June 5, 2025 • 28 mins
In this heartfelt and revealing episode, Whitney Leavitt opens up about growing up Mormon, keeping her identity while navigating motherhood, and her unexpected rise on TikTok. From growing up in a big family to studying dance and spending time in Africa, Whitney’s story is anything but ordinary. She dives deep into her journey on MomTok and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, sharing what it was like to be painted as the “villain,” how she handled public judgment, and the personal healing that followed. Most importantly, she shares how the experience helped her regain her voice — both as a creator and as a woman learning to stand in her truth. Whitney also reflects on marriage, self-worth, and what’s next in her life. Whether you're a fan of the show or curious about balancing faith, family, and fame, this episode is packed with authenticity and insight.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
What's up, guys. Welcome back to Post ran High. Today's
episode is one I have been really looking forward to.
I'm sitting down with Whitney Levitt. You may know her
from TikTok or from the Hulu series The Secret Lives
of Mormon Wives. Whitney has lived so much of her
life online, from building a massive platform as part of
the original Mom Talk Circle, to navigating public scrutiny, marriage, motherhood,
(00:26):
and now reality TV. In this conversation, we go deep.
We talked about what it was like growing up Mormon,
the rise and unraveling of Mom Talk, how it felt
watching herself back on screen, and what she carried into
season two. Before we dive in, I want to thank
you so much for tuning in. Your support means the
world to me. And if you're enjoying the show, please
leave us a review and share this episode with your friends.
(00:47):
It truly helps us grow and continue bringing you meaningful conversations.
All right, let's get our Post Run High going. Whitney
love it.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Welcome to Post Run High.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
How are you doing? I'm good. I I have my
Post run High right now.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
We did a little run Slash Hot Mom Walk and
I loved it same we walked around Dumbo, Brooklyn. I
loved showing you Dumbo.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Oh that was gorgeous. That was absolutely sunny. I also loved.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Finding out that you have a little bit of a
running background, a little bit.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
It's so tiny. It's connected to New York City, Yes
it is. And I told her. I told Connor, I
was like, if we were to do any marathon, like
this is it. So when the opportunity came and like, like,
we have to do it. I don't know if we
trained enough for it, but I'll never do it again.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Whitney ran the twenty twenty two New York City Marathon
with her husband Connor. I don't know if I'll do
it again. I much prefer to cheer is what I've realized.
And like, since I have done it, now I can
get to that mile twenty four cheer zone and be like,
you are so close, but I know it's gonna relay with.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Them, Yeah, yeah, you're with them. My feet, like my
toe now was dead, Like I thought that was just
like a myth. I was like, no, like my big
tone now fell off. Yeah, yeah, no, that happens. That
definitely happens. You had a baby seven months ago. You
look incredible. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Is working out a part of your life?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah, very much. So I used to not be a
workout girly, and I had a friend who just like
kind of inspired me to get into it. So I
count my macros. I've been absolutely loving that and I'll
lift plus two like I love Starmaster, I love twelve
three thirty Like those are my staples, my go tos.
(02:33):
Just like running was just like as you get older,
very very hard on my body.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
It is hard. No, I love twelve three thirty. Running
for me just like keeps me mentally sane. I just
need to move my body a little bit and then
I feel like I'm showing up better in work in life. Yeah,
tell us a little bit about your upbringing and what
your life was like growing up in Utah, and a
little bit about maybe your family dynamic.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
So I grew up in a big family, I would say,
and my mom was a foster mom, so we also
had a lot of foster kids live with us, Like
we had probably around like six to seven additional kids
in our home broke growing up, So that for me
it's different from my younger siblings. But for me. I
always had foster siblings like my whole upbringing, which I loved,
(03:16):
Like I feel like made me a more person that
I could literally get along with anyone. Doesn't mean I
like everyone, but I could get along with anyone and
relate with anyone. And also a little more outgoing, I
think too. And I grew up in orm Utah, that's
like the heart of Mormons. I feel like I went
(03:38):
to every school, like elementary, middle, high school, everyone was Mormon,
Like that's just what I knew, and I essentially kind
of grew up in that bubble, which looking back when
I was when I left high school, I always thought
that it was like I hated that, but I also
kind of loved that, Like ignorance is bliss, Like I
(03:59):
love kind of not knowing what the real world was like.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And it's really cool being able to grow up with
other people around you that have those shared values. Oh yeah,
and you grew up one of five, right, so yes,
within your immediate family as five kids, And then I
love knowing that your parents fostered I think that is
such a unique experience to grow up around that. Are
you still close with a lot of the kids that
were in your house.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
So the ones that were with us for probably five
plus years, absolutely like they're considered family. But it was
different for every kid that came in our home, Like
some would be like a couple of weeks, some would
be a few months, and then some were like I
literally was raised with them. So those ones that I
was basically raised with, Yeah, they're considered family.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Oh sure, your mom like.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Actually has to be a saint. She is. She is
super mom. She is amazing.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Yeah, not only raising five kids but then also opening
your home to all these other kids to come in
and you know, be with your family. That is so
so cool. They feel like a lot of people don't
know what it means to grow up Mormon, and I
think it's a religion that sparks like so much curiosity
as you like a lot of religions. Can you break
down what does it mean to grow up Mormon? Like
what are some of the values that you grow up having?
(05:06):
And then also what are some of the traditions that
you guys follow, I mean growing up.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
I would say it's a bit stricter. We have what's
called the Word of Wisdom, which is no coffee, no tattoos,
no recreational drugs, no alcohol, and just like going to church.
I went to church every Sunday, dressing modestly. I would
(05:32):
just say, those are things that I think you learn
in almost every religion, but growing up I felt was
a lot stricter than separating myself from that environment and
learning about other people. It's like, well, yeah, but like
we'd go to church maybe like once every six months
or something like. No, like it was every Sunday. And
even with that, I was going to like girls camps,
(05:55):
and I was involved in the Mormon community. Like it
was just it was life within the show.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
When we were watching season one of Secret Lives of
Mormon Wives, I know there were some people that were
more religious than others. So like, did you feel like
your social circle, like the people that you hung out
with were more devout or is it kind of a mix?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Gosh, it's just a mix. When people say like, oh,
you're more religious than this person, I don't view it
that way because I think like all of us have
a relationship with God. It is just as far as
like what's within the religion or the the guidelines. Some
of us just follow those guidelines a little bit more
(06:34):
than others. And I love those guidelines, and I want
to teach my kids those guidelines, whether they want to
follow them or not, you know, up to them. Yeah,
Like I don't drink alcohol, like and I love that.
I tried it once and I thought it was disgusting,
and like I don't get it, and I don't drink coffee,
but I that one, I just think is like whatever.
I also have tasted it and I didn't really like it,
but I mean, I love my caffeine. I think that
(06:56):
as far as being religious, think all of us have
a relationship with God in one way or another, or
any higher being or whatever you believe in. But as
far as like the guidelines that you live in the
Mormon religion or that you're taught in the more religion,
everybody lives it a little differently.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
What would you say are some things that people maybe
get misconstrued on social media about being Mormon?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
I think that like people think that, which is funny
because it's still like kind of true. It's just like
the trad wife, like the women stays home, does the cooking,
the cleaning, raises the children while the man goes out
and works. And it's like for my dynamic right now,
that's the complete opposite. Like I'm the one going out,
you know, making the money, providing for the family, and
Connors at home with the kids. But two years ago
(07:41):
it was the other way around. Like we've flip flopped,
so you know, I wouldn't say that that's always going
to be his role. And also he still has a
job actually, so I think that people think that, oh,
the wife has to do that, like that's like part
of the guidelines, and it's not at all, like I
think just culturally that's what it's been.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
And I do think that's a really cool thing that
your like fellow castmates do show, is you guys are
all such hard working women, and that must be a
cool thing too for people to even see within your
community that maybe are more like traditional the trad wife
types of moms. They must think it's so cool to
see you guys out there, like, you know, being the
breadwinners in your families, Like it's so empowering.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah, no, my mom loves it. She's so funny that too.
She's like, but Connor needs a job too, like you know,
which I understand. Like I think that being home with
the kids, you can lose a sense of yourself. So
like having something that still gives you yourself identity is
(08:38):
really important. I think that's why obviously why Connor still
has a job. But yeah, my parents are still a
little bit more traditional. Yeah, I mean that's totally fair. Yeah,
I mean duel income. Come on.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
And another part of being Mormon, right is like having
kids young?
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Is that true? I think it's like if that's not
like a guideline. Again, in the culture, I think it
just happens. I mean we talk about marriage. I mean
I talked about I learned about marriage when I was
like an elementary school, Like it was just what was
the next step into your life once you graduated high school,
(09:13):
It's like, okay, I'm looking for someone to marry, which
is crazy thinking in Mormon culture, I'm considered someone who
was married like older. But I don't even feel like
I was that old. I was twenty four when I
got married, which I'm like, that is so young. But yeah,
like my friends nineteen twenty twenty one, it's like past
twenty one. It's like, oh, year old, which is just
(09:35):
so crazy to me. But yeah, definitely in Utah, it's
like if you passed that threshold of twenty one, it's like, oh, she's.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Oh, so you went from high school to BYU, which
is where you met Connor. What was like your college
experience like at BYU? This is another type of university
that I feel like sparks a lot of curiosity. Right.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
So, I right after high school, I actually lived in
Africa for a little bit for four months. Then right
after that I went to be Au but I went
to BYU Hawaii and loved it there. That was my
worst semester I've ever done. And then from BA Hawaii,
I transferred to BYU Provo now BYAU Hawaii and py
(10:13):
you Provo are like night and day differences, yeah again,
but I was used to it. It was everyone's Mormon.
We all live by these rules. Okaya, what were you
doing in Africa? Let's start there. So I did it
with help International, and I feel like that was the
first time that I like left the bubble, which like
(10:34):
all places Africa, which is so funny.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Because I talked to Africa, but while I.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Was watching the Book of Mormon, because I went to Uganda.
So because have you seen the Book of More, I
haven't seen it yet. So it's about these missionaries who
get called to Uganda, Okay, And I just am sitting
I'm like, this is so funny because I literally grew
up in Utah and then I like left the bubble
going to Uganda Africa could totally relate to the whole show.
(10:59):
But just like even the people I did it with,
not everyone was Mormon. And I was like, wait, like,
it's just was so crazy to me to think that
I thought that just everyone was Mormon. Like it's beyond
me to look back and think that, but that's really
what I thought. And it was very eye opening and
I loved it. Anyways, I was there doing humanitarian work
and I absolutely loved it. And I missed a steps.
After being Hawaii, I went on a mission and then
(11:21):
I went to Boyo Provo and on my mission, I
was in Atlanta, Georgia.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
So the trip to Africa wasn't technically a mission, but
it was still like doing.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
It was it was humanitarian Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Yeah, and the missiluteer trips that you can do that, yes,
those are really cool.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Oh. I loved it.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
And then while you were at Uyu, what were you studying? Like,
what was the plan to do post college?
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Was studying dance? Okay? Oh?
Speaker 1 (11:42):
My God, that makes so much sense because.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
You're such a good dancer. Thank you. Yeah, I grew
up dancing my whole life. It's my outlet. So the
most like me when I dance, that's my high, that's
my running high is when I when I dance, I
did everything, but at BYU it's definitely more modern and
like contemporary.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
So you were a dance major, did you plan on
like graduating and being like a dance teacher, Like what
were you thinking post college?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Honestly, I thought I was gonna be a rocket, Like
that was the goal for me at the time. Cause again,
I just I've always loved the entertainment industry and I've
always wanted to get in acting, and I just like
didn't know the steps to get to that point because
it is such a competitive industry. Like I didn't even
know how to find like an agent, Like nobody like
talks about those things. It's and it's really hard, and
(12:27):
like mine just kind of happened naturally through social media.
But I did dance with a professional company in Utah
for a little bit after graduating, and then I got
married and had a baby, and that's like kind of
when I lost the sense of myself and then I
learned about TikTok. So I got onto TikTok right after.
(12:57):
I would say, like when my first her named Sedona
when she was six months old, and yeah, I think
just people got to kick out of me being a
mom and like shaking my ass on this platform.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah, Like I feel like I remember the early days
of you being on TikTok and your fun dance videos
with Connor and like I always loved also your like
pregnancy video, yes, and you were.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Just like having a good time.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Yeah, just having a good time.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, as much as it I think is an outlet
for other moms who were at home, like watching it
was an outlet for me. So I was creating these
tiktoks online and there were these three women. Their names
are Taylor, Miranda, and Camill. Camill is not a cast
member on the show. But those three women would get
together and they were moms. They'd make videos together and
(13:46):
then they started inviting other moms to go and dance
in that group. And I would always watch those videos
and be like, oh my god, like when am I
going to get the invite? Like, like how few do
I sign up? Because we were mutuals on social media,
and then Miranda invited me to one of the get
togethers and it was so much fun. And then we
just kept doing that, and then the group kept getting
(14:07):
bigger and bigger and bigger, and like, people need to
understand that, like mom Talk Is, wasn't just the cast.
There were like twenty twenty five of us that would
get together and create content, which I'm like, I don't
even know how we would follow that many women in
the show. And then a whole scandal broke out with
Taylor and people were interested in creating a reality show,
(14:31):
and here we are today.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
So the reality show stemmed from the scandal.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Oh wow?
Speaker 1 (14:38):
And who originally came to you guys with the idea
of the show?
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Was it Hulu? It wasn't Hulu. We all had at
the time the same management group, and it was funny
we were talking about it. I mean like, oh, like,
we always have so much drama in this group. How
funny would it be if we had, like just joking, like,
how funny would it be if we had a reality show?
And so our manager actually pitched it and nobody, we
didn't have any bites, nobody was really interested. And then
(15:02):
this scandal happened with Taylor. Can you imagine if that
would have happened, Like while, that would have been insane,
But then the scandal had happened, and then everybody was
interested in it.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
When you guys first got pitched the idea, and I'm
sure you were like, wow, we kind of like manifested this.
We've been saying it should be a reality show all along.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
But what were your.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Initial reactions, Like, were you guys so excited? What was
kind of the.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Oh, that's all it was. Everyone was so excited, And
I mean you have to understand, like all of us
were already doing social media. We were already sharing our lives,
and we enjoyed sharing our life, so it was like
this was just a bigger platform to do that and
a larger audience as well to then also build our
individual platforms. Like to us, we're like, this is just
(15:43):
this is huge. Everyone was just excited.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
When you guys were filming season one of the Secret
Lives of Mormon Wives, Like, did you have any idea
what the narrative was gonna be when you actually watched
it back or were you shocked when you saw like
what was on screen?
Speaker 2 (15:56):
I would say like, once we started filming like the
Six Steps, so I kind of like knew. I was like, okay,
like I think I'm the bad guy, just with like
how people were treating me. I was like, oh, like
I'm the bad guy? What do you mean? Though, just
like petty arguments that we'd get in are just like
people like not letting up in conversations that we'd have,
which you have to understand, we're filming, like you're watching
(16:20):
a scene that's like two minutes. It could have been
like a two hour long scene and then it's condensed
into two minutes, So there's so much more context into
that was the.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
Show airing as you guys were filming, No No, So
this was so you're saying, this is happening within the dynamics,
Like I'm.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Just saying like, while well, they're filming, like I could
feel like, oh, like I'm I'm clearly the bad guy here.
But then when I watched the show, I think that
people probably would have had a lot more sympathy if
they were to see the conversations of apologies being had
or accountability that was already taken. I probably wouldn't have
(16:56):
been you know, painted it such like this villain, which
is so funny now because I'll get comments where it's
like I don't even know like what Whitney did, and
I was like, yeah, I well what I did do
is I left a group chat, I didn't show up
to an event. Oh, I like spread, I like said
the whole two more mony thing too. Uh to Jen,
it's just stupid petty things. And like the hate that
(17:19):
I got from it, it's so unwarranted, like it's just
but it's reality TV and they think that like I'm
like just this character and not like an actual human being,
and I think just people love to have an opinion,
and I'm learning more and more as seasons go on
that I'm just like a character.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
And you're also a very like extroverted, like loving person,
and I feel like you're like a funny person too. Yeah,
So I don't know, Like I feel like when I
was watching it, I felt like a lot of stuff
was misconstrued. And I think that's so hard too. Even
you were saying like when you got to like I
guess filming episode six, even you were like, ooh, like
I think I'm losing control of my own narrative fear,
and that's really scary. Yeah, what went through your mind
(17:56):
when you started realizing that and gosh, women's intuition.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Is so real. Also, well, I already was going through
it at the time, like I just found out I
was pregnant, and Connor and I were going through our
issues and not only going through it, we were sharing
it to the world, and so we were constantly talking
about it. And it was just I was just in
a bad headspace. So it was like processing being the
bad guys. So then I was like a bit resentful
(18:20):
and my heart was hardened, and then also being pregnant,
figuring out this stuff with my marriage, and it was
just it was a nightmare. It was very dark times. Yeah,
it's dark, and.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
It's also you feel like anything that you do is
like going to be perceived as wrong, like you can't
do anything right in that setting.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
No, there was nothing. That's why I just like I'm
like okay, like I guess I'll just like be unbothered
by it then because this is so incredibly out of
my control.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Was there a point in the show in season one
that like, obviously a lot of it was traumatic to watch,
of course, but was there any parts of it that
you were like, oh, I'm actually really happy that that
truth is there, you know what I mean, like were there?
Because within the it's sometimes easy to focus on the bad,
But what parts of it were you? Like, Okay, I
like the way I'm being shown.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Here in season one specifically, You're like, not like it's
too hard. Yeah, it was too hard, but like, you know,
there was some truth to that, to what I was watching,
And I think what I've learned today, like genuinely is
I've always had this like mindset where people are thinking
(19:21):
the way that I'm thinking and having the same perspective
in a situation. But I'm like slowly learning how to
put myself in their shoes and try and gain their perspective.
Because that's why I look so stubborn in season one,
because I was stubborn because I'm just like thinking that
everybody should be thinking the way that I'm thinking of
all of these stupid scenarios, stupid petty scenarios. So very humbling,
(19:45):
for sure, but I feel like, if anything, grateful for that.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
I feel like, when you're watching a reality show, the
audience connects with different characters in different ways, and there's
a lot of people that learned alongside you.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Yeah, right, I hope so.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Who when you were watching it back, was like, you're
die when negative stuff happens. You see who are like
your people who showed up for you at your lowest?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Oh like in mom talk Connor, yeah my husband. Yeah,
Like Connor is the type of guy where you could
tell him literally anything and everything and there'd be no shame,
absolutely no shame. And I needed that because I'm like,
oh my gosh, like I won't remind like I'm just
like so angry and just like letting me like have
(20:30):
those thoughts and like not like uh or responding in
a way where I'm not feeling shame. I definitely needed
at the time, and he still is. He's still my
ride or die in a way.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
It's kind of like you guys were going through a
hard time in your relationship during season one, and then
you went through watching the show and like going through
so much, probably like mentally on your own, and then
I'm sure it just made your relationship so much stronger.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Oh it did, And I think you know you have
to make that choice, whether for swall, marriage is so
hard and then bringing kids into it makes it even harder,
and then being the villain on is exactly and harder, yeah,
and then also sharing more story and then allowing it
like all these opinions, And I'd love to say that
I don't read those opinions, but I do, like, yeah,
(21:17):
it sucks. But something that I love that my therapist
told me, like while we were going through that is
you just have to make the choice do you want
to make it work or do you not? And there's
no right or wrong answer. And I was so happy
that somebody had even asked me that because in Mormon culture,
(21:38):
in the Mormon religion, it's like divorce is so looked
down upon, Like because when I did hear all of that,
that whole scandal that was going on with him, I
would just immediate was like, oh, like we'll figure it out.
Like I didn't even have that was just like the
Mormon brain in me. It was like I didn't even
sit down and think like, oh, I actually have a choice.
(22:00):
I could leave if I wanted to. So it was
refreshing like hearing somebody sit down and be like which
I needed to hear because I think if I were
to just do it because it was expected of me,
it wouldn't our relationship wouldn't be where it is today.
I really needed to sit down and be like, hey,
do I want to make this work or is it
time to leave?
Speaker 1 (22:18):
I mean I also grew up in like a family
where it's like, yeah, like if something goes wrong in
a marriage, like the first outlet is you make it work,
you know, or like you figure out the ways to
heal before even thinking about divorce.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Yeah, sometimes divorce is probably maybe what that relationship needs,
whether you like it or not. You're going to have
trials in your marriage. You're gonna and then when you
bring kids in the mix, and how you're going to
discipline them and how you want to raise them, Like
that's just expected that those are things that are going
to happen. And it's just you have to communicate, communicate,
(22:49):
communicate with your partner, make sure you're on the same page.
And that's an everyday thing. You have to choose it
every day.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
What would you say you learned about social media from
going through what you went through online and the show?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Oh gosh, it's just noisee. It's just noice, the good
and the bad. Like, you can't rely on that, you
can't rely on that validation of people being like oh
my god, I love you so much, or oh my god,
I hate you. You're the wars like you just it's
just noise. Listen to the people who actually know you.
That's where it counts.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
What did your healing process look like after going through
what you went through, because it is a lot of
trauma that you experienced.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
Yeah, I feel like blocking out the noise because it
can be you can spiral because I was reading these
comments and you start to believe it, and that's when
it gets really unhealthy. So blocking out the noise and
(24:01):
listening to the people around you who support you and
love you and who want the best for you and
who know your actual intentions. Yeah, I think just surrounding
yourself with people who know you. That's what held me
is because I was allowing these noises to make me
(24:21):
think that this is who I was. But I'm like,
but that's not who I am. So let me listen
to the people who actually know who I am and
want the best for me.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
I mean, the only way out is through and is
figuring out those things and learning those things. And it's
hard going into season two. How long did it take
for you to want to be back around the other women?
Speaker 2 (24:39):
I didn't want to. I wanted to dip out because
I was so resentful and angry about what happened season one,
and also the aftermath, like the women feeding into that
narrative when they know what actually happened, and just like
bashing me online, like it was just so unwarranted and
not needed. It's like kicking me while I was down.
(25:00):
And so I was just saying green resentful, and I
was just like I didn't want to go back, but
Connor was, you know, just sitting down and having conversations
with him, Like if you care about these relationships, conversations
need to be had and they're gonna be hard conversations
and it's gonna suck. And it did, but I'm happy
that I did. Yeah, the only way out is through unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
What when you were watching season two back, were you
excited to see the way you showed up in this
next season? Oh?
Speaker 2 (25:25):
Yeah, no, absolutely, I am. I think that I when
I watch it, I do think I did lose a
little bit of my voice season two, and I think
it's because I had this fear of being the bad
guy again. I didn't want to be the bad guy again,
so I don't want that to happen anymore. I don't
want that to that fear to control me. I want
(25:45):
to be able to be myself and show up for myself.
So it's like, yeah, we saw a s after side
of Whitney, but I didn't feel like that's fully who
Whitney was still Like I just it's because I had
this like voice in the back of my head where like, no,
you have to like be a good girl, because there's
so many conversations where people were coming at me and
(26:06):
I was just like, oh, I got to be the
bigger person. But there's so many times where I would.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Be like, fuck you, of course.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
So I'm hoping that I just want to show up
for myself more for upcoming seasons and be able to
not have that be a fear.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Yeah, you don't want to feel like you have to
be silenced.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
No, And I felt like season two I was. But
by my It's not like anybody was silencing me. I
just I felt like I lost my voice.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Who from the show out of the Women is like
one of your best friends, like a rider die in
the show.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
It's to me, which is shocking because season one was
a shit shut with to me, like I would say
me and her, and maybe it wasn't portrayed that one,
but me and her had the most animosity during season one.
But no, she's my girl.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Yeah, we like I don't know, you don't really see
it a lot in season two, but we rekindled that relationship. Yeah,
she's my rider, die for sure.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Your life has completely changed through social media and the
secret lives of Mormon wives. We talked about this a
little bit during our run. But you want to get
into acting. Yes, you've got a lot going on. You
are a business woman through and through, so let's talk
about what you're excited about and what's coming up.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
So I'm a couple of things. I'm starting a business
and I'm so excited about it. I've been on like
this hair journey. I've changed my hair a lot. It's
been so damaged. I created a tool to clean out
your hair brushes, and it's amazing tool because I've learned
how important it is to clean out your hair brush
and I couldn't find any tool that would like do
the job properly, like getting out all the hair and
(27:36):
then on top of that getting like the built umpter
and grime like I usually would just go buy a
new hair brush, but we should be cleaning our hair
brushes weekly. So I created a tool. It's going to
come out soon, hopefully in June. And yeah, hopefully like
some crossovers with reality TV coming up. And I have
been which I'm grateful for, meeting people in the acting industry,
(28:00):
had a really cool I've had opportunities for really cool
auditions that I've been able to audition for with like
really big actors and actresses, and I'm like, I just
need to land that role and then I know it's
just gonna take off.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Your hair looks amazing. So I am exciting, healthy, No
extensions here. Thank you so much for being with me.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Thank you, Thanks so much.
What's up, guys. Welcome back to Post ran High. Today's
episode is one I have been really looking forward to.
I'm sitting down with Whitney Levitt. You may know her
from TikTok or from the Hulu series The Secret Lives
of Mormon Wives. Whitney has lived so much of her
life online, from building a massive platform as part of
the original Mom Talk Circle, to navigating public scrutiny, marriage, motherhood,
(00:26):
and now reality TV. In this conversation, we go deep.
We talked about what it was like growing up Mormon,
the rise and unraveling of Mom Talk, how it felt
watching herself back on screen, and what she carried into
season two. Before we dive in, I want to thank
you so much for tuning in. Your support means the
world to me. And if you're enjoying the show, please
leave us a review and share this episode with your friends.
(00:47):
It truly helps us grow and continue bringing you meaningful conversations.
All right, let's get our Post Run High going. Whitney
love it.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Welcome to Post Run High.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
How are you doing? I'm good. I I have my
Post run High right now.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
We did a little run Slash Hot Mom Walk and
I loved it same we walked around Dumbo, Brooklyn. I
loved showing you Dumbo.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Oh that was gorgeous. That was absolutely sunny. I also loved.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Finding out that you have a little bit of a
running background, a little bit.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
It's so tiny. It's connected to New York City, Yes
it is. And I told her. I told Connor, I
was like, if we were to do any marathon, like
this is it. So when the opportunity came and like, like,
we have to do it. I don't know if we
trained enough for it, but I'll never do it again.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Whitney ran the twenty twenty two New York City Marathon
with her husband Connor. I don't know if I'll do
it again. I much prefer to cheer is what I've realized.
And like, since I have done it, now I can
get to that mile twenty four cheer zone and be like,
you are so close, but I know it's gonna relay with.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Them, Yeah, yeah, you're with them. My feet, like my
toe now was dead, Like I thought that was just
like a myth. I was like, no, like my big
tone now fell off. Yeah, yeah, no, that happens. That
definitely happens. You had a baby seven months ago. You
look incredible. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Is working out a part of your life?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah, very much. So I used to not be a
workout girly, and I had a friend who just like
kind of inspired me to get into it. So I
count my macros. I've been absolutely loving that and I'll
lift plus two like I love Starmaster, I love twelve
three thirty Like those are my staples, my go tos.
(02:33):
Just like running was just like as you get older,
very very hard on my body.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
It is hard. No, I love twelve three thirty. Running
for me just like keeps me mentally sane. I just
need to move my body a little bit and then
I feel like I'm showing up better in work in life. Yeah,
tell us a little bit about your upbringing and what
your life was like growing up in Utah, and a
little bit about maybe your family dynamic.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
So I grew up in a big family, I would say,
and my mom was a foster mom, so we also
had a lot of foster kids live with us, Like
we had probably around like six to seven additional kids
in our home broke growing up, So that for me
it's different from my younger siblings. But for me. I
always had foster siblings like my whole upbringing, which I loved,
(03:16):
Like I feel like made me a more person that
I could literally get along with anyone. Doesn't mean I
like everyone, but I could get along with anyone and
relate with anyone. And also a little more outgoing, I
think too. And I grew up in orm Utah, that's
like the heart of Mormons. I feel like I went
(03:38):
to every school, like elementary, middle, high school, everyone was Mormon,
Like that's just what I knew, and I essentially kind
of grew up in that bubble, which looking back when
I was when I left high school, I always thought
that it was like I hated that, but I also
kind of loved that, Like ignorance is bliss, Like I
(03:59):
love kind of not knowing what the real world was like.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And it's really cool being able to grow up with
other people around you that have those shared values. Oh yeah,
and you grew up one of five, right, so yes,
within your immediate family as five kids, And then I
love knowing that your parents fostered I think that is
such a unique experience to grow up around that. Are
you still close with a lot of the kids that
were in your house.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
So the ones that were with us for probably five
plus years, absolutely like they're considered family. But it was
different for every kid that came in our home, Like
some would be like a couple of weeks, some would
be a few months, and then some were like I
literally was raised with them. So those ones that I
was basically raised with, Yeah, they're considered family.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Oh sure, your mom like.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Actually has to be a saint. She is. She is
super mom. She is amazing.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Yeah, not only raising five kids but then also opening
your home to all these other kids to come in
and you know, be with your family. That is so
so cool. They feel like a lot of people don't
know what it means to grow up Mormon, and I
think it's a religion that sparks like so much curiosity
as you like a lot of religions. Can you break
down what does it mean to grow up Mormon? Like
what are some of the values that you grow up having?
(05:06):
And then also what are some of the traditions that
you guys follow, I mean growing up.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
I would say it's a bit stricter. We have what's
called the Word of Wisdom, which is no coffee, no tattoos,
no recreational drugs, no alcohol, and just like going to church.
I went to church every Sunday, dressing modestly. I would
(05:32):
just say, those are things that I think you learn
in almost every religion, but growing up I felt was
a lot stricter than separating myself from that environment and
learning about other people. It's like, well, yeah, but like
we'd go to church maybe like once every six months
or something like. No, like it was every Sunday. And
even with that, I was going to like girls camps,
(05:55):
and I was involved in the Mormon community. Like it
was just it was life within the show.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
When we were watching season one of Secret Lives of
Mormon Wives, I know there were some people that were
more religious than others. So like, did you feel like
your social circle, like the people that you hung out
with were more devout or is it kind of a mix?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Gosh, it's just a mix. When people say like, oh,
you're more religious than this person, I don't view it
that way because I think like all of us have
a relationship with God. It is just as far as
like what's within the religion or the the guidelines. Some
of us just follow those guidelines a little bit more
(06:34):
than others. And I love those guidelines, and I want
to teach my kids those guidelines, whether they want to
follow them or not, you know, up to them. Yeah,
Like I don't drink alcohol, like and I love that.
I tried it once and I thought it was disgusting,
and like I don't get it, and I don't drink coffee,
but I that one, I just think is like whatever.
I also have tasted it and I didn't really like it,
but I mean, I love my caffeine. I think that
(06:56):
as far as being religious, think all of us have
a relationship with God in one way or another, or
any higher being or whatever you believe in. But as
far as like the guidelines that you live in the
Mormon religion or that you're taught in the more religion,
everybody lives it a little differently.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
What would you say are some things that people maybe
get misconstrued on social media about being Mormon?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
I think that like people think that, which is funny
because it's still like kind of true. It's just like
the trad wife, like the women stays home, does the cooking,
the cleaning, raises the children while the man goes out
and works. And it's like for my dynamic right now,
that's the complete opposite. Like I'm the one going out,
you know, making the money, providing for the family, and
Connors at home with the kids. But two years ago
(07:41):
it was the other way around. Like we've flip flopped,
so you know, I wouldn't say that that's always going
to be his role. And also he still has a
job actually, so I think that people think that, oh,
the wife has to do that, like that's like part
of the guidelines, and it's not at all, like I
think just culturally that's what it's been.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
And I do think that's a really cool thing that
your like fellow castmates do show, is you guys are
all such hard working women, and that must be a
cool thing too for people to even see within your
community that maybe are more like traditional the trad wife
types of moms. They must think it's so cool to
see you guys out there, like, you know, being the
breadwinners in your families, Like it's so empowering.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah, no, my mom loves it. She's so funny that too.
She's like, but Connor needs a job too, like you know,
which I understand. Like I think that being home with
the kids, you can lose a sense of yourself. So
like having something that still gives you yourself identity is
(08:38):
really important. I think that's why obviously why Connor still
has a job. But yeah, my parents are still a
little bit more traditional. Yeah, I mean that's totally fair. Yeah,
I mean duel income. Come on.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
And another part of being Mormon, right is like having
kids young?
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Is that true? I think it's like if that's not
like a guideline. Again, in the culture, I think it
just happens. I mean we talk about marriage. I mean
I talked about I learned about marriage when I was
like an elementary school, Like it was just what was
the next step into your life once you graduated high school,
(09:13):
It's like, okay, I'm looking for someone to marry, which
is crazy thinking in Mormon culture, I'm considered someone who
was married like older. But I don't even feel like
I was that old. I was twenty four when I
got married, which I'm like, that is so young. But yeah,
like my friends nineteen twenty twenty one, it's like past
twenty one. It's like, oh, year old, which is just
(09:35):
so crazy to me. But yeah, definitely in Utah, it's
like if you passed that threshold of twenty one, it's like, oh, she's.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Oh, so you went from high school to BYU, which
is where you met Connor. What was like your college
experience like at BYU? This is another type of university
that I feel like sparks a lot of curiosity. Right.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
So, I right after high school, I actually lived in
Africa for a little bit for four months. Then right
after that I went to be Au but I went
to BYU Hawaii and loved it there. That was my
worst semester I've ever done. And then from BA Hawaii,
I transferred to BYU Provo now BYAU Hawaii and py
(10:13):
you Provo are like night and day differences, yeah again,
but I was used to it. It was everyone's Mormon.
We all live by these rules. Okaya, what were you
doing in Africa? Let's start there. So I did it
with help International, and I feel like that was the
first time that I like left the bubble, which like
(10:34):
all places Africa, which is so funny.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Because I talked to Africa, but while I.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Was watching the Book of Mormon, because I went to Uganda.
So because have you seen the Book of More, I
haven't seen it yet. So it's about these missionaries who
get called to Uganda, Okay, And I just am sitting
I'm like, this is so funny because I literally grew
up in Utah and then I like left the bubble
going to Uganda Africa could totally relate to the whole show.
(10:59):
But just like even the people I did it with,
not everyone was Mormon. And I was like, wait, like,
it's just was so crazy to me to think that
I thought that just everyone was Mormon. Like it's beyond
me to look back and think that, but that's really
what I thought. And it was very eye opening and
I loved it. Anyways, I was there doing humanitarian work
and I absolutely loved it. And I missed a steps.
After being Hawaii, I went on a mission and then
(11:21):
I went to Boyo Provo and on my mission, I
was in Atlanta, Georgia.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
So the trip to Africa wasn't technically a mission, but
it was still like doing.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
It was it was humanitarian Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Yeah, and the missiluteer trips that you can do that, yes,
those are really cool.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Oh. I loved it.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
And then while you were at Uyu, what were you studying? Like,
what was the plan to do post college?
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Was studying dance? Okay? Oh?
Speaker 1 (11:42):
My God, that makes so much sense because.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
You're such a good dancer. Thank you. Yeah, I grew
up dancing my whole life. It's my outlet. So the
most like me when I dance, that's my high, that's
my running high is when I when I dance, I
did everything, but at BYU it's definitely more modern and
like contemporary.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
So you were a dance major, did you plan on
like graduating and being like a dance teacher, Like what
were you thinking post college?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Honestly, I thought I was gonna be a rocket, Like
that was the goal for me at the time. Cause again,
I just I've always loved the entertainment industry and I've
always wanted to get in acting, and I just like
didn't know the steps to get to that point because
it is such a competitive industry. Like I didn't even
know how to find like an agent, Like nobody like
talks about those things. It's and it's really hard, and
(12:27):
like mine just kind of happened naturally through social media.
But I did dance with a professional company in Utah
for a little bit after graduating, and then I got
married and had a baby, and that's like kind of
when I lost the sense of myself and then I
learned about TikTok. So I got onto TikTok right after.
(12:57):
I would say, like when my first her named Sedona
when she was six months old, and yeah, I think
just people got to kick out of me being a
mom and like shaking my ass on this platform.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah, Like I feel like I remember the early days
of you being on TikTok and your fun dance videos
with Connor and like I always loved also your like
pregnancy video, yes, and you were.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Just like having a good time.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Yeah, just having a good time.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, as much as it I think is an outlet
for other moms who were at home, like watching it
was an outlet for me. So I was creating these
tiktoks online and there were these three women. Their names
are Taylor, Miranda, and Camill. Camill is not a cast
member on the show. But those three women would get
together and they were moms. They'd make videos together and
(13:46):
then they started inviting other moms to go and dance
in that group. And I would always watch those videos
and be like, oh my god, like when am I
going to get the invite? Like, like how few do
I sign up? Because we were mutuals on social media,
and then Miranda invited me to one of the get
togethers and it was so much fun. And then we
just kept doing that, and then the group kept getting
(14:07):
bigger and bigger and bigger, and like, people need to
understand that, like mom Talk Is, wasn't just the cast.
There were like twenty twenty five of us that would
get together and create content, which I'm like, I don't
even know how we would follow that many women in
the show. And then a whole scandal broke out with
Taylor and people were interested in creating a reality show,
(14:31):
and here we are today.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
So the reality show stemmed from the scandal.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Oh wow?
Speaker 1 (14:38):
And who originally came to you guys with the idea
of the show?
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Was it Hulu? It wasn't Hulu. We all had at
the time the same management group, and it was funny
we were talking about it. I mean like, oh, like,
we always have so much drama in this group. How
funny would it be if we had, like just joking, like,
how funny would it be if we had a reality show?
And so our manager actually pitched it and nobody, we
didn't have any bites, nobody was really interested. And then
(15:02):
this scandal happened with Taylor. Can you imagine if that
would have happened, Like while, that would have been insane,
But then the scandal had happened, and then everybody was
interested in it.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
When you guys first got pitched the idea, and I'm
sure you were like, wow, we kind of like manifested this.
We've been saying it should be a reality show all along.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
But what were your.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Initial reactions, Like, were you guys so excited? What was
kind of the.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Oh, that's all it was. Everyone was so excited, And
I mean you have to understand, like all of us
were already doing social media. We were already sharing our lives,
and we enjoyed sharing our life, so it was like
this was just a bigger platform to do that and
a larger audience as well to then also build our
individual platforms. Like to us, we're like, this is just
(15:43):
this is huge. Everyone was just excited.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
When you guys were filming season one of the Secret
Lives of Mormon Wives, Like, did you have any idea
what the narrative was gonna be when you actually watched
it back or were you shocked when you saw like
what was on screen?
Speaker 2 (15:56):
I would say like, once we started filming like the
Six Steps, so I kind of like knew. I was like, okay,
like I think I'm the bad guy, just with like
how people were treating me. I was like, oh, like
I'm the bad guy? What do you mean? Though, just
like petty arguments that we'd get in are just like
people like not letting up in conversations that we'd have,
which you have to understand, we're filming, like you're watching
(16:20):
a scene that's like two minutes. It could have been
like a two hour long scene and then it's condensed
into two minutes, So there's so much more context into
that was the.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
Show airing as you guys were filming, No No, So
this was so you're saying, this is happening within the dynamics,
Like I'm.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Just saying like, while well, they're filming, like I could
feel like, oh, like I'm I'm clearly the bad guy here.
But then when I watched the show, I think that
people probably would have had a lot more sympathy if
they were to see the conversations of apologies being had
or accountability that was already taken. I probably wouldn't have
(16:56):
been you know, painted it such like this villain, which
is so funny now because I'll get comments where it's
like I don't even know like what Whitney did, and
I was like, yeah, I well what I did do
is I left a group chat, I didn't show up
to an event. Oh, I like spread, I like said
the whole two more mony thing too. Uh to Jen,
it's just stupid petty things. And like the hate that
(17:19):
I got from it, it's so unwarranted, like it's just
but it's reality TV and they think that like I'm
like just this character and not like an actual human being,
and I think just people love to have an opinion,
and I'm learning more and more as seasons go on
that I'm just like a character.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
And you're also a very like extroverted, like loving person,
and I feel like you're like a funny person too. Yeah,
So I don't know, Like I feel like when I
was watching it, I felt like a lot of stuff
was misconstrued. And I think that's so hard too. Even
you were saying like when you got to like I
guess filming episode six, even you were like, ooh, like
I think I'm losing control of my own narrative fear,
and that's really scary. Yeah, what went through your mind
(17:56):
when you started realizing that and gosh, women's intuition.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Is so real. Also, well, I already was going through
it at the time, like I just found out I
was pregnant, and Connor and I were going through our
issues and not only going through it, we were sharing
it to the world, and so we were constantly talking
about it. And it was just I was just in
a bad headspace. So it was like processing being the
bad guys. So then I was like a bit resentful
(18:20):
and my heart was hardened, and then also being pregnant,
figuring out this stuff with my marriage, and it was
just it was a nightmare. It was very dark times. Yeah,
it's dark, and.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
It's also you feel like anything that you do is
like going to be perceived as wrong, like you can't
do anything right in that setting.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
No, there was nothing. That's why I just like I'm
like okay, like I guess I'll just like be unbothered
by it then because this is so incredibly out of
my control.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Was there a point in the show in season one
that like, obviously a lot of it was traumatic to watch,
of course, but was there any parts of it that
you were like, oh, I'm actually really happy that that
truth is there, you know what I mean, like were there?
Because within the it's sometimes easy to focus on the bad,
But what parts of it were you? Like, Okay, I
like the way I'm being shown.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Here in season one specifically, You're like, not like it's
too hard. Yeah, it was too hard, but like, you know,
there was some truth to that, to what I was watching,
And I think what I've learned today, like genuinely is
I've always had this like mindset where people are thinking
(19:21):
the way that I'm thinking and having the same perspective
in a situation. But I'm like slowly learning how to
put myself in their shoes and try and gain their perspective.
Because that's why I look so stubborn in season one,
because I was stubborn because I'm just like thinking that
everybody should be thinking the way that I'm thinking of
all of these stupid scenarios, stupid petty scenarios. So very humbling,
(19:45):
for sure, but I feel like, if anything, grateful for that.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
I feel like, when you're watching a reality show, the
audience connects with different characters in different ways, and there's
a lot of people that learned alongside you.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Yeah, right, I hope so.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Who when you were watching it back, was like, you're
die when negative stuff happens. You see who are like
your people who showed up for you at your lowest?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Oh like in mom talk Connor, yeah my husband. Yeah,
Like Connor is the type of guy where you could
tell him literally anything and everything and there'd be no shame,
absolutely no shame. And I needed that because I'm like,
oh my gosh, like I won't remind like I'm just
like so angry and just like letting me like have
(20:30):
those thoughts and like not like uh or responding in
a way where I'm not feeling shame. I definitely needed
at the time, and he still is. He's still my
ride or die in a way.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
It's kind of like you guys were going through a
hard time in your relationship during season one, and then
you went through watching the show and like going through
so much, probably like mentally on your own, and then
I'm sure it just made your relationship so much stronger.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Oh it did, And I think you know you have
to make that choice, whether for swall, marriage is so
hard and then bringing kids into it makes it even harder,
and then being the villain on is exactly and harder, yeah,
and then also sharing more story and then allowing it
like all these opinions, And I'd love to say that
I don't read those opinions, but I do, like, yeah,
(21:17):
it sucks. But something that I love that my therapist
told me, like while we were going through that is
you just have to make the choice do you want
to make it work or do you not? And there's
no right or wrong answer. And I was so happy
that somebody had even asked me that because in Mormon culture,
(21:38):
in the Mormon religion, it's like divorce is so looked
down upon, Like because when I did hear all of that,
that whole scandal that was going on with him, I
would just immediate was like, oh, like we'll figure it out.
Like I didn't even have that was just like the
Mormon brain in me. It was like I didn't even
sit down and think like, oh, I actually have a choice.
(22:00):
I could leave if I wanted to. So it was
refreshing like hearing somebody sit down and be like which
I needed to hear because I think if I were
to just do it because it was expected of me,
it wouldn't our relationship wouldn't be where it is today.
I really needed to sit down and be like, hey,
do I want to make this work or is it
time to leave?
Speaker 1 (22:18):
I mean I also grew up in like a family
where it's like, yeah, like if something goes wrong in
a marriage, like the first outlet is you make it work,
you know, or like you figure out the ways to
heal before even thinking about divorce.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Yeah, sometimes divorce is probably maybe what that relationship needs,
whether you like it or not. You're going to have
trials in your marriage. You're gonna and then when you
bring kids in the mix, and how you're going to
discipline them and how you want to raise them, Like
that's just expected that those are things that are going
to happen. And it's just you have to communicate, communicate,
(22:49):
communicate with your partner, make sure you're on the same page.
And that's an everyday thing. You have to choose it
every day.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
What would you say you learned about social media from
going through what you went through online and the show?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Oh gosh, it's just noisee. It's just noice, the good
and the bad. Like, you can't rely on that, you
can't rely on that validation of people being like oh
my god, I love you so much, or oh my god,
I hate you. You're the wars like you just it's
just noise. Listen to the people who actually know you.
That's where it counts.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
What did your healing process look like after going through
what you went through, because it is a lot of
trauma that you experienced.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
Yeah, I feel like blocking out the noise because it
can be you can spiral because I was reading these
comments and you start to believe it, and that's when
it gets really unhealthy. So blocking out the noise and
(24:01):
listening to the people around you who support you and
love you and who want the best for you and
who know your actual intentions. Yeah, I think just surrounding
yourself with people who know you. That's what held me
is because I was allowing these noises to make me
(24:21):
think that this is who I was. But I'm like,
but that's not who I am. So let me listen
to the people who actually know who I am and
want the best for me.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
I mean, the only way out is through and is
figuring out those things and learning those things. And it's
hard going into season two. How long did it take
for you to want to be back around the other women?
Speaker 2 (24:39):
I didn't want to. I wanted to dip out because
I was so resentful and angry about what happened season one,
and also the aftermath, like the women feeding into that
narrative when they know what actually happened, and just like
bashing me online, like it was just so unwarranted and
not needed. It's like kicking me while I was down.
(25:00):
And so I was just saying green resentful, and I
was just like I didn't want to go back, but
Connor was, you know, just sitting down and having conversations
with him, Like if you care about these relationships, conversations
need to be had and they're gonna be hard conversations
and it's gonna suck. And it did, but I'm happy
that I did. Yeah, the only way out is through unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
What when you were watching season two back, were you
excited to see the way you showed up in this
next season? Oh?
Speaker 2 (25:25):
Yeah, no, absolutely, I am. I think that I when
I watch it, I do think I did lose a
little bit of my voice season two, and I think
it's because I had this fear of being the bad
guy again. I didn't want to be the bad guy again,
so I don't want that to happen anymore. I don't
want that to that fear to control me. I want
(25:45):
to be able to be myself and show up for myself.
So it's like, yeah, we saw a s after side
of Whitney, but I didn't feel like that's fully who
Whitney was still Like I just it's because I had
this like voice in the back of my head where like, no,
you have to like be a good girl, because there's
so many conversations where people were coming at me and
(26:06):
I was just like, oh, I got to be the
bigger person. But there's so many times where I would.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Be like, fuck you, of course.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
So I'm hoping that I just want to show up
for myself more for upcoming seasons and be able to
not have that be a fear.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Yeah, you don't want to feel like you have to
be silenced.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
No, And I felt like season two I was. But
by my It's not like anybody was silencing me. I
just I felt like I lost my voice.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Who from the show out of the Women is like
one of your best friends, like a rider die in
the show.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
It's to me, which is shocking because season one was
a shit shut with to me, like I would say
me and her, and maybe it wasn't portrayed that one,
but me and her had the most animosity during season one.
But no, she's my girl.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Yeah, we like I don't know, you don't really see
it a lot in season two, but we rekindled that relationship. Yeah,
she's my rider, die for sure.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Your life has completely changed through social media and the
secret lives of Mormon wives. We talked about this a
little bit during our run. But you want to get
into acting. Yes, you've got a lot going on. You
are a business woman through and through, so let's talk
about what you're excited about and what's coming up.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
So I'm a couple of things. I'm starting a business
and I'm so excited about it. I've been on like
this hair journey. I've changed my hair a lot. It's
been so damaged. I created a tool to clean out
your hair brushes, and it's amazing tool because I've learned
how important it is to clean out your hair brush
and I couldn't find any tool that would like do
the job properly, like getting out all the hair and
(27:36):
then on top of that getting like the built umpter
and grime like I usually would just go buy a
new hair brush, but we should be cleaning our hair
brushes weekly. So I created a tool. It's going to
come out soon, hopefully in June. And yeah, hopefully like
some crossovers with reality TV coming up. And I have
been which I'm grateful for, meeting people in the acting industry,
(28:00):
had a really cool I've had opportunities for really cool
auditions that I've been able to audition for with like
really big actors and actresses, and I'm like, I just
need to land that role and then I know it's
just gonna take off.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Your hair looks amazing. So I am exciting, healthy, No
extensions here. Thank you so much for being with me.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Thank you, Thanks so much.
Host
Kate Mackz
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