I’m telling my therapist about this with Victoria Garrick Browne

Summary

Summary of "Gals on the Go" Podcast Episode: "I’m Telling My Therapist About This" Featuring Victoria Garrick Browne

Release Date: April 16, 2025

In this engaging episode of "Gals on the Go," hosts Brooke Miccio and Danielle Carolan welcome special guest Victoria Garrick Browne from PodcastOne’s "RealPod." The conversation seamlessly transitions from light-hearted banter about favorite snacks to deep discussions on mental health, self-care, and navigating friendships.

---

1. Welcome and Introduction

[01:47]
Brooke kicks off the episode by introducing Victoria, expressing excitement about the collaboration between "Gals on the Go" and "RealPod." Victoria humbly acknowledges the invitation, highlighting the synergy between their respective podcasts.

Notable Quote:
Victoria: "This is so great to finally meet you guys and talk, because I've just been, like, watching the content, and you guys have such insane podcast shows."
[02:31]

---

2. Light-Hearted Chat: Snacks and Food Preferences

Before diving into the core topics, the trio engages in a playful discussion about favorite snacks, particularly gummy bears and oatmeal. This segment showcases their camaraderie and sets a relaxed tone for the episode.

Notable Quote:
Danielle: "Gummy bears are always at everything."
[03:25]

---

3. Morning Routines and Self-Care Strategies

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to morning routines and maintaining mental well-being. Victoria shares her journey of refining her morning practices to protect her energy and foster a positive mindset.

Notable Quote:
Victoria: "Why can't today be the best day ever? Tomorrow doesn't exist. Yesterday is gone."
[10:15]

She emphasizes the importance of customizing routines rather than mimicking others, advocating for activities that genuinely uplift and energize her for the day ahead.

Danielle: "I wake up and I'm like, I need stimulation... What can I put on?"
[11:44]

---

4. Navigating Health Anxiety and Fitness Pressures

The conversation shifts to the pressures of maintaining certain health standards, such as the ubiquitous 10,000-step goal. Victoria critically examines how societal expectations can lead to emotional distress and detract from enjoying life.

Notable Quote:
Victoria: "It's not emotionally healthy because it's like taking you out of your enjoyment of your life."
[18:21]

Brooke echoes these sentiments, sharing her struggles with health anxiety tied to fitness trackers, highlighting the emotional toll of constant self-monitoring.

Brooke: "I have really bad health anxiety, especially with my heart for whatever reason."
[15:56]

---

5. Building and Maintaining Meaningful Friendships

A heartfelt discussion unfolds around setting boundaries in friendships, especially as life stages change. Victoria recounts her experience balancing relationships post-marriage, emphasizing quality over quantity in her social circles.

Notable Quote:
Victoria: "It's about going deep with people, going deep with a few people instead of having, like, a huge party in the shallow end."
[46:48]

Brooke and Danielle share their perspectives on managing expectations and maintaining authentic connections, recognizing the challenges of aligning friendships with personal growth.

Danielle: "I was having a not so confident day, and I found myself sitting in the corner talking to my boyfriend the whole time."
[29:37]

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6. Personal Anecdotes and Self-Discovery Moments

Victoria opens up about pivotal moments that led to her self-awareness and mental health journey. She narrates a transformative experience during a family vacation where seeking social validation through social media prompted her to prioritize genuine self-expression.

Notable Quote:
Victoria: "If you have a passion for something or a curiosity or you have an inkling, listen to your gut and follow it because you never know how it's gonna unfold."
[26:25]

This story underscores the importance of authenticity and the courage to redefine one’s online presence to reflect true self-worth rather than external validation.

---

7. Handling Social Situations with Anxiety

The trio delves into strategies for managing social anxiety, especially in settings like parties. Victoria discusses the internal battles of wanting to support friends while also respecting personal mental limits.

Notable Quote:
Victoria: "We can't just be like, oh, that doesn't work for me. We have to have reasonable and healthy boundaries."
[32:58]

Brooke and Danielle contribute by sharing techniques to stay present and respectful in social interactions without overextending oneself emotionally.

---

8. Favorite Movies, Music, and Games

In a lighter segment, the hosts and Victoria share their current favorite movies, songs, and games. Brooke recommends "The Longest Ride," a Nicholas Sparks film, while Victoria raves about Ariana Grande’s song "Twilight Zone." Danielle discusses her newfound appreciation for New York Times’ mini crossword puzzles.

Notable Quote:
Brooke: "It's a Nicholas Sparks movie called The Longest Ride. Have you guys heard of this?"
[49:37]

---

9. Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

As the episode concludes, Victoria emphasizes the significance of self-awareness and setting boundaries to maintain healthy relationships and personal well-being. The hosts thank her for her insightful contributions, reinforcing the episode's themes of authenticity and mental health.

Notable Quote:
Victoria: "We don't have to make this whole image. You know what I mean? And then maybe they would be like, well, I so appreciate that you're gonna come anyways and you can leave."
[32:15]

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Victoria: "Why can't today be the best day ever? Tomorrow doesn't exist. Yesterday is gone."
  [10:15]

• Victoria: "It's about going deep with people, going deep with a few people instead of having, like, a huge party in the shallow end."
  [46:48]

• Victoria: "We can't just be like, oh, that doesn't work for me. We have to have reasonable and healthy boundaries."
  [32:58]

• Victoria: "If you have a passion for something or a curiosity or you have an inkling, listen to your gut and follow it because you never know how it's gonna unfold."
  [26:25]

---

Conclusion

This episode of "Gals on the Go" offers a rich blend of personal stories, practical advice, and heartfelt discussions on mental health and relationships. Victoria Garrick Browne’s candid reflections provide listeners with valuable insights into self-care, setting boundaries, and the journey toward authentic living. The conversational style ensures an engaging and relatable experience, making it a must-listen for those navigating similar life stages.

Transcript

[Brooke]

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[Danielle]

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[Brooke]

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[Danielle]

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[Brooke]

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[Danielle]

This episode is brought to you by Old Navy. You can shop Old Navy's Studio Smooth collection in store and online at old navy.com hey guys, what's up? Welcome back to Gals on the Go podcast.

[Brooke]

It's Brooke, Danielle and Victoria.

[Danielle]

Oh, yay.

[Victoria]

No, but your name, Gals on the Go makes me want to be like, I know. Can I be a gal on the go?

[Brooke]

Obviously, you're a gal on the go. No. This has been a long time coming. We've been so excited to have you on the podcast. This is actually a pod swap, as they say. So as this episode's live today, we're also on the real pod today as well, Victoria. So go listen right after this. We'll have it in the description and everything.

[Danielle]

But what an iconic name. I mean, I've been like listening to your podcast, I feel like for a long time. I mean, you do iconic interviews. Like you are just like crushing it.

[Victoria]

I appreciate that. It's so funny. The name is like so simple. It's real pod. And I'm like, I don't, you know, I. Everything I do is like so literal. I'm like, real pod. Real post.

[Danielle]

I'm like, let's just say it how it is, though. Like, you know, just make it easy to address.

[Brooke]

That's on the go. We're always like, oh, I'm on the go. Like, we just lean in. We just, like, use the words for other things. I feel like.

[Danielle]

Yeah. Nothing wrong with being literal.

[Brooke]

Yeah. Got to. Got to represent your brand as a whole.

[Victoria]

Definitely. It's so great to finally meet you guys and talk, because I've just been, like, watching the content, and you guys have. Your podcast shows are insane. You're, like, fully touring, like, music artists.

[Danielle]

Like, oh, we definitely lean it.

[Brooke]

We like to pretend that we're touring.

[Danielle]

Totally. No, I love that we have a rider.

[Brooke]

Yeah, we have a rider.

[Victoria]

What's on the rider?

[Danielle]

That's a good question, actually. We've talked about it. Maybe.

[Victoria]

Please tell me there's no specifications about temperature.

[Danielle]

No, no, no, no. It's like, you know, gummy bears, hummus.

[Brooke]

Cheese and crackers.

[Danielle]

Cheese and crackers.

[Brooke]

But the gummy bears, they're always at everything.

[Danielle]

Harry Bow gummy bears. That's our one specification.

[Brooke]

Okay.

[Danielle]

Those are like. They sell them legitimately anywhere from, like, a 711 to, like. I feel like the.

[Victoria]

Yeah.

[Brooke]

They're able to find.

[Danielle]

Not Air one, but, you know.

[Victoria]

Yeah. You can find those everywhere. I will say, for the longest time, I wasn't a gummy candy person.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Victoria]

I don't know what I was doing with my life, because now I'm obsessed with gummy candy. Anything gummy, chewy, I want to eat it. And I wasted so many Halloweens. Yep. My whole childhood not having gummy candy.

[Brooke]

Where you like, chalk chocolate. Like, more of that.

[Danielle]

Yeah, yeah.

[Victoria]

Chocolate lollipops.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Victoria]

I love sour belt strips, Milk Duds. I don't know. I just. I never grabbed a pack of gummy bears, but now I love it.

[Brooke]

No, they're so.

[Danielle]

Something about it, like, it just satisfies that. Like, midday, you know, like, when you're like, oh, like, I need, like, a sugar pick me up, it's like, yes. An adult eating gummy bear. Something about it.

[Victoria]

It's something.

[Brooke]

So good.

[Danielle]

I.

[Brooke]

The Haribo ones are a little hard for me to chew.

[Danielle]

They definitely work your jaw.

[Victoria]

They work the jaw I really like.

[Brooke]

Your mom actually showed us the. This is Albanese L. Albany's. Yes. These gummy bears, a little bit easier to chew.

[Victoria]

Okay.

[Brooke]

And I do love those.

[Danielle]

They're more like. I feel like I taste the flavors more. Not in my favor.

[Victoria]

Yeah. You know what's funny is I do like the challenge. Like, I like when the gummy bear is a little, like, harder to chew. I also love, like, when I'm skiing and my Skittles get cold in my pocket. Oh, I like having really hard sourdough bread. My husband Max, always makes fun of me. Really? You like the worst bread? It's stale. I'm like, it's not stale. It's sourdough. Like, I don't know. I like chewing.

[Danielle]

I know what you're talking about. Like, when you really have to, like, work it. Like, Like a saw when you're cutting it. Yeah, you really have to.

[Victoria]

You're earning the bite. I'm, like, earning the bite.

[Brooke]

My God. I like sprinkle. You know, the hack. You sprinkle water on it and then put it in the microwave and it softens. Like, that's what I do. When the sour. Adam Harrison showed me this. When you get. When your sourdough is a little hard, you just sprinkle some water on it, like, literally a few drops, and put it in the microwave for, like, 10 seconds.

[Victoria]

No, see, that's giving source, and I can't eat sourdough.

[Brooke]

That's fair. That's fair. Wow.

[Victoria]

Not to hate on it.

[Brooke]

Oh, no, no. Like, real hair.

[Victoria]

I can't have oatmeal. I can't. I wish I could. It looks like the perfect breakfast.

[Brooke]

It literally looks like it's kind of boring, though. Like, yeah, I have it. When I have oatmeal, I'm like, this is like a punishment.

[Danielle]

It feels like you always think that it's even overnight oats. I'm like, oh, my gosh. It's going to be like. Like vanilla. Like chai. Like, this does taste kind of like what I think dog food would taste.

[Victoria]

I can't eat it because of just the consistency and the. Visually, it doesn't look like human food.

[Danielle]

But in theory, we're there.

[Brooke]

Yeah. I don't know if this is so niche to me. Do you guys eat granola? Like, yogurt bowls?

[Danielle]

Actually, yogurt's not my fave.

[Victoria]

Like a yogurt.

[Brooke]

I worded that. So weird.

[Danielle]

I'm, like, trying to.

[Victoria]

You threw me to left field.

[Brooke]

Like a yogurt parfait, if you will. I love making them. Like, Greek yogurt, granola, strawberries, whatever. Honey and so. And honey. That's like a. Someone made a TikTok recently. This is so niche. But, like, for some reason, the first few bites of that are so good, and then it's so hard to finish the bowl like every single time. It's like torture. Okay, this, this isn't hitting.

[Victoria]

No, I totally know what you mean. Like, it gets me full within like three bites and then I just have the granola. Then I'm on a timer because the granola is getting soggy. Yes. I already said soggy food is a no. So I'm now scarfing it down to berries are crunch.

[Brooke]

You don't want.

[Danielle]

I don't mean because it's. I don't like yogurt bowls, but I got acai bowls and it's similar. Like all the toppings are on the top. It's the best part.

[Victoria]

You know what this is reminding me of? This whole conversation is the White Lotus episode recently. I just was not meant to live an uncomfortable life. No. Like my yogurt parfait. I need to eat. Like literally, literally live like this.

[Danielle]

People used to forage and Hana, now we're like, it gets soggy.

[Brooke]

I know.

[Victoria]

I hate us.

[Brooke]

No, we're so dramatic. Like absolutely everything. I've just been loving being dramatic lately though. It's kind of fun.

[Victoria]

It is fun. You know what's actually good for me? I tend to really have like deep ass conversations. Like, I like to just go there. So I'm actually not good. Like, I get. I get uncomfortable having like, like fun chat.

[Brooke]

Oh yeah.

[Victoria]

I can like do it because I am so used to like talking way more like on an existential level. But it's funny because my friends are like that, like makes me feel uncomfortable and weird and talking about fun things is like, easier for me. So I don't know how I've like, uno reversed myself.

[Brooke]

No, it's. It's really nice though, to be like as soon. I was gonna say as soon as you walked in, like, you were exactly what you are online, which I feel like I already knew, but it was. I literally felt like I was talking to like one of your tick tocks.

[Danielle]

Energy was like, right from the start. Which I appreciate because, you know, sometimes like, people have to warm. It's like a cat. Like you have to like.

[Victoria]

Yeah, yeah.

[Brooke]

No, seriously, like, do you have any.

[Danielle]

Right from the start?

[Victoria]

Thank you. I appreciate you guys too.

[Brooke]

Do you.

[Victoria]

We met in the bathroom. Yeah, we do. That's probably why girls meeting in the bathroom.

[Danielle]

True.

[Brooke]

No matter what. That makes sense. No, I know. We were like changing shirts, like, oh, hello, nice to meet you. You're like, I have to tinkle. I love her already.

[Victoria]

No, the minute I said tingle, I was like, I Can't believe you just said that out loud. No, like, I literally was the first sentence I said to you.

[Brooke]

No, that's what my mom says, and I love that word. Where are you from, Maroo? Are you from California?

[Victoria]

I was born in Chicago, actually. My mom grew up in Illinois in a little suburb called Park Ridge. And then my dad's from Ohio, so we are, like, Midwest.

[Danielle]

That's why you.

[Brooke]

Yeah, that makes sense, because my mom grew up in the Midwest, too, and she says tinkle, so maybe. I don't know.

[Victoria]

Oh, yeah, no, my mom has all these weird isms. Like, half of them aren't even. They're not derived from anywhere. They're just like. She says s'more. She says salsa with a T. So now I say all these things. No, they're not even. Like, it's not even a Chicago thing. It's not like she says pop and doc. It's like she's like, salsa. And my husband's like, there's no tea. There's no tea.

[Brooke]

There's literally no tea. It's not even silent.

[Danielle]

And then you think that that's the correct pronunciation of it. So you carry that with you.

[Victoria]

I just. I mean, I know now it's wrong, but it's just habitual because my mom raised me that way. But. Yeah, but I'm really grateful for growing up and going. The years that I had spent there. I was really young that we moved back to Northern California, but we would go to Chicago at least a year for my whole childhood, seeing family and cousins, which was so nice. But then, yeah, I went to USC out here in la, and then I've stayed here ever since.

[Brooke]

Wow, that is so funny. We literally just had Brett Brett's Bites on our podcast. She is from Chicago and went to usc.

[Victoria]

I didn't know she was from Chicago. I knew that we all went to usc. Okay. That's such a small world.

[Danielle]

We're a certain type.

[Brooke]

No wonder we like you guys. Wait, so. So you came here so positive and lovely. Do you have, like, this amazing morning routine or how do you start your days? I need to know.

[Victoria]

It's so funny that you asked that, because I'm definitely working on how I set my energy and my mindset in the morning. And I feel like the number one thing I'm realizing is what it's not going to be as an exact replica of someone else's.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Victoria]

And I think we see that a lot. And it's like, oh, this is what my favorite influencer does. Or this is what this book says I should do. I think it's so good to take in all that information and like, expose yourself to different things you could be doing. But then ask yourself, like, what works best for me? And I'm something that I'm realizing is, like, right in the morning, I really want to protect my energy and that I'm trying to, like, charge up, like, joy that, like, today could be the best day ever. That's actually been something I've been like, really trying to tell myself is it's not in a month when all my friends are together for this party, or it's not in a year when this wedding happened, Whatever. It's like, why can't today be the best day ever? Tomorrow doesn't exist. Yesterday is gone. Like, this could be all you have. I also did just interview someone who got diagnosed with cancer and he has. His name's Jeffrey Sod. He's got the most incredible mindset and he inspired a lot of this into me. So I've been reflecting on it. But so I. Sorry. Oh, my God.

[Brooke]

Getting choked up.

[Victoria]

Yeah. No. So I used to call friends in the morning right away, or I used to, I don't know, listen to a podcast. And then I was like, I'm inviting whatever their energy is. So if I call a friend and they're like, hi. Just running out the door, like, blah, blah, blah, blah, or like, hi. Oh my God, this thing happened. I totally want to be there and support you, but probably not my first hour of the day where I'm still, like, gaining the strength to, like, create my vibe. I'm happy to help you at, like, noon or like in the afternoon. You know what I mean?

[Brooke]

That's so.

[Danielle]

No, that's very self Aware. Aware is the word. Yes, very. To understand that. Because I feel that I wake up and I'm like, I need stimulation, which is unfortunate, but I'm like, podcast, YouTube video. What can I put on? And it's like I'm. I am absorbing that energy essentially right away.

[Victoria]

Yeah. But some podcasts, you might know, like, I'm always going to get wisdom here. Like, I'm going to get the vibe I'm looking for. So I think that, like, there can be that podcast that you put on and you're like, okay, this makes me giggle. This makes me feel seen or comforted. I found though, that, like, with the calls to people, like, I. That's where I'm like, susceptible to, like, mold. So I think, you know, I guess to simplify, I've been trying to like really have my first hour, be like one on one listening to the music I want to listen to or channeling the thoughts I want to have. I like to get, go outside in some capacity and then I like to really like write out my day and like have an organized plan. Yeah.

[Brooke]

So that makes so much sense.

[Victoria]

Yeah. But I would be lying if I said I had like this really regimented, like perfect thing. I'm more like an intuitive person.

[Brooke]

More like what do I need today?

[Victoria]

Yeah, if I need to sleep more, I'll sleep more.

[Brooke]

Yeah, no, we definitely.

[Danielle]

Oh yeah, we've been leaning more into that. I feel like it used to be like if you don't wake up by seven, you're a failure. And it's like, no, I'm allowed to. I stayed up late, I now I.

[Victoria]

Need more rest and women need, need more sleep. You know that the studies are starting to show someone fact check me, I'm not a doctor, but like women need more than eight hours of sleep, I think. And it's hard for me to go to bed like my. I am a night owl. And that's actually another thing. Like some people could own the night and they might not own the morning. And like that's fine. You don't have to be a 5am person. If you're not, be an 8 to 10pm person and then you know, wake up at 8, 8:30. I mean depends on your job and what you're doing.

[Brooke]

Yeah, we're grateful that we have the privilege to, you know. Totally. I have a lot of friends though that have been able to kind of adjust. Like they'd rather work out at night instead of in the morning so that they can get more sleep before work or whatever it is. Like it's definitely customizable.

[Victoria]

Definitely.

[Danielle]

Do you have an OURA ring? Do you believe in like the.

[Victoria]

So, so funny. I just, I mean I like whatever helps anyone is what I believe. I however, like I am very like placebo affected. Is that the way like if I looked at it and it said you should feel like shit today, I'd be like, oh my God, I feel like shit.

[Brooke]

Totally.

[Victoria]

So I don't want something to tell me like where I'm at. I want to just will myself. But I tried using it for a little bit, but I didn't use it for that long. It was like 15 days. Ish. But it was like you had an amazing night's sleep and I know I didn't and I know people are like, I need to give the ring more time because it needs like 30 days at least to adjust to you. I hear great things. Do you?

[Danielle]

Mine says I really like, I'm like a two year three. Like I'm not wake up and check my stat though. Like, I'm like, oh, I should probably check, you know, when I remember. But mine, it says you're like chronotype, which is basically over time it assesses like when your energy levels are, you know, the best in terms of Mine are best in the early evening.

[Victoria]

Okay.

[Danielle]

And that actually helped me like, kind of complete.

[Brooke]

Oh, that's cool to know. Like when you're most productive and stuff and you have the most energy.

[Danielle]

Yeah, yeah, it's like to lean into that.

[Victoria]

So actually 6:00.

[Danielle]

Wait, no, let me confirm because I think that it's also like when I should wind down.

[Brooke]

Oh, okay. That makes more sense because it's like.

[Danielle]

Saying like, I'm not a night owl. Basically. Like, I'm not. I do not do well.

[Brooke]

No, I know you're not.

[Danielle]

Tells you the stats.

[Brooke]

No, you're definitely not. Because we like. Because obviously Brooke and I do a lot together for the podcast. Like, Brooke is very much so. As soon as she wakes up, like she's cranking things out, I'm more of like, as the sun goes down, I like to hop on my. And like do the emails and the stuff. So it's so funny. Like we have opposite schedules in that way.

[Danielle]

I'm more of an evening type, but not to the extreme.

[Victoria]

That's good though.

[Danielle]

I feel like I should be sleeping before midnight, it says, which I feel is accurate for me.

[Victoria]

Yeah. Yeah, that's good. It's probably why you guys have such a good dynamic and friendship is like, it's kind of Yang Yangi. Yeah. The thing about the oura ring too, that like made me hesitant for so many years is like the step tracking, the calorie tracking, like all that stuff and like very triggering for me. I like don't want to. It's like put anything near me like that I don't want to know that I can withhold. But like, it's just. That's why I have a more of a natural, like, not for me. However, when I did get it, you can go in and you can do like turn off all calorie features. So I did that right away. Yeah, I really just wanted to do it to check sleep. And then, yeah, I. I gave up. I should try it again.

[Brooke]

I know. I wish they made it even more customizable though, because like, I. I have like really bad health anxiety, especially with like my heart for whatever reason. And I wish I could turn off the heart rate feature because I like start to get like anxious and then my heart rate goes up and I' oh my God. Oh my God. Then it just goes off because you're like stressed about it and you can't turn that one off because it's all.

[Danielle]

Like based on that. But you don't need it. You don't need to know that it is though. It could just be like working the background.

[Brooke]

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[Danielle]

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[Victoria]

Like, it's honestly like crazy the amount of steps we are allegedly supposed to be hitting.

[Brooke]

Allegedly. I love that word.

[Victoria]

No there's literally like, it's insane. I mean and then just then the possibly the feeling bad about yourself that you didn't hit it. It's like, no, that's the thing that we need to talk about is like all the stress to have a certain level of health or you walk a certain amount of steps. You eat certain foods if that's making you obsess over it. And like not sit on the couch and have an awesome 20 minute conversation with your roommate because you got to go out and get your stuff steps. And then you're not like developing the friendship or you're going to dinner with your friends for their birthday but you're not eating anything off the menu because you read somewhere you're not supposed to have a certain type of oil. It's like that's actually not healthy emotionally because it's like taking you out of your enjoyment of your life. And I, I have like empathy because I know what that's like. I've been there. But that's like a side of the health conversation we're not talking about enough is it's actually not emotionally healthy to be like in such a state of restriction or lack of social interaction or obsession about certain things that you don't enjoy your life.

[Danielle]

100. That's a great message to like enforce is that it's like it, it. The health stuff shouldn't make you stress.

[Brooke]

It should like can't be social.

[Danielle]

Yeah, definitely.

[Brooke]

I've seen that happen to some people that they're just like, oh, I like don't even want to go to dinner because of blah, blah, blah. I'm like, okay, well let's go for a walk.

[Victoria]

Yeah. And there's so many pressures and like I can. We could easily say here's the math that makes a woman especially feel that way. Right? Like It's. It's not. It's everything around us all the time. But I feel like. Yeah. You know when someone's like, oh, I can. I. You could never have a cookie, Victoria. Cookies are not good for you. I'm like, but the version of me who's not allowed to just, like, have a chocolate chip cookie is actually not a healthy version.

[Brooke]

Yeah, you don't want her.

[Victoria]

So what is. What's actually good health? And which one am I trying to get? Because.

[Brooke]

No, it's so true. You know what I mean? I like what you mean, too, because I definitely had a moment where I was like, like, 10K steps. And then, like, winter hits in New York and you're like, I can't even hit it. And then you get discouraged on yourself or whatever. And then there would be moments where I think, oh, well, like, literally, like you said, like, oh, yeah, you know, someone's supposed to come over tonight, but I haven't hit my step. Like, it's just so, like, why do we have this?

[Victoria]

I did not know that about you. I'm sorry. I just knew.

[Brooke]

Oh, no, I think broken. It's not like this crazy thing.

[Victoria]

Okay. Okay.

[Brooke]

It was just like.

[Danielle]

There's definitely been times when we're like, oh, I gotta walk more. Like, you know, I. Yeah, I know. It's like a goal more so. I feel like it was never like you were beating yourself up about it. But I do agree that it is like, but who. Even we've said it before, who created 10K?

[Brooke]

Like, where did that sound very casual?

[Danielle]

Where did this originate from? Like, it was just someone being like, 10 sounds good, I guess, right?

[Victoria]

A lot of that health stuff. I mean, the BMI is, like, not reliable for so many reasons. If you calculate a BMI on the Rock Johnson, it would say he's incredibly obese. And obviously he's not. He doesn't incorporate muscle mass. I mean, there's so many things that we've, like, been told about all of this, but I. But it comes from a place of, like, having been someone who was obsessive over that and tracked every calorie and weighed myself and did all the things, and now feeling, like, so free that I'm, like, so passionate about. Maybe if some one person listening is like, oh, my God. I never thought about how. Because I'm obsessed with getting my steps, I don't actually do blah, blah, blah. And, like, maybe just 1% will now be like, I don't think I need to hit it every day if it means I lose out on this aspect of my life. No, like, you should just.

[Brooke]

I changed my mindset of like, let me just go for a walk. Cuz I want to go for a walk. I don't have to see how many steps I hit. It's just like, oh, I went for a walk. Like, it's just like. Because it's something that you love to do, right?

[Danielle]

We always talk about actually, like, wanting to be more in tune with ourselves. If like you're. You just said you're very intuitive. Like, you know, if you want to go for a walk, like, you keep walking until you're tired or whatever. And like recognizing sort of that in yourself. When do you feel like. Do you feel like it was like years and years of work kind of compiled into becoming this semi intuitive person or.

[Victoria]

Yeah, you know, obviously, I think there's so many things that have to happen and so many dominoes fall. To allow anyone to have a moment where you have like an epiphany about your life, it's the cascade of whatever came before it. However, in that moment, it feels like it's, oh, my God, it's this one conversation I had with a friend or it's this one thing I saw. And for me, I feel like it was this very specific moment on a vacation with my family. And this was at a point where I was like, really? I haven't told the story in a long time. I'm gonna remember I was really obsessed with like, getting the Instagram, having the bikini body, getting the likes. Like, I was, I think, a freshman in college and we were on a family vacation and I brought like this nice bathing suit in my beach bag because I wanted the picture in it, but I wasn't actually gonna like, spend my day in it because it was like, uncomfortable and not actually for swimming, right? But I was like, but I'm just gonna bring it in my bag for a photo. So I remember like, changing and I like, you know, asked my sweet mom to take pictures of me. And, you know, we're having this whole photo shoot meanwhile, like, I could just be laying and enjoying my day, right? And I will say, if you enjoy the photos and it actually makes you happy, please do it. If I see girls taking photos, good for you. You look hot for me. It was like, I need to get this photo. If I can't get this photo, I can't enjoy my day and I need to like. It was not a good obsession.

[Brooke]

It was not a good comedy.

[Victoria]

Long story short, I got the photo. My older brother. Long story short, I got the photo. My older brother had been, like, kind of watching the whole thing happen, you know, it's right there. And I remember I was, like, gearing it up to post, and it was like, 5pm Pacific, because I'm like, perfect.

[Danielle]

Oh, you had it light.

[Victoria]

My caption says, Sunday Funday Capital sun with an emoji.

[Brooke]

I remember those days.

[Victoria]

I literally. So. And my brother literally stopped me and was like, why are you posting that? And I was like, yeah. I'm like, excuse me, you're interrupting, like, a really sacred moment.

[Brooke]

Voting it up.

[Victoria]

Yeah, so. And I was like, because it's a good picture. And he was like, no, why are you posting that? And I could tell he was, like, really pressing me, like. And it was more than just a passive, you know, remark. And I was like, because I know it will get a lot of likes and comments. And he said, why do you want a lot of likes and comments? And I said, I actually think. I said nothing, but I thought, because it makes me feel good instantly. And then I remember that I did post the photo, but as you know, the notifications were coming. I was not an influencer. This is to my friends, whoever followed me. But as they were commenting and saying, you look so good or whatever, I was, like, feeling icky. I don't know. I was suddenly realizing, like, oh, my God, I just did this whole thing for people to tell me I can like myself and I look good and I can, like, like, now enjoy my day. Like, I've asked permission. It was so clear to me, like, the seeking of the validation. And so that was my, like, moment where I had this. Aha. And then the very next day, I was sitting on the beach next to my Yaya, who travels with us a lot. She used to when she's, like, in her 80s. I know she was, yeah, my mom's mom, Yaya. And I remember looking at her and thinking, I just love her so much. And you're not on my Instagram. Why would you be? It's all me in bikinis and me looking cute. It's not the people that I love. It's not the things that I care about. It's like, what looks aesthetic. And so I just remember thinking, like, fuck that. And I took a little picture of her looking at me, and I think it was her birthday. And I was just like, happy birthday. I love you so much. And I use the hashtag real post just because it came to my head. I was like, real post. Because everything else felt fake, right? And that was. Was the Start of like the brand and business that I have now. From that point on I was like, f this, I'm posting what I want, I'm doing my own thing. And then I started to think about a lot of things and like, oh my God, I really have been acting like everything's perfect and put together and I don't know, I just started questioning and then going through it. I think we all have those times in our life and that was the time for me.

[Brooke]

Spiral, if you will.

[Victoria]

So to answer your question, Brooke, very long story, but that was kind of the moment for me. That was, I think, the beginning of this without me even really knowing it.

[Brooke]

Great question, Brooke.

[Danielle]

I feel like hand in hand to like, you know, like you found yourself by finding your brand actually, which is how magic is that?

[Victoria]

That's beautiful. I feel really grateful that like, you know, in a nutshell story is then like, then being transparent on the Internet became really important to me. And then as I was also struggling with anxiety and some of the other mental health issues I was facing as an athlete, I started to talk about that more. And so then like, yeah, it just, I felt like who I was online took like a 180 and yeah, now it's, it's become this wonderful thing that I love. And I think it goes to show like if you have a passion for something or you have a curiosity or you have an inkling, like, listen to your gut and like follow it because you never know how it's gonna unfold. And this is not what I would have like thought. Like if my 16 year old self saw some of the videos and pictures I posted, she'd be like, you did not. Like your stomach, like you didn't post that. Like, I can't believe, you know, I. It's like a totally different version of me.

[Brooke]

My favorite. You posted this recently. I don't know if it's a recurring series or whatever, but you posted like how girls pose, like from the side you, like from the side. And I was like, that's so true. Like, and it's important to remember when you see other people's mirror selfies and stuff. Like, you know, when you're trying to take your best mirror selfie ever, you're, you know, putting your shoulders back, a butt back, you know, clench, everything is happening. But then from the side it's like there's all kinds of things happening. It's not like this perfect thing but. But it seems like it, right?

[Victoria]

I feel like we all are guilty of looking at a girl and Thinking she's so perfect. She has probably no bad photos. She probably has no bad angle. And it's like, she probably does. Yes, we do. For some crazy reason, she doesn't. I'm sure she has something in her life that she's had to overcome. Like, this idea that, like, I used to really think. And I think we got this message from movies that you could be so beautiful, that, like, everything else is okay. And that's, like, what I think we were told that we should have. Like, I think we could see movies where a girl walked into a bar and, like, everyone turned and, like, the light hit and, like, we were being told, like, that's how you want. And so then we have this weird thought that when I'm getting ready and I walk into a bar, like, if everyone doesn't turn, I. I need to do more. Like, yeah. And I. When I tell you I've been around some of the most beautiful people and I've walked into places with them, and I've literally been like, pay attention to, like, let's see.

[Brooke]

Like, are.

[Victoria]

Is there a light dropping down? Is there a music playing? There's not. And I'm. I. You not. This person is so gorgeous. But that doesn't happen. No.

[Brooke]

And it's also about your aura as well. Like, how you literally walk in room and how you, like, address it. Like, we always talk about this. Like, certain people have given us the advice. Like, when you walk in a room, instead of, like, going on your phone or, like, trying to find your friend right away, it's like, walk in and just be excited to be there. Shoulders back. You know, that's going to give you the attention, not, like, how you look.

[Victoria]

I love that. I think that, like, confident independence is something that we can try to have more of. Like, yeah, I try to not text my friends when I've arrived. Like, walk in and make eye contact with a stranger. And, like, you'll find your friend. And, like, yeah, when I have friends who, like, call me, like, I'm on my way, can you come outside? I'm this, I'm this and that. I'm just like, no, but I'll see you when you get inside.

[Brooke]

You got this. No, it's so true. I feel like I have days, you know, there's certain days where you're like, oh, my gosh, like, I need. Let's meet up front. Then the other days, you're like, I'm gonna let my friend come and find me.

[Victoria]

Yeah, totally.

[Danielle]

I had a party recently. I. I went out for like, my friend's birthday party, and I was having, like, a not so confident day, and I, like, found myself sitting in the corner talking to my boyfriend the whole time. And I literally, actively, in that moment, was like, I hate that I'm being like this.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Danielle]

I don't like that I'm being like this. And I. I could tell why. It was, like. It was even when I was getting ready and getting in the mood, like, I was like, why? I'm just, like, not feeling myself tonight. Like, not feeling social, whatever. And I feel like that I'm moving in the right direction, that I can identify that I was feeling that way.

[Brooke]

I know. Like, what do you do?

[Danielle]

That it's linked.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Danielle]

But it's hard to get yourself out of, like, a funk, even if it's just one night where you're feeling off and you're like, I'm not so social today, you know, so hard because you.

[Victoria]

Have that part of you. Like, if we get really, really existential.

[Danielle]

No, I know.

[Victoria]

Like, you can call it ego. You can call whatever you want. It's this other voice, and it's not ego, like, in a cockiness. It's just we all have a voice in our head that, like, it's like when you think about when you've ever been. Anyone has been in a fight with, like, their boyfriend or girlfriend or a partner, and you know, in your head, I'm wrong. I took this too far. I'm getting a little too extreme. But something in you just. You cannot. You literally cannot say in that moment. I'm so sorry. Like, I think I've. I've lost the plot here, and I. I didn't mean what I said, and I love you. And I know, like, you literally cannot. Like, there's something. Okay. That force fighting against you is like, that ego, that pride, that, like, is doing anything to, like, keep itself alive. I think the fact that you have the awareness. I'm not saying that's what the situation is. The fact that you were just aware of, oh, my God, I'm having anxiety and I'm not feeling like my best self is so major because people don't even have that awareness. And then I think, for me, when I can't get out of it, like, I can't just. Just notice it and then snap to being the version of me I want. I'm like, okay, I noticed this. Let me just try to not project or start this onto other people until I'm at a place where I'm. You know what I mean?

[Brooke]

Yeah. Being A damper on other people's moves. I'm like, ugh. Like, I. Like, I'm just complaining.

[Danielle]

No, it's hard to shake that feeling and be like. And I guess the intuitive, like, self in me could have been like, okay, I'm gonna, like, not go to the party tonight or whatever, but it's hard sometimes. I'm like, I do want to, like, show up for my friends.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Danielle]

But I'm not. I'm gonna be honest. Like, I'm not not. And I hate that about myself. I love myself, but I. I'm working on trying to be aware of, like, when I'm not in that, like, 100 headspace, but I can, like, still present it and be.

[Brooke]

I know. I. When I'm in a bad mood, you can just tell. Like, even my friends this past weekend, they're like, you're not having fun right now, are you? I was like, damn. Do you really see that on my face?

[Danielle]

Like, it's a hard thing to work on when you're like, okay, Like, I feel like I can tell that I'm having a weird day, but, like, I want to not feel that way, like, so I'm able to identify it. But I'm still working on building your.

[Brooke]

Toolkit to, like, fix.

[Victoria]

Save it.

[Danielle]

What can we do here to, like, feel better?

[Victoria]

It's hard because you're right. There are moments you, like, want to show up for people, or you can't just, like, bail on the party, or they've reserved a seat for you at the reservation. And I do think that that's another part of this whole, like, boundaries conversation that gets lost, is like, okay, but, like, there needs to be, like, a level of, like, respect to your friends and your family and, like, communication. And we can't just be like, oh, that doesn't work for me. So I'm boxing you out, and you don't fit my life. Like, I think there are, like, reasonable and healthy boundaries, and I have many, and I encourage people to have them. And you bring up a good point, Brooke. Like, one of the moments that we also have to be like, this is not what's best for me right now, but I think I have to go.

[Brooke]

I know.

[Victoria]

So I think sometimes in those situations, I'm like, okay, I can just go to the first part, but I'm not gonna go out to the bar, Or I go, and I'll make sure that I grab a seat next to someone. I feel good, and so I'm not sitting next to a stranger that I have to talk to. And make friends with the whole night. Like, I think there are little ways. I also try. I'm not good at this, but I try to be really. I try to be more candid with my friends. So, like, if they call me and they're like, how are you? Or how's your week? You would think that I'm the one that's really open and transparent. I feel like I take the. It's not that I'm not being open, it's just that I'm like, you got this. You don't need anyone else. Like, don't, don't burden them. Like, just deal with your shit. Like that, like, voice comes in my head. But I'm trying to be more like, oh, was scrambling today. You know, it's. It's been rough. But like, I'm gonna be there tonight. Like, you can have. You. You're allowed to be honest. Like, we don't have to make this whole image. You know what I mean? And then maybe they would be like, they'd be like, well, I so appreciate that you're gonna come anyways and like, you can leave. You know what I mean? We don't have to pretend that we're always okay.

[Brooke]

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[Danielle]

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[Brooke]

No, you're so right. Because I do appreciate when friends tell me that, like, we even do that for each other. Like, look, I'm gonna need you to pull through for me today because we.

[Danielle]

Lean on each other a lot, which is really nice about, like, that we get them, we do business together and friendships. Because it's like, you know, I'm. I'm like, I feel like one of us was like, I'm feeling a little.

[Brooke]

Tired and it's like, scary today. And it's nice to have friends like that. And I have a few other friends in my life that'll be like, hey, like, I've been literally. What you said, like, I've been running around today, but I want to come and support you and I will stay as long as I can. And, like, I appreciate them telling me that so that I'm not like, overthinking. Are they not having fun? You know, I know that they're there for me and, like, that's the most meaningful thing ever.

[Victoria]

Definitely.

[Danielle]

Like, the transparency. But I appreciate what you said, though, about that's an interesting conversation. Like, the boundaries piece of it. Because. Yeah, but then it's like spinning it the other way of, like, well, we did have a reservation for six. Like, you know, and I'm gonna get charged if two people cancel. Like, so there is like a certain.

[Victoria]

Level of totally communication. Yes. Okay. Like, I'm so sorry I can't make it for some reason. Let me please pay for my xyz. You know, I think, I mean, I think you can tell when people are genuine. I just wish there's some of these, like, one off, like, random boundaries posts that someone would throw in.

[Danielle]

Like, there's exceptions.

[Victoria]

Yeah. Like, or just there's, like manners, like, and there's ways to go about it. Because it would be a bummer if someone thinks like, oh, this is what I'm supposed to be doing. But then really, they're. Yeah. I don't know. I just think about that. I don't have, like a personal experience with it. I'm just like, I could imagine it being misconstrued.

[Brooke]

I have a question for you regarding boundaries. And you might I feel like, because as you said, you set up boundaries pretty well.

[Victoria]

Yeah.

[Brooke]

Like, have you had any post grad or like, any time in your life, like, friendships where you've kind of had to be like, I need to set some boundaries. Like, I can't, like, give them what they're wanting. And like, what did you do?

[Danielle]

But maybe you have maybe like, closeness.

[Brooke]

Of a friendship or like a closer friend. They're not serving you anymore, but you don't want to, like, you know, not talk to them ever again. It's just like, I need to figure out how to balance this friendship. Maybe you haven't had that happen.

[Victoria]

No, that's a really good question. I think. I feel like it's really important to always be, like, honest to yourself. You don't have to always tell everyone all of your thoughts. But I think, think if we aren't like, real real, it's. You're never gonna feel good about it. You know what I mean? Like, and I do think as we graduate and like, I'm married now and I noticed a huge difference with, like, me being married. I don't want to go out on the weekends. Like, I have some single friends and I'll be like, I literally am not asking you to hang out on a Friday and Saturday because I know that is your gold and you don't want to spend it with me. Like, you need to go on a date, you need to go to the bar. Like, and that's totally fine. And then I have friends who are married and they're at a total different stage. So I think it's natural that, like, someone who was really serving a purpose or you guys are really vibing and now you're at like a different stage in life. Like, I think that's totally natural. So I feel like the way that I've tried to approach it is just like being honest and candid about where I'm at or, you know, or I'm saying, this hurt me. And if they say, and then you hurt me in this way, like, I have to wear that too. Like, every relationship has. There's two sides to every story.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Victoria]

But it's hard. But I feel like, like, you have to know that, like, you can't possibly be best friends with 50 people.

[Danielle]

She needs to hear this.

[Victoria]

Is that really. Is that the yes she has?

[Danielle]

I mean, it's amazing because she's just such a. Like, everybody wants to be her best friend, so everybody thinks that they're best.

[Victoria]

Yeah, it's.

[Danielle]

I'm realizing beyond that, it's beyond that, though, like, you have a lot of friends, in a good way, and you're. She's so good at checking in, like, and genuinely, like, really? No, you're really good. Like, not a lot of people can manage that level of that many close friends. I. Truthfully, I know I can't because I. I'm not checking in that frequently. Like, I have, like, five people that I like. Yeah.

[Victoria]

I'm like, no, I max out at, like, 5. I'm like, yeah, and I'm all set on friends.

[Danielle]

Exactly.

[Victoria]

Like, people that.

[Danielle]

I'm saying, like, you regularly are like, what's up? How's your week? You know, tell me about your mom, whatever.

[Brooke]

No, I'm hitting. You're at a wall right now. And I'm like, okay, how do I. Because it's no one. There's. I've never really had in my life these friendships that, like, ended on a bad. Bad circum. Not that that's bad either, but, like, it's. It's just like, there's recently been. I'm like, you feel like you probably.

[Victoria]

Can'T keep up, and then they're feeling like you're pulling away, and you're like, I'm literally just at capacity. Like, it's not an intentional, malicious thing.

[Brooke]

Totally.

[Victoria]

Do you feel, though, that I don't know anything, so I'm leaving a therapist. Do you feel, though, that, like, it almost sounds from what I'm gathering in this 30 seconds that you have, like, one gear, which is like, being an incredibly amazing best friend to people that, like, do you know how to have, like, a gear? 2 or 3, where you can be like, you don't have to say, and let's hang out, and you can just be like, it's so great to see you, and I wish you well.

[Brooke]

I know.

[Victoria]

That's what I don't throw in the let's get dinner.

[Brooke]

I know.

[Victoria]

Oh, well, I hate.

[Brooke]

I actually don't, do I? And when we see people in person, like, we should hang soon. I'm like, no, we shouldn't.

[Danielle]

Like, I hate when people say it.

[Brooke]

To, you know, they're being genuine. Then I'll text you and be like, wait, I was serious about that. But no, no, I actually. I don't do that, but it's more so I'm realizing I just have, like, friends in my life that I think. I don't know. Like, they think that we're closer than we are. Like, you know, I don't. I don't.

[Danielle]

They have more expectations of you. In a friendship, maybe, or the.

[Victoria]

They. Yeah.

[Danielle]

You know, or like, why haven't you. I'm just throwing out random stuff because I feel like I've had this too. Like, oh, well, you didn't show up for this, this, and this. And you're like, I didn't know I had.

[Brooke]

And you're thinking.

[Victoria]

And that's not the level of friendship I see this at. Right?

[Brooke]

Like, exactly.

[Victoria]

And it's.

[Danielle]

That's.

[Victoria]

No. And that can be really disappointing for. You're going to disappoint people. But one of my favorite quotes, if you choose not to disappoint them, are you choosing to disappoint yourself?

[Brooke]

So.

[Danielle]

Yes.

[Victoria]

Yes.

[Brooke]

No. It's so true. I liked what you said, too, about, like, you know, you've got your single friends who are in a different life than, you know, life chapter than you, where you're like, hey, you go out, you. You find your single friend. You guys go out together. That's not my journey. You know, I definitely think I could work that angle a little bit, you know, like, yeah, I definitely struggle with, like, you know, on the weekends, I'm like, I really want to hang out with my boyfriend because he works all the time during the week. And it's like having to juggle, like, seeing everyone. And so, yeah.

[Victoria]

And back to, like, this whole the boundaries thing and knowing, like, what's appropriate. I feel like I've had to check myself on, like, hey, if, like, some of these single friends are really amazing people that I want to be close friends with, I have to rally sometimes. And if I need to be the one to maybe go out or do the thing, it's fun to go out. My. No, Sometimes I like to go out.

[Brooke]

Sometimes if I'm sitting.

[Victoria]

If I'm sitting.

[Brooke]

But, like, even long dinner.

[Victoria]

Yeah, Even just this past weekend. And, like, we were out with some friends, and my one friend, I could tell she was like, she's single, but she was, like, kind of down to go to the bar, maybe down to go home. And I know if I go home, she's going home. And so I was like, you can rally to go get one drink at a bar, like. Cause this could change the trajectory of her night. She could meet someone, you know? So I think it's also knowing, like, what are your limits? But you have to give. You can't just be like, if you don't fit perfectly into my little life, then be like, you're never gonna have good friends. Friends make sacrifices for friends. But, yeah, you. You making the decision of what type of friend someone is. It's disappointing for them, I'm sure. It's happened. It's happened to me. Like, when you realize you're actually someone doesn't view you as that close. Yeah.

[Brooke]

On the other side as well. No, it's just interesting. I didn't think we were gonna go down that route, but then you brought something up, and I was like, oh, I feel like Victoria is a good person.

[Victoria]

Yeah.

[Danielle]

I feel like that's valid of, like, it's more so that you can't. You don't. You're. You've reached your capacity of giving the most to all of these people. It's like, you got to make some. Some layoffs.

[Victoria]

Yeah.

[Brooke]

No, but I know what you mean. It's more so just deciding, like, where it.

[Victoria]

It.

[Brooke]

It hits, you know?

[Victoria]

Are you.

[Brooke]

I can get my energy.

[Victoria]

A confrontational person where you would, like, feel better having a chat or would you rather do a slow fade anti confrontation?

[Brooke]

I don't think I'm very confrontational. I think I'm honest. But, like, you know, and certain people are very sensitive, and they're going through, like. It just, like, depends on the person. But. Yeah, no, I don't think it should chat. I think it would be like a. But it wouldn't be like a ghost. It's just like, someone that I'm like, okay, I don't need to talk to every day.

[Victoria]

Yeah.

[Brooke]

You know, so, yeah, just like, there's. It's just like a few different. Like, it's not one specific areas of your life.

[Victoria]

Yeah, I completely. No, I. I don't know what you mean. I feel like we all have those experiences on both sides.

[Brooke]

Yeah. So. And I think. How old are you?

[Victoria]

27.

[Brooke]

27. Oh, you guys are the same age. I'm right behind you. I'm 26. So I don't know. I think I'm just. I'm starting to enter that phase is like, we're two years apart, like, because she's about to turn 28. So I feel like Brooke experiences something, and then, like, a little bit later, I'm like, okay, yeah. Now I'm at that phase of, like, okay, I gotta bring down the quantity.

[Danielle]

You know, I feel like a year ago, I had, like, one of those realizations where I was like, oh, my God, my. My birthday dinner's quite small this year. You know, like, one of those moments.

[Victoria]

Which I think is another pressure. Right. Is like, having this huge birthday with. My birthday is actually in April, so it's this month. I'm on the 30th. I'm a Taurus.

[Danielle]

I'm on the 15th.

[Brooke]

Okay.

[Victoria]

Love that. But I feel like birthdays is, like, a pressure I've always felt throughout the years, like, not having enough girls at the birthday or wanting the picture. Like, I don't know. I. I had an awesome friend group in high school, and then in college with volleyball, I had, like, my team. And you really didn't, like, create a group or socialize outside of that, at least in my experience. So I remember just throughout the years, like, feeling insecure about my birthday or my best friend Aubrey is. We're three days apart, so I'd always.

[Brooke]

I love her videos.

[Danielle]

I love her.

[Victoria]

She's the best. I would just tag on with her. We grew up having birthdays together, so I'd be like, I'm not doing anything. I'm coming to your birthday.

[Brooke]

Like, oh, yeah.

[Victoria]

But as I've gotten older, I'm like, it's been so great to prioritize, like, quality over quantity. And then, like, when you do that throughout your life, I feel like this last birthday, I was, like, sitting with friends who don't all know each other like, that well. They all met on my Bachelorette, which is amazing. But, like, I feel like I've picked up some amazing friends throughout my life, and I feel really good about that. And I think it's about going deep with people, going deep with a few people instead of having, like, a huge party in the shallow end and feeling like no one knows you that well or would really be there in a crisis. Yeah, it could be fun. But who are you gonna survive Deep waters? Yeah.

[Brooke]

No, I feel like it's always, like, in those moments of, like, if you're really going through something, it's like, who am I texting? Who am I FaceTiming? Who am I asking to see?

[Victoria]

And you only need a few, I bet. Honestly, I bet a lot of people who listen to your guys, pods, like, probably. I don't know, I. They either have amazing friends or, like, a best friend. Or maybe they love this because they feel like you guys are their best friends. And, like, to those people, it's like, all you need is, like, one, two really awesome people who you really like.

[Danielle]

You can.

[Victoria]

Yes. My mom always used to say that to me growing up. She's like, as long as you can count, like, on one hand, like, you're rich in friends, you know? Yeah, it is.

[Danielle]

Really? That is definitely valid. Yeah. And I think we definitely get messages. I mean, I'm sure you do that are like, wow. Like, you know, I. I definitely don't have nearly as many friends as you. I've even. Because I'll talk about it, like, in my YouTube videos or whatever. I'll be like, wow. I feel like I'm. You know, my friends are definitely. It's the people that are closest to me that are still around for sure, but I just am less. I'm making less close friends in my 20s. Like, people that are really, you know, I have a good circle people. Like, if I wanted to go out, I could call a bunch of different people, for sure.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Danielle]

But, you know, the people that are really like. Like the core whatever, sitting in your.

[Brooke]

Living room floor, we always.

[Danielle]

Exactly. And I've shared that sentiment, and they're like, you have to have. As. I'm jealous that you have so many friends. And it just puts it into perspective of being like, whoa.

[Victoria]

Oh.

[Brooke]

So we're all just thinking this, going.

[Victoria]

Through this, and you can have friends who serve different purposes in your life. I think that was a huge thing I learned, like, in my early 20s was, oh, this might be my friend that, like, we go have fun and we laugh together. But this is not the friend that, like, I confide in with, like, my biggest thing I'm struggling with. Or, like, okay, maybe this friend doesn't see me as, like, a super close friend or I don't see them. But, like, we get along great in this situation. So I think.

[Brooke]

Oh, totally.

[Victoria]

I think that that's a fine realization. You know, not every friend can be hit all of your 10 buckets, you know?

[Brooke]

Yeah, no, it's. I. It's like. Like being a DJ for your friend.

[Victoria]

Yeah, okay.

[Brooke]

Like, I want to go do this activity. Who's my activity friend? Like, who's always down to do something.

[Danielle]

Work, friends.

[Brooke]

Can I have a deep combo?

[Victoria]

Yeah. Work. Yeah. All that.

[Brooke]

I really, really like that. Wow. I could talk to you forever.

[Danielle]

So, favorite of the week, Danielle. What? Why don't you kick it off? What are you loving right now?

[Brooke]

It's a movie. I watched it the other day on the plane, and I feel like we all love watching tv, but sometimes sitting down to watch a movie just feels like extra dedication, you know? I don't know what.

[Victoria]

It is so nice when you get into a movie. You're like, I forgot about a good old movie.

[Brooke]

You don't have to worry about the next episode. Like, oh, my God. It's just all one. One. It's a Nicholas Sparks movie called the Longest Ride. Have you guys heard of this?

[Victoria]

I know. I heard of it. Never saw it.

[Brooke]

Oh, my God, it's so good. Like, it is like, every. It's truly a Nicholas Sparks movie. I was sobbing. I was watching on the plane. It's so awkward, crying on a plane, because people just walk by and they're in a totally different world. They could be listening to, like, rap music and they're walking by.

[Victoria]

That's one of my hardest cries.

[Danielle]

On planes 100, we need to study the science.

[Victoria]

Why does no one say, say anything?

[Brooke]

No, no.

[Victoria]

But then I'm guilty of. Also, like, one time I was on a flight and this man next to me was sobbing, and I really wanted to, like. Oh, I really wanted to, like, say something, but then I was like, if he doesn't receive it well, now I've made him uncomfortable. And he's sitting next to me the whole flight, right? Like, so I don't want to give him another problem. But it's like.

[Danielle]

Yeah, but it's like, if all the.

[Victoria]

Plane criers got together, seriously, we would.

[Danielle]

All be so much crying section.

[Victoria]

Yeah, yeah. These are selling tickets. The back two rows of the plane. Over people in their fields. Yes.

[Brooke]

Or like, you know, it's like your seats 12C. So if it's C, you get to cry.

[Victoria]

Like, wait, can I tell you the most awkward story? I actually never voice this out loud because it's so random, but I need your thoughts. Okay. I was once on a plane and I was sitting next to this guy, and he started watching this movie. What's it called? It's Denzel Washington. It's an incredible movie about his son having cancer and he needs to find him, like, a donor. It's amazing. And he's like 15 minutes in, and I had seen it years ago, and I'm watching it, like, kind of on his screen. Like, oh, fuck. I remember how good this movie was. And I suddenly, like, have to watch this movie. So I'm like, okay, I want to put it on. And I'm like, okay, if I put it on. And I'm like, behind him, like, I'm not going to be able to see it, but if I match up to his speed, do I have to acknowledge it? So I was like. So I. So I think I put it on. And I was like. I think I just was cheeky. Like, when he has headphones in, so I had to, like, bump him. And I was like, such a good movie. I forgot, like, I'm going to watch it. So, like, put it on. Okay. And then you think the worst part's over. He gets up to go to the bathroom, and he pauses his.

[Danielle]

You had to pause a wit. Insane.

[Victoria]

Because if I kept watching it, I was like, fuck. I was like, if I pause it, I'm a weirdo. And he was like, who is this chick that thinks we're watching a movie together? But if he comes back and I'm now 10 minutes ahead, I'm ruining the end for him.

[Danielle]

Oh, that's so funny.

[Victoria]

So I paused. Fine.

[Danielle]

I feel like you shouldn't have watched it at the same time. Like, you could have just been 15 minutes behind.

[Victoria]

No, but you think.

[Danielle]

And then he comes back and you press both. Oh, you're good. No, you're set.

[Brooke]

We're good.

[Victoria]

Okay.

[Danielle]

And resume.

[Victoria]

There's so many things I could have done differently, you guys, Guys. So. So then I ended up waiting for him and I. We played on, but there was no acknowledgment of it. But then he fell asleep.

[Danielle]

So what did you do? You kept watching.

[Victoria]

At that point, I was like, I'm watching you.

[Brooke]

Yeah, his was.

[Victoria]

And he fell asleep. Disrespectful to the cinema that literally I just canceled everything to be a part of with him.

[Brooke]

Yeah, that is.

[Danielle]

That's. That's a really funny story. I. I've definitely been inspired by people watching something. I know that they had this on here.

[Victoria]

It's like an intrusive thought. Can you really look at your screen when to the right you see 15 minutes? What's happening? No, I. I couldn't if I knew.

[Brooke]

It was the same movie. And you already know.

[Danielle]

This show is sponsored by Better Help. Let's talk numbers, people. Traditional in person therapy can cost anywhere from 100 to $250 per session. And that is going to add up fast. I mean, do the math there. Like, we're going to, like, maybe one session a week. That's like, what I do. It is. Wow. Okay. We're paying our therapist a lot of money, but with better help. Online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50% per session. With better help, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, and that's going to save you big on cost and on time because therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. I truly do believe that everyone should have access to therapy. It shouldn't just be something that, like, if you can afford it, you can do it. Like, no, we. We should all have access. And with online therapy, you can get quality care at a price that just makes sense. And it could help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your Mental health is truly worth it and it is within reach with Better Help. I am truly such a proponent of therapy. Not just if you have have like big things you want to work through, but just to have a sounding board, to have someone to really just to vent to. Sometimes I go into my weekly therapy sessions and I'm like, I don't know what I'm going to talk about this week and somehow I unpack a whole new thing. I have a whole new breakthrough of some area in my Life. With over 30,000 therapists, better help is the world's largest online therapy platform and they've served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient too, so you can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. Plus switch therapists at any time. Because it's so important to find the right fit, your well being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.comgals to get 10 off your first month. That's better help h lp.comgals this message.

[Brooke]

Is brought to you by Old Navy. As you guys know, we like to be literal gals on the go. Whether we're at a spin class or running errands, we are always on the move. And that's why we love it when we discover an activewear line that's perfect not only for going to the gym, but also something you can casually wear while you're out and about out getting things done, going to the juice bar, maybe taking a ginger shot. So that being said, today we want to tell you guys about Studio Smooth, which is Old Navy's newest active line for women. Three years in the making, Studio Smooth was born from a passionate team of fabric experts, designers and real world testers who wanted to create clothes that not only look good but that wear well. Each product was physically tested to be able to withstand your favorite activities, whether that's a three hour hike or just chasing after your little ones in the backyard. I just got my Studio Smooth and thanks to that, that butter soft feel and the lightweight breathability, I'm comfortable from morning into night. Plus, they've thought of all those extra little things that women need and love. Like leggings with pockets that fit your phone, a non pinching waistband so you're not dying to take your pants off the second you get home. You can shop Old Navy Studio Smooth collection in store and online@old navy.com.

[Victoria]

Sorry I derailed, but Nicholas Sparks movie the Longest Ride we're watching Danielle.

[Brooke]

Yeah, it was just so good. It was about like because we One of our. Kate Davis, one of our friends, her husband's a writer. It's about the pbr and it's romance. It's love. It's in North Carolina. Like, oh, my God, it was so good. So highly suggest. Like, I can't believe I'd never seen. It's one of those, like, movies. It's like, wow. It's probably. It is so popular, and I just had never watched it.

[Danielle]

It's a little older.

[Brooke]

It's older. Yeah. So. But it is on Air France flights if you.

[Danielle]

I'm very specific.

[Brooke]

But next time.

[Danielle]

Next time.

[Victoria]

I'm going to a wedding in France this summer.

[Brooke]

Really? So I will watch it and it'll be really niche.

[Victoria]

If, you know, you know, I'll post on stories.

[Brooke]

Perfect.

[Danielle]

Oh, that's so funny.

[Brooke]

So what are you loving, Brooke?

[Danielle]

Okay, so I'm in my educated, intellectual era, and I. I've been really into the New York Times games. Like, on your phone. Like, I've talked about them before. I really like the Connections one and wordle, which, like, yes, I did Wordle years ago when it was, like, really popular. But then I feel like I, like, refound it. My new unlock is the mini crossword word.

[Brooke]

Oh.

[Danielle]

And I've been doing this every day now. My mom suggested this to me. I was like, I. I've. I've already gone too far. Like, I'm already deep in the games. Like, I don't. I don't think.

[Brooke]

I don't need any more.

[Danielle]

No, but it's, like, small. It's like five to 10 minutes, and it really just, like, gets your brain going. Like, I feel like. Like when I'm like. I don't know. Like, I just feel, you know, sometimes like you're. You're. I mean, it is on a screen, but, like, with our jobs, like, it could just feel very, like, meta and like, whatever. And you're like, I don't know. Like, I just need to, like, like, do this and, like, put myself out kind of definitely back into my brain.

[Victoria]

Actually working a good game on the phone. So I'll check that out. Crosswords New York Times.

[Danielle]

Yeah, you just get the. I think it's nyt, like, New York Times games app. And then they're all on there, but they're like smart people games, you know? And I feel so, like, you know, when I tell people every day, I'm like, I've been doing the mini crossword whatever. Yeah, I know. I'm working my way up to the big one. Ooh, I know. So Watch out, I'm coming.

[Brooke]

Yeah, they're not ready.

[Victoria]

Fun on a plane. Doing the crosswords and the People magazine at the end of the. I love.

[Brooke]

So chic of you to, like, pull out a magazine.

[Danielle]

I love a magazine.

[Brooke]

I miss those days.

[Victoria]

She's like, you get a magazine for the flight and then give it to the flight attendant before you leave.

[Danielle]

Oh.

[Brooke]

Oh, I didn't know that part.

[Victoria]

Yeah, because they. They're flying all day. They love a magazine.

[Danielle]

So sweet.

[Victoria]

I've never had a flight attendant not be like, oh, my God, thank you, and take it.

[Brooke]

So do you buy a magazine every time you go to the airport?

[Victoria]

Yeah, I usually buy people. That's the only time I read.

[Danielle]

Oh, I love that.

[Victoria]

It's so fun. It's like, yeah, I like it. And then, you know, there's the. What people are wearing, and then there's the. There's a. There's two games at the end that are fun. One's a. Like, spot the difference. And then one's a crossword.

[Danielle]

I had a crazy flight delay, like, a few months ago. And I went on, like. I was like. For some reason, I saw the magazine section. I went crazy. I think I spent $75 on magazines, which. I mean, it doesn't go that far, but, you know, it's fun.

[Victoria]

I like to get. Maybe. Maybe if I'm really feeling it, I'll grab a Cosmo, too. And then I'll grab, like. I don't know if there's another. When I was in my bridal area, I'd grab a wedding one. But it's so fun. Yeah.

[Danielle]

So I was into, like, the. The home decor ones. I think I did get, like, Good Housekeeping or something. So I was like, you know, we.

[Victoria]

Gotta keep the paper industry.

[Brooke]

I know. I used to like InStyle. Those were always big magazines.

[Victoria]

Fashion, actually, speaking of just this. And I told you guys, before we started recording, I watched Friends With Benefits the other night. And it's the classic movie where it's like, move to the New York to work for a magazine. It's like 13 going on 30. You know, Justin Timberlake's working at GQ. And I was talking to my friend, and we were like, that used to be the thing. Like, you would work in a magazine. It's like. So now there's not. That's not like. That's not like a magazine. I mean, obviously, there are some iconic magazines that still are great, but, like, it's just. Times have changed now. I think the movie is like, you're Working at a tech company or you're working for a dating app.

[Brooke]

Like, oh, my God, that's so true. We're like a network. Like a podcast network, even.

[Victoria]

Yeah.

[Brooke]

It's so crazy. Wow. Wait, so what are you loving? No, no, I really.

[Victoria]

I am loving the new song Twilight Zone by Ariana Grande from her new deluxe album. That one and Warm are so good.

[Brooke]

How many new songs are there?

[Victoria]

I think there's, like. I don't really know.

[Brooke]

There's a few.

[Victoria]

Yeah, there's a few. I think there's at least four, but.

[Brooke]

I heard one of them.

[Victoria]

Those two are so good. It shocks me how they don't make the original album.

[Danielle]

Who makes that decision? I don't know.

[Brooke]

Must be a new PR thing people do to kind of, like, bump it again, because Sabrina Carpenter did.

[Victoria]

The songs are so good that I'm like, how are they Twilight Zone and Warm?

[Brooke]

Are they, like, more chill songs or upbeat pop?

[Victoria]

They are chill, but they're not sad. It's my favorite type of song because it's, like a neutral chill where you can listen to it on. I've been listening to it on repeat. Like, I hit the little button, so it's like. It just goes. Yeah. And it's so good and discreet that my husband wasn't even like. Sometimes he'll be like, babe, you can't play this Taylor Swift song one more time. Yeah, I'm sure he didn't even clock it last night. I had this song on for lube for an hour.

[Brooke]

Okay. So definitely listening to that after as well. Thank you. Well, this was so much fun.

[Danielle]

We could talk literally all day.

[Victoria]

I know.

[Danielle]

We're going.

[Victoria]

We got to go record real fast.

[Brooke]

So where can everyone find you and your podcast and everything?

[Victoria]

Yeah, well, you can find my podcast, RealPod, wherever you listen. And you should check out Danielle and Brooke on the show. I'm gonna get them really deep. They're gonna cry.

[Brooke]

Oh, I'm kidding.

[Victoria]

I know. I'm kidding, but they might. No, I'm kidding. And then you can find me anywhere at Victoria Garrick Brown.

[Brooke]

Oh, yay. Well, thank you so much for being on, and we'll see you guys next month.

[Victoria]

Thank you. Bye. See what's screaming free all month long during Pluto TV's April ghouls get your heart pounding with nightmare fueling classics like.

[Danielle]

In Insidious and Bram Stoker's Dracula.

[Victoria]

Or test your nerves with haunting hits.

[Danielle]

Like Urban Legend and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. Pluto TV has hundreds of channels and.

[Victoria]

Thousands of terrifying movies live and on demand.

[Danielle]

Download Pluto TV on all your favorite devices and start streaming now.

[Brooke]

This message is brought to you by Old Navy. As you guys know, we like to be literal gals on the go. Whether we're at a spin class or running errands, we are always on the move. And that's why we love it when we discover an activewear line that's perfect not only for going to the gym, but also something you can casually wear while you're out and about getting things done. Going to the juice bar, maybe taking a ginger shot. So that being said, today we want to tell you guys about Studio Smooth, which is Old Navy's newest active line for women. Three years in the making, Studio Smooth was born from a passionate team of fabric experts, designers and real world testers who wanted to create clothes that not only look good, but that wear well. Each product was physically tested to be able to withstand your favorite activities, whether that's a three hour hike or just chasing after your little ones in the backyard. I just got my Studio Smooth and thanks to that butter soft feel and the lightweight breathability, I'm comfortable from morning into night. Plus, they've thought of all those extra little things that women need and love like leggings with pockets that fit your phone, a non pinching waistband so you're not dying to take your pants off the second you get home. You can shop Old Navy Studio Smooth Collection in store and online@old navy.com.