For Good Podcast: Becoming McKenzi Brooke – Growing Up Online, Finding Her Voice & Turning Pressure Into Purpose

Host: Joseph "JoJo" Simmons
Guest: McKenzi Brooke (Dancer, Actor, Creator)
Date: November 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a vibrant, candid conversation between JoJo Simmons and Gen Z sensation McKenzi Brooke, a multi-talented performer and online creator. Together, they explore what it means to grow up in the digital spotlight, navigate public expectations, overcome adversity, and turn life’s pressures into purpose. McKenzi shares her journey from a “girl in a bubble” facing serious health challenges to boldly inspiring millions online, advocating for young women, and using her platform to spread authenticity and hope.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Growing Up Online: Fame, Family, and Staying Grounded

• Being “Just McKenzi”
  McKenzi discusses her rapid online rise and how she’s always viewed herself as a regular person rather than a celebrity.

  • “I always just respond with: I’m just like a normal girl...I honestly just continuously chase my dreams.” (07:14)

• Early Viral Moments (Walmart Dance Video Story)
  Drifted into social media thanks to gentle nudges from her mom; authentic dance videos with her brother went unexpectedly viral.

  • “[We] created a dance video with my brother...I was, I think, 15 and a half...and literally blew up overnight.” (09:01)

• Family as Anchors
  Her family, especially her mom (also her manager), dad, and brother Reef, keep her grounded—offering both love and hard truths.

  • “I love my family. I tell my family everything—they’re my best friends. They're the people I come to...if something goes wrong, I know they're going to be there for me and they're going to be straight and honest.” (48:08)

• Establishing Boundaries & Authenticity
  McKenzi balances private life and public persona by being honest with her audience and not forcing separation between “social media McKenzi” and “real McKenzi.”

  • “When I'm not feeling okay, my audience will know that I'm not okay. When I'm feeling great, my audience will know that I'm feeling great.” (19:21)

2. Handling Attention, Pressure, and the Dark Side of the Spotlight

• Internet Hate vs. Real-Life Bullying
  Early bullying in school gave her thick skin, making online negativity easier to shrug off.

  • “I dealt with hate way before starting social media...so having it done online by someone who's not showing their face...it doesn't bother me, it doesn't affect me.” (23:36, 24:17)

• Learning Self-Worth
  Centered around lessons from family about self-worth and not letting the opinions of others define her path.

  • “If you're still loving what you do and you know who you are...then who cares?” (24:18)

3. Turning Challenge into Fuel: Health, Creativity, and Purpose

• Overcoming Serious Health Struggles
  Childhood illness left her isolated (“a girl in a bubble”), on hospital homebound schooling, and at one point being told she might not walk or dance again.

  • “At one point...I was on hospital, homebound school...I didn't see friends, pretty much just saw my doctors, my mom.” (35:47)
  • “I was told I was never gonna walk again, I was never gonna dance again...that just made me realize: I have to work and fight a lot harder...” (35:47)
  • “I wouldn't change anything about it...I learned so much about myself.” (35:47)

• Creativity as Therapy
  Songwriting and music are outlets, often inspired by personal heartbreaks and relationships.

  • “I'd love to thank all my exes for being terrible to me.” (31:38)
  • Regarding her song “Love Amnesia”: “My therapist told me that forgiving is better, but I think forgetting is way better for you.” (32:34)

• Balancing Sharing and Privacy
  She now keeps her romantic life more private to protect herself and her audience, after learning from past open exposures.

  • “If I decide to explore a new relationship...I'm not going to post the person...I want it to myself. Sometimes you're still learning about the person...” (42:34)

4. Wisdom for the Next Generation: Advice & Mantras

• Embracing Individuality
  Advice for young creators: be yourself, don’t get lost in comparison or pressure.

  • “Always be you, don't care what other people think...It's your life, it’s not their life.” (44:32)

• Turning Haterade Into Powerade
  Negative feedback and doubt can be turned into motivation.

  • “Haterade is Powerade. If somebody does decide to hate on you, take it and put it into what you love.” (44:32)

• The Importance of Work Ethic
  Success requires mind and work ethic in sync—a lesson driven home by her family.

  • “You can accomplish anything as long as your mind’s on it. But you also have to have the same work ethic as it.” (47:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“At the end of the day, it's my life. I'm living it. You're just a speck on this world. Can't take life for granted. You gotta live it to the fullest.”
— McKenzi Brooke (00:29, 35:47)

“If you're my friend and you're being negative towards me...I have no problem removing you from my life.”
— McKenzi Brooke (25:16)

“Haterade is Powerade.”
— McKenzi Brooke (44:32)

“Do your best, forget the rest.”
— JoJo Simmons (31:10)

“As fast as you went up, you can come crashing down if you don’t remember those people who have helped you along the way.”
— McKenzi’s Mom, quoted by McKenzi (49:03)

“You are a walking testament...not only become somebody that is known, but to become somebody that was once sick and didn’t know where you were going to go in life.”
— JoJo Simmons (55:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:29] — McKenzi’s NY trip for the United Nations women’s empowerment event
• [09:01] — The viral Walmart dance video and finding her audience
• [13:36] — Growing up with protective, supportive parents
• [17:12] — Learning to be transparent online: balancing private & public life
• [23:36] — Handling hate: real-life bullying vs. internet trolls
• [35:47] — Health story: isolation, misdiagnosis, and fighting to recover
• [44:32] — Advice: “Haterade is Powerade” and embracing individuality
• [48:04] — Family as best friends and support system
• [55:05] — Reflection: What her younger self would think now
• [57:58] — What “For Good” means to McKenzi

What “For Good” Means (to McKenzi)

“Do something for the better. Do something for the good…this is like the time where everyone just needs to help out each other…”
— McKenzi Brooke (57:58)

Final Reflections and Takeaways

• Authenticity and emotional honesty set McKenzi apart in the influencer world, resonating with young audiences experiencing similar challenges.
• Family and inner values shape her resilience, work ethic, and willingness to use her online voice for positive impact.
• Her story is proof that adversity can become strength and the source of a powerful creative legacy.
• The episode is filled with actionable wisdom for anyone who feels pressured by the spotlight or the expectations of others.

Find McKenzi Brooke

• Socials & Music: @mckenziebrooke on all platforms
• Upcoming single: “Liar Liar” (release date TBA; snippets available online)

“This is the For Good podcast, where we focus on the good, never the bad—and we’re measured by what we do, not what we have.” — JoJo Simmons