Bad Dates and Special Forces (feat. Hannah Brown) 54:27

Welcome back to this week's episode of Unlocked. I am really excited because we have Hannah Brown on. Welcome. Hi. Okay, so I feel like we know each other. But we don't really, but I feel like we do too. We just like picked up like, hey, so what's going on with your toes? What's going on? Okay, did you find the same person in Atlanta? Like, I love it. Yeah. So first off, I walk in today. I was like five minutes late. And the reason being is because, like we said, I'm not a fan of the

just had to get four new tires on my car. My car wouldn't start. I had to go replace a key battery by myself. It was a day. I mean, I'm really impressed by it all though. You know, like, well, when you were in like your single era, you got it. You got to figure it out. You got to figure it out by yourself. Yeah. Like it's kind of empowering. Like you changed the, your key fob today. I did. You too. Thank goodness for you too. Thank God. I mean, that's one thing, even though

I am engaged Adam is not the most like um handy he's not the most handy and I my dad's like super handy so I was always used to people doing stuff for me and he'll try but I'm like I know I'm gonna let's just YouTube it together let's do it together so now we just YouTube together yeah yeah so I still have to I still you know still feel independent I'm usually the one that's like

It's so funny. Does he get like upset when you say he's not handy? Oh my gosh. Okay. So when I was engaged to Nick, like we were together five years, but he would always try to do stuff. And I'm like, Nick, you are not handy. Like the amount of time you spent doing all this for us to still then have to call someone to come and fix it.

Yeah. Like, come on. Yeah. I mean, I, I think we should just learn together, but he's just not really, he'll put things off because I think he just knows he's not that good at it. And he's like, hopefully she won't remember that I asked to like do something. I'm like, trust me. I remember. Yeah, exactly. So then, yeah, we ended up having to like find somebody, but he's,

He's into it. It's one of the things I actually talked about this in therapy. Like I, I somehow have related like, um, doing projects around the house with like safety and like love in some way, but like, that's not his thing. Well, it's because that's what your dad did. Yes. But that's not his thing. Yeah. And having to learn that that's like, okay. But then also for him to realize that is, that is why I want to do it so much. Yeah. It's like,

I think that's going to connect us. He's like, no, it actually just drives me crazy and it's not my thing. So we're trying to find other things that we can do together. We take dance classes together. That's awesome. And we'll just have to pay somebody else. To fix things. We'll do the cha-cha while they're like fixing all the things in the house. That's amazing. Okay. So obviously for people, some people may know you from like Bachelor, Bachelorette and

And you did do pageants though. I feel like we may have like run into each other with that at one point. I feel, I was, I knew of you doing pageants at that point. Well, we both, no, cause you're in Tennessee. I was 2016. And I was 2018. But it's like a small circle, I feel like, of people kind of, you know, when like people are like, when the Miss Tennessee pageant's coming out. So like, it's a whole little circuit. It is. It is. And then you went on,

Did you go on The Bachelor first? Yeah, you went on The Bachelor first. Okay. And that was Colton's season. Yeah. Like I was still Miss Alabama USA when I went on the show. That is crazy. So it was, yeah. So I went straight from doing Miss USA like a few months later, was on The Bachelor and then everything else followed. Okay. So on The Bachelor, I had Colton on my podcast. Okay.

- Wait, yeah, 'cause y'all like went on a date or something. - Yes, we did. - That is hilarious. - We did, he was the bachelor and I knew he was gay. I literally, like, and I say this now for people that haven't listened to that podcast, go back and listen to it because it was the most playful, fun podcast like ever. So anything I say about him being gay, like we talked about it, we joked about it, love him to death. I told him, I was like, "Colton, he went with me to the ACM Awards.

And I just, from like the moment I, like we met, I was like, okay. Yeah. It was like, and so that night I was like, you know, my make, one of my makeup artists and like best friends, Emily was with me and Emily Jemison. Do you know her? She was like big in the pageant world for a little while. I'll have to see like a picture. I'm way better with like face recognition. I'm kind of the same way. So Emily was with me and Emily,

I finally was just like, you know what? After the ACM Awards, I was like, I'm really not feeling good. I'm so sorry. You ditched him?

I gotta go to my room and I went to another hotel and hung out with all my friends. - Oh my gosh. - And ditched him and left him with her. - How did you even meet him? - I think like social media or something. - Because he's really cute. - He is, exactly. - He was like the all American dream. - Yes. - It was like, oh my gosh. I'm like, okay. He obviously has a background in sports. He's a philanthropist. He's really cute. He just seemed, I was like, I wanna be with this guy. - Yeah. - But it is funny.

I had the first date with him on our season. And because the first night, I mean, you're not really getting to know the person at all. Like it's you get like you're up to the wee hours of the morning and you get 10 minutes. Yeah. Like I didn't know too much then, but I did think he was he was different than I expected. But yeah.

On the first day, and I joked, I had him on my podcast as well. And we joked about it because like, it all made sense. But also you're like, I'm on the show. Like, I'm not going to question somebody's sexuality when he is the bachelor. Like he's here to like, find love with women. Okay. But I was like, I don't know if you remember this Colton, but we were in a hot tub in like, in the middle of nowhere, which is just typical bachelor. Yeah.

But we were getting out of the hot tub. I remember like this is just like my first time to be like, what's up? We they were like, OK, go to your separate like to have your separate interviews, ITMs. And I was like getting out and we obviously were barefoot and I step up and he goes, wait, I need shoes. I just got a pedicure yesterday. And I was like, what?

pedicure too colt and i was like if i can if i can walk a few feet so can you and he was like no i'm like okay that is so it's so funny but i'm thinking you know i've only met known this guy literally two days and all i have from him is like super like

football player, like macho, not like what I thought. And of course, these are all stereotypes. But it was just really funny. I was like, huh. And then later on the night, you know, we get dressed up for dinner. And I'm wearing some cute, I'm wearing like some shoes. And he was like, Oh, my gosh, are those Stuart Wiseman? And I was like, Yes, they are. I did. He's like, I love their boots. And I'm like, me too. And then I'm like, wait, this is not the conversation. I thought it was just

she having right now? That is so Colton. They told us they were like yeah he's really and like whoever's with Colton like he loves to shop and I'm like well I love to shop like this will be great but it was just so funny it's like all these things like

now have more of a context of why. But I told him too, I'm like, I kind of like you better gay. Like, this is so fun. Like, I could never date you, but like, I love your, you could be my gay best friend. Yeah. But it's so cool to see somebody kind of just living more like their authentic life and seeing that. And obviously, you know, like with being on TV shows, like he also, he was also like a role, there was a role that he was playing. That's what I say is it's so hard because I,

He was already confused, conflicted, just trying to figure out who he was. And that's what I say, like being on TV for 10 years,

there's a role you have to play that someone puts you in and you don't really get to decide like if that's your role or not so i had that on that like other level of like how my relationship with him was and how i knew him so when i got to i've seen him like a few times since all that and him you know now that he's married and it's just like so cool to like have really genuine conversations with somebody when like you see that they're like authentically

for the first time in a long time being able to be themselves and how they show up. So exactly. It's cool. But I think that is funny. It was really funny because he looked at me and he was like, girl, I would have ditched me. I was like, yeah, I wouldn't hang out with like all my friends at another hotel. I had a blast. That is so funny. Yeah, it was absolutely hysterical. And I remember Emily, I was like, he's gay. And Emily was like, she got onto me. She was like, stop assuming things like, no, he's not whatever.

It was just hysterical because the moment like the first article hit that he was gay. I knew it. I sent it to her and I was like, I told you so. This episode of Unlocked is brought to you by BetterHelp. You guys know I've spoken about BetterHelp time and time and time again. And that's because I am a friend.

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So I guess when I ditched Colton at the hotel, my parents were there too. But like I said, we were in Vegas. I was like, peace out, going to hang out.

remember i was like i went and hung out with like jake owen like all these musicians like we just had the best time you ditched him in his hotel room yes i ditched him in his hotel room and emily wanted to kill me and my dad was like colton you know i'm so sorry like i just don't think my daughter's ready for a guy like you and colton goes sir let me tell you i don't think i'm ready for i don't think i'm ready for your daughter but it's all like when it came out all the girls were like

checks out like in a way like we all made out with them for sure like all over like I think I'll marry him you know we're thinking that at the time and then we're all like yep like makes sense this makes sense do you remember where you were when you like heard it first

I was at my parents' house. I'm pretty sure I was with my parents and I was like, cold as I'd be on good morning America. Like, what is this going to like, what is he going on here to talk about? But I said, I remember going, I bet he's going to say he's gay. So like, I knew, I knew it. But then I'm like, if there's just been enough time. And actually when I was on, when I was the bachelorette, I had, we had conversations with obviously the producers, but they were in the same thing of like,

No, he's like with somebody. Like there was always like a question. Yeah, for sure. Just like there was like a, like, I don't know how you can pick up that. Like, I guess a gaydar is a real thing. But look, my parents have cosmetology schools. Okay. So I always grew up with like all different kinds of kinds around me. And I like have always like, I just love cosmetology.

I love the gay men in my life. I love the gay men in my life. - Me too. - And so like, I like always feel like I'm like attracted. That's who I want to hang out with. So, I mean, yeah, it's just funny, but yeah. - So then Bachelorette. - Yeah. - How was that experience?

I mean, I'm so grateful for it. I really am. And I always have to say that. I mean, and I genuinely mean that, but it was tough. Like being a contestant when people like will come to you, like when maybe they've been, um, they're auditioning or has been, have been, uh, approached in some way. I'm like being a contestant on the bachelor was so fun. Like it just was, uh, that was, um,

The first time I had really gotten the opportunity to travel in my life. And I really had never done therapy. Nobody really asked me about my life before, which, you know, we've worked on that, that maybe that wasn't the best, the safest place to be like, oh, yeah, I'm going to trust you and tell you my whole life story. Yeah. But it felt like I love that. It made me really like.

get to know myself in a really cool way. And so it was fun. I'm like all these different girls that you get to meet. And then of course, like you're,

in this supercharged relationship that just ultimately, whether it works out or not, you learn a lot about yourself. So fun. Being the bachelorette is really hard because it's a job. Yeah. And I don't think people really realize that, or even sometimes the, the, the contestants or the people, it's contestants. Yeah. Like the other, like the men for, for my experience that were on there, like there's still a role that you're playing. And I had a hard time because I,

I say like I was just coming into myself and to really being able to show up in a, in that more authentic way. And I got a lot of that from being on. Cause you have to take that barrier down. You just have to show up completely bare and ready to take it on. And then be able to have some of the most intimate, like some of the most intimate parts of our life is our relationships then on display for millions of people. And I really struggled with,

Like people thought of me as like this like confident badass that like, you know, I think people like really liked that about me in parts of my season, but I was really like insecure about, I didn't really fit the mold of what the bachelor had been in the past. Like I'm kind of goofy and weird and say things like,

That are silly and don't always like come out perfectly. And what I'd seen, I was like, I don't know if I like really fit this. And then one thing that people don't realize too sometimes is like the cast of the show is picked out before they know who the lead is. So these guys. Which is crazy. So these guys don't really know who they're going there for. I know that you get asked like,

you know, who would you want to be? Um, who do you want to date? Like they get asked that, but they don't really know. So that really got into my head. Like once I became the bachelor, I'm like, Oh my gosh, these guys might be really disappointed. It's me. I had a lot that I was like working through on my own. And then, um,

It's just an exhausting experience. Emotionally, physically, all the things. I had bronchitis for five weeks. I ended up in the hospital and I have to still go to the next day. Like it was really, really like physically tough. And then, yeah, emotionally you're cut off from like everyone who actually like knows you to be like, give you advice. And these really like these big life decisions. Yeah. And so it was tough.

Really tough, but also I'm so grateful for it. I really am. And how did your season end? I got engaged. I probably have, I'm interested to know where my short engagement like ends. Like where is it on the list of the shortest engagements ever in Bachelor? It could be number one. It could be number one. Yeah, I did get engaged. Really tough though. Who were you engaged to? Jed. Jed.

Okay. Okay. Yep. Got it. And, but I, I had a really, I had a hard time. I was really conflicted. I wasn't ready to make a decision to get engaged. Like I was still like, I still had feelings for like 30 guys. And I'm like, you, you don't really, like you literally have, even between like the last three guys, you like dump somebody. And then you got, you have two days to then get engaged, but you're going to have to dump somebody else in the same day you get engaged. That's wild. Which is not like,

How do you really show up for like a really hard decision or like, so it's to be like one of the best decisions. It's just a very injury. Has there ever been a time to where you kind of resented the show for taking such a special moment away? Look, I knew what I signed up for. I knew it was, I was, the goal is to get engaged at the end. I think there's depth. I think everyone that's been on that show, like ebbs and flows of like where you're, you're at with,

everything and and processing kind of what your experience was like I really am in a place where I'm so grateful for it because I learned so much about myself and I wouldn't be in the relationship I'm in now had I not had to go through probably some of that heartbreak and really like realizing you know why I made the decisions that I even made during that time um

So, yeah, there's there have been moments where I've had a harder time and I did like step away from the show a lot. I stepped away from everyone, though. That's kind of my I'm very avoidant. When I was really struggling after the show, like I close off like I I bought or started renting an apartment in L.A. I went home for like two days after all, just the mess of my season, like and then I

had a producer from the show find me a place to live and then I went straight back to LA like I didn't talk to like my family my friends I really just stayed to myself and it was a really hard season of my life because I just I didn't know who to trust I didn't trust myself there was a lot um that went into that but then like at the time I wasn't like resentful of the show because like that was all that was all you knew so like I was just hanging out with my producers and

I think there are some great people that are producers, but they also have a job. They, that's one thing I will never forget. My parents telling us like the moment you realize that they don't really care about you. Sure. They may say that they do, but like they need what they need. They need that footage. So they can tell you, they love you all they want, but their job comes first. And I don't, you don't,

I didn't fully know that. Being from the South and being, you just like, oh, I love you. I love you so much. Like you just expect the best out of everyone. Yeah, totally. And I also, like, I do think they're not bad people. And I do think they cared for me in that season. But there was always a motive that like, if it was my job too, I would be really good friends with them.

The leader, the people that are helping me put food on the table. Like it makes sense. Like I'm not. You don't hold. I don't hold. I genuinely don't. They had a family to feed to. But it's just the moment you've realized that it's a lot easier. Yes. Yes. So it has been such a process of healing and getting to the place where I can be like, I think for a while I could only see food.

i couldn't see anything because i was just so blinded blinded but then then saw all the bad and now i can really it's a cool place to be to be able to be like look that was their job i'm really grateful for x y and z though and um but that has been a process to get that what a process and then you went on special forces yes we both did special forces i want to know your experience on that okay so do you tell me if you feel the same

Well, I was just in such a crazy, like my parents had just left in January and then I left in like May or June and I didn't have, like my grandparents are older. So for me to, they're like in their seventies. So for me to leave. Yeah.

And go all the way across the world to do a show and not have a phone to like check on two kids and not like all of that was gave me so much anxiety. So I already had that. And then I was like, if they would like dangle some more money in my face, like I would have stayed till the end, but you don't get paid. So people don't realize like there is no winning prize at the end. No, it's like, so for me, I was like, yeah,

And mentally, I could have stayed if they would have said like, hey, there's a jackpot of half a million dollars at the end.

I would have let you beat me for that. Like, you know. I know. Well, that's, so when I first got there and I like saw the people that were there, I was like, what? Like, I'm a, I don't have, I'm not an Olympian. I'm not like an ex-athlete. Like, how am I going to do this? And you won. And I won, but I was freaking out. And I remember like the last phone call I had with my fiance, Adam. He was like, look, you got to think of it like,

every day you stay, you're actually getting a pay cut. You're right. So it was like, so if you don't, if you just need to tap out the first day, you're actually doing better. I was like this, that's good. But for me, like,

I can totally see why you were like, oh, this ready to leave when you left. You had a lot of responsibility that like, I can't, I don't know what I would do if I was in that same situation with everything going on. And it's really tough. And you're like. The lack of food. Dude, when they handed me basically like chicken and water, I was like. Did y'all have the oatmeal that tasted like.

- All of it, all of it. I was like, I'm gagging. And then like, they didn't give me my medication that I needed. They like withheld it knowing that I had been like, I need this, I need this. That's why I puked going down the dam. - Was it because of the medication stuff?

give it to me. So my acid reflux was so bad. And literally like, that was the best shot though. That was hilarious. I literally said to, as I landed, I said, these assholes are going to use that for a promo. And they did. And Robert, or I'll never forget like the seven foot something guy is like, Oh, she's puking. And I was like, yep, I did.

- So yeah, it was such a cool experience though. Like I'm, are you grateful you did it? - I am very grateful I did it. I wish they would do like a season of people from all different seasons, you know? Like do kind of like a redo from people. - Would you do it? - I would do it wholeheartedly. Like just do a redo of people from all different seasons, kind of like a reunion type show. I would love that. I would do it all over again.

I honestly, and I wish I was in your environment. Cause you were in hot. I couldn't have done the cold. Oh. And we were like getting in that lake that they carved out a hole in. And then you have to put on like you're wet.

I don't do well with the cold. And no, like you had to have wet boots, wet socks. I was like, I'm freezing. The moment my nipples start hurting, I am out. I am out. I would be such a baby. Like I hate the cold here in Nashville. I'm like, this is too much for me.

I would not be okay. But I also have, I never say it right over nods where I don't get circulation in my hands and my feet. So like I legitimately couldn't do it. I don't think like my extremities would have fallen off, I think. So that sucks for y'all, but it's just totally different. Like the heat was horrible. Cause you're like in 124 degree heat at all times. Like there was sweat coming off my fingertips. Oh, like,

just it was disgusting but I also was on a medication that was making me sweat even more so that's why I was sweating from it like I've never had to like wring my hands out and like water's coming off your hands I was like nobody touched me no one touched me I'm so gross who would you say was your favorite person from your season of special forces

- I mean, the person that like made me laugh the most and I think you need that was Mel B. - Okay. - I love her so much. And also Dwight Howard. Like they just, Dwight sometimes got us in trouble though. - He was hilarious. - So I would be like, "Don't get me in trouble. I can't do anymore. I cannot run anymore." - Don't get me in trouble. And then who would you say was the least pleasant person?

had a good experience with everyone I will say that and I don't even say at least pleasant but for me um because he was Mike I love Piazza do I never say his who is that uh is that it Piazza I never he was a like legend legendary baseball player okay I love him so much like we're all really close

But he would drive me crazy. And it was, he would always be like, all right, guys, let's do this. We can do this. All right, everybody, everybody. And he would get so stressed, but everybody calm down. And I was like, Mike. And he'd be like, oh my gosh, you and my wife can have so much to talk about. She's always getting on to me. I'm like, God bless your wife. Like we just got, we would get like,

He knew, but I love him so much. Yeah, I know. I look at my season and... Yeah, who for you? Okay, JoJo Siwa. Love her to death. I do too, yeah. But the whole time I'm like, dude, do you ever stop smiling? Like, why are you sitting here acting like we're at the four seasons and we've got five star meals and we're just being treated great? Like, she was just always... It was like she had like...

I don't even know. What is wrong with you? Literally. And like, she was always just like on it. I was like, you're amazing. But we're on different levels right now. I need you to like, take it down just one notch. Yes. 100%. And then my season was such a season of just like so many crazy different people. Who was? Dude, Tom. The show. They caught me. Like, they caught me being like,

what the hell are you doing, Tom? Like, and at night it was, I didn't even know. Everyone just wants to sleep. It is. It is crazy how close you get to these like really random people. You're like, how am I shitting next to Jojo Siwa and Tom Scandival? I don't even know what it is. Is that how you say his real name? No, Sandival. They call him Scandival because of all the scandals. Okay. So Sandival, like you're like, how is this?

How is this my life right now? Literally. No, yeah. Tom would like during the show, like at night, he put on the headlamp. All the lights are out. And he goes to the med thing and starts wrapping his fingers. Finally said, Tom, let's stop with the damn arts and crafts. Like enough. Enough.

Oh my God. It was wild. And then they would like keep the fire going and you'd be like sweating in there. And I was like, guys, and then I had Robert Ori right next to me, sweetest human being ever, like NBA hall of famer legend. He's like seven something feet tall. So obviously he didn't even fit on the cot and

Every time he would move, it would just creak. And I was like... The first night, I didn't sleep at all. Yeah. Because of your... There's like, you know, 16 people in there. And one guy was freaking... I don't even know... I still don't know who was snoring, but there was somebody snoring. And the cot is...

And did they give you the little, we had a sand pillow because it was literally just dirt was all over it. This tiny little pillow. Yep. We would have to roll up like our clothes and stuff. It was horrible. But we're also sweating to death. I'm walking around basically naked in front of everybody. Cause I'm like, I, I'm hot. I'm, I'm, I've sweat through my clothes already 14 times today and I just can't do this anymore. But like, it was, it was hell. It was. It was hell. Who was the girl that was on American Pie?

Oh gosh, bless her heart. What was her name? Tara. No. Tara. Tara Reed. Tara Reed. First off, she smuggled in so many cigarettes. So many packs of cigarettes. I'm like, how do you even do that with the size of your body? Like, and then she snored so loud out of anyone. And we're all like, how the hell does that come from her body? And one night we're laying in bed. It is dead silent, right? Dead silent. And she goes,

Some of us use the same lawyer. Like what? Like where does that come from? Like it's like you're asleep. Yeah. Like what? We all were like, what just happened? Like that whole show. And then it was funny because I,

at one point like like you said you're like going and shitting next to people you're like what and they always made us could you go no it was horrible yeah i it was awful and they made us have a partner every time we left and so of course you know tyler cameron was my partner oh no and i'm like you're fine yeah and i'm like okay um

this is uh so you're telling me i'd like going shit in front of tyler cameron or like and then we like had to go take showers and so like tyler was my partner and i'm over here like like you know with my back towards him but then i'm like looking over my head and i'm like oh well not bad yeah so that whole thing was just and now you're on his new show right yes how did that come about

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Yeah, his show just launched. But we, this is a, gosh, we shot this last year. And yeah, he called me and

and asked if I wanted to be a part of the show, which was interesting 'cause like we hadn't talked in a while. - Yeah, 'cause I mean you did date. I don't wanna, yeah, like a little bit, right? - Yeah, I mean, we had a very complicated relationship. - That's what I was, yeah. - It's like, did we, I don't know. - 'Cause there was so much trauma. - There was so much trauma. - And I feel like it's so easy to trauma bond. Like whether it was- - We definitely- - You were in your era, he was in his, his mom, Pat, like there was a lot, I feel like. - There was a lot, totally.

It was, yeah, a hard season for both of us. But yeah, there's a lot of... So this was after you guys like dated or hung out or the show filmed after that? Or what did it film before that? This show that, his show? Yeah. Oh, yeah. This is, we, I mean, I hadn't, I've been with my fiance for...

three years. So it's been a while. I mean, I feel like the pandemic threw everything off. Totally. So yeah, it was like, it was a time warp for sure. But in that time warp, I met my fiance and we've been together for like three years now. So, um,

Yeah, us joining back to this project together. It was fun. Like, so much time has passed. Like, I have fully moved on and he has too. So, and we both have, like, he is in construction. I actually...

did interior decorating before bachelor bachelorette so it was fun to be able to do that that's awesome in this way so it was great and hey hanging out in florida for a few days is always nice i mean i love the sunshine and and being there so it was really fun um

Yeah, well, I think we both just try to support each other. And that's awesome. Yeah, for you. Like, relationships are tough. Yeah, but you know, you've truly lived in an adult relationship when you can like, come back around and either like, apologize for faults or apologize, whatever it may be. Yeah. And like, you can still

be friendly to each other yeah totally so and so how did you meet adam so we met on a dating app okay well whatever dating app you met on i'm telling you dating apps have paid for weddings before hey i would love that we are a beautiful love story i will say um that is wild that it actually like well i mean i say you it's wild i mean i met my boyfriend on instagram so it's yeah it's kind of the same thing yeah um i mean heck i went on a i

- Let me ask you. - Yeah. - How did you just come off the Bachelorette, like, you know, a few years and you're like, oh, I can go on a dating app, like a normal dating app. - Yeah, I... - Like, did people actually believe it was you? - There was a lot of people that were like, wait, yeah. I mean, all the messages are quite interesting. I wasn't on it for long though. Like I met, I got very lucky with like the dating scene using the app because I met Adam very quickly.

But I was, I'm trying to think of how I can say this. Oh, God. So I was just like finally done with some, I'm trying to think of how to say this. This is amazing. I don't know. I was, I had gotten stood up, basically. Just?

And I, after just going, like, it was a very interesting relationship, whatever it was. And I was finally like, my friend came to me and was like, she actually came to me where I got stood up and she was like, all right, we're done with this. And I was like, I think we're done with this too. Yeah. And, um,

She was like, she had just broken up with her boyfriend and they had booked a trip to Cabo, but obviously he wasn't going to Cabo anymore. She's like, I'm booking you a flight to Cabo. You're coming with me and we're just setting you up on a dating app right now. So this dating app, normal dating app, so you can just sign up for it. And she made me a profile and was like, this will just be fun. Yeah. Do it. And like, yeah, you're going to get some of these things, but I think it'll just be good to get your mind off of it and just start dating.

So it was fun because I had her and then I was like, well, I'm going to make content out of this. Like, this is going to be great. I started making YouTube videos going on. Like, I only got to go on like three dates. I was mad when I met Adam because I was like, this is freaking good content. Because I would like prep. I would like talk about the date while I was getting ready. I would go into the bathroom on the date with the guy. No, you would not. And I would video. I would like recap everything that was happening. Sometimes pull my phone out while we were doing stuff. That is so weird.

It was great. I only got like two videos. I say that all the time though, because some of the people you meet, like there was a guy I met on there and I call him like Mr. Wall street. Cause he is a big wall street guy. Um,

Um, and then there was like another guy who said he was a restaurant owner. Really? He was like the assistant manager. Uh, no, no, and no shade there, but don't lie to me and tell me that you own a restaurant and really you're an assistant manager. And like some of these stories were wild. I was like, how does this even happen? And then one guy messaged me and was like, you look like

You were the, you could, he said, you look like you could either be the sweetest person in the world or an absolute nightmare. Would love to see what it is. And I was like, what? Say back to that. I didn't respond. That's hilarious. I was like, this is like, what? Yeah. So, okay. So when did you, so you and Adam, your first date. Yeah. You were, you were pissed off. I was just like, yeah. So anyway, I started this thing.

the whole thing and I saw Adam's profile come up and I was actually the one that liked it first so ladies like you you gotta just like it go go like exactly I messaged my guy first yes yeah and I just liked the photo but he messaged right back and it was it's really sweet so obviously we're on the standing out like people from all over you know are on there but

I saw his profile, his pictures, and one of them was on a street. He was on a skateboard that...

I had a picture on my profile, like on a bike biking. That's crazy. And it was actually the street that I lived on. So I liked that picture because I was like, okay, like if he talks back, I can say something about this. And his response back was, hey, you're in my hood. Because like my neighborhood or something, because the picture that he responded back to was me on the bike. And I was like,

Wait, that's the street I live on. We lived three doors down from each other. You are lying. It was crazy. That is crazy. So it's like... That is awesome. Yeah, so it was fun. And then he immediately... We didn't do the whole back and forth for a long time. I don't have time for that. Like, ask me on a date or...

I'm not having another... I'm not being pen pals. Yeah. Wait, I don't even answer my texts anyway. Like, I'm not going to answer messages on this dating app. So, so great. But I still, like, I was in a season, like, I signed up for this app to get, like, fully move on from... Yeah. Like, past stuff. And so...

I just wasn't taking it that serious. I was like, this is great content. But then we set up to meet at drinks at, like, a local place. Okay. Because we lived close to each other. And I rode my bike there. I had, like, no makeup on. I wore a beanie and a sweatshirt. Like, I just didn't care. And, like, he looked cute on his profile. But, like, when I saw him in person, I remember I saw him, like, through, like, the fit. And I was like, oh, shit. And I remember I take off my beanie and I, like, pull up my phone. I'm like, oh, my God.

And I was like, cool. I was already, I'd pushed, I changed the time. I had changed the time like three times and asked to push it up earlier and then was like late for it.

and sounds related i was like oh my gosh and i walk in and he even like says he's like you were just like so frantic but he has the most calming energy and he just like seemed amused by me but it's like in a sweet way that like yeah i feel like robert's like the same way he like the world could be falling apart and he's like as calm as can be and i'm over here like no let's do this let's do it and then he was just like smiling at me like what

Like what did, what did I just bring into my life? I'm a little scared, but like, I like it. And yeah, we had a great first date and I, my other like tip for girls, like all the dating app, like don't do not agree to dinner. No. You agree to a drink. Yes. That can turn into dinner. Yes. And we did a drink. I made,

You made that mistake. Mistake. One time, and I made one of my friends call me and say there was an emergency. And I got the heck out of it. I sat down. I was only there for 30 minutes. You're like, this is not going to work. This was with the restaurant owner that ended up being a restaurant assistant manager. That, yeah. I was like, nope. Can't do this. So your story is wild. You go from bachelor to bachelorette to special forces to everything.

now you're dating out content to meeting Adam, to being engaged. And now you've not only do you have your podcast, but now you've like turned into a freaking awesome author. I'm in my author era and it's really fun. Yeah. I love it. You love it. And that's one thing. It's like, you have to love what you're doing. And I really do. I've always, I've always been an avid reader, but, and I've always liked to like write for myself, but yeah,

All these things that I've done that we've talked about, like I couldn't have

I dreamt up or been like, oh, I'm going to do this, this and this. I never knew I was going to have the opportunities to do all the things that I've gotten to do. But I've always like not so secret dream, but like my mom knew like I would want to write a novel one day, even like writing a book about my life. I've done that. Like, I know anybody would want to read about my life. This is like been like the first like real dream come true that I've had. And it's been it was such an amazing process.

process takes a lot of time but it's fun and it allows me to really tap into this other creative side of myself and you can kind of take because what's your book title it's called mistakes we never made and so did you find yourself with that book are there pieces within the book that

that are your life that you maybe didn't have the chance to, or the security to be like, hey, this is what happened to me. And now you're kind of telling it through the lens of someone else, like it's their life? A little bit. So,

I feel like, you know, this like, yeah, people have seen parts of me. People have seen parts of you on TV and they just think it's this this one person. And my book, I was able to like really be like, no, this is actually all that's happened in my life. And so I really got that like full like truth. This is my story. But with this book, when it comes like the main character and actually there's a group of.

best girlfriends in this book. It's a love story, of course, between the main character, Emma, and Finn, but it's also a love story about this friendship, the core four. And each of the girls in the core four is kind of a part of me that is more or less, would be me if I was more or less in these certain characteristics that I have. And so Emma is the main character, and she's kind of more the person that feels like she has to have everything together. Mm-hmm.

that she needs to find some control, that kind of that like quintessential like type A person, which I feel like I definitely was in my past more than I'm really experiencing that now. But like doing pageants and just like my childhood, there was a reason I was that way. And I kind of get to...

tell the story of Emma and why she was the way that she was in this beautiful, like love story, but also like a journey of her having to come to terms of like, why do I feel the need to intervene in this way? Cause in the, in the book, her best friend is a runaway bride leaves. And she's like, I have to save her from making this horrible mistake and her and kind of like

It's kind of the enemies to lovers book like Finn have had a lot of like almost in their life and made mess that she calls mistakes. Also to fan is like on my list of baby names. It's the best name I know. And he's he's he's he's lovable. But there's also like, he's a doofus and a boy who doesn't know how to communicate. And they've had a lot of these these moments.

um, in the past. And so she's like going on this love story with him to see if they can like take the risk for love. But also she's having to like dive into her past and like really come to terms with why does she feel the need to fix, fix. And, and so it was really cool. And there, there's a part of me that like, why did I feel the need to, to be these certain ways? So like, she is not me. She has a full story, but there, she is a part of me and a lot of the feelings and thoughts. And,

are, are from my own head and things that I struggle with. I love that. This is going to be, I feel like the most relatable book to a lot of young females. That's important to me. A romance novel, it's an escape for a lot of people and we want it to be quick. We want to read it by the pool. Um, we want, you know, a little bit of the steamy, just like the, just romance, just

It's all there, but it was really important for me to have that character depth that people could really relate to and see themselves in Emma. So I hope that it is also...

relatable and also just like a fun fast read. So mistakes we never made drops today, which is so exciting. So exciting. Well, thank you so much for coming on. I feel like I could talk to you forever. I seriously was like, oh my gosh, we just started. I know. We just need to like actually have a proper catch up. We do because you live like 10 minutes down the road from me. So we're getting together, but thank you for coming on. This was so fun. Thanks for having me.

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On September 12, 1995, 12-year-old McKay Everett disappeared from his home in Conroe, Texas.

It was a crime that shocked the community because the suspect was so unlikely, so unexpected. Former high-ranking police official, he'd run for sheriff at one point. Law enforcement personnel were pretty much split down the middle over whether or not he actually did this. And to this day, McKay's mother, Paulette, still feels that justice was never truly served. I've asked myself so many times, what in the world happened?

Ransom is available now. Listen at ransompodcast.com or wherever you get your podcasts.