keeping it real | victoria garrick browne

Mon Sep 15 2025

Content creator and founder Victoria Garrick Browne stops by the Unwell studio for a warm, honest convo about mental health, body image, and building a life that actually feels good. Victoria shares how playing D-1 volleyball at USC led to performance anxiety, why she gave her TEDx talk as a sophomore, and how that moment grew into her nonprofit The Hidden Opponent. She opens up about healing her relationship with food, advocating for being transparent about procedures, and learning to set boundaries online.

Transcript

A (0:00)

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B (1:13)

Hi Avery.

A (1:14)

Welcome.

B (1:14)

Thanks.

A (1:15)

Thanks for being here. And I was just telling her she looks so cute. She coordinated her shirt with her shoes. Stop.

B (1:21)

It's everything, you know, when you don't know if it's too matchy matchy or it's just right. I was overthinking it, but, but I definitely, when I pulled out this top that I haven't worn in two years, I was like, this top I feel like Avery will vibe with.

A (1:30)

I appreciate that. Now I'm in sweatpants. I really dressed up, but that's just how I roll, you know. Well, I'm so glad that you're here because I think your story is so cool and so interesting and kind of overlaps a little bit that I've done in my life and also things that really interest me and excite me. So for people that don't know you, maybe describe yourself, what you do, what you're doing job is and what you use your platform for.

B (1:55)

Definitely. Well, I'm sure as you feel the same you can have like the long story, the medium story, the short story. So cut me off if I am going for too long. But basically I went to college at USC and I majored in broadcast journalism. I thought I wanted to be a sports reporter one day. I had loved and played sports my whole life and I was actually at USC playing indoor volleyball. So that was my focus until I started to see a different side of sport that wasn't being talked about. And it was really through my own struggles that my eyes began to open to this side of elite athletics that no one was talking about at the time. And that was the mental health conversation. I was so excited to play volleyball at USC and be in the Pac12. Now it's the Big Ten, which is so weird. But why did that change? Basically, when the nil rule flipped, so athletes could monetize their name, image, and likeness, which is essentially all we do right now. It's crazy to think. I mean, I was. I had a YouTube channel in college, and I. You know, it was doing really well, and I couldn't monetize it because I would be monetizing my name, image, and likeness, which technically you can't do because you're a college athlete, which never made sense. Like, it wasn't okay. So that got overturned. And then athletes could make money just because they were themselves. And so then it became this whole money fest. And the UCLA and USC, like, left the PAC 12 to join the Big Ten. And now it's just kind of a whole scramble. But when I was there, it was the PAC 12, which now is, like, vintage, you know?

Summary

CHEERS! with Avery Woods

Episode: keeping it real | victoria garrick browne

Date: September 15, 2025

Guest: Victoria Garrick Browne
Host: Avery Woods

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Avery Woods welcomes athlete and mental health advocate Victoria Garrick Browne for a deep dive into self-acceptance, body image, authenticity on social media, and life transitions. Over wine, they share personal stories, discuss overcoming societal pressures on appearance, transparency about cosmetic procedures, and how both motherhood and athletic endeavors have shaped their sense of self. Victoria also shares insights from her journey as a collegiate volleyball player, her viral TEDx talk, and building her advocacy nonprofit. The tone is warm, candid, and empowering, filled with both laughter and vulnerability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Victoria’s Background and Advocacy Journey ([01:55])

Victoria introduces herself: played indoor volleyball at USC, majored in broadcast journalism, originally aimed to be a sports reporter.
Her struggle with performance anxiety and an eating disorder during her freshman year led to a mental health crisis, sparking her advocacy.
Delivered a TEDx talk as a sophomore about athlete mental health:
- “Nothing felt as important…than just making a cry for help and talking about what I thought was a huge issue I had zero warning for.” ([04:22])
Founded the nonprofit "The Hidden Opponent" to advocate for athlete mental health.

2. Body Image, Appearance Pressure & Social Media Authenticity ([05:35])

Both discuss childhood and teenage body image struggles.
- Avery: Layered camisoles to flatten her chest as a teen, ate lunches in the bathroom out of shame ([05:35]), experienced negative body comments ("boys told me I walked like a duck").
- Victoria: Stresses the impact of the first negative comment on body awareness.
  - “Everyone can track back that first comment…and that’s why I’m huge on just not commenting on my friends’ bodies.” ([06:48])
Both agree transparency is key—Victoria avoids Facetune/filters now, admits to doing so previously but sees damage in “picture perfect” culture ([05:00], [19:14]).
On facial procedures and plastic surgery:
- Avery: Open about sharing her nose job and lipo on social media ([07:42], [10:34]).
- Victoria: Advocates for sharing what you do openly; “If you do it, tell people. When people say you look so good, tell them what you did so women don’t feel insecure.” ([08:48], [16:17])

3. Social Media: Transparency vs. Judgment ([10:34])

Avery reflects on harsh online judgments for being candid about procedures.
- “I’d rather people judge me or be mean, but knowing I’m telling the truth, I’m not withholding any information.” ([10:49])
Both share frustration with the double standard: celebrities hide their procedures and are unjudged; honesty is often weaponized ([09:42]).
Victoria’s take:
- “Those people…literally be busier.” ([13:12])
- Both touch on eating disorder histories and the overwhelming pressure to conform or be “uber thin.”
Importance of focusing on more than looks. Victoria:
- “I would love to see…the conversation be moved to what you’re accomplishing, the friends you keep in your life.” ([17:55])
- Cites even small talk about girls being appearance-based from childhood ([19:14]).

4. Online Boundaries & Mental Health ([21:08])

Avery: Learned to stop reading every comment, notes huge mental health benefit.
- “That changed my life. Like, truly changed my life.” ([21:29])
Discuss the grind of building an online presence, then learning to cherish in-person moments and step back from constant content.
- “I feel like I’ve missed so much life… enjoying the dinner, living in the moment” ([21:33])
Community management tips: Victoria suggests Instagram broadcast channels for a more selective, supportive community ([24:41]).

5. TEDx Talk Origin Story ([29:13])

Victoria saw a call for TEDx auditions during class and pitched athlete mental health, drawing on her own diary and pain.
Initially rejected before a committee member fought for her application.
- “If you and your heart just know, like, that it’s true, it’s meaningful, it’s worth it, don’t let anyone rejecting you hold you back.” ([31:53])
Her talk went on to be USC’s most viewed TEDx.

6. Building a Social Platform with Purpose ([32:33])

Started vlogging her athlete life, then speaking about mental health, later transitioning to TikTok and diversified content.
“I was not like an overnight person…which I’m grateful for.” ([33:57])
Importance of slow, steady growth and loyal audience over virality.
Monetized podcast (“RealPod”), social media, and brand deals—moved from “hustle out of necessity” to “hustle out of passion.” ([36:21])

7. Personal Life, Relationships & Future Family ([38:13])

Met husband Max in college (USC football player); together nine years, married three.
On kids: Planning, timing, and how motherhood is both a fear and a calling.
Avery:
- “I feel like it wasn’t until I became a mom that I really found myself.” ([43:02])
- Encourages flexibly raising kids: “Bring your kids into your already existing life, and they adjust.” ([44:43])
Both discuss authentic parenting, boundaries, and fostering open communication with kids and teens ([53:34]).

8. Athlete Life & Parenting Philosophy ([47:43], [50:45], [51:09], [53:34])

Both former athletes (volleyball and football), discuss approach to future children’s activities.
- “I definitely want my kids to feel supported in anything that they love.…but I think football is trickier because of brain injuries.” ([51:09])
Parenting teens: Avery discusses proactive, safe approaches to parties, substance use, and peer pressure ([53:46]).

9. Body Positive Influencers and Community ([58:12])

Victoria shouts out body-positive creators Spencer Barbosa, Jamie Karoma, and Birds Papaya.
Both praise Rare Beauty and Selena Gomez for authentic, mental-health–forward branding ([59:12]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"Everyone can track back that first comment and it might even have been a compliment that made them aware of their body and how it looked." — Victoria ([06:48])
"I’d rather people judge me or be mean, but knowing I’m telling the truth, I’m not withholding any information." — Avery ([10:49])
"If you do it, tell people. When people say you look so good, like, tell them what you did so that women don’t feel insecure." — Victoria ([08:48])
"If you and your heart just know…that it’s true, it’s meaningful, it’s worth it, don’t let anyone rejecting you hold you back from that." — Victoria, on TEDx rejection ([31:53])
“The only thing I can do is not subject myself to see [the comments]. Yeah. And that changed my life. Like, truly changed my life.” — Avery ([21:29])
"To believe the good reviews is to believe the bad. So if you get high with the highs, you will get low with the lows." — Victoria quoting Phineas ([23:09])
"I feel like it wasn't until I became a mom that I really found myself." — Avery ([43:02])

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:55] Victoria's background, eating disorder, and TEDx talk origin
[05:35] Early body image experiences, impact of negative comments
[08:48] Transparency about cosmetic procedures and public judgment
[10:49] Avery on sharing her lipo journey and online critics
[17:55] Discussion on moving conversations beyond appearance
[19:14] Societal beauty pressures from childhood
[21:08] Boundaries with social media and reading comments
[24:41] Instagram broadcast channels for community building
[29:13] Victoria's TEDx journey and advice on rejection
[32:33] Building a social platform and slow career growth
[38:13] Victoria and Max's relationship and family planning
[43:02] Avery's perspective on motherhood and identity
[53:34] Raising teens: honesty, safety, and handling peer pressure
[58:12] Body positive influencers to follow
[59:12] Praise for Rare Beauty and Selena Gomez

Rapid Fire Segment Highlights ([60:47])

Victoria's current highlight: Taylor Swift’s new album and podcast appearance.
Comfort show: Friends (“Just put it on in the background for like, a day.” — Victoria [65:58])
Favorite date night: Glass of wine, gummy, Survivor episodes at home.
Song that puts her in a good mood: Taylor Swift (“Anything Taylor Swift puts me in a good mood. To be so honest.” [68:32])
Favorite Taylor albums: Fearless, Folklore, Reputation.
Go-to skincare: Summer Fridays jet lag mask, Haley Bieber’s glaze.

Closing & Where to Find Victoria

Podcast: RealPod – new episodes every Wednesday.
Instagram & TikTok: @victoriagarrickbrowne
Nonprofit: The Hidden Opponent (athlete mental health advocacy)

Final words:
“Cheers to that enjoyable area of life…and it’s healthy to have a little bit of those boundaries.” — Victoria ([37:21])

This episode stands out for its vulnerability, actionable wisdom for anyone struggling with appearance, body image, the pressures of online life, and balancing ambition alongside authenticity. Avery and Victoria’s rapport makes “keeping it real” truly feel like a conversation among friends—one with resonance and impact.