RHOM’s Alexia Nepola & A Miami Spa Day

Summary

Podcast Summary: Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz Episode: RHOM’s Alexia Nepola & A Miami Spa Day Release Date: July 29, 2025

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Introduction: Embracing Miami’s Duality

In this vibrant episode of Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz, host Tom Schwartz invites listeners to experience a unique blend of wellness and indulgence in the heart of Miami. The episode features a special guest, Alexia Nepola from RHOM (Real Housewives of Miami), who joins Tom and his friend Jesus for a transformative spa day. Together, they explore Miami’s contrasting energies—balancing mindfulness with the city’s famed liveliness.

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Journey to Flow Wellness Studio: Redefining Spa Experiences

The episode kicks off with Jesus expressing nostalgia for Miami’s more chaotic past:

"I've had some truly insane nights here. Pre VPR. Even more debaucherous." (00:13)

However, this trip marks a first for Jesus and Tom as they embark on a health and wellness journey, seeking tranquility amidst Miami’s usual hustle. They check into the luxurious Shellbourne Hotel, marveling at its blend of golden age art deco and contemporary coziness:

"It's the perfect balance... it just feels very Zen." (00:13)

Lacking a spa at the hotel, Tom decides to support a local business, leading them to Flow Wellness Studio—a boutique spa owned by his friend Lisi.

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Inside Flow Wellness Studio: Quality and Accessibility

Upon arrival, Lisi emphasizes her mission to make high-quality spa treatments accessible without the hefty price tags of luxury hotel spas:

"We have therapists who specialize in different things. Pain relief, sports massage, energy balancing stones." (07:28)

Jesus and Tom undergo a series of treatments, including a Hydrofacial and a Sound Bath. Lisi explains the Hydrofacial’s benefits:

"It's going to be a deep cleanse, it's going to exfoliate... infuse serums that give you glowing new skin." (08:22)

During the Sound Bath, the use of Tibetan singing bowls is highlighted for their ability to calm the nervous system:

"It's like a mute button for anxiety." (10:09)

The conversation shifts to the challenges of running a small business in Miami, with both Tom and Lisi lamenting the high employee turnover:

"Finding employees is the biggest challenge in Miami." (30:28)

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Botox and Beauty: A Candid Conversation

The episode takes an informative turn as Dr. Lakey, a plastic surgeon from Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group, provides a detailed explanation of Botox:

"Neurotoxins are purified proteins that temporarily block nerve signals to specific muscles, smoothing out wrinkles." (17:28)

Jesus opts to receive Botox treatments at Covalent Health, showcasing the procedure’s preventative benefits and aiming to destigmatize its use:

"It's a muscle relaxer... preventative." (21:12)

Natalie, the practitioner, reassures Jesus about the ease and quickness of the procedure:

"It's so quick and relatively painless." (22:35)

The dialogue underscores the importance of qualified professionals administering Botox to ensure natural and refreshed appearances without the "frozen" look:

"You have to be administered by a qualified professional." (19:43)

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Miami’s Cultural Tapestry: Community and Change

Alexia Nepola joins the conversation, bringing her perspective as a Reality TV star deeply rooted in Miami’s culture. They discuss Miami’s evolution over the years:

"Miami has become more international post-Covid, bringing economic benefits but also challenges like increased traffic and crime." (33:47)

Despite changes, both Tom and Alexia express enduring love for the city:

"Once you're from Miami, it's hard not to love Miami." (34:25)

They reminisce about Miami’s vibrant past, including the notorious Cocaine Cowboys era, while acknowledging the city’s present-day allure and cosmopolitan vibe.

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Social Media and Reality TV: Navigating Modern Challenges

A significant portion of the episode delves into the impact of social media and reality TV on personal lives and mental health. Tom and Alexia discuss the pressures of maintaining authenticity amidst public scrutiny:

"People sometimes think you're the only one going through something, but there's so many out there." (39:05)

They highlight the responsibilities that come with a digital presence, emphasizing the need for mental resilience against negative comments and the long-term consequences of online actions:

"Social media is very scary... you have to be very responsible with it." (42:14)

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Personal Reflections: Balancing Detox and Retox

Throughout the episode, personal anecdotes and philosophies emerge, reflecting the central theme of finding balance between detox and retox. Tom shares his journey of personal growth and the importance of peace over chaos:

"I chose peace. Everything I say, 100%." (29:08)

Alexia adds her insights on maintaining authenticity and embracing one’s true self, reinforcing the podcast’s message of harmony amid contrasts.

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Conclusion: Harmonizing Chaos and Calm

As the spa day concludes, Tom and Jesus reflect on their experiences, celebrating the harmony they found in Miami:

"Miami somehow holds room for both the chaos, the party, the nightlife, and the calmness, the Zen." (60:00)

The episode wraps up with heartfelt gratitude towards the spa team and a reaffirmation of their commitment to personal wellness:

"Do not let yourself forget to take a moment to treat yourself." (62:02)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tom Schwartz on Miami’s Spa Experience:
  "It's the perfect balance... it just feels very Zen." (00:13)

• Lisi on Small Business Quality:
  "We have therapists who specialize in different things. Pain relief, sports massage, energy balancing stones." (07:28)

• Dr. Lakey Explaining Botox:
  "Neurotoxins are purified proteins that temporarily block nerve signals to specific muscles, smoothing out wrinkles." (17:28)

• Jesus on Botox’s Preventative Nature:
  "It's a muscle relaxer... preventative." (21:12)

• Tom Schwartz on Choosing Peace:
  "I chose peace. Everything I say, 100%." (29:08)

• Tom Schwartz on Social Media Responsibility:
  "Social media is very scary... you have to be very responsible with it." (42:14)

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz masterfully navigates the intricate dance between wellness and indulgence, both personally and professionally. By blending informative discussions on beauty treatments with candid conversations about life in Miami, social media pressures, and personal growth, Tom and his guests offer listeners a comprehensive look at finding balance amid contrasts. Whether you’re seeking relaxation tips or grappling with the challenges of modern fame, this episode provides valuable insights into maintaining harmony in a bustling world.

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Note: Timestamps are approximate and correspond to points within the provided transcript.

Transcript

[Tom Schwartz]

Foreign for your weekly detox with Tom Schwartz.

[Jesus]

All right, I'm back. One of my favorite cities in the world, back in Miami. Miami. Truly one of my favorite cities to let loose in. When people think Miami beach, they don't think let's detox. They think let's get loose. Let's live la vida loca. Let's stay out too late, spend too much money, wake up, rinse, repeat. Honestly, I think this is the first time I've ever been here for a health in wellness journey. I'm having flashbacks right now. I just arrived at the Shellborne. So gorgeous, but I'm having flashbacks of vintage VPR days right now. There's like a montage in my mind of Sheena and Shay's bachelor bachelorette party. Jackson, Brittany's. Oh my God. Jax wanted to murder us for hiring an award winning special effects makeup team. Remember the old man? Makeup man? It's the best of times, it was the worst of times. You can go batch, you can go back and watch the episodes. They were great. Strip clubs, Cocaine cowboys. Yeah, I've had some truly insane nights here. Pre vpr. Even more debaucherous. By the way, this is not a flex, okay? I'm not boasting, but just a relic of my past. So yeah, this trip, there will be no stumbling out of 11 at 8am and into outer space. Space nightclub, that is. You know what I'm talking about. You guys spend here too. Sunglasses on brain off brain. A bowl full of oatmeal. No, not this trip, okay? Our brains are going to be acai bowls full of antioxidants. That's right, meditate on that. We're detoxing. Yep. Sunrises on the beach.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Jesus]

Yeah, but only because we're going to wake up early, well rested, bright eyed and bushy tailed, borderline obnoxious this time. We're trading stimulants for supplements. No Jack and Cokes. Matter of fact, I got a. I got a ginger Jack in my hand right now. It's delicious. It's got kale, red apple, celery, carrot and ginger. Shout out to cream cafe. Delicious. But yeah, we're gonna scrub our souls with some Himalayan salt. I mean, hopefully. I don't know if we can actually do that. It sounds nice though. And yeah, we're gonna rip shots of turmeric and ginger. Yeah, we're popping bottles. A mountain spring, sparkling water, my favorite. Back in Miami, doing the damn thing. Heavy on the detox. We're staying at the Shelbourne. They just put a Hundred million dollars into this renovation. It is stunning. Utterly gorgeous. It's the perfect balance of golden age art deco meets contemporary cozy. It's kind of just how you picture Miami in your mind in an idyllic sense, if you've never been here. By the way, I'm at the pool right now. It's a tropical paradise, A tropical escape. The coziest pool furniture I've ever experienced in my life. We're about to get lunch. It's freaking gorgeous. The people are gorgeous. This is quintessential Miami Beach. But it feels. There's a calmness here. It really. It's like. It's fun. It's not boring. It's not too quiet, but it just feels very Zen. Very zen here. It has it all. The gym's amazing. It has almost everything. Although it doesn't have a spa. There's no spa here. So I want to go out and support small business, a nice mom and pop somewhere in Miami. And I'm with my boy Jesus, and he has just the spot for me, by the way. Jesus, don't you dare retox my detox. Where we going? Well, brew, I'll try not to retox or detox. And I'm gonna take you to my other best friend Lisi's day spa. It's called Flow Wellness Studio, and I think you're really gonna love it. Wait, I forgot. How do you. How do you know Lisi? I've known her since fifth grade. She was the first person I met when I moved here. She's your best friend, but I barely know her. That's true. Okay, we're gonna go check out. What's the name of her spa again? Flow Wellness Studio. Next stop, Flow Wellness Studio. She has all kinds of good stuff in store. You guys stay tuned. I'm so happy you're here with me. We're doing the damn thing. We're harmonizing harmony. Check. Okay, pick back up in the spa. Let's go. Okay. P.S. before we go to our little slice of heaven at Flow Wellness Studio, I just want to say, yes, I would be very content, very happy just staying at the hotel. It's that lovely. But just a little reminder or a little encouragement to go out and try something out of the ordinary. Support small businesses. Mom and Pops, go to a hole in the wall. Try a little coffee shop. This is by no means a hole in the wall. It's beautiful, but yeah. Next stop, Lisi. Flow Wellness Studio, Sunset, Florida. Not Kendall, by the way. Sunset, Florida. Check it out. 9995 Southwest 72nd Street, Miami. 305. Okay, here we go. We're about to Zen out, and you're coming with me. We're gonna pick back up right here with Lisi, my best friend's best friend. Here we go.

[Lisi]

Yeah, of course. I'd love to. And I like what you said about how you felt when you got here, because that is, that's the vibe. That's what we want people to feel is very Zen, very comfortable, very grounded. I want people, when they leave here to leave better than how they arrived. And I think, you know, I come from a background working at luxury hotel spas. That's what I do. I'm a spa girl, and I love that world. But really, as time went on and time evolved, I felt like I wanted to do a condensed version of a luxury hotel spa that makes it accessible to more people. Hotel spa is. It's a bit of a commitment unless you're staying in the hotel and traveling. If you're a Miami local, and we have some beautiful hotel spas here. If you live in South Miami or Kendall or Coral Gables, going all the way to south beach to a nice hotel spa or to Brickell, it's a commitment. It's a drive. The valet, the prices are really high.

[Jesus]

$55 a night, guys. That's how much our valet is.

[Lisi]

The valet, right? So by putting this here on Sunset, a little bit more of a central location, giving it that still high end, luxury quality vibe. And when I say quality, I mean like the therapist that I hire, the training that I have, these are good treatments. This isn't no knock on the chains of massage that try to make it accessible. But sometimes the quality, the standards, the special touches aren't there. And that's what I'm trying to bring, more of a quality treatment. When we talk about massage, we focus a lot on really, it could be anything. We have therapists who specialize in different things. Pain relief, sports, massage, athletes, energy, balancing stones. You know, we have a beautiful energy balancing massage you're going to receive today.

[Jesus]

I want all of it. Yeah, I want all of it. I got my robe on. I have my slippers on. I'm in a happy place. I'm here with my other best friend. My best friend's your best friend, and we barely know each other.

[Lisi]

It's not right.

[Jesus]

Lisi, are we hanging tonight?

[Lisi]

It ends right now.

[Jesus]

Okay, we are hanging tonight.

[Lisi]

We're hanging tonight.

[Jesus]

But so wait, so we're going to do two things today.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay?

[Jesus]

We're going to do the Hydrofacial first.

[Lisi]

Yes, the Hydrofacial. Also we have some really nice quality facials that we offer. We have the Hydrafacial machine.

[Jesus]

What is a hydrofacial?

[Lisi]

Hydrafacial is where it's at. Okay. Hydrafacial is going to do everything that you need it to do. It's going to be a deep cleanse, it's going to exfoliate. It's going to do painless extractions. You know, I mean if you need us to squeeze your face, we will.

[Jesus]

Extractions are my favorite part. It hurts so good in like a masochistic way. I love extraction.

[Lisi]

So this speeds up the process because it's going to vacuum everything out of your face and then it's going to infuse these like top notch quality serums that are going to basically give you glowing new skin. And the funnest part, which you're going to love. And it's too bad we can't see it. We might have to take a picture for, for the gram.

[Jesus]

I don't know. I'm bloated cuz I had sushi last night.

[Lisi]

No wait, at the end of the facial there's going to be a container with all the gunk that came out of your skin.

[Jesus]

Oh my God.

[Lisi]

So you can show all your shame to the world. The snow globe of Tom's gunk.

[Jesus]

No. I am so excited for that. It's like a reward exact. Exactly. Okay, we're gonna do that. I'm so hyped for that. Yep, very happy right now. And then we're gonna do a sound.

[Lisi]

Bath or an energy healing, an energy balancing massage. So that's going to combine traditional massage techniques with the. I have these tipiton bowls that are made of like seven different metals and they don't just make sound, they vibrate. And that vibration is going to calm your nervous system. It's going to create ripples in the water in your body that's going to calm you on a level and that you've never felt before.

[Jesus]

It's like, it's like a mute button for anxiety.

[Lisi]

It is, it's really the best way. Somebody with an overactive brain, this is the best way to quiet that mind.

[Jesus]

Where were you like three years ago?

[Lisi]

You know, sometimes people come in for a massage and they're. And they're like talking a million miles a minute. And I said, do you want to try the bowls? I think it might help you, you know. And I kind of introduced them to it because it really does calm the brain.

[Jesus]

Yeah, I notice I mean, in this day and age especially, we're so high strung, generally speaking. And sometimes I' ask people this, and not in a patronizing way, but I'll be like, when is the last time you took a deep breath? And they'll be like. Like, years. I touched grass in the botanical garden with Jesus yesterday, but I'm feeling very Zen right now.

[Lisi]

That's awesome. No, you're going to feel great at the end of it. You'll see.

[Jesus]

Can I ask you, what's it like being. It's kind of a stock question. What's it like being a small. A female small business owner in Miami right now? Do you love it?

[Lisi]

I have to say, I really love it. The support that we get from the community. Community. I'm surrounded by so many strong fellow small businesses that I really can't. I can't think of anything better. It's hard. Yeah, it's hard. But also, it's just nice to be surrounded by so much support. This is my hometown. I grew up here. I live here. This is my people. So it only feels right that this is where I have my business.

[Jesus]

Listen, I'm. I'm impressed because I know what it takes to open a small business. You put your blood sweat interiors in here, there's a lot of risk. I know Jesus helped you paint the walls.

[Lisi]

He sure did. He built some of the furniture here.

[Jesus]

So you're. You're doing the damn thing, though. I just wanted to give you props. It's a beautiful space.

[Lisi]

I'm so glad you're here.

[Jesus]

Very grateful to be here. And I'm finally. I'm excited. We get to finally bond.

[Lisi]

All right.

[Jesus]

And hang out.

[Lisi]

Me, too.

[Jesus]

Should we. Should we end with the FSU chant? F L O R I T A S T A T E. Florida State. Florida State. All right. We went to Florida State. All right, Alicia, without further ado, let.

[Lisi]

Me get my hands on you.

[Jesus]

Let's do the damn thing. Okay, guys, I want you to experience this with me. It's kind of like a song for your chakras, a little symphony for your soul. So just sit back and relax for a few seconds. That was cool. However cool it sounded, it felt 10 times better. I felt like I did some sort of astral projection. Okay, let's keep going. Whoa. That was awesome. I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. Thank you, Lisi. That was amazing. Okay, it's time for a hydro facial. Let's go. Thanks for coming along with me, guys. Natalie, we're about to do the facial. What are we doing?

[Natalie]

So we're gonna do platinum hydrafacial today.

[Tom Schwartz]

It has lymphatic drainage, a chemical exfoliant. We're gonna suck out all the dead skin and oil that you have in.

[Natalie]

Your skin, and then we're gonna go.

[Tom Schwartz]

Back in and put in some antioxidant and minerals to make your skin glowy and refreshed.

[Jesus]

Okay, that sounds amazing. Let's do this. Okay, we're doing extractions. Check out this sound. A little asmr. Oh, yeah, one sec. Natalie, what. What are the. What does the extraction sucker do?

[Tom Schwartz]

So it literally sucks out all the sebum and dead skin and oil that you have going on in your face?

[Jesus]

Yes, I want that. It's like a purge. Okay, listen to this, guys. Sucking the demons out. Okay, I'll pick back up in a second. Natalie, we're about to do red light therapy. What does that do?

[Tom Schwartz]

So red light therapy helps reduce inflammation. It helps with fine lines and wrinkles to give, like a better booster for all the add ons that we just did for the hydrafacial, like the hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid is going to go deeper into the. The skin because of the red light therapy as well.

[Jesus]

Okay, that sounds amazing. Let's go. Okay, full disclosure, I've gotten Botox before. There's no shame to my game. But before we do it properly, let's consult a professional. One of the best in the business, my friend, plastic surgeon, Dr. Lakey of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group, one of the best practices in the biz. He is a master of his craft, and I thought it'd be nice to get a little refresher course on exactly what Botox does, how it works. Because I feel like 99 of people who get it have no idea how it actually works. They're just like, make me beautiful. Okay, without further ado, let's get a little refresher course on Botox from Dr. Lakey.

[Dr. Lakey]

Hey, Tom, hope you're well, as far as neurotoxins, you know, Botox we use as kind of a generic term, but we'll say neurotoxins, Botulinum toxin, because there's multiple different options out there, and I'll just give you a concise overview. So neurotoxins are essentially purified proteins that are injected in small doses to temporarily block these nerve signals to specific muscles. And then by preventing muscle contractions, they end up smoothing out some of the dynamic wrinkles that are caused by, you know, facial movements, frowning, squinting, things like that and the typical effects last about three to four months, after which the body gradually metabolizes the toxin and the activity returns. Now, FDA approval for cosmetic cosmetics is really to smooth facial wrinkles such as forehead lines, crow's feet and glabellar lines. Those are the area between the eyebrows. The 11s that people talk about off label uses. Look, we can do all kinds of things like lifting the brows or corner of the mouth or slim the jawline. People sometimes get masseter Botox or managing facial asymmetry if people have Bell's palsy and things like that. Or even treating some gummy smiles and even into the neck, we call them platysmal bands that kind of smooth out those neck muscles. Who's a good candidate? I would say someone that is ideally in, you know, probably 30 years old and, and older. Although you can inject these for over those 18 and older. Sometimes people have genetic predispositions to developing thick lines and wrinkles. So it's not necessarily age related if they're over 18. But I would say in general, I would say that 30 and above is a great starting point. How young is too young? Well, look, obviously 18 is going to be the minimum age for any ethical plastic or surgeon or dermatologist. And what I would say is that, you know, we tried to avoid, avoid people who are, who don't have any signs of the start of lines and wrinkles. So we, we did, we usually discourage them until you know, the face is, is ready for this.

[Tom Schwartz]

It.

[Dr. Lakey]

I do believe that it's one of the best drugs that we have to reduce, you know, aging or at least slow down the effects of aging. And we here at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery group definitely agree, agree with precision dosing, targeted placement. Obviously we are board certified and experienced injectors and even our nurses are experienced injectors. And so the idea is, I think in order to have a, you know, a great experience, you definitely this has to be administered by a qualified professional, a board certified anesthesiologist. Sorry, board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist and their nursing staff. And you know, personalized assessment is definitely key because every face is not the same. So hope that helps. If you need any other information, let me know. Take care.

[Jesus]

Hope you're well. Guys, what's up? I'm with Natalie Suarez.

[Natalie]

Hi, how are you?

[Jesus]

At Covalent Health?

[Natalie]

Yes.

[Jesus]

In Kendall.

[Natalie]

Yeah, Miami, Florida, South Miami.

[Jesus]

And I'm here doing something not for vanity but for science. I am getting Botox. Natalie, should I be scared?

[Natalie]

No, you should not be scared. At all. This is such a quick procedure, very tiny needle. So it'll be relatively painless, but it'll be quick. You'll be fine.

[Jesus]

And how many cc's am I getting?

[Natalie]

So we do it by using units. So today we're just treating your crow's feet. I'm going to be doing eight units per eye. We wanted to keep it a little conservative.

[Jesus]

We're micro dosing.

[Natalie]

We're kind of.

[Jesus]

Because this is for science, not for vanity. It's preventative, right?

[Natalie]

Correct. Well, yeah, I, I'm a firm believer that it is preventative. Especially it's great to start. Young patients always ask me, like, when they should start. I think you should start in your early 20s. I know you probably don't have deep wrinkles at that time, but I started.

[Jesus]

When I was like 16. Just kidding.

[Natalie]

But yeah, the earlier you start, the better. For sure you can prevent the lines from forming.

[Jesus]

Thank you. It is preventative because I think it kind of is stigmatized a little bit. You know, like you get Botox, your vein shallow, skin deep.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Jesus]

But no, it really is, it's preventative. And yeah, I just want to kind of destigmatize it a little bit.

[Natalie]

Yeah, I think that when people think of Botox, they think of like, I don't know, maybe something celebrities that look overdone and huge cheeks. This, this is not a filler. This is a muscle relaxer. It basically, you know, when you express yourself and smile big or raise your eyebrows, it's going to lessen that motion. I like to be more conservative. I don't like to freeze patients. I don't like patients to look frozen. But you're going to look natural but refreshed.

[Jesus]

So I'm still going to be express. I'm still going to be able to express emotions when I smile.

[Natalie]

Be able to smile for sure. But you'll have less wrinkles or crow's feet around your eyes when you smile.

[Jesus]

So. Okay, so it's kind of like a real life Instagram filter, Correct. That you need to re up every three months.

[Natalie]

Every like three to four months. Yeah.

[Jesus]

Okay. I've done it once before. I was very apprehensive. It kind of feels like if you've never had Botox, guys, what do you. How would. It kind of feels like a little.

[Natalie]

Bee sting, Tiny bee sting. We use distractive measure. So I have like a little vibration tool that we'll put in the area. So it kind of just distracts you. But it is so fast.

[Lisi]

It's.

[Natalie]

It probably takes like, one minute. We can time it.

[Jesus]

Natalie, I'm scared.

[Natalie]

You'll be fine.

[Jesus]

Zeus, you do it. I've done it before. He's already too beautiful. He doesn't need it. Okay, I guess I'm just. Any last thoughts, Natalie? Thank you for doing this, by the way. I really appreciate. Can we plug your place one more time?

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Natalie]

So, Covalent Health in Miami, Florida. So it's me and my husband practicing here together. So I do aesthetics, lasers, injectables, and my husband practices functional medicine.

[Jesus]

Beautiful. And I've. Listen, I know we just met. I've always been young at heart. I want to stay young at face. So let's.

[Natalie]

I got you.

[Lisi]

I'll help you out.

[Jesus]

I'm kind of scared. All right, guys, I'll pick back up in a little bit. Thanks, Natalie.

[Natalie]

You're welcome.

[Jesus]

Alexia Nippola, icon, sitting right across from me. I'm a little starstruck. Frankie's in the house. We are at Alexia and Frankie's Beauty Bar. In what part of Miami?

[Tom Schwartz]

This is Surfside, Florida, Which a lot of people actually don't know where Surfside is. So let me explain to you.

[Jesus]

Yes.

[Tom Schwartz]

So it's a little gem in. It's not Miami beach, it's Surfside. Yeah, but it's only 10 blocks. So it's from 87th and Collins to 97th. And I'm on 94th, so I'm, like, right in the middle of it. And it's a beautiful community and neighborhood. And I am just blessed to be here because I meet, you know, people from all over the world that are visiting. And it's close, you know, it's one block away from Ball Harbor Shops, which every girl likes. And. And, yeah, I've been here for the last seven years.

[Jesus]

It feels. I feel a strong sense of community.

[Tom Schwartz]

There is.

[Jesus]

It feels very homey and cozy here.

[Tom Schwartz]

Thank you.

[Jesus]

We just got some. Yes, we're about to have a mani party.

[Tom Schwartz]

You know, Miami, we don't have the mojito, but I have some rose for you. Cheers and welcome to Miami.

[Jesus]

Frankie, thank you for the warm welcome. Thank you for taking time out of my. Out of your day. I know you're so busy. By the way, I am in full princess mode right now. I just got a hydrofacial massage. Or hydrofacial and a massage and a sound bath. Botox. Only for science.

[Tom Schwartz]

But Botox after. You did all that, right?

[Jesus]

Yeah, I just. It's. This is not me. Usually Frankie's judging.

[Tom Schwartz]

It's okay. We all love Botox. What's Wrong with the Botox.

[Jesus]

I'm pampering myself.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, but besides that, you. I don't feel like you need it, but it's okay.

[Jesus]

I'm on cloud nine. I'm a passenger princess right now. I want to.

[Tom Schwartz]

And I love that you pamper yourself, by the way. We have a lot. A lot of male clients. I mean, as you see, we only have one there today, but we have a lot of men that come into the beauty bar and, you know, just want, like, pedicures, facials, and manicure. I love a man that takes care of himself off and has, like, very nice grooming.

[Jesus]

I like that. I want to destigmatize any sort of, like, heteronormative stereotypes. Like, some guys, some of my bros would be like, that I went to college. Like, no, man, I'm not getting a manicure. I'm not getting a pedicure for chicks.

[Tom Schwartz]

Right.

[Jesus]

It's one of the great, simple pleasures in life.

[Tom Schwartz]

I agree. Right. You know, and I think it's necessary. You know, our feet are so important that, like, I don't know how people honestly go on their entire life with. Without doing a pedicure. It's, like, for me, it's, like, necessary. It's not even, like, a luxurious thing. I think it's necessary. And our feet are very important in our hands. Everyone sees, right? Like, you do. You have pretty hands. You have to get a manicure here for sure. You need to continue your pampering, and you need a good manicure and pedicure with one of my Latina girls, because the Latinas know how to give a really, really amazing manicure pedicure.

[Jesus]

Alexa, you need to drop the skincare route.

[Dr. Lakey]

Team, you're glowing.

[Jesus]

You're glowing.

[Dr. Lakey]

You're radiant.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, thank you.

[Jesus]

I just had a facial and Botox, and I still don't look nearly as radiant as you. How do you do it? What's your.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, I think it comes from inside. I feel like I'm really happy right now. And, you know, I just came back from a trip, from a European trip. I got to go on a trip with my son Frankie, and we went to Saint Tropez and Cassis and Barcelona. I was supposed to go to more places, but we decided to stay in Barcelona for a while because my friend's trying to bribe me into, like, her buying an apartment there and me liking it, because my thing is, I was like, Madrid more than Barcelona. So she's like, I want you to spend time here so you can really get to love it. As much as I love it. And you'll be okay with me buying an apartment here. But anyways, Barcelona is a beautiful city. I love that it has the water just like Miami. But I feel like I wasn't really in Barcelona. Like, in Spain, like, everybody speaks English. I'm like, what happened to all the Catalan people and all the people and the Spanish speaking people? But anyways, it was a beautiful. So of course I came back. I just got back Sunday night, so I. I still have that European glow.

[Jesus]

And have an afterglow. You really do. You guys, we're not doing video. And it's a pity, because she has a great afterglow right now. You have an aura.

[Tom Schwartz]

We'll take a picture of. Thank you.

[Jesus]

We'll take some pictures.

[Tom Schwartz]

That's more important because, you know, internal, I think, is always is more important. And, you know, sometimes on the kind of shows that we're on, just like you, you had that same aura, my friend. You don't get to see that.

[Jesus]

That is high praise.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Jesus]

I don't get enough of that.

[Tom Schwartz]

You. You actually don't. And I had a customer here and actually told her you were coming, and she was so excited you were coming. She's over there. We'll see her after.

[Jesus]

Okay. This is. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm so happy right now. I'm a little star struck. But you've. Alexia, you've been through so much. You've been on seven seasons.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Jesus]

And obviously you have a very warm heart. You're an empath. How do you.

[Tom Schwartz]

Thank you. I just said that I'm in my show, and there, you know, and I saw that clip. Yeah. That's why you're saying I am. But, you know, it's. It sounds weird to call yourself an empath. Right? But I am. You know, I am a very sensitive person, and I have a very good heart. I have a very soft heart. And sometimes people confuse that for weakness, and it actually is not weakness. I think it shows a lot about the strength that I have.

[Jesus]

Your compassion. I love it. How do you protect your peace? What's your favorite way? What was in Miami? What's your favorite way, besides the beauty bar, to just unwind love.

[Tom Schwartz]

You think love is very important.

[Jesus]

Yes.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. 100%. So Frankie's saying that, you know, I feel like. Because he's so much about love and he's, you know, taught me so much about how important love is in life. And I like my journey with Frankie. And even the doctor said it was like My. My love that saved them, you know, and nobody knows the power of love, you know?

[Jesus]

Beautiful thing.

[Tom Schwartz]

It really is. I am telling you, I love you, Mommy. I love you, Frankie. But yeah, how like, like, for him, everything is love and positive. So I keep my peace. A lot to do with it, with me being at peace. Besides that, you know, obviously, it's something we have to work on.

[Jesus]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

And, you know, it's. It's really Frankie, you know what I mean? He keeps me grounded. He's like my personal purpose. So is my other son, but obviously more Frankie, but no, you feeder. Both of them. But, you know, I think we have to look for our peace, you know, and sometimes it's like life throws you a curveball or something happens that so many. To me, to you, I'm sure, too, and you're not expected and, you know, and it comes in. It tries to take away that peace. So for me, it's always like, I'm a work in progress. I'm always looking for that. And as you get older, because you're still, like, so much younger than me, you're going to realize, you know, that that peace is so important. Like, it's peace over. Over love, even sometimes. And that's where I'm at right now. Like, I chose peace.

[Jesus]

Everything.

[Tom Schwartz]

Everything I say 100%.

[Jesus]

Can I just say, I felt the love when I walked in. It washed over me in an awesome wave. I'm serious. I feel the love in here. Feels very cozy, which I think is the highest compliment, at least for me, that I can pay a. A business like this.

[Tom Schwartz]

Thank you.

[Jesus]

What? Alexia, Frankie, what services do you guys offer? Oh, beautiful car.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, you just. Well, yeah, well, we also have a scenery, so we see good cars pass by.

[Jesus]

Feels like very Grand Theft Auto right now.

[Tom Schwartz]

What car was that that you liked? Well, in Miami, we have a lot of nice, cool cars, as you have seen, I'm sure, Tom.

[Jesus]

Yeah, so there's some showstoppers out there.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. So we're known for our manicures and pedicures, but we also do blowouts in the back, and we do facials, we do spray tanning, and we do lashes and eyebrows and. And, yeah, you know, I wanted something. You know, it first started only with nails, but then I was like, I want my place to have all the other services that I do in other places. So I started, like, implementing that here. The biggest challenge in Miami is finding employees. Like, it's. That's. That's my problem. So I have a great lash girl, and then she goes. And she goes, either on her own or she meets a guy and she doesn't want to work anymore and blah, blah, blah.

[Jesus]

It's the same thing in la because we have, you know, a never ending supply of aspiring artists and people are very passionate and they come in and they're great. You hire them, get them on the roster, and then all of a sudden they book their dream job. A commercial, a series regular on a new TV show, and they're gone. The turnover rate is insane in la. And I just want to give you respect. I know you're an entrepreneur, businesswoman, but it's hard. Having a brick and mortar is hard.

[Tom Schwartz]

It's so hard.

[Jesus]

There's a lot of liability.

[Tom Schwartz]

I feel like Miami's become like a place like that. Like I used to, like I say, like, what happened to all those work ethics? You know, I feel like, you know, the Latino community, you know, many years ago, you know, that would come, you know, to Miami to have a better life and would migrate. You know, they're like, for them, everything was work. Like, that was the purpose to come to this country, you know, to, to do better, you know, and to do well. And like nowadays it's like, what happened to all those work ethics? Like, everybody comes to Miami just to have fun and to like, meet a rich guy.

[Jesus]

Everyone wants to be an influencer.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, that too.

[Jesus]

I'm in my influencer face.

[Tom Schwartz]

I was gonna say. Wait, are you an influencer? No, you're not, right? That's what I say, babe. I, I get insulted when they call me an influencer and I'm not insulting the influencer community, but I'm just not part of it.

[Jesus]

Yeah, I will. Influencers don't, like, be called influencers. It has a stigma.

[Tom Schwartz]

Thank you very much. I'm not, like, honestly, like, I just don't want to do it. Like, I know I can do it. You can do it. Anybody can do it.

[Jesus]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

You know, and like, to me it's just like, and by the way, you know, I take it very serious. Serious. Like, if I'm going to be some kind of an influence, you know, on, on something like you, you really have to be that person. You know, I, you know, I just don't think because, you know, you put on a bikini and you have a hot body and you're drinking like a certain soda, you know, that it's like, okay, you're gonna get me to buy it. Like, I'm not that d. You know, that naive and dumb. Like, okay, you need to do more for Me to believe that. But, you know, this is the world that we live in. And by the way, I hate social media. I know how you feel about social media.

[Jesus]

Our hate hates. It's polarized, like. Like Miami. For a lot of people, it's a polarizing presence. Miami is very like my friends who have never lived here. It's love, hate. Either I love Miami. I can't wait to go back, or they're like, I never want to go back. It's not for me.

[Tom Schwartz]

You're so right.

[Jesus]

It's a sexy city. It's pulsating. I love the tempo here. And it feels very international, cosmopolitan. People from all over the world, for sure.

[Tom Schwartz]

And especially in the last five years, you know, after. After Covid, you see that presence of it being so international, so much more. There's people from all over the world. I mean, Miami's changed a lot. A lot. And, you know, and it's a great thing, you know, for city, because obviously, you know, financially and economically, it's very good. But, you know, for the people that have lived here all their lives, it's. It's not such a great thing. Like, we don't love it. You know, there's more traffic. You know, there's more crime. There's more. More of. Everything's more. More expensive. But it's still, like a great city. Like, look at the sunshine we have today. Like, look how beautiful.

[Jesus]

Gorgeous. I'm going to the beach after this. Alexia, Frankie, can I ask you guys about this?

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Jesus]

Do you still love Miami?

[Tom Schwartz]

I still love Miami. Miami is my city. You loved it. He was in Barcelona the whole time. And I was like, frankie, wouldn't you love to live in Europe? And he's like, no, what are you saying?

[Jesus]

Miami. Miami beach, forget about it.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, he loves Miami. You know, I think you, like, once you're from Miami, it's hard not to love Miami. You know, we can talk about it, and we can say this, that, and the other. And, you know, we, you know, we don't like certain things. But I feel like that's every city, you know, that you live in. Not every city is perfect.

[Jesus]

I fell in love with it. I went to Florida State, and everybody that I met down there was from Miami or South Florida, and I was the gringo. And they were always roasting me for my lack of flavor, my lack of rhythm. But I feel like they instilled a deep sense of rhythm. I feel like I'm a better man because of the people I met at Florida State University. I don't know if you remember back in the day when people used to do blowouts, they were big in Miami. The American blowout. Very proud of that one.

[Tom Schwartz]

But, yeah, good hair is good hair. We love a good hair.

[Jesus]

It's a very special place for me. I'm happy when I'm here. I feel iconic.

[Dr. Lakey]

I don't know, it has a very cool feel.

[Jesus]

I feel like I'm in a movie when I'm in Miami.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, I love that.

[Jesus]

I like the glamour, but it's got a lot of heart and soul, a lot of culture. It's rich with culture. And, yeah, I'm in my happy place right now.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes. Good. I'm so happy to hear that. Well, I love la, but, you know, I feel like Miami, LA and New York, we kind of all have a connection. I don't know what it is. I can't really pinpoint it. It depends. But I feel like if you love, you know, Miami, you kind of, like, love New York. I mean, people are going to say, oh, that's just like, a general statement. It is a general statement, but, you know, I feel like we connect, you know, we have, like, a connection. We have more in common, you know, and for, for example, somebody that lives in, you know, Ohio. You know what I mean? Like, it's like, knock Ohio.

[Jesus]

It's beautiful. But still.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, I know. I'm not knocking anything down. I'm just saying. But the. You know what I mean? It's kind of like we get each other because we're from, like, LA and New York, Miami. By the way, Miami wasn't in the map, like, 20 years ago. It was all New York and LA. Now, Miami happens to be a very popular city.

[Jesus]

I watched the Cocaine Cowboys documentary.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay. Did you see me there?

[Jesus]

I sure did. And I didn't make the.

[Tom Schwartz]

I was guilty by association once again because, like, I fell in love. Right.

[Jesus]

No, I. We're not. We don't have to go there. But I just. I didn't make the. I didn't make the connection until way later after I watched that documentary.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay.

[Jesus]

Yeah, I'm glad you.

[Tom Schwartz]

That was Miami in the 80s. Yeah, that's really, like, what it was.

[Jesus]

When did you move to Miami?

[Tom Schwartz]

So I was born and raised here. I lived in Madrid. I moved to Madrid, Spain, when I was 17 years old. Both of my parents were doctors, so my mom always wanted to go back to Spain, where she had graduated from medical school and she got a job opportunity. And that's when, like, the Marielle came in the 80s, and my mom Was like, you know what? Miami's not that great right now and I just want to have a better life over there. And she, she, we moved, we moved over there. So I lived there for five or six years. Then I came back to Miami, you know, But I always wanted to be in Miami. Miami or la, by the way, it.

[Jesus]

Just speaks to your soul. It was like a calling almost. You felt? Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

I mean, my life would have turned out a lot different. It wouldn't have been a Tele Noela like it is.

[Jesus]

Because it's a telenove.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Telenovela. Yeah. If I would have like been in Spain like my parents wanted me to, but I came back to Miami. You fell in love with the Cuban guy and, you know, the rest is history. But yeah.

[Jesus]

So they call you the Cuban Barbie. Who is your dream Ken right now? Oh, you don't have to answer that.

[Tom Schwartz]

Who is my dream Ken? Right. That's a good question. You know, I love, I love John Ham.

[Jesus]

He's so charming. When I first moved to la, I was a bartender and I bartended private parties. He would come up, he doesn't drink anymore, but he would come up, have a whiskey, and I had some of the, the best conversations of my life with him. He has no idea who I am, but he's so charming. He's tall, strapping.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Oh, that's good to know. Is he in la?

[Jesus]

He's in la, I think, yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

You see like all those kind of men are in la. How's the men's situation in Los Angeles? Cuz in Miami it's like really tough. There's like so many women for guys. I don't know if you've noticed that.

[Jesus]

I think it's a nice ratio.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay.

[Jesus]

Yeah. Men to women in, in Los Angeles. Are you still loving doing reality tv?

[Tom Schwartz]

You know, I do seasons in.

[Jesus]

You're, you're iconic. You're a Bravo Liberty. Although I cringe when people tell. But like you are iconic. Do you still love it?

[Tom Schwartz]

You know what? I do. I really do. And you know, not only like, I love like the whole community of like, I think we get each other. You know, we're like the only crazy people that get each other. And we have this bond that whether we're like a different city, just being part of the Bravo world, we have this special bond because we're the only ones that know what this really is.

[Jesus]

You've shared some of your rawest, most intimate moments of your entire life on camera, as have I. But like, that's. It has value. I Always respect and appreciate people that are willing to bear their souls. You know what I mean?

[Tom Schwartz]

Right. And not everybody does that on our shows. Right. There's always like, one or two or three, and there's other ones that, like, wear a mask, you know, of and have, like, you know, a different role or different character, whatever. But, you know, it has been hard, but I don't know about you, but for me, it's been, like, liberating in a way, you know, therapeutic. Therapeutic, for sure. That's a word I always use as well, because, you know, once you get to, you know, sometimes you're, like, not forced in a bad way, but you're kind of, like, put in the position where you have to talk about certain things that maybe you were uncomfortable about talking about before and.

[Jesus]

Which would have swept under the rug.

[Tom Schwartz]

For sure, you know, whether it's personal, family, close friends, whatever. But. And after you just let it out, you feel so much better. And by the way, you're also. People are watching, you know, and you. Sometimes you think you're the only person that's going through something, and there's so many people in America and in the world that are going through it as well. And, you know, you can. If you can, turn, like, your pain into purpose. So you could be inspiring, or you could just be. You could just be real and raw. I feel like people appreciate that.

[Jesus]

They really do. Seven seasons in. If you could go back to season one, Alexia, what would you tell her? Oh, what would you tell her? You're younger.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, I'm you. I'm older now. I would say, can I stay that age? So what would I tell my younger self?

[Jesus]

Or even pre season one?

[Tom Schwartz]

You know, I. I would just. I wish, like, my season one, I would have been a little bit, like, more open. You know, I didn't know what I had signed up for. So I was. I. I had a lot of things that I was, like, shamed about, you know, and I wish I would have gotten that out sooner. Like, it took me a lot of seasons and a lot of lessons and a lot of, like, working with myself to, you know, not be ashamed about certain things that had happened to. To me in my life and things that I had kept secrets. So I just wish, like, my younger self would have been a little bit more open to, you know, talking about these things, because I think I would have, like, healed sooner, you know, and. And I did. You know, that didn't happen until it had to happen. Obviously, when I started doing the show and I started being more Open about certain things. And. Yeah. So I would just tell, like, the younger people. Well, we're living in a different. A different world right now. So everybody's very open about everybody about everything and about themselves and about their journey and all that. And I think that's great. But it also, that also comes with a lot of responsibility.

[Jesus]

Digital footprint. Some of the younger generation, I worry about that, but, I mean, I don't know. Yeah, I just, like, I love their authenticity and their willingness to bear it all on social media.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Jesus]

I mean, it's scary because there's ramifications to come back to bite you. Something you said 10 years ago. Of course, you were drunk, you were gallivanting.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Jesus]

And you took a video and all of a sudden.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Jesus]

It comes back to haunt you.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Social media is very scary, and that's why I don't like it. You have to be very responsible with it.

[Jesus]

Do you look at comments?

[Tom Schwartz]

No. So hold on. So there's my social media team there, and they do. And I don't want to do that because it's, you know what, I'm older now and my mind is strong and, you know, I've, you know, I'm not gonna sweat that at my age. But for the new, you know, for the younger generation and the new kids that are doing these kind of shows, you know, it. It could really be. They could really be scarred.

[Jesus]

Because when you're impressionable and you're say.

[Tom Schwartz]

19, 20, 21, like the gen Z kids, I feel so bad for them. I'm like. But luckily for a lot of them already were like the. These kids that grew up already on TV with their parents, so they have that advantage.

[Jesus]

They're tougher than I think we realize. Of course, they have thicker skin than I did when I was that age 100.

[Tom Schwartz]

But you know why? Because they were born into it. And we saw them growing up on tv. They learned from their parents and all that, so they're used to that. But, you know, the young adult that's not used to that and goes on a reality show, I mean, it's. It's a lot for their mental health. It really is, you know, the good.

[Jesus]

With the bad, too. If you want to, if you want to go on and you want to get validation from the positive comments, then you need to be able to go on and accept the negative ones, too.

[Tom Schwartz]

I agree. But, you know, I mean, you have to. I mean, it's, it's. Obviously, it's part, you know, it's part of it, but, you know, I just don't like the fact that there's people that are just on social media to leave like bad comments. Like I have like two or three people that like, I know their names already yesterday I was saying it because it's like she always comes to leave the same comment, like, oh, why do you, you know, you should dress a little bit more age appropriate. And I'm like, whatever. But it's like she always leaves the same comment. I'm like, listen, if you want my attention, you already got it. Cuz you always, you can't even like change it up. Like, change it up.

[Jesus]

That's all they really want. Once you, once you give them some attention, you acknowledge their existence, they usually apologize and backtrack and say, I'm so sorry. Sorry, Lexi, I actually love you. And they do.

[Tom Schwartz]

Right?

[Jesus]

I think it's just they're dealing with some tough things in life and going through some.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. And you know what? I just want to encourage women. Like, age is just a number. You know, you can wear whatever you want to wear. Like sometimes you're young and there's. You have a certain body type and you can't wear what I can wear at my age. It doesn't mean because I'm my age that I can't wear like what you're wearing. Maybe it looks better on me than it does on you when you're 20 years old. So. But you know, it's. I just don't like the negativity, like in general, you know, not only for us, but for everyone, you know? And guess what? It's not going to break me. I might. It's not going to do anything.

[Jesus]

You've accomplished so much.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, I don't care. I'm like, I always say, like, I mean, if it's Joey from Montana that's leaving me like that comment, I don't even know him. He doesn't even know my life. Like, you don't know my full story. You don't know who I am as a person.

[Jesus]

Oh my God, this is awkward. I'm Joey from Montana.

[Tom Schwartz]

No way.

[Jesus]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, you're not. You're Tom from la. But what I'm trying to say is, like, it doesn't affect me. It really doesn't. But you know what? Sometimes if you read something enough, you start believing it. And that's what I'm afraid about.

[Jesus]

You say it in your mind enough to yourself. You got to be careful.

[Tom Schwartz]

You do. So, you know, I, like I said, I try not to do it. You know, when I post Actually, I have a team that does it. I read a few comments, and then the ones that. And that's it. I forget that I even post it because I'm not so much on social media, but that's kind of like, to protect myself. Like, I want to be the one. She wants to take a picture, of course. With her, too. Me too.

[Jesus]

Oh, we're taking a picture.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Jesus]

All right, we're back. We had to take a picture with a fan. Alexi, I don't want to take up too much of your time.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, I love talking to you. I feel like we should start a podcast together.

[Jesus]

This is our podcast now. We're going to rebrand. It's called Alexia and Schwartz's Beauty Bar.

[Tom Schwartz]

I love it.

[Jesus]

Wait, so, like, to me, you're an icon, and you're an official. Bravo Liberty. One of my favorite shows back in the day was a show called Inside the Actor Studio. Did you ever watch that with James Lipton? So he used to do this famous questionnaire from Bernard P. And if you. If you're okay with it.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, my God, I love that. So I had a magazine called Venue Magazine, and my last page in the magazine, because I love that so much, I did the Spanish version of it. So let's do it.

[Jesus]

Okay.

[Tom Schwartz]

I love it.

[Jesus]

I'm really excited for this one. Okay.

[Tom Schwartz]

That's so cool.

[Jesus]

First question.

[Tom Schwartz]

I have that in my magazine.

[Jesus]

We kind of already covered this. What's your favorite way to detox? Relax. In Miami.

[Tom Schwartz]

In Miami. So in Miami, it's very hard to detox. But, you know, for me, I. For me is the gym in the morning. You know, I. I need to wake up and put on that workout clothes and just head to the gym.

[Jesus]

Get those endorphins flowing.

[Tom Schwartz]

Sorry.

[Jesus]

Get those endorphins.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes. I. For me, it just really sets my day. It's so. You know, it sets, like, the tone of it, my mood, just everything. So for me, I love to do that. And I even, like, eat healthier. I make healthier choices. Is, like, all together.

[Jesus]

Okay. On the other side of the coin, what's your favorite way to let loose to retox?

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, God, that's so easy. That's so easy. For me. By the way, I think it's harder to detox than redox, so. So, no, I mean, I love. I'm like a night person, so, you know, I love to go out, and, you know, I live in Miami beach, so it's perfect. We have, like, so many choices now in Miami to, like, go out and have fun.

[Jesus]

What's your favorite drink? Right now, if you have a cocktail.

[Tom Schwartz]

Spicy margarita. Oh, no, I love a spicy marg. Yes. So good. I love tequila.

[Jesus]

Okay, if you could pick one vice for the rest of your life, one vice, what would it be?

[Tom Schwartz]

But what do you consider a vice?

[Jesus]

Something that brings you pleasure. That's considered so many things. It could be a cocktail, it could be a joint, it could be extended.

[Tom Schwartz]

Unfortunately, I don't like to smoke shopping spree joints. I mean. Oh, I mean, it could, but I mean, do you think shopping's advice? It could be anything. Could be advice. Too much of anything.

[Jesus]

Could be a vice, too much detox. Could be advice.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah, well, that's never going to be me. You know, I'm like a. Pretty much. I'm like a person that has a. A personality that's always in control. Like, I never do too much of anything, you know, and when I catch myself doing too much of something that it's going to make me feel guilty or not good with myself. I cut it out.

[Jesus]

You're well balanced. You have Harmony.

[Tom Schwartz]

I have what?

[Jesus]

You're Harmony.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, you have Harmony.

[Jesus]

Okay.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, my God. Wait until I tell the girls on the show that not only am I the star, but I have Harmony.

[Jesus]

You have.

[Tom Schwartz]

I'm kidding.

[Jesus]

You do. You have a good chi going. Right? Can I ask you what your first job was?

[Tom Schwartz]

So my first job was working with my parents. Both of my parents were doctors. And, you know, back in the day, they didn't think it was a good idea because they were very protective of, like, actually going out to the workforce. So at a very young age, I would have to go to work with my mom and dad. And back then there was no hipaa. So it's like they could take us to, you know, their hospitals and to their offices and whatnot. So I used to work in my dad's office and. But our personalities clashed because I wanted to get there and I wanted to, like, transform the whole place and, you know, tell them how to run on, like, his medical practice. And he's like, I no, no, no, no.

[Jesus]

You were an upstairs.

[Tom Schwartz]

You know what, you want to be an attorney? Is that what you want to do? So you're going to go work with my friend, you know, Mr. Young. You're going to go work at his law firm. And that's what I did. So technically, that was my first job, working for an attorney that would do workers comp and personal injury.

[Jesus]

What was your worst job?

[Tom Schwartz]

You know, all the jobs I've had I've loved. You know, I was a school teacher, and I love that. And I. Nobody even knows that or cares about that because that sounds sexy, but you know what? To me, it was, and it was very gratifying. And I worked for Miami Dade county public schools for 11 years, and I give it all my heart and soul because I loved it so much. I love, you know, children, and I actually taught children with learning disabilities, which is more of a challenge. But I loved every. Every bit of it.

[Jesus]

That's beautiful. You don't have to answer this one if you don't want to, but who was your first kiss? Do you remember?

[Tom Schwartz]

Who was my first kiss? I don't remember. I kissed so many frogs to, like, finally know my prince, but. No. Yeah. I mean, I've kissed so many guys. I mean, I was probably, like, what, like, in fifth or sixth grade when I kissed someone, but I don't remember because I think that that's at the time that you start kissing, right? Yeah. Like at 10 or 11.

[Jesus]

Okay. All right. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally? Emotionally.

[Tom Schwartz]

So get you excited about life, right? I mean, so many things, you know, well, things that used to get me excited before don't get me excited today. And the things that are exciting me right now is travel. You know, I feel like I connect, you know, like, I come back to myself, and, you know, I feel like in Miami or if I'm in New York early, like, people. People know me, and it's always like, talking about the show and talking about my family, you know? So I feel like when I'm away, like in Europe, for example, I disconnect. So that's what I look forward to, just disconnecting with people at the same time and connect with myself. It's so important for me to connect with myself. So that's what turns me on now. And I feel like travel a lot does that for me. And emotionally, if you as well. Frankie, too. We had such a beautiful trip. Yes.

[Jesus]

Saint Tropez, Barcelona.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. Food, everything, you know, and traveling. What people don't realize is that not only, you know, I love to see how other people around the world live. You know, it's not only seeing the place, which is beautiful, but you get to meet the people from there and, you know, how. How they speak, how they dress, how they live their lives, like, the beliefs, you know, like, what they like to do. So to me, traveling has always been. So. I was a young girl, and I was, like, privileged that I got to travel a lot with my with my parents when I was younger.

[Jesus]

That's a beautiful thing. On a different note, what's your favorite curse word?

[Tom Schwartz]

In Spanish or in English?

[Jesus]

Both.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay, so in Spanish, it's pinga, the P word. And in English, it's the F word. Yeah, I have a funny story about the F word. So we moved to Spain with my mom and whatever, and my sister, my brother. And we're living there in an apartment. And, you know, obviously it was like, back in the day, nobody spoke English, you know, like 30 years ago. Actually, more like 40 years ago. I lived there 40 something years ago. I'm, like, old, but I was like 17 or 18.

[Jesus]

Vintage. Not all vintage.

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, I love that. And because everybody always loves vintage, so I love that. But anyways, so we're living in this Spanish neighborhood in a Spanish, you know, condominium, whatever, in apartments. How they live there in flats. And my sister and I had to share a room for the first time. We had. We always had our own room here since we were little girls, and our own bathroom and the whole thing. So we literally had to share our own room. So of course, that didn't work very well. And literally we would have tape in the middle of the room to separate. Like, this is your side, this is my side. This is your closet. This is mine. Whatever. So we used to fight all the time. And of course, in English, and we will always say the F word. You this, that the F word the whole time. So finally, my mom, you know, we start making friends with the people in the building, and one of the Spanish ladies tells my mom, listen, I. You know, your family. Very lovely. I'm glad I met all of you. Whatever. I know you speak shoes. I just want to know what your teenage daughters are saying. Like, what is that F word? She's like, all I hear is F. F whatever. And then my mom just like, well, there's no translation to the F word. It's kind of like an American thing. You have to feel it, know it, feel it. And, you know, it's such a great word, though. The F word is so good.

[Jesus]

Can we say it together? Yeah.

[Tom Schwartz]

One, two, three.

[Jesus]

Okay. What. What sound or noise relaxes you?

[Tom Schwartz]

No noise at all. I want everything to be silent. And I just, like, recently discovered that I can do that. I always used to go to sleep with the TV and with all this noise. And in the house that I'm living in, there's on purpose. I didn't want to up TV in my room. And you know what? I love it. No, no tv and Frankie has no TV either. So we go to sleep, like, just with ourselves. You're praying. I'm. I'm. I pray a lot and. Yes. Yeah, you do. Oh, I love that. So. And, you know, that's what brings me peace, you know, just like prayer. Just being with myself and just everything silent.

[Jesus]

Silence is golden. Although I'm not going to lie, I cannot sleep without the TV on.

[Tom Schwartz]

Stop. Well, I thought I couldn't either, Tom, for all these years. I don't want to tell you my age again. Remember, I've always slept with the TV on.

[Jesus]

I have to have it on, Frankie.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Jesus]

I have to have friends on.

[Tom Schwartz]

So you have the light and. Oh, you watch Friends or.

[Jesus]

Or Antiques Roadshow or Housewives of Miami.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, you can't go to sleep with Housewives of Miami too much.

[Jesus]

Okay. Okay. What sound or what sound or noise do you hate or dislike?

[Tom Schwartz]

No cars. No. You know, I don't like a lot of, like, yelling and screaming, even though I'm going to show that we have that a lot. But it doesn't mean I like it. I don't like that.

[Jesus]

Okay, that's fair. Okay. What line from Bravo, from housewives do people most recognize you for or shout out to you on the street, if any?

[Tom Schwartz]

I mean, a lot of people like that. I said slander, slander, slander. Like TRA driana. Slander is when you use, like, somebody's name, put.

[Jesus]

Putting dirt on someone's name, talking trash.

[Tom Schwartz]

Right. Yeah. Even if it's true. But. Yeah, I'm kidding.

[Jesus]

Okay, I got. I gotta go on for you. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

[Tom Schwartz]

You know, I always wanted to be an attorney. I'm a frustrated attorney, and if my father wouldn't have passed away, I probably would have, you know, gone into law school. I mean, I did, but I never, you know, went to law school. So I would have wanted to be an attorney. I. I also wanted to be an entertainer. So do we count? Does this count? I wanted to be in the entertainment, but my parents never wanted that for me. My parents were like, so old school Cuban that they were like, we have a degree and, you know, and we're doctors and we came to this country, you know, to give you a better life. And to do so, you have to have a degree. So. And I understand, you know, the importance of that, and I will always, always encourage that because you do, you know, especially like a woman, even if you don't want to practice. You know, I feel like a man looks at you differently and Will respect you more if they know you have something to back as a backup.

[Jesus]

Yes.

[Tom Schwartz]

Right.

[Jesus]

Yes. I. I got the same treatment for my parents. I had to get degree. Yes.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yes.

[Jesus]

And then I can do whatever I wanted, but I had to get a degree.

[Tom Schwartz]

Yeah. And I love that. And I hope the parents still. Today, you know, it's just like, you know, sometimes, like, now today, you know, the parents are like, oh, you know, you should let your kids do whatever they want and be whoever they want to be. And, you know, that's all great, and I totally support that. But, you know, children also need guidance, you know, and it may. You know, sometimes the parents see something in the children that the children don't see themselves, you know, and they have to say that, like, you know, my dad would always tell me, like, you would make such a good attorney. And, you know, maybe I hadn't thought about it before, but then I was like, wow, he's kind of right. And then, you know, started working at a law firm, and I. And I felt like, oh, my God, this is what I want to do, you know, And. Yeah. So I feel like we need to listen to our parents.

[Jesus]

It's not too late for a career as a litigator. Or maybe you play a lawyer on tv.

[Tom Schwartz]

I prefer that. I'll play the lawyer in the telenovela, for sure.

[Jesus]

Okay. All right, last question. Thank you for this, Frankie. Alexia. This has been so fun. I could talk to you for hours.

[Tom Schwartz]

Me, too. Oh, my God, I'm so glad.

[Jesus]

Okay, if. If heaven exists, and I like to think it does.

[Tom Schwartz]

It does.

[Jesus]

What would you like to see as your first meal and drink waiting for you at the Pearly Gate?

[Tom Schwartz]

Oh, I know. In heaven, my mom, Mom, Herman, my dad. Everybody in heaven is waiting for me with champagne because they know how much I love champagne and Cuban food. Yes.

[Jesus]

You guys, thank you. Thank you for this.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, thank you. So fun.

[Jesus]

I'm so grateful for your time, Frankie. Thank you, Alexia. If it's cool, I'm gonna probably get a mani pedi. If there's room for me.

[Tom Schwartz]

Super cool. Like. Yeah, I'm sure. Like Patricia Antonio. Yeah.

[Jesus]

You want to say anything? All right.

[Tom Schwartz]

No, for sure. I really want to treat you to an amazing manicure pedicure with a Latina girl.

[Jesus]

Oh, my God, I'm dreaming right now.

[Tom Schwartz]

Guys, Patricia, Kira's busy, and the other girls are busy. Patricia is going to take really good care of you, okay? And then you tell me to add a. That's how you learned better. Do you want to make it bueno Bueno.

[Jesus]

See?

[Tom Schwartz]

See? Okay, I see.

[Jesus]

I see.

[Tom Schwartz]

Okay. In Miami, if you're live. If you're more. If you're a little longer in Miami, you will get to perfect your. Your Spanish.

[Jesus]

Well, thank you for living la vida loca with me. This is.

[Tom Schwartz]

I love la vida loca.

[Jesus]

Thank you.

[Tom Schwartz]

You know, that's what. You know, normal people are too boring. I love crazy people and crazy life. But by the way, I'm, like, very structured and very, like, with my life. But then for whatever reason, I attract all this craziness into my life. Like, I like it.

[Jesus]

Yeah, I'm gonna end on that because that's beautiful. And I'm so grateful for your time. Let's get a. Let's get a mani pedi.

[Tom Schwartz]

Let's do it.

[Jesus]

A mani petty. So I think we should end where we ended last time. This time with the detox feeling all shiny and brand new. Last time with the retox still feeling all shiny and brand new. By the way, do you to guys want know what sargasm is? Sargassum. It's a genus of brown algae, weed, seaweed floats, and masses in the ocean. Apparently, it's super important to marine life, but, you know, for tourists, you're casual beachgoer. It stinks. It's kind of scary. But yeah, Yesterday you couldn't swim because the ocean was just teeming with sargassum. But today, it is utterly gorgeous. It's like you're here with me. Miami, a city known for excess sexiness. We found moments of release, and not through Miami Vice slushies with Benny B. And Katie Marie shots like last time, but through letting go and laying low. Detox. It's a buzzword, but it's not just about green juices or skipping the occasional happy hour. It's about clearing space, holding space, giving yourself grace. That too rhymey? Okay, scratch that. It's about holding space. Yes. In your mind, in your body, in your life. Miami. Miami. All of her sexy, layered magic.

[Tom Schwartz]

I don't know.

[Jesus]

It somehow holds room for both the chaos, the party, the nightlife, and the calmness, the Zen. I'm so, so, so grateful to get come back. To get. To come back here again. Sorry, I thought a bird just on me. Which is apparently good luck. It's not bird, but I feel lucky just being here. Blessed way up. I feel balanced. Recharged my harmony. Yes. Harmonized my chi, the schwartz. It's all there in large parts of Miami. I'm leaving in the morning. I'm going back to Jacksonville to spend time with my dad. He's still an assisted living facility, but I'm gonna boost his morale. The house is ready. He's ready for the next chapter of his life. He's ready to finally find out what the golden years are. He told me that. He said, fuck the golden years. But my heart is full. I'm grateful. Am I exactly where I thought I'd be at 42 years old? No. Am I exactly where I want to be in this moment? Yes. I feel good. My face taut like a tiger. But I'm not clinging to my youth anymore, you guys. Even in spite of the Botox, there's no more Peter Pan syndrome. That Peter Pan died in the rubble of Schwartz and Sandy's. But my heart is young. My heart is still young. And now, because of Botox, my face looks young. So is yours. Your heart is young. Don't let yourself forget to take a moment to treat yourself. By the way, I got to talk to Alexia for days. Thank you, Alexi and Frankie's Beauty Bar. I had so much fun, you guys. Lisi, thank you. Natalie, thank you. Alexi has led such a wonderful, fascinating life, and I'm grateful to be able to sit down with her at the Beauty bar. You know, I like. I like what she said when she said, beauty radiates from within her beauty. I think the best beauty does. Anyways, I'm going to leave you guys with the sounds of the ocean. Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Detox. Sure. Love you guys.

[Tom Schwartz]

Detoxification complete.