Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods
Episode: "adulting era | alexa jay mccoy"
Host: Avery Woods
Guest: Alexa Jay McCoy
Date: March 23, 2026
Episode Overview
In this vibrant and candid episode, host Avery Woods welcomes content creator and model Alexa Jay McCoy to discuss the full spectrum of adulting: from moving into your own place, embracing independence, and navigating confidence, to weathering public scrutiny and body image. Through their laughter-filled, heartfelt conversation, Avery and Alexa open up about personal growth, overcoming challenges, and what it really means to "grow up" while building a public presence online.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Origin Story of Avery and Alexa's Friendship
- Meeting on a Brand Trip in 2023: The two first met on a Hamptons brand trip, which was both Alexa’s first major trip and a defining moment in their friendship.
- Quote: “You were waiting in line in front of me…you turned around and saw me and you were like your outfit is so cute. Like where's your outfit from? And I was not feeling confident that day at all…that literally just gave me the confidence to be on this brand trip.” – Alexa, [01:45]
- Mutual Admiration: Both recall feeling instantly comfortable and inspired by one another, highlighting the value of authentic connection in influencer circles.
2. Surviving (and Thriving in) the Influencer Industry
- Handling Judgment and Building Confidence: Avery and Alexa discuss the challenges of public perception and the importance of tuning out opinions from strangers.
- Quote: “The only opinion that matters to me are the people that know me.” – Avery, [03:44]
- Quote: “You gotta be strong.” – Alexa, [08:40]
- Staying Genuine Online: Alexa details how she strives to be an online “best friend”—sharing not just highlights but also her honest opinions and personal life.
- Quote: “I try to portray myself as someone's best friend…someone that people feel comfortable confiding in and just someone that people can lean on.” – Alexa, [09:42]
3. Embracing Adulthood: The New Apartment Era
- Apartment Independence: Alexa recently moved into her own space after years of living with friends, describing the process as a confidence milestone.
- Quote: “Sometimes I come home, and I'm like, I need to be in my room for 48 hours and not talk to anyone and just be by myself…it's hard to work on yourself and do all of these things and also be conscientious of someone else's space.” – Alexa, [14:42]
- Decor and Vibes: Home style talk, with Alexa sharing her love for eclectic, colorful decor, vintage art deco, and making her place truly feel like her.
- Quote: “I want my place to feel lived in…I want you to walk in and be like, whoever lives here is kind of cool.” – Alexa, [23:19]
4. Family, Parenting, and Passing Down Values
- Raising Grateful Kids: Avery opens up about teaching her children gratitude and balancing privilege with perspective.
- Quote: “You are blessed to have food in your belly.” – Avery, [20:26]
- Stevie’s Fascination with “Bold” (Bald) People: Hilarious anecdotes about her daughter’s obsession with baldness, sparking laughter and stories about Alexa’s own family.
5. Alexa’s Bone Marrow Donation Journey
- The Call to Save a Life: Alexa recounts donating bone marrow to a cancer patient, having matched years after a college cheek swab.
- Quote: “If you get a call that you can save someone’s life…you do it.” – Alexa, [31:07]
- The Procedure: An honest, funny, and sometimes intense description of the surgical experience, topped with her mom passing out from nerves.
- Quote: “My mom turns, and she's like, I'm so sorry to interrupt, but could I sit down real quick? Oh, my mom passed out.” – Alexa, [33:52]
- Empathy & Perspective: Alexa’s openness about her fears and her commitment offers listeners a look at “the most fulfilling thing” she’s ever done.
6. Body Image, Public Scrutiny, and Mental Health
- Highlighted Incident – The Highlight Room Scandal: Alexa describes being denied club entry for being a curve model, sparking global conversation (and trolling) about body standards.
- Quote: “The entire Internet was talking about my body and if fat women deserve to go to the club or not.” – Alexa, [46:26]
- Surviving Online Critique: Understanding both support and negativity, Alexa shares honestly about mental health, eating disorders, and how healing takes time—including how walks and nutrition helped her reclaim health and confidence.
- Quote: “I cannot start working out and treating myself nicely until I'm mentally okay again, because if I do this when I'm not okay, it's not going to be healthy.” – Alexa, [50:08]
- Changing Size, Changing Perception: Alexa notes the drastic, unfair changes in how people treat her after losing weight.
- Quote: “The doors fly open when I go to the club now…it’s like, I’m the same girl, same exact situation." – Alexa, [51:55]
7. Dating as a Public Figure
- Navigating Apps and Insecurities: Alexa never gives out her socials at first; she shares stories of insecure men, false assumptions, and the search for humility and ambition.
- Quote: “People that try to flex things, that's not theirs. There's a lot of friends of celebrities in LA…they're not famous, they're not successful, but their friends are someone.” – Alexa, [56:32]
- Red Flags and Wisdom: Alexa talks about her “liar sense,” learned from past toxic relationships, and her non-negotiables in love.
- Manifesting Confidence: After moving solo, Alexa feels truly ready for a relationship for the first time:
- Quote: “I feel it coming, because I can honestly say for the first time in my life, I feel ready…someone would be lucky to be with me.” – Alexa, [41:08]
8. Rapid Fire & Pop Culture Talk
- Guilty Pleasure Shows: Alexa recommends "Paradise" on Hulu, and both discuss their love for reality TV and the latest on "Secret Lives."
- Coachella or Stagecoach?: Alexa is a diehard Coachella (and Bieber) fan.
- Ideal Lip Combo: Both rave about Kylie Cosmetics plumping lip liners and lip butters.
- Manifested Perfect Day: Alexa’s dream day: sleeping in, coffee, flowers, cartoons, beach trip with friends, parents' quick drop-in, an everything shower, and the night ending with her ideal man.
- Quote: “My dream day…after some amazing sex.” – Alexa, [62:09]
Notable Quotes & Highlights with Timestamps
- On Friendship:
“You just make people feel so good.” – Alexa, [02:30] - On Confidence and Public Opinion:
“The only opinion that matters... are the people that know me.” – Avery, [03:44] - On Authenticity Online:
“I just really pride myself on being a good friend…and someone that people feel comfortable confiding in.” – Alexa, [09:42] - On Body Shaming:
“It was just, like…so helpful for so many women...but at the same time, when you’re not super confident, having that discussed...it really changed, like, set me back a lot.” – Alexa, [46:56] - On Self Love and Growth:
“I've always had forgiveness for myself and been able to see the best in myself no matter what I’m going through. But I haven’t always believed other people would see that in me.” – Alexa, [42:14] - On Dating Red Flags:
“People that try to flex things, that's not theirs…none of this is yours.” – Alexa, [56:32] - On Manifesting:
“This is iconic. Yeah, it's manifesting because this is going to be happening the next like 6ish months.” – Avery, [62:14]
Key Timestamps
- Friendship origin story: [01:38] – [03:44]
- Handling public opinions, influencer life: [03:44] – [08:40]
- Apartment move & adulting talk: [14:18] – [17:01]
- Bone marrow donation journey: [29:28] – [35:45]
- Body image & Highlight Room scandal: [46:16] – [51:55]
- Dating, red flags, and LA stories: [52:54] – [59:46]
- Manifested perfect day & rapid fire questions: [59:47] – [64:35]
Memorable Moments
- Alexa sharing the wild story of kicking her husband during an intimate moment (Avery’s story, [13:10])
- Alexa’s hilariously honest take on being a recovering "group content creator" during COVID
- Avery’s anecdotes about her daughter Stevie’s obsession with bald people:
“She would love my family…go crazy, Stevie. Whatever you want to say to them.” – Alexa, [28:23]
Where to Follow
- Alexa J:
- Instagram: @alexaj
- TikTok: @flexilexi (just type in Alexa J)
- Avery Woods:
- Instagram: @averywoods
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in their "adulting era" or wrestling with confidence, body image, or the complexities of internet era relationships. The conversation is equal parts wise, irreverent, and full of heart—showcasing friendship, resilience, and honest reflection about finding your way as an adult.