811. From Secret Lives to Real Life: Mayci Neeley on Abuse, Healing + Finding Herself Again

30 Oct 2025 · 53 min

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Almost 30 Podcast Episode Notes

Episode Title

811. From Secret Lives to Real Life: Mayci Neeley on Abuse, Healing + Finding Herself Again

Hosts

  • Krista Williams
  • Lindsey Simcik

Guest

  • Mayci Neeley - Reality personality and author

Episode Overview In this episode, Lindsey interviews Mayci Neeley, a reality TV personality and author, who discusses her journey of resilience, healing, and rebuilding her life after profound loss. The conversation touches on her experiences with early motherhood, her traumatic relationships, and the complexities of her Mormon upbringing. Mayci shares insights from her memoir, *Told You So*, detailing her emotional and spiritual transformation after enduring grief and depression.

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Key Themes and Discussions

  1. Early Life and Upbringing
  2. Mayci discusses her experiences growing up in a Mormon household and the expectations that come with it.
  3. The contrast between her family's more relaxed view of faith and traditional Mormon values.
  1. Resilience and Healing
  2. Highlights the importance of resilience in overcoming trauma and personal loss.
  3. Mayci shares her journey through depression during her pregnancy following the tragic loss of her son's father.
  1. Motherhood as Transformation
  2. Mayci emphasizes how becoming a mother transformed her life, providing motivation and purpose.
  3. Discusses the complexities of parenting in a digital age and the challenges of protecting children from social media.
  1. Navigating Relationships
  2. Conversations on maintaining healthy relationships and the impact of therapy on her marriage.
  3. The importance of vulnerability, storytelling, and setting boundaries for self-care.
  1. Reality TV Experience
  2. Mayci shares insights about her experiences on reality TV, including managing fame, online criticism, and the pressure to maintain privacy.
  3. Discusses the duality of public perception versus personal experience.
  1. Themes of Shame and Perfectionism
  2. Discusses navigating feelings of shame and perfectionism, especially in relation to her upbringing and personal experiences.
  3. The journey towards self-acceptance and understanding that imperfection is part of being human.

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Key Takeaways

  • Vulnerability is Healing: Speaking openly about one’s struggles can lead to healing, both personally and for others.
  • Embrace Your Journey: Every individual has a unique path; understanding and accepting it is crucial for personal growth.
  • The Importance of Support: Family and therapy play vital roles in navigating life's challenges and maintaining mental well-being.
  • Motherhood Reshapes Priorities: Becoming a parent can shift one's focus and priorities, often illuminating what truly matters.
  • Reality TV is Not Reality: The edited nature of reality television can create misconceptions about real-life relationships and experiences.

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Resources Mentioned

  • Book: *Told You So* by Mayci Neeley - [Available now](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Told-You-So/Mayci-Neeley/9781668099926?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKUuiRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpzgpNkIIrWq_G7K6P3aVqDh68w693MIdlvByV4WZDOVRDShIuT4H6MFskDGC_aem_JszUXcHHi7JUy1Aaoq18Dw)
  • Instagram: [@maycineeley](https://www.instagram.com/maycineeley)
  • TikTok: [@maycineeley](https://www.tiktok.com/@maycineeley)

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Conclusion This episode with Mayci Neeley offers profound insights into personal healing, the challenges of motherhood, and the complexities of navigating life in the public eye. Her journey serves as a beacon for listeners who may be grappling with similar experiences of loss, identity, and the pursuit of authenticity.

For more engaging discussions, tune in to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday on the Almost 30 Podcast!

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Transcript

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0:28I was shocked to be pregnant.

0:42Hello, everyone. Welcome to Almost 30 Podcast. I'm so glad you're here. I'm Lindsay, if you're new to the show. And normally I'm sitting down with my co-host, my best friend, Krista Williams. But we are on opposite coasts. I live in New York. Krista lives in LA. And we do our best to travel back and forth to be together for these intros, but this one needed to be recorded. And so I'm sitting down to do it. I am so glad you're here. I'm thankful that you've chosen almost 30 amongst the many, many podcasts out there. Um, we have been doing this for almost 10 years now and started in our late twenties.

1:17Um, when we just felt like, you know, life wasn't working out the way that we had envisioned. And really it was a very, very potent time of change, transformation that felt like our lives were ending, to be honest, and just falling apart. But we wanted to talk about it. So that's the beginnings of almost 30. It's just become so much more and a huge part of who we are as our community. So thanks for being here. We love you guys. And I want to get right into this episode today. So I sat down with Macy Neely. Does that name ring a bell? I know a lot of you out there are reality TV girlies, whether you admit it or not.

2:00Sometimes I find myself just like pasted in front of the TV and with some of these reality TV shows. So I totally get it. It's fascinating. It's fun. And sometimes a little brain rot that I love. But I was really interested to sit down with Macy, her new book, her memoir, Told You So, is out now. And I was just taken aback by her life story and one that she shares so beautifully and vulnerably in the book. And it just, it reminds me that like who we are seeing on these reality TV shows are actual human beings with stories and experiences. And maybe we hear about them on the show, maybe we don't.

2:44But I don't know, I just, I was so excited to sit down with her. So you know her from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or, you know, her virality on MomTalk. She is incredible and so much fun. She's had many viral moments, but she's also just a deeply thoughtful storyteller. And as I said, her new book, Told You So, is just a really honest and moving memoir. A memoir that like, I haven't read a memoir in a while and I was just very, very moved by it. It tells a story of her growing up Mormon in California, navigating that gray area between faith and individuality, surviving abuse, losing her partner while carrying his child, and just really slowly rebuilding a life that's rooted in her own truth, healing, and forgiving herself.

3:39It's really raw and it's super brave. I think as someone who's written a book, I know those moments where you know that writing this is going to be incredibly supportive and helpful for people, but it doesn't mean it's easy. And she's really telling her story on her own terms. So I'm very excited to share this conversation. You know, we do get into the tough stuff in this conversation, talking about grief and loss, her experience with abuse and the intricacies and complexities of that experience, just that like power of shame that really can take over your life and how to release it. We talk about motherhood, just a really beautiful journey for her.

4:29And one that I think a lot of you will relate to just how a child can transform your life and really root you in what's important and what's true. We also get into purity culture. I asked her a lot about, you know, growing up Mormon. How did that affect how you see yourself and your body and just perfectionism? Because I think there's a lot of like expectations, especially in that religion. So yeah, it was fascinating. I'm excited. Thank you for picking this one. This is really for anyone who's ever been told that you're supposed to be a certain way and anyone who has experienced, you know, abuse in relationship or experienced that feeling of abandoning yourself for another person and anyone who's really wanting to have the courage to actually decide what you want your life to look and feel like.

5:38so her new book told you so is out now you can find it uh wherever books are sold or at the link in our show notes um yeah thank you macy thanks for coming in person it was a joy to have you you can watch this one on youtube but didn't mention that all of our episodes are on youtube which is great if you want to see us right now i'm wearing an oversized sweater it's it's that season. It's that season for me. Okay. I love you guys. You can follow us on Instagram at almost30podcast, on TikTok at almost30podcast, and just make sure you're subscribed to our show. All right. Enjoy this one. I'll see you on the other side.

6:17I'm so glad you're here in person. I'm so excited. I think in person is way better than virtual for me. I don't really like virtual. Me too. I'm distracted. It's a little blurry. It's just like not the same. Yeah, it's the best. And I know we have a lot of fans listening in our audience, which is so fun. But I just want to congratulate you first on the book. Today's the day it's coming out. We're sitting down and I, Kristen, I know what it takes to put out a book and it's no small feat. And it's also just, yeah, there's something like spiritual about the experience too, you know, and it's such a, it's such a personal process, especially a memoir like this, especially where you were willing to go and what you shared.

6:59And I was, I could not put it down. And I just feel like there are so many aspects of your story that people are going to not only relate to, but yeah, just feel really moved that you've been able to create such a beautiful life presently and you've been through so much. Yeah. You know, I think it's hard for people sometimes to visualize that for themselves when they're in the thick of it. Oh yeah. It was very hard to visualize. I never expected I'd be like where I am today. Yeah. So take us back. You know, people are going to get the book, but you know, you open the book with such a, just an intense, intense moment in your life and you're 20 at the time?

7:51How old are you? Yeah, I was 19. 19, okay. Yeah, so I was 19 when I found out I was pregnant, but like with my abusive relationship, I was like 17, 18, a little bit 19, you know, it's kind of like the end of the 17, the beginning of the 19. Yeah. A little over a year. And being 19, becoming pregnant, what was your just emotional initial journey through that? Because I can imagine how you grew up and the expectations and just, yeah, I think the perfectionism that comes up in various ways in which I deal with that perfectionism as well. Like just kind of having something that happens that you don't expect and then having to tell the people you love and make plans for the next thing.

8:39Like what was happening at the time? Well, first of all, I feel like I was shocked. Like I was shocked to be pregnant because I was also like this was not my life plans. It's not what I expected for myself. It was not what I wanted for myself. Like this was like kind of my worst nightmare is what it felt like happening. um and then of course like the shame and the guilt being like well now I'm kind of not gonna ruin other people's lives just like my family it's like embarrassing for them and like their daughters from college pregnant not married like it's just like obviously my head's like not a good look right and it's embarrassing for them and so I feel like a lot of shame and guilt as well for that like more so than how I felt for myself um and so I think yeah the whole thing was just hard to process and like, I didn't know what I was going to do.

9:24Like I didn't know where, where I would go, where I would be. I just, it was a lot all at once for sure. And you write in the book just about your, your family and how, um, yeah, loving and accepting and also kind of that, like not devout Mormons, but have kind of this relationship with the faith where there's kind of like a bending of the rules. And so I guess how did that color your experience in choosing to have your child and just kind of move forward? Yeah, I think it's just because my parents were a little more chill. Like they were also navigating it with me. So I have to be clear on that.

10:07Like they were kind of figuring out what to do, you know, because it isn't a normal situation like for a Mormon family I'd like to go through. it happens but if it does happen it's usually in secrecy so it's like people don't really talk about it my mom was telling me how like back in the day like when people got pregnant um you know but they were their age like they would their parents would like ship them off to a farm to like go have a baby and they'd probably give it for adoption and like come back and act like nothing happened like that was kind of the era they grew up in like that's what happened to my mom's roommate you know and so if like for me they're trying to figure out how do we navigate this but I will say I'm like super grateful they were always super supportive and it's like whatever you want to do.

10:44Like if you want to give your baby up for adoption, like that's up to you. If you want to keep it, like we're here to support you. Like, um, and so I think they navigated it the best that they could, you know, in that moment for sure. And so I feel like I'm very grateful that I had open arms there. It doesn't mean it wasn't easy for them. It was not easy by any means. I think it was also hard for them to accept because I had this life plan for myself, but so did they, they envisioned me, you know, doing, you know, finishing the tennis scholarship, maybe having a career, but, like, also getting married and then having babies and, like, doing the whole thing that, like, the whole life plan that most people do, you know?

11:19And so I think it was also hard for them because, like, they obviously want the best for me. And, like, this is – they knew it was going to be – this is going to be hard for you, you know? It's going to be really hard. Like, we don't know what's going to happen and what your future holds. You know, I think that's hard for any parent to navigate, you know, in that situation. And you experienced a really unimaginable loss while you were pregnant. Mm-hmm. Can you talk to us about that? Yeah, yeah. So I think I was almost 14 weeks pregnant when my son's father passed away. He was texting me while driving and head on into a semi truck that was carrying like loads of coal.

11:52So it was like very heavy and he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. So he was ejected out of the vehicle and like died on impact, which obviously was extremely traumatic. had a very, very hard pregnancy because I was extremely depressed. And I think in the past, I used to think of depression as a choice because I never had been through it until I experienced it like hands on like that. And I was like, this is not a choice. Like it was like so debilitating that it was, yeah, it was miserable. I was miserable. And so dealing with that grief and that loss was just like unimaginable during that time. But obviously got through it and had my son.

12:32And so that kind of brought me back to life in a sense, like having him. Yeah, of course. I want to talk about that in motherhood in a moment. But you write about in the book, basically holding kind of two things at once where there's obviously intense grief and the relationship itself wasn't perfect and there was things happening that weren't, you know, by any means, I guess, healthy or, you know, your experience at the time. So how did you hold, how did you hold both? Yeah. It went back and forth for me because like that's why the grief, the grieving process was a little difficult because there's times where I did have moments of like anger and frustration during the process.

13:21And it was very confusing being so young, dealing with so many emotions because then I'm also feeling so much sadness and like grief and like depression at the same time. And it was very hard to navigate. But I think over time, I mostly just felt the sadness and depression and like longing for this person to be here, you know, like regardless of what happened, it was like I only had love in my heart, you know. But it's still those moments where like, oh, I can't believe like this happened, you know, would definitely come back on my mind for sure. But for the most part, I had like nothing but love.

13:57Like the only memories I had were like the happy ones, which I'm so glad to have. And that's what I want my son to know, you know, is like the happy stuff, like all the good stuff, you know. Because when I look back, I'm like, we were kids. Like everyone makes mistakes. Like we were so young. And I think that's what's hard to process sometimes. I'm like, well, we were like literally 19. So like we were just babies out of high school, you know, dealing with all this. We all make mistakes and nobody's perfect. And so I think as I've gotten older, like realizing that helps the whole process and the grief and everything make more sense for me.

14:31It's crazy because when I was reading the book, I kept having to remind myself how young you were during these points in the book. I'm like, wait a second. Like, Like, you're literally a baby. You know what I mean? And just thinking about, like, we've done this a little research because of our podcast. But, like, the prefrontal cortex of your brain is not coming online until you're 25 at least. It's not there. And so, like, we wonder, you know, we think back and just how, like, emotionally driven we are and how impulsive we are. and realizing like how normal that is. It doesn't excuse any bad behavior, but it's like, wow, you know, this is to have the expectations that we should be, you know, more developed in that sense is just like not super, super fair.

15:27Yeah, exactly.

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17:33Just, you know, getting healthy. But honestly, the hardest part about this for me has been getting the right amount of protein to support my workouts. It's very important that you are having enough protein as you're trying to build muscle. With everything I have going on, I need my nutrition to be simple, even like mindless. So that's where cachava has been so important, so huge for me. It's basically my go-to all-in-one shake when I don't have time to really overthink meals. Two Scoops has 25 grams of plant-based protein, six grams of fiber, greens, adaptogens, and it actually tastes amazing.

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18:49So you have your son and I'm just so curious how that, how that changed your life in the moment, you know, literally in terms of your day to day, but then also your relationships, your relationship with God, like how did it change? Oh, it changed like everything, I would say. So it's like regardless of like my spiritual relationships and things like that, like just the basic stuff like motivation and drive and things like that were felt like they were changed like overnight. Like even during my pregnancy, though, like I had to still take courses. I know I talk a little bit about it in the book, but like I was having to take a certain amount of credits each month to be NCAA eligible.

19:30And like these classes like weren't easy. And so I had to do that during pregnancy, like during my grief process. And I do talk about how I took a test like a day or two after he passed away. And like having to be like, well, I don't really have any, I can't make any excuses. Like I have to do this. Like I have to, I want like for my future and I have to push forward. And so doing that was difficult. So I think having him gave me even the basic things like motivation and drive. And then also during my grief process, I became more spiritual because I needed it to make sense for me. It was like either I can turn towards God or a way to make this make sense.

20:03and I turned towards because I needed like, I never got like an answer as to why it happened, but it made it make more sense for me, even though it still will never make sense, you know? Yeah. And so having him to like, I say in the book as well, but like a lot of that depression that I felt like was like lifted off my body and it felt like it was overnight and, you know, and it still lingered, obviously like certain things here and there. I talk about like my battle with like dealing with certain things over the years, but like having him oh my gosh it just changed my life like overnight like it's just crazy like he to this day obviously is everything to me and like he's who I dedicate the book to for that reason like call him my saving grace and he's just so special and he's so naughty too he's a wild boy he's 10 which is so crazy he just turned 10.

20:54I have a two-year-old boy and I'm like yo, this is a crazy adventure. Oh yeah. Like he was a crazy little toddler, crazy kid. Now he's almost preteen. And I'm like, oh my gosh, we're double digits now. So it's scary, but he's like the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm obsessed with him. I love him so much. It's the best. It's the best. Um, what has, what is your journey with your faith been? we've talked about this on the pod a little bit where you know we grew up a certain way yeah and then kind of had like a moment of individuation like we don't identify with that and then have kind of come back around to god in our own way so i'm just so curious for people listening who don't know too much about your story like what that's been been like for you in the Mormon religion?

21:48Yeah, no, I think it's been so much what you're saying, kind of like where you have, you're grown, you grew up a certain way with like the certain valleys or the certain expectations. And then obviously I broke a lot of those. And so for me, I did get a lot more spiritual though, when I was going through my repentance process and a lot more, I don't want to say like involved in church, but I was seeking for answers, I guess. And so I feel like I was in a very spiritual place and, but I still was young, you know, again, brain was not developed yet. And so I think over the years is when I've been able to find myself as well and figure out what I want from religion and what I don't want.

22:27And I think it's kind of, it's individual for every person. So I always say that like my core with religion is like God and Jesus and like family. And then also like being a good person, like all that, like the basic traits of just like being a good person in general. And that's kind of like what I usually like to take from my religion. So there's some of the other things I don't take and certain guidelines I don't follow. And I think that's okay. I think it's okay to live your religion the way that makes you happy. And other people's opinions shouldn't matter and judgment. Yeah. Did you ever feel like taken by that judgment from other people?

23:04Oh, yeah, for sure. In the past, like there was times, I mean, like going to a Mormon church pregnant out of marriage is not easy. Yeah. Wow. It's like people won't really say things to your face, obviously, but like there's rumblings behind the scenes. And so I think like it, I think for me, it took actually a lot of courage to go do that. Like, I mean, for sure. Yeah. And so I think, yeah, such a young age. And so I do think that also helped me even in my career though, because it's like you doing reality TV, writing a book, you have to have thick skin, and not really care what people think.

23:37And so I think a lot of my experiences have morphed me into who I am today. And I feel like most of the bad things that have happened have become positives in my life later. They've changed me in a positive way, in a positive light. Yeah. You write about an abusive relationship in the book and during college. Um, and yeah, I was just so, I was so blown away by just your vulnerability in that because I can imagine it, it takes a lot to write that down, you know, and to kind of like relive that. Yeah. Um, and I also know that you're not alone. Um, and so when you're looking back on that time as you now at this age and at this stage in your life.

24:37I guess, what would you say? What would you say about that girl? And what would you say about what you were experiencing and anything that you would share with people listening who might have experienced something similar? Yeah. I mean, I think I would look back and say, if I were to talk to my younger self, like you're doing your best. Because I think for me, I held a lot of guilt and blame on myself for years from it. So I think that's the hardest thing for me to get over with the hurdle of, you know, the recovering from the abuse is that I blame myself for a lot of it. And so I think if I could go back and like, it's not your fault, like you're doing your best.

25:19And I think that would help the future of me to heal over time. And as far as like other people, I guess, who are recovering from it, it's just like, it comes and goes in waves. Like to this day, it's been 12 years since the abusive relationship. And I still have moments that are hard for me. Like this many years later, like writing about it was hard for me. Sometimes like my new relationship with my partner, like sexually is hard for me because of the sexual abuse that I have been through. And like, sometimes you think like, Oh, why am I not like getting better? Like, why is this still happening?

25:49You know? And healing is just different for everyone. Like you don't have to be discouraged because maybe you still are struggling with things years and years later. Cause like a lot of people are, I still do, you know, I feel like it's fairly normal when you experience things that are very traumatic. And so I think just trying to stay positive and knowing like you're doing your best to heal and like get better and also like educate other people. Like I think that gives me purpose is telling this story. It's like, I feel like it heals me in a way because I'm like, I'm able to hopefully help other women prevent this from happening to them.

26:20Like if they read it now, come prevent this, or maybe they're starting a relationship and there's some red flags. Maybe they can read this and be like, oh my gosh, like this is happening to me. Like I better get out now before it's like, before actually it's bad. So I feel like in a way helping other people heals me as well. You know, like I just want to help so bad. And that's why you see me on the show with Taylor and her situation. It's like, I am so involved because it's like, it's almost helpful for me because I don't want anyone to experience that because it's so lonely and it's so isolating and stuff going through it, even though there's so many people that experience it, when you're going through it, you feel alone.

26:53Like you feel trapped. And so it's like, I don't want that to happen to other people. Yeah. I really felt that like trap, like as time went on and more things happened, it's like you kind of build this like fortress around yourself where it's like, not you building it, but the experiences of trauma that put you into that like freeze and shock. and then I can imagine you know with or without Mormonism like there's shame right but I can imagine that there's like kind of an added layer with you know you spoke about going to repentance am I saying that right yeah just repenting you're repenting yeah so it's just that added layer of like something traumatic just happened to me and also I have to go tell someone about it.

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27:47Yeah. And I'm going to be looked at like I did something wrong. Yeah. Was that the feeling? Yeah, I think so. But it's like it does always feel like an expectation too just because it's like that is just all I knew. Of course. This is kind of like they're kind of like, well, this is the route you typically take, you know, like, you know, I think we're just kind of going with the motions, you know. I assume if my parents knew how poorly that would have went for me that they wouldn't have had me do that. Right. You know? But yeah, I think it's just like we are just learning from our experiences.

28:19Yeah. You know? Yeah. And it's hard to navigate something that you've never been through. Like I always say that TikTok where it's like, remember, like this is your parents' first time living too. Like living life and they're experiencing things for the first time. So true. And like I think we're all just, you know, trying our best to be happy. Yes. And like make life the best we can. Yeah, totally. I think so much of adulthood is, yeah, you're continuing to do your own healing. But then you're also like looking at your parents and when they were this age and what they were doing and the decision, you know, and just having like a lot more.

28:54It's getting to the point where you have a lot more compassion for them and forgiveness and just like, oh, wow, you're humans too. It's actually crazy too. Even just like parenting. I'm like, oh, my parents did back then. I'm like, you're so annoying. and then like I do the same thing now and I'm like give me an example just like my mom does this too like where she'll kind of like scare she like scared us a lot growing up so that we wouldn't get into trouble or like do things that like maybe she was afraid of happening to us so it's like or like don't go over there as like a scary guy over there like be careful like you know there's not right to kind of scare you to like not like run away from her so she doesn't like lose you uh huh I started doing that when I had my son and I was like no I was like I hate that I do this but also it's like it works It works.

29:36I was like, I just want to keep you safe. So how do I do that? Because you won't listen to me. I'm like, don't run into the street. Okay, hit by a car. It's like, great. I'm going to do it then. That's like what my kids do. I'm like, great. Cars? Let's walk right into them. You know, it's like, oh, this is scary. It's scary. You're right over there. Be careful. I mean, yeah. You kind of realize those crazy moments where you looked at your parents when you were younger and you're like, why are you being psyched or overreacting? And I do the same thing. The other, I guess, example I have is like, and it drives me nuts that I do this.

30:04but it's like I'm always like when I was your age and I'm like oh that's what we had growing up when I was your age we didn't have social media we didn't have tvs or something you know and like now if my kids I'm like say the same thing like when I was your age I had to be bored I had coloring books I didn't have a phone where I could watch youtube on it it's like you're not getting it you know I just saw a reel today about millennials and just how like you know we have the experience of growing up with like no social media yeah and we're kind of like that bridge you know we've like dipped our toes in the old world and now we're in the new world whatever and it was like very nostalgic and you know you would like after school you go out to play until like the sun started to come down a little bit you come home turn on you're just to come home like you'd have to knock on your friend's doors to see if they're home yeah or call like the landline the landline baby oh my gosh those are the good old days those are those good old days The childhood was fun.

30:57Tell me, so you have a 10-year-old. You have a 10-year-old. You are a public figure. You're on reality TV. How are you navigating motherhood where so many eyes are on you? You know, I can imagine like your son is like aware of what's happening. Like how are you navigating that? You know, it's like I'm just trying to do the best I can and figure it out. It's like me and my husband try to figure out how to navigate this best because this is new for us. How do we do all of this? And so like our kids, we have taken them offline like for the most part. It's like every once in a while I want to post like a family photo.

31:40Like maybe I'll show their faces and stuff. But like for the most part, I've been in the last year and a half been more private about like what I'm sharing with like my kids and things like that. And then my son, like, knows that, like, it's funny. It's funny and hard because he, like, wants to be on the show sometimes. He sees him filming and he, like, tries to come and, like, walk in. Like, we're filming with my cousin. And, like, both my kids, like, they see the cameras out there and they're kind of, like, going in the middle of them. So it's kind of, like, it's hard to navigate, too, because I don't want to be like, get off, get off.

32:07You know what I mean? Because I don't want to feel weird and, like, it's, like, the secret thing or anything either. So it's kind of tricky. But my son knows about the show and stuff like that. So I do tell them. Like, don't, like, tell people at school. like just don't tell them about it like let's just keep this like private like want to keep it private because you know he likes to brag as a kid and big my mom's famous she's on a show I'm like don't say that like I'm not famous so don't like go saying that to people like so it's yeah it's kind of funny but like he obviously like thinks it's cool you know but it's like normal for them now it's not like it's anything like weird like they know the film crew comes like they know a lot of the crew like the producers and things like that and they like play with my kids and stuff.

32:45And then like, it's honestly, it's having them around like production sometimes feels like a second family. Like you start to like interact too. Like you're like, I'm not doing that. Like you start like having, it's almost like sibling relationships with like people you work with. Honestly, it's like, Hey, it's honestly great. Like you kind of miss them when they're not around sometimes. Totally. Yeah. That's so sweet. How are you navigating social media with his age? I'm curious for myself. Oh, like as far as like what I'm going to do when he gets older. Um, well right now it's like no social media.

33:12Sometimes he like will go on YouTube, but like does he have a phone no okay no and he won't get one until he's older love that and then even then i was like in my head i'm like i don't like me my husband like i don't think we want him to have social media until he's like 18 like out of the house just because it's different now than it was back then like if there's so many bad things on there like i get like weird dms all the time of like sex workers too who are like in the dms like watch this live like click this link And I'm like, and they spam everyone with those. And I just want to make sure I'm protecting him.

33:44But like in my head, the only thing I worry about too is like if you take it away and you're like, you're not allowed to have it until you're 18, are they going to sneak it anyways? But I'd rather him have it, but maybe we have parent access to it to where we can see what's going on versus, you know, him sneaking it behind my back. I know. So it's like I can't decide what I'm going to do. I think no matter what, if I did let him have it early and like had control, it would probably be like 16. Yeah. Yeah. Is what I'm thinking. I know. I feel like it's harder for girls though. Because like with girls with social media, people are mean and they're bullies.

34:16And I think girls sometimes take that more seriously. Especially when like people are commenting on like body image and like the way they look. And like I feel like it's harder for women. Yes. So I think with my daughters, I might be even more cautious than my sons. Like it's hard to say like. But definitely when they're older. Like they can't have it young. If they get a phone, I might get one of those like gab phones where they can only like call their parents and stuff.

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37:37I'm wondering how to have the conversation in our home where like they get that being on your phone all the time and on social media all the time not only rotting your brain but also it's like not cool and it doesn't make you happy yeah how yeah exactly like get outside like how how do I I guess you model it you know and you create experiences for them so that like you know their actual life feels just that much more like yeah exciting and just something they want to engage with and I yeah that's the thing too it's just with it we were raised like it's like I want my kids to go outside like touch some grass like go outside and play with friends in the street like don't be even video games I'm very I know I don't say I'm very strict on but like I there's a certain allotment of time like if you get to play it during the day like it's only a certain amount of time like it's not i guess i just want them to go outside and be like normal kids and not be like on screens all day you know same so there's certain friends that he likes to play with and i'm like i don't think you can't go put their house i know you're gonna go over there and just play video games and you're not allowed to do that i know it's like it's hard to because if you don't get it from your house they're gonna get it somewhere else that's the thing it's really the friend with the most access is like what your child's access is probably going to be that's what's hard unless you're like you can't go over there you getting out with them.

38:55And then it's like, you don't want to be that parent who's so strict, you know? And it's like, cause I had friends with parents like that too. And it was just kind of like, I know. I'm not like, well, your parents are weird. You know, like something like that. I'm not like, I care about looking weird. I just, I don't want my kid to feel, oh, like embarrassed. Like othered or like, yes. Yeah. You know, it's like, it's so hard to navigate. Like, I think I'm just going to kind of play it by ear because I don't know. I just don't know. How has your relationship with social media changed over the years after, you know, having the success and you are famous um that you've had I know I know the feeling though where it's like I hate that you're just doing your life and yeah it's like sometimes like being called an influencer in the past yeah I was like oh like because it has like a negative yeah like you know thing to it but as far as like navigating it I don't know because I just feel like nothing's changed to an extent um but obviously it's like different like going out like being more aware like if like that's the biggest thing that's changed for us like as a family to being like you have less privacy and I am someone that loves privacy I will say that um so that like definitely has been something new with me with like social media trying to navigate that um and then again like I'm more selective with what I do share now online like what do I want to share I don't have to share everything like I do share so much in the books like if I do decide to keep something private like it's definitely for a reason um but yeah I'm kind of figuring out as I go like I think it's just interesting just like in the last year living a more normal life now it's like obviously different and like it's very exciting and all the opportunities but it's even funny doing the book tour and people coming up being like oh my gosh I'm so nervous I'm so excited like for what like I like don't get it like it's like in my head I'm like we are the same like there's no difference between me and you you know it's just like yeah it's just it's interesting so sometimes I don't get it like the newfound like I guess fame if you want to call that like is just it is different for me to navigate I'm like I'm still bringing it out and my husband like is so sweet but he's also like hey like you don't need to have like 10 minute conversations with everyone you meet on the street like you can he's like make it short and sweet like move on and I'm like I'm so sorry Krista and I always joke because it's different but like if people like our listeners we meet them they usually like need to go they're like we gotta go sorry.

41:12Like we're the ones like talking. And how just your, your relationship with your husband, I guess, you know, with, with the experience you talk about in the book with your past relationships, because I know you're not unique in this sense where, you know, people are bringing their stuff into their relationships. And so I guess do you have practices or just ways in which you stay connected to your husband and just supporting of each other's continued healing? Because it's like you don't heal everything and then get married. It's like it continues with your person. Oh, yeah, for sure. I think he is very supportive in the sense that he's like, hey, like, do you need to go back to therapy?

42:06Like, are you like, like, let's get you back in. And like if you're having struggles, like even when I started writing the book, like officially, officially, he was like, hey, like maybe we should think you should go back to therapy to help you through this because it's like obviously can be really hard and traumatic. And like he knows like those days where I have long days from the show or maybe it's like I was writing the book and it was like a sad area of the book that I'm writing. He was like, let's like allows me to take some space. Like, why don't you go relax? I'll put the kids to bed. Like he's very good at like protecting my peace, I would say.

42:37And so I feel like we try to hold time for each other and, like, check-ins. And, like, as far as, like, our relationship, too, like, when we're filming, at least last season. Right now we have no time. But, like, last season he was very good at, like, he would schedule dates and stuff for us. Like, every week being like, okay, like, I scheduled the babysitter to come so we can, like, go on a date, you know. Like, so we have time together. Because it is hard, like, with the lifestyle now. Like, trying to find time to, like, have quality time with your partner. Like, I'm exhausted by the end of the night.

43:06especially being a parent and stuff. So it's hard to have those moments together where you're like really connecting. Especially with how much like work we have going on. Because I lay in bed and like I just start working on my phone, you know. And so I'm definitely trying to learn how to balance it. But I think for us it's worked in the past is like, hey, let's like schedule time for each other, like quality time. And then we both have agreed to do this, which we haven't done it yet, but we need to just put our phones away at night. Because a lot of times I just start working. I'm like, well, I need to post this or I need to do this, you know.

43:34And so I think like what I want to do, which I want to be type A, but I'm not there. Like I think I'm in between A and B. I'm between. I'm a total B. Yeah. I want to be an A though. I'm a Virgo though. So I have that in me, but like in, I think it's in other ways. What's your sign? I'm a Pisces. Cool. So I don't know what that means as far as organization. Maybe it's B. Okay, we'll talk about it. Yeah. I don't know. It's you, I think we'd have to know more about the chart, but. Yeah. I think there's like a wateriness where it's like a little more fluid. Yeah. Less structured. Yeah. So I feel like what I want to do though is I want to have like, okay, like these are the working hours.

44:10And like once that ends, like phones away. Like I want to make sure I have a couple quality hours with my kids. And then with my husband, you know. So that's what I want to do. Does that always happen? Absolutely not. Yeah. And it's also because my son's 10. So he has the baseball practice, the basketball practice, the football practice. What? Yes. Yo. My husband signs him up for so many sports too. And my daughter has like soccer, gymnastics, and like t-ball. And so it's like doing all of that. I forgot that's coming. Yes. And it's like, but I want them to have the normal life that I did. So it's like they are going to have to do all the sports.

44:43And I try to go to all the games. Like I don't want my schedule to ever interact with that because I, you know, it sucks if you don't have your parents. Oh my God, of course. Yeah. And my son's about to hit those ages, the age where it's like they don't care about their parents anymore. and like this one with your friends. So I'm like, I'm going to like milk this white can and soak it in before he hits like 13 and he's like, I don't care. I was just talking to a friend the other day whose daughter just turned 13. She said literally to the day, like wanted nothing to do with me. She's like, I'm struggling.

45:13Like really, really hard. Like my son will still hold my hand and he'll still like sometimes kiss me in the lips, which is shocking to me. Come on, wait. I love that because my husband always like, he's like, why do you kiss him on the lips and all that? I was like, you don't understand. Like, you don't get a mother's love. I'm like this. Yeah. It's not creepy. It is everything. It's so normal. And like, he'll come up to me and like, want to kiss me. I was like, okay, let's keep this energy because I love it. Like, don't change it. There's nothing better. Mama's son. Oh my gosh. I'm like, in one day that won't be what it is, you know?

45:48I know. He'll still be a stinky little teenager. So stinky. He's too cool. I think he thinks it's cool, though. I'm kind of lucky I'm in this position where I still like, I'm kind of on TV, right? So then he's like, thinks I'm still a little bit cool and then he's going to admit it because I'll say some of the slang that he said at school and stuff. And then he was like, oh, he'll like smile. And he's like. So I'm like, gotcha. I'm like, your mom's still cool. That is so cool. So I'm like, try to keep up with him. He'll teach me all the slang. Like I guess right now is like six, seven. Don't know what that means.

46:18What is that? Does anyone know? You know. Tell me. It's just some stupid thing. Yeah, he goes, he goes, six, seven. I'm like, what does that mean? I don't know. But I just know it's like cool. Okay. I want to use that. And what's the other one? I forgot what it's called. What is it called? Not Smize. What is it? It's like the, you know, the wrist. Sigma. Sigma. Yeah, he does this. What the heck? Tell me what that is. He does his face like this. So I nod. Sometimes he'll be playing baseball. He's about to go up to bat and I'm like Hudson. Just to kind of like make him laugh and like loosen up before.

46:55he goes down that is so cute he thinks it's hilarious for now I mean but when he turns 13 he's like stop doing that he's like stop mom you're not cool but for now we're still cool that is so cute yeah so he keeps he keeps me young I learn all the slang now that is so sweet dude nothing better nothing better than having kids it's the hardest thing it is the hardest and it's like the best role like no matter what career I have whatever success I ever have being a mom will always be my favorite and best role I've ever played in my life did you know that that was going to be the case for you or did you like, were you surprised by that?

47:27Um, I feel like I was surprised by it because I was the baby of the family. So it's like, I didn't have younger siblings to kind of like learn from. I just didn't really know what I was doing and stuff. And I think when I had my son, it's almost like nature's instincts like kicked in for me. I don't know if everyone has that. Cause I think one of my sisters, like she's like, I don't really feel that, but some people do, where it's like, I just felt like I even knew, I knew what to do. Like just like naturally, like yeah um which is so great I think it's just yeah like I and I said this before I've never felt love in my entire life until I had my son like obviously I've had love I had relationships but I'm like I've never had like true real authentic love until I met my son and then I really knew what love felt like 100 yeah it's crazy and then you realize how much like your parent must have loved you and it's like it's insane it's too much it's a whole thing I'll float away on a river of tears.

48:17I know. It's just so, it is such a full circle moment when that happens. It is. It's intense, for sure. Okay. Okay. Talk to me about the show and what do you want people to know that they might not know about whether it's the friendships, the dynamics, the actual filming of reality TV, the juggling of it all. What do you want people to know? I mean, it's very hard to juggle. I think like people don't realize how much you film versus how much actually makes it into the show. I would say 50 % of what I film makes it into the show. Wow. Which is actually crazy. And do you have any say? No. Zero. Do you have any approvals?

49:00Meaning like what they do choose, can you be like, eh? Zero. Wow. Unless it was like a legal, it was like a legal thing where I was like, this is like very sensitive. You cannot talk about this. Right. Okay. That's when you'd have the, but I'm like, I don't have anything like that I can think of. And so that and then as far as like everything else, like I feel like people are only seeing still a glimpse into our lives. Yeah. And so because there are so many of us on the show, like you're only seeing such a small part of our lives, even though you're seeing us every six months pretty much on your TV at the new season.

49:31It's like there's so much more to all of us that you don't see. Right. And that's why I was excited to write the books. Now you can see, well, like mostly like my story and like what I've been through. Yeah. But there's still like a lot more to me. Like I feel like I'm kind of funny. sometimes like me and mikaela both we both think we're like funny but maybe we're not at all i just don't know but like it's hard because like you can't always show that humor on the show because like sometimes that stuff gets cut cut out and i wish it didn't but um stuff like that like even though like we're fighting a lot on the show whatever and by we i mean most of them i don't fight too much but um even though there's a lot of fighting there's so many fun moments we're all just like dying laughing and having such a good time it just doesn't always see the light of the day so it's like some people are like oh they're mean girls and I'm like no like there's some people who can be mean for sure like everyone has like moments where they're not perfect but we have a lot of fun and we genuinely like like being around each other and people will sometimes think it's like this act and like it's not real it's this is fake because why would they be friends now when the second ago they hated each other I'm like because that's just like how we are like I don't know and that's sometimes the nature of really certain relationships you know you can go through that but it's not I'm like sometimes I wish it was because it would be easier yeah but i'm like it's not so yeah it's just funny because a lot of people like get those comments like this is staged this is a joke it's all staged like it's not but sometimes it'd be great if it was when i think about pregnancy prep there's already so much to hold physically emotionally mentally all of it and honestly i don't want supplements to be another thing i'm stressing about that's why in my first pregnancy i really trusted ritual their essential prenatal feels very intentional and well thought out from the ingredients to how it's designed.

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53:14I've noticed a big difference in my energy and just my bounce back rate. It's been great. Fatty 15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get 15 % off their 90-day starter kit at fatty15.com slash almost 30 and use the code almost 30 at checkout. Again, that's fatty15.com slash almost 30. The code is almost 30 and you'll get 15 % off their 90-day starter kit.

53:44Have your relationships outside of the show changed since being on the show and have you had to have like relationship updates with them? Like it's making me think of like when my friends learn of news on social media that I'm sharing before sharing directly with them so it's like that type of thing um for the most part I tell like my close friends like big life updates or things like that before they make like tv or okay whatever but I think it's changed as far as like I don't have a ton of time now to put in like friendships like I try to do check-ins with friends and stuff but it's really hard and I feel bad sometimes because like the friends that I have outside the show I can't give them like my attention or like the love I want to give because I'm so busy with the show that like if I do have a free moment I'm trying to spend that with my family and that makes it really hard to continue friendships like outside of the show like I do try my best but you know I've had a couple where it's like oh I feel like you don't really like want to hang out like since the show I'm like no it's not that I don't want to it's just like I'm exhausted like I'm running on fumes like I'm trying to hang out with my family spend time with them I'm trying to do the show I'm writing a book Like I run a business.

54:51Like it is so hard to even have time for me. Like, so it's like, it is hard because it's like, I don't ever want any friends or anyone to think like, oh, now that she does this show, she thinks she's like too good for us. That would never in my life be the case ever. It's just like, it is so hard because time is so limited for me, you know? And I wish I had more time in the day. It's not talked about enough. Just that aspect of, of motherhood in particular and layering on career, layering on so many things and like the mental load that you hold and, and just how certain things are going to take a hit, you know, certain things.

55:25Yeah, and it's hard because then you feel like guilt and you're like, Of course. Or like, you know. Of course. But knowing that everything is seasonal, you know, that you will have that season again where you can and want to pour into your relationships. Yeah. I really feel you deeply. I have a million more questions, but I want everyone to get the book and dig in. It's so good. I'm really, really happy for you. I'm so proud of you. I just met you, but I'm really proud of you because I know what it takes to pour into a book. It's a lot. And it's out in the world now. So you can get it anywhere books are sold.

55:55It's called Told You So. It's a beautiful memoir. I love the cover. Thank you so much. So beautiful. Thank you for being here. Thank you so much. I had so much fun. So much fun. All right, guys, we'll see you on the next one. Bye. Thank you so much, Macy. What an incredible conversation. I'm so grateful we got to chat, sit down together. And congratulations on your new book. Told You So is out now. You can get it anywhere books are sold. You can get the link in our show notes as well. Y 'all, thank you for buying our book. Our book came out in June. I'm just so blown away by the response, the love, the support.

56:31So thank you. This is an incredible gift as we go into the holiday season for anyone moving through a season of change. So if you or someone you know is experiencing that, highly recommend getting our book, Almost 30, A Definitive Guide to a Life you love for the next decade and beyond anywhere books are sold. Okay, y 'all. I think that's it. I will see you on the next one. We have two episodes every single week. Please do not forget two episodes every single week. Make sure you're subscribed so they just pop into your pod inbox. Easy peasy. Okay. Love you. Bye.

From the publisher

In this episode, Lindsey sits down with reality personality + author Mayci Neeley to talk resilience, healing, and building a life you love after unimaginable loss. Mayci opens up about early motherhood, traumatic relationships, and the truth behind her Mormon upbringing.

Ahead, discover the untold story behind Mayci’s viral reality TV success, her raw + powerful memoir, and her spiritual + emotional transformation after surviving grief and depression. Packed with wisdom for navigating family expectations, faith, and self-worth, Mayci’s story is a must-listen.

Plus, Mayci reveals how motherhood saved her, why speaking up heals, and the steps to living your own unapologetic truth. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your darkest moments into your biggest breakthroughs, this episode will light the way.

We also talk about:

Navigating shame + perfectionism when life doesn’t go as planned

Growing up Mormon + forging a personal relationship with faith

Finding strength + self-acceptance after an abusive relationship

Parenting in a digital age + protecting kids from social media

Processing grief + depression during pregnancy

Keeping marriages strong—with therapy, check-ins, and date nights

Building thick skin for reality TV + online criticism

How fame + visibility impact friendships + privacy

Setting boundaries for self-care + social media sharing

The healing power of vulnerability, storytelling, and helping others

Resources:

“Told You So” is available now: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Told-You-So/Mayci-Neeley/9781668099926?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKUuiRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpzgpNkIIrWq_G7K6P3aVqDh68w693MIdlvByV4WZDOVRDShIuT4H6MFskDGC_aem_JszUXcHHi7JUy1Aaoq18Dw

Instagram: @maycineeley

TikTok: @maycineeley

Order our book, Almost 30: A Definitive Guide To A Life You Love For The Next Decade and Beyond, here: https://bit.ly/Almost30Book. 

Sponsors:

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To advertise on this podcast please email: partnerships@almost30.com.

Learn More:

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Podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: almost30.com/disclaimer. 

Almost 30 is edited by Garett Symes and Isabella Vaccaro.

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