Sitting down with guest Mayci Neeley from 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch

Episode: Sitting Down with Mayci Neeley from 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

Date: October 12, 2025
Host: Allison Kuch
Guest: Mayci Neeley

Overview

In this engaging episode, Allison Kuch welcomes Mayci Neeley—best known from Hulu’s "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"—to candidly discuss her newly released memoir, her life as a former D1 athlete and young mom at BYU, the complexities of living publicly on reality TV, postpartum journeys, and navigating motherhood, privacy, and personal identity on both large and small stages. Their honest conversation interweaves humor, vulnerability, and insight into the realities behind the headlines and social feeds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Writing the Book and Family Reactions

Mayci’s Memoir Launch: Allison celebrates Mayci's book release and early access (“I could not put it down”—A, 00:36).
Family’s Reactions: Mayci shares her dad read the entire book in less than 24 hours and was shocked by some revelations. Her husband, Jacob, also read a pre-final version.
- “He was like, texting me things as he’s going... ‘I didn’t know this happened, I want to kill this person’”—Mayci, 00:54
Anxiety about Sharing: Initially, Mayci wasn’t nervous for her family to read it, but grew more anxious closer to publication.
- “I wasn’t until, like, now. Until it’s gotten closer, and I’m like, wait a second...I forgot everyone’s gonna read this now”—Mayci, 01:25

2. Vulnerability: TV vs. Writing

Comparing Reality TV and Memoir Writing:
- Mayci finds deeper vulnerability in writing, likening it to keeping a diary.
  - “I feel like the book was almost like writing in a diary again...they’re very real and raw”—Mayci, 01:42
Navigating Family Knowledge: Mayci’s son is curious but too young to read (“When you’re 18...adult content”—B, 03:00), leading to humor around family conversations and children’s bluntness.

3. Postpartum Experiences & Social Media Pressure

Postpartum Contrast and Comparisons:
- Postpartum is much harder now due to heightened activity and lack of downtime versus her prior experience with paid leave.
- Social media amplifies body image pressures, especially when filming begins right after giving birth.
  - “Now I got a text in the hospital being like, ‘we’re filming’...your boobs are leaking and you’re still not at your pre-baby weight”—Mayci, 04:26
- Sees other women "bounce back" faster, creating self-imposed and societal comparison.
  - “I went to lunch with [Michaela] and I was like, what the hell are you wearing?...Like, did you not give birth?"—Mayci, 05:48
- Ultimately, embraces self-acceptance: “Sometimes we’re just our biggest critics”—Mayci, 06:42

4. Overwhelm and Balance

Balancing Birth, Book Launch, Filming, and Family:
- Mayci embodies the phrase, “Depression can’t hit a moving target,” using constant motion to stave off anxiousness (07:54–08:06).

5. Early Athletic Career and BYU Life

D1 Athlete at BYU:
- Mayci unpacks the culture shock moving from California to BYU—a Mormon "bubble" with distinct social expectations and strict honor codes.
  - “People were very, like, goody two shoes...I had a big culture shock”—Mayci, 12:05
- Dress codes for sports, story of restricting tank tops, and gradual loosening of rules illustrate the unique environment.
Blue Chip Tennis Recruit: Explains the meaning and her choice to play for BYU (her sister was head coach) over top schools like UCLA (13:46).
Honor Code and Athletics: Reflects on the university-wide honor code ("You sign it before you go there"—B, 17:45) and perks of being a student athlete.

6. Resilience: Tennis, Motherhood, and Identity

What Tennis Taught Mayci: Mental toughness, discipline, and dealing with pressure—lessons she carried through unexpected pregnancy and beyond.
Pregnancy and Identity Crisis:
- “I feel like it was an identity crisis...I thought my career was over”—Mayci, 24:52
- Strong support from parents and BYU athletics helped her imagine and engineer a return—acknowledging her privilege and family support.

7. C-sections and Recovery

Candid on C-Section Experiences: Three C-sections—all different, the first traumatic due to infection. Hospital experiences, the "vacuum" device, and doctor–patient skepticism ("Can we talk about doctors gaslighting for a second?"—A, 32:13) are covered with humor and candor.
Mental Growth Through Adversity: Trauma and challenges made Mayci softer and more empathetic, especially after early struggles (“All my trauma...made me softer, more empathetic”—B, 36:36).

8. Parenting Approaches and Privacy Online

Evolution as a Mom: Once a chill young mom, Mayci now balances being protective with remaining relaxed about what matters ("As I've gotten older, I've become more protective, but I still am pretty chill"—B, 44:22).
Social Media Children Debate:
- Transitioned from openly sharing her kids to a more protective stance due to online risks and privacy concerns, especially amid growing public attention.
- “I go back and forth so much...there are times where I’m like, maybe I will post a family photo once a year”—B, 46:45
- They discuss feeling judged both for sharing and for not sharing, and how their kids react to not being in the spotlight.
  - “My kids, like, will purposely try to get in videos...I want to be on TikTok”—Mayci, 49:38

9. Life, Grounding Routines, and Humor

Finding “Grounding” in Chaos:
- Alone time after kids’ bedtime, long showers, movies (“$5 Tuesdays!”—B, 52:41), and visits to a local reflexology spa are Mayci’s keys to self-care (51:55–53:39).
“Crazy Sports Mom” Potential: Mayci predicts she might become one for her kids ("I'm worried I might be…", 56:14), and tells funny stories of pep talks and kids’ antics.

10. Reality TV & What’s Next

What to Expect—Next Season:
- Hopes for more of their personalities and humor to show, along with drama.
- _“I’m a little bit bitchier, for sure, cuz I was pregnant…episode one, I think I yelled at Leila, so don’t come for me”—Mayci, 54:07–
Rapid Fire Fun:
- College football Saturdays > NFL Sundays ("I would say college football Saturdays"—B, 15:16).
- On fantasy football: "No, because I wouldn't even know which teams to put on there..."—B, 57:37.
- Kelsey brothers over Manning brothers thanks to "the Taylor Swift saga"—B, 57:24.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Vulnerability in Writing:
- “The book was almost like writing in a diary again...very real and raw and relatable”—Mayci (01:42)
On Social Media and Body Image:
- “Now I got a text while I was in the hospital being like, ‘we’re filming’...your boobs are leaking and you’re still not at your pre-baby weight”—Mayci (04:26)
- "Sometimes we're just our biggest critics"—Mayci (06:42)
On Support and Stigma at BYU:
- “If I would have been shunned in those moments, I don't know if I would have...gone back to BYU. If they were like, 'you're a slut,' maybe I wouldn’t have come”—Mayci (25:59)
On Parenting for Privacy:
- “I used to show my kids on social media...I didn’t think anything was wrong...Until I started hearing things...[about] predators”—Mayci (45:39)
On Competing and Proving Others Wrong:
- “I do a lot of things like that. I’m like, you said I couldn’t, so now I’m going to”—Mayci (37:57)

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:00–01:31] – Introduction, discussing Mayci's memoir and family reading it
[01:42–03:46] – Vulnerability of writing; family reactions, talking to kids about mature topics
[04:08–07:26] – Postpartum journeys; struggles with social media and comparison
[07:36–10:32] – Balancing book launch and newborn; writing inspiration and process
[10:33–17:45] – BYU culture, student athlete life, honor code, and athletic perks
[23:40–25:23] – Tennis lessons, mental discipline, identity challenge after pregnancy
[30:10–34:29] – Three C-sections: recoveries, hospital experiences, humor
[44:00–51:27] – Parenting styles, social media, privacy dilemmas, and mom judgment
[51:49–53:39] – Mayci’s self-care routines
[54:07–58:10] – Reality TV, looking forward to new season, fun rapid-fire Q&A
[58:26–end] – Where to find Mayci and her book

Final Notes & Where to Find

Find Mayci Neeley:

Instagram & TikTok: @MayciNeeley
Memoir: Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and other major retailers

Show links:

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in real stories of resilience, the behind-the-scenes reality of life in and out of the spotlight, the highs and lows of motherhood, and the delicate dance of living authentically—on both the page and the screen.

Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch

Episode: Sitting Down with Mayci Neeley from 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

Date: October 12, 2025
Host: Allison Kuch
Guest: Mayci Neeley

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Writing the Book and Family Reactions

Mayci’s Memoir Launch: Allison celebrates Mayci's book release and early access (“I could not put it down”—A, 00:36).
Family’s Reactions: Mayci shares her dad read the entire book in less than 24 hours and was shocked by some revelations. Her husband, Jacob, also read a pre-final version.
- “He was like, texting me things as he’s going... ‘I didn’t know this happened, I want to kill this person’”—Mayci, 00:54
Anxiety about Sharing: Initially, Mayci wasn’t nervous for her family to read it, but grew more anxious closer to publication.
- “I wasn’t until, like, now. Until it’s gotten closer, and I’m like, wait a second...I forgot everyone’s gonna read this now”—Mayci, 01:25

2. Vulnerability: TV vs. Writing

Comparing Reality TV and Memoir Writing:
- Mayci finds deeper vulnerability in writing, likening it to keeping a diary.
  - “I feel like the book was almost like writing in a diary again...they’re very real and raw”—Mayci, 01:42
Navigating Family Knowledge: Mayci’s son is curious but too young to read (“When you’re 18...adult content”—B, 03:00), leading to humor around family conversations and children’s bluntness.

3. Postpartum Experiences & Social Media Pressure

Postpartum Contrast and Comparisons:
- Postpartum is much harder now due to heightened activity and lack of downtime versus her prior experience with paid leave.
- Social media amplifies body image pressures, especially when filming begins right after giving birth.
  - “Now I got a text in the hospital being like, ‘we’re filming’...your boobs are leaking and you’re still not at your pre-baby weight”—Mayci, 04:26
- Sees other women "bounce back" faster, creating self-imposed and societal comparison.
  - “I went to lunch with [Michaela] and I was like, what the hell are you wearing?...Like, did you not give birth?"—Mayci, 05:48
- Ultimately, embraces self-acceptance: “Sometimes we’re just our biggest critics”—Mayci, 06:42

4. Overwhelm and Balance

Balancing Birth, Book Launch, Filming, and Family:
- Mayci embodies the phrase, “Depression can’t hit a moving target,” using constant motion to stave off anxiousness (07:54–08:06).

5. Early Athletic Career and BYU Life

D1 Athlete at BYU:
- Mayci unpacks the culture shock moving from California to BYU—a Mormon "bubble" with distinct social expectations and strict honor codes.
  - “People were very, like, goody two shoes...I had a big culture shock”—Mayci, 12:05
- Dress codes for sports, story of restricting tank tops, and gradual loosening of rules illustrate the unique environment.
Blue Chip Tennis Recruit: Explains the meaning and her choice to play for BYU (her sister was head coach) over top schools like UCLA (13:46).
Honor Code and Athletics: Reflects on the university-wide honor code ("You sign it before you go there"—B, 17:45) and perks of being a student athlete.

6. Resilience: Tennis, Motherhood, and Identity

What Tennis Taught Mayci: Mental toughness, discipline, and dealing with pressure—lessons she carried through unexpected pregnancy and beyond.
Pregnancy and Identity Crisis:
- “I feel like it was an identity crisis...I thought my career was over”—Mayci, 24:52
- Strong support from parents and BYU athletics helped her imagine and engineer a return—acknowledging her privilege and family support.

7. C-sections and Recovery

Candid on C-Section Experiences: Three C-sections—all different, the first traumatic due to infection. Hospital experiences, the "vacuum" device, and doctor–patient skepticism ("Can we talk about doctors gaslighting for a second?"—A, 32:13) are covered with humor and candor.
Mental Growth Through Adversity: Trauma and challenges made Mayci softer and more empathetic, especially after early struggles (“All my trauma...made me softer, more empathetic”—B, 36:36).

8. Parenting Approaches and Privacy Online

Evolution as a Mom: Once a chill young mom, Mayci now balances being protective with remaining relaxed about what matters ("As I've gotten older, I've become more protective, but I still am pretty chill"—B, 44:22).
Social Media Children Debate:
- Transitioned from openly sharing her kids to a more protective stance due to online risks and privacy concerns, especially amid growing public attention.
- “I go back and forth so much...there are times where I’m like, maybe I will post a family photo once a year”—B, 46:45
- They discuss feeling judged both for sharing and for not sharing, and how their kids react to not being in the spotlight.
  - “My kids, like, will purposely try to get in videos...I want to be on TikTok”—Mayci, 49:38

9. Life, Grounding Routines, and Humor

Finding “Grounding” in Chaos:
- Alone time after kids’ bedtime, long showers, movies (“$5 Tuesdays!”—B, 52:41), and visits to a local reflexology spa are Mayci’s keys to self-care (51:55–53:39).
“Crazy Sports Mom” Potential: Mayci predicts she might become one for her kids ("I'm worried I might be…", 56:14), and tells funny stories of pep talks and kids’ antics.

10. Reality TV & What’s Next

What to Expect—Next Season:
- Hopes for more of their personalities and humor to show, along with drama.
- _“I’m a little bit bitchier, for sure, cuz I was pregnant…episode one, I think I yelled at Leila, so don’t come for me”—Mayci, 54:07–
Rapid Fire Fun:
- College football Saturdays > NFL Sundays ("I would say college football Saturdays"—B, 15:16).
- On fantasy football: "No, because I wouldn't even know which teams to put on there..."—B, 57:37.
- Kelsey brothers over Manning brothers thanks to "the Taylor Swift saga"—B, 57:24.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Vulnerability in Writing:
- “The book was almost like writing in a diary again...very real and raw and relatable”—Mayci (01:42)
On Social Media and Body Image:
- “Now I got a text while I was in the hospital being like, ‘we’re filming’...your boobs are leaking and you’re still not at your pre-baby weight”—Mayci (04:26)
- "Sometimes we're just our biggest critics"—Mayci (06:42)
On Support and Stigma at BYU:
- “If I would have been shunned in those moments, I don't know if I would have...gone back to BYU. If they were like, 'you're a slut,' maybe I wouldn’t have come”—Mayci (25:59)
On Parenting for Privacy:
- “I used to show my kids on social media...I didn’t think anything was wrong...Until I started hearing things...[about] predators”—Mayci (45:39)
On Competing and Proving Others Wrong:
- “I do a lot of things like that. I’m like, you said I couldn’t, so now I’m going to”—Mayci (37:57)

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:00–01:31] – Introduction, discussing Mayci's memoir and family reading it
[01:42–03:46] – Vulnerability of writing; family reactions, talking to kids about mature topics
[04:08–07:26] – Postpartum journeys; struggles with social media and comparison
[07:36–10:32] – Balancing book launch and newborn; writing inspiration and process
[10:33–17:45] – BYU culture, student athlete life, honor code, and athletic perks
[23:40–25:23] – Tennis lessons, mental discipline, identity challenge after pregnancy
[30:10–34:29] – Three C-sections: recoveries, hospital experiences, humor
[44:00–51:27] – Parenting styles, social media, privacy dilemmas, and mom judgment
[51:49–53:39] – Mayci’s self-care routines
[54:07–58:10] – Reality TV, looking forward to new season, fun rapid-fire Q&A
[58:26–end] – Where to find Mayci and her book

Final Notes & Where to Find

Find Mayci Neeley:

Instagram & TikTok: @MayciNeeley
Memoir: Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and other major retailers

Show links:

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Summary

Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch

Episode: Sitting Down with Mayci Neeley from 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Writing the Book and Family Reactions

2. Vulnerability: TV vs. Writing

3. Postpartum Experiences & Social Media Pressure

4. Overwhelm and Balance

5. Early Athletic Career and BYU Life

6. Resilience: Tennis, Motherhood, and Identity

7. C-sections and Recovery

8. Parenting Approaches and Privacy Online

9. Life, Grounding Routines, and Humor

10. Reality TV & What’s Next

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Final Notes & Where to Find

Summary

Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch

Episode: Sitting Down with Mayci Neeley from 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Writing the Book and Family Reactions

2. Vulnerability: TV vs. Writing

3. Postpartum Experiences & Social Media Pressure

4. Overwhelm and Balance

5. Early Athletic Career and BYU Life

6. Resilience: Tennis, Motherhood, and Identity

7. C-sections and Recovery

8. Parenting Approaches and Privacy Online

9. Life, Grounding Routines, and Humor

10. Reality TV & What’s Next

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Final Notes & Where to Find