staying relevant | rocky barnes

Summary

Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods – Episode: Staying Relevant | Rocky Barnes

Release Date: April 28, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery Woods sits down with longtime follower and multifaceted influencer Rocky Barnes. As a model, content creator, entrepreneur, podcast host, and mother of two, Rocky shares her journey through the evolving landscape of social media, balancing personal life with a thriving career, and strategies for staying relevant in a fast-paced digital world.

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Rocky's Early Career and Modeling

Rocky Barnes began her career in the early days of social media, starting around 2010. Growing up in Manhattan Beach, California, she pursued her passion for fashion despite her father's reservations, who, being an aerospace engineer, preferred a more traditional educational path for her. Rocky attended San Diego State University, majoring in international business marketing and communications, which later proved instrumental in her success as a social media influencer.

At [05:40], Rocky reminisces about her initial foray into modeling:

"I was scouted, started modeling... driving back and forth from San Diego to LA like five days a week. It was hustling."

Her modeling career took off as she worked with renowned brands like Billabong and Prana Yoga, traveling to exotic locations such as Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, and Morocco. These experiences not only honed her modeling skills but also laid the groundwork for her later success in the influencer space.

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Transition to Social Media Influence

Facing dissatisfaction with the rigid standards of the modeling industry, Rocky transitioned to using Instagram as her personal portfolio. She began posting authentic photos that resonated with her true self, steering away from the traditional model aesthetics. At [07:04], she explains:

"I started using Instagram as my own personal portfolio, totally posting all the photos I liked."

This shift allowed Rocky to embrace a more genuine representation of herself, attracting a dedicated following. Her marketing background played a crucial role in her ability to strategically grow her online presence, turning her passion into a sustainable career.

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Personal Journey: Marriage and Divorce

Rocky's personal life intertwined with her professional journey when she married her first husband at 25. Their relationship eventually faced challenges due to differing career aspirations and life goals. At [09:07], Rocky shares:

"It wasn't going to be a partnership, it was always going to be a hierarchy... This isn't going to work."

The decision to divorce was one of the hardest choices she made, but it allowed her to focus on her career and personal happiness. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new chapter, paving the way for her current marriage and thriving family life.

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Finding a New Partner and Business Partnership

After her divorce, Rocky met her current husband, Matt, serendipitously at a concert in Brooklyn. Initially disclosing her impending divorce, Rocky was upfront about her situation, which Matt appreciated. Their relationship blossomed as they collaborated professionally, opening a dumpling shop named Stuffed on Melrose. Although the restaurant faced challenges and eventually shut down, Matt supported Rocky in organizing her business endeavors, including transitioning her social media management.

At [11:08], Rocky reflects on their partnership:

"He ended up helping me out doing that... It grew from there."

Their collaboration extended to photography, with Matt taking over as Rocky's photographer, allowing her to continue creating compelling content while balancing family life.

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Staying Relevant in the Social Media Era

Rocky offers insightful perspectives on the evolution of social media, highlighting the shift from a collaborative environment to one focused on individual branding. At [15:56], she notes:

"Back in the day, the reason we all grew so much is that we were all lifting each other up."

She criticizes the modern obsession with perfect curation, which often leads to a fragmented and competitive atmosphere. However, Rocky embraces the current trend towards authenticity and raw content, finding solace in sharing unfiltered moments that resonate more deeply with her audience.

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Balancing Career and Motherhood

Becoming a mother significantly reshaped Rocky's priorities and approach to her career. With two young children, she emphasizes the importance of family time and the challenges of maintaining a professional presence online. At [32:29], Rocky shares:

"I say no to a lot more jobs... I don't just go on trips to go on a trip anymore. It has to be worth me leaving my family."

This balance is further facilitated by her collaboration with Matt, allowing them to support each other's careers while nurturing their family. Rocky highlights the emotional connection with her audience as both a strength and a source of pressure, especially when supporting her family's financial needs.

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Fashion and Styling Insights

A passionate fashion enthusiast, Rocky delves into her approach to styling and wardrobe essentials. She emphasizes understanding one's body proportions as the foundation of effective styling. At [43:55], she advises:

"Understanding your body and the proportions of your body is really the most important."

Rocky's styling philosophy revolves around creating versatile outfits that are both chic and accessible, regardless of budget. She takes pride in transforming affordable pieces into stylish ensembles, demonstrating that personal style doesn't have to break the bank. Additionally, she advocates for tailoring garments to achieve a perfect fit, ensuring longevity and versatility in one's wardrobe.

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Staying Relevant: Strategies and Philosophy

Rocky's enduring relevance in the influencer space is attributed to her consistent growth, authentic engagement with her audience, and adaptability to changes in social media trends. At [52:35], she reflects:

"I think I'm consistent. I'm always getting inspired... I think I'm always trying to do it in a different way and in a unique way."

Her ability to evolve with the platform while maintaining her unique voice has fostered a loyal community. Rocky believes that steady growth and a deep emotional connection with her followers are key to sustaining her influence over time.

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Future Projects and Personal Insights

Looking ahead, Rocky is excited about upcoming projects and trips, particularly once her ACL surgery heals. She hints at potential collaborations and adventures that align with her passion for the beach and outdoor activities. Despite facing industry uncertainties like tariffs affecting production, Rocky remains optimistic and open to new opportunities, driven by her love for her work and dedication to her family.

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Conclusion

Rocky Barnes' journey from a model to a successful influencer and entrepreneur underscores the importance of authenticity, adaptability, and resilience in staying relevant. Her experiences offer valuable lessons on balancing personal life with a demanding career, the evolution of social media, and the enduring power of genuine connections. Through her candid conversations, Rocky inspires listeners to embrace their true selves while navigating the complexities of the digital age.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [07:04] Rocky Barnes: "I started using Instagram as my own personal portfolio, totally posting all the photos I liked."

• [09:07] Rocky Barnes: "It wasn't going to be a partnership, it was always going to be a hierarchy... This isn't going to work."

• [15:56] Rocky Barnes: "Back in the day, the reason we all grew so much is that we were all lifting each other up."

• [32:29] Rocky Barnes: "I say no to a lot more jobs... I don't just go on trips to go on a trip anymore. It has to be worth me leaving my family."

• [43:55] Rocky Barnes: "Understanding your body and the proportions of your body is really the most important."

• [52:35] Rocky Barnes: "I think I'm consistent. I'm always getting inspired... I think I'm always trying to do it in a different way and in a unique way."

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Where to Find Rocky Barnes:

• Instagram: @rockybarns
• Blog: RockyBarnsBlog.com
• TikTok: Rocky Barnes
• Podcast: Mulholland Drive

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This summary captures the essence of Rocky Barnes' conversation on the "Staying Relevant" episode, highlighting her professional journey, personal insights, and strategies for maintaining influence in a dynamic social media landscape.

Transcript

[Avery Woods]

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[Rocky Barnes]

Hello.

[Avery Woods]

Thanks for being here.

[Rocky Barnes]

I'm excited to be here.

[Avery Woods]

Do you know we were talking about before we got started is that we think you have the sex, sexiest voice. You really do.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, you know, if hits the fan with Instagram, it can be like a.

[Avery Woods]

Sex phone operator or asmr.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. Good morning. Let's get it.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, I think people either like my voice or find it extremely annoying.

[Avery Woods]

What? There's nothing annoying about it.

[Rocky Barnes]

Like the California fry.

[Avery Woods]

No, you don't have that. You have like a sexy, sultry voice. Oh, California fry is like, oh, my God.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, I could go there.

[Avery Woods]

That's. But that's not. You even like sitting and chatting with you. But you're. Good morning. Let's get dressed. I started following you when you were pregnant and you started doing those on TikTok. And I was like, she is an icon. She is a legend.

[Rocky Barnes]

You're so sweet. Thank you.

[Avery Woods]

Do you know how much pressure I felt getting dressed this morning? I went very simple because I was like, I can't fuck it up, but I put some print on. On my shoes because you just dress so funky. But.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, I'm very. I'm. My pants are like stained and I'm like, I was assuming I was just like, neck up today.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, it's fine.

[Rocky Barnes]

So I put jewels on for you, but we're matching.

[Avery Woods]

A Navy I is kind of iconic, so I don't. I don't really know much about prior to social media for you. So what was your life growing up and what did you do before your career took off?

[Rocky Barnes]

Wow. Well, I've been doing social media for. I'm really bad at math a long time. Like, probably started in two thou. 2010.

[Avery Woods]

Damn.

[Rocky Barnes]

So like 18 years for really early on.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

Like when I first started, I remember being. Someone would send me like a free bikini and I was like, yeah. Oh, scoring, like so excited. But. Well, I'll give you like a quick background though. I grew up in Manhattan beach. So, like, born and raised California. Went to school in San Diego. San Diego State.

[Avery Woods]

We lived across from San Diego State in Del Sero.

[Rocky Barnes]

Okay.

[Avery Woods]

My son was born at Grossmont.

[Rocky Barnes]

Nice.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. We love San Diego.

[Rocky Barnes]

I love. I didn't even want to go to. To college. I wanted to go to fashion school because I've always loved fashion and my dad kind of wouldn't let me do that. My dad's like an ex aerospace engineer and so he was like, no, you need a proper education. So he took me to San Diego, drove me around, and I was like, okay, I could do this. So ended up getting into San Diego State. Only school I applied to, because I'm not like, a huge school person. It was not my thing. But I joined a sorority. I had, like, the best five years of my life. I had impacted classes, so I took a fifth year.

[Avery Woods]

Wait, what did you study?

[Rocky Barnes]

So I did international business marketing, communications.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, so you've used that.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, I was kind of like, whatever. This is easy. I don't have to take a second. A second language because I'm really bad at. Like, all of this was very strategic. I didn't want to take a language. I can do business communications and not take a language. And then little did I know, it would actually be the reason. I think I've done so well on social, having the marketing background. So after. After college, I was scouted, started modeling.

[Avery Woods]

Okay.

[Rocky Barnes]

Was working at two restaurants, part. Part time at two restaurants, doing marketing for this author in La Jolla. And I just started modeling. Was driving back and forth from San Diego to LA like, five days a week. Put 30,000 miles in my car each year, hustling. Ended up getting married super young. Got married at 25.

[Avery Woods]

How did you meet?

[Rocky Barnes]

He came into the restaurant I worked at.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, cute.

[Rocky Barnes]

And asked me out. Yeah, he was like a cute surfer guy from La Jolla, the attorney for the Padres at the time. And I was like, okay, I got married. Now let's have kids. And he was like, well, you know, you're 25. Like, why don't you just, like, work for another year?

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

And I was like, all right, fine. So I started working modeling mostly. And then all of a sudden, my career took off, like, exploded. And I was, like, traveling all the time. I was doing a lot of swimwear brands and workout brands. So I was. Little did I know in the modeling world, those are, like, the best brands to work for, because you're not stuck in a studio on a white backdrop. Like, I was the billabong girl. So I was going to Tahiti and Fiji and Australia. And, like, I worked for Prana Yoga. We went to Morocco, and, like, I got to go to all the best places in the world. Yeah, it was amazing. And then he was like, okay, well, let's start having kids. I was like, I. I think I'm good. Like, I want to keep doing this.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

So we ended up separating and divorcing. Kind of each went our own way. I think the Timing was just off. He was nine.

[Avery Woods]

I didn't know you got divorced.

[Rocky Barnes]

I was married and divorced.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, this is.

[Rocky Barnes]

I know a lot of people don't know because I think social media kind of picked up more so later. But yeah, so that ended. I moved back up to LA and I kind of started social media because I hated all my modeling photos. They were always trying to make me be like taller, thinner, less tan, more like a traditional model. And they always chose like the worst photos of me. So I started using Instagram as like my own personal portfolio, totally posting all the photos I liked. And I also loved fashion. And on all these amazing trips I would go on. It's not so much now, but you, when you're modeling for fashion, you shoot everything like six months in advance, right? And so I can't show any of the clothes or like top secret. So I would like throw on my own clothes, be in all these amazing like beautiful places around the world and like take photos. And it kind of was the beginner of like what bloggers do now, right? We travel, put on outfits, take cute photos. And I was just kind of subconsciously, like not knowing doing that just because I was taking advantage of the opportunities in front of me and ended up getting divorced. It didn't work out. I said he was nine years older so like the timing was off.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, so he wanted to have kids because he's a little bit older?

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, and I did at first. And then I was like, I'm good timing was off. Moved back to LA and have been doing like social media ever since.

[Avery Woods]

Were you sad about your divorce or were you like, okay, this is a chapter that's closed. Like it's for the best.

[Rocky Barnes]

I think it's never fun to go.

[Avery Woods]

Through it for sure.

[Rocky Barnes]

It's like. And it was my decision. So obviously you just never want to hurt someone.

[Avery Woods]

Of course.

[Rocky Barnes]

But I think, I think I realized that I wasn't going to be happy long term. And we didn't have kids. It was either like shit or get off the pot, right?

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

Like I'm not going to try and have a kid to fix my marriage. I want someone who's gonna run with me. Like, he didn't want to travel, he didn't wanted me to be in San Diego. There was no compromise. And I was like, at what point is my job worthy? Right?

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

Like he didn't take my job seriously because it was more modeling, influencing. And he had like a lawyer, real job, corporate, 9 to 5. And I just realized that it was never going to be a partnership, it was always going to be a hierarchy for sure. And so I was like, this isn't going to work. And I. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, I have to say.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

Is like getting those words out of your mouth. It's like a very out of body experience. But you just. I had to rip the band aid.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

And I'm. I'm very grateful I did because I think we're both happier for it.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well. And he's a good guy. Just like the timing was off.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. You weren't each other's people.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

And now obviously you're married, you have a beautiful family.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yes.

[Avery Woods]

Two kids.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yes.

[Avery Woods]

So how did you meet your husband?

[Rocky Barnes]

I met my husband when I moved up to la. I signed with one Management in New York. It was like my first New York agency. And so I started going back and forth to New York once every three weeks, every couple weeks, month or so. And I ended up staying a long weekend and going to a concert with one of my girlfriends and ended up randomly meeting Matt at a concert in Brooklyn.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, really?

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, Like Locked Eyes from across the. The concert. And he ended up coming up and talking to me and I was like, I'm getting divorced. You don't want to talk to me. Like, I'm a hot mess. You don't want to talk to me.

[Avery Woods]

I love the honesty.

[Rocky Barnes]

We. At that point, you have to be brutally honest. Like, at what point do you bring up, oh, yeah, I'm in the. In the middle of a divorce. Hey, totally. Like, you have to be brutally honest and upfront with that. And I was like, I'm getting divorced. You don't want to talk to me. And he's like, can I take you to dinner? I go, did you hear me? I'm a hot mess right now. You don't want to get involved.

[Avery Woods]

But at least you told him right off the bat.

[Rocky Barnes]

And also I was like, you live in New York. I'm never gonna date you.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

And serendipitous. It's very serendipitous. But a week before we met, he had signed a lease on an apartment in West Hollywood to move out like three months later.

[Avery Woods]

So it was meant to be.

[Rocky Barnes]

It was kismet.

[Avery Woods]

He's a photographer.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, now he is.

[Avery Woods]

You're like, I made him my photographer.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, he was working in finance when I met him.

[Avery Woods]

What?

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

And so he kind of shifted to what work you're doing to help.

[Rocky Barnes]

He was moving out to take over, like a new client. In LA under Ernst and Young, where he was working. And he ended up just, like, kind of burning out in finance. And he wanted to open a restaurant. Cause he's, like, an amazing cook. Not, like, classically trained, but he's just really passionate about food. So we ended up opening a dumpling shop on Melrose called Stuffed. Yeah. And it was amazing. But the restaurant business is, like, so hard.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. So hard.

[Rocky Barnes]

And I just don't think he and his partner were prepared for it. So they ended up shutting it down right before COVID which was a blessing in disguise again. And at that point, when he was kind of building the restaurant and waiting for everything to kind of come to fruition, he was helping me out because I was a hot mess. Like, I'm a creative through and through. And I was like, I was keeping all of my invoices for my jobs on a notepad on my iPhone. Like, I'm. He's like, do you want me to make an Excel spreadsheet for you? I go, what the fuck would I do with an Excel spreadsheet? I don't even know how to do that. So he ended up helping me out doing that. And then he ended up taking a photography class and then started shooting with me, because then we could travel together. And it kind of grew from there. It was not easy at the beginning.

[Avery Woods]

What was your, like, I made it moment where you knew this was going to be the career for you? Not so much modeling, because obviously you were already in that sign, but more so the fashion influencing side.

[Rocky Barnes]

I think the aha moment for me was when I got booked for my first job as an influencer. And it. It was actually, like, probably one of the most iconic jobs I've ever had. It was the first one I got. I got. I was shot by Patrick Demarchelier for Sam Edelman's eight page advertorial in the September issue of Vogue.

[Avery Woods]

Damn.

[Rocky Barnes]

I was like, okay. And it was. It was for Rocky, like, Rocky for Sam Edelman. Not like, we want to hire Rocky as a model. It was like they wanted me as an influencer. And I was like, this is so fucking cool. I got to shoot with Patrick Demarchelier. I had the whole Vogue team there. I was like, okay, this is a pinch me, I made it moment.

[Avery Woods]

This is so random. But is your actual birth name Rocky?

[Rocky Barnes]

No. No.

[Avery Woods]

What's your birth.

[Rocky Barnes]

Rachel.

[Avery Woods]

Rachel. And so where does Rocky come from?

[Rocky Barnes]

Okay, so my. I'm half Filipino, and it's Rachel to, like, Raquel to. Rocky is like, a very Common nickname. So my mom's called me Rocky since I was a baby. It was my mom's nickname for me. And when Instagram started, I was like, okay, Rach Rachel Barnes. R. Barnes. Like, I went through every variation of Rachel Barnes, and everything was taken. Like, everything. Like, I was really getting creative, and so I was like, fuck, I'll just do Rocky. My mom calls me Rocky. So I did Rocky Barnes. Not taken. Well, it was actually. So I added an underscores. It was, like, some weird guy in, like, North Carolina with, like, two photos.

[Avery Woods]

I love that you, like, never forget that. Like, I will always remember stuff like that. I'm like, why are you using my name?

[Rocky Barnes]

And he, like, didn't post for, like, 10 years. Years. I was like.

[Avery Woods]

And of course the handles taken.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. But I was like, no one's confusing me with this guy. So I ended up doing Rocky, and then it just kind of stuck.

[Avery Woods]

Do people in your personal life call you Rocky?

[Rocky Barnes]

My husband doesn't, but people go back and forth.

[Avery Woods]

Interesting.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

What do you prefer?

[Rocky Barnes]

People ask me that all the time, and I really.

[Avery Woods]

You don't care?

[Rocky Barnes]

It doesn't matter. Like, I do my podcast with Rachel Zelick, and so I go by Rocky strictly for the pod. Like, it's confusing.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. But honestly, I. I, like, turn to both. I'm like, oh, Rocky, Rachel, whatever.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. So you. When you started, I would consider you an OG Instagram girl, because that was when, you know, we had the fun sepia filters and all the things on Instagram. That's so different now.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. And I know all the face tuning.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, yeah. I have a lot of close friends that came from that era as well. But talk kind of through how coming up in that world of social media compares to how social media is now, because I feel like it has changed so much just in the last five years alone.

[Rocky Barnes]

So much. Wow. Where do I start? Well, I started, what, 15 years ago. We did the math. Yeah. I was, like, on one of the first Revolve trips. I did the whole Revolve era, Revolve.

[Avery Woods]

Festival, all of it.

[Rocky Barnes]

Like, I was on all their trips. Like, on. Like, there were a few girls who were, like, on contract with them for years. And I feel I really give Risa credit. She. She created the Influencer, Totally Model and did all of that. And I was, like, really lucky to be part of that first wave because it really established you and gave you credibility being involved with the whole Revolve family. I think the one thing that people kind of miss Now, I think on TikTok, kids are better about it. But back in the day, the reason we all grew so much is that we were all lifting each other up. Posting photos with everyone, tagging everyone. I really feel like as social media grew, everyone became so controlling of their image and obsessed with, like, putting out this perfect image of themselves that the only way to do it was to just, like, become this solo story and not include other people. And I think that that shifted Instagram in a whole new direction. It wasn't as social visually as it used to be. And so that kind of. That shift was kind of annoying. And everyone was kind of. It felt like everyone was out for themselves at that point and less about really meeting new people and growing organically through this, like, network that you create. So. And that lasted for a long time. Like, everyone trying to be so perfect and so curated. Curated, right. Like, I only post certain colors on my feed. I never did that because I would just wear too many colors. But. And then I feel like everyone got so over that that it swapped. The pendulum swung in the opposite direction. Everyone wanted raw, unfiltered, just, like, messy stuff, which that happened around the time I got pregnant and had kids. And I was like, I am so down for this. I don't have to try so hard. I don't have to edit anything. I'm like, this is great. And I think I also got to the point that I had more confidence in myself. I think becoming a mom, you just, like, don't sweat the little stuff anymore. And I was like, fuck, I don't need to edit myself. I know how to take a good photo. The light's good. I don't need to do any more than this. Like, stop dragging myself through to make myself perfect all the time. So I've really embraced this new chapter. I do have an amazing photographer, which helps. Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

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[Avery Woods]

Yeah, yeah. I feel like I like what you said because it's kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. But I feel like social media is like that in general. For instance, how Instagram used to be that, that perfect curated like the bright white saturated photos where everything's picture perfect and planned. That was very trendy. But now if that's the case, it's. You only show the highlights. This isn't realistic. You're no longer relatable. But if you show the messy moments, it's. You get hate. Like if I show a car cleaning out video of, you know, I'm on a road trip with my kids and we clean out my car and it's how can you get your car to this point? And I'm like, like, but if I don't show it, then I'm not a realistic mom. But I also feel like that's also where social media has changed, where the outside opinions have become so brutal. And I feel like it didn't used to be like that. Especially since TikTok came around. I feel like with a for you page there's a lot more outside opinions. Have you experienced that? It.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, it's a catch 22. I think that I've been really cautious about kind of walking a fine line in between sharing over sharing and not and just being like a visual person because I've seen people get canceled left and right. It's like when you, when you share everything. Like I share everything, but I'm not like as forward facing as a lot of girls. I'm not doing like a confessional on my insta stories or like exposing myself and being as raw and real. And I respect the girls who are able to do that so much. It takes a lot, I think. I think I feel more comfortable doing it like on podcasts and stuff. But like for some reason it, when I'm alone, like trying to talk like that, it just doesn't feel right for me. And I've learned that I just have to. It took me forever to get on TikTok for heaven's sakes. I had to find what worked for me. And there's a huge payoff for being vulnerable to your audience. People are invested and there for you through the ups and downs. But at the same time, when you open yourself up like that, you're opening yourself up to potential criticism. They hold you to this standard. They expect you to be real and honest with them in every way. And it can backfire. And I've seen it backfire over and over and over again. So I also feel like right now, the way people grow on social media is the emotional connection that you're creating. Yes. But I don't know, it kind of goes back and forth. Like, you can have that emotional connection. Is that gonna translate into sales? Is that gonna translate into a career, being able to support your family? I think it can in certain ways. I've kind of straddled that, I think, in a lot of ways, because I feel super protective of my brand, especially now that I have a family.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah, that's the thing, is that when you support your family, and I feel that because, you know, I have four kids, it's a lot of pressure, especially as a woman and someone that is in the public eye, where you get a lot of outside opinions, because every day you're like, is this gonna continue? Like, do I still have a job? It's very stressful. And one of my good friends, Amber Philarup, was telling me how, you know, her entire career, she's woken up in the mindset of, this could go away tomorrow.

[Rocky Barnes]

They've been telling me that for 10 years.

[Avery Woods]

Yes. And as scary as that is, it almost lights a fire under my ass, because I have never worked harder in my whole life. And, I mean, I was a pick. You and NICU nurse, like, full time during the pandemic, all of that. Like, I've worked. I've seen some crazy shit, but even my husband's like, I've never in our entire life together, 12 years, have I ever seen you work as hard as you do. And I think people don't see that behind the scenes, but when you do support your family, you have to.

[Rocky Barnes]

And Matt and I work together now, and I love that this is it. Like, our eggs are in one basket.

[Avery Woods]

Totally.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. It's. It puts a lot of pressure on you. And I think. I think one of the things I've been really good at is I do have, like, if. If big companies are vetting me, I. I'm a very marketable influencer.

[Avery Woods]

You are.

[Rocky Barnes]

And I've been very cautious about that. I haven't gotten political. I don't, like, share any of that. Doesn't mean I don't have opinions. But also, like, I have a family that I'm protective of.

[Avery Woods]

Absolutely.

[Rocky Barnes]

So people like to get mad at you if you don't say anything, but I think I've never done it, so, like, I'm not starting now.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah, I feel the same.

[Rocky Barnes]

It's hard. It's hard to know where that line is. How much to share, how much to share. And I love sharing my life, especially, like, my kids. Like, I have so much fun, and I like to show people that they can do it all. I feel like I've worked really hard at finding a balance, being a mom, working, traveling, living a really fun life, and being able to share that. I like women to know that, yeah, being a mom is fucking hard, but you can do it.

[Avery Woods]

Totally. And you can keep your career. Actually, I tell people all the time, I completely transitioned my entire career and built this massive business after my kids were already born. Like, I didn't. I didn't start any of that until my daughter was, you know, probably three to six months is when it, like, really became serious. And that was my fourth kid, so it really is possible.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

And I think, you know, obviously we share the highlights, but as a mom, like, you want to share those moments, and you're proud of it.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

So going back, because obviously you were kind of at a disagreement with your first husband regarding kids. So what changed to have kids now with Matt? Was it just time?

[Rocky Barnes]

I always wanted kids. That wasn't the question.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

I think when I got a taste of success in my career, I. It was just so empowering. And once I got a taste of that, I was like, I'm not stopping now. It's being able to be, I think, financially independent gives you so much power to be able to make decisions for what you truly want. And not having to, like, be reliant on someone and being like, I can't leave this marriage because I can't afford to. And unfortunately, a lot of women are in that position. So many we give up our lives for children to, like, be there at home, but were essentially stuck. And I think having a sense of freedom and power, I was able to, like, I already had those feelings, and I had the courage then to act on them because I knew I could take care of myself. And it's sad to think that a lot of people feel stuck or trapped because of that. But I was also so young. Like, at 25, I thought I knew everything. I didn't know shit, you know? And I think a lot going into a marriage, you have to, like, really be so obsessed with your person, because it just gets harder and harder as it goes. And those little things that bother you just, like, multiply.

[Avery Woods]

Especially when you have kids. Like, you're now not the priority.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

Your kids will always come first.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

And if you don't.

[Rocky Barnes]

I know. Ask my husband. He's not happy about it.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. But it's like, if you don't have a strong foundation and then you add children to that, that's like the straw that broke the camel toe.

[Rocky Barnes]

Totally.

[Avery Woods]

You can't survive that.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. And I think I was unaware how much I compromised myself the first time I got married. I was like, oh, he's a really great guy. This is what I'm supposed to do. He wants to marry me. Like, this is amazing. I should do this. I don't think it was. Because I was so in love and wanted this. I was kind of just like, oh, this is what you're supposed to do. And I came from a divorced family, so for me, it was like this vision of a white picket fence. Like the perfect family I never had. I love my family, but it's like, non traditional. And having this, like, beautiful life in La Jolla, it just felt like this is what I should be doing. It's kind of what I always dreamed about. But then you kind of are there, and you're like, okay, well, marriage is more than the dream of it. You have to really be matched with your person.

[Avery Woods]

So what was the point with Matt where you were like, okay, I feel ready to be a mom?

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, I think age was a lot of it, too. Like, I had my first at 34.

[Avery Woods]

Okay.

[Rocky Barnes]

And I want. Matt's three years younger than me. He was like, just ready. We got married in 2018, and then in September of 2018, we went to Coachella. April. And I was like, okay, I'm gonna go off birth control after Coachella one last weekend. And I'm like, it'll probably, like, take me a year. Whatever. I got pregnant, like, that day.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, yeah. When you get off birth control, your hormones spike.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. I didn't know that.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. Same thing happened to me during the pandemic. My IUD was embedded in my uterus, and that was like, when you couldn't get a doctor's appointment during the pandemic.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Avery Woods]

Immediately got pregnant.

[Rocky Barnes]

So then that happened real quick.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

Honestly, I wanted to have kids before 35 because of, like, the risks that elevate. And my second was a geriatric pregnancy, and they need to change that.

[Avery Woods]

Isn't that crazy? Like, geriatric, advanced maternal age is the term.

[Rocky Barnes]

Rude.

[Avery Woods]

35 is advanced maternal age.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, I think back in the day it was. It was.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

I was like. And I gave birth in New York both times because my husband's from New York and his dad's a doctor and his dad's best friend was our obgyn. So we ended up going back and forth to New York. I was the youngest mom in the waiting room. Like all in New York, all these women are like in their 40s having kids.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

So I think they need to change the name.

[Avery Woods]

I think they absolutely need to change the name. So now, having kids, being a mom of two boys, what's changed in your life? Being a mom? Like, what has being a mother made you realize?

[Rocky Barnes]

I think the obvious one is just priorities.

[Avery Woods]

Right.

[Rocky Barnes]

Like, I say no to a lot more jobs. And I think now that my kids are 3 and 5 and they're getting older and when they were younger, it was easy. They didn't know if I was gone or not. They didn't like, understand. And you don't feel as guilty kind of in that six months to like two years. They don't really remember. But now my kids remember and they ask for me. So, like the mom guilt kicks in and you don't also now their personalities are out. You don't want to miss anything. You're like, this is such a special time. So I think just priority wise, I'm not just going on trips to go on a trip anymore. Like, it has to be worth me leaving my family or I'm bringing them.

[Avery Woods]

I feel the same way. The last brand trip I went on was I actually paid to have my family go with me.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

And this whole year I've turned on every brand trip opportunity just because I feel like at one point you kind of just outgrow it. And I know you feel this, but being a woman in her 30s and going on brand trips with girls that like, just graduated high school, it just. You just don't feel like you belong in that environment anymore. I also just can't keep up. Like, I can't go out to a club till five in the morning.

[Rocky Barnes]

I don't have it in me anymore. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm a psycho. I have so much energy. I can do everything.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, see, I just am in bed.

[Rocky Barnes]

I like going on brand trips and meeting new people though.

[Avery Woods]

I do love meeting new people. And I feel like those relationships are so fun when you see them in a public environment. But I was. That was one of the big reasons we moved here was because I would come out record and that Was like a three day trip for me away from the kids. And as they started to get older and realize and they're like crying by the door, I couldn't handle it anymore. And now it's, I can drive 30 minutes record, and then I'm home for dinner tonight. Like, it's. It was the best thing for our family. And I also didn't want to move them really young or. I'm sorry. As they get older and more established, I wanted them to be on the younger side.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

But it does become really difficult to leave them.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, that's why I started tik tok, really, because I just, I started tik tok when I was pregnant. I was like, I can't dance. I'm not doing all this. Like, I'm not, I can't, I won't. I refuse. I was like, I. I was late to the game and I didn't start until I was like, okay, I can do. Get ready with me in my closet. And I was pregnant. I didn't want to like leave. It was like I gave birth January 2020. So I was like, okay, this is something I can do. It's easy, whatever. And then when I had my baby, I was like, this is great. I can get dressed in my closet while my baby's napping.

[Avery Woods]

They're my favorite videos.

[Rocky Barnes]

But also as a mom, it's something that's realistic, that I can sustain, like taking photos, street style photos. I have to get up, coordinate with my husband, do all this shit, leave the house, drive around, find a spot, hope the light's good, hope the weather's good. You know, all of this stuff, it's time consuming. But when I had little babies napping, I was like, I can do this from home. And it just was an easy way for me to feel productive and create content that worked with my life totally. So that it stuck.

[Avery Woods]

What's your thought, thoughts when it comes to your kids and social media? What do you think?

[Rocky Barnes]

I'm gonna do it till they say no. My oldest son is already saying no.

[Avery Woods]

What about for them? Will they be allowed no social media?

[Rocky Barnes]

No.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah, I felt the same.

[Rocky Barnes]

No, they're gonna make a hundred million mistakes and you don't want evidence of that ever. I'm so grateful that MySpace is gone.

[Avery Woods]

Oh my God.

[Rocky Barnes]

Oh my God.

[Avery Woods]

Also top 10 friends. Like, like, that's for me. I just worry about the bowling aspect of like the comments and the outside opinions.

[Rocky Barnes]

Oh, no, I was just wasted in every photo in college and I was like, this does not need to be on the Internet. And I'm so glad it's gone. I'm so glad there's no evidence of me in high school. Like, all the shit I was doing was so stupid, and I don't want my kids having evidence of that. Like, live your best life. You can have it when you're 18.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah, I. I say all the time, like, thank God I never had Twitter.

[Rocky Barnes]

Oh, yeah. I just don't like to write. That's why I don't have Twitter. I can barely write an Instagram caption.

[Avery Woods]

I think you're so much funnier than anyone knows, because, you know, you're one of those people that people admire so much, and you're always. You always look amazing. You're very sophisticated in the way you speak. But I remember I saw a video, and I was like, she has such a fun personality, because you just don't know. And it was when you were talking about Julia Fox's dress, looking like she was full of cubes. And it's.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, it did.

[Avery Woods]

You have to find that, Scott, and overlay it. Her dress that looked like had pubes on it. It did.

[Rocky Barnes]

It did. She was going for, like, Birth of Venus, but it just didn't work.

[Avery Woods]

No. I think you're hilarious.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, that's why Rachel and I started the podcast. I was like, this environment feels more natural for me to have a conversation.

[Avery Woods]

Wait, tell me about your podcast.

[Rocky Barnes]

My girlfriend, Rachel Zalek, I don't know if you know her. She's had 5 million lives, and she randomly knows everyone. But we. We both have kids the same age, and we live, like, five minutes from each other. So both our boys are. We're in Taekwondo together. And we would just be sitting on the bench watching them, just, like, gossiping about everything. And we were like, we should just make this into a podcast. We're just, like, shooting the shit, and we just had fun. And her husband's a producer, so, like, he set up all our mics for us. And I had always wanted to try and find a way to, like. Like, share more of my personality. And I just. I don't know. I don't feel comfortable doing it on Instagram. It just feels so contrived to me, like, talking to the phone. So I was, like, having this conversation with Rachel and I, I feel like, was really natural and easy. And I was like, if people watch it, maybe they'll get to know me more.

[Avery Woods]

Totally. What's it called?

[Rocky Barnes]

It's called Mulholland Drive. Like, we just do it from my pool House.

[Avery Woods]

She walks in. Rocky walks into unwell and she sits down and she's like, like, oh, yeah, this is a legit setup.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, this is legit. It was so funny. Like half the time, like the sounds off or like a camera turns off and.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah, you had a Tom's billboard.

[Rocky Barnes]

We have like 20 TOMS billboards.

[Avery Woods]

That's iconic.

[Rocky Barnes]

Wild. My littlest Charlie, Yeah. Is like a star right now.

[Avery Woods]

He's like, what's his thoughts?

[Rocky Barnes]

I don't think he gets it. Yeah, he's like too little to understand. It'll be cool when he's older.

[Avery Woods]

Can you imagine those photos too?

[Rocky Barnes]

I know.

[Avery Woods]

He, like shows his future girlfriend. He's like, look what I was on.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, Jones. Jones was so cute when he was little. He's still. He's like handsome.

[Avery Woods]

They're both so cute.

[Rocky Barnes]

Jones is like very handsome. Like model esque. But he's five. He's like, I don't want to take a photo. And then you ask him to take a photo. He's like, I'm like, okay, this is not gonna go. You're not helping your college fund right now, bro. But Charlie is like at that age where I can be like, you want an M and M? Them smile. He's like a puppy.

[Avery Woods]

Totally.

[Rocky Barnes]

So I'm like, I'm gonna bribing, I'm gonna bribe them as long as I can because there will be a point where they're gonna say no.

[Avery Woods]

Totally.

[Rocky Barnes]

So I'm like, your college fund, build it up now while we can.

[Avery Woods]

Right? I know. Ziggy, my six year old, he's at that age where he's like, I don't want to, mom.

[Rocky Barnes]

And then you don't. You can't make that.

[Avery Woods]

No, you absolutely can't. And you do get to a point where you're like, I'm not going to make you. Like, I'm not gonna make you do anything that you don't like. But my three year old, she eats that shit up. She's like, mommy, take a picture of me. Look how cute I look.

[Rocky Barnes]

You know?

[Avery Woods]

But that's also the girl in her.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

What's your favorite type of campaign to do, work wise? Like what. What fuels you? What fills your cup?

[Rocky Barnes]

Like, when it comes down to it, my favorite part of the job is styling.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

Like sitting in my closet making cute outfits, like putting stuff together. Like, that's what still is exciting for me. Like making it all just into like a. For me, it always is. Like a theme, a story. Everything has like a purpose. It's like really thoughtful. And that whole process to me is so fun. It's never gotten old. I love to do it. And one of the things I'm most proud of for my own brand is I work with everyone. Like name a brand, I've worked with them from Louis Vuitton to Old Navy to Walmart to everything in between. And the fun part is finding a piece. Let's say it's the expensive stuff is easy, right? But give me something from Old Navy, from Walmart, I will make it cute.

[Avery Woods]

Totally.

[Rocky Barnes]

And it's all about styling and that showing people that you can have fun and make a cute outfit. It doesn't have to cost a ton of money. That's the art and that's, that's the fun part for me. And I take pride in the fact that I can literally make anything cute.

[Avery Woods]

No, you can't. And you'll put on the most basic outfit and the way you accessorize and dress it up and layer will never cease to amaze me.

[Rocky Barnes]

That's the fun part though, because it's at the end of the day, it's personal style and having these details and the little zhu jing. And when people look at something like oh, that's gross and then I put it on and they're like, oh wait, that's cute. I go go, this is the fun part. Like this is like my uncontrollable movements.

[D]

Called TD tardive dyskinesia felt embarrassing. I felt like disconnecting. I asked my doctor about treating my TD and learned about in a prescription medicine clinically proven for reducing TD in adults. That's always one capsule once daily and number one prescribed People taking Ingrezza can stay on most mental health meds.

[E]

Ingrezza can cause depression, suicidal thoughts or actions in patients with Huntington's disease. Call your doctor if you become depressed, have sudden behavior or mood changes or suicidal thoughts. Don't take in allergic. Serious side effects may include allergic reactions like sudden potentially fatal swelling and hives, sleepiness, the most common side effect, and heart rhythm problems. Know how in Greza affects you before operating a car or dangerous machinery, report fever, stiff muscles or problems thinking as these might be life threatening. Shaking, stiffness, drooling and trouble with mood or balance may occur.

[D]

Take control by asking your doctor about Ingrezza.

[E]

Learn more at ingrezza.com that's I N G R E Z Z A dot.

[Rocky Barnes]

Com in Grezza.

[Avery Woods]

So good, so good, so good.

[C]

Great gifts for mom. We've got them and they're up to 60% off at Nordstrom Rack stores. Now. You know they have Marc Jacobs.

[Rocky Barnes]

Gotta show mom some love. That is.

[Avery Woods]

Is so good.

[C]

Snag amazing deals on Mother's Day. Gifts from Barefoot Dreams, Kate Spade New York and more. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack. Hey, Kristen, how's it tracking with Carvana Value Tracker?

[E]

What else?

[Rocky Barnes]

Oh, it's tracking, in fact. Value surge alert. Trucks up 2.5%, vans down 1.7, just as predicted. So we gonna. I don't know, could sell, could hold.

[E]

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[Rocky Barnes]

Exhilarating, isn't it? Tracking always know your car's worth with Carvana Value tracker. Gets me off.

[Avery Woods]

So if someone's starting their closet, if they're starting from scratch, what are your basics that you feel like are must haves for anyone?

[Rocky Barnes]

I think the biggest thing when someone's styling their closet is understanding their body. I think that's the number one. I think a lot of people try to wear stuff and it's like, that's just not for you. It doesn't work for your body. Totally. And I think understanding your body and the proportions of your body is really the most important. Like, my body is very proportional, like very equal. I. And I would kill for longer legs.

[Avery Woods]

No, you're so hot.

[Rocky Barnes]

No, but I would. But everyone's got their thing, right? Like, I would kill for longer legs. So like I wear stuff high waisted because it elongates my legs and the things that I want to highlight on myself. So understanding those proportions and what works for you I think is first and foremost. And then based on that, it's. It becomes a formula. Right. I think proportions are everything. You're not wearing two baggy things together. It's like when you do makeup, you do eye or lip, not both. Right. If you're wearing baggy on top, you need to have more form fitted on the bottom or vice versa. I think accentuating your waist when you can. Or I do, because it's a highlight of my body. I like to highlight what I got.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah, it's getting tiny. She's really tiny.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, I've always had a small waist. My ass grows, but my waist.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. Be prepared. The wind's picking up in LA today. My blow away.

[Rocky Barnes]

No, no, no, no. I think that's really the biggest point. And I think obviously jeans are like, yeah, a staple.

[Avery Woods]

But a good pair of jeans, like, if I find a good pair of jeans I'm obsessed with, I will buy every single wash.

[Rocky Barnes]

It's really Hard right now because jeans are like not. Jeans are fluctuating so much. And jeans are usually like. I had the same vintage Levi's for like eight years and they were like a go to and they were great. But then like everyone disrupted the whole jean category and now it's very confusing. And jeans can look super dated super quickly right now. So it's like a weird time for denim, which is annoying because that should be a forever piece.

[Avery Woods]

I know. As you're talking I'm like looking down on myself.

[Rocky Barnes]

I'm like, no, yours are cute.

[Avery Woods]

Thank God. I, you know, I wanted vintage Levi's for so long because Levi's, when you have a butt, like small waist, big.

[Rocky Barnes]

Ass, I get all of mine tailored. Five vintage Levi's go to like one of the, like go to the Melrose flea market or something. Rose bowl has a ton. And then just take it to a good tailor and they'll. I'll adjust them for you.

[Avery Woods]

You did have a pair of jeans though that I was obsessed with that you were styling once and I remember you being like, they're absurdly expensive, but they're probably my Mason Margiela ones. And I was like, if they're expensive for Rocky, like, let me look these up. And I was like, Holy, they're like 6, 700. But they're so good.

[Rocky Barnes]

The girl math works for those because.

[Avery Woods]

Like the cost per wear, Cost per wear. And they look incredible.

[Rocky Barnes]

They're suit. They were perfect for my body type. Yeah, like high waisted, slightly baggy, you kind of. They worked day to night. When you find a good pair, you gotta. But I tailor everything as well. I think that's another thing that people don't like to do. They try something on and it doesn't fit quite right. Like nothing on a hanger is supposed to fit everyone perfectly. Like if you get a dress and it needs to be a couple inches shorter to like hit right below your knee or right above your knee. Like there's certain spots that proportionally will make you look taller or shorter. If you cut your leg right at the calf, it's going to shorten your legs. Right. So I think taking the extra time and getting stuff altered, it's not that much money. And if it fits you perfectly, you will wear it over and over again.

[Avery Woods]

True.

[Rocky Barnes]

And a lot of people don't take that extra little step to make sure everything fits perfect and then they never wear it and then it's a waste of money. You might as well spend the extra $10 and get it snipped. Here, taken in here, cropped a little bit.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah, I agree with that. I also think what you said before is that the expensive stuff is very easy to find, accessible, because it's there if you are able to afford it. But the rare gems that are maybe vintage or more custom pieces, that, to me is more fun to shop for, but it's also harder to find.

[Rocky Barnes]

So I grew up thrifting and going to flea markets. My mom used to sell at the Rose bowl flea market.

[Avery Woods]

I love that.

[Rocky Barnes]

So, like, I've been going since I was a baby, and she would be there selling all day, and I would just wander around shopping. So my first experiences were she was also a hairdresser. My mom kind of has done all of it. So I would like, sit in the salon with my mom after school because we didn't have money to, like, go to daycare or anything, any sports or whatever. And I would just read through all of her magazines. Vogue, Al Harper's, all of them. And I would, like, like, tear out the outfits I was obsessed with, and they were all designer. I couldn't afford shit. And then I would go to the Rose bowl flea market and I would recreate them with vintage pieces.

[Avery Woods]

I love that.

[Rocky Barnes]

And so that was like my treasure hunt since I was little. And I'd be like, oh, I want this vibe. I want, like a silk skirt with like a bl. Like, whatever I wanted. I would go and find it at the flea market and redo it, and you get better quality. I could afford it. And. And it worked.

[Avery Woods]

That's funny, because when I first started making commission money was when I became an Amazon influencer in, like, 2017 maybe. And we were so broke. I was in nursing school and I was obsessed with free people because that was like, who wasn't? Yeah, that was like the Boho free people time.

[Rocky Barnes]

That was my era, girl.

[Avery Woods]

I've never laughed. Yeah, no. And I still love them. But. But I couldn't afford anything on free people. I was in college, so I found a bunch of dupes on Amazon and that's what I started linking. And people ate that shit up because there were so many people in my position and I loved it. We all come from somewhere. You start somewhere, right? What about podcasting is different from what you've been doing your whole career that you like. Do you think it's just because you feel like you have freedom to speak more?

[Rocky Barnes]

I think. I think I'm older and I actually have stuff to talk about. You know what I mean? Yeah. I think I have More experience, life experience. I've been in the business long enough where I feel like what I say is, you know, pearls of wisdom. I've been doing this long enough where I can talk about it. I feel like it's hard for younger girls to be able to, like, give advice on stuff because it's like, who the fuck are you? You've never done anything. Like, girls in their 20s trying to tell me how they work out to get that bod. I go, you're 20, you're 20, that's why you have that body. Totally talk to me when you're 40 and then I'll take your advice.

[Avery Woods]

And I've had a couple kids.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, yeah. Like, I don't want to Hear about a 21 year old who has a banging bod. I go, so did I. And I ate breakfast burritos five days a week. Like, it's not hard like you. I want to know someone who's been through it and done it and like, like, achieved something. So I think at this point now it's fun because even just still being in my 30s, like, I am an expert in social media, I've been doing this for God, I'm a dinosaur. So it's fun now to talk about.

[Avery Woods]

But honestly, I feel like you have proven yourself that it doesn't matter how young you are, what your bod looks like. Like, you have been through every stage of life on social media and here you are still killing it. Like, that's something to be very proud of.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, I, to be honest, like, I love my job and I feel really grateful to be in this position. I feel like when I started, everyone was making fun of me. Like, you're so vain, you want to take a photo.

[Avery Woods]

Especially in your personal life. At least I experienced that. People that were like, who the do you think you are? I think you're famous.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, like what? Take a photo. Like, like, this is embarrassing. Like, my husband still gets embarrassed taking photos of me if people are around. I go, this is our job. Like, we're, we're not doing this for fun. Like, but I love my job and I feel really grateful to be here and to be in the position I am and to have had it sustain itself for this long because people have been telling me my career is over for the past 10 years and it just keeps getting bigger and better. And so I think, I think I just live in a space of gratitude and it continues to unfold itself. And I try not to, like, plan too much. First of all, I don't Know, it's so. The potential is so limitless. But I've always just worked hard and been open to opportunity and I think that's really what's worked best for me. I've done a couple brands. Not for me.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. What do you think has kept you relevant?

[Rocky Barnes]

I don't know. God.

[Avery Woods]

Just kind of going with the no, because I don't feel like you do. For instance, when it comes to.

[Rocky Barnes]

I think I'm a steady growth. I think there's something to say about someone who has like instant fame that's really hard to sustain.

[Avery Woods]

Yes.

[Rocky Barnes]

Because a quick high comes a quick low and it's a lot of pressure on you to be able to hold that level of fame when it comes so fast. I think I've been just doing it for so long. People have grown up with me. Like I have moms and daughters be like, we love you, we both follow you. And so it's. I think people and I think I'm consistent. I'm always getting inspired and when I get excited by an outfit, I know other people will. And I think I'm always trying to do it in a different way and in a unique way and just being inspiring. I don't know. Hopefully I just keep that going.

[Avery Woods]

What's something that people don't know about you that they wish you wish that they did?

[Rocky Barnes]

I have a black belt in taekwondo.

[Avery Woods]

No, you don't.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, three time junior national champion.

[Avery Woods]

That's badass. And your kids are in it, right?

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, but they're not that great yet.

[Avery Woods]

Wait, this is crazy to me. When did you start?

[Rocky Barnes]

When I was nine.

[Avery Woods]

Did you do it through college?

[Rocky Barnes]

No, I stopped in college, but I used to teach and train.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, so you could kick ass if you wanted to.

[Rocky Barnes]

Well, after my ACL surgery heals maybe. Yeah, it's like my party trick.

[Avery Woods]

That's really cool. Yeah, that's really unique too.

[Rocky Barnes]

Back in the. It's not. I feel like kids do it way more. But like when I was doing it, like I was the only girl. There weren't that many girls doing it.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah. I want to see video of this. This is amazing. Okay, what's your perfect LA Day?

[Rocky Barnes]

Perfect LA Day?

[Avery Woods]

You would know it more than anyone. Cause you're like the icon of the LA girl.

[Rocky Barnes]

With kids or without?

[Avery Woods]

Without. Without.

[Rocky Barnes]

I don't know. Matt and I love to go vintage shopping, go out to lunch, maybe like go on a hike or go to the beach. I think just like having no plans is really nice.

[Avery Woods]

There's so much to do around Here.

[Rocky Barnes]

There'S like a laundry list always of things we want to do and we just never have time.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

So like just doing random shit we never get to do.

[Avery Woods]

Especially when you don't have your kids. You're like, what could we get done today? What's lighting you up right now? What are projects coming up that you're excited about? What fills your cup?

[Rocky Barnes]

Let's see. I have a lot. I have a few projects in the works. I can't really talk about it yet, but like we'll see what happens with all these tariffs because like that could all go to shit. Everyone produces like in China, so who fucking knows? Those might be on hold. But I would say like getting into summer is really fun for me because I'm like a beach girl at heart.

[Avery Woods]

Same.

[Rocky Barnes]

And once I'm healed from my surgery, like I have some really fun trips coming up.

[Avery Woods]

So what are your favorite beaches here?

[Rocky Barnes]

Oh, I don't like to go to the beach here. Oh you don't? No, they're disgusting. If you're gonna go to any of the beaches here in Manhattan beach, my hometown beach, is my opinion. But like Santa Monica and Venice are disgusting.

[Avery Woods]

So where else do you go besides Manhattan?

[Rocky Barnes]

If you go to the beach, Malibu's great, but there's no facilities and it's a pain in the ass. It's not convenient. Yeah, it's like really beautiful. But it's like, it's a trek, an adventure.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

San Diego has really beautiful beaches. Yeah, Manhattan beach is great. Orange county has amazing beaches.

[Avery Woods]

Do you ever go to Santa Barbara?

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah, but it's never warm enough there.

[Avery Woods]

It's a little chilly.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. Yeah. You don't get like the. It's like sweater weather on the beach.

[Avery Woods]

It is, yeah. My grandma lives in Carp, so we spent a lot of time there as kids.

[Rocky Barnes]

Like Carmel is beautiful. Caramel soap, but always too cold.

[Avery Woods]

I was gonna say cloudy and cold.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

But I think beautiful beaches, so, so pretty. It's so aesthetic.

[Rocky Barnes]

I think San Diego might take the cake.

[Avery Woods]

Oh, 100 or Laguna Beach. That was hard for us cuz we contemplated San Diego cuz again my husband's from there and we lived there for a while, but it was just too far from for work.

[Rocky Barnes]

It's not convenient.

[Avery Woods]

No, because you're looking at like three to four hours depending on traffic.

[Rocky Barnes]

And also that's time away from your kids.

[Avery Woods]

That's the thing I told my husband, I was like, I'm going to be flying whether I'm coming from Arizona or San Diego because I'm not driving in three to four hours of traffic for a long time. Yeah, you're.

[Rocky Barnes]

It doesn't matter when you're single, but when you have kids and that's just time away from them.

[Avery Woods]

Absolutely.

[Rocky Barnes]

It's not a healthy lifestyle. You're eating out of your car, you're not exercising because you don't have time.

[Avery Woods]

Yeah.

[Rocky Barnes]

It's just, it eats up your day. So.

[Avery Woods]

Also to be able to drop them off at school, get work done and then go pick them up.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

That's huge as a working mom to have that balance.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah.

[Avery Woods]

Well, I appreciate you sitting down talking with me today.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. This is so fun.

[Avery Woods]

Where can everyone find you?

[Rocky Barnes]

You can find me on Instagram @rockybarns and I have a blog too. Rockybarnsblog.com your TikTok. TikTok is Rocky Barnes as well.

[Avery Woods]

And now podcast and at Mulholland Drive.

[Rocky Barnes]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Avery Woods]

Let me list it off. Thanks.

[Rocky Barnes]

Check out my link tree.

[Avery Woods]

Bye guys. Cheers.

[D]

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[E]

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[C]

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[Rocky Barnes]

They have framed jeans.

[Avery Woods]

Nike. Yes, just so many good brands.

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[Rocky Barnes]

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[C]

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[Rocky Barnes]

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[C]

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[Rocky Barnes]

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