The School of Greatness - 625 Transform Your Struggle into Strength with The Bella Twins

Episode Date: April 9, 2018

THESE SUPERSTAR TWINS COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED THEIR LIFE TODAY. One of the things I love most about how the world is growing is how the boundary between genders has been crumbling down. It used to be that a woman’s place was only in the home. More and more that stereotype is being disproven. Women are entering more and more areas that wouldn’t have been imaginable when I was younger. When I was a kid, when you’d think wrestlers you’d think Hulk Hogan or Randy Savage. Now you think of people like today’s guests: Nikki and Brie Bella. These two sisters are a true inspiration to the next generation of women. They are the definition of girl power and show that anyone can achieve greatness in anything they want. If you haven’t heard of the Bella Twins, they are WWE Superstars, Reality TV stars, and fashion designers. I felt so fortunate to sit down with them and have them tell me everything they know about greatness, which is a lot. So much, in fact, that this interview went longer than most episodes. I couldn’t stop, and I know you’ll love every moment of this one. Nikki and Brie told me how they went from small town farm girls to superstars. They talk about the adversity they went through, struggling in a toxic home environment, and even Brie losing her high school sweetheart to a drunk driver. Discover all of that and much more, on Episode 625. Some Questions I Ask: How did you get to think bigger than the farm life? (16:06) When did you audition for Diva Search? (24:15) In four days you had a contract with WWE? (29:16) Why were you nervous to be on Total Divas? (36:15) How do you know when to say no to something? (45:48) What was the moment that you cried the most? (54:16) When did you start to go down your spiritual path? (1:00:19) Did you go on your spiritual journey at the same time? (1:04:26) What’s the biggest lesson you both learned from your mom? (1:11:34) Has there ever been a point where you guys disconnected? (1:23:20) What are you most proud of your sister for? (1:28:02) In This Episode You Will Learn: What they dreamed about growing up (10:17) Their first job at Hooters (22:00) Why you should go to a WWE show (30:52) How long training was (32:30) Their morning routines (38:35) What it was like leaning on the job (50:23) The biggest lesson their father taught them (56:17) What it was like for Brie to lose her high school sweetheart (1:03:02) Their childhood regrets (1:08:00) What it’s like being in a relationship with inspiring, powerful men (1:15:03) Advice to coming of age girls who are feeling overwhelmed by the world (1:24:36) The feedback they have for each other (1:34:52) Plus much, much more

This is episode number 625 with the WWE superstars, the Bella Twins. Welcome to the School of Greatness. My name is Lewis Howes, a former pro athlete turned lifestyle entrepreneur. And each week we bring you an inspiring person or message to help you discover how to unlock your inner greatness. Thanks for spending some time with me today. Now let the class begin. Paulo Coelho said that if you only walk on sunny days, you'll never reach your destination.

And I agree with that so much that we must be willing to move forward no matter what struggle we go through, no matter what adversity we face. If we want to achieve our dreams and our goals in the life that we've always dreamed of, then we must be willing to move forward through any type of adversity. Not retreat back, not go hide in a cave or in your bed all day, but continue to move forward one day at a time. The Bella Twins are on today, and I'm so excited for what you're about to hear. We went a little longer on this one because they had so much information I wanted to dive into. And if you don't know who the Bella Twins are, they are WWE superstars. They're real-life twin sisters, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, and they both were former

diva champions. And the Bella twins made an appearance on the 25th anniversary of Raw on January 22nd. They started a YouTube channel that has over 1.4 million subscribers, and they also have two businesses together, Birdie Bee Clothing and Bella Radice Wine. They started their own YouTube channel to help build their own personal brand. They've got over 1.4 million subscribers. There are millions that follow them on social media, and they've also got two businesses that they run together. And in this interview, we talk about how being athletes as kid prepared them for being entertainers as adults. Also, how to handle being judged constantly in the public spotlight.

They've got two reality shows. People are following them everywhere. Also, how to say no to most things so you can be fully present for the best things. Why it's good to learn the hard way and to go through these struggles and challenges and what their partners have taught them about career and success. This is a powerful one, guys. Make sure to share it with your friends.

The link is lewishouse.com slash 625. Take a screenshot of this right now on your phone and tag me on your Instagram story. Also tag the Bella Twins on Instagram and let them know that you're listening. And in this episode, we also talk about how they've been able to build their own personal brands and build their businesses around their brands, the struggles they've gone through as teenagers, the loss they've gone through, and where they're at now and where they're headed. I'm super excited about this, guys. I hope you enjoy this one with the one and only Bella Twins. one with the one and only Bella Twins. All right, welcome back, everyone, to the School of Greatness podcast.

We have the legendary Bella Twins in the house. Nikki and Brie Bella. Thank you guys so much for being here. Appreciate it. Thank you for having us. We're excited. I'm just excited to be in your presence. I'm already feeling the twin vibe, the twin magic. It's all coming together.

So welcome to the podcast, and congrats on everything. You guys have been blowing up. You've been making a big impact. You guys have your own brand. You've been WWE superstars for years now. You've got your businesses. You've got your YouTube channel. Is there anything you guys haven't done yet?

God, take over the world. That's next, right? Yeah, that's on the list. Yeah, fully take it over. Be on the cover of Forbes. Oh, that's, yeah. I don't think they've ever had twins on Forbes,

have they? No. I don't know. Twin moms. Twin superstars. Moms. Well, I mean, as in, Are you telling us something?

Are you pregnant? No. Breaking news here. No, we were talking about future stuff. Yes, exactly. Yeah, that would be cool. So when you're a mom, then you guys can do that, right?

Yeah. Do you want to be a mom? I do want to be a mom. You do? Why? Well, I guess I think just, you know, growing up, you always have that, like, perception of, oh, I'm a woman, and I'm going to grow up and be a wife and be a mother. But I was also very nurturing to the girl to my right. And every time I tried to throw

a keg party, she shut it down. I did. You must be the younger sister. Oh, she is. By 16 minutes. Yes. Right? Look at you. I know. You're good. So she would let me have it for 16 minutes and then she'd be like, that's it. No more. But the minute Brie had her baby girl, Birdie, it's when I really felt that unconditional love. And I'm not even her mother, but I kind of feel like I am. But I just have this love for this little girl that's insane.

And so that made it very strong of me wanting to be a mom. Made you a mom. And you're 11 months now? 11 months. 11 months. So that's when you said, like, I want this more.

Yes. And the fact that us women get to experience the miracle life, I think, is just incredible is just incredible right well you went on a journey with me big time through my pregnancy she was in labor room with me really here we go it was a great form of birth control by the way being in labor with her i was like i think i'm good the stuff i saw i was like why did i take the leg don't ever take the leg i'm sorry How long were you labor for? Almost 22 hours. Oh my gosh. And so I started off with a natural birth, but I was 10 days late and I had to get induced. My placenta started to deteriorate on one side. And so when I was getting induced, I'm like, yeah,

I'm gonna do this naturally. And they were all like, usually women don't do like getting induced naturally. And I was like, yeah, I can do it. And after nine hours and I was like yeah I could do it and after nine hours I was like you got to be kidding me I can't do this anymore yeah I mean you're a superstar but birth is a whole nother thing and let me tell you something like I have all these moms come up to me and they're just like that match was incredible the way you jumped off those ropes the way you went through the ropes all these different things now I'm gonna be like no no no you went through labor like that's the biggest match I've ever had in my life was literally giving birth to Birdie.

Wow. It was pretty incredible. But actually something funny, which I don't think anyone knows, is towards the end, when I was pushing, so I pushed for three hours. Brian was here. Three hours. Oh, my gosh. Brian was right here and Nicole was here.

Yeah. They were yelling so loud. Not yelling, we were chanting. We were chanting. You were an athlete, so we were like, one, two, three, four. Because we felt like if we did that, Bernie was going to get excited. And I didn't want to be mean and say, can you guys not scream? Because I was kind of like, it was cute. We ended up doing it for like an hour straight.

But then Brian and I laughed later about it because we both go, why did we start doing that? It wasn't like we planned it. I think we were just so amped up because I was like, Birdie, I've been in labor with you for, like, 20 hours at this point. You did it for yourself, too. Let's do this. Let's get it out. Amazing. Which made us, like, more exhausted.

Brian and I were so drained. I was like, oh, my God. Just as drained. I, like, when I see photos of myself, I'm like, I look like I went through labor. It was crazy. My hair was a mess. My eyes were so tired. I'm holding Birdie like I can't believe.

Amazing. Wow. It's inspiring. It's inspiring. Yeah, it is. Now, did you guys imagine when you were kids growing up, did you guys have dreams like this? Like you wanted to be a mom yourself and you wanted to be superstars in WWE. Was this part of the dream?

Because I know you guys played soccer. Yeah. Why did you play soccer? We both did. You know what was crazy is, like, I always try to go back and think about what were my dreams as a kid. Because really nothing ever stood out to me. Like, I remember, I think, like, all kids, I wanted to be a veterinarian so I could help animals. And I think that was, like, it.

I don't know if that's all kids. Right? They were like, police officer, firefighter, veterinarian. I was like, can I be Vivian Lee from Gone with the Wind? Actually, yeah. Nicole wanted to be in Gone with the Wind. But it's crazy because we played competitive soccer when we were traveling to like California a lot, New Mexico, Utah. With Select Team, right?

Select Team. But like if you would have told me when I was a kid like I would be able to see New York City I would have thought you were crazy let alone see like

Paris and Italy and then if you would have told me that you're going to get paid to go wrestle in all these different countries around the world

I would have said yeah right so I never even imagined that I would be a WWE superstar or I would have done anything great or even have done

anything like outside of the state of Arizona. Like, so where I'm at today is just, it's mind blowing. Yeah. Mind blowing. And mine, it's funny because I was the biggest tomboy. Like, I mean, I was the girl that would wear like umbros to her knees and the soccer shoes. Like I would like arm wrestle all the guys at lunch.

Oh. Yeah. I want to lose already. She would challenge them Yeah. I want to lose already. I want to lose already. She would challenge them all. I would. They'd all go in a long line. And I'd literally go one, two. Like, there's my sister.

Yeah. The only one I couldn't beat, and you might be familiar with him, is Lyle Sedline. He ended up playing for the Cardinals. Oh, okay. Yeah. So he was always the one boy I couldn't beat in sixth grade. But I'm like, he ended up being a pro football player, so okay, that's fine. But what's funny is I was such a tomboy, but then if you were to go back home into my room I would like staple

because I always had a dream that like I would love to touch Chanel like their products or whatever so I was at a garage sale one time and they this woman like she had her products in like a bag and she was selling I was like oh can I have that bag? Not like, like the carrier bag for products. She's like, sure. 25 cents. I'm like, okay. And like, so I had that stapled on my wall and Marilyn Monroe posters and like loved Gone with the Wind and like all the classics, but I was this big tomboy. And then I would actually watch the E channel all the time and it was fashion when they'd only do like fashion shows and so i told brie i'm like you know i think i want to be a supermodel okay so here's this six right yeah that was nowhere near being a supermodel i mean he's like oh that's sweet it's like you can do it

and it's not like i ever like tried for it but i always thought like gosh that would i just loved how they walked down the catwalk. I thought that was so strong. One of his big names, I saw Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer. Yeah, Naomi Campbell. I just thought it was the coolest thing in the world, and I loved fashion. But it was weird because then I was happy to put on my umbros and my soccer shirt, and that's how I left my room.

But it's crazy because when you look at the full circle of where we're at today, my sister and I, too, in middle school, my parents' boxing was really big, so they'd have these big parties. And we'd say, when there's a halftime, we would like to dance to the Spice Girls for everyone. And my parents were like, are you sure? And we're like, yes, we have a performance. I still can't believe we would do it. So we'd dress up.

I was always posh Spice, and Nicole was sporty Spice. And we would lip sync to the Spice Girls. But then it was like we had such this natural ability to play sports right so my parents saw both the entertainment Nicole and I love to entertain and when we went to high school and they're like yeah there's a drama class Nicole and I a drama class we're like this is gonna be so much fun and I think that's why when Merman Summers and I dream we're like oh we would love to be had and then when we found out like there had to be rehearsals for it we're like but that's when we have soccer and my parents were like no you can't do it soccer first yeah but it's crazy because

then when wwe came along it was like finally we connected to something that had both the athletics and the entertainment and nicole and i didn't grow up on WWE, just in our house. It wasn't your thing. No. And my parents, literally, it was soccer practice, or we were out feeding all the horses we had. We had a pig. We had two goats. Or a sugar ant or cow. Oh, yeah. We had two cows. We had a cow when it was two days old. Yeah. This doesn't make sense. We lived on an acre lot, and my dad legit-

Well, our backyard was an acre. Yeah. Our dad just turned it into, like, this farm. And so before school, we'd wake up at, like, 5, 530 every morning to feed all the animals. And we had a calf that was two days old. And so Bree and I were like, it's mom. So we'd have to take turns every morning. Two big bottles like this. Like, even bigger than that. So imagine putting all, like, the powder.

It would be early in the morning. We'd be so tired shaking up the bottle. Shaking the big bottle and get all over your skull. You have to like grab its head. But then he was like a dog test. So he would follow us around everywhere. Even when he became a big cow, he had some horns. But T-Bone and Maple too.

He would lay. Remember we'd like lay on his stomach. It was the cutest. So that was like. Do you have photos of this? Oh yeah. I got to see these. I mean for show and tell, I like came to school.

For my show and tell, I taught everyone how to saddle up a horse. No. You brought the horse or you brought the saddle? No, I brought all these pictures and I brought the saddle. And like I explained like everything you do. But that was like our growing up. Like TV just didn't exist in our household. We'd ride the horses in the alleys.

Oh, yeah. When we'd get in trouble where the schools were at. And they're like, you can't ride your horses around here. And we're like, why? Yeah. We thought it was so fun. We would build forts. Like, it was, it's crazy how we actually, like, grew up.

Because you look at Nicole and I now, and people are like, oh, these are, like, city girls, you know. And it's like, well, I mean. Country girls. Yeah. Like, it's just funny because we never saw our lives, like, bigger than what our backyard was with the farm animals. How did you get beyond that then, mentally? How did you start to think bigger? It's weird because I kind of felt like it's when we moved to San Diego after high school.

You moved before college? Yeah. Yeah, we wanted, and I think Bree and I went through so much, like, our senior, well, I would say sophomore through senior years when we just started, like, parents got divorced. And then there was certain things that started happening to us, and I think we were craving a fresh start. So it was like we literally moved a week after graduation. My mom was like, that's it? And we're like, bye, we're out of here. And I think we just, at that point, didn't want to look back.

Yeah, our house, like, it was just like our parents' divorce had brought just, like, a really unhappy home. It was unhappy before. Then it was just a little chaos after. Toxic, huh? Mm-hmm. Very toxic. And then it was like my high school sweetheart passed away my senior year. Yeah, and it was just like, when we thought things

couldn't get worse, they kept getting worse. And her and I thought like, okay, we could stay here and really dwell about all this. Or her and I were like, let's just get our shit and go. And that's, that's what we did. And we actually had zero game plan at first, except like when you graduate high school, you go to college, right? So Grossmont Community College we went to, we dormed at San Diego State, but we needed jobs. And so we became Hooter Girls. And so at 18, it was like a spot where we're like, we'll make a lot of money. And alcohol was okay. Cause what was it? Beer and wine? Beer and wine. So you can be 18. Yeah. And, um, you could serve at 18. Yeah, exactly. And so we became Hooter Girls.

It was crazy because we actually met a lot of girls who were in our situation. Like kind of from broken homes and kind of looking for something. And they're actually our best friends today. It's incredible how strong we are all together. But that's how we got introduced to the WWE is because we'd show their pay-per-views. Now, the best thing is no one wanted the customers because they come and sit for, like, almost three hours with chili fries and a Coke. And watch, yeah. Yeah, and I'd be like, oh, I know I could be making so much more money in these, like, three hours. So we'd all hang around and watch the pay-per-views because, you know, your tables were sitting there watching.

And so because during the football games, it's like, that was chaos for us because, you know, you're slinging wings every 10 minutes. Like, where it was the WWE pay-per-views, we all sat and watched. We just shut out, had a conversation. And I feel like my journey was a little different, like, when it came to, so here you have these dreams, like, when you're young.

But I guess I was always so soccer-focused. And so, like so I looked up. I mean, I thought Mia Hamm was the coolest person in the world. The best. And when she came out with the Michael Jordan commercials, those inspired me as a young girl when she was like, anything you can do, I can do better. So I would look at the boys like, yeah, I could be better.

A drum wrestle, everyone. It's not about the letter you found in seventh grade? About what you wanted to be? You just found it the other week no a strong woman oh I did so because I just I went had to go through my storage and I found this like letter and I was Brie and I it was one year I had to go to like these soccer camps and it was our first time being apart so we would write letters to each other and I was telling her like like I really want to be like a strong woman which I was shocked that I wrote this stuff and I loved Carla Overbeck and

Mia Hamm and how these women are and that girl I even wrote girls don't need men I'm like reading this like oh my gosh like I guess I kind of had it inside me this whole time and I didn't even realize I had those thoughts then but I was like yeah go and then Brie writes on the paper that I sent her she wrote around everything around she was sorry I want to save papers so I want to save trees so I'm writing around and I never knew she was really like that when she was young I was like oh my gosh I had to call her me like Brie you wanted to save trees even in middle school. It's hilarious. Plants, animals, everything, right? Right, yeah.

Humanity. Totally. And so I guess my dream was always focused, like, I want to be in the World Cup one day. It was always being a professional soccer player. And I had that opportunity come to me. It was the beginning of my senior year in high school, and there was an opening on the Arizona Heat Wave. And I talked to the coach. To the pro team? The pro team team in Arizona and I was going to play

at ASU and then I snapped my leg in half literally like a week before I was going to sign for a scholarship and this was like four weeks before her boyfriend was killed oh my gosh so it was like we had as twins like this this month of where like all our dreams like were shattered and for me I was like I was just focused on soccer and so when we had this motivation to like leave a week later mine was just like leaving this small town but when you only have a dream of this one thing and all I wanted to do was be on this grand stage but be like a competitor and like I really loved the young age competing hard and getting that reward like the reward wasn't fake it was like you had to earn it and when you got that trophy you're like

this is the greatest thing ever because I worked hard for it like even when I was when did I win mutton busting and beat all the boys and girls we were like in second grade we were in a rodeo riding wild lambs and I wanted to win. I remember having that feeling. She came in last. And I literally came in first. I wouldn't even let go of this lamb, this poor lamb. The clown's trying to run after me, telling me to let go, but I really wanted to win. And I wanted to beat all the boys because they made the boys and girls go together.

But so it's crazy how certain things you can go through that changed your dreams or the direction of your life. And so then when we both went to San Diego, like, well, what do we do now? But we knew, like, what we always liked was entertainment or being in California. And then there was Hooters. And then there was Hooters. How long were you at Hooters for? And then there was WWE. Two years. Yeah.

And right after that was WWE. That's when we first saw it on the TV. That's when we found out about it. Yeah. So that planted the seed a little bit. It did. Were you even thinking then, like, oh, we could do this? Oh, no way.

Really? Yeah. You couldn't even have paid us enough to, like, say, like, oh, by the way, in this amount of time, you're going to be a professional wrestler. I would have been like, you're crazy. There's no way. So you weren't even thinking about it. It wasn't even a thought. You were more thinking of, what, doing the acting thing or modeling in LA? We actually had thought. Like, you're crazy. There's no way. So you weren't even thinking about it. It wasn't even a thought. You were more thinking of what? Doing the acting thing or modeling in LA?

Well, we had thought. Like, thought about that. I was like, okay, give school a chance. And then when I was in, like, school and I'm like, oh, my gosh, I feel like I'm wasting time. Like, I just, we have very creative minds. So I'm like, I could be doing this or I could be going here. But then the soccer coach reached out and he's like, hey, is your shin healed? Like, why don't you just walk on Grossmont? i'm like community college there right yeah i'm like well

maybe should i and i'm like okay and then he's like well you need to go around the mile and get timed i'm like wait i'm not prepped for this but i walked on the team we went to state i got mvp and so i was on my way of going to play pro ball in Italy. I know. Crazy how big it was. You played for two years then with them? I just did a year. One year. You know, I was the oldest at that point when I got there. So we were in Grossmont. We dropped out.

We went back. It was like a few year period of time. So you needed one year and then they were like, okay, you can go pro. Yeah. Wow. That's pretty impressive. And so that coach, he was amazing. But you didn't want to go?

Well, I convinced her not to go. Oh. Because of wrestling, actually. But it's crazy because we both went to L.A. for a little bit, and then she came back to Grossmont to play soccer, and I stayed in L.A., and I was dating a guy here, and all of a sudden, Deep Search came up, and something WWE was doing.

They were on a search for like women wrestlers. And so when it came to my attention, I'm like, I know WWE just because of my Hooters days. Watching. And I was like, I remember those girls. And, you know, when we actually were watching it, the girls were wrestling and there was like some fun stuff going on. And I was like kind of thinking to myself. So I was really doing my research and I'm like,, oh, yeah, this is so for Nicole and I. So I called her up, and I'm like, hey, we need to go to DivaSearch.

I know you want to go play pro ball in Italy, but just come with me. If you don't like it, you can go. So we actually went to DivaSearch, and it was here in Los Angeles. What year is this? 2006, I think. Yeah, it was 2006, right? Or 2005. Well, we graduated in 2002. No, you're right. think. Yeah, it was 2006, right? Or 2005? Well, we graduated in 2002.

No, you're right. 2006. Yeah. A lot of craziness happened between that, 2002 and 2006. Back and forth, LA to San Diego, dropping out of college, going back to college. Then going into soccer. Just a lot of, like, loss. Dating guys.

Trying to find ourselves. Yeah. For, like, five years, four four or five years trying to figure out like what are we going to do with our lives totally just having this new freedom and making good money

and so we having opportunities and the different stuff in LA and what's going on yeah oh yeah and the biggest thing is her and I

trying to figure out what do we want to do with our lives because we had no idea like people would ask all the time like so what do you want to be when you're older

and I'm like I don't know. Like, just, like, living the life right now. Be in my 20s forever. Just kidding. Travel. I think I always would say that. Travel.

And so when we showed up to Diva Search, though, it was kind of way different than what we expected. And, like, Nicole and I made these shirts. It said Breezy for Sheezy, Nicole for Show. And we had, like, torn-up jeans up jeans and these like shorts to go with them. By the way, when you say for show, it's not like for show. It's like for sure. Like this is Nicole. For sure.

Yeah. She says it like as a for show. But it was spelled S-H-O. Yeah. That's how you say it. But how you say it, you make it like I'm putting myself on show. Oh. No.

For sure. Yeah, like for sure like yeah like for sure exactly she says it weird right yeah I'm always like oh my gosh you act like I'm putting myself on a pedal still like Nicole for sure or whatever I don't know anyway but you were lost for a few years yeah and you went there with these shirts and thinking that was gonna get it happen make it happen yeah I mean to be honest we thought we were going to get in the ring and, like, really, like, have to go at it with people and, like, claim your spot. We had no idea. That's what we were thinking because we're athletes.

Like, we're like, yeah, we're ready for this. Like, whatever. We got it. We might come out with bumps and bruises, but no big deal. But it was way different. What was it like? Nicole and I always say it kind of looked like just a bunch of go-go dancers to where we actually thought we were in the wrong spot.

I was so mad at her when we actually we got in the biggest fight before we even could make it in and then it was actually hilarious because the girl who was in front of us said I thought the same thing and her name was Layla and she actually won the whole thing and she's like I was supposed to go she was a Miami cheerleader for the heat and they had just won and so she kind of was like, we have our parade this week and I'm missing my parade and I'm confused. Like I kind of thought we were supposed to wrestle. So us three kind of stuck together because we all kind of had the same mentality. But they didn't want twins. Like twins just wasn't to go through. It was kind of hard for them

because it's like we have 10 contestants. What happens? Are you guys together? Are you not? So Nicole and I were kind of like bummed out. We're like, okay. But then actually KP is the one who like pulled us aside and like really, she saw something in us. Wow. And she like talked to us and she was like, let us send you to Deep South and like we really want you guys.

That's Florida? We want to do something. Yeah. And get in the race. Yeah, but you can't say Deep South. Oh, yeah. No, Deep South. McDonough, Georgia.

Sorry. Not Florida yet. Gotcha. McDonough,donough which is like more like a training ground yes it was let's get you some practice reps or figure out like yeah who you're gonna be and yeah and so the developmental development yeah so we went down there for how long so we went down there just for four days was it yeah four days and the minute her and i got in the ring and we were just like doing some stuff, we were like, oh my gosh, yes. Fell in love. We fell in love so much. And then we were having fun. It was literally love at first sight.

It was. Like magic. Exactly. Literally. Actually, it's funny. Bill DeMont, who was the coach there at the time, so we came the next day to him. And we're like, so we were wondering if we could do this and this. And then we thought maybe we could walk out with one of the guys and be like this.

And he was like, what? He's like, wait a second, you've been here one day. We're like, oh, yeah, but you guys are having a show tonight, right? We could totally do something for the show. What is that? Don't be a coach. Yeah, so I was on one of the tallest wrestlers who had a cape. They had him hold the cape like this, and then he opened it,

and Brie and I are like, we pop out. Oh, my goodness. But her and Iie and I are like, we pop out. Oh, my goodness. But her and I, I'll never forget, we went back. Actually, before I say this, the funniest thing, everyone's like, well, the only restaurant in town is Hooters. And we were like, yes. We know you guys want to go to dinner there. We're like, sure. We'll wrestle, and then we'll be waitresses, and we'll do the same thing.

Exactly. And so her and I would go back to our hotel room and practice moves. And, like, we ended up, like, breaking a couple things that we had to apologize for. Just, like. TV. Yeah. And then. We slammed each other's faces.

We were, like, practicing stuff, like, that we thought we could go the next day and show off and be like, you know, like. And, like, we hit the dresser and then the dresser, like, made the TV knock off. Oh, my gosh. And, like, it hits the floor and we're dresser like made the tv knock off and like it hits the floor and we're like oh no what do we do that was crazy crazy but it was awesome because at the end of the tryout both wwe and nicole and i we all knew it was a perfect match really so after four days yeah but that's not like perfect match to go to tv just to like get a contract and be able to go to developmental wow so in four days you had a contract with the WWE. Yeah.

Verbal. Yeah. Verbal. So start working in the developmental league or whatever it's called. Yeah. Yeah. And so her and I so excited to get back on the plane and tell our family like we are going to become pro wrestlers.

Superstars. Yeah. And everyone's like mouths dropped. And her and I were in serious relationships at the time. And everyone was like, no. I think everyone said no. Maybe JJ, our brother, was like, awesome. Everyone said you shouldn't do it?

Yeah. Why? My grandfather, he was just like, look at you two. Like, you're supposed to be wives and mothers. Like, not hurting yourselves. And we're like, we're not. Like, this is, like, not hurting yourselves. And we're like, we're not. Like, this is, like, perfect for us. Well, and I think, too, people, unless you know, like, wrestling or you've been to a live event, people have such a perception of wrestling in WWE.

And it's funny because I always will bring different type of people to our events who have never experienced before. And every single person is the same thing. Like, that was the most fun I've ever had. Or that was crazy. Like, they get the most amazing experience. Yeah. And so I feel like because none of our family grew up as wrestling fans or watched it, they had a perception of it. So Bree and I actually got to go experience it.

And we're like, no, you don't understand this. What they do is amazing. And it's so cool. And you get lost in these stories. And they just didn't understand it. And I was like, you guys just need to go to a show like trust me and so it's just that perception which is now be in the industry for 11 years and i still will hear people i'm like you don't get it like you need to go it's funny i feel like i missed the boat when i was younger because i never watched wrestling growing

up yeah and so i never really got into it yeah so i still haven't gotten into it really and like watched it i'll watch like the highlights and i'm like, that's a pretty cool move. And I remember when Lucha Libre came out, and I went to Mexico City the year afterwards actually and went to a luchador match. And it was fascinating. And I told myself- They're like acrobats.

It was unbelievable. And I said to myself, I'm going to become a professional luchador and I'm gonna be the only American down here in Mexico City wrestling around the country because I was so fascinated by it. The tallest luchador. Exactly, exactly. But it was fascinating. And I still haven't watched WWE that much

except for just a little highlight scene here and there. But I can only imagine being there live. You need to come live. I would love to. Then you'll be hooked. I would love to. I'd love to come see you guys sometime. I mean, when you think about it,

there's nothing in the entertainment world or even sports entertainment world that's like it that you can go to this show and we encourage you to get involved. So here come out multiple people, two people, and there's this bad guy and there's this good guy. And

you're either going to like one or the other. They're going to tell you some story that's going to make you cheer or boo or chant stuff. And then all of a sudden you realize you're either going to like one or the other. They're going to tell you some story that's going to make you cheer, boo, or chant stuff. And then all of a sudden you realize. You're invested. You're invested and you're lost in the show. And then you like leave like that was like the best Broadway because I got to yell and scream and like.

I saw athletes. Yeah, athletes in these amazing costumes and pyro and lights. And that hooked me big time. But then I loved the in-ring work. I think that was so fascinating of the athletic ability because I never realized that. Because, you know, we're entertainers. You don't realize how athletic everyone is. So how long was the training for you guys then to really kind of pick up the athleticism and learn everything about it?

Yeah, gosh, it took us. So we didn't get to TV until 14 months after we signed. Still pretty fast, right? It is, and we still were learning. Actually, you learn even more when you're on the road. Oh, sure. And almost thrown in the fire because it forces you to just instantly use your intuition and actually make things look real because you're really reacting and doing all these things.

But, I mean, I still feel to this day I'm still learning, and it's been over a decade. Well, when you work in front of a live crowd, and then you have, not only do you have a live crowd, but you have these millions of viewers tuning in. Yeah, live TV. You guys have the ultimate skill because that is so challenging to be able to be magnetic in front of a live audience. Right. Yeah. And also be able to know where's the camera and how can I connect to the audience at home. Right.

So they're seeing my good side or, you know, I'm not behind all the time, whatever it is. You guys are trained professionals at an extremely high level to be magnetic all the time. That's hard to do. It is. It's really hard to do. It's very challenging.

And in the beginning, it was so scary. I can imagine. Because there's not a take two. Because you have the five cameras, you have the million of viewers, it's live, the live crowd, and then you have Vince McMahon

watching you in Gorilla. So it's like triple whammy beyond. It's like, all righty, I can't mess up. Nothing. Yeah. Wow. But, you know, the neat thing for Nicole and I is that we were the first identical twin girls to ever debut.

And instantly for her and I, like, it was crazy how where we're at now, our journey really, you know, started at WWE and the platform we were given there. But her and I really had to put our heads together because the hardest part we had in the beginning was the creative for Nikki and I to go forward. It was always about being twins, twins, twins. But as you could see, and when you heard about us growing up, we were so different. And it was hard for us to all of a sudden, at 23 years old, get now put into, we had to talk alike, dress alike. Dress the same, yeah, everything, right? Everything.

And so we really had to start thinking about, like, branding ourselves. And we were just like, okay. So I literally was just in LA. You were in San Diego. Now we're back together. Now we have to be uber twins. Like, it was hard. For you and I, it was kind of hard at first.

Oh, very difficult. And even our weight was different. And, like, we had to be uber twins. Like, it was hard. For you and I, it was kind of hard at first. Oh, very difficult. And even our weight was different. And, like, we had to battle. You had to eat the same and, like. No, I just had to eat a lot less. This one could eat. I couldn't even eat what she ate. I was like, seriously?

You stay like that eating that? Not anymore. Oh, but. Baby Jade, it makes it harder, right? Yeah. It was hard and really tough. Yeah, but it was crazy because you think about our beginning years at Dippity Dippity and everything we had to start teaching ourselves. Like it almost felt like all over again, we had to teach ourselves how to be like so identical.

But then her and I were kind of like, after a while, we just were like, we need to change this. Like there's so much more about us than just like saying like hi we're the Bella twins like at the same time and that was like hard for us until total divas came along and then like finally everyone got to see like the difference of the Bella twins you start becoming your unique selves yes rebranding yourselves yeah your own identity essentially yeah because people never knew, like, okay, Nikki loves, like, a lot of glam, like, nice things. A lot of glam? What does that mean? I mean, like, glam is in nice clothes, like, certain things, and I'm more of a tree hugger.

Like, you know, like, nobody knew any of that kind of stuff. I like to save trees, too. Okay. Yeah, one Louboutin at a time. Exactly. Gotcha. And it was really neat, like total divas

when it came that Nicole and I, you know, we were so nervous to do the reality show. When was this? When did this start? The show?

Gosh, five years ago. Why were you nervous to do it? Putting your life's out there. Oh. It's scary. The reality show is a whole nother level.

Immediately you're, you just know you're going to be judged. That no matter what it is you do, people are going to be judged that no matter what it is you do people are going to love you and people are going to hate you yeah and like you have to be okay with that they're going to spin things the way they want it to be for good tv right and how the world will perceive you like i don't like how she lives or i don't like how she talks or i don't like how

she walks or how she dresses or i don't like how she eats her food or i don't like how her and her sister are or you have the opposite. I love how they are. Oh, my gosh, I could relate to them. And so you just know that no matter, I could act like Mother Teresa all I want. It doesn't matter. You could save every tree in the world. Yes.

Like Bree and it doesn't matter. And then you're like, she's so annoying. Like she saves so many trees. Right. But, you know, so that was, I think, the scariest part was just the feeling of like, okay, I'm going to be judged constantly. How have you guys handled that? In the beginning, it kind of rocks your world a little bit. You're just kind of like.

Because social media, you could see everything. Every tweet, everything. Yeah, and you think to yourself like, don't take it personal, but it's hard not to. So hard. And like it affects you and you're like, you can't let this affect you. The person might have had a really bad day. It's so hard to think that way. But now it doesn hard not to. So hard. And like it affects you and you're like this, you can't let this affect you. The person might have had a really bad day. It's so hard to think that way. And,

but now it doesn't at all. Now it's like kind of we let everything roll off us but at the end of the day we're like the whole world is not going to love you. Half of it's going to hate you,

half of it's going to love you and that's okay. And I think everyone goes through this and I think because of social media and I think it's important to go through it is you're going to go through that tough time of, like, it's okay to be upset about seeing hate about you and stuff that you feel is, like, not true.

And I think I had to go through that period of time of where I'm like, oh, my gosh, I'm totally getting bullied online. This is crazy. And having those feelings of being so down because then it made me be like, wait, why am I letting these people affect me? One, I don't even know these people, but why am I letting them affect me? Like, this is crazy. Like, I'm proud of who I am, and you know what? If these people don't like it, then bye. Right.

And then so it started to give me the shell of, like, I almost like to call it my superhero cape of, like, feeling untouchable. Like, you can't affect me anymore and then I feel like once you get that way it's crazy how much better you become as a reality star or being in the spotlight because you're just not affected yeah do you have a morning routine or ritual where you think something specific like that or you know both of you where you're constantly preparing yourself for what's to come because you have have so many things happening, two shows, mom, the rest of the brands, the business, everything, all the attention that's coming your way.

Do you have some type of ritual? Gosh, you know, my husband and I used to be so good at meditating, and we actually said we need to get back into it because since we've moved to San Diego and all that, we've been so bad. And I literally bought this book the other day to get back into meditating. Which one? About meditation? Yeah, but it's this whole system of like stuff you eat.

I'll think about it in a sec. Got it. I literally just bought it two days ago. The one that you showed me? Yeah. Oh, I can't remember. I know. I just, that's going to kill me.

It's like on the tip of my tongue. But I do believe in like meditation and breathing techniques. I think it helps take all the negativity out and bring the positivity in. And one thing my husband and I also do is like, I have to remind myself of all the positives that are in my life and all the positive thoughts. And I think at times like we linger and we hold on to all the negativity and the negative things going on that we just let the positive things go by or we let negativity erase it all. And I'm like, no, no, no, I'm not going to let negativity win. Like, so always at night, I have to, we remind ourselves, let's think of all the positive

things that happened today. And I do that when I start my day, especially having a baby around. She can't talk, but she feels my energy and I don't want her to feel negative energy. I'm kind of like every time I make my coffee in the morning, because that's the first thing I love to do. That is, I always just thank God. What am I thankful for today? And I always try to put that in my head. And that's like one thing I always do. It's funny. Cause I have 10 AM set for meditation and it always alerts, but I'm always busy. I'm not going to lie. I'm like meditation. That's right. Okay. Meditation. Thank you for just reminding me. I'm like, meditation, that's right. Okay, meditation. Thank you for just reminding me that I need.

Like, at least it gives me the moment. And it's not a full five minutes or ten. But it gave me a moment where I'm grateful. And then I'm not even going to lie. Like, when I see 11-11, I like to make a wish. But I always say something I'm grateful for. Like, I've turned it into that. And so this literally has become such a routine of mine.

Because I was starting to feel the same way as Brie. Like I was working so hard that it's becoming very unbalanced. And I think that's sometimes when negativity gets held onto because you're just so... Overworked, overwhelmed. Yes. Everyone's pulling your attention. Yes.

Everyone wants something from you. Big time. And I was starting to get that way. And I was like, I am spread so thin right now. And this is not even healthy yeah well the biggest thing we had to realize to become more successful was saying no to more things that's the key it's so hard so hard because you feel like you're missing that just learn this like I mean I've known this for years but I I can't I haven't been able to master it yet yeah there's There's so many good opportunities. We can. And you feel so much better.

Like, it's crazy because. And you're better at a lot of the other activities, right? Because you said no to some instead of showing up tired for a bunch. 80% for everything. Exactly. And that's exactly what we finally realized. Because her and I, like, don't want to miss an opportunity. We feel like we have enough energy to do it.

But then finally I was like, we don't. So what do you say no to and what do you say yes to? So for example, I'll use this latest. Oh, great. You go like this and I never know what's happening. I'm like, what's happening? So her and I went to Paris and we filmed it, her

bachelorette. Then they literally wanted us. I'm proud of that position. They wanted us to land and do Ninja Warrior and they go straight to Steve Harvey. But I told them I can't do Ninja Warrior. Wait, you did Ninja Warrior? No, she did. Oh, my gosh.

But I told them no to Ninja Warrior. Dance with the stars, Ninja Warriors. I know. Because I wanted to have time with my baby. I wanted to get all my good energy back. And I wanted to have an easy travel day to Orlando to do Steve Harvey because I wanted to be refreshed. So, but she was like, I got it. Like, bam, bam, bam. And I was like, okay. I'm like, these are the times we say no. And she's like, no. But then it's like, she was so exhausted and freezing cold.

And then all of a sudden her flight, she's at the airport, her flight's supposed to take off at, what, midnight? Then all of a sudden it's 3 a.m. Then all of a sudden she has to connect to Chicago, was it? Then all of a sudden it's 3 a.m. Then all of a sudden she has to connect to Chicago and misses that.

Next thing you know I'm at Disney World having fun Friday morning because my sister is still in Chicago hasn't slept still freezing

from Ninja Warrior and we're just waiting for her. For Steve Harvey or for her? For Steve Harvey. So we keep getting pushed, pushed, pushed

to where she races off the plane. They pick her up. How they are doing her hair and makeup. My hair was because I fell in the water for Ninja Warrior. And they had this crazy, like, French braid. So I literally was on the plane with drenched hair. Like, I was still wet.

And she was exhausted on zero sleep. She had been on a flight. So when they took my braid out, my hair was so whack. And they're trying to fix it. And I'm like whatever. Well good thing I bought us mini ears. Oh there you go. Disney World but the thing that

in that moment that reminded me is she looked so stressed and exhausted and I had a really fun time. I woke up in the morning had a great breakfast had a coffee. The VIP people came and they go you want to go on some rides? And I go yeah. Space Mountain. I just looked at coffee. The VIP people came and they go, you want to go on some rides? And I go, yeah. Let's do it.

Space Mountain. Yeah, and I just looked at the difference between her and I and our energy levels. And I'm like, if you just said no. But she got to do Ninja Warrior. Exactly. And that's a pretty close very still. I do not regret doing it. Kind of did in the moment.

Not regret. You're so tired. I was so exhausted. And I was so jet lagged, but, um, and she was flying by the way. Can I just say right after Steve Harris, she was flying to South by Southwest. Oh my gosh. So it was not even like bedtime. It was like the most craziest week ever, but not only was an amazing ninja warrior, it was for the best cause ever, which I don't think I never have been. I mean, I've been educated on Red Nose Day, but I've never realized what they really do for kids.

So that gave me this kick of like, oh my goodness. And then when I was doing the courses, there were moments of I was like, what am I doing? Why am I putting my body through this in my mind? But then when I would finish a course, yeah, the obstacle course, when I had finished like a course, I'm like, like I mean I was jumping on my ninja and I'm like oh my gosh I can't believe I did I felt like I had five hearts like beating so fast it was like the best adrenaline rush ever and then all of a sudden I look at the next course and I'm like wait what and I'm scared of heights so you're so high up I couldn't believe this stuff. Like I have like, well, these are burns from Thanksgiving. I got burned so bad because I was hanging on by rope and I would not let go

because I'm just so competitive. Wow. And oh, I ripped the shreds. Yeah. My hands were gushing because when I finally fell, she showed up. I was like,

I can't even do my nails right now. Like you could see all the marks, but literally because of what I fell on all my, my fingernails like flip back and like i scraped my hand so bad and then i got in the water and that water is freezing i can imagine and i have to rush to a red eye and there's just no time bloody hands everything yeah because of the weather they had to keep postponing filming and i'm like oh my gosh my flight just hearing it makes you want to go to sleep right now and get your energy.

But whatever. So how do you guys choose, though, like when to say no to something? Because obviously— We're still kind of learning. Yeah, we still are learning. Because you could say, well, I want to say yes so I can live a life and not regret doing all these things I got to do. Or we're trying to do these four or five things really well. Well, that's what we—

And if we say yes to everything else, then they're going to do these four or five things really well. Well, that's what we... And if we say yes to everything else, then they're going to suffer. Yeah. Or my kid's not going to see me as much or my husband's not going to see me, right? Exactly. You do have to start, say, what's your first priority? And mine's always family.

I feel like it's the only reason why I've stayed humble and why no matter what, everything could fail as long as I have family. I have so much. Like, I win. I win. But for her and I, we've had to sit down and go, because we have so many different brands and businesses, we're like, what's important?

And, for example, for us right now, we have amazing wine people behind Bell Radici. So for us, like, we don't have to fully put all our energy into Bell Radici. So you have a team. Yes. You've got systems. You've got systems. Right. But Birdie B. We always make sure to taste.

Oh, yeah. Of course. I don't miss a taste. Hey, you'll be a part of that. And we're always part of the phone calls and everything. But Birdie B., I mean, that is Nicole and our baby. And that is something that we started from scratch. We have a team.

Is it the kids clothing line, right? Or is it the. It's named after your child, right? Yeah. Well, we actually. Is the kids clothing line right? It's named after your child, right? Yeah, well we actually, Birdie Bee was first. So technically Birdie isn't even after Birdie. Yeah. Oh, okay. Gotcha, gotcha. But now that, Nicole and I always

have to put first. And so if we have any other opportunities that come up, but it's like, it kind of goes whatever we're doing with Birdie Bee, we have to say no. And we just realized, like, her and and I are like there was a couple months where we were saying yes to so much stuff and Birdie Bee just kind of kept going down down and down and her and I just looked at each other like what are we doing like you can't just start a brand and then think it's like okay we started so there you go and her and I've learned so much in the last four months about

like really just keeping your passion with your employees. Like, her and I show up at the offices to constantly let the employees feel our passion. Right. So if you're not invested, why would they be invested? Exactly. Exactly. And I think, too, that's one thing I've realized is at the end of the day, they're employees. And this is Brie and I's passion.

And this is our heart. this is Brie and I's passion and this is our heart. And so if we thought we were being hands-on, but you have to be so hands-on when you're passionate about something, because I think it's still hard for people to see it when it's not their passion and they didn't come up with it. And if you're not there every day, they're like, well. I mean, they're making a paycheck. They want to go home to their families at the end of the day.

They can't wait for 5 o'clock and they leave. And like where I would say in an office probably until 9 p.m. if everything was done or the vision was right or this was perfect. Yeah. But when it's not your passion, people don't do that. And that's probably been the best learning experience is especially when you're hiring employees to hire people that believe so much what you do and really interview them and know everything about them because I think that's what we've lacked on and so it's made... You just want someone fast. Yes. We need this now.

Yeah, you see a great resume. They can do these things, but then... I've been there too. I've struggled with that, yeah. It's tough. It's really tough. And it was funny because my mom's like, did you ask them to do a mock of five Instagram posts, a mock of their marketing plan and all that? And Nicole and I were like, no, but their interview was so good.

And my mom was like, you guys. But, you know, it's a learning experience for Nicole and I. And even, like, you know, when we first launched, all of a sudden, like, our plus sizes got pushed back to January 1st. And we were like, wait a second. Do we not launch? And they're like, you guys have advertised. You've done this. Just say whatever.

And we're like, no, you don't understand. Like, this could ruin everything. Wow. We had no idea what to do. But it was our fault because a month before the launch, even though we thought everything was set, we didn't check up on it. Until, like, literally probably, like, a couple days before because we figured, you know, like you have employees and you figure it's all good. No. And I don't want to ever regret.

I've moved past it. We're doing well and all this. But that first week, I lost so much sleep. Her and I both. We were like in bed and I was just like, how did I let this happen? Like, you know, and she was in Dancing with the Stars, so she was so busy. And I was in Washington State. You're both busy.

You're both doing your thing, traveling, got stuff going on. Yeah, but you know. But you've invested so much of your money, your time, your energy into this.

Yes, and I'm like, why did I let. Yeah, you want it to last forever. Yeah, and so it's funny like, but it's my first time like being this involved and it's crazy

how much I'm learning as a business owner. Well, you probably weren't trained in the last 15 years or 20 years on how to do this. Right. So you have to learn on how to do this. Right.

So you have to learn on the job. Yes. Essentially. Oh, yeah. I've learned the hard way many times because I wasn't trained this way either. You're just like, I have this passion, this idea. I want to bring it to life. Right.

But I sometimes feel like, I don't know if you feel this way, that it's sometimes good to learn the hard way. Absolutely. Because I feel like that gives you success over time, like that long-term success. If it works from the beginning, that's not good, I think. Absolutely. Because I feel like that gives you success over time. Like that long term success. If it works from the beginning that's not good I think. Right.

I think you want to struggle a little bit. Yeah. Or at least have some adversity so you say oh man that's a good lesson. Totally.

I don't want to do that again. Yeah. I think we need some of that. Totally. I agree. We've had what two

to three times where we thought maybe we shut down Birdie B. Really? Yeah. Well you know what's funny. You've got to be

fully invested. Yeah. You've got to be fully invested. Yeah. You've got to be fully invested. You do. The last three years, because we've hit some rock bottom points, and Nicole and I looked at each other like, how do we, like our first time, we were just kind of led the wrong way, and we put all our apples into one person, and all of a sudden, their vision was way different, and tried to execute it, and we were like, no, no, no, no, no. And then all of a sudden it was like Birdie B went away. And we held on to it. But I was in my first trimester of pregnancy.

And this was pre-launch. Pre-launch. I was in my first trimester of pregnancy. I immediately the next day bought a ticket to Los Angeles. And I drove to all these different factories because I needed to know more. And I did as well. Really? We were both on our days off.

To find manufacturers. Yeah, because I needed to know about materials because that was our biggest fight. It's like we wanted premium materials. You didn't have the information at first. You trusted someone else to do that work because they'd probably done it before. Yep. And we literally started at square one. So she was meeting designers.

I was meeting factory. I was learning how to do panty patterns and stuff. I'm like, yeah. I'm like sitting with these people and they're like speaking Chinese to me. I'm like, okay, how do we do this? Because I didn't go to fashion school. Literally Chinese probably. Yeah, seriously.

I know, right? And it was crazy too because we had to start learning this language. Like they're like, I'll send you this swatch, the hand of this. And I was like, the hand of what? They're like, well, that means the feel of it. And I'm like, oh, okay. And I'm, like, pregnant and, like, wanted to barf at every factory. I felt so bad because I was telling them.

I'm like, oh. I just felt horrible. But I was like, Nicole, like, we have to do this. I remember I was talking. I called this factory in Northern California because they seemed so up our alley. And this guy, he was like, you know, you're lucky I have some free time. But I picked his brain. He helped me.

And then I go, can you, like, run our company? And he's like, excuse me. And I was like, well, we need help. And he's like, I don't do that. He's like, but you're on the right track. He goes, it takes a while, and I'll never forget. And then he's like, let me just email you all this info. And I'm like, thank you so much.

Because he probably heard it in my voice. Like, my sister and I had a dream. We were kind of strong or long for a year. And then everything just almost disappeared. And Nicole and I were literally holding on to Birdie B, like, with such a strong grip. We're like, we're not letting this go. And then we were lucky enough, like, we had some really good people all of a sudden just pop up. And Nicole and I are very spiritual.

And we just believe when you throw it out to the universe and you have that positive energy, like it comes to you like a magnet. You all of a sudden get these people pop up in your lives. Yeah. Well, we always like to say, okay, so this is, it's always great for a book because I feel like all the books you read, right? Everyone who's, you know, has amazing success or is extremely happy. They had all these struggles that you read.

That's why they have this great book because you're like, look at what they overcame. So always when we have something like that, we always say, this is good for the book. So we're on the right path. This is good for the book. We're actually writing a book right now. It's like therapy, by the way. I am like, am I back in therapy?

Because this is pretty crazy. It's a journey. It's a journey. I can't believe how much you cry. It's 2019. How much you cry? Not everyone. Yeah, like at least that I were crying. Like that's, you know It's a journey. I can't believe how much you cry. It's 2019. How much you cry. Not everyone. Yeah, like, at least that I'm crying.

Like, that's, you know, our ghostwriter. And I was just like, I didn't think I was going to come into the session day and bawl my eyes out for, like, three hours. 2019, you said? Yeah, as of now, January 2019. Ooh, coming out soon. What was the moment that made you cry the most? In my book? While talking about this book.

My childhood. Really? Oh, for sure. Especially my high school years. I think, you know, it was funny, and we actually both were saying this, and it will probably make me emotional right now. Definitely from 15, my sophomore to senior year, I became a woman. And I realized everything after high school, everything I did, who I became,

was because of those really hard years. And it's funny because, like, my relationship with my dad isn't the best. We've reconnected now. And I hated him so much then. But if it wasn't for how rocky and bad our relationship was, I would have never become who I am today. Why did you hate him so much then? He wasn't a good dad, but my parents had us, you know, they got pregnant at 18 and my dad's a struggling addict. And so when you grow

up with that, it's like, you just, you know, you hate them for ruining your family, for breaking it up. And to this day, actually I asked my dad the other day, I was like, would you write a chapter in our book? Cause my dad, I mean, he'll omit everything. I'm like, I think the world would like to see a really bad relationship between daughters and a father and see where it's at now. And I told him, I'm like, I think girls need that.

You can repair a relationship. And my dad and I sat together. And you could learn from them. Yeah, my dad and I sat the other day and we're just, I was like, Dad, I don't hate you anymore. I realized, thank you. Thank you for putting me through hard times because, because of that, I've become a strong, strong woman. And now I know with Birdie exactly how to like raise her. It took me, I'm 34. And so it's taken me that long. But when I went through all

those years, I just, it was the first time, like, just like, holy shit Bri, like those years are your golden years. Those are when you realize like, I'm not a little teenager who needs mommy and daddy. I'm on my own and how do I figure it out? And we both were saying that. It was really, it was emotional to talk about it. What was the biggest lesson your dad taught you? For me is independence.

Everything that happened at 15, I became so independent. And I knew that I will never depend on another human being again, that I could do this all on my own. And right, that's, I think, why we left a week later, because I knew like leaving that house that week after graduation, I could be on my own, that no matter what, I will find a way to make it work. And we did that. Like I found a way to pay for college and to pay for my books and to have fun and to have pay for rent. And even when the accounts were getting low, I just always figured it out. And I feel like that was the best lesson my dad gave me because I've taken that into my career. So anytime there was a struggle or someone told me no, I was like, oh no, I'm going to make it a yes. I'm going to

figure it out. And so that was like the greatest gift he gave me, even though it was so hard to understand. But I feel like we wouldn't be where we're at today if we didn't have that and have the independence to like, it's a good feeling feeling never feeling like you have to depend on someone yeah because the only person you could disappoint is yourself when you disappoint yourself well it's tough but then you want to do better yeah and so that would be the best and you know my dad had a really bad childhood and I think as a kid I Nicole and I were always like get over over it. Like, get over it. Like, who cares? Like, look who you have now.

Does he complain about things when you were growing up? About his childhood? Yeah. And so he would always blame his actions for that. But I think now it's like everyone does have a story. And no one has a perfect life growing up. I don't care who you are. There is something that happened to you that traumatized you or brought you down.

And it's made me just realize that. Like sometimes when someone has a mood with you or there's an issue, it's not the issue with me. It's the issue with them and their lives and something that happened. And I think I took things too personal at a young age. And now I feel like when I've gotten into my 30s, I take nothing personal. She was very stubborn. Oh, yeah. And would hold grudges like no other. Hold grudges big time. Anyone that made her upset, I'd be like, poor you. When you hold a grudge on someone else, you're drinking poison. Exactly. Hoping that they're going to die. Right. And so I really,

yes. It's still a lesson I teach myself now because I'll take things personally every now and then and I'll feel my throat tighten up, my chest get tight and I'm like, why am I holding on to this when I know it's not serving anyone? Right. It's just hurting me and my vision. It's actually affecting you probably more than anyone else.

And it's hurting my ability to live my vision. Yeah. You know, to my purpose is slowed down when I hold a grudge or I'm unforgiving or I'm resentful or any of these things. Yeah. Yeah. I agree.

That's so true. Because you can't live in flow if you're holding on, if you're tight. It's true. If you're stressed. Yeah. Like our ghostwriter and the publisher she's working with, they were like, how are you guys where you're at after reading, like after they read her like childhood and everything that's happened to us?

Because there's so many stories. You're like, that's why we're at where we're at that's what i told them yeah they're like if you ended up being like drug addicts and like found in the streets we probably understand after we've read this like we get it but they're like you're not that and i'm like that made me stronger and if i could teach like that's why our book it was kind of i told her like this is really hard to put it out there but we're like everyone through stuff, and some people do take that wrong path. And if we could help one person or five people turn that path around and go down the right path and take the hurt and make it strength, then, I mean, for us, it's winning. And so that's what we hope to do.

Her and I were always the types in everything we did. We would never play a victim. We look at ourselves as survivors. Even as kids? Oh, all the time. We never wanted to ever be that. And I think that's really helped us because when you act like a victim, you're constantly losing.

When you act like a survivor, you're constantly winning. And that's her and I. And that's always been our mentality in everything we've done. Amen to that. When did you start to go down your spiritual path? You said you're both pretty spiritual. Yeah, I really found spirituality when my high school sweetheart passed. I'm going to commend that. When did you start to go down your spiritual path? You said you're both pretty spiritual. Yeah, I really found spirituality when my high school sweetheart passed.

My dad was an atheist, but my mom came from a religious family. But Nicole and I were young girls, and we always wanted to go to church, even when our parents didn't. Yeah, we were always drawn to the church, I think. And we very much felt our grandparents. And our grandparents. We were very much like our moms and dads growing up. Yeah, they were strong Catholics. And so I think we craved that because we felt our grandparents. And our grandparents. We were very much like our moms and dads growing up. Yeah. They were strong Catholics. And so I think we craved that because we felt their presence.

Which grandparents? My mom's parents. The Mexican side of the family? My dad's the Mexican side. They're the Italians. Okay, gotcha. And so, but then I really found spirituality when Bear passed. And for me it was like.

You were 18 at this time, 17, 18? Yeah, I was a senior. And for me, it was like. You were 18 at this time, 17, 18? Yeah, I was a senior. And it was actually, it's a crazy story because he passed. And I'll never forget, it was months later. And one of my guy friends, his mom, we were at his house swimming or something.

She's like, Bree, can I talk to you? And I was like, yeah. I was like, oh, gosh, we're going to check on you and see if I'm doing drugs, if I'm okay, whatever. But she was like, I was at, oh, gosh, we're going to check on you and see if I'm doing drugs, if I'm okay, whatever. But she was like, I was at this angel store, and this woman just started speaking about this spirit that was here and everything. And it was Bear Bree, and, like, they brought up your name. And she goes, I know you think I'm crazy. And I was like, I do. I think you are batshit crazy. She's like, but please, this is the lady's number.

Can you call? And I was like, I'm sorry I don't believe this. But I took the number. I took the card. And I remember I was like, kept thinking about it. I kept feeling it. I was like, okay, I'll go listen. Like, what is it going to do?

And I'm a senior. So I went in there. And I just sat down. I'm like, listen. Like, I'm not going to tell you anything. You want me to be here. And she just opened up this whole new world to me a world I didn't really like connect to until then and everything she was telling me I was like

how did you know and I know half the world thinks she medium or is she yeah well I don't know if they like to be called mediums because they speak to angels or whatever. But yes. And half the world doesn't believe that. And there's another part that sees it. But for me, it changed everything. It made me look at Bear's death in a different way. It made me accept a lot of things. It made me all of a sudden just want to go on a really good path and look at people in a really good way.

And it really changed me in a good way. And I mean, for me, spirituality, the one thing about it is all it wants to bring is positivity. And I'm like, amen to that. I'll do it all day long. And it opened up my eyes and it really helped me cope with a lot of bad things in my life. How much did that affect you with that passing? Because I can only imagine what that would be like losing someone. It rocked my world. Really?

Yeah. And I think, too, as a high school girl, you plan your whole life, right, with that person. How long were you in the relationship for? We started dating. We were together, gosh, I mean not long, like probably had to be like eight months, ten months. But you were in it. It was my first love.

You were in it. Yeah, we were together every day, and I thought he was mine forever. Wow. And I'm still close with his family to this day. He was amazing, and he was someone who had. He was. Wow. And he was extremely talented, and I think what was hard on me was like why someone.

He was 17, and he was killed by a drunk driver, but I was like, why someone who had the whole world ahead of him? Like, he had colleges wanting his art, he was a musician, like, all these great things, where I had nothing. I was a girl who had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. Like, I was like, I'll follow Bear wherever he goes. That sounds good to me. But I thought someone had it all together.

And, I mean, Starbucks had his paintings up. Like, and Starbucks was kind of new at the time and hip. And we were like, whoa, that was huge. Starbucks wants your artwork? And so for me it was hard to understand how someone like that can be taken. But I think through spirituality I found there are reasons and we're all here for a purpose. And I just hope the way, I'll never forget her. Trisha touched me.

I can touch other people in knowing, like, there's just positive light everywhere. And we have to look at the good in everything. Yeah. Did you feel like you went on a journey at the same time, or have you found it at a different time for you? Yeah, it was definitely around the same time, I think, being identical twins when she started to get into it. Because we shared a room, too the time and so i saw a lot of the suffering that happened and it was crazy because i felt like i couldn't be there for my sister as much as i wanted to because i was in a cast from my hip to my toes because

i literally broke my leg a few weeks before so she was there for you and then you were trying to be there for her but you couldn't walk i. Oh, I remember, like, I'd army crawl off my bed. Oh, my gosh. Because she'd be crying so hard at night. And I'm, like, trying to get to her, and it was such a struggle because I broke my leg really bad. It swelled up so huge that they were like, we can't even open her up. So they had to do a paper mache cast, which was like the worst thing in the world. I thought like, oh, okay, this will be easy. My leg was so broken and my toes want to be like this.

And they go, so we just got to go like this to try to make the bones. Cause they were like this. Oh my gosh. I was screaming on the top of my lungs. I had never felt pain like that. And the doctor finally had to stop. He's like, I'm going to give her a heart attack. And so I was in that cast for two weeks, laying in bed, waiting to get surgery, waiting for my like leg to stop swelling. Yes. Then finally I had to get a rod and three screws put in. Oh my gosh. Oh, it was terrible. But I remember like her healing process, but when I, there was darkness and then there started to become light. And then she opened up to me about what she had been doing. And so then it made me want to feel that too because I saw the change. And I felt like I loved Bear too.

I saw when I'd see them together, they were just so cute and happy. And, like, Bear always made me feel good. And especially because we were just having such a tough time anyways in our childhood, Bear was just like this light, this angel that came into our family's world, how my brother felt about him, how our mom felt about him. Like it was this eight months of just light

and then he was gone. But so when she started to get into all that, it made me want to experience it too. And then I remember when she took me to the store and the lady said a memory to me that I knew was only between that I knew of Bear and that he would only know. And I was like, looked at her like, excuse me. And I remember looking at Bree like, how, you didn't, how, how does she know that? Remember it was the thing with the. You're like, I'm in. I'm sold. I'm like, okay, so let's talk. No, but it was, it's crazy because it did start to make life so beautiful. And you still go through ups and downs. It's not like it fully can change you. But once you know it's there, it's just so beautiful to know that you could just be sitting alone.

And that you could just talk and know there's people listening. And there's angels watching over you and healing you. And I feel like it's fully changed us and it's kept us strong because I truly feel the true success is happiness. You could take everything away from me, but if I'm happy, I am fully successful. And I think when you stay that way, you don't get upset when you lose money or you don't get the cute Chanel purse or you don't get the big home or you can't go on that vacation here like whatever it is because when you're happy it's weird none of that matters yeah like it doesn't even affect you so and honestly I only get that because of spirituality like that is the only reason do you guys have any regrets from your childhood I actually have some this She's like, no, no.

This is like, so when you don't have a lot of money or whatever, like, your parents just make you sit at home, right? And you just. In the backyard, sitting around. And you're like. Laying on the cows. Yeah. Just being laid. Riding the sheep.

You're right. Like, the days would feel so. Watching reruns of Dynasty. Yeah. I wish I was more productive as a kid. I wish I learned piano or another language. Spanish? Un poquito de español.

Quiero entender más. Aren't you, like, close to the border? Yeah, right? And Mexican. Seriously. You're like my girlfriend. My girlfriend's Mexican. She doesn't speak Spanish.

So no Spanglish whatsoever. Her parents speak it, but she didn't teach her. That's like our dad. We have two siblings that are fluent. It's a crime. It is. I agree. Your siblings are fluent?

Well, my dad has, we have three half-siblings. They're fluent. But two of them, they don't speak barely any English. But they live in Mexico. Yeah. And their mom only speaks Spanish. Right, right. My dad, he's remote.

But, I mean, we can't communicate to, like, two of our half-siblings. Yeah. Like, I'm like, Bree, get with it. Right. So I guess that is, like, my only regret is, like, I think as you get older, you just, you cherish every day. And you see how quick they go. But you don't understand that when you're a kid. And you cherish education.

Yes. When you're older. So now I think of all those days. But now I love it, right? Yeah. I love learning, but I don't like school. Yeah. That's why I love podcasts.

Because I'm constantly learning. And I was like, why did I choose? You have to think, school, you're forced to learn this stuff. You put on a podcast you want to hear. Exactly. The reason I created this was because I felt like this was all the stuff I wanted to learn while I was in school that they never taught me.

So I said, I'm going to go find the most brilliant teachers in the world who can teach the lessons of life and business and philanthropy and all these things so that I can learn everything I've always wanted to learn. Yeah. Which I actually think it would be better for our youth to have it like that because I feel like it would give some of our youth more drive. Maybe some of them not to be as big as bullies or just to be happier kids because I think there's so many people who go through broken homes and don't know how to deal with it. So many.

You know, so many. I think almost, not everyone, but almost everyone I feel like. When 50% of marriages are divorced and then another probably 50% of people who are married who have toxic relationships. Right. There's very few that I think who can sustain this positive, happy experience for their children their whole lives. Right, I agree. It's very few that I think who can sustain this positive, happy experience for their children.

Totally. Their whole lives. Right, I agree. It's very rare. I agree. So we all face some type of trauma now. I remember just being in the other room like playing video games with my parents, screaming and slamming doors and always yelling.

And just that energy. Even if they didn't do it in front of me, it's like you feel it and you're just like, this doesn't feel safe. Oh my gosh. And I'm sure you guys witnessed a lot of stuff, I'm assuming. Right. Or just felt that energy, that like tension all the time. Yes.

And it affects us. It does. It affects all of us. And that's why I always have to remind myself to never bring any bad energy, like business isn't doing good, into my house because I don't want Birdie to feel that. Like I always want her to feel like she's in a positive environment. Because she will feel everything right now. Yeah.

Everything. I can tell. Like when I'm stressed out, I can see like all of a sudden she'll start Because she will feel everything right now. Yeah. Oh, I can tell. Like, when I'm stressed out, I can see, like, all of a sudden she'll start slapping me in the face or doing something. And I'm like, she's feeling, like, not happiness right now. When she actually tore Mom's necklace off, so my mom's holding her. She actually tore my mom's necklace off. And my mom, still holding Birdie, comes up and goes, oh, my gosh, Birdie just, like, tore my necklace off and blah, blah, blah. And then Birdie's staring at my mom and looking at us because all of a sudden the birdie just starts crying like she could feel that my

mom was like she could tell you're upset you're holding her like at least like go complain somewhere exactly what's the biggest lesson you guys both learned from your mom so my mom always taught us no regrets my mom literally said wake up every day with no regrets and i honestly feel like that's why we took a bunch of leap of faith with everything we've done. Because her and I were like, okay, at the end of the day, so we fail. But it's better than what if. Because her and I would definitely regret, like, what if we did that? Or what if like this?

Or what if that? And my mom always said, like, you guys don't want to live with regrets. So that was always like our little motto, no regrets, no regrets. I also, she also, I think, taught us communication at a young age and made it to where like, we were so scared to go to our dad about stuff, but my mom made it very open,

even though there was a chance of getting grounded. But I remember specifically because she started that when we were younger, that I went to high school party and everyone got drunk. And everyone got in a car to drive home. And I was supposed to go in that car. And I was like, you know what?

That person drank. So I called my mom. I go, look, you're going to be mad at me. I went to high school party. I have had drinks. But so has the person I'm supposed to drive with. Can you come pick me up? And she was like, absolutely.

And so she came and got me. I got in the car. She was, you're still grounded. I'm glad you communicated with me up? And she was like, absolutely. And so she came and got me. I got in the car. She was, you're still grounded. But she didn't screw it. I'm glad you communicated with me. Yes. And, like, the grounding wasn't even that bad. But it made me, like, I think of moments when people just get in the car and they would have just.

Because they're afraid of what their parents are going to say. Exactly. Or they're shameful or something. So her open communication that I know the day I have kids, I'm going to do that because I want them to call me in a heartbeat when something goes wrong. I want them to depend on me and know, like, okay, mom's going to be there. Like, she might ground us, but she's not going to scream at us. She's not going to hit us. She's just going to handle it and handle the grace.

Top love. Exactly. Well, and that's what I feel, too, is, like, now that I'm a mom is that until I kick Birdie out of the nest like I'm her teacher I'm her guardian like I am these things and like that is my purpose like I'm supposed to watch and see like the things she's going through and help like I don't ever want to tell her how to be but help guide her and the ways that when people guide me in business the mentors I have for everything I do it's what I want to be for Birdie and so when at 18 when she's out of my house she feels ready for the world

because it is a scary world when all of a sudden you're on your own Nicole and I when we got a utilities bill we're like what is this and I think that's the plus too it's still scary even though we still have way too much fun I get more than you now

but we've always had fun and I think that's also been a plus is, like, when we got into WWE, when everyone was immediately worried about TV time and all that, Brie and I were just like, wait, we get to go to Europe? We're on a two-week Europe trip? And then, like, we're in Japan? Like, everyone would always say, like, oh, the Bellas, the tourists, are blasting their music or having their wine. But we're in our 20s, and I'm, like, oh, the Bellas, the tourists are blasting their music or

having their wine, but we're in our twenties and I'm like seeing, yeah, all over the world. And I'm like, so when all the girls are arguing, having their drama in the locker room and fighting over this stuff, I'll admit in the beginning, we weren't so focused on like trying to take that TV time because I'm soaking in that. I have the greatest job ever because I'm seeing the world and I never, and not even on my dime, like I'm getting paid to see the world. I'm like in that I have the greatest job ever because I'm seeing the world. And I never, and not even on my dime. Like I'm getting paid to see the world. I'm like, this is crazy. You get a per diem money every day.

It's good money. Yeah. Bree and I would never sleep on tour. We'd be like, okay, we can only sleep three hours because we have to wake up and go see. We're into Annette's castle. Otherwise, you've got to pay for yourself to go back. Right. Yeah.

Experience it. Yeah. You're married and you're engaged, right? Yeah. You're married and you're engaged, right? Yeah. What has being in relationship with these inspiring, powerful men helped you in your own personal lives, but also with your careers, your brands and your vision for your life? I have to say, John, he's been my biggest inspiration and mentor. It's crazy because I knew about business and where I wanted my brand to go. And I thought I knew a lot more about branding until I met him. And then he started giving me advice, which then

made me want to pick his brain. And I was like, I'm so fortunate to have this amazing, successful man, but who's so brilliant and sees this WWE world so differently than everyone else. And he honestly, like, is a huge part of where I'm at today as a businesswoman because I would just listen and I would soak in everything. And I was like, this is what my mom always meant about picking people's brains that are, you know, your elders or the business people, because she'd always say that. And I think when you're younger, you're like, I'm not going to go bug someone or, you know, you always are afraid

to bug. But then when I would bug John all the time, I'm like, I should have bugged more people. Like, I wish I could do it more to Vince, but I get intimidated by him because that is a brilliant man with a brilliant brain. But I'm fortunate that my fiance is one too. And literally he's given me the best advice ever. Like I think why I run so hard and I don't say no to things. John always says 24 at a time. So I really do that in my life.

I look at the next, yeah, one day at a time. So I look at the next 24 hours. What do I have to get done in these 24 hours and how am I going to make it work? And then those 24 hours are done and I go to the next. And so as long as you see your three hours of sleep in there,

your four, but you have this. Get a snack here. Yeah, exactly. Get your workout in every day. Because I was like, how do I make this happen? And he taught me those things. And he also felt not only to teach me, but I think you as well, how to expand the brand, how to really know our audience and know that you have all these different audiences

and how does your brand please all those audiences and worldwide and I'm so grateful for him because I mean he's probably one and I'm not just saying this because of my fiance he's probably one of the most talented people I've ever met in my life like all the way around wow he amazes me like he literally just taught himself piano he's been now it's been nine months but off of youtube and chinese fluent he's fluent now oh my gosh it's unreal every time i see him at one point you'll see him sitting down going through his note cards you'll see like learn with it yeah yeah but he can go to china and get around by himself and be fine and well and he's told me he was nicole you can do anything you want if you put enough hours into it and i was like like, I don't know, John,

but then I see those big hands playing Beethoven. I'm like, yeah, actually, I think you're right. I think I could do anything I want if I put enough hours. The Hulk is playing the piano. Yeah. He will literally say, if you put 100 and blah, blah, blah hours, you can be like to here. Like he's just so, I mean, he's mathematical,

but how his brain works is just like unreal. And I get to soak it all up and I love it yeah and it's so funny because Brian's the complete opposite yeah but what he's are they friends I'm assuming oh yeah yeah but what he's taught me is to slow down and I think that's one thing I love about being like around Brian is like, I'm very much like Nicole and John go, go, go. I need this. I'm that where Brian's just so like grateful to sit out and look at the trees and fill the wind. And at times I need to do that. And because then all of a sudden I'm going to be 35 in November. And all of a sudden you're like, where did it all go? So that's one thing I love

about my husband is he forces me to slow down and just enjoy life and life as it is in nature. And so I'm grateful. Napa Valley helps you. Yeah. We sit out there, look at the hills for a while. Yeah, I'm like, okay, I'm enjoying the conversation, learning about it. Okay, I'm giving my slow time. But I love that. And he's a big believer that you do one thing at a time. And, like, he does not think you fill up your plate. You're capable of doing. I don't think he can handle filling up his plate.

He's focused. Very focused. Mastery of it. Just go on. Yeah. And that's how he is. And so I really learned, like, okay, Brie, like, you do need to put, like, more energy into one thing. really learned like okay brie like you do need to put like more energy into one thing and so that's why when we started making our list like okay our wine company first you know so much of nature

is doing our grapes right so we've sold out three times that we've put our wine out that's great so now we have to wait till july when it comes out again so we get to like breathe a little bit so then but birdie B is a daily. And so I know, like, okay. Clothing line is, that's a tough business. It is. It's very tough. And it's crazy, like, just every day. There's so many brands out there.

There's so much competition. Yeah, so much. And every influencer has their own line now. Yes, totally. And that's why, like, when we created Birdie B, we wanted it to be beyond apparel. Like, we truly want to build this community of women that it's a safe place it's an empowering place it's inspiring that it's so like when you do wear

finally wear the apparel it's because you're representing a community that you're a part of and that's like what we really want and we give back like i just feel that you know we do all these amazing things but there has to be a purpose. Has to be. Has to be. Everyone's like, why are you doing it? Yeah, we build schools for kids every year. See, that is so amazing.

And we go around the world and build schools for a charity called Pencil Promise that I've been in school for like six years. Oh, yeah, I know that. Yeah, Adam Braun's the founder. See, that's amazing. And it keeps you working hard. You know, it's like, you know, I believe in education myself. Like, I struggled in school as a kid. Yeah.

I was always behind. I was in the special needs classes just because I couldn't read and write from a young age. So I always felt stupid. Yeah. But I was excelled in sports. You know, I was like, just give me something I can do with my hands and I can master it. Yeah. So I believe in education and just giving kids opportunities that don't even have it.

You know, I had it, but a lot of kids don't have it it in the world so it keeps us hungry to want to create more and give more well we would love to go build a school with you should it's amazing i brought a bunch of i brought a you know val uh chmurkovsky yes he came on the last trip last month i just saw yeah i saw that on his ig yeah he was with me for that he's so sweet so we'll bring you guys out for yeah we love that yeah it's a blast that's awesome that. So we'll bring you guys out for one. Yeah, we'd love that. That'd be so cool. Yeah, it's a blast. That's awesome that you do that. That is. Education is so. Those are some of the kids from some of the schools right there.

Aw. I love that. In Guatemala, Laos, and Ghana. Wow. It's amazing when you're educated how good you feel. Like, my sister and I, both of our husbands like to say our charm is that our vocabulary is this big. And so we use really little words, but the more words I learn, I feel very like accomplished. I'm like, oh my gosh.

And now I use it naturally in a sentence. This is great. I learned like three new words a year. That's like an accomplishment. I think because I never use them. So I must feel silly when I say it because I'm like, it's just not me. Yeah, I feel like everyone turns and looks. Here's the thing also. Here's the thing also. It's actually been a benefit to me from having this, like, low vocabulary and being poor in English and vocabularies because as a copywriter on a website or any type of copywriting, you actually want to write at, like, a third or fourth or fifth grade level. Oh, really? You actually don't want to use big words because it's confusing.

You want to be simple, straight to the point. They say you want to write like you're writing to Homer Simpson. Oh, really? That's what some of the copywriters say in the online marketing world. It's like you want to come from that point of view of what could Homer Simpson read and understand and be like, I get it. Let me buy it. I'm not trying to say everyone thinks that way, but what's a simple way to communicate

your message? Not like use these big words and confuse people, but just give. It's also what you see in a lot of political campaigns. They use simple slogans. Yeah, it's very true. And they stick to the point, like simple stuff that everyone can understand. And that's usually what wins. Yeah.

That's good. Sometimes, unfortunately, but yeah. Yeah, my husband will read some books and I open up like the first couple pages and I'm like, don't even know what that says. Exactly. It's like too much. I'm like, what's going on?

I think there's a purpose for it depending on where the context is. Right, I agree. I want to ask a couple final questions. I feel like I could ask you guys another hour of questions, but has there ever been a point where you guys disconnected and felt like, you know what, I'm just sick of you or I'm sick of, you know, each other. And, like, maybe we should just kind of, like, do our own things and part our ways.

Or were you just really nasty towards one another? I'm sure growing up there was, like, little tiffs all the time. But, like, almost like a falling out. Has there ever been that? I don't think we've ever had a falling out. No. No. Almost like a falling out.

Has there ever been that? I don't think we've ever had a falling out. No. No. Just we had, I think, a hard, like, when Marco and I were breaking up. And that, like, there was, I think, our men, like, at one point maybe it was, like, a little disconnect. Yeah, like when I was with Richie and you were with him. Richie all the time and I was with Marco. And we were doing our own things and I felt like we had a disconnect because we were living in different states.

Our guys consumed us and wanted to consume us. And then I felt like when Marco and I broke up and I became so depressed and I felt like I had so much anger and that kind of disconnected us, but you put up with it. But of course. I was like, geez.

But we're so grateful we've never had a falling out. That's good. Thank goodness. And I hear twins that haven't and we're always like, geez. But we're so grateful we've never had a falling out. That's good. Thank goodness. And I hear twins that haven't, and we're always like, how? It's crazy. But I think it's because, too, we've been through so much together that we just always lean on each other. We're more best friends than sisters. Yeah, for sure.

That's great. What advice would you give to some 15 to 18-year-old girl turning into a woman who might be facing some type of experience in their home, their parents, confusion with boyfriend breakups, just confusion in general about growing up? Yeah. What would you say, or each of you say to that young girl becoming a woman who might be feeling overwhelmed with the world and not strong and not powerful and not confident in themselves? Yeah. Gosh, I mean, I feel like the thing I would tell them is that it's life and this isn't going to be the first.

This might be the first, but it's not going to be the last. And that all these little things are what's going to make you a strong woman one day. And so you got to look at the positive side of it, which it's so hard. And I'll never forget, I was watching this movie Shop Girl and Claire Dane's character said something like, it's better to cry now than later because at some point you're going to cry. And that always hit home to me because I'm like, it's so true because you know when you're in a bad relationship and you know when stuff's bad at home. And sometimes I think kids, especially in high school, try to hold it all in. And they don't want to talk to anyone about it.

They don't want to release. But at some point you're going to break. And at some point you're going to cry. And you're going to just have this big breakdown. And instead, it's like just let it out right then and there. And look at the situation and just be like, I can move on from this. Like you just, I always feel like my biggest mistakes taught me the biggest life lessons. Sure.

You know? I agree. And I think, I would say that that was very good, Brie. But that it will get better. I feel like I needed someone to tell me that, but I knew it. And I think you hear it and in the moment you're like, no, it's not. The world is over, but it always gets better. And you will look back and be like, I can't believe I wasted my time on feeling a certain way. And something that John used to tell me because I get so sad in the beginning of our relationship when he would

leave or like when there were thoughts of us maybe breaking up because he didn't want marriage and kids then he was like want marriage and kids then, he was like, so you know the sun will always rise. The sun will rise tomorrow, and it's going to rise the day after that. And that kind of hit me hard because I was like, yeah, like we act like the world's going to end, like when something goes on, but nope, the sun's still going to rise tomorrow, and life's going to go on. And I wish I could like anything that happened,

like anything wrong that happens to any 15, 18-year-old girl, I wish I could just sit around and be like, I promise you, it's going to get so good. And you're going to look back and think, this is so silly. And I was in the same place. I used to think my mom was crazy when she said it to me. I'm like, you don't understand. And I'm like, Mom, you are so right. You're ready.

You're ready. I am. I'm going to love him forever. We're so meant to be. Oh, my gosh. I even tell the girls that are younger in my locker room, because some are 10 years younger than me. Going through this, yeah. Yeah, I'm like, you're going to have so many more men, and you are going to be grateful for it.

And you are going to learn something from each and every one of them. You don't want to end here, believe me. And they're like, oh, but I'm like, no, you don't want to end here. You want to end here believe me and they're like oh but i'm like no you don't want to end here you want to experience so much and i try to tell one of our youngest cousins that because sometimes when they're from small towns they want to get married young and i'm like there's so much the world to experience go experience it absolutely so yeah i'm curious what you're most proud of of brie and what you're most proud of nikki i'll what you're most proud of of Nikki. Oh, that's good. No one's ever asked us that. I'll let you go first.

No one's ever asked us that. You're 16 or 17 minutes older. That's right. What's the thing you are most proud of about your younger spiritual sister? Goodness,

there's actually a lot of things that I'm really proud of you. My blush. I know. Whatever. But I think the most proud I am of you is the mother you've become. Like what you went through labor, because that was very eye-opening. I was like, my sister's freaking superwoman,

and anyone who disagrees, I'm going to have to fight them. Get on. Yeah, I was like what she went through and how she held herself, and it is not what you see on TV. It is way worse. And I was, I just the whole time was like, oh, my sister is amazing. Like she's the most amazing woman ever. And so I think I was definitely the most proud of you then.

And what they don't tell you is like right after she just went through all that, she had a breastfeed. And I'm looking, I'm like, can she get a break? They're like, no, baby needs to eat. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. And I'm literally holding Bree's boob. She fell asleep. So I'm like holding Bree's my gosh. And I'm literally holding Bree's boom. She fell asleep. So I'm like holding Bree's.

22 hours of emergency C-section, all that. Oh, my gosh. But it was funny because her face was so swollen. And I was so worried about Birdie. But I kept having nurses come in because, oh, I don't know. My sister doesn't look great. Like, I think you need to check her again. I was, like, so worried about her.

But that was definitely the most proud I've been. Oh, thank you. Oh, that's really sweet. Yeah. I think for me. We get weird about this stuff. We're definitely the most proud I've been of you. Oh, thank you. That's really sweet. Yeah. I think for me. We get weird about this stuff. We're not like. We're not mushy, touchy girls.

Like, this is because of you. And then we're like, okay, cool. I think for me, since my sister's been engaged, it was all really, like, happy and, like, great. But, like, I always knew, like, deep down inside, she wanted to be a mom. And that she kind of accepted it, you know, for John and, like. For not being a mom. Yeah, for not being a mom. Because he didn't want to have kids.

Right. And that kind of always hurt me. And then all of a sudden I just saw her, like, over time get this, like, strength and this voice. And she just started voicing what she truly wanted in life and really stood up for that. And I even feel like it was eye-opening to John, but it blew my mind because I think as women, and especially like Nicole's a people pleaser, we care so much about everyone else that we forget about caring about ourselves. And it was really neat to see in a moment her be like, listen, this is who I am.

These are the things I want. And if you don't want that, then you can go. And for her to like release someone she loves so much because she knew like what she wanted for the rest of her life, I was just blown away. So I called my wedding off a few months ago. And that's pretty much what she's talking about. Yeah. What people don't tell you about wedding planning is it makes you face the rest of your life because you're about to commit permanently forever. And so as I was starting to go through this process, I was like, I'm not going to be a mom. Like, I want the day I say I do, like, that's it. I'm not going to be a mom.

And I promised him that I would never argue about it or bring it up. And when I make those promises, I'm like, okay, that's it. I won't talk about it or discuss it. And so I started to just get this anxiety. But instead of, like, going a different way, I was like, one day I woke up and I go, I think I'm okay being by myself and that's it. So I told him. I was like, look, I'm not going to beg you and I get it fully. You deserve to be with someone who doesn't want to, you know, have kids.

But I want it. And I need to just end this and go, yeah, try to find it. And he was just like, what? And so we went our separate ways. Called off the wedding. Told everyone it's not happening. We had a flight to Napa that morning. And we literally had camera crews and our wedding planners,

everyone just set up our whole for, to make all our decisions. And I told him, like, you do not have to have the cameras film this. And he was like, no, I want it. And it hurt me so much to see him so upset. And then having – because he's such a private person and having everyone watch, that, like, killed me for him. Because he's such an amazing man. And that's why I wanted i was like we both deserve

to be happy what you want what we want so we both then went our separate ways like he literally got on a flight to tampa i drove to san francisco and was on waiting for a flight for five hours to get separate ways like you broke up or like yeah just said we're not doing a wedding we'll figure it out or yeah broke up like broke up like I was like I'll have my stuff out in 30 days and it was so tough but then John wow which you'll actually see on total bells but then he flew and he was like it took him like four or five days but he was like wait I can't live without this girl so if I have to give her these things like I want to and when he came to me that was the last thing I was expecting like when he told me that he was, you know, willing to be a dad, I was like, wait, did

you say willing, not willing? Cause I've heard not, I've heard that my whole relationship, I think I'm confused. And he's like, I'm willing. And I'm like, I didn't even know what to say. He started crying and I was like, I'm sorry. I just feel numb right now. And I felt numb for a week. I even had to go to my therapist to be like, I think I'm still numb. And she's like, you definitely. And I was like, I'm sorry, I just feel numb right now. And I felt numb for a week. I even had to go to my therapist to be like, I think I'm still numb. And she's like, you definitely are. And I'm like, okay. I think you were in shock, not numb. Right.

Well, she called it numb, but therapist. Same thing, you know. But yeah, same thing. I was just, I couldn't believe it. Wait, did you call the wedding back on? Oh, yeah. I was like, oh, we're going to do this. Oh, really?

Same day, same thing? Yeah. And it's so busy because now, or funny because day? Same thing? Yeah. Oh, wow. And it's so busy. Funny because now I see how she is with Bernie and business. And I told John, I'm like, you don't have to worry. We're going to wait years. This one makes me so exhausted watching her be a mom and work.

Just the fact that you have the willingness to do it now. It's like now I know. Yes. It doesn't have to be right away. Exactly. But she kind of was like. He's like, all right, give me a few years. He started telling me, like, okay, so we could try after WrestleMania. And I was like. It doesn't have to be right away. Exactly. Ah. Which he kind of was like. He's like, all right, give me the years. He like started telling me like, okay, so we could try, you know, start trying after WrestleMania.

And I was like, whoa, whoa, buddy. Like, no, no, I want years. And he's like, really? And I'm like, yeah. Well, I think, you know, we've accomplished a lot. But when you see those type of things, you know, it makes me really proud of you. It's like, wow, Bree. That's cool.

Yeah. It's like, it's, yeah. It's neat to like kind of see that with a sibling. And like, and especially Nicole, when we've done so much. Because we've been in situations where we did keep quiet, where we're like, and we'd go back, like, and be like, I just wish we would have stood up for ourselves. And, you know, but it happens.

Because, you know, especially when you're in your 20s, you're insecure, you're nervous, you're trying to figure out where your voice is. Like, I know as becoming a mom, that mom voice is so real. Like I will quickly tell someone, like, please don't touch Birdie or this, or your hands wash. She does. I'm like, whoa. It's crazy how you'll get these things, but it was awesome to see my sister do that.

I was so proud of her. That's amazing. Well, thank you. I love it. Now, one thing, I'm all about growth. I'm all about how can we take things to the next level, no matter how much we've achieved or how great we've become. So what's the one piece of feedback you'd give your sister

about what she could step into to become the ultimate human being that you know she's capable of being? You mean like anger management? Whatever. That was like years like anger management? Whatever. That was like years ago, by the way. Well, that's what it is. I'll let you start. Go ahead.

What's the one thing that you think that Nikki could step into would make her even more powerful, more loving, more, you know, influential in the world, making the world more impactful, all those things? Wow. Oh, my gosh. That's a good and heavy question. But we can handle constructive criticism.

Of course we can. I know. Like, I, you know. You just led with the thing you're most proud of. Yeah, exactly. It's not that she isn't doing great things. I know I'm not perfect. Right.

Okay. You know, we both can be pistols, but like my sister can be a major pistol. Sometimes I wish- Like a machine gun? Yeah. When a certain situation would happen that she would just take a couple deep breaths, think about it before verbally- Reacting.

Yes. Because I think sometimes- I know how you feel now. I'm with you. Yeah. And it puts her, because it's not even just against me, just in any situation, and then she gets mad at herself later, like, oh, why did I say that? Yes.

And I see that constantly happen. Like, not like every week, but I mean. More than likely, I was probably starving. She does get angry. Here comes the excuses. Yeah, exactly. Right. And so I feel like if she could control that, like, whoa.

Like, I mean. That's good. I'm, like, hearing that. It would be unstoppable. There you go. What's something she could work on in order to make that happen? One step. A reflection step.

I would. Gosh, I would say maybe. Is it take a breath? Is it call you? Is it? Yeah, it's. Well, not even meditation, but when you feel that situation arise, because I'll get it too, like the blood, you feel it.

I feel like my blood goes straight to here. Yeah. Like I have no control. Yeah, you feel like you can be a dragon and just breathe fire. I don't know. But I feel like if it's counting or if there's something in your phone, like a picture you can look at that instantly calms you down, like if it's Birdie, like all of a sudden you're at that point and you look at Birdie and you're like, could I yell at Birdie all these things?

Or if Birdie was sitting in this room right now, do you want Birdie to see you like that? No, never. That's actually good. Yeah, and we always have our phones on us. And I think just maybe a picture like that. I don't know if John would like that. I know. He already thinks she's taken his spot.

Maybe it's of you. Maybe it's of him and Bert. Yeah, that's actually a good one. Him holding Bert. Like, help me. Okay, that's good feedback. And what about for Brie? What can make her step into even a more powerful mom, powerful human being, businesswoman, sister, wife?

One thing. One thing. sister wife one thing one thing well like my sister she wants to be like the president of birdie b and you want to have this higher position and run a lot of things and i definitely think it's things you can do but i think you need to learn how to balance life i think being a new mom and being an entrepreneur to two new companies, but also being WDB ambassador and having that craving of getting back into the ring and also being a YouTuber and a reality star, our world never stops. And I think sometimes you get so stressed that, not that you want to give up, but you get so stressed that you want to shut down. you want to give up, but you get so stressed that you want to shut down. And I think if you can learn to have the perfect balance with all that and Birdie, you would be beyond unstoppable. And you could be a president of any company, of Birdie B, as well as being the owner. And you can do

actually anything you wanted if you learned how to do the balance. What's the one step that she could take moving forward in order to create that balance? I think it's sitting down and doing like a time schedule of like, well, being okay with having a full-time nanny would be step one. And then putting that, which is the, do you already see the walls come up? The resistance. Yep. And just knowing like, okay, here's my time.

Here's the 24 hours in a day. How do I break it down of my sleep, birdies, naps, where I put all this different time into, and how can I get it all done? And I think it's with professional help. I think we all say we could do it by ourselves, but it's weird when you have someone helping you. I want to see someone to come into my house and be like, hey,

because we would get in a fight. For sure. Someone who could feel you, like spiritually actually. not me. You need someone very zen, who's neutral, no strings attached,

who comes in and gives you that balance. Probably someone who's done it before. Exactly. Another mom who's running a business, you know,

who's already, like Sarah Blakely I've had on, I don't know if you know who she is. She's the founder of Spanx. Oh, yeah. And she's like the youngest billionaire, female billionaire in the country. She's got five kids, I think. What? And she's like part owner of the, you know, the basketball team, the NBA team in Atlanta. She's got her husband. She's got her, you know... I need to talk to Sarah. Yeah, Sarah Blakely. Sarah, what a superwoman. Yeah, she's unbelievable. Well, I love the feedback. Yeah, it was really good. I love what you guys created for each other. This is a question I ask everyone at the end of my podcast. You both get to answer. It's called the three truths. Now, now imagine. No dares, just truths. We can go there. But three truths.

I'll let you begin on this. So imagine it's your last day many years from now. You get to choose the day. You're as old as you want to be. You could be hundreds of years old, whatever it is. But you realize, you know what? It's my time. It's time to go.

You've lived everything you wanted to do. All the kids you want to have. You travel the world. You do it all. Everything you imagine happens. But you the kids you want to have. You travel the world. You do it all. Everything you imagine happens. But you can't leave any of it behind. You have to take it all with you. So no one has access to any of the information you've put out in the world.

But it's your last day and you've got a piece of paper and a pen to write down the three things you know to be true about your entire experience. Your life. And this is what you would share with it, and this is the only thing people get to see. There's no more videos to watch of you, there's no more books, there's nothing. One piece of paper, three truths, or three lessons that you've learned,

that you think, if this is all I could have to leave behind, that would be a powerful thing. What would you say are your three truths? And you're next. Goodness. I would say use your voice. Women can truly do anything they want if they set their mind to it. Women can do anything they want that they set their heart to. And you can turn any no into a yes or any negative into a positive.

Powerful. I agree. Gosh, mine's going to be way different. But I would say love and love, love, love, love, and more love. My second thing would say. Did you get inspiration from somewhere? You read my mind wall. And then.

Love is number one. Yes. My second one would be unity between animal, plant, and human is the only way this planet will flourish. And my third thing would be, there's so many, like, you just, I'm, like, thinking like thinking of like a hundred of them probably my third thing would be the best things in life you can't take with you so laughter and obviously love is number one but family just you know pretty much I guess in some way I'd say experiences. Sometimes I think people get caught up in buying things when we should be spending our money on experiences. And so I guess memories.

Three, make the best memories. Can I change one? Sure. Because I'm thinking of the future. Those are great, though. Those are amazing. I would say live in the moment. Because of technology, we just don't live in the moment anymore.

We are worried about an IG story or post. So that would be my one thing is live in the moment, in the real moment. Right. Technology just got mad at you. The lights went out. They're like, oh, really? It's all good. I have one final question.

Let me just make sure. Okay, final. Before I ask the final question, where can we connect with you guys online? You've got your YouTube channel. You've got your TV shows. You've got the final question, where can we connect with you guys online? You've got your YouTube channel. You've got your TV shows. You've got your empires. Where can we? So you could find us on Total Bellas, May 20th.

And then after that on Total Divas. It's all on the e-network. You can find us on YouTube.com backslash The Bella Twins. The Bella Twins. The Bella Twins. You can find me at The Nikki Bella on IG. At The Brie Bella on IG. Brie like the cheese. Yep. And then on Twitter. Oh, sorry. At Bella Twins. You can find me at the Nikki Bella on IG, at the Brie Bella on IG. Brie like the cheese.

Yep. And then on Twitter, oh, sorry, at Bella Twins. And then birdiebee.com. Okay. And bellarodici.com. Awesome. You can find us in a lot of places. Amazing.

This is the final question. It's what is your definition of greatness? I'll let you start. Oh, gosh. Definition of greatness? you start oh gosh definition of greatness greatness to me is when you're just so content in life that like no one could break you down that's greatness that's really good mine's actually similar mine would be when you truly have that happiness and i feel like when you have that, that's the greatest greatness you can have. Yeah.

Wow. Is like just pure happiness. I want to acknowledge you both for a moment, Brie, for being an incredible mother and stepping into that when you have so much happening in your life and your brand and your businesses. I know it can be easy to stay in that mode, but you've really stepped into this other lane, and you've taken it on full steam ahead, and it looks like you've become the most incredible mother, based on what I'm hearing. So I want to acknowledge you for allowing yourself to follow your heart

and live that life. Thank you. And also be a great sister and be there for everyone else the way you have been. It's been incredible. And Nikki, I want to acknowledge you for owning your voice because I think most women in the world, especially in the last year, have struggled in owning their voice. And for you to stand up for what you want, knowing that you may have to lose something in order to have it, that fear is extremely scary to deal for anyone.

So for you to be able to step up and owning your voice is so inspiring to so many women in the world. So I really acknowledge you for that. And I acknowledge you both for just being incredible sisters and incredible human beings and being truly authentic. I loved our interaction today. I hope to spend more time with you guys. Me too. But you guys are incredible. So thank you guys so much. And you too. I appreciate it. today. I hope to spend more time with you guys. Me too. But you guys are incredible.

So thank you guys so much. And you too. I appreciate it. Thank you for giving us this platform and for showcasing people who are doing great things. Greatness in such a great way

that it's like beyond money and success. Like I said, I'm enlightened. I know. I knew it from the beginning. You did it yourself. Yes.

It's you. We knew it. Yeah, you You did it yourself. Yes, it's you. We knew it. Yeah, you're just, you're amazing. So thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you for coming on. There you have it, my friends.

So inspired by Brie and Nikki. They are incredible. They're growing. They're doing so much good for the world. And they're chasing their dreams. That's what it's all about. They're great. They're doing so much good for the world, and they're chasing their dreams. That's what it's all about. They're great examples of how to continue to evolve, chase your dreams, and continue to give back to the world.

Super inspiring what they're up to, how they show up, and how they continue to run their businesses and brand while constantly learning and evolving along the way. If you enjoyed this, make sure to share it out with your friends, lewishouse.com slash 625. You can go back to the show notes there, watch the full video interview, tweet out all the tweetables that are there, check out their websites, follow them on social media

and tag them on Instagram, on your Instagram story, Bella Twins and tag Nikki and Bree separately as well. And let me know what you thought of this. I'd love to hear your thoughts. And as always on Instagram, I'm always screenshotting a lot of people's posts about the podcast, and I'm resharing those on my stories. So put up an interesting post. I may screenshot it and feature you on my story on Instagram as well. And again, to recap, we all go through struggles and challenges at different stages of our life.

You may be facing some type of challenge right now, some type of adversity that is so painful and so hard that you don't think there's a way out, but there's always a way out. Again, the sun will rise tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day, another opportunity to heal, to forgive, another day, another opportunity to heal, to forgive, to let go, to move beyond, to grow into the better version of yourself. And again, as Paulo Coelho said, if you only walk on sunny days, you'll never reach your destination. There are going to be some cloudy days. There are going to be some struggling days ahead of you, but you must continue to walk through them. That's the path to getting to your dreams. I love you. Thank you so very much. You know what time it is. It's time to go out there and do something great. Thank you. Bye.