The Squeeze - Isa Briones: Stepping Into Santos

Episode Date: March 25, 2026

In this week’s episode, Tay sits down with actress and singer Isa Briones! Isa shares how she first got started in performing and where her love for theater began, growing up with parents who were also actors and how that shaped her path. She opens up about landing her role on The Pitt, what the audition process looked like, and what it’s been like being part of a show for multiple seasons. Isa gives a behind-the-scenes look at the medical bootcamp the cast went through and just how realistic the show aims to be, especially when it comes to portraying high-pressure environments and sensitive mental health topics. She also reflects on how she personally takes care of her mental health, the ways she relates to her character Santos, and what she’s learned through stepping into such an intense role. Plus, she talks about joining the cast of Just in Time on Broadway!Be sure to follow Isa https://instagram.com/isacamillebriones/!Get tickets to Just In Time on Broadway here: https://justintimebroadway.com/To email us your questions or share your story, you can reach out to [e-mail] sure to rate, review, and follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Plus, follow us on all of our socials:The SqueezeInstagram: https://instagram.com/thesqueeze/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thesqueezepodcastTay LautnerInstagram: https://instagram.com/taylautner/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mrstaylautnerAmazon Storefront https://urlgeni.us/amazon/FDXj7 Taylor LautnerInstagram: https://instagram.com/taylorlautner/TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taylorlautnerTo learn more from The Lemons Foundation, follow https://instagram.com/lemonsbytay/ and visit https://lemonsbytay.comEpisode Sponsors:Find your favorite flavor at PremierProtein.com, or at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers.Ollie. Feed the Obsession. Go to ollie.com/squeeze and use code squeeze to get 60% off your first box!Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push, and go. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.comGo to brooklynbedding.com and use our promo code SQUEEZE at checkout to get 30% off sitewide. This offer is not available anywhere else.Get a free can of Olipop: Buy any 2 cans of Olipop in store, and we'll pay you back for one. Works on any flavor, any retailer. drinkolipop.com/SQUEEZE. OLIPOP is sold online (drinkolipop.com + Amazon) and available in the soda aisle and with the chilled beverages at thousands of retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Target, Costco, and Whole FoodsInstead of striving for perfect health, aim for supporting foundational health. Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/THESQUEEZE.MB014GJJJKQV82RSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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go to your re-sadviseur or sunnycars. The following podcast is a dear media production. 2 grams of Sethasolin, Hand-prank. No, when they first told us there was not going to be any background music,

they were like, okay, this is either gonna really work, or it's really not going to. Yeah. It's what makes it feel so real. It feels like we're kind of bringing you into it. It's the right case. I wanna know what your audition process was like. I think it was a two-show day.

I had an audition for a medical show and an audition for CIA show. I like could barely remember the lines and I was like, I feel so frazzled. And I started having a meltdown. I was like, you know what? I shouldn't even audition. One's going to believe me as a doctor. Dying to know what this medical boot camp was like. taught us how to intubate, taught us how to suture.

You can memorize lines all you want, but I actually don't know the ins and outs of where this information goes and watch videos of what is the procedure so I can kind of see it in my mind. I think that really tests you to be like, do you actually want to do this? People in the healthcare world that do have that really like tough exterior that they put on and there's a whole other side. What's like the first thing that goes through your mind? I was nervous. I think we've seen a lot of.

misuse of self-harm plotlines. If we're doing this, then we have to really do it right. A lot of it is hoping that people walk away with more empathy for healthcare professionals. It's human stories. The insecurities that all of her behaviors come from, she's a human being. I do kind of connect a lot to her mental health struggles. I definitely was nervous, but also happy that it was being talked about. Lemon drops, this episode today is truly one for the books. I have Issa Baronez on the show today. And she actually stars in one of my, if not my favorite show that's out right now, The Pit. If you have not watched The Pit, it's a medical drama on HBO. And it truly is one of the best shows out there. And you need to watch it if you haven't. It has honestly just like swept every.

award show because this show is so good. The way they do it is coming from a health care professional. The way they do the show truly is so good. And you're really able to see what health care workers go through. And it's one of my favorite shows. So I'm honored to have Issa with me today. And we just kind of dive into everything. Her background, how she got the pit, what it's like being on the pit. The pit really covers some tough topics. And it's really just, something that engulfs you as a viewer and getting to hear what it's like as an actor on the show to be a part of that was truly so special. She is so bright. I adore her. And she's also making her return to Broadway, which we dive into. And I'm so excited for you guys to hear this episode.

Well, Issa, welcome to the squeeze. Thanks for having me. This is so exciting because I'm like obsessed with the pit. It's literally my favorite. I have a background in nursing. Yes, I know. So. I'm like, why don't watch? Well, okay. It's so, it's so funny because I actually put it off for a really long time.

Yeah. And because I have like, I worked during COVID and then I had really bad PTSD, depression, all the things I had to leave for my mental health. Yeah. And so I was like really not wanting to watch it. And I just had so many friends. They were like, it's so good. And then it was just like doing so well.

Like, their reputation was so good. You're like, I guess I have to watch. Yeah. And I've never watched a medical show. Like even like I never watched Graze. I never watched anything. I've never been a big medical show person either. Yeah.

My husband, too, he was like, what's the hype about this? And I was like, I don't know. I kind of want to watch. And it's now like, it's so funny to say, but it's literally my comfort show. Okay. And I've heard this from children too. There are like children out there that are like, that's my comfort show. And I'm like, what does that say about the state of the world?

Yeah. That our kids are like, this is my comforting thing. But I, yeah, I've always been like with. any healthcare professionals that watch the show. I'm like, don't do this to yourself. You're at work all day. Don't go back to work at night. But it's also, I think the, I don't know, we talk a lot about, like, representation matters.

And it's like, this is one of those things where it's, like, having your experience represented and feeling like, I'm not doing that right now, but I'm seeing that, like, someone sees what I do. Yeah. I think because it's so, like, the audio, it's just like you're there. Like, there's no other audio that's playing. No, when they first told us, there. was not going to be any background music. We were like, okay, this is either going to really work or it's really not going to.

Yeah. But it's what makes it feel so real. And it also makes you feel like you're a part of it. You're not watching a show. You're like in it with the actors. And so it feels like we're kind of bringing you into it. Yeah. It's so good.

Okay. Well, we start each episode with this jar, a little game called Citrus Got Real. If you want to pull a little piece of paper out of there and read it to our lemon drops, those are our listeners. Lemon dwarps. Hey, lemma. I didn't place that one there just so, you know, it was kind of sitting, like, right there open. What's your most used emoji?

Ooh. I mean, I use. I was just going to say, I think it's not. I used the hand hearts. Yeah. But I also use the, like, melting face a lot. Uh-huh. Oh, I used to salute a lot.

Me too. No, it's like, if someone's like, okay, girls, we're going to the bar at this time. I was like, yep, literally. But most of my days are, like, the melting face. Yeah. It kind of applies to everything. It's like either good melting or there could be really bad melting. Very versatile.

It is a very versatile emoji. I love that. Awesome. Well, I'm excited to like dive into your story. Obviously, we're going to get into the pit. But I want to get into like where your love for performing came from because you've been doing this for like a long time. For a while.

Yeah. Yeah. And while my parents started out as musical theater actors. And so when I was born, I was born in London, just because my dad happened to be closing out the West End production of Miss Igon that month. Yeah. And he hadn't even been doing it during that time for a while. It's not like he was in the West End production the whole time. It was just like they found out they were pregnant with me.

They were broke in New York and they were like, what are we going to do? And then they were like, hey, can you come back for the last few months to close out the production? And so I just was born there because they were there. And then throughout my life until I was like nine, my dad was doing different tours of Miss Saigon, like the European tour. We were in the Philippines for a while, which is where my dad is from.

But yeah, I was just kind of always around actors. Yeah. And I think always being around theater is such a special thing, because it's so ensemble-based. And you develop such a love of like, oh, everyone doing it together. Yeah.

And I think that's the most, that's what I love the most about acting is, like, who wants to do it in a vacuum? Yeah. Like that's what made like COVID and auditioning in COVID so weird because you're like, I'm just doing it now, all of a sudden it's all self-tape. I'm in a room alone.

Sometimes you don't even have a reader with you. Yeah. Sometimes you have to FaceTime your friends and then position their computer behind the camera. And it just feels so like, oh, this is not what I love about the thing I chose to do with my life. It's the being around people and working together.

And so that's always been a part of my life. And even when we moved to L.A. for the first time, because my parents were like, maybe we should give the kids some semblance of a normal life. And they're like, let's try auditioning for film and TV. And that wasn't going. great because that is a really hard business to break into. And so it was many years of us just kind of auditioning and not getting anywhere.

But the first thing that they did because they were like, we need community. Because none of our family was in L.A. Like we were the only ones that we knew. And so they're like, well, we love theater, so let's do theater. And they did local theater, did a production of rag time at a 99-seat theater. and again what I love about theater people is like doing theater in L.A., you are not making money. If anything, you are probably losing money to do it. And that's what makes the community of L.A. theater so special because it's like, oh, people just have to do that.

It's like, I have to do theater. I love it so much that I'm even going to lose money so I can do it. And that was a lot of my like formative years was just being around theater. people who are like, this is, I have to do this. Wow, that's so special. Did you ever feel like, did it feel pressure? I'm sure I felt supportive from your parents, but because like they both had a background on that, do you ever feel pressure to like live up to that?

Well, I don't know. And also when I like first, I don't remember this, but my parents told me that when we moved to L.A., I asked them pretty quickly, like, so when can I audition for things? And they were like, oh, go. Were they excited about that or not? They were definitely like, oh, shit. Like, we've doomed her. Because, you know, when you've been in this business, especially in theater and, like, trying to break into film and TV, it's hard and it's mostly rejection.

Yeah. And so they were like, oh, gosh, we doomed our kids to a really hard life. But I think, but of course they were like, we can't behave hypocrites. Like, that would be crazy. We were like, no. which I have met actors who are like I will not let my child be madder. That's why I asked because Taylor is like

he I mean I've always told I grew up, I danced my whole life like I love performing and obviously he's acted since he was a child and I'm like hon like they're definitely gonna have that gene he's like I'm not gonna put them in it but I think if they obviously if they ask we're not gonna be like

no you can't do this but he's so like he's nervous he's definitely like a little bit This, my parents definitely were very scared. And I thought about this to myself, like one day if I ever have a kid, like, they're like, yeah, we were really nervous. What if they're not good? That's such true. They're like, we want to support our child.

What if they're not good? Like, that'll be so. And my parents, and my dad says this all the time. He's like, thank God our kids are good because that would have been a really rough, rough time. I didn't. Because my brother is also. an actor and we both started auditioning very young. No, but they were always so supportive. And I think what is so special about it was like, we all got to struggle together for a long time. It wasn't like

I was born and they were like off. I mean, they were doing theater and that was like paying the bills and okay for a while until I was nine. And then for a long, for like probably a decade, It was like, okay, we're auditioning, but, you know, got my dad a massage therapist as well. My mom got her realtors license and just trying to keep us afloat while also still pursuing that dream. And they were so scared to like pass that life on to us. But I'm like, thank God that was what I grew up with. And I didn't enter just like success and fame. It was like, no, no, no, this is what it is.

Yeah. 1% experience, like, the really cool, glamorous side of it. Yeah. And, but I got to really see the hard work thing goes into it. Yeah. And I think that really tests you to be like, do you actually want to do this? Yeah. Because I think there are a lot of people who go into it assuming it's going to be really

easy and exciting all the time. And I think because we saw all sides of it, it was like, okay, if you're going to do this, it means you really, you love it. it and you love the working at it. Yeah. And working towards something. And now having like, like the pit is beyond my wildest dreams of, yeah, because we've seen such hardship with it, I'm like, I didn't even think this was possible. And now to be able to like look at my parents and be like, look at what, what we did. Yeah. Yeah. No, that's so sweet. I know. I saw, I saw you brought your dad with you to actor awards. Yeah. That was like,

Now like just hearing all that like that just like it was really makes it so much. It was really beautiful. I was very emotional the whole day because I think you can also get very so much chaos is happening in those things. I'm still very new. I like before the pit, I'd never been to an awards show. Like I never. And all of that is so crazy. Yeah.

And you can be so wrapped up in like, okay, you have to go here, take these pictures, blah, blah, blah. But I kept just stopping and like looking at my dad and just like tearing up. I was like, oh my God, did we ever think this is where we would be. No, literally, like, because the goal, when you've been like, the goal is to be a working actor. Yeah. Which is, hopefully you get some guest stars here and there that can pay the bills and you're able to work semi-consistently. That is the goal. Yeah.

The fact that now I'm like, get to be a part of a show that I'm employed for multiple, seasons that it has reached this height that people love it, that people know who I am now. It's like that was not even a thing that I was striving toward. It was just like, I hope I can just do what I love and pay the bills. Yeah. Like, ugh. It's, it's really crazy. And it's really special to get to share that with my parents, especially my dad coming from the Philippines. Like, he, he came to the, well, he came, he left the Philippines when he was 23. Yeah. And for so long, It was just like, is this even worth it? Do I go home?

Do I say it? And now, yeah, it's very, very special. Very, like, full circle. Very, very, very full circle. Very, very good. I love hearing those types of stories. Obviously, like, it's crazy when people audition for something the first time I've ever acted. And they're, like, do so well.

And, like, that's great. And the thing is, I also, I still got successes very early. Like, I'm very young. And I'm, and that is, like, the privilege of having parents who, were going through it at the same time and getting to like jump on it with them was like I got to start really early. Yeah. But yeah, it's still, it really is insane to be like, oh, wow, how quickly that happened. Yeah. It just makes it like so much more sweet that you like genuinely. I love when people just like have a love like for performing and just like genuinely don't care

like what the role is and they get to like do it because it's their passion and it's so fun for them. And you can so quickly forget it. Yeah. I think, especially when maybe more success comes, it can then become this machine. And I think that's been the thing that has freaked me out the most in this version of my career now that has been like the last year and a half where you see like, oh, I can see how people turn a corner and like maybe go the bad route of all of a sudden not caring about the actual art that they do, not caring about the acting or. whatever creative outlet it is for them. And it's just about the pumping it out and the machine and like notoriety and like all that stuff. But yeah, at the end of the day, you have to, the only way to like stay sane in any sort of way. And to also remain so grateful and always checking in with like, I can't believe I'm here.

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I'm very excited. I want to know what your audition process was like. Obviously you knew it was like four. I'm sure you just have been. like auditioning for things. Yeah. Okay. Well, so, because like I've, I've done TV shows before.

I've been lucky enough to be a series regular before, but it's always been like, like that was a moment and then it dissipated. That was a moment. It dissipated. And there was such wonderful experiences. And that's kind of what you come to expect at that point. Sure. When that was, it was like, I had a season.

It didn't get renewed. That's fine. Like, move on, like on to the next thing. And I also, I love theater. And at the time when I was auditioning for the pit, I was doing Hades Town on Broadway. And that when you're doing eight shows a week, it's really hard to lock in and do auditions at the same time. Oh my gosh. I didn't even think about that.

Because obviously you only work at night. But the whole day feels like work too because you are prepping to be able to do that. Yeah. And you're constantly having to keep your body in check, your voice in check, just making sure that you. you were able to do the best job you can at night while staying safe, not hurting yourself, all of this thing. So it does feel like an all-day job in a way of kind of forcing self-care in a way. But then you have these auditions coming in because I knew that it was a four-month run.

I knew it was going to end at some point. So I was auditioning. There was a day where I had, I think it was a two-show day. So I was like, I'm about to go leave for two shows. My boyfriend was helping me, and I had an audition for a medical show and an audition for, like, a CIA show. And I was like, I could barely remember the lines. And I was like, I feel so frazzled. And I started having a meltdown.

I was like, you know what? I shouldn't even audition. I shouldn't even audition. No one's going to believe me as a doctor. Who's going to believe me as a doctor or a CIA agent? It doesn't even matter. And then he was like, okay. So we're just going to take a breath.

Yeah. And he was like, just, it's fine. Just do it. Like just doesn't even matter. Like, you know what? Read it off the thing. And I did. I had my iPad and I was like, you know what?

They have charts. That's fine. Yeah, I'll have my iPad here and I'm reading off of this. And I did it and I was like, that was terrible. And so no one's going to believe me, whatever. And I sent it off. And I feel like it's always those auditions in my experience. Yeah.

The ones where you're like, that was terrible. It doesn't even matter. No one's going to even watch it that are the ones that actually become fruitful. And then, yeah, when I was still doing the show and I had like a Zoom callback. I was the only one of the American cast, I think, that didn't go in in person at all because I just couldn't because I was the schedule that I had. So Zoom callback and then another one. And so in relatively, it was a pretty quick process because it was so like we're up and running in like June. Yeah.

All while doing the eight shows a week. and then my run ended. It was always planned to end. It was a week before the show started filming, but it was in the middle of the two weeks of medical boot camp. Yes. And they were like, you can't miss that. You have to go to that.

So for my last week of shows, I missed Tuesday through Friday with like personal days. Went to L.A. Did medical boot camp? had my best friend's wedding. I went to go to that. And then that night at like 3 a.m. flew back to New York,

did my evening Saturday show, and then my Sunday matinee with my bags at the airport, and then flew right back to L.A. And started the pit, which was crazy. Kind of a whirlwind. But I also think theater people, that's like, that's what you're primed for. Yeah.

Because that's also the dream. It's like, God, thank God, I'm booked and blessed. Yeah. I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure everything works. Yeah. But definitely a crazy start to do a very intense process. Yeah. Well, I've died to know what this medical boot camp was like, I'm so curious.

Well, we were on the stages at Warner Brothers. Okay. So we had like a big empty stage. It was before it was being used. It was also still very soon after kind of recovering from the sag strike, from all the strikes. So like nothing was filming. Yeah.

on Warner Brothers. It was very, it was ghost town. We were the only production for months. Yeah. But yeah, we had like a big empty soundstage and these foldable tables and a whiteboard and these incredible doctors, half of whom work with us every day. And consulting is not the word because they are choreographing. They are teaching us constantly. And they are writing. They're in the writer's room as well. And yeah, we just kind of got a little two-week crash course in our two-week med school. And the thing is, you know, they couldn't obviously really teach us too much in two weeks. Yeah. But I think really the biggest takeaway of it was it was showing us what questions we should ask is how I kind of viewed it. obviously we ran through some of the basic procedures, like taught us how to intubate and taught us how to suture, taught us how to do paracardiocytosis, like all of these different things on dummies.

But the biggest takeaway was like, oh, now I know when I go into a scene, because we had a lot of prep time for that first episode. But after that, it's like, you're off to the races. There's no time to rehearse and do all of that. So we had to like take that time to be like, now we know. going into every time we enter a trauma scene to make it go as smoothly as possible. What are the questions I need to ask? And the main thing for me, it was like, oh, yeah, I'm saying jargon. Where am I looking? What am I looking at?

Where am I getting this information from? Who am I saying it to? That was the biggest thing. It's like you can memorize lines all you want, but I actually don't know the ins and outs of where this information goes and what it really means. And also just I found, it makes it so much easier to memorize these lines that to someone who is not a healthcare

professional sounds like gibberish yeah to actually know exactly what you're talking about so I think we all I mean they did a great job of overviewing certain basic procedures but then whenever I have like a new trauma scene I always look it up and I'm like okay what exact watch videos of like what is the procedure so I can kind of see it in my mind yeah that way when I have to say these words. It's like, I understand what it is. Yeah. If you're saying it and you know nothing, it's like, that's just going to go right out of my head. No, for sure. Yeah. And you like, you know, depending on what you're saying, like your body language and like how you're like actually like saying it definitely changes.

Getting to talk to so many different doctors too, me being so far from the medical field before this, I think you just think of medical professionals as like these heroes. obviously, but in a way that can be such a disservice to their humanity, where it's like, oh, these people, they're superheroes, they're saving lives. Nothing affects them and they're so strong and like, blah, blah, blah. It's like, yeah, they're very strong and they are amazing and they're heroes and their human beings who are going through their own shit, who are getting affected by cases and have to be the strong one for the family,

for the patient. There's so much mentally that goes into it. And so getting to talk to all these different doctors and be like, oh, right, yeah, you're a human being. You have a personality. Your personality is very different than that person. And being like, right, I'm not playing a doctor. I'm playing a fucking doctor. Yeah.

Who's just a person. Yeah. And that was a cool kind of breaking down of the wall of this artifice that it's like, oh, this is someone who isn't affected by anything. Because that's not an interesting thing to play. Yeah. And it's also just not true. And so that was a really great help from getting to talk. to talk to all of these doctors and nurses and seeing their unique personalities come through

and how that comes through in high stress situations and through the medicine. Yeah. No, that's so true. I think that's what I think that's, I mean, obviously there's like little things in the show that I love of like I love when they show someone going to the bathroom. Like I love like in the first season, like they literally follow like no the whole time. And then it's like ever like 60 finally peas. I'm like this is like.

So like it's like little things like that that I'm like. Like it's cool because it like you were saying, the way it dives into like each character being an actual human and like having their own thing going on. Like they're not just this superhero at work. It's I think that's like really what like draws you into because it's like a reminder that they really are. Yeah. Humans and. Because we've gotten shows before where you get a lot of personality, but you also aren't seeing a whole lot of medicine. Yeah.

And so getting to marry the two. makes it the most realistic it can be. Yeah. There's something about opening a can of soda that just feels so nostalgic. Like it instantly takes you back. And I feel like for me, that's always tied to the little moments, like an afternoon treat or wanting something fun to drink. But I feel like as I've gotten older, I've really tried to be more mindful about what I'm drinking day today, which is why I love Olipop. It really does taste like a classic soda, but it's made in a completely different way. It has a functional ingredient blend. It's high in fiber, low in sugar, and it actually supports digestive health. I love so many flavors of Oli Pop. I feel like it's hard for me to pick, but the strawberry vanilla one just does something for me.

I am obsessed with a flavor. It's just this fun little treat for me to have throughout the day, and I know that I'm not having to sacrifice anything. drinking it. Two out of three Americans say they deal with digestive issues and 95% of people aren't getting enough fiber. So I love that olipop is tackling both of those things in a way that still feels fun and easy. And I think that's why it's become such an easy swap because you still get the same nostalgic soda experience, but in a way that feels so much better for your body. I also feel like it's one of those things that I reach for in the afternoon when I want a little pick me up or just something that feels like a little treat without overthinking it. And for our listeners today, you can get a free can of olive pop. Buy any two cans of olipop in store and we'll pay you back for one. Works on any

flavor at any retailer. Visit drinkollipop.com slash squeeze. Olipop is sold online at drinkollipopop.com and Amazon and is available in the soda aisle and with the chilled beverages at thousands of retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Target, Costco, and Whole Foods. Cheers. I feel like there's this idea if you're eating well and taking care of yourself, you don't really need to think about anything else. But the reality is you can't out exercise or out eat every single gap in your nutrition. And I think that's something I didn't fully realize until I started paying closer attention to my routine. Like even when you're doing all the right things, there's still gaps that can happen. And that's kind of how I started thinking about my multivitamin too.

It's not there to replace a healthy lifestyle. It's there to support it. Because even when you're doing your best, there are so many factors that can impact what your body is actually getting, like your diet, your lifestyle, even things like how food is grown today. It's not always as straightforward as we think. That's why I like having something like ritual as part of my routine. It just feels like an easy way to stay consistent and support my body without complicating things. You guys have heard me talk about this, that I've been taking rituals essential for women 18 and older, multivitamin, and I've just made it a part of my day. It's something I take consistently and don't really have to think twice about anymore, which I think is key.

I like that it's simple. It's just two capsules a day. They're designed to be delayed release for better absorption. It also has nine key nutrients that your body actually needs, and they're gentle on your stomach, which I really appreciate. They even have this slight minty essence to it, which makes them easier to take. Another thing I really appreciate is how transparent they are about what's in their products. Everything is vegan, non-GMO, and tested for heavy metals and allergens,

which gives me peace of mind knowing exactly what I'm putting into my body. Instead of striving for perfect health, aim for supporting foundational health. Save 25% on your first month at ritual.com slash the squeeze. That's ritual.com slash the squeeze for 25% off your first month. I feel like the hardest part of working out isn't always the workout itself. It's staying consistent in knowing what to do when you actually show up. And for me, I've noticed I say so much more consistent with, everything feels streamlined and I don't have to overthink it. And when I don't have to plan my

workout or wonder if I'm doing things correctly, that's usually when I fall off. And that's what I love about Peloton. It really takes the guesswork out so you can just focus on moving your body and actually enjoying it. The new Peloton Cross Training Tread Plus is such a game changer because it's not just a treadmill. It's built for so many different types of workouts. It makes it so easy to build a full workout into your routine, even on busy days when you don't have a ton of time. And what's really cool is Peloton IQ gives you real-time strength coaching, helps you track your reps, and even corrects your form while you're working out. I feel like that's something most of us don't get unless we're working out one-on-one with

a trainer. It also creates personalized plans and recommends classes based on your goals, your progress, and even your mood, which makes it feel more tailored and keeps you motivated instead of just doing random workouts. Let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push, and go. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Treadplus at OnePeloton.com. I'm curious. Are there any characteristics that you relate to Dr. Santos?

Like, what are, like, things, do you see anything in yourself that you see in her? Big time. You know, she gets a real bad rap for being kind of a bitch. and whatever. And I think starting out, I saw her almost in a similar way where I was like, oh, yeah, she is kind of no good sometimes. But the more I got to do it and I don't live in it, I was like, damn, we're really similar. Because, obviously, not nice.

Don't be mean. Don't be mean, ever. but the insecurities that all that all of her behaviors come from. I'm just like, yeah, obviously, again, she's a human being. And I do kind of connect a lot to her mental health struggles and to the walls she puts up. Because all of that, anytime she's kind of out punching at someone else, it's because she's really scared inside and trying to protect herself. and I very much relate to that.

I also think she's funny and I hope I'm funny. The way they write are really funny. They do a really great job. No, I think it's funny. Don't worry. No, I feel like being a few episodes into season one, your character definitely was the one that I was like intrigued by the most because I know people in the healthcare world that,

do have that really like tough exterior that they put on and there's a whole other side. So I've been really excited to watch your character grow. Yeah. Especially in season two, you know, we have that bathroom scene where you see the scars on her like, I'm curious when you read that in the script. What's like the first thing that goes through your mind when you read that? Well, actually, they told me about it beforehand. Okay.

Because they wanted to make sure that I was okay. with that, which was great. Wow, Scott Gamble, he's awesome. He, he, whenever there's something really, like, sensitive or personal, he'll reach out and kind of ask about it. And, yeah, I think I was nervous because that's a very vulnerable thing to play and showcase. And also, I think. I think we've seen a lot of misuse of self-harm plot lines in the past. And so I was nervous about it.

I was like, okay, if we're doing this, then we have to, like, really do it right. And, you know, I still don't know because we don't see the episodes in advance. So I'm still nervous. I'm like, I hope this plays and I hope it comes off okay. And, and, and, and, but they're also so collaborative and I had a lot to say about it because I was like, I want this to be done as well as possible and as sensitively as possible. So I would email the writers and with my thoughts on how to explore it and they were very open to that. Um, but yeah, I definitely was nervous, but also happy that it was being talked about. Because I think we, we, we, we, we explore a lot of mental things in this show, obviously. especially like with you know the main focus being Robbie and his PTSD and now in this season it's becoming clear like what is this motorcycle trip like what are you really about to do and that's a very important question a very important conversation but also I think when we're

always talking about it kind of like yeah I feel like most of the scenes have been like him being like I'm going to go kill myself anyway and it's like oh my god yeah And so getting to look at it through different characters and how it manifests differently for everyone, I think is the coolest part of it because it is not the same for everyone. Yeah. Obviously, especially from different ages, from different backgrounds. Like, it's, it varies in experience. And, yeah, I'm excited that we talk about it, but also nervous because it's definitely a vulnerable, vulnerable thing. Yeah.

I love what you just said about like how everyone kind of like takes it differently and people come from such like the ages and the backgrounds and there's the biggest reason what took me so long to like actually quit. I well it's actually it's funny because I ended up I worked on COVID. I was I started originally as like telemetry cardiac nurse and then we switched to COVID. I was COVID for about six months. And then we kind of went back. I would like float to the COVID unit here and there. but then I ended up I never got COVID working I ended up visiting Taylor on set and I got COVID I was like of all places like yeah no it was it was it was really just oh my god but I ended up

getting like long COVID I was so sick I had to go on disability for two months I literally couldn't work I couldn't leave the house but I think that was my body being like dude you got to like check in with yourself you're like not okay but the nursing culture And I know this is just like something in hospitals as well, no matter what profession you are in the healthcare field. There's definitely like a toxic, like, there's obviously like seniority. But there's also like a you have to tough it out to work through this. And like, doesn't matter. Yeah.

Just keep on going. I had so many like nurses on my floor. Be like I'm the only one like from my new grad program. I'm the only one that could do it. And like they would make jokes about like because it was me and another girl who were like the new nurses on the floor. they were like, let's see which one of you last longer. Like, and it's just like, it's so interesting, like that culture. So, and I'm like, I'm stubborn.

So like, I'm like, I'm not a quitter. Like, I literally just like worked my ass off in school. Like this is like, I never wanted to go in the hospital originally, but because everything closed, I was like, oh, no, I'd like want to do something. Here we go. So I got that job and I was like, great, guess I'm doing this. But I was so stubborn about like not wanting to quit. I'm so thankful that I ended up getting COVID because I would have just like gone down to

to part time. And like, you know, played with that a little bit. And I would have, it would have taken me so much longer to actually address my mental health. But I feel like what the show really shows you is that everyone is actually going through something. And everyone can go through like with the whole pit fest thing. You were all, all of these characters are experiencing the same, literally the same thing. But everyone's going to go home and like take it differently. So that's what I love like that this show does.

Is it really, obviously, you know, every patient and everything. that every person that comes in is, you know, things that either need to be talked about or, you know, like, common, like, liverthrosis, like, something like that. But also, it's so important that we're getting to see, like, how these things affect these healthcare professionals. It's also funny. I mean, obviously, to a very different degree, I'm not saying we're the same. But in, like, with acting, I feel like you get that kind of toxic.

environment and that headspace of like, okay, I'm going to, I'm going to work myself to death. And that is, I have to feel like really proud of that. It's a very capitalist mindset. It's like, it's built into the world we live in. And I've felt it as a theater actor, you get a lot of theater actors who feel really high and mighty of like, I've never called out. And I'm like, good for you. That's great. But also, maybe you need to sometimes. And maybe you need to, like, Because if you're muscling through everything, then something really bad could happen later. Like, I've seen people muscle through and then they fully lose their voice forever. Yeah.

And it's like that or they, or you fully burn out and you're like, I cannot go back to the hospital. Like there's, there's really no good comes from working yourself to death and making this like point of pride. and we make it this way of being like, I'm better than you. And unfortunately, again, just a product of capitalism. But I think getting, I feel like we're in a better time now. It's still not great. But we're getting to that point where we're talking about it. And I think that's the most important thing is talking.

And when you share like, oh, this is what I'm going through, this is what you're going through. Oh, we're going through the same thing. Maybe there's something wrong. Like maybe something needs to be done here. Yeah. And it's all parallel no matter like, yeah, you know, no matter what the career is, the feelings or everything is very, like, it's very parallel. And having a show like The Pit is a version of talking about it.

Yeah. It's inviting conversation. It's inviting people to look at this and be like, do you think that this is okay? Yeah. Because a lot of it is hoping that people walk away with more empathy for healthcare professionals, obviously. But it's also like it's human stories. That's what all of this is for. That's why I love to act. That's why we love to create. That's because it's all about telling stories about us. Yeah. And trying to learn from it instead of repeating mistakes over and over again.

So true. How, because you've been in just busy season between busy times, busy times, filming, press, award season, all of the things. How, how do you prioritize? your mental health because I'm sure this like the swing is probably like a lot to handle. Yeah. It's definitely hard. I, but because I've had, again, I've had different levels of it. Yeah. When I've worked before, there were those moments and they were also very niche things still.

Star Trek and it was goosebumps. So it was like there are niche sectors of people are, are, are watching this. It's not like full-blown. Everyone's watching. And this is the first time I've been in something where it's like, oh, no, no, no, everyone's watching it, which is amazing and a blessing. But it definitely changes your worldview a little bit and also how you view.

It can be hard to not always be looking at yourself through other people's eyes because you become so aware of being perceived. and that can be a little scary when you always are thinking like, but what does this person think of me? And like, how would I look at me if I were that person? And then it becomes so me-centric. And that is really scary because I'll, like, stop for a second. I've been thinking about me and my perception so much.

And, like, God, go outside. Like, go volunteer to hug someone. My God. And I think that has become, yeah, the biggest thing is like finding ways to kind of step out of it that I think has been easier in the past. This is like we work, we film for so long. We're filming for eight months out of the year and then we have like three months of a break and then we go back. And so you kind of feel like you're always in it. And obviously I'm not saying my experience is anywhere close to as traumatic as an actual health government.

professional. But when you are in that environment, it's, it's, it definitely kind of gets to you. And there's like a thing that a lot of actors say it's a famous, like, quote that your brain knows you're acting, but your body doesn't. And so when you're kind of always in that environment, and even though it's acting, you're still seeing like someone's guts spilling out and someone writhing in pain and screaming, or you're seeing this child crying. It's like, oh my God. Like, whoo, I know I was just acting and it wasn't that much of my day, but then I go home and I feel like, terrible. Yeah. And so that's been kind of a new, I don't have the answer of what my kind of mental health centering and grounding is.

I'm still finding it because it is, it kind of changes every day. and yeah it's a lot but I think it's been a lot of leaning on people like my friends yeah thank god for my friends oh my god I like I thought about this a lot I for a long time did not have a group of girls I didn't have like my girls yeah because when I was like a teenager I had a group of girls in it and it went very badly and it was like very sad um and then about three years ago was when I gained just kind of suddenly this

group of amazing women and that because I I the way that my mental issues kind of can manifest is really isolating and really just kind of

going into my hole and like stewing and because I've gained all these friends it's like who also go through these things. They're like, no, no, no, come out. Come out. You got to come out. You got to come, be with the girls.

Yeah. And I think that's been the biggest lifesaver is you just have to have a community. You have to have people around you who also get what's going on too, which can be hard and isolating too when you're in a weird situation. And like this is something that now is such an unrelatable situation. I hate how unrelatable. I am. Like, this is crazy.

I'm experiencing such wonderful, beautiful, amazing things with success in whatever form that is. But it also comes with a different set of some people just don't want to be your friend anymore because they're like, I can't relate to you. And like, you trigger an insecurity in me. And it's like, that's so valid and that's so okay. But also like, damn, yeah, lost some people there. And you have to keep trying to. to find the people who won't leave, who will stick with you, who will always understand what you're going through and listen to you.

And yeah, just thank God. Thank God for my gurus. Yeah. That's so special. Heading into the last few episodes of this season, what are you most excited for people to see this season? Like, what can they expect? What are you looking forward to watching, I guess, because you don't get to see the episodes

ahead of time? For these last couple episodes? yeah I'd never remember what happens in this show because we filmed for so long you're like where am I? God, when we like started our press tour and they were like so episode one and I was like you're like okay I'm assuming you guys don't do you film in you don't film in order yes we do you do no it's amazing it's a beautiful gift we film in order everything is chronological except for Like if there's something that, oh, this is filmed outside, we'll do that a week later.

Yeah. Yeah. And in Pittsburgh, we go to Pittsburgh for a week and we shoot all the Pittsburgh things. Got it. But for the most part, we are all in order. And that's amazing. That makes our lives in our job so much easier. But it also does mean that, like, you go into the next one.

It's like, that one's gone. Yeah. No idea. But no, going into these last ones, I think I'm. I'm excited about continuing to follow Santos and with her kind of mental health struggles, getting to see her slowly letting people in, slowly letting herself have a community. I do feel like Issa is going to Sanchez, like, come on. Yeah, I have a friend.

and and I think and I think it's true for a lot of the characters is the you see a lot of people starting to really lean on each other and you start to see you start to see it even now I mean with whatever episode is out now like as you go on you start to see pairs and people kind of finding their people and and I think it's it's that's a really beautiful message of the last couple episodes is finding your people and finding the ones. you can lean on and be yourself with and actually like let down the walls with. That's special. I'm like, I like don't, I don't want it to end.

So I really don't know what I'm going to like watch. I mean, I definitely like binge it. Well, have you gone back and watched ER? No. Because that's, that's what I hear is like the thing. Okay. That's what you're supposed to do. Okay.

Yeah, maybe that'll be. That's what my mom did. Okay, great. So maybe I'll finish this event. And then she'll just be texting me and she'll be like, Noah, oh God, Noah with his drinking. And it's like, oh my God. Oh my gosh, that's so funny. Okay, well, last little thing.

A little birdie maybe told me that you're heading back to Broadway. Yeah. Can you tell us a little bit about that? Yeah. Yeah, I'm about to, I'm literally tonight going to fly to New York because I'm going to jump into a show called Just in Time. It is about Bobby Darren, the singer from 50s and 60s, and I play Connie Francis.

Sarah Highland is playing it right now. She's incredible. I got to see her a few weeks ago. She's so wonderful. And yeah, I'm really excited to jump into it. I love theater. I miss theater. I think when we're doing these long stints of filming the pit, once I'm done, I'm like, I have to go back.

Yeah. I need to touch people. And I miss singing. And I get to really sing in this. It's so fun. Oh, wow. But yeah, I'll be, my first show. is April 1st. I'll be on with first with Matthew Morrison and then Jeremy Jordan.

Very, very excited. Wait, I'm going to be in New York in that time. Come. Wait, come. Wait, no, I really will. Yeah. Oh my gosh. Wait, this is so exciting. This is so exciting. Let's go out. Oh my gosh. I love it. Yay. Thanks for having. Thanks for having. This is so fun. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.