Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels

Episode: Riley Gaines: Border Lies, Shutdown Showdown, National Guard Portland, Trans Athlete Ruling
Host: Jillian Michaels
Guest: Riley Gaines
Date: October 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jillian Michaels welcomes Riley Gaines, a decorated former collegiate swimmer and advocate for fairness in women’s sports. The conversation dives into the week’s top news stories, including the ongoing government shutdown, the controversy surrounding transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports, recent data on gender identity trends, the 9th Circuit’s ruling on deploying the National Guard in Portland, and a historical look at border and immigration policies. The discussion weaves personal experience, cultural critique, and a call for fact-based, common-sense dialogue—true to the podcast’s mission of honest, curious, and empowering conversations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Motherhood, Maternity Leave & Life Transitions ([01:36])

• Riley describes her recent transition into motherhood and the unexpected peace and fulfillment it’s brought.
  • “Being a mom to this beautiful, perfect little baby girl has just been the most fulfilling, amazing moment that I have found myself in.” – Riley [01:36]
• Jillian jokes about the perils of having a second child and the unpredictable nature of parenting.

2. The Government Shutdown: Impacts & Leadership Vacuum ([04:10]–[13:40])

• Jillian breaks down the very real human and economic costs of the ongoing government shutdown, including:
  • 900,000 federal employees without pay; 2 million working unpaid.
  • National parks, labs, courts, and vulnerable populations affected.
  • Estimated economic cost: $7-15 billion a week.
  • Congressional pay remains unaffected.
  • “Congress still getting their paychecks. …They’re cashing a paycheck while the people like you and me are on the receiving end of this shutdown.” – Jillian [06:00–08:57]
• Riley notes the shutdown shows a “total failure of leadership” on both sides, emphasizing the need for service over ego.
• Jillian features a statement from Sen. John Fetterman advocating for “country over party” ([09:26]).
• Riley praises bipartisan cooperation, notably between PA’s Democratic and Republican senators, as rare but “hopeful” (even if “depressing” that basic sanity from leaders is applause-worthy).
  • “John Fetterman is the most sane Democrat in the country. I’m not even sure who is in second place.” – Riley [10:55]
• Both bemoan how political polarization distracts from solving issues that disproportionately impact everyday Americans.

3. Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports: The USA Powerlifting Ruling ([16:00]–[26:43])

• News segment highlights Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that USA Powerlifting discriminated by barring a trans woman from women’s division.
• Jillian and Riley critique the ruling and debate fairness, safety, and the meaning of inclusivity in women’s sports.
  • Riley reframes the “trans rights movement” as a “men’s rights movement” in this context.
  • “In virtually every scenario, it is …the men’s rights movement. We have seen men infiltrate into women’s sports, prisons, domestic violence shelters. …They are violating women’s rights to equal opportunity and safety.” – Riley [18:59]
• Mixed/open gender categories are not seen as a solution by either side—a “compromise” that satisfies no one.
• Riley asserts, “There is no compromise when it’s as simple as you are either a man or a woman. It is merely biological reality.” [25:18]
• Reflection on erasure of female role models due to policies allowing trans women in women’s sports.

4. Transgender Identification Trends; Youth Medicalization & Regret ([27:41]–[33:32])

• Jillian presents data showing a slight decline in young adults identifying as transgender after prior increases.
• Focus shifts to the risks of irreversible gender-affirming medical care for minors:
  • Clip of Chloe Cole, a “detransitioner,” moves both Jillian and Riley, illustrating deep regret over medically transitioning as teens ([29:45]).
    • “The regret was almost immediate. Every time I looked down at my chest, I felt like a Frankenstein’s monster.” – Chloe Cole (clip) [29:56]
  • Riley calls some practitioners “unregulated child butchers,” citing the harms and lack of meaningful regulation.
    • “These are horrific, sinister crimes against humanity… by people we’re supposed to be trusting.” – Riley [30:25–32:31]
• Both distinguish between supporting adult transitions and the controversy around minor consent/treatment.

5. Portland, National Guard, and Urban Unrest ([33:32]–[43:04])

• Discussion of the 9th Circuit’s ruling upholding federal power to deploy the National Guard in Portland.
• Riley shares harrowing personal security experiences in Portland as a conservative speaker, describing physical threats on campus ([34:26]).
  • “I was in campus… For that, I had people who wanted to end my life… merely saying men and women are different.” – Riley [34:26]
• Examination of city and state leadership's reluctance toward federal intervention, contrasted with scenes of unrest and violence against federal officers (video/audio clips).
  • Portland resident laments left-wing violence and supports federal action—even as a self-identified liberal ([40:02]).
• Riley insists:
  • “Peaceful protest is a right. Rioting is not. Violence is not. …What Trump is advocating for is safety for the American people. They call that authoritarianism…it’s not.” [40:59]
• Jillian points to rhetoric from Democratic mayors (e.g., Chicago’s mayor) as fueling a sense of existential crisis among protestors ([44:36]).

6. Media Narratives, ICE Surveillance, and Political Doxxing ([44:36]–[48:24])

• Democrats’ crowdsourced ICE activity tracker and the resulting risks; concern that putting law enforcement locations online invites real danger.
  • “You’re putting our federal officers' lives at risk.” – Jillian [46:00]
• Discussion that heated partisan rhetoric and social media amplify the perception of crisis, driving wedges and even justifying violence for some fractions.
  • “It’s not naive to think that doxing these agents could lead to their premature death.” – Riley [47:22]
  • “That is a terrifying number. 20%… of that younger generation on that side…are totally fine with violence in this way.” – Riley [48:24]

7. A Historical Look at Border & Immigration Policies ([49:45]–[58:58])

• Jillian walks listeners through past Democrat leaders’ statements/practices on border security:
  • Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama clips all echo calls for border security and mass deportations.
    • “We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws.” – Bill Clinton (clip) [51:17]
  • Accompanying charts show Clinton and Obama oversaw more deportations than Trump.
    • Clinton: ~12.6 million; Obama: ~5 million; Trump: ~1.75 million (at time of show) ([55:00])
• Discussion of “expedited removal” and the legal loopholes established in the 1990s.
  • “The majority of people deported…did not get due process.” – Jillian [56:24–58:03]
• Riley provides a personal narrative about her husband’s legal immigration challenges, using their case to challenge the idea that Trump-era policies are anti-immigrant ([58:58]).
  • “President Trump made it easier for my immigrant husband to legally reside in the U.S. President Biden was attempting to kick my husband out.” – Riley [62:12]

8. The Morality & Economics of Immigration; Legal Pathways ([62:45]–[69:16])

• Riley and Jillian critique Democrat rhetoric suggesting the U.S. needs illegal immigrants for cheap labor.
  • Play clip of Rep. Jasmine Crockett implying Americans “aren’t going back to picking cotton” ([63:56]).
  • Play social media video: “You’re going to have to mow your own lawn…these people are important. Yeah, they’re your slaves.” ([65:56])
  • Both castigate the idea of “needing a new class of slaves” as morally and factually bankrupt.
• Highlight how legal immigrants, like Winsome Sears, exceed the trope of “low-skill labor” and become leaders and innovators in society ([68:01]).
• Note: Sanctuary city policies force ICE into “raids,” increasing risk for non-criminal residents.

9. Media Literacy, Outrage Culture, and the Age of Deepfakes ([71:15]–[79:45])

• Jillian and Riley urge listeners to fact-check viral outrage stories—e.g., the “children in zip ties” meme was sourced from a parody video ([72:09]).
  • “Why in the name of God do you want to be outraged?” – Jillian [76:04]
• Both discuss the dangers of unchecked AI and manipulated media, which can sway emotions and voting.
  • “AI is a pretty terrifying thought knowing that… it helps shift the perspective… of voters.” – Riley [73:33]
• Riley calls for all to “fix the system… with compassion, but always grounded in truth.”

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• On bipartisanship:
  “I would love to see more adults in the room looking for the things that we have in common instead of constantly going to the things that we don’t.” – Jillian [13:40]
• On fairness in sports:
  “Compromise? There is no compromise when it’s as simple as you are either a man or a woman. …It is merely biological reality.” – Riley [25:18]
• On the purpose of outrage:
  “Why… do you want to be outraged? Why do you want to lose faith in your fellow Americans?” – Jillian [76:04]
• On media narratives and misinformation:
  “Take a minute before you give in to outrage and just do a little homework… at least we’re all functioning with the same truths.” – Jillian [79:24]
• On America & immigration:
  “America is not anti-immigrant. President Trump is not anti-immigrant… We’re anti-lawlessness.” – Riley [79:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:36] Motherhood & maternity leave
• [04:10] Government shutdown: facts, impact, and frustration
• [09:26] John Fetterman on country over party
• [16:00] USA Powerlifting transgender athlete lawsuit
• [18:59] Riley on men’s rights vs. women’s rights in sports
• [27:41] Transgender identification declines—youth, medicalization, and regret
• [33:32] National Guard, Portland, unrest, and safety
• [44:36] Mayors, media rhetoric, and ICE surveillance crowdsourcing
• [49:45] Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Obama—border and deportation history
• [58:58] Riley’s personal immigration story
• [63:56] Racial rhetoric on immigrant labor—Jasmine Crockett and social media takes
• [72:09] Media distortions, fake outrage, deepfake dangers
• [76:04] Why fact-checking is crucial

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Jillian and Riley encourage listeners to stay curious, avoid knee-jerk outrage, and demand leadership grounded in truth and compassion. They call for nuanced discussion around policy differences—urging particularly those on the left to challenge simplistic media narratives and to see the parallels in historical policies. Riley’s final message is to fix and enforce the nation’s systems, focus on lawfulness (not anti-immigrant stances), and lead with empathy but always with honesty.

Riley’s platforms:

• YouTube: Gains for Girls – Outkick
• X: @Riley_Gaines_
• Instagram: Riley G. Barker

Engaging, forthright, and occasionally heated, this episode underscores Keeping It Real’s commitment to honest and actionable dialogue—making sense of the week’s most contentious stories through the lens of lived experience and shared values.