that, too, right?

[Unknown]

Can you tell it on?

[Christina Zias]

Two years ago, Steve and I went to coachella, and we came back from coachella, we were living in an apartment building, and the light above our parking spot was flickering. I was like, oh, that's kind of weird. You know when you're in a garage.

[Unknown]

And there's, like, a flickering light?

[Christina Zias]

It's, like, a little creepy.

[Unknown]

You've watched way too many horror movies. Exactly.

[Christina Zias]

It's like, yeah, didn't think anything of it.

[Unknown]

This is the part where somebody dies.

[Christina Zias]

Exactly. Didn't think anything of it. Two days later, I'm going to the building, and this woman walks out, Our building manager, Tiffany. And she was like, have you seen that light flickering above Steve's motorcycle? I was like, yeah. Why? Because we had tandem spots. So his motorcycle was in the front. Our car was in the back. It was the light motorcycle, right? Exactly. And I was like, yeah. Are they going to come fix it? It's kind of creepy. She's like, I'm. I'm pretty sure that's Steve's dad trying to get in touch with him. We're like, what? I was like, who is this woman? Our building manager.

[Unknown]

Oh, my.

[Christina Zias]

I was like, what are you talking about? She's like, it could be his grandfather. But I'm pretty sure it's his dad.

[Unknown]

Did you know this woman before or.

[Christina Zias]

Just in passing a couple times. Like she changed the light locks on our door and in the building. I was like, wait, what are you talking about? I was like, that is the craziest thing because Steve's dad actually passed. And she was like, yeah, I know. And I was like, what? She was like, yeah, like, I don't really tell anyone this, but I'm a medium. I used to be a medium for 10 plus years. And I stopped doing it because it was too emotionally draining for me. But I still get visits from people. And that's Steve's dad trying to get in touch with him.

[Unknown]

And she. You never told her Steve's dad had passed away?

[Christina Zias]

Never, never, never. And I. So. But that weekend, my mother in law was watching her son and staying at her place. I was like, steve's mom talks to everyone. I bet you she had a conversation with her texty's mom was like, did you talk to her building manager? She was like, no, I haven't spoken to a single person. I told Steve, I called up Ste. I was like, did you ever tell Tiffany that your dad died? He's like, no, why? And I told him the story. He's like, what the heck? So a couple days go by and she's like, yeah, it's Steve's dad. Like, he's in my. He wants to talk to Steve. She's like, he keeps coming back, messaging me. So they set up a time to do a reading. Steve would never in his life look into something like this ever. Like, he's like the last person seen.

[Unknown]

Him a lot on your socials now that I know him. But I'm like, he does not seem like he would be into mediums or anything at all.

[Christina Zias]

But like when someone's telling you your dad's trying to get in touch with you and it's like at your front door, you're like, okay, whatever. So he's like, okay, we'll do it. He's like, maybe next weekend. She's like, okay, I'm going away this weekend. We can do it next weekend. We end up going to New York or to New Jersey for three weeks. We come back, she's like, steve, where have you been? She's like, your dad will not leave me alone. He's at the kitchen table when I'm eating breakfast. He's in the bathroom. He's following me around. He wants to talk to you, see? He's like, what? So they ended up Doing a reading. And she was like, before we do this reading, I want you to write down a list of questions. Not for me to ask, just so you have things to make sure you get answers for all of these. He's like, christina, she checked. She answered every single question without knowing them. She knew everything about his dad. She knew how he passed, which is not something they share, that she knew. Knew, like, all these intimate details. Even, like, a little thing, like, he. One of his questions was like, has dad seen Alexis? And she was like, your dad's up there with a white dog. And Alexis was their white dog, who they had growing up.

[Unknown]

And she had no context. No context whatsoever, because Alexis could be a person.

[Christina Zias]

Nothing.

[Unknown]

That's also like.

[Christina Zias]

And also, she never saw the questions. It was just for his notes app.

[Unknown]

It was just, I need this woman's number.

[Christina Zias]

I know. It was really, really wild. So anyways, it was so crazy that they had that whole experience. And then two years later, maybe, yeah, two years later, we're buying this house. And then someone else, like, there was another sign of Steve's dad. So pretty much once that happened, we're like, this is it. Like, this is the house for us. Like, there felt like there was not a clear sign in the world. I will say she did mess up on something, though.

[Unknown]

What?

[Christina Zias]

During this reading, she also said, by the way, you're white. You're gonna have another baby, and it's a girl, and you're gonna be living in New Jersey. And we're like, what? And at that point, I found out I was pregnant two days before. He hadn't told anyone besides Steve, and we didn't know the gender or the sex of the baby at all.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

So that was the thing. I'm like, I had another baby, but it was a boy.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

And I remember she came up to me. She's like, have you found out the sex of the baby yet? I was like, yeah, it's a boy. You were wrong. And I was kind of mad at her, honestly, because I'm like, I'm fine with the medium stuff, but I didn't want, Like, I don't like psychic readings. I guess you would say, yeah, I.

[Unknown]

Don'T want to know the future.

[Christina Zias]

I don't want to know the future. That does not make me comfortable. I don't. That. I don't like that at all. And honestly, like, it kind of got into my head about whether I want a boy or a girl, because now all of a sudden, I thought I was having a girl because she said, that. And I didn't want that.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

So anyways. And she was like, no, I wasn't wrong. She's like, it's going to be your third. And I'm like, oh, my God. I was like, that's convenient. Anyways, that was our experience.

[Unknown]

But you are thinking you might have a third sometimes.

[Christina Zias]

So, yeah. Who knows? We'll see. If she's right to be determined.

[Unknown]

If she's wrong again, then you have grounds for. But that is oddly. That's so creepy that, like, in a good way, that she knew so much about Steve.

[Christina Zias]

She knew so much about Steve's dad. It was a really cathartic experience for him. I was really happy that he did it again. Like, he never would have sought something out like that.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Christina Zias]

And I feel like it brought him a lot of closure. And it was like a beautiful moment. And. And then full circle to hear the fig tree. I was like, oh, my gosh. Your dad's, like, really out here looking out for us. Like, he is telling us, this is the house we should get.

[Unknown]

That's amazing. Do you take really good care of that tree?

[Christina Zias]

I don't. Steve take such good care of it. It is actually, like, the cutest thing I've ever seen. He. I didn't even realize he was doing all this work for it. He, like, put this whole thing around the bottom of the tree so the deer don't get it. I had no idea.

[Unknown]

Yeah, the deer netting and everything.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah. Wow. He put all these sticks up so all the different branches, like, stay up firmer so it better. I had no idea he was even doing that. But he takes such good care of the tree. It's really sweet.

[Unknown]

That's really awesome. That's your. That's his dad saying, hey, I'm here with you guys.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah. Isn't that crazy?

[Unknown]

That's crazy. And that's so cool.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

So I want to end on this question. I believe that success and rejection are two sides of the same coin and that the people who find success are the ones who've been able to accept rejection and use it as fuel rather than to stop them. So what has been a rejection, whether it's a relationship or business rejection in your life, Life that has propelled you forward?

[Christina Zias]

I would say the first thing that comes to mind is when I graduated from college, like I said, I was really unsure of what I wanted to do. I was taking acting classes, hosting classes, like, answering every single backstage ad. Tris.

[Unknown]

Trying to, like, oh, I remember backstage.

[Christina Zias]

Just trying to figure everything out. And finally I was like, okay, I need to get a real job. And a couple of my friends started working at this advertising agency. And I was like, I've been in sales because I was working at Nordstrom, and guess I was just Nordstrom, but, like, sales are sales, right?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Christina Zias]

And I was successful there. I was like, I have all this background. I'm also, like, comfortable in speaking in front of people. I feel like I. I'd be great at this. And I interviewed for it and I got through to the next round, and then I interviewed again. And I was telling this guy, he's like, asking a lot about me, my other passions. And I was telling him. He's like. He's like, you're not going to. To be. He's like, this isn't the right job for you. And I was like, no. Like, I need this job. I'm making no money right now. Like, it was paying $40,000 a year, which at the time was like a game changer for me because everything else full time was offering me, like, $25,000. I was like, this is a huge difference. Like, I want this job. He was like, no. He's like, I'm going to be honest with you. He's like, I don't think you'll last here. We'll hire you and you're probably not going to last. And I remember being so rejected because so many of my other friends were getting this job. I'm like, I feel more qualified. Like, my friends have just been servers at restaurants. I've had all these other things. Like, I am technically on paper. I've had, like, five different internships in PR and advertising and, like, all these different things overqualified for this. And this guy was like, no, you don't belong here. He's like, I'm gonna be honest with you. You don't belong in a cubicle. You don't belong here. You're not gonna.

[Unknown]

He.

[Christina Zias]

He just knew. And anyways, it was such a rejection. I remember being going home and being so embarrassed. And, um. But I think he was right. Like, I wouldn't have been happy there, and it probably would have led me down a completely different path. Um, so I feel like that rejection after that is when I decided to move to la.

[Unknown]

That's so cool. And that's why we all know you now.

[Christina Zias]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Thank you so much, Christina. This was so inspiring. We're gonna have to follow you in your triathlon training.

[Christina Zias]

Thank you. No, thank you so much for having me. I love being around. You have the best energy and I Much fun.

[Unknown]

Thank you so much.

[E]

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