Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Lindsay Arnold Cusick | DWTS Memories, Sisterhood & Being a Mom

Episode Date: January 23, 2024

#705. On today’s episode, Kaitlyn is joined by former Dancing with the Stars pro, Lindsay Arnold Cusick . Lindsay spent almost 10 years as a pro and is now watching her baby sister, Rylee Arnold, follow in her footsteps. She shares what it was like growing up as the oldest of 4 sisters, if her family would consider having a reality TV show, and if they are really as close as they seem. I mean, 4 girls in one house… That’s a lot of hormones! Of course, the two of them reminisce about Lindsay’s time on DWTS, from a life-threatening accident to what she misses the most after leaving. Will she ever go back? Tune in to hear her answer! For now, she is focused on being a mom to her two beautiful daughters and watching them experience the joy of sisterhood. And don’t worry, Kaitlyn makes sure to cover all of the Vino questions from the OTV Facebook group, too!  And, be sure to check out The Movement Club, Lindsay's program for women of all ages and body types to fall in love with working out. Thank you to our incredible sponsors! SKIMS — SKIMS Bras are now available at SKIMS.com. Be sure to let them know I sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. BOMBAS — Head over to Bombas.com/Vine and use code VINE for 20% off your first purchase. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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So whether it's your first time experiencing Pride and Prejudice or you've read it a million times, you're going to fall absolutely in love all over again. So go listen to Pride and Prejudice now at audible.ca slash Jane Austen. Off the Vine. Hey everybody. Welcome to Off the Vine. I'm your host, Caitlin Bristow. I always feel like Nick Lachey where I'm like, and I'm obviously Caitlin Bristow. You know what you're tuning into. Today I got to talk to live. Lindsay Arnold Cusick. Pro dancer on Dancing with the Stars. Her little sister is now a dancer as she turns into being a mom and fully leans into that. And I'm obsessed with her family. And we talk all Dancing with the Stars, being a mom. Everything you'd want to hear from Lindsay we talk about. So enjoy. Hi, Lindsay. Hi. Hi. How are you? I'm so excited to chat. And your hair looks freaking incredible. That's so nice of you. This is impressive and gross. But I have not washed it since I got it done. And I'm so scared to. because I'm like, I can't do it the same as they do it at the salon and like the color is perfect

right now and I'm like, I'm so scared to ruin everything. I totally feel like I extend that wash after getting it done for as long as I possibly can. But the good thing my short hair is you really don't have to wash it as often. Like I feel like the dirty look is like kind of what it is. Like that's what you want. It's true. It's true. I literally wake up and put some dry shampoo and then I'm like, I'm ready. I know. I seriously have been so tempted to chop my hair because I've done it a couple times and it's i never regret it it's always so freaking fun i feel like you have such great hair where it grows back like if you want to grow it out long again your hair grows really quickly mine like i'm like this will be it forever now because my hair just rather grow well it looks so good so you might as well just

commit it's perfect yeah but what about when the bob is like not a thing anymore and everyone's like oh my god it's like it would be like me having a side part with like chunky hair like all even 10 years just like still rocking the bob being like yeah bobs can't go out that's not fair they can't do that to us But gosh, they'll do, Gen Z is really hitting us hard with all the things. So can't keep up anymore. I went and tattooed my eyebrows and then all of a sudden, like, thinner eyebrows or a thing again. I'm like, I can't keep up. I can't keep up.

My get ready with me would be like so boring. I'd be like, get ready with me. I'm like, I haven't showered in a week and I just do this to my hair. Like, here we go. We're good. That's the best kind of get ready. I like that. That's my style.

No, you're get ready with me. I'm going to talk about them later with you because I love them so much. Like, C and Sage and you're get ready. I just can't. I'm like so cute it out. make me want a baby so bad oh my gosh you're so sweet we'll get into all things babies and kids because i feel like you were just like born to be a mom and do what you're doing so are you in utah i am yep i'm in utah okay amazing i did you know i don't know if you know this but on my season

of bachelorette we were trying to keep spoilers away from reality steve okay like he spoils every season and oh every season i always look yeah okay you do i'm like i hate spoilers so I never looked, but I was so proud that he didn't know my season and all of the production were like, okay, for once he doesn't know. And so instead of going to meet the two guys' families in their hometowns, we actually did hometowns in Park City, Utah. Oh, you did? Wait. I actually kind of remember that. Do all your sisters live in Utah as well? Yeah. So I grew up here. My parents still live in the house that I, like, lived my entire life in. Yes. And we all like live within a 10 minute radius. We're in like a little triangle. So it's so nice that I have family here. I mean, I love it because of

Utah, but I also love it because my family's here. Like it just makes it home. I know you guys are all so close. And it's like you have you have one of those families that I feel like people will want to see on television. Like we're like, I need more of this content. But would you guys ever do that? Would you ever do a reality show with your family? Honestly, we've had talks before. Like a lot of people have approached us. The problem is I feel like we're generally just like too normal like we're not dramatic we don't hate each other secretly yeah we don't really fight so like we have always been we're very open to it in the sense of like it would be so fun because we're open people we love to share our lives but we're like it has to be the right thing because it's like you're not going to get drama out of us like you're just probably

not so that's okay but I really feel like people are actually craving wholesome content on social media and television right now like I don't I I I actually think that people are kind of over drama. I feel like we saw that with Golden Bachelor where we were like loving, seeing women, like cheering on the other women and being happy for them. And I was like, nobody missed drama. Like there's a tiny bit, but it was like cute drama. Yes.

Like it wasn't anything. Yeah. I feel like your family would deliver like good, well, thank you. Yeah. I like it. I would love it. I would love it. But yeah, it's like it would have to be very, it would just have to be the right thing.

because we're also like like i said we're pretty normal we've all got like spouses who are not in this world so it's just like it would have to be something where it's like they're down for us to just be our normal selves because they're not going to get much else so we'd have to see but it would be so fun thank you definitely but i feel like was you like your family dynamic and growing up with that many like that much estrogen in one house was it always were you guys always like normal and getting along because i have a sister one oh i was six step sisters but i didn't grow up with them my parents remarried later in life oh my good okay i grew up with one sister and it was like so dramatic because of the hormones and like mood swings and i just can't even imagine that many

women in one household oh 100 like when i tell people i'm like i've always loved my sisters like always but we weren't really friends until we all kind of like graduated and left the house because it was just that it was who's on their period this week oh we're all synced up who's stealing who's clothes, who gets to, like, have this thing, who's driving? And I was the oldest. So I feel like I was just, I always told people, I was like, I was that bratty older sister that was like, no, like you can't hang out with me and my friends. So there was all of that there. Well, it's such a crazy age difference. It is. It really is. Like me and my youngest sister Riley, we're 12 years apart. So it's like, there's a lot, which I will say me and, like, there were certain sisters that I

really never fought with. And then the one that was closest to me, like we would have our most spickering which just makes sense but now they're literally my best friends and I know that's not always the case like I think I've been surprised to hear people being like I wish I was close to my sister and I'm like what do you mean like how are you not but I get that it's not the case so we're really lucky that we're now actually best friends like we love each other and we're best friends I want to know what's in the water in Utah I feel like every single person that comes out of there can dance they're all talented everyone's beautiful everyone has like multiple siblings and they're all just good at something? Like, what is in the water in Utah? I don't get it.

Well, I mean, I feel like it's funny because it kind of has become that, especially in the dance world. I feel like what sets people apart in Utah when it comes to dancing is the fact that we grew up training in all styles. Like the dance studio I was at and that a lot of us who are on the show were at, we did not just like ballet jazz, hip hop, contemporary, all of that, but we also trained in ballroom. And that's what set us apart. Because I feel like in other parts of the world it's like you've got your hardcore ballroom dancers like the artems and the vows and the glib like they just did ballroom and then there's the other side where it's like just jazz you're going to the conventions you're doing that world but we kind of met somewhere in the middle and i feel

like that opened up a lot of opportunity for us in the dancing world if that makes sense that actually does make a lot of sense i never thought of that because i grew up doing dancing i grew up doing like jazz tap ballet lyrical hip-hop but never ballroom and yeah ballroom as people know is just a whole other ball game of dancing because I know everybody that's ever been a dancer that's gone as a star on dancing with the stars like if they have danced background they're like oh this is so it doesn't help no it doesn't help you at all it really is so different the only way it helps is maybe like the performance of it but not the steps or the technique at all and so that actually makes a lot of sense that you're just so well-rounded but how in the hell do you have time to add

ballroom to all the other things like because i i know how busy i was as a dancer growing up it was six days a week my one day off was sunday and i had to do my homework at the dance studio and then you're mixing in ballroom and i don't know how you did it i know i think it's just because like at our it's not like i had to go somewhere else to do my ballroom like my studio did that as well so it was just like just like every you go to ballet every day hip hop jazz like you went to also a ballroom technique class you had ballroom team so it's like i feel like we just got really lucky because it wasn't something that i had to go out and add on it was just kind of part of the game like it's interesting because like you said it's like if you're a jazz dancer it's such a different world and i've

learned that more because for me that all of them were just part of the dance world but it really is so freaking different so different oh my gosh i could i still can't believe how different it was i was like oh and the the teaching style is very hardcore because it's so specific like i feel like you can't just like throw in your own style and do that it's like very specific and like strict almost and a hundred percent artem outside of the ballroom i'm like you are a sweet baby angel like i love you and in the ballroom i'm like damn what did i do to hear you i know i know ballroom coaches are tough like it's because it like you said it's not freestyle it's not really bringing i mean you can bring your own player to a to a to a little bit but then it's like at the end of day

you've got to follow the technique you've got to be on like perfectly well and then you add the element of it being on TV a competitive show like the everybody makes more money the longer you go on and it's this whole thing so it's like you add that pressure on top of the strict technique and I want to know what kind of teacher because we missed each other in that world I know I know so I was like I didn't really get to like totally hang with everybody the way I wanted to yeah we still hung out here and there but I mean I we both just like missed each other and I know I want to know what kind of teacher you are because I can't picture you being a hard ass i'm honestly not i'm really not like i feel like i mean i can get that way but i'm just i'm not like i've seen the way the guy pros are and how

like intense and like i just have never really been like that and also like i i think it depended on the partner though like there were seasons where i could be a little bit tougher but like i feel like my tough is like here whereas like the tough tough is still up here but i kind of had to gauge it based on my partners. And for me personally, like, that's just not really my personality. So then I feel like I would be, like, not having fun trying to be like that. You know what I mean? I feel like I would be a psychopath as a teacher because I'm so competitive and I'm so intense. Like, I would be like an art. I would be like on the outside of the dance studio, people would be like, oh, you're so nice. And then inside they'd be like, you are a crazy bitch. And I'm like, I know, I know, but we're going to win.

But we're going to do it. I know. See, I feel like I have, it's funny because I feel like what's going on inside my head is not what I actually put out. Like I will be losing my mind like so upset, so frustrated. And then I like think that I like express that. But then like I'll see like the package back and be like, oh my gosh, I was still so nice. Like in my head, I'm like, I hate you and I'm like, let's try again. You're doing a really good job. Like I'm like, what is wrong with me? Like I just feel like it's not really in me to be. I don't know. It was hard. But it's funny because I feel like I tried sometimes to be like that. And my trying still just wasn't really very tough. But we got it done. So it works.

I mean, you won a mirror ball, so obviously I guess something were right. Yeah, something that were I loved watching you and Matt. I loved your guys' relationship on social media and him with Sage was always so sweet. And I remember when he went home, I was like, wait, what? Because you guys were so good and it was like a shock. It was a shock. It was. I was so shocked.

I know. And I was just so bummed mostly because I was having so much fun with Matt. Like I was having so much fun. This was also my first season back after having Sage. like my first scene back as a mom. And I was so, so bummed. I mean, I will say I was shocked just because like I hadn't had a bachelor before, but typically they go pretty far. Like, I feel like Bachelor Nation really pulls you through. So I kind of was like, oh, we'll be okay for a little bit longer. And I also didn't think Matt was a bad dancer. Like, he wasn't the best, but he also

was pretty good. He tried. He tried really hard, which I love when people try. Like, there's just, like, you could tell he really enjoyed it and you two enjoyed working together. So it was fun for us to watch at home because you guys just had a good dynamic because I know there are times where and maybe it comes across on screen and sometimes it doesn't but have you ever had a partner where you were like if I get out of this competition tomorrow like I'm cool I'm cool with that because I've heard nightmare stories about some of the stars and celebs that come on the show because if you think about an actor or somebody that's been in the entertainment world for a long time they like know what to expect and they know the payment they're going to get and they know

what their hours are going to be. And then I feel like nobody prepares you for dancing with the stars where all of a sudden you're like, oh, this is a full-time job. And somebody is telling me what to do and how to do it all times of the day. So there must be nightmare stories. Honestly, like, I am, I don't know how I lucked out because I have never, okay, that's a lie. My first season was rough. It was rough. My partner was not a good dancer. He'd forget his choreography, like, on stage. Who was it? Victor Ortiz. He was a boxer. And he just was not made to dance. So that was tough.

Yeah. But after that, like, I really never had a season. Like, let's be real. I had probably more non-dancers than I think I only had two partners that had previous dance experience. The rest of them were starting from square one. So that's not to say that there weren't seasons where I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, thinking of teaching my partner how to do another dance every week, like, I'd be like,

how am I going to do this? But I never didn't want to do it because, like, I just would always have so much fun with my partners. I think back on, like, one of my favorite. seasons where I had a dancer who was just a partner who was not a dancer with David Ross. And I mean, I say this to his face like he was a bad dancer. And like he got a little bit better, but still at the end, like he was not a great dancer. And every week, I'd literally be like, I don't know how we are going to do this, especially when it gets to the point where

you're doing like two, three dances a week. I would always be like, how is this going to happen? But I never didn't want to show up because like I just had so much fun. And I was actually talking to somebody about this the other day. Like I still stay in contact with all of my partners, which all it was pretty where like there's times where the season ends and it's like sainara i don't ever want to talk to you ever again in my life totally i've never had that and i'm really really grateful for that i feel like dancing with the stars is kind of like an analogy for life like in motherhood and life and dancing with the stars oh my gosh you're like how am i going to do this how am i going to get out of bed this morning how am i going to show up as a mom how am i going to get my kids here and do

this how am I get and it somehow I do it sometimes I think it's it's women in general but like we just do it and you just get it done and I feel like that's dancing with the stars a hundred for I was actually I actually did a TikTok about this other day talking about how dance with the stars like prepared me for motherhood because it's literally that it's like you there's no option but to just do it like you don't get to just decide like this is too hard I'm out like no you're going to do it yeah Monday is going to roll around no matter what you're going to have to perform live so you've just got to make it happen I feel like it is really it taught me a lot of resilience and a lot of just like let's go we got to push through and it's helped me so much as a mom because that's life like there's morning where I wake up and I'm like I don't want to do this but then you just got to do it and you somehow do like you just figure it out and you just do it's pretty cool that's that's funny that you did a TikTok about that the other day because that just came to me like as you were talking I was like that kind of sounds like life I know it really really does like it's it's such a good metaphor and I feel like it really prepares you for a lot of things I mean, you probably felt like you got a little bit prepared as a mother for having like a baby sister when you were an older, like, teen.

I know. It must be such a crazy thing now to see your baby sister be the pro on Dancing with the Stars and you're watching at home. What has that been like for you? Oh, you have no idea. Like it literally, I tell people this, like her getting the call to be on the show, I was more excited than I was for myself. I was more nervous for Riley than I ever was for myself. I was more like everything just hit me so much more because one it's like I when she got the call that she was going to be on the show I knew I'm like I knew how life changing that call is for her where it's like she saw me do it but she hasn't experienced it yet I mean she's experienced it now but it was just like me just like knowing that my sister is going to have this life changing thing happen to her and so much can come from that and the potential that's there like it was just so cool and then like I said like so nervous for her because it's like I can't do anything but I know how strong. restful the position she's going to be in is. But it just, it was honestly a dream come true.

Like it was, it was so rewarding for me as a big sister to watch her do something. Not only that like she's wanted to do for so long, but that I got to experience as well. It's just, it's been the coolest experience ever, I have to say. Well, and you also did it for over a decade, which is like such a long time. Because I think about dancers as athletes and like an athlete's career, it's like it really does end in their 30s. Their body can't go through it anymore. And dance. are such athletes and so to do what you did on on a show like that on that big of a platform i mean sometimes they don't bring people back sometimes they do i know you did it for yeah over 10 years so now to have it still in the family must be like like a nice little transition because i also

i dated an athlete so i like know how sometimes it works and i compare it a lot to dancers and when they have to like retire or say goodbye to something that that's like what they've done every day since they were little. That's what they're like. They eat, breathe, sleep, that career. And then to just have it, that door closed so fast and abruptly. And then you're just like, now what? It's nice that you're like, now I get to watch it. It's still in the family. And how cool is that? A hundred percent. Because it's true. Like, that was part of my life for so long. It was a really hard decision to, like, step away. And I have never, like, regretted that decision. But I've always like, it's, I still would watch the show. And now it just means even more to me that I get to

have Riley on there. And I tell me all the time, I'm like, it's perfect. I get to have like a taste of the show, all the good parts of it. But I don't have to actually like commit to living in LA to relocating my family. Like I don't have to do the hard part of it. I just get to enjoy the fun aspect of it. And it could not have worked out better. Honestly, I'm like, this is great. And you probably get to give so much advice. And I bet she like appreciates that your your insight so much because I mean, what a great first season she had. And I feel like that must have been so hard for you as a big sister too to have people talking about her on the internet and like oh my god you're probably like i'm like everybody just shut up but also like but you're so right it's like it what's really good

about riley is like i mentioned we have this big age gap i'm 12 years older than her i feel like she and i have two we have two other sisters between us but riley was the first and only sister that i feel like actually like respected and like wanted my opinion on things because you know how it is when you like you know how like when it's close an age you're like i don't want to listen to my sister with Riley, like I've always been, it felt like I was kind of, she was like a little second child to me, not even second child because I didn't have kids yet, but it felt like she really like, she would respect my decisions or my opinion and like asked me for help. And so it was so cool go throughout the season with her. She's, I mean, she's the best. And the coolest thing was like

watching how much she already knew from just seeing me do the show. Like she handled everything so much better than I did on my first couple of seasons because she had seen me go through it. she knew what to do and all the online stuff like she just handled it like a chance like she really did i mean people were ruthless with her and harry and like you guys should be here and if that had been me my first season it would have absolutely destroyed me and she was so good at just being like whatever like it doesn't matter i'm just going to keep doing what i got to do and i'm so proud of her i truly i don't know her at all and i was so proud of her like i felt like i was rooting for her more because of that because i was like she is handling everything with so much strength and grace

And, like, I think about how I handle situations as a 38-year-old woman. And I'm like, I'm like, I couldn't handle that better. And then senior, what is she, 18 years old? Just, like, handling it's like an absolute boss. And with, like, a smile on her face and still, like, and she's so lovable. Like, there's something so sweet about her. It's like, I don't know. I just, I'm like, whenever I think about having daughters, I always am like, oh, I hope

they're like I hope they would be like that because I know I was a nightmare oh I was too but I think we all are at some point it's okay though we learn as long as we get there eventually no but she she really is she's way immature like beyond her years and everybody would say that like on the show they're like we're just shocked that she's literally 18 years old but I'm just so proud of her like it was so rewarding watching her do this last season she killed it oh she was incredible everything about it was incredible. I loved it. I was totally like, I always root for a lot of people on that show, but they were to, I was like, come on. Like, obviously charity, because she's one of my good girlfriend. Yeah, I don't know. There's just something about them that, that you just wanted to

keep watching more. And now she's on tour. And I was thinking about this. And I remember the first night I was on tour, they told me about the bus accident that you guys were in. Oh, yes. And I was like, oh, I had no idea. You're like, why did you tell me this? night one and it's like in winter time they're telling me this and it was like 40 car pile up in the winter and I just was like that's so terrifying because you guys obviously your bodies are your vessel and you need those and like to crack a rib even or like do something damaging and you get in this massive bus accident where people are flying how did you guys like tell me that story because I know you talked about on your TikTok but I want people to hear the story

because it was so terrifying. Yeah, it was honestly so scary. I had done four tours before that. So honestly, I feel like it was one of those things where it's like you just kind of think it's never going to happen to you. Like you're just like, that's not going to happen. But it was, it was crazy. We are on the tour bus. We're driving from one city to the next. We're driving in the middle of a really bad snowstorm. But to be honest, that's not the first time we had done that. I mean, like you said, the tour is in the winter. You're traveling all across the country. Like, you're going to hit snowstorms. So we're in the bus, which you've been in a tour bus. The scariest thing about this crash was just how when you're in the bus, like you kind of don't really see anything on the road or outside of the bus. Like you have windows, but we have the blinds down always. Like you're not like looking at the road like you would in a normal car.

Right. So the obliviousness. I'm just like the what is happening. What is what really was just terrifying? But I was on the bus. It was me, Brandon, Sasha, Emma. My husband, Sam was actually on the tour as well. He was working that tour.

Yes. So he actually, it was funny. That tour I almost didn't do because I was like, I don't want to be away from my husband. Like this is just hard. And they're like, what if we offer your husband a job on the road? And I'm like, uh, heck yeah. So he was doing online school at the time. And then he ran the VIP meets for the tour. So it was really fun because we got to be together the entire tour. He was actually on the bus. Like he had his own bunk. He wasn't just visiting. He was there. May I just chime in for one second and say like if I was with somebody since high school and I had the opportunity to get on a bus and leave for a minute? I would be like, I'm excited about that. And it's so sweet that you're like, I'm excited. He gets to like spend the whole time on the bus with me. Oh, yeah. I was, it was so fun. I, we loved it so much. It was so fun.

And it worked out so well that he got to like actually work because I, like I said, I had done tours before that. And he never came with me because he was either working home or he was just doing something. And he's kind of the person that needs to like have something to do. So it worked out perfect. Like we were both fulfilled and doing everything. And we got to travel the country together.

Yeah, that's nice. it together. So that was exciting. But essentially still don't really know everything because like I said, we couldn't see. But it was me, Emma and Sasha up in the front. We start feeling like all the things. Like you fill the rumble strips and we're like, oh, we're going off the road. So like, okay, that's not good. But then it's like just freaking everything's shaking, moving all the windows or not windows, but like the cabinets are kind of like flying open and the food's falling out. And we're just kind of like bracing ourselves. And it was so sad because I had hit my head during like one of the first bumps because it was long. I feel like we were like crashing for like 30,

40 seconds, which I know that doesn't seem long, but it's long. No, that seems really long. Everything's in slow motion. So I hit my head and Sasha being the sweetest ever like stands up to try to help me. And then that's when we actually like hit the, we ran into the back of a semi. And that's when we hit. And he was standing up because he was trying to help me. And he went flying like actually like flying up into the air, flams into the front of the bus. Emma like got fully knocked the wind out of her. Brandon was in the back and he fell asleep in his bunk backwards. So he like hit his head really hard. Oh, that's so bad. Yes. After that, we were like, because it sucks and I know why he did it. But the vents in the bus are like right

by your head. So when you're sleeping, you don't want them blowing on your face. So he would sleep backwards. But he never did that again after that day. But it was terrifying. It was luckily like, I mean, we were all okay. Our bus driver was in the front and like the whole, the whole front of the bus was like completely shattered. A lot of people actually like passed in the accident. Like there were cars around us that had people who had passed away. It was very terrifying. We had to climb out the back window because the whole front was kind of like smashed in. We couldn't get out the door. And it was crazy. We waited on the freeway because it was like, I mean, huge pilot behind us and we waited for a while to get off because ambulance was coming, but obviously taking

the people who were like in really like really needed it. All of us were, we weren't, we were hurt, but none of us were like oh we're like severely injured and then eventually when we got out we went to the hospital we got like CT scans and all the things and luckily we were all okay just like bruised ribs and stuff like that but it was honestly terrifying and we were all really shaken up about it and then it sucked yeah because we had to like I mean back on the bus we could have like it's not like the tour forced us to keep going but right we wanted to finish out the tour but that meant getting back on a bus and sleeping on the bus and not and it was hard like for the next for the rest of that tour like I remember all of us would wake up like in a panic like if we hit anything we'd all like

and we'd like all be up at the same time we'd be like we're okay and then we'd like go back to sleep and it was it was very scary but we're so lucky that we're okay I mean 100% 40 people like a 40 car pile up is a lot of injured people and like to know that people didn't survive that also sticks with you yeah I've been in a very tiny car accident and that like rocked my world I couldn't get in a car for so long afterwards. Like, it just shook me. I was younger. But, like, to think of that severe of an accident and then knowing you just have to get back on a bus and, like, perform, too.

So, like, your body's sore and you've, when you go through something, like, scary like that, I feel like your body wants to shut down and, like, sleep and you, like, don't know how to process it. A hundred percent. The show must go on kind of mentality that you have to just get back on the bus and perform. Like, that must have been challenging. Yeah, it was. I think I think it also helped in a way that like we had something to just like get back into our routine because I think it would have been really like it's almost like if I would have

left the tour and just gone home I would have been like well this feels weird too so it was kind of just like I'm really glad that I was with the people that I was with I feel like we all handled it pretty well and we're just like we're really lucky that we're okay so let's continue to do what we can because we can like let's just keep doing it and it was very it was very helpful to like be on the road and just kind of like have that distraction but for a little bit we were pretty it was it was very stressful but we're all very lucky and I mean yeah but it was crazy I mean even just knowing that story and being on a tour of us with everyone I was like I mean I had the back room and everyone thought that would be like the glorious place to be I thought it was the

worst I would have preferred a bunk because I've heard that I felt everything back there like you're right above the tires it's like right about the tires I was literally bouncing off the bed and then the anytime we hit rumble strips I'm like we're racing myself yeah I'm just sleep for like the full and that's a lot of shows you guys do on tour like I know it's a lot I think there's 67 shows which means 67 different cities on a bus the whole time like that is like the the lack of rest and sleep I'm like what did you get more sleep as a mom or a tour bus honestly I actually it's kind of weird I wish you would have had a bunk because I actually slept like a I mean before the crash I slept like a baby on the bus because it's so dark you've got

that little bit of movement I would sleep so good on the dorm bus like there's nights I crave that you're so active on TikTok have you heard of the burnt toast theory no really no yeah no see I feel like I'm active on TikTok but I don't know any of the trends I don't scroll enough to like follow the things please feel me in I need to know okay so burnt toast is a thing theory and it's the idea that inconveniences in our lives are saving us from something more detrimental or pushing us in the direction of where we need to go, which I'm obsessed with this theory. But then I'm like, and I love that too. But I think of like the people who like didn't get in their car that day to go on this trip and that weren't in that accident. I'm like burnt toast

theory. But then I'm like, but what about the people that did? Yeah. And what about the bad things that happened to good people? I'm like, what theory is that? Because it doesn't make sense. I know. I know. that is such a good point though i feel like that's yeah i don't know i feel like that's just kind of life though it's like you get those you get those small graces and sometimes you just don't like sometimes you're given the grace and sometimes you're not and that is like you can't live a perfect life that would be i mean you wouldn't grow and learn and when you think hard about it it's kind of like a oh my gosh like it really kind of throws you for a loop so it does but i try and think of the burnt toast theory like if I get mad about little things like if I I'm trying to think of what happened to the other day and I was

like burnt toast theory I can't even remember it was something like let's say I got cut off in traffic and like got so mad at this person it's just a good mentality for people to have is to remember burnt toast if you know if you don't like even if you don't find out what the good thing is of it if you just think it I feel like it exits the thought and then you're not as mad about it you're like this will be for the better and then you don't have to think about it anymore like just get it out of my brain and it started obviously because people like if you burnt your toast maybe that saved you from doing something you know like it it's the like power of also negative thinking like oh i burnt my toast and now and then it just spirals into a bad day where if you're

like burnt toast theory and then you like spin zone it and you're like that saved me from something else in my day i feel like i might need to steal that especially being a mom because that's a lot of my day just oh okay you pooped everywhere and now i have to change your clothes and wash your diaper or wash your car seat for the 15 times of sake burnt toast that's great Burt toast. Yeah, I'm late for my appointment. Burnt toast. Just get like a piece of burnt toast tattooed on your arm and then you'll always remember.

Okay, we're going to make it today. That's a good transition into being a mom because from going on dancing with the stars and I love that you made the choice to focus on being a mom because I can't imagine doing both. I know people do it and it's just like I bow down to all moms in general. But I think it's awesome that you are, you know, stepping away to be a mom and life goes by so fast. especially in those beginning phases, you probably did that season with Matt and felt like you missed out on so much while you were away. So now you have two girls. And you obviously know how it feels to be a big sister. So how does it feel to watch Sage as a big sister? Oh my gosh. It's the cutest thing. I have to say that's probably been the funest part about the wild life of being a mom with two kids. Like it's wild. Having two is so crazy and so fun. But like my favorite part and they aren't even really old enough to play together yet. and I'm already obsessed with it. But just seeing those, like, glimpses of, like, them connecting, like, it's so cute.

Sage is obsessed with June, but what's so funny is June is, like, I feel even more obsessed with stage. She watches everything she does. She'll just sit on the ground and just watch her play, smile, laugh at her, like, she's in love with her. So it's, like, seeing those glimpses of this friendship that's just going to blossom as the years come. And then probably be a little, you know, they'll probably have their draw, but they'll fight

over clothes, but, like, I'm excited for that. Like, I, like, I think because I know it's, like, they can have that and still love each other and then be best friends when they grow up and i'm just like i'm ready for all of it when it comes to having sisters that's so they i cannot get over like sage and your get ready with me tic talks i just she is the cutest funny is like such a personality i i like i mean you're great too i just love watching sage so much i don't blame you get the name where'd you get the name sage and june sage funny it's actually my husband came up with this name and i didn't know the full picture until after I'd already loved the name and then I didn't care anymore. But my husband's a big

outdoorsman, outdoorsy guy. He loves fish, hunt, all the things. He was fishing one day. And he was fly fishing to be specific. And the name of his fly fishing rod was Sage. Like, that's like a very famous flyfish brand. And he comes home that day, though, like what I didn't know any of this, but he comes home and he's like, I really, I'm pregnant. He's like, I really like the name Sage for a girl. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I love that. And I like quickly fell in love. And like a week later, I put two and two together. I'm like, oh my gosh. She's like, yeah, I came up with that when I was fishing. So I'm like, okay, whatever. But I loved it so much that I didn't even care. And I actually kind of loved because up until this point, I would like a name. He wouldn't like it. He would like

a name. I wouldn't like it. And this is the first one that we agreed upon. So I'm like, cool, we're naming her after your fly fishing rod. At least it's like a little personal tie to you. But I, we loved that name. And then when it came to June, we had a hard time because even the names that like were second or third choice for sage, we didn't like them. anymore. So then we had to kind of start from scratch. We did really like the one syllable name and we decided to kind of stick with that theme. But to be honest, June was just random. Like it didn't come. It's not a family name. It's not like something that we like. We just kind of honestly were like, let's think of some fun one syllable names and we just really like June. It just and everybody was dying

because they were like she's born in May. Why did you name her June? I'm like, oh, is that, do we have to name them like their month? Like should we call her May? I think it's weirder. Yeah, I think it's I said they're like, but she wasn't born in June. I'm like, but if she was, wouldn't that be so weird? Like, wouldn't that be weird? I know. That's what I got to. Thank you. Yes. I'm assuming these people, by people that are saying this, you mean online people that don't know. Oh, yeah. Yeah, not my friends, not the people who actually matter. Just the people who, the children. It doesn't matter what you name them. They would say something about it. It's so interesting. What I do love is when, you know, when women have babies.

every woman goes through their own journey of postpartum, like whatever that looks like for them, everyone has a different version of it. And I love when women are open with their journey of what they're going through. And I love that you started the movement club because you did it while you were experiencing postpartum. So you were very much like, I know how this feels and here's what I'm doing to make myself feel better. So can you tell everybody a little bit more about that and what inspired you to start it? Yeah. Honestly, pregnancy inspired me to start the movement club. It was my first pregnancy with Sage. It was the first time I wasn't doing dancing with the stars, which was terrifying to me, because for my entire life, dancing was my main source of, like,

fitness, working out, staying in shape. Like, that's what it was. I mean, let's not to say I didn't go to the gym a little bit here and there, but, like, dance was that. Dance was that for me. It was my outlet escape. And so to all of a sudden be like, I'm not doing that anymore. And beyond that, like, my body is changing so much and so rapid and so fast. It feels different, looks different, all the things, which during my first pregnancy, I was, like, so on board with that, which I'm really grateful for because I know that's not always the experience. So for me, it was less about, like, feeling like, oh, I don't like the way I look, but I was just really scared because I was like, I don't know what I can do anymore. Like, how do I still move my body, feel like I'm giving something to myself, but, like, stay safe while I'm pregnant? And I didn't feel like there was programs that really, like, supported me through that.

and also that I could relate to because it's hard to like while you're pregnant follow a program as someone who's like in the best shape of their life and you're just like you don't like your abs aren't separating. You're not like you don't. It just didn't feel like I was connecting to that. I'm like I want to create a program that is that for women that first of all takes them through all the different stages of life, which is what inspired me to film my pregnancy program in real time. So I filmed that entire thing during my second pregnancy and like I put together a schedule and it's like if someone's 26 week pregnant, they're doing a video with me. when I was 26 weeks pregnant because I want them to know like I'm right there with you like I feel all the things you're feeling and then same with the postpartum I filmed my postpartum program in real time which to be honest was scary because I'm like I don't look like the epitome of fitness right now like I just don't and you're a dancer so your your body has always been a certain way and I know like women in general we all struggle in some way with our body image but totally and I'm not trying to dismiss people who aren't dancers but I do feel like there's this like

like models there's this high standard yeah you have to be this body type to be a dancer so the pressure of that oh totally it was just it's just like I think that was something it held me back and kind of stress me out and worried me about it of just being like why would somebody want to work out with me when I'm not like this perfect physical physical like specimen that has the six-pack abs and all the things but that was that's the thing if I went well why am I not joining all these programs because I don't feel like it's relatable in what I need to see and so that's what kind of drove me into doing this. And it's been so special because apart from our pregnancy and postpartum, like, I also just put out videos for anybody. And it's been cool because I feel like we have

all walks of life, all stages of life that have joined the program. And that's essentially what I wanted. I'm like, this is not about perfect fitness. It's about just showing up for yourself when you can. Yeah. And I love how approachable it is too. And there's workouts that you can do, obviously, from anywhere at any time in like 30 minutes or less. I just love, I love when workouts are approachable for people because I think we all need to get away from the thought of like what working out does for your physical appearance because totally mentally I was just so sick for eight days and I realized just how much moving my body in general does something for my mental health because I became so depressed and like in such a dark place and not only was I sick I was crying

every day and I couldn't figure out why and I realized like I'm not moving I'm laying on the couch every day and just to move your body in any sort of way it like so good yeah it just does wonders for your mental health i don't think i realized that as much as i should have until i got pregnant because like i said dancing and moving my body was just something i always did and then it became my job so it wasn't something that i chose for myself anymore not that i didn't choose my job but it was something that i like i needed to show up and do and it was required of me but then i get pregnant and i'm like why do i move my body because i'm not moving it right now to stay and shape and to lose weight because I'm gaining weight and I'm like and I should be as I should be I'm

pregnant so it became less about that and more about like why do I still choose to do this and it was because it helped me so much it's helped me through pregnancy through all the postpartum ups and downs all the hormones like I will say movement has been my saving grace it's the only thing that gets me through all the different things that go on in life I feel like so I love that you said that because it's so true yeah and you built such a strong community with it too I feel like you know there's so many so many moms out there but so many people that just want to feel part of a community that isn't like this unachievable like standard of what fitness is and I just think that's so I think it's awesome I've seen so many people like when you post about it like it's just you built a really

cool community and I'm always such a fan of of that kind of thing because it's doing so much more than just like putting money in your pocket you know and that feels good that feels good it does it feels really good and honestly I tell people all the time I'm like this program has helped me probably just as much as it's helped anybody out there. It's held me accountable to moving my body and like showing up for myself. And I love that. So thank you. And then I have a few questions before I let you go from our listeners. People were so excited that you were coming on. Everybody's like, oh my gosh, I love her. And Brittany, who is a listener, she said, I'll be a mom for the first time in a couple months and would like to hear about things that she wishes she knew about postpartum, childbirth,

newborns, like anything that you didn't know before your first daughter. And she said your videos with sage are the cutest. Okay, this one's hard because there's a lot of things I didn't know. But I will say, like, let's start with that. Like, it is okay to not know what you're doing. I think, like, as women and just in general, like we get so stressed out about needing to know all the ends and out, it's feeling like we're fully prepared for every situation. And I will say when it comes to babies, when it comes to kids, there's not ever going to be a time where you have everything figured out. And that's perfectly okay. And it's perfectly normal. Like, I think also it's hard to know, like, is this normal what I'm going through what I'm feeling like I promise you you're not alone in that

so just trust that you're in the place that you need to be in also I wish that I had listened to my personal instincts a little bit more after my first child because I feel like when things felt off or different or wrong or I had a question a lot of times I'd maybe turn to like Google which is the worst place on earth to look like just do not Google things it's really not good like it really isn't and I feel like there were so many things that I just instinctually knew and I wish I'd trusted it a little bit more because with my second child, it's funny because everything has been totally different. They're completely different babies. I had to relearn everything all over again, but I feel like I was better at trusting my instincts and just knowing that like I am the best

person for my child and do what I think is best for them. So those are just a couple things. I know that didn't really give you info other than just saying like trust yourself. No, I think that's actually really important to say to trust your own instincts because like you even just said, your first baby, coming from your body is different, completely different than the next baby. Totally different. That just goes to show how different every human is going to have. So you can't like turn to Instagram and be like, I mean, you can't, of course, be like, give me some inspiration and like, hey, you know, turn to them for help in certain things.

But also to not compare to what other people are doing for their kid or, you know, because if one woman can have two very different babies, think about how different all of our children will be and how we should never compare what's best for one to the other. A hundred percent. And that's so true. It's like there's no one guidebook to being a parent because every experience is different and every day is different. So just that's kind of the biggest thing.

And I also, okay, one more thing actually, because I feel like in the first, with your first child, first pregnancy, when everything's your first, it's hard to know that everything will turn out, okay, and that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. And I feel like with my second, it's been so much easier to like push through the sleepless nights because I know like you will sleep again. I promise you you will sleep through the night again in your life. You will. I promise you that you will get past the teething, that you will get past the difficulty if you are breastfeeding or if you're not breastfeeding, your bottle feeding. Like all of those things will be okay. So just try to like enjoy and live in them. Like I feel

like this second time around, I was so much more like excited to wake up with my baby in the middle of the night because I knew that it wouldn't last forever. And I crave that sometimes with Sage. I'm like, I wish I could go back to one of those sleepless nights with her one more. time. So I feel like just like know that you will get through those rough patches. So enjoy them as much as you can. I like that. I think that's great advice. Morgan wants to know what is next for you and your family. And if you would ever go back on Dancing with the Stars. Oh, I feel like this is such a frequently asked question. And I mean, understandably, understandly, because I've never really said like I'm done forever. And that's still my answer. Like I'm not done forever. But I also don't have

like a set of like, okay, in one year I will start doing Dance with the Stars again. It's really just then that every single time the kind of time roll around to think about it, I just look at where my family's at, where my girls are, where I feel like their needs are, because that's the thing is every year it's so different. Like last year, Sage's needs were so different than they are now, emotionally, physically, all the things. So I just kind of am going to have to take it a year at a time. So that's not really an answer to. But it's never, it's, I'm never say never. I'm not going to Justin Bieber that. Never say never. So there's that. I love that. I had to do that. I feel like it's one of those things that yeah it's it would kind of be based on where you're at and your

life timing yeah next year could look completely different from the year after that or what it looked like in the past so you got to go with your own timeline and matt i don't know if it's madeline or madeline but she says i love her so much what is the thing she misses the most about dancing with the stars oh i think the thing i missed the most which i really was able to get back this past season with riley was just my friends and like the family aspect of the show and i loved it Because I, yes, it's unlike anything else. Like we are seriously family and it's so special. And like just the fun energy of the shows, like I definitely missed those things.

But it was great because I got to go back to watch the shows and I got to see my friends and catch up and feel that energy. And that's something that I will always miss. But I'm lucky that like I, it's so cool to me that I have lifelong friends out of this job that I had for such a long time. And I'm really grateful for that. I mean, think about that. There is a handful of people in the whole world that get to be.

pros on dancing with the stars. There's literally a handful out of the whole world. So it's so cool that that was your job for over a decade. I know. I know. And it's crazy to think that like they're my friends. Like you don't always get along with your coworkers. Like that's not always the case. And it's not like we picked each other. Like we were all just brought into this thing together. We're competing against each other actively. Yet we all still are friends, which I love so much. I think that's what shocked me the most about going on the show. How like, even if there are people who like, you know like butt head sometimes or don't get along it still has such a family dynamic and atmosphere because you immediately talk through it with that person or you just freaking hash it out

and then you move on and you're back to being a family like I was like I was shocked by how much we all even seen myself in that competitive environment wanting to root for other people during it too because you're like what am I doing what you're going through yeah I'm like I know how hard that person worked for that like I'm so proud of them and I feel like you guys all do that as pros as well. It's really cool. I feel like it's the respect is really there. So even like you said, when there's moments where it's like you butt heads, you don't get along, like the respect of like this job is hard. Let's just support each other through it is always been there. And it's so special. I look back on that time like the tour and on the show is like probably a highlight of my

whole life. Like I feel like it was such a unique experience. And again, like feel like I made lifelong friends out of it. It did feel like a family. And it was just like, oh, and I love dancing. So, like, being on stage and doing all that, I was like, oh, my soul is just on fire. I loved it. It's so good. Okay, this question's from Caitlin Bristow. Do you think they'll ever do an all-star season again? I would love to see that.

We need so many. Like, I feel like there's so many, for me specifically, I'm like, I can think of like three partners that I'm like, I need to do it again with them. I need to. So I feel like if they did an all-star season and I got to pick which one of my partners I got to be with, I would do the show in a heartbeat. I would make it happen. But they need to do that.

They need to do it because they did it one season. And I personally loved it because I feel like you got like the cream of the crop. Like you got like the best of the best all together and it was just it was good. So they need to. I don't know anything about it. I would do it for free. I would literally do it for free. And you would be so fun to watch.

Like I feel like a winner's season would be cool too like went past winners because they've done all sorts where it's like. But then I'm like I wonder if that would be a little bit too. it'd be all the really good dancers. So then I'm like, maybe that's not very entertaining. You've got to have some of the, you've got to have the ups and downs, you know, like the really good and the really bad. But I would watch. I didn't think about that.

I thought All-Star season just meant the winners. So now I'm like, oh, they did All-Star. It was just like anybody who'd been on the show. It wasn't just winners. So I was during 2020. So I was like, I didn't get the full experience. Nobody got to come watch me in the audience. My family can watch.

Oh, dang it. I'm like, I need to redo. I need a redo. I need to redo. I forget. Yeah, you do. because that is that makes it different for sure oh i forgot about that okay last question is from cecilia she said i would like to know how they choose who gets partnered with who on dancing with

the stars so if you i mean you know dina dina is our casting director she's the best she's the one who finds the celebrities i think she along with everybody like the other producers on the show really work to like find celebrities for specific pros contrary to what i feel like people think we really have absolutely no saying it like we just we don't know what's going to happen and i feel like it's a it's a combination of things like it's obviously like personality type age height plays into it a lot especially as the go pros like it's funny i'm not the tallest pro but i look the tallest because i've just got really long like limbs and everything so i always get paired with a tall guy like if there's a tall pro or a tall celebrity i'm most likely going to be paired with them same with like pita pita is

actually a lot she's like a couple inches taller than me but they pay attention to that to pay attention age personality type like i feel like i got a lot of the like sweet like family men like the dads and because i just feel like that kind of went along with like me so i don't know i feel like there's a lot that goes into it i don't always fully understand there's times where i'm like i don't really see that but then it's funny because as the season goes through you're like oh that actually really makes sense so they do a really good job of like pairing quite the formula yes the formula i think about that with like casting for any show has a crazy formula for like oh yeah you know, like what, what they see in somebody and why. And they've been doing it for so many years that

they know, you know, they know their formula now. But like, Daniela and Imman Schumpert, I'm like, what? And then they. I know. And then totally. It was amazing. I know. But it's so, I feel like, too, probably sometimes they cast people together. And then it's, they are surprised. Like, I'm sure that happens all the time where they're like, we did not see it being this. Like, you just like, don't know. So it's pretty cool how it's pretty cool how it's pretty cool how it always works out. And I've always been very grateful because I'm like, thank you for this partner. I've really loved every single one of them. Yeah.

Thank you so much for coming on the podcast and let everyone know where they can find you and join your fitness journey and all of the things. Okay, so you can follow me on TikTok and Instagram at Lynn Arnold. You can follow my workout program at the Movement Club. And then you can join the program by going to MovementClub.com. We have a seven-day free trial. So try it out and I promise you'll love it. Yeah.

That's amazing. Well, congrats on everything. I feel like no matter what you do, it's going to be good. And I love what you're doing. I love watching. I love following you. You're so sweet. And your whole family is just adorable. Oh, you're the sweetest. Thank you. I'm so glad we got to chat. I missed you. I mean, it's funny because like you said, we didn't get to do the same season, but I feel like we did. Like I'm like, we did somewhere. I know. I feel very connected to you. So it worked.

I feel the same way. I even said that to my assistant this morning for a second. She was like, oh, yeah, and you guys were on the same season together. I was like, wait. I was like, no, we weren't because I feel the same way. I feel like once you're in the dance with the SARS family, it's just like some connection. Yeah, it is. It is. It's how it goes. horse family. I love it. Well, thank you so much and enjoy the rest of your day. Tell your family, I say hi. I don't know who I am. Thank you. I will. I will. Okay. Okay, bye, Lindsay. I'm Caitlin Bristow. I'll see you next Tuesday. Thank you.

Thank you.