Morgan Riddle: Pockets of Peace

Summary

The Squeeze Podcast Summary

Episode: Morgan Riddle: Pockets of Peace
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Taylor Lautner
Co-Host: Taylor Lautner (husband)
Guest: Morgan Riddle

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Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of The Squeeze, host Taylor Lautner welcomes Morgan Riddle, a prominent social media influencer and the wife of professional tennis player Taylor Lautner. The conversation delves deep into Morgan's personal journey with mental health, her experiences balancing public life with personal well-being, and the dynamics of her relationship with her husband.

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Morgan's Background and Early Mental Health Experiences

Morgan opens up about her early exposure to mental health struggles within her family.

• Family Influence: Morgan shares, “My grandma had schizophrenia,” discussing how her grandmother's struggles profoundly impacted her understanding of mental health from a young age. Unfortunately, Morgan never met her grandmother, as she took her own life before Morgan was born (05:03).

• Personal Struggles: Her first personal encounter with anxiety occurred during high school due to academic pressures and the fear of not affording college (05:42). This anxiety persisted into her early adulthood, leading her to seek therapy during her college years in New York (06:42).

Notable Quote:

"I started seeing a therapist around that time, and that was a huge step for me." – Morgan Riddle (06:42)

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Navigating College and the Pandemic

Morgan discusses her college experience in New York, where she initially hid her anxiety through an active lifestyle and community involvement. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 marked a significant shift, leading to increased anxiety and a return to therapy.

• College Life: Living in a sorority in New York provided Morgan with a sense of purpose and community, which helped alleviate her anxiety during those years (11:00).

• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic disrupted her routine and exacerbated her mental health challenges, prompting her to seek additional therapy and eventually transition to online counseling (12:46).

Notable Quote:

"The transition during the pandemic was so hard; it was like reverting back to my high school self." – Morgan Riddle (11:00)

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Transition to Content Creation and Relationship Dynamics

Morgan recounts her journey from a corporate job to becoming a full-time content creator, coinciding with her relationship with her husband, Taylor Lautner.

• Meeting Taylor: They met in 2020 via Raya during the pandemic lockdown. Initially unaware of each other's careers, Morgan learned about Taylor's tennis background and the pressures that come with professional sports (21:41).

• Building a Public Persona: Morgan faced backlash from the traditional tennis community for being more public and active on social media. Despite criticism, she embraced her unique position by “calling attention to herself” and using negativity as motivation (33:37).

Notable Quote:

"Sometimes I'm able to really use it as motivation... because you're so mad about it." – Morgan Riddle (33:37)

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Maintaining Mental Wellness

A significant portion of the episode focuses on strategies Morgan employs to manage her mental health amidst a demanding and public lifestyle.

• Morning Routines: Morgan emphasizes the importance of personalized routines that bring joy, such as watching old Disney movies during breakfast to start her day with positivity (48:03).

• Therapy and Life Coaching: She discusses her long-term relationship with therapy, including the use of SSRIs and shifting to a life coach to address both personal and professional challenges (52:50).

• Grounding Techniques: Morgan shares practical techniques like the "worry list" and biting into a lemon to manage anxiety, highlighting the effectiveness of physical actions in alleviating mental stress (55:22, 59:00).

Notable Quote:

"Everything comes back to like, okay, what can I do today? Or what can I do in this moment that's going to cause me, like, a little spark of joy." – Morgan Riddle (48:03)

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Balancing Public Life and Privacy

Morgan addresses the challenges of being a public figure while maintaining personal boundaries.

• Public Perception: She talks about the stereotypes and misconceptions people have about her, particularly viewing her solely as Taylor's girlfriend. Morgan deliberately separates her online persona from her private life to retain autonomy (46:53).

• Supportive Partnership: Her husband Taylor plays a crucial role in supporting her, helping her navigate public scrutiny and encouraging her independent career pursuits (36:19).

Notable Quote:

"He has always encouraged me and supported me to do it, and he wants to be a dual income household. And he's like, hell yeah." – Morgan Riddle (36:19)

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Coping Strategies and Practical Advice

The episode concludes with Morgan sharing actionable tips for mental wellness.

• Grounding Techniques: Beyond the worry list, Morgan recommends using physical sensations (like biting into a lemon) to ground oneself during moments of anxiety (59:00).

• Technology as a Tool: She suggests leveraging technology, such as ChatGPT, to analyze and reframe anxious thoughts, although she acknowledges the environmental concerns (58:31).

• Personalized Wellness: Morgan advocates for finding individualized routines and practices that foster happiness and peace, rather than adhering to generalized wellness trends (47:38).

Notable Quote:

"Just try as much as you can in order to find that peace and that happiness." – Morgan Riddle (52:50)

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Conclusion

Morgan Riddle's candid discussion on The Squeeze offers listeners an intimate look into managing mental health amidst the pressures of a public life. Her journey from familial mental health struggles to becoming a content creator and supportive partner provides valuable insights into resilience, self-care, and the importance of maintaining personal boundaries. The episode underscores the universal truth that everyone, regardless of their status, grapples with their own "sour lemons," and finding pockets of peace is essential for well-being.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Morgan Riddle (05:03):

   "I started seeing a therapist around that time, and that was a huge step for me."

2. Morgan Riddle (06:42):

   "I'm very grateful that she took it seriously because I know a lot of, you know, parents who maybe don't understand anxiety or don't understand mental health issues."

3. Morgan Riddle (33:37):

   "Sometimes I'm able to really use it as motivation... because you're so mad about it."

4. Morgan Riddle (48:03):

   "Everything comes back to like, okay, what can I do today? Or what can I do in this moment that's going to cause me, like, a little spark of joy."

5. Morgan Riddle (36:19):

   "He has always encouraged me and supported me to do it, and he wants to be a dual income household. And he's like, hell yeah."

6. Morgan Riddle (52:50):

   "Just try as much as you can in order to find that peace and that happiness."

---

Key Takeaways

• Early Exposure: Personal experiences with family mental health issues significantly shape one's approach to mental wellness.
• Adaptability: Transitioning roles and coping with global crises like the pandemic can amplify existing mental health struggles.
• Public vs. Private Life: Maintaining personal boundaries is crucial for mental health, especially for public figures.
• Support Systems: A supportive partner and consistent therapeutic practices are vital for managing mental health.
• Practical Coping Mechanisms: Implementing personalized strategies can effectively manage anxiety and promote well-being.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing listeners with key insights and practical advice on mental health and well-being, all through the lens of Morgan Riddle's personal experiences.

Transcript

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[Morgan]

Podcast is a Dear Media Production Am I the villain?

[Host]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

I had swiped him on Raya. He had like one photo of him actually playing tennis. Oh cute. He played like college tennis. Like I didn't understand of like the professional tennis tour. When we first met, he had thumbtacked Team USA in his living room. But he told me that he did that because he wanted to like impress me. And I'm like, I didn't even know what you were talking about. I definitely got a lot of backlash both from like within the tennis community and the fans. I'm calling attention to myself. People just expected me to like sit in the box, be relatively private. Like not capitalize on my partner's career. Came in guns blazing. I was like that. People make up insane things. It's just the same like misogynist, regurgitated bullshit. It again and again and I'm like oh like get more creative. Like come on, let's go. Sometimes I'm able to really use it as motivation too, where I'm like the Spite in me is going to push me to do this even more because you're so mad about it.

[Co-Host]

When life gives you lemons, what do.

[Host]

You do with them? Over here at the Squeeze, we talk about it. Morgan, welcome to the Squeeze.

[Morgan]

Thank you. Thanks for having me.

[Host]

I'm very excited because we have something very similar in common. We both love men that are named Taylor.

[Morgan]

Oh. Oh, my gosh. I did. I literally did not even put that together.

[Host]

Isn't that funny?

[Morgan]

Yeah, we. I love that.

[Host]

I know.

[Morgan]

I do love Taylor's. Yeah, apparently we love them.

[Host]

We love a good Taylor. Okay, so we start each episode off with this jar. It's a little game called Citrus Got Real.

[Co-Host]

If you want to pull a little.

[Host]

Paper out of the there.

[Morgan]

What's a little dingling?

[Host]

Used to wear headphones, and you can like, hear the ASMR drum roll of it.

[Morgan]

Oh, God. Oh, this is a hard one. Okay, if you were a board game, which one would you be and why? Oh, I. This is hard for me because I'm not, like. What would you say? I don't know.

[Host]

My gut reaction was to say sorry because I. I'm, like, the type of person that says sorry, like, way too much like my husband. Yeah. He'll be like, stop saying sorry. Like, it's fine. Like, everything's fin. Like, okay, I'm sorry. I'm saying sorry. So sorry would probably be.

[Morgan]

Are you into board game? That's a hard question for me, because when someone tries to explain a board game to me, I literally lose every brain cell, and I have no idea what's happening. And, like, they're. They start speaking simlish.

[Host]

So Monopoly's not for you?

[Morgan]

No, I don't think I. I think I played Uno. I played Mencala.

[Host]

Yes.

[Morgan]

Oh, you know what? The Game of life.

[Host]

Oh.

[Morgan]

I played that at my lake cabin when I was growing up.

[Host]

That's a good.

[Morgan]

In Minnesota.

[Host]

So I'm. I'm excited to kind of just dive into your background because you haven't really opened up about some stuff in your past before. I know you've been open on social media with your mental health struggles, but you've never really, like, dove into what has made you you. So I'd love to kind of learn.

[Co-Host]

More about, like, what makes you you behind all of the glitz and the.

[Host]

Glam, the cute outfits and all of that stuff. But I guess I'd love to start with kind of growing up. What was your first introduction to mental health?

[Morgan]

I would say my very first was my grandma actually had schizophrenia.

[Host]

Okay.

[Morgan]

So, you know, very much a familial, like, was introduced from it very early on. She ended up taking her life, like, when my mom was in college or had just, like, finished college and just before she got pregnant with me. So I never actually got to meet that grandma. But, you know, was told about it. I. As I got older and stuff. And then I think my first, like, personal experience with mental health anxiety was in high school. I was, like, a very troublesome kid, which I think I have talked about before on my platforms. But I had, like, a really bad GPA in college or in high school. And then when I was thinking about getting into college, I started having so much anxiety because I was like, oh, my gosh, I'm not going to be able to. To get into college. I'm not going to be able to afford college. I knew I wanted. I'm from the Midwest.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

And I knew I wanted to get out of the Midwest. Like, I was like, this is not the place for me. I watched Ugly Betty. I know. I feel like everyone from the Midwest who goes to New York has, you know, it's either Sex in the City or Gossip Girl. Like, they have some sort of movie or TV that really draws them to New York. Mine was Ugly Betty. I was obsessed with it. I want to go to New York. I wanted to work for a magazine. I wanted to be a journalist, like, that sort of thing. And. And. But the reality in high school was, like, you're not gonna end up in New York because you don't have the grades to get into a school in New York.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

And for two years, that just destroyed me. It was so stressful. I did end up going to college in New York and, like, getting in and everything. But the pressure of that was so much and that I started seeing a therapist, like, around that time.

[Host]

Okay.

[Co-Host]

Where in the Midwest are you from?

[Morgan]

I'm from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

[Host]

Taylor's from Michigan. So I always have to. I always have to ask.

[Co-Host]

Yes.

[Morgan]

Midwest. We love it.

[Host]

Yeah, we love.

[Co-Host]

We love a good Midwest.

[Morgan]

Midwest boys are the best. Sorry to. I mean, my boyfriend's never gonna listen to this, but I always tell my girlfriends who are single. I'm like, just go to Wisconsin for, like, a year. I promise you'll find someone good.

[Host]

That's actually really good advice. I should tell my single friends. Cause they're always like, what do I do? That's some good advice.

[Morgan]

They all look, like, a little bit lumberjacky, and they've got beards, and they're like, family guy. I Mean, of course, there's terrible men everywhere, but for the most part, most of the guys that I know from the Midwest are, like, great.

[Co-Host]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

So.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

Did your mom have any mental health struggles?

[Morgan]

No, it was.

[Host]

Was that. Was it her mom? It was her mom.

[Morgan]

Yeah, it was my mom's mom. And, you know, I've actually talked to friends about this before because I have a great relationship with my mom. Like, she is the best person that I know, but I have a lot of girlfriends who have, like, very difficult relationships with their moms because their moms were emotional or reactive or had substance issues or. And we. We've talked about sort of, like, what gets passed down to you from your parents and that sort of thing. And, like. And I've said it can go two different directions where they sort of bring that trauma and, like, generational abuse with them, or they go to the complete opposite end. And my mom went to the complete opposite end. Like, I think her mom, because of her mental health issues, was, you know, very emotional. And it was. It's hard to grow up in a household with a parent who has mental health issues. But my mom, like, just didn't carry that with her. Like, in my entire life, she's never raised her voice at me once. And she's painfully optimistic, like, almost to a fault. Super generous and. Yeah. Didn't have any sort of issues like that. And so I. I think another reason, too, when I was, like, 16 years old and I started having anxiety attacks and panic attacks because she had seen that in her mother.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

She got me into therapy right away, like, took it super seriously, which I'm very grateful for.

[Host]

Did she notice you were struggling, or was it something that you were feeling and spoke up about?

[Morgan]

I think the first time that she sort of, like, notice it really bad and was like, all right, we're getting you into therapy. We were at, actually, a Broadway show in New York on a college visit.

[Host]

Oh, wow.

[Morgan]

And we're sitting watching a Broadway performance of Mamma Mia. Which is, like, my favorite movie ever. And I can't remember what musical number it was during, but there's something weird about, like, theatrical performances that I love going to see them, but sometimes I get really bad anxiety during them for no reason. I've never been able to figure out why that is. Maybe it's from, like, this instance, but in the middle of a musical number, all of a sudden, it just felt like I had this wave of dread come over me. I think because we'd been looking at colleges that day. I was so Stressed about it. I was feeling so much pressure, but I had a full panic attack in the middle of the audience during Mamma Mia. And had to run out of the theater. And, yeah, that's when she was like, okay, something's going on with you. Let's get you into therapy. And then I started going to weekly therapy, which helped a lot.

[Taylor]

A lot.

[Morgan]

I'm very grateful that she took it seriously because I know a lot of, you know, parents who maybe don't understand anxiety or don't understand mental health issues maybe aren't as quick to get their kids into.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

Seeing help. But I'm grateful that she did because I don't know where I would be at right now if she didn't.

[Host]

That's amazing. Do you still have that thing if you see a Broadway show or if you.

[Morgan]

Sometimes I do. It's so strange. It's like I. I grew up with musical theater. Like, I did musical theater growing up. I love theater and theatrical performances. And I'm listening to the Wicked soundtrack on the way over here. But, yeah, there's been a couple times where I've gone to see plays or operas or something, and I get sort of like. I don't know if it's PTSD from that show, but I get, like, really bad anxiety watching them. It's so strange.

[Host]

How long were you in therapy for?

[Morgan]

Well, I've been on and off in therapy since I was, like, 16. So in high school. I stay in it those two years. And interestingly enough, like, when I went to college, the. My entire experience in college, I. It was almost like all of that had sort of disappeared. And I think part of that was I was super busy in college. I was in my dream city. I lived in a. Like a sorority. We didn't. We couldn't have houses in New York because it's like this archaic law that they're considered brothels. But we had, like, a floor in a building that was my sorority.

[Host]

Wait, what. What is that?

[Morgan]

There's Michigan actually has the same law, but you can't have, like, fraternity or sorority houses in the state of New York because of this super old law about, like, a bunch of genders living in some sort of commune or something is illegal there. Which sorority falls under that umbrella? So. But I. I lived on this floor with, like, a bunch of girls. I had a really strong sense of community. I felt like I really had a purpose. I loved my studies. So the entire time that I was in college, I had no mental health. Anxiety didn't exist to me. Which is so strange. And then shortly after I graduated, I was having a great time working at a corporate job in Minneapolis, Minnesota. And then the pandemic hit and then everything, it was like I'd reverted back to sort of my high school self. And just in terms of anxiety, which I think was super normal. Like I went from, you know, having a strong sense of purpose and community to isolation, terror. Like it was just, it was a hard transition. So then I got back into therapy pretty much, like, I would say maybe six months after the pandemic started and have mostly been in it since.

[Host]

Did you go back to that same therapist or.

[Morgan]

I didn't. I couldn't remember her name. It was like five or six years later. She was great, but also was based in Minnesota. So I had to find. I moved out to LA.

[Host]

Okay.

[Morgan]

In March of 2020, like the worst time ever to move here, poor thing. And so I had to find like an online therapist based in California.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

And I think I had, I think I had two or three different ones in like 2021, 2022. And then I've been with the same one for the past year and he's actually kind of more of a life coach than a therapist. I think because I'd done therapy for so long, like, I know it can be really, really helpful to have someone who's more of. I think a lot of therapy is active listening.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

But I was at the point where like I talked through my issues, I'd gone through my trauma. Like I just needed sort of. I wanted someone who was more sort of non biased. Yeah. Who I could be really, really open with, who would not just be an active listener, but also give me business advice and relationship advice. And I could figure out like this person just sent this to me, like, what should I say? Like I wanted that and I found that and it's been great. Kind of like a mix between therapist and life coach. But yeah, that's sort of what's working best for me right now because with my travel and schedule and everything, it's just, I couldn't do it. I was spending when I was in therapy and in that sort of system, I had to cancel so many appointments, like last minute was getting charged, whatever. So I have one retainer that basically anytime, like if there's a week where I need to talk to him four times, like, we'll have four sessions. If, you know, there's two weeks where I'm like, yeah, I'm busy, I'm doing good, then, you know, we'll have Like a little check in or something. But it's kind of on a week by week basis. But you know, sometimes I'll be like, I got this offer for this brand deal, but there's something about it that just like doesn't feel right in my gut, that sort of thing. And then he'll kind of talk me through that. So it's like deep stuff. But it's also like I need some business advice, which is, it's nice to have that.

[Host]

Is that how with a life coach? Because I've. I mean, I haven't worked with a life coach before. Is that what they tend to. Is it just more like overview of everything instead of just like therapy, like mental health problem?

[Morgan]

Yeah. And I think it all sort of ties back to each other because like, let's say for example, I take this brand deal for a company that I don't really like and I film this video and I put a representation of myself very publicly that I don't feel good about. Like that comes back to you in terms of mental health. You know, like everything is connected. If I'm, you know, promoting these things that I don't believe in, that sort of takes like a sense of my self value and like the respect that that I have for myself away because I'm doing this thing for money that I don't actually believe in, you know, it all sort of like ties back to each other. So that's what him and I talk a lot about is like everything will come back to like my, my sense of like self and sense of self worth. So even the little things like that are worth talking about if it's, you know, sitting on my conscience?

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

Is self worth something that you struggle with or is that just a topic of overall arching just like you in general?

[Morgan]

Yeah, no, I wouldn't say I struggle with it. I mean, there's definitely moments where I'm hard on myself for sure. But I think that's just sort of the nature of being on the Internet. Like it's easy to be really hard on yourself about things.

[Host]

Yeah, for sure. When did you start doing content?

[Morgan]

I think full time, like two years ago.

[Host]

Okay.

[Morgan]

So relatively new. Like I, after I graduated school, I worked in corporate and then kind of just started like posting when I was traveling with Taylor a bit. And I think I was posting for maybe like six months to a year before I even really made money off of it.

[Co-Host]

So.

[Host]

Okay. It is March and I know for some of us we have kind of just forgotten what is on our 2025.

[Co-Host]

Resolution vision board goals for the year. But hopefully you are still somewhat dreaming.

[Host]

About your wellness routines and just how to better yourself. In this year I've talked a lot.

[Co-Host]

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[Host]

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[Morgan]

We met in 2020 not long after I moved to LA. Okay on Raya because there was no other way to meet people during COVID.

[Host]

So now I'm all for a good. I mean I didn't use them because I've, me and Taylor have been together for way too long and I probably wasn't even of age to use one. But all my single friends, I'm like, like how else are you gonna like, everyone's so busy even, like, now, like, life is back to normal. But.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

Oh, I have so many girlfriends who have met their husbands, fiance's boyfriends on Raya, Hinge, Bumble, whatever.

[Host]

I feel like there's, like, this new wave of, like, normalcy to it as well, because I know some people who, like, were married probably, like, five, seven years ago, and they, like, wouldn't tell people that they met, like, online.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

And, like, now it's, like, such, like, a normal thing.

[Morgan]

Yeah. I've always been open about it because I'm like, someone. Someone will find out eventually.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

So then you guys started dating. Then what? Did you know who he was?

[Co-Host]

Did you watch tennis?

[Morgan]

No, I didn't know anything about tennis. I remember when I had swiped him on Raya, he had, like, one photo of him actually playing tennis. And I remember when I saw it, I would go, oh, cute. He played, like, college tennis. Like, I didn't understand. I don't even think I really, like, understood. I mean, I knew, like, Serena Williams and Roger Federer, but the actual concept of, like, the professional tennis tour, I just. I knew nothing about. I grew up in Minnesota. Nobody cared or played about tennis in Minnesota. You know, I was very much ice hockey, and that was about it.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

And, I mean, he wasn't at the, like, level that he's at. I think he was ranked around, like, 40 or something. Definitely wasn't. You know where he is at now? And he's told me. I remember the first time that I went to hang out with him at his house when we first met. He had thumbtacked, like, a Team USA shirt onto one of his walls in his living room, which I didn't even register. But he told me that he did that because he wanted to, like, impress me. And I'm like, I didn't even know what you were talking about. Oh, my gosh. But, yeah, no, definitely was not super aware of him and his career, and it took me a long time to even understand it because they weren't playing when we first met. They're on pause because of COVID So. Yeah.

[Host]

When did. When did he start playing again?

[Morgan]

I think it was that September 2020. The first tournament, I believe, was in Rome.

[Host]

Okay.

[Co-Host]

Yeah.

[Host]

When did you start traveling with him, that tournament?

[Co-Host]

Oh, wow.

[Morgan]

Yeah.

[Host]

And you've just been doing it ever since?

[Morgan]

Pretty much, because it was still basically, like, lockdown here. I was like, okay, either I sit by myself in an apartment in LA or I sit in a hotel in Paris. Kind of rather sit in a Hotel in Paris.

[Host]

So you're not wrong.

[Morgan]

And I was working remote, so I could kind of do whatever.

[Host]

Okay.

[Taylor]

So you.

[Host]

Okay?

[Morgan]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

When did you.

[Host]

When did you quit that job?

[Morgan]

I quit that. I can't. I'm trying to remember. It was either two or three years ago at Australian Open. Okay. And that was the same week that I started posting my, like, first videos. That kind of blew up.

[Taylor]

Yeah, it just.

[Host]

It was time.

[Morgan]

Yeah.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

And I just wanted to have fun. It was when, like, Get Ready with Me videos were just, like. They weren't where they're at now on TikTok. It was like people had just started posting, like, get ready with me for lunch, you know, that sort of thing.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

And I was like, oh, that's kind of cute. And so I did, like, get ready with me for a tennis match. And it was. Yeah, it was that same week that I sent in my resignation. So it just kind of happened to, like, work out, and the video started popping off immediately. It wasn't like, a slow build by any means.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

I love that. I just got into it. Was it an adjustment for you having to, like, travel as much as you guys do, or did it just kind of feel, like, natural?

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

I mean, like I said, I was so just itching to do something because it'd been months of being in the pandemic, so I was like, let's get out of the U.S. like, thank God. And the tournaments weren't enjoyable by any means. They were called bubble tournaments. The only places that we could go was the tournament site or the hotel. So it's not like I was out, like, exploring Paris. The. Literally, the first year that I was on tour, I was isolated in a hotel room or at the tennis courts, and that was it, like, kind of miserable. But I was like, well, at least I'm like, you know, seeing the world, kind of doing something.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

But I'd always wanted to travel so bad. Like, when I was younger, I was obsessed with Animal Planet, National Geographic. You know, I had my phase where I was obsessed with, like, Alexis Ren on Instagram and her whole Bali travel life. And as a teenager in Minnesota, that was, like, it seemed so out of reach and impossible for me, for sure. And, yeah, I was that, like, traveling the world would be so cool, but obviously it was hard for me to imagine that would be sort of a reality for me. So I think that's something I'm every day, like, so grateful for, that I've been able to go to all these places and explore different cultures and try Weird cuisines and yeah, I'm, I'm happy that I've gotten to do that.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

How do you, when you guys are traveling that much, how do you like set aside time to prioritize your relationship? Because I feel like that's something that I struggle with, with even just being at home and like working from home. Like sometimes I'm like, okay, we need to like put aside work and like actually just like spend like one on one time together. Has that been hard to do?

[Morgan]

I mean, it's nearly impossible when we're at tournaments because he is practicing all day. Like he does two hours of physio treatment, then two hours of practice, then an hour in the gym, then he has to eat, whatever and then by the time that he gets back to the hotel, he's exhausted. Like some, you know, we'll go try to do dinner. We have some places where we both just like love the city. Like Tokyo for example. If he's, if we're in Tokyo, like if he's not practicing, we are like out exploring the city, going to the Mini Pig Cafe and going and having ramen and that sort of thing. So there are certain places where we really try to make it feel a little more vacation esque. But at the end of the day for both of us, it's just work at this point. We watch shows in bed every night before we go to sleep and that's kind of our time together.

[Host]

Yeah, I imagine like you're off time when you're home. That's probably like the most important time for you guys.

[Morgan]

Yeah, for sure.

[Host]

Do you like to stay at home when you're off or is it more like you guys want to go. Yeah, vacation somewhere.

[Morgan]

We are very different people. I am like a. I want to be out, I want to be meeting people, I want to go do this, I want to sightsee. He's very shy, introverted homebody. Like wants to stay home, wants to be at home. So it's kind of a balance for sure. He's definitely like made me much more sort of introverted and homebody. It's more enjoyable when you have someone else to do it with, you know?

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

But yeah, when we're home, I like to go out and do stuff with my friends. Yeah, I kind of describe him as like a indoor boyfriend, you know, like an indoor cat. Like he's an indoor boy, you know, everything he wants to do, he's indoors. I don't have to check his location or where he's at. I know he's at Home playing video games right now. Oh, my gosh. Which is actually. I think it works for us.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

No, that's great. I bet. I mean, I bet he needs, like, a mental, like, release.

[Morgan]

Yeah.

[Host]

Just some form of distraction. And I. I feel like athletes are so prone to play video games. And I, like, 100 support it. I feel like when people hear, like, of grown men playing video games, they're like, why are you doing that? But I actually feel like for athletes, it's such a good, like, distraction, because I, like. I don't know what else a grown man would do to, like, fully engulf his, like, mind to, like, you know, not have to, like, think about, you know, being a professional athlete. I can't even imagine how stressful that is, but I feel like with a video game, they're, like, able to just, like, fully. We know so many football players that just play video games, and that's their thing.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

And at first I was like, that's random.

[Host]

But now I'm like, oh, wait, no, that actually, like, that actually makes sense.

[Morgan]

Yeah. No, I see girls complain about it all the time. I'm like, okay, I get it. If your boyfriend's, like, absolutely degenerate, plays video games all the time, doesn't prioritize anything else, doesn't have a career. Like, that's sort of the stereotype of, like, the gamer boyfriend. But I'm like, this is his time. Like, if he wants to have this hobby. And I've asked his other friends who are players, I'm like, so what do you guys do? I'm like, taylor comes home and he'll play video games. Like, what do you do? And they're like, FaceTime. People watch shows. Yeah, everyone's got their own thing. But it's really nice. It works really well for us because, for example, when we're at tournaments, he is at the courts. He's practicing all day. He's got his stuff. I'll go to museum. I'll make content. I'll go hang out with friends in the city, that sort of thing. And then we both get home at night. He wants to go on his computer and play video games. And then I'll go on my computer and, like, edit content and do work if he didn't have that hobby. And every time I got home, he's like, all right, what are we doing? Let's go do this. Let's go to dinner. I'd be like, I just need some space right now. So, yeah, it definitely works well for us.

[Host]

Yeah, I love that. I'M curious now, you know, living such a public life, one on social media, but also because of your relationship. It's very followed and constantly talked about thing. Did you have a hard time adjusting to the outside noise? Because I. I mean, I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that older tennis fan players maybe weren't thrilled to have this cute little blonde girl coming in and speaking up.

[Morgan]

No, not at all. Yeah, it's been. I don't know, I have waves sometimes. I handle it really well. I think I've always been, like, naturally very confident and, like, open to putting myself out there and also having the belief of, like, what people say, like, they're not saying it about me. It's like them, like, what you think of me is actually a reflection of you. And like, I do fully believe in that. If I did something, like, really genuinely terrible and problematic, or if I was a bully to someone or if I said something offensive, I get it. But like, nothing hateful that people say towards me actually is anything that I've, like, necessarily done. I feel like a lot of it's just like, stupid influencer. You know, nothing about tennis. I'm like, okay. Like, it's really not that, like, hurtful sort of things, you know?

[Host]

I was gonna say, what's like, the. Is there, like the. Like, what's the craziest thing you've, like, heard or just like, something you've been like, wait, what do you like?

[Morgan]

I mean, people just. People make up insane things, which I'm sure you've had experience with. Like, sometimes I'll see something online that I'm like, people will just write things as a fact. And it's so, like, uneducated, out of touch, and also, like, you don't know me. So what would make you say people are like, sorry, I don't know if you're allowed to. Okay. Like, people are just so strange. I'm trying to think if there's any. I don't know, it's all kind of the same. That that's why I feel like it doesn't really affect me that much either is like, it's just the same, like, misogynist regurgitated bullshit again and again. And I'm like, oh, like, get more creative. Like, yeah, let's go. Yeah. I feel like I've handled it for the most part pretty well. Sometimes, of course, my feelings get hurt. Sometimes I'm able to really use it as motivation too, where I'm like, oh, you like the spite in me is gonna push me to do this. Even more because you're so mad about it.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

Why do you think that? Because I was asking Taylor this because obviously he knew who you were before I did. Like way back in the day. He was like, oh yeah, that's Taylor's girlfriend. And I was like, oh, wait, you know who that is?

[Morgan]

Tennis.

[Host]

Yes. He's. He's like, he's not a die hard tennis person. He does love tennis and he wants to get more into it. But he knew who Taylor was and he has a decent amount of knowledge about it. And he was like, yeah, the like old school tennis people, like, aren't like the biggest fans of her. I don't really know why. And I was like, oh really? And I was like, why? Like I asked him, why do you think that is? And he was like, I mean, I don't, I don't really know because he's like not. He's newer to tennis. But why do you think that is?

[Morgan]

Um, I think historically a lot of the, like older wives and partners on the tour have been very private, heads down in the box. They're there to like cheer on their partner. They didn't have, you know, like super public Personas. There were a couple players in like the 90s that dated celebrities and stuff, but they were like kind of doing their own thing. Like it wasn't anyone who was really showing up on social media like as a tennis wag. Yeah. So when I posted my first TikTok, I actually, I don't know if this is true, but I have been told by people on like the tennis tour that when I was first posting TikToks a couple of years ago, there was like a clique of older like wives on the tour and they would send my videos in their group chat and just like make fun of me. So I definitely got a lot of backlash both from like within the tennis community and the fans, I think just. Cause it was like, it was different and I'm calling attention to myself and people wanted me or I guess it just expected me to like sit in the box, be relatively private, like not capitalize on my partner's career. And I kind of came in guns blazing. I was like, well, fuck that and posted whatever I wanted to. So yeah, I don't know. I think people think I'm annoying sometimes. I. I definitely have a certain Persona on. I would say TikTok specifically, where I kind of feed into it. Yeah. And say things that I know are like, controversial enough that it will piss people off, but it's not like gonna get Me canceled?

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

You're a good businesswoman.

[Host]

You know, you know how to run these things. I'm curious. Has at any point, like, what has the effect of the noise had on your relationship, if any? Like, has it. Oh, has it put a strain in it? Has it, like, helped make you guys stronger? Like, what. What has that been for you?

[Morgan]

Yeah, I wouldn't say it has had any effect. I mean, Taylor has always been really good about just not, like, I think when it first started happening, I would be like, oh, my gosh, like, look at what this person said. And he'd be like, why are you reading that? But also, he went pro when he was 17. Like, he has dealt with that for so much, much longer than I had. So he was very helpful in kind of, like, coaching me through that, I guess. But, yeah, like I said, people write crazy things about, like, us and our relationship and about me and about him. And I think both of us are united in the fact of, like, okay, we really love each other. We have a very healthy relationship. Nothing that anyone says online is gonna have any sort of effect on that. And he's also been really good about being super defensive of, like, me and what I'm doing. And that's what is interesting too, is so many people have, like, such a problem with me, you know, capitalizing on, like, tennis and, like, his career. And he has always encouraged me and supported me to do it, and, like, wants to be a dual income household. And he's like, hell, yeah. You know, so I'm like, why do other people have a problem with it if. I mean, people have a problem with anything?

[Taylor]

But yeah, yeah.

[Morgan]

No, I. It. I wouldn't say it's negatively affected our relationship at all.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

Thank God.

[Host]

I can. I can tell how much he supports you, just how much you talk, how you are speaking about it. Like, you sitting here saying, like, capitalize off of his career. I know 100% that he supports, like, what you're doing. And I feel like I've had people be like, oh, well, she's just, like, doing this because of her husband. Or, like, she's just, like, getting this because of this.

[Co-Host]

I'm like, well, okay.

[Morgan]

Or you only started dating him because he was.

[Host]

Yeah, like, okay.

[Morgan]

Like, okay, we've heard that before. It's fine.

[Host]

But just, like, here, like, I actually don't know many people that would sit here and who are dating or married to someone that, you know, is a.

[Co-Host]

Pro athlete, is a celebrity and say.

[Host]

Like, capitalize off of his career, which.

[Morgan]

Well, I mean, Like, I'm not gonna. I know that's not the classiest way to put it, but I love it, though.

[Host]

It's.

[Morgan]

That's what I've. That's what I've done.

[Host]

It is what it is. And I feel like it shows that I'll be real.

[Morgan]

I'll be fucking real about it. Like, I know that, but I love that.

[Host]

And I love that you're just, like, completely honest. And it shows how much, like, if he didn't support you, you wouldn't be saying that. So, like, he clearly, like, 100%, like, backs you in what you're doing.

[Morgan]

And it's almost sort of like a competition between us now at, like, Grand Slams and stuff, of who's gonna make more money during the Grand Slam. Like, I'm like, okay, you gotta make it past the fourth round this tournament, otherwise I'm gonna make more money than you this week. And he's so good. It's healthy competition between us.

[Host]

But what do you.

[Co-Host]

What do you think is the most.

[Host]

Misunderstood thing about you?

[Morgan]

Oh, my gosh. That's a good question. I don't know. I think I. I think that's a hard question for me to answer because I really try not to pay any sort of attention to, like, how people perceive me.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

Like, that's for, like, me to decide. I kind of like people thinking I'm an idiot, though.

[Taylor]

I. Yeah.

[Morgan]

You know what I mean?

[Host]

I feel like it's, like, kind of fun, you know, that it's like the.

[Morgan]

Bimbo feminism, sort of. Which I. I wouldn't necessarily say I support, but I'm like, if someone else put that. Puts that on me, I'm fine with that.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

I feel like there's. When people see you, they probably just think, yeah, it is just some cute. Some cute little tennis girlfriend that has a cute outfit in his.

[Morgan]

But I, like, feed into that. Like, at Wimbledon this year, I did. I recreated this, like, Barbie doll from the 1960s. Like, recreated an outfit, Saw this. Yeah. So I try to, like, I will embrace it.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

You know, ironically, but.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

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[Host]

Because I recently learned that I have been consuming a fraction of the amount.

[Co-Host]

Of protein that I need in my diet and that's where Premier Protein comes into play for me. They have ready to drink protein shakes but also great tasting powders. These ready to drink protein shakes have been a life saver for me and upping my protein intake. I keep these drinks in the fridge and when I'm running out the door to an appointment, a meeting, we have a taping, whatever it may be, I can just grab one of those drinks, drink it in the car. I can have it just next to me while I'm on Zoom meetings. It is so convenient, but also it tastes so good. Some protein drinks are disgusting.

[Host]

Premier Protein is not that.

[Co-Host]

They have flavors like vanilla strawberry cinnamon roll which is really cool. Cafe latte has coffee in it which I absolutely love, but they also some really cool flavors like peaches and cream, chocolate peanut butter, cookies and cream and bananas and cream. And if you're looking to up your protein intake, which most of us are, you need to check out Premier Protein. You can visit premier protein.com and go to where to buy, to find a retailer near you or to find where to shop online. Okay, Lemon drop. So I have been talking about how part of my 2025 goal for this year is really focusing on my wellness from within. Making sure I'm really targeting the inside of my body and doing things for the inside, so that that can then show on the outside. And something that I've been trying to do is incorporate drinking more water and.

[Host]

More electrolytes in my diet.

[Co-Host]

And let's be real, if you're like me, I just. It's so hard to drink water. I don't know when it became like.

[Host]

That, but I feel like it's so hard.

[Co-Host]

Drink water and actually get the amount of electrolytes that you need. And that's where Gatorade hydration booster comes in. These electrolyte drinks are truly so good. I have gone through so many of these boxes. Me and Taylor both are actually obsessed with them because there's a lot of electrolyte drinks out there that just are way, way, way, way, way, way too salty, and that makes me drink even less water than I originally was. These Gatorade hydration boosters actually taste great, and they're not too salty at all. This one is actually my favorite flavor. It's the strawberry watermelon. They have three different flavors. This one is the one that always ends up going first in our household. But these hydration boosters have an advanced blend of electrolytes from ingredients like watermelon salt and sea salt. They're packed with essential vitamins like A, C, B3, B5, and B6. There's no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or color added. These are formulated specifically for all day, always on hydration. You guys need to try these. If you don't.

[Host]

Hydration is actually one of the most.

[Co-Host]

Important things for our body. Making sure we have those needed electrolytes is so important. So put your water to work with. Gatorade hydration booster.

[Host]

Have this. I feel like the answer to this is probably no. But do you feel like you've struggled at all with finding your identity outside of just being the girlfriend? Because I feel like when Taylor and I first started dating, that was definitely something that I struggled with. And I feel like I sometimes struggle with it even now when it. When I'm more so just, like, feeling insecure about, like, what I'm doing or, like, my purpose or, like, what exactly I'm supposed to be doing. Is that something that you've struggled with?

[Morgan]

I. Yeah, I. I think because I started social media, like, later in life and started dating him at a point where I was, like. Felt like I had my feet on the ground and I knew who I was and I'd built my own career. When I started posting, like, so much of my content is about, like, travel and tennis and my outfits and, like, F1. Like, I keep it very compartmentalized. Like, I've been in LA for a couple weeks and I don't really post about my life in la. Like, I don't think most of my followers or subscribers would know what my apartment looks like. They don't really know who my friends are. Like, I don't. I keep, like, my life here very separate from, like, my online Persona, and that's been very intentional. So I can sort of have like, a sense of autonomy outside the Internet and like, my books and my hobbies and that sort of thing is so, like, separate from like, what I post online for the most part. I mean, I'll like, share book recommendations and stuff, but there are. As open as I am on the Internet, there's so much of my life that I do keep, like, very private to myself, which has been, I think, really important because I have so much feedback of like, oh, like, your whole life is. Is just being Taylor's girlfriend. And I'm like, the whole life that I show you online is being his girlfriend. But, like, that's very intentional because it separates, like, me from Internet me.

[Host]

Yeah, it's like almost like another Persona. Like.

[Morgan]

Exactly.

[Host]

Wow, that's. That's really awesome that you have that boundary because a lot of creators, I feel like, sometimes struggle with just like sharing oversharing and literally like sharing everything because, you know, they either like, want the views or they. Or honestly, sometimes maybe they don't even want the views. It's just they don't like thinking. Think to do that. So I love that you are intentional with that because I feel like that probably like, saves a lot of. Not heartache, but like, Yeah, I guess heartache with, like, you know who you are and how to separate that. And when those haters do make comments, you're like, actually, that's like, you're just judging this, like, Persona of a human you don't even know. Like, you don't know who I am behind those doors.

[Morgan]

It's like, like, you just post about being Taylor Fritz's girlfriend or like, all you are is Taylor Fritz's girlfriend. I'm like, yes, that is a. Exactly what I want you to think. And you know, if you. Yeah, it's, it's. It's a good sort of mental separation for me.

[Host]

Going through so much therapy growing up in your childhood and also now having a life coach. What are some of those tools that you use for your mental health?

[Morgan]

Yeah, I mean, in terms of just like day to day, like, having a good routine, having A morning routine. Mine definitely switches up, but I think the most important things is like, finding things that work for me. And I think that's an issue with a lot of content creators. Like wellness content creators is people are like, this is the perfect morning routine that you have to do for optimization. But obviously everybody is so different. Personally, I like waking up really, really early. If I wake up before the sun rises, that's when I feel my best. And there's little things, like I. I hate green juice. If I know that I have to get up and have a green juice. Like, it makes me not want to get out of bed. I want to get out of bed. I want to go straight from my coffee machine. Like, I don't give a fuck about my cortisol spiking, whatever. Like, that is what will get me out of bed in the morning. Like, makes me happy to start my day. I also, it's just like little things that's been trial and error of like, trying to be really intentional about the things that cause little moments of joy throughout my day. Like, everything comes back to like, okay, what can I do today? Or what can I do in this moment that's going to cause me, like a little spark of joy? And it's been really trying to find those little moments. I was actually talking to my friend. We were talking about, like, reality shows or something. And transparently, I don't really watch reality tv.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

But a couple years ago, I watched Love Island USA Season two.

[Host]

Okay.

[Morgan]

Because one of my girlfriends was going on it and you know how they are, like, filming every day and then they live, like, post the episode that night, whatever. So anyways, over the course of this month, I got into this routine where every single morning I would wake up, I'd go downstairs, I'd make my coffee, I'd go back upstairs, get into bed, and I would start the first hour of my day watching an episode of Love Island. And that I looked so fondly upon that month because it was like, starting my day. I wake up with anxiety a lot, but starting my day like that was like starting my day putting my brain in a freezer. Like, it was just starting it out with something that was so low stress and just watching this drama, like entertainment of other people's lives. And so I was thinking about that a couple months ago of like, wow. Like, I had a. That was a nice month. Like, I really liked waking up in that way. And now I still don't watch much reality tv, but now every morning when I wake up, I turn on Disney and I'll put on like an old Disney movie. And just for like 20 minutes while I'm sipping my coffee, I'll watch 20 minutes of Alice in Wonderland or 20 minutes of snow White or something that's just very sort of childhood nostalgic. Just a sense of nothing's that serious. There's something about old Disney movies that make me really happy. And that's something that I've added into my morning routine now that, yeah, it's just like super simple and obviously not something that like all the girls on TikTok are saying you need to add this to your morning routine. But that's what makes me happy. That's like sparks a moment of joy to start my day. So anyways, going back, my advice is to find the little things like that, that. Where you can find like those pockets of peace and simplicity.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

So that's a big one. I think, kind of going along with that. Like meditation for me. I really believe in meditation, breath work, that sort of thing. I started doing breath work beginning of January and I'm obsessed with it, like actually obsessed. And there's different breathworks that you can do that almost make you feel kind of high. I don't know. I'm really into it. And meditation I always used to really struggle with because I have back issues. And you know when you do like meditation and they're like sit with your back straight and your legs crossed. I hated meditation because two minutes in I'm like, I'm cramping, my back's hurting. I have the body of a 50 year old woman and so now I do all my meditations laying down on the floor. It's just finding ways to sort of find what works for you. And I think there's so much good advice on the Internet, like you can learn anything from. I'm obsessed with YouTube, like watching not other content creators but like informative videos on YouTube or like Vox channel on YouTube because there's just so much interesting information out there. But yeah, I think it's just like finding those little things that will work for you. I think therapy is really important. I went on SSRIs like two years ago. I take LexPro. That was huge for me. Literally changed everything for me. So it's not really a one size fits all, but a lot of trial and error. But I think the most important thing I can say is just like try, try as much as you can in order to find that peace and that happiness.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

And not to get discouraged with it because I feel like There so much. Like, so many creators share their morning routines. And I'm like, oh, I should do this.

[Co-Host]

I should do this.

[Host]

And not putting that pressure on yourself to be like, I have to do.

[Co-Host]

Like, all of these things.

[Host]

Like, in the morning before I start my day, it's like, no, actually, like, watch an old Disney movie for 20 minutes. Like, I don't know anyone that does that, but I'm obsessed with it. Like, finding those things that work for you are truly, like, so important.

[Morgan]

Yeah.

[Host]

I was thinking about this. You mentioned it, like, having a set schedule and, like, being, like, schedule oriented. How do you like. Or a routine. I should say.

[Co-Host]

How do you keep a routine when you're traveling?

[Morgan]

I pretty much do, like, the same thing a lot of times when we're traveling. I'll find, like, a local coffee shop.

[Host]

Okay.

[Morgan]

Get up. I'll do my morning walk to the same coffee shop every day. I have class pass, which is international, so I'll find a Plotti National. Yeah. Everywhere. I've taken cycling classes in German. I've done berries in Swedish. I've taken a lot of weird classes all across the world, But I'll find a potty studio or something. So I'm still getting up. I'm getting my coffee. I'm going to my workout class. I really have to not treat these trips like a vacation anymore. Don't need a glass of wine at dinner. Don't need to sleep in. It is not a vacation. It's just my life. And that took me probably two years to, like, come to terms with.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

But much better about it now.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

Well, yeah, I didn't even, like, think about that. Like, I always.

[Co-Host]

Whenever we travel, I'm like, oh, yeah.

[Host]

Because I. I'm not a big drinker, but I would. If we're, like, out of town or somewhere, I'm always getting a drink with dinner. Always doing something. I didn't think about that. Did you realize that that was, like, a. You were, like, getting stuck in, like, that cycle of sleeping in or like, always, like.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

Well, it was hard, too, because, like I mentioned, the first year on tour, it was like these bubble tournaments.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

I had to get up. I couldn't go anywhere, you know? And so when the tour finally did start, it was like, I get to see the world, and we're in Rome and I'm having, like, wine every day. And it was just not sustainable for me whatsoever. So, yeah, I had to kind of reel it back in. Get a little more disciplined, I guess.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

Good.

[Morgan]

But sometimes I do still like a glass of wine.

[Host]

Hey, there ain't nothing wrong with a glass of wine. I had one last night. So two things that I saw that I want to. That are tools that I'd love to hear more about is the worry list.

[Morgan]

Oh, yes.

[Host]

What is that?

[Morgan]

Okay, so it's. I think I'd heard it on a podcast or something. But basically, I haven't done it for a while because I've learned to manage my anxiety much better. But when I would have moments of, like, really, really bad anxiety about something, basically in the list, I would write what my worry is, and then I would write, what's the worst possible thing that could happen? So let's say I'm stressed about. What have I been stressed about lately? For example, plane crash.

[Host]

Jesus. Yeah.

[Morgan]

I've never had flight anxiety. And now I'm like, every time I'm on a plane, I'm like, shit, Shit. Oh, shit. Like, is this a Boeing 737? Oh, my God. I'm, like, texting my mom. I'm like, I love you so much. But, yeah, so, like, lately, every time I get on a flight, I'm pretty stressed about that. So, for example, I would write on the worry list, number one, really anxious about flying. My number two would be, what's the worst that can happen? I die on this plane crash, like, in the next two hours. And then the third bullet point would be after the fact, like, what actually happened? You know, I land in Miami. I land safely. I am fine. Was panicking for nothing. And you do this every time that you're sort of worried and anxious about something. And over time, you can look at the list and see how much time you have wasted worrying about things and how. I mean, listen, sometimes the worst possible case scenario does happen. That's just life. But you can look at it and be like, well, literally the worst possible thing that could have happened, happened, and I'm okay, and I got through it, and it sucked. But, you know, worrying about it for days on end before it happened didn't help me at all.

[Co-Host]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

And, yeah, so I did this for a long time. And over time, you kind of just look at it and you're like, wow, I'm really wasting a lot of time worrying about things that I do not need to be worrying about.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

I feel like just getting it out, like, is so healthy. Like, if you're really just writing it down or saying it to someone or.

[Co-Host]

Saying it out loud to yourself, like.

[Host]

Once you get that anxious thought, like, out of your mind into the World. I feel like it makes it seem so much less scary.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

Than you built it up to be in your head.

[Morgan]

Yeah, I love that also now, if I, I haven't, like I said, I haven't done it in a while, but if I wanted to take that a step further and like, really try to, like, evaluate myself and like, the stress about it, putting that list into ChatGPT. Oh, and then I don't know how big of a chatgpt. I know there's controversy. It was bad for the environment. Like, I probably shouldn't do some research that, but ChatGPT can, like, learn things about you over time. I've gotten too many friends on using it for, like, therapy purposes. But if you take like this list and you can put it into ChatGPT and you can ask, like, what are my cognitive distortions with my worries and like, what's happening here? It can kind of like analyze that for you and like, pick out your patterns and help try to reframe your mindset. You can ask it to, like, reframe this thought into like a better mindset for myself.

[Co-Host]

Whoa.

[Morgan]

Yeah.

[Host]

Technology.

[Morgan]

I know. It's so scary.

[Host]

I don't.

[Taylor]

I know.

[Morgan]

But it can be, it can be helpful. Like if you, if you're someone who, let's say you can't afford therapy. Right. You can do that on the free version of ChatGPT. And like, that can be a really, I think, great step in like working towards trying to figure yourself out and figure figuring out, like your own, like, cognitive biases against yourself that are kind of self harm in a way, you know?

[Host]

Okay. The next one I had was biting into a lemon.

[Morgan]

Yes. Oh, yeah.

[Host]

Which is fitting.

[Morgan]

Very unfair.

[Host]

Which is very fitting. I wish those were real and we could do it.

[Morgan]

But yeah, I, I think I put that on my story a while back, but when I talk about mental health online, this is something I try to be intentional about is like, if I'm talking about it, it's to give, like, tangible tips, advice, homework, book resources, podcast resources. Because I feel like, I don't know if you've seen this a lot, but I think a lot of times, like when content creators are talking about mental health or that sort of thing, it'll be like an Instagram story that's like feeling really bad today. Like, normalize this with a heart. And I'm like, that's not super helpful.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

So, yeah, this is kind of one of those, like, tangible tips of if you're ever having, like, anxiety or panic attack, you can Bite into a lemon, like, with the peel and everything. Just, like, bite right into it. And the sourness and, like, the texture of the peel will ground you immediately.

[Host]

It's.

[Morgan]

It's just about getting, like, out of your head and into your body.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

I love that. And I don't know why I've never thought about that.

[Morgan]

Like, next time you're stressed on an.

[Host]

Episode, just be like, I know.

[Morgan]

Excuse me.

[Host]

I know I need to put real lemons in there, and I just start, like, eating them during the episode. But I saw on TikTok, someone posted that this video, like, went viral, and it was like, this girl whose therapist told her to, like, always have a bag of sour candy with her to ground her.

[Morgan]

Yeah.

[Co-Host]

And then I read this lemon thing.

[Host]

And I was like, oh, my gosh. That's literally, like, the same thing. And I never thought my go to is, like, ice in my hands.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Host]

But that's a. I really like that.

[Morgan]

That's good for flight anxiety. Like, you can ask for a cup of ice from the flight attendant.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

I've told people to do that before when they've asked on, like, Q&As about flight anxiety. And you just hold it in your palms till it melts.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Morgan]

But, yeah, like, the. The sort of transition from, like, doing something physical to get you out of your head is very, very helpful.

[Host]

Yeah, I. I love a good grounding technique. Yeah. Um, last question I have for you is, if you could go back to one moment in your life, what moment would that be?

[Co-Host]

And what would you say to yourself?

[Host]

Wow.

[Morgan]

Um, well, honestly, the first thing that just popped in my mind is. And this kind of, like, brings us full circle back to the start of the episode. I was standing on stage. I was in rehearsal. I was playing Alma in Music man in my. I think this was, like, the start of senior year, my school play. And I remember I was on stage, and I was wearing my normal clothes, but then I had this big dress. Like, I don't. I can't remember what time period Music man was set in, but I was wearing, like, this big dress. Whatever. I had my phone in my back pocket, and it kept, like, going off. Like, my phone kept buzzing, buzzing, buzzing, Buz. And so I kind of go backstage, I reach under my dress, grab my phone out, and I had a bunch of texts from my mom that was like, sit down. Are you sitting down? Whatever. And I'd gotten a full ride to the college in New York that I'd spent two years in therapy panicking about trying to do and she had sent me a photo of the full ride offer to the school and I instantly burst out crying. It was one of the happiest. But I wish I could go back and just be like it's all going to work out. Everything's gonna like, no need to again, no need to worry. Worst case scenario, you'll figure it out. But I always think of that moment like very fondly that, you know, you can stress about things a lot but usually things just tend to work out.

[Host]

Yeah, I love that. Thanks for coming and hanging out with me today.

[Co-Host]

I love getting to like learn about.

[Host]

You and I feel inspired to go make some content. Yeah. And yeah.

[Morgan]

Thank you.

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