Podcast Summary: The Squeeze – Episode Featuring Morgan Simianer: "Raised by Resilience"

Release Date: May 28, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Squeeze, host Taylor Lautner sits down with Morgan Simianer, a celebrated cheerleader known for her resilience and inspiring journey. Together, they delve deep into Morgan's early life challenges, her path to marriage, her experiences in competitive cheerleading, and her ongoing battle with mental health. This conversation not only highlights Morgan's personal struggles and triumphs but also offers valuable insights into coping strategies and the power of vulnerability.

Early Life and Upbringing

Morgan opens up about her tumultuous childhood, marked by a strained relationship with her parents and the absence of a stable support system. “Growing up, my life wasn't awful, terrible, but I did face a lot of challenges,” she shares (17:16). She describes living independently during her high school years, a period that forced her to mature rapidly. The lack of parental support left her feeling isolated and questioning her self-worth, often leading her to self-harm as a coping mechanism. However, Morgan emphasizes that these hardships fostered her resilience: “Everything that I went through growing up made me who I am today” (17:16).

Marriage and Relationship Dynamics

Morgan recounts the unconventional way she met her husband, Taylor Lautner, through an online platform. Nervous about their first date, she decided to bring two of her best friends along for safety. “Our first date ended up being like 17, 18 hours long... We've been together every single day since then” (08:38). Their relationship, built on mutual support and understanding of each other's mental health struggles, has flourished into a two-year marriage filled with love and companionship. Morgan describes marriage as “the easiest thing ever,” attributing their strong bond to having lived together before tying the knot (12:23).

Cheerleading Journey

Morgan’s passion for cheerleading began in her youth, though she faced obstacles due to limited opportunities in Wyoming. Her determination led her to Navarro College, where she overcame initial insecurities during tryouts. Reflecting on her perseverance, Morgan states, “I just have to have it. I have to have it” (07:34). Her tenure at Navarro was transformative, allowing her to develop advanced skills and gain confidence. Despite a challenging first tryout where she felt inadequate, Morgan's persistence paid off when Navarro College unexpectedly accepted her into their competitive cheer team (40:05).

Mental Health and Resilience

A recurring theme in Morgan’s narrative is her ongoing struggle with mental health, shaped by her early experiences. She discusses the importance of reframing her past hardships into sources of strength: “I just feel like learning through it and taking it and not using it as a negative” (36:06). Morgan emphasizes the role of her grandparents and husband in providing unwavering support, helping her navigate and heal from her past traumas. Her resilience is evident in her ability to maintain a positive outlook despite significant challenges.

Impact of Social Media

Morgan addresses the dual-edged nature of social media in her life. Initially terrified of sharing her personal struggles online, she discovered that vulnerability could inspire and help others: “I didn't know that sharing my story would have that effect” (45:14). While she acknowledges the negative aspects, such as cyberbullying and unrealistic comparisons, Morgan has learned to curate her online presence authentically. “I post pictures and I don't even edit a single photo... it's just real and raw” (49:12).

Battle Camp Experience

Morgan participated in Battle Camp, a competitive reality show, where she found both challenges and camaraderie. She highlights her least favorite moment as being forced to eat bugs but cherished her time meeting fellow cast members, particularly forming strong friendships with Shubi, QT, Kyle, and Nick. “I became best friends” (55:42). This experience underscored the importance of teamwork and personal growth, further cementing her resilience and adaptability.

Lemon Seven: Rapid Fire Reflections

In the final segment, Morgan answers seven rapid-fire questions, providing deeper insights into her personality and coping mechanisms:

1. Movie or Song Title Describing Mental Health Today: The Life by Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana. “This is a lot. But that's us right now. We're like, yeah, living it” (57:47).

2. Openness About Struggles: “Not very open at all. I have a very small group of people I feel comfortable telling anything to” (58:02).

3. Top Three Social Media Accounts to Follow: Kylie Mae, Christy Howard, and Starbucks. Morgan values authenticity and relatability in her choices.

4. Favorite Form of Self-Care: “Hibernating” – shutting down from all digital and social activities to reset mentally.

5. Most Misunderstood Thing: Her actual age and continued passion for cheerleading despite perceptions.

6. Most Positive Impact on Mental Health: Her grandparents and husband, who have been pillars of support throughout her life.

7. Moment to Revisit and Advice to Younger Self: She would tell her younger self that “it's gonna be good” and encourage her to share her story to inspire others (62:13).

Conclusion

Morgan Simianer's episode on The Squeeze is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of supportive relationships, and the impact of sharing one's story. Her candid discussions offer listeners both inspiration and practical insights into managing mental health, embracing vulnerability, and pursuing passions despite obstacles. Morgan’s journey exemplifies how confronting and overcoming personal challenges can lead to profound personal growth and the ability to positively influence others.

Notable Quotes

• “Everything that I went through growing up made me who I am today.” – Morgan Simianer (17:16)

• “Our first date ended up being like 17, 18 hours long... We've been together every single day since then.” – Morgan Simianer (08:38)

• “I just feel like learning through it and taking it and not using it as a negative.” – Morgan Simianer (36:06)

• “I didn't know that sharing my story would have that effect.” – Morgan Simianer (45:14)

• “This is a lot. But that's us right now. We're like, yeah, living it.” – Morgan Simianer (57:47)

Timestamp References

• Early Life and Upbringing: 17:16
• Marriage Story: 08:38, 12:23
• Cheerleading Journey: 07:34, 40:05
• Mental Health and Resilience: 36:06, 36:20
• Social Media Impact: 45:14, 49:12
• Battle Camp Experience: 55:42
• Lemon Seven Segment: 57:47, 58:02, 60:15, 62:13

Note: Advertisements and sponsor segments have been excluded to focus solely on the content of the conversation between Taylor Lautner and Morgan Simianer.