Episode 75: The Wayback #75 | Fiona Collie

Release Date: June 5, 2025
Host: Ryan Sickler
Guest: Fiona Collie
Podcast: The Wayback with Ryan Sickler

Introduction

In Episode 75 of "The Wayback with Ryan Sickler," Ryan welcomes Fiona Collie, a vibrant and resilient individual who shares her compelling journey growing up in Franklin, Tennessee. The conversation navigates through Fiona's early responsibilities, family dynamics, high school experiences, personal struggles, and her pursuit of creative passions. This episode offers listeners an intimate look into Fiona's life, highlighting her perseverance and humor in the face of adversity.

Early Life and Family Dynamics

Growing Up in Franklin, Tennessee

Fiona Collie was born and raised in Franklin, an affluent area in Tennessee. Despite the outward appearance of wealth, Fiona recounts how her mother portrayed the family as financially struggling. Living in a historic home, Fiona couldn't comprehend that the old house symbolized wealth, leading her to believe they were "broke as shit" until she turned 18.

Fiona Collie ([04:28]): "I thought we were broke as shit my entire life until I was 18."

Her early years were marked by significant family changes. When Fiona was nine, her father left the family, depleting her mother's bank accounts and leaving her mother to support three children. This upheaval forced Fiona into the workforce at a remarkably young age.

Early Work Experience

At just 11 years old, Fiona secured her first job at Ching's Asian Bistro. She managed to work there by not disclosing her true age, as Tennessee law typically requires workers to be at least 16.

Fiona Collie ([05:34]): "I didn't tell them how old I was. I've looked at least."

Fiona humorously describes her initial driving experience to commute to work, including a memorable traffic stop where she had to lie about stealing her mother's car.

Fiona Collie ([10:07]): "I was like, why am I being pulled over? He was like a Taylor. I was like, I'm two minutes from home."

Teenage Years: Challenges and Coping Mechanisms

Living with a Convict

During her high school years, Fiona's home environment was further complicated by the presence of a convict who moved in due to limited space at a local church's rehabilitation program. This individual often behaved inappropriately, creating an uncomfortable and unstable household atmosphere.

Fiona Collie ([12:22]): "I was like, can I help you? And he was like, you want to go have a beer? I'm 14. I was like, no, no."

High School Experiences

Fiona attended the Young Scholars Academy (YSA), a prestigious summer program for affluent students. At YSA, she took speech and improv classes, which sparked her love for humor and performance.

Fiona Collie ([17:31]): "I would take speech classes there. Improv and I forgot about all this. Yeah, I think that's when I learned I loved trying to be funny."

Substance Use and Rebellion

Fiona began experimenting with cigarettes at the age of 12, influenced by her sister. She also recounts sneaking out, smoking, and other rebellious behaviors as coping mechanisms for her challenging home life.

Fiona Collie ([14:24]): "I was like, why can't I walk at all when I'm high? Like, I just thought I was allergic to weed."

Creativity and Personal Growth

Finding Solace in Creativity

With limited access to traditional childhood activities, Fiona cultivated her creativity by engaging in unique hobbies. She spent hours climbing magnolia trees and meticulously cataloging the colors of passing cars, believing she was gathering important data.

Fiona Collie ([23:54]): "I was just quirky. If I did have autism, the wheelchair ended it because I'm not climbing trees anymore."

Middle Child Syndrome and Humor

As the middle child in a tumultuous family environment, Fiona often used humor to lighten serious situations, even when it sometimes got her into trouble.

Fiona Collie ([25:21]): "I always tried to kind of, like, add some levity to situations which I got in trouble for a lot. Like, I was never serious enough."

Family Conflicts and Personal Struggles

Parental Tensions and Name Change

Fiona's parents divorced when she was nine, and the relationship between her parents remained tense. Her mother’s obsession with maintaining a thin physique contributed to a restrictive and often unsupportive household environment. Fiona legally changed her first name from Lauren to Fiona at age 18, a name her mother had wanted since Fiona's birth but was initially blocked by her father.

Fiona Collie ([18:18]): "I started going by Fiona. And I legally changed it on my 18th birthday."

Sister’s Influence and Symbolic Punishment

Fiona shares a poignant story about her older sister, who was battling addiction and, at age 12, tattooed a heart on Fiona’s bikini line as a form of punishment. This event left a lasting physical and emotional mark on Fiona, who later covered the tattoo with a floral design.

Fiona Collie ([32:08]): "I've had a tattoo since I was 12."

Overcoming Adversity and Moving Forward

Despite the numerous challenges Fiona faced during her upbringing, she emerged with a strong sense of self and a passion for creative expression. Her experiences instilled in her a resilience and a unique perspective that she channels into her work and personal projects.

Current Endeavors

Fiona promotes her new podcast, "Ramping Up with Fiona Collie and Matt Taylor," and her upcoming tour, inviting listeners to follow her journey and support her creative ventures.

Fiona Collie ([35:24]): "Ramping up is the new podcast, Ramping up with Fiona Collie and Matt Taylor."

Notable Quotes

• Fiona Collie ([04:28]): "I thought we were broke as shit my entire life until I was 18."
• Fiona Collie ([09:11]): "I've been in a wheelchair because I ate Ching's Asian Bistro for years."
• Fiona Collie ([17:37]): "I forgot about all this. Yeah, I think that's when I learned I loved trying to be funny."
• Fiona Collie ([25:09]): "I was just quirky. If I did have autism, the wheelchair ended it because I'm not climbing trees anymore."
• Fiona Collie ([32:08]): "I've had a tattoo since I was 12."
• Fiona Collie ([35:24]): "Ramping up is the new podcast, Ramping up with Fiona Collie and Matt Taylor."

Conclusion

Episode 75 of "The Wayback with Ryan Sickler" provides an unfiltered and heartfelt narrative of Fiona Collie's life, highlighting her strength and determination in overcoming significant personal and familial challenges. Fiona's story is a testament to resilience and the power of creativity as a means of coping and self-expression. Her journey from a troubled youth to a creative professional serves as an inspiring example for listeners facing their own adversities.

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Episode 75, focusing on the most impactful and meaningful moments of Fiona Collie's story. The structured sections and notable quotes offer clarity and depth, making the content accessible and engaging for those who haven't listened to the episode.