Trading Secrets - 249. Olandria Carthen: Love Island star breaks down life after the villa, navigating public perceptions and clearing misconceptions, balancing career ambitions, and prioritizing genuine connections

Episode Date: August 25, 2025

This week, Jason is joined by Love Island season 7 breakout star, Olandria Carthen! Known widely as the Bama Barbie, Olandria played the long game in the villa and emerged as a fan favorite for her strength, poise, and genuine approach, not just in romance but in life. She is also killing it in the corporate career as well working at Otis Elevator Co. She is proof that brains and business acumen, and truth to herself can lead to a breakthrough reality TV star. Post-show, Olandria is balancing the corporate grind with modeling, brand partnerships, and living out her personal brand rooted in southern authenticity.  Olandria opens up about the uncertainty of how she’d be perceived by viewers, the misconceptions she wants to clear up, and the most surprising parts of watching the show back. She reflects on growing up as the oldest of six with a single mom, knowing modeling was always a dream, and the journey that led her to Love Island. She shares how she prioritized building a genuine connection, what her personal and professional plans look like moving forward, and why she’s staying open to different career paths. Olandria also gets candid about her relationship with money, the way Nic makes sure she has equal opportunities, and the support she’s found in her friendship with Chelley. She talks about how church keeps her grounded, her passion for community work, what she wishes she had done differently on the show, and how she manages her mental health while navigating a new reality. Olandria reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss! Host: Jason Tartick Co-Host: David Arduin Audio: John Gurney Guest:Olandria Carthen Stay connected with the Trading Secrets Podcast!  Instagram: @tradingsecretspodcast  Youtube: Trading Secrets Facebook: Join the Group All Access: Free 30-Day Trial  Trading Secrets Steals & Deals! Leesa:  Leesa mattresses are meticulously designed and assembled in the U.S.A. for exceptional quality - plus they back it all up with free shipping, easy returns, and a 100-night sleep trial. Go to Leesa.com for  an extra $50 off with promo code TRADINGSECRETS Upwork: Posting a job on Upwork is easy; with no cost to join, you can register, browse freelancer profiles, get help drafting a job post, or even book a consultation. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. Nutrafol: See thicker, stronger, faster-growing hair with less shedding in just 3-6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code “TRADINGSECRETS”

Welcome back to another episode of Trading Secrets. Today we have O'Landria Carthin on a breakout star from Love Island USA Season 7, known widely as we were just talking about the Bama Barbie. O'Landria played the long game in the villa and emerged as a fan favorite for her strength, poise, and genuine approach, not just in romance, but in life. She is killing it in the corporate career, too, working at Otis Elevator Co. She's proof that brains and business acumen and truth to herself can lead to a breakthrough reality TV star. Post-show, she's balancing the corporate grind with modeling brand partnerships and living out her person. brand rooted in southern authenticity. We're going to explore how she's building business beyond the bungalow and here in Life Post Love Island. Landra, how are you doing?

That was a beautiful engine. I mean, you deserve it. You are, you are, how's the field? You are like the queen right now. How is, like, that's crazy. What's going on with this show and with you and everything? It's so surreal. Like, you know, like, obviously been in the villa, we have no connection to the outside world. I never knew how America felt about me. Right. So to come out with all the support, it just literally trumps any negativity about me, right? My supporters are everything to me. So this support that I have, I don't know, just I'm on high right now. What did you think? Like, I know you don't get visibility to it, but when you, like, I remember when I was on reality TV, I was like, you know, I feel pretty good. Like, I feel like I'm being true to myself. And if they edit me that way, that's fine. When you were in there, did you feel like, I think this is going to go well for me?

No, for sure. I knew I was being authentic. I know I was being true to me. But at the same time, I didn't know. if it was going to be perceived that way in America. So obviously, when I get out, I was like, okay. Not really how I was being in there, but, you know, I knew I was still being true to me. So I was putting in, like, a mean girl light. That wasn't really me. So now I'm trying to just clear that up, like, everyone know, like, hey, I was, like, the mother of the villa. I was like the big sister to everybody.

I was a therapist of the group. Let me, like, just, I don't know, feed into what I'm saying instead of what y'all seeing. Yeah. When you watched it back, what was the most surprising to you? Based on what you, like, you perceived to be the reality versus then what was the reality. So I haven't quite watched all of it. Okay. Okay. My family and friends just kind of told me what they've seen. I've just kind of like been online to see how I was perceived. It looks like I was perceived as someone that was being thirsty. Thirsty after someone that didn't want me. I'm like,

okay, that wasn't true. Obviously, I was, you know, one thing about me, if I'm going hard for somebody, it's because they're reciprocating the energy back into me. So it's unfortunate that wasn't aired, but, you know, obviously Taylor, Taylor was a good guy and did everything right by me as far as treating me good as a woman. When it came to like being honest and being truthful, not necessarily that part but yeah I am very secure within myself yeah I know who I am I know I'm beautiful I'm not gonna have just about anybody put my best foot forward and try to reciprocate the energy back into the man that's reciprocating back into me but yeah that was the most surprising perfectly said we like in the bachelor universe it's like a little it's like a little bit ancestral like everyone like

there's just what I say that it's like there are people you come across every day that either like dated your ex or you dated them or like your friends with that like because it's like a dating show and it's a small pool I bring that up because like we're here now and like Taylor's here. Like, how have you handled that? Does that? Are you just like, hey, that was the show. It's done? Does it feel it all awkward to you? Like, whatever it is what it is? It was a little awkward at first, but I just have to tell myself, like, you know what? Take the high road. Just, I don't know. I've always approached every single situation with grace. Just played about it. Never was really upset. I always ask God to like just soften my heart

towards a situation or towards a person. And that's how I just say genuine to me. It's easier just to be nice to people and spread love rather than hate. Perfectly said. We get to see you today. We hear, you know, of course, they're referring to you as the Bama Barbie. What were, like, what was, like, childhood like for you? What were you like as a kid? I was the oldest of six. Okay. So I was always, like, stepping in into that second parent role and helping my mom out.

I was raised by a single mother, but she did an amazing job. My parents had me in the 10th grade, so as you can imagine, I was growing up, I grew up with my parents. Obviously, it was not planned because what 10th grader plans to have a kid. But yeah, my mom did an amazing job. We're raising three girls. She worked her ass off. We literally had the latest and greatest, the technology, the outfits, the clothes, everything. She did an amazing job.

So it was so easy to mimic those actions when it came to me killing from my sisters when she was at work. So my early childhood experiences truly matured me as a kid. And I always acted way older than what I was. I was always very mature. It makes sense. Like being the oldest of six, too, and being in that supportive role and like serving as a second parent, makes perfect sense. When you were in high school and in college thinking about like your career and modeling and, you know, you referred to, of course, to the band of Barbie, where did you think your career was going to go and what did it look like in the energy?

world before this. Like, what was modeling like? Was, were you actually monetizing at, like, a strong level? Did you picture that you would be in a world like this today? It was funny because as a kid, I used to always be obsessed with America's Next Top Model. No way. Between that and just cartoons. So Tara Banks, I was like, oh, she's so beautiful. I was so obsessed with that show. So as a kid, I always wanted to be a model, but obviously being from a small town in Alabama, that is such a hard reality to grasp, you know? So my mom, she would always just put into my head like, hey, education first. Go to college first. And if that career comes after it, you know, fine.

So I always went to college, but I knew college was always going to be like a plan B for me. Yeah. I'm like, I'm going to get that modeling career. I don't know how I'm going to do it. It's going to happen. So it was just, I don't know. Once I graduated college, moved to Houston and started my elevator career, I was like, I'm not going to be in this field for long.

I'll be on a team's call just looking at my profile picture. I'm like, you know what? That face, it does not need to be here. I don't know how to hell I'm going to get into the modeling world. This is not the elevator industry, but the modeling. I enjoyed it. I've been doing it for three years. I'm like, bro, I'm not supposed to be here.

I'm bigger than this. I know something's out there for me. I just didn't know how I was going to have a breakout, you know? So I read an article that you were doing modeling before the show. Was that article correct? I was doing sidegames. Yeah, that's what I saw. I was doing sidegis.

I had a few videos, even Kirkland, and a few of those videos. She just kind of put myself out there, which is why I chose to go to Houston and just connect with different photographers. And obviously, they'll do well. I'm like, okay, let me just keep trying. Like, they'll get a few thousand likes. I need something bigger. I need people to notice me.

Right, right. Yeah, I did work with a lot of photographers. Okay, I love it. How did the, like, tell me about everyone has a different story as far as, like, the application process go or how the shows find them. Like, what's your story with that? So Love Island was actually pretty consistent with me. They reached out back in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

So it was very apparent. They really wanted me on the show. The first two years, it just wasn't, it was just timing. The first year, so you said no then, right? Technically, yes. The first year, I didn't even know what Love Island was at the time. So I didn't want to agree to a show that I didn't know about. And I was going on my first year being in corporate America.

I was just very like tonal vision, very laser focused. Like, no, I don't want to risk losing my job. I was just very like, I don't know. Too scared to step out on faith. The second year, I was actually in Thailand for my birthday. So I missed a flyout day. It was just all wrong. But looking back, I'm like, okay, season six was so amazing.

It didn't make sense for me to be there at the time. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was a great cast. I couldn't imagine me being there. It just didn't make sense. So I literally just prayed last year. It's like, you know what God, if it's in your will, please put this back on my schedule in 2025,

and I'll make sure if my summer plans are cleared. I'm not going to book anything. I'm going to have so much faith that this is going to happen for me. And it did. Someone reached out in February and then someone reached out again in April. Wow. All of April, I had a lot of interviews. I got flew out to LA to meet the production team.

And it just was history after that. Wow. There was, and through our interview process, there were some, like, bizarre things we had to do. I remember, one, I was sitting in a chair and there's producers all around me, and they had me pick out of this bowl. And I've told the story of the podcast before, but it's like, what's your favorite? animal. And I said lions and like, well, I go, I love Lion King. They're like,

well, do you know songs from the show? I was like, yeah, and they gave me a pill. They're like, there's your Simba starts singing. I just started ripping lion cake. Was there anything? Like, when you look back at the interview process, was there any either question or process that you're like, oh my God, that was peculiar. That was different. Nothing to that.

Yeah. They were just so captivated by my story, just how my upbringing was and it just made sense of who I truly was. So they was just so mesmerized for my story. That's kind of what I just went off of honestly. Yeah, all right. So pretty straightforward then when you went on reality TV a lot of people you know you saw you hear it in the comments now people are like what are their true motives like oh they're just there for fame like what's your response to that based on you going on the show honestly fame was the last thing on

my mind because we don't have any access to the outside world i was genuinely there divana connection which is why i was so tore up and so hurt behind my original connection like okay i'm not understanding why you're not prioritizing me every time we had the fire pit you're never too sure like i was there to truly find love i'm single for five years up into that point. I'm like, okay, I'm 27. I know I want to be married. I know I want kids. The dating pool in Houston fucking sucks. So I'm like, you know what? I'm just shoot my shot and just go on the show and try to find love. Yeah. I did not think thing would come with it. And I'm glad that I kind of have both. Do I have a platform now? A beautiful, huge

platform with some crazy, you know, supporters. And I love them. And I also have a great connection now. So it's just like, I don't know, kind of have the best of both worlds. But genuinely, I was really prioritizing me just coming out with a great connection. That's all I want it. So then think about you got a great connection right now. Nicolandria is like, everywhere. Everyone's talking about. It's buzzing. It's like the number one trending thing. It feels like, I want to give you a chance to like kind of give some empowerment or inspiration. You were single for five years. You have a great connection now. What is some piece of advice you have for anyone that has been single for a while that's like kind of struggle

and it's so funny because I was on TikTok and people think I'm never online. I'm chronically online. I'm always growing and I'm addicted to my phone now. You're watching. You're seeing. Oh yeah. I'm seeing. I just don't say anything, right? I've seen a lot of people say that me and Nick's story has truly gave them the boost to trying to get back into the dating world a little bit. And I love that because I was out of the dating loop for five years. I would tell people, never settle. I am so grateful that I did not end up what I thought I wanted. And I would say that a thousand times over.

Never settle. Always know your word. And just put your best foot forward and trust your gut. Be selfish. It took me damn near 30 episodes to finally get there. But it's like I will always prioritize other people's feelings and not my own. I will always make decisions based on how it will make everyone else feel instead of me. That makes sense.

Put yourself first. Put your best foot first. forward and just go with your good. I like it. Anybody that. I love it. That's great, great advice. Question I got for you is Love Island, obviously, is the show you're on. You killed it. Did any other reality shows approach you in 23, 24, 25, like before Love Island? I don't think so. I don't think just Love Island. Because you just, well, you have like I can see, like obviously you're a perfect fit for reality TV, so I didn't know if anyone else did. How about since getting off the show? Like, what's your take when you think about your

career and direction? Will you go back on like a Beyond the Villa? Do you think you would go on another either lifestyle show, competitive show. Like, what do you think reality TV looks like for your future? Yeah, so a lot of the supporters truly want to, because apparently Nicolandria did not get enough screen time, which I do agree. I'm so happy we was able to give them that last week. Yes, that was huge. Amazing.

It was like sometimes it's not about the quantity. It's about the quality. And that was like a great, great quality cut. Yeah, so it kind of just left them like, we want more. We want more screen time. Exactly. And then they've come to your social now and they want to see it all. I am very open to having some type of show with me and Nick.

allowing people to, because they've seen our love story from the beginning to end. Even when I didn't see it, they seen it before me. I think it's only right to keep on including them in that, you know? Of course. They have to kind of see it all unfold. Very happy and very open to trying to have a breakout show with me and Nick and allow people to be inside our lives a little bit more. Okay, I love it.

I can see you as like a producer of your own show. Like I can see you. I can see it. Let's speak in here. I think there's some big things coming. We'll talk about what that looks like professionally. How about personally? Like, what do you have planned next?

Do you have any travels coming up? Do you think about moving? what's up with you what's next for you and nick like what do you what are you thinking when you think about like the future as far as your personal life no for sure so nick has been trying to convince me to move it to l-a i'm never imagined even living on the west coast i am a southern bell through yeah i've been in the south right now i feel like it's my brand barbie come on now so it's like i've been in the south my entire life it's so hard to break away from it you know but it's like with me with my career just taking off as it is i truly think l-a would be a great

business move for me and i've been heavily heavily considering it lately, so I might be in L.A. soon. Okay, all right. Stay tuned, maybe L.A. When you think about, like, we talked a little bit about reality TV, but what are some of the things you want to, like, do from a business perspective? You want to start your own brand? Do you want to become a host of a TV show?

Do you want to go into acting, being an actress? Like, where do you see yourself in the entertainment landscape, like, pursuing, given this massive platform and momentum you have? I think right now, I definitely want to just take in a lot of, like, the branding, because I do want to have my own brand of some sort. whether there's beauty, like a fashion line, whatever that is. I truly, I've always said I want to be an entrepreneur of some type. So that fits me perfectly.

Reality TV, even considering that, that's why I was saying I'm open to like a Beyond the Villa or some type of a show after this to try to keep, kind of keep my supporters in the loop a little bit. Yeah. Even hosting, podcast and even. I'm so open. I don't want to put myself in just to one box. I want to have different avenues. I don't know what my career can take me, so I want to be open to it all.

I like that. When you decided to go on the show with your corporate job, how supportive were they at that process? Like, was there a potential that you might have lost your job from it? I was actually so shocked on how supportive my branch manager was, the rec manager was. Even the HR lady, the HR headquarters, they were so supportive of me. I did not expect them to have that much support for me, put a dating show, like, oh, love on. Yeah, yeah. Love Island getting pretty crazy.

I was telling him like, hey, there is going to be some kids. Like, crazy challenges, but I'm sure. But I just wanted to make sure I had some type of job security before I left. Because I couldn't imagine being there for as long as I was and not knowing if I would come back to a job. For sure. They were overly supportive. They even talked about having a watch parties in the office. Come on.

Like, it's insane. So they were like, they're cheering you out for the whole thing. So as soon as I got my phone back, they're texting me, they're calling me. You did amazing. We're so proud of you. Yeah. Every day they would have discussions about Love Island and the episode. So they were crazy supportive.

They always said, like, hey, use up your vacation. And after all that's done all with your vacation, your personal time. Basically, I'll be on unpaid leave. But they were secure my job. Like, my job would not be posted or anything like that. Wow. I've been traveling so much, so maybe you can relate to this, but you ever go to a really nice hotel and you're only that moment when you sink into the hotel bed and think, why doesn't my bed feel like this? Well, that's what you can expect with a Lisa mattress. Lisa has a lineup of beauty crafted mattresses tailored to how you sleep without the luxury price tag.

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That's great. Right, it's hard to do in reality TV. I know. You did it, though. Yeah, I did it. Talk to me about your really, so on this podcast, we talk a lot about money and the intersection of money and love and just navigating careers and finances. Tell me about, like, what is your relationship with money?

Like, growing up to now, how do you view money? What's your relationship with it? And when it comes to earnings and just in general managing money, especially in like love, which, you know, now you're in, like, what's your take and stance on it? Before the show, something I've always prayed for, something I always wanted was financial freedom. Obviously being raised by a single mother of three. My mom, she made a way, don't give me wrong, but she was living in check to check a lot.

But she still, bills was paid, sport as hell. I don't know how she did it, but she did. And me just coming out of college, just bills and things like that, moving out on my own, I found myself living check to check at times, you know, because even when you get a career, when you first start out, we have no experience, they're going to lowball you with pay. You don't come out swinging, you know? Even prior to the show, I don't ever say, like, I was broke, but I always say, like, you know what, I'm in between blessings.

That I always say that. I never call myself broke. I never call myself broke. I'm just in between blessings right now. And which is why I was in sheen for most of the show. And people talk about like, oh, she's in cheap clothes. I'm like, well, I couldn't afford to think else. Yeah.

But now I can. I can buy me some videos. I'm in that position. It's just the judgmental bullshit. I know. I was like, oh, that's me. But I couldn't afford nice things. Yeah.

But now I can. That's why I put myself out there to be able to do things like this. But I would find myself living just to pay bills. Oh, it's working to pay bills. I'm like, you know what? I have no kids. I have no pets. This should not be my life. Sure. So I just prayed to God about it. That's why I took a step of faith and just went on the show. And I'm so happy that I did because I could not imagine me not doing that. Like, this is my reality now. Imagine if I just shut them down again for the third time. I would still be in a miserable state.

So I'm happy that I did. I was always very good when it came to paying bills. All of my bills on auto pay. Always made sure and prioritized that. And then whatever was left over, I would kind of spoil myself with it. Because I was in like a sales role. So anytime I get my bonus check for a quarter. Sure. Literally, it would be so big. I was like to top and the top when it came to sales, I would just splurge on myself. I'm living in my little longer right now. I am so happy that I can actually live in that reality for a minute now. I no longer have to say I'm in between blessings anymore. I'm blessed. I love that perspective. It's all about how you reframe it and then based on the reframe, you become a believer of it and then it becomes your reality and there's less

stress and there's more positive momentum, all those things. They're so real. You talked about a little bit packing for the show. So as you're packing for the show, how many suitcases did you pack? And if you had to think, like, of course we talked money on this podcast, how much do you think you did have to spend on clothing to prepare for love? Oh, okay. So first of all, I brought four suitcases. Four of them. Wow. Four. Holy shit. This is why I was able to give me so many cool looks and styles, you know. I had like 30 bikinis. I had like 30 outfits. Like I didn't really have to repeat any outfit at all. Wow. Literally. So yeah. The benefits of packing four. Oh, man. Right? Literally. I paid out to ask for it.

One of my suitcase is like a hundred pounds. Another one was like 80. It was bad. It was so bad. Because you got to pay all the overweight fee. Literally. And I had a connecting flight, so I had to fly from Houston to LA and then LA to Fiji. So I had to pay like twice.

Oh my gosh. It was terrible. Wait, so how much did it cost you just get the luggage out there? Oh, I don't even talk about it. I was like, no way. Like you're cleaning me out. I don't have money in my account right now. I'm dead.

Literally a few days later, that's when I got my bonus and like my actual checks. I was okay. But like going out there, I'm just like, this is not look good. Well, that's funny because it's just in the weight of it. Yes. And then like how, I assume you spend a few thousand bucks in babysits and stuff. Okay, so nothing like too crazy. Yeah.

When it came to, I mainly got my clothes from Sheehan and Fashion Nova. So like a few thousand dollars. Yeah, that's great. But for all those, I didn't think it was pretty worth it. Yeah. Oh, I would say so. I have a bog shot out with sheeing clothes on. That is insane.

It's unbelievable. I mean, exactly. You got it all. When you think about like what's next though, like in your career and earnings, do you have like a goal? Are you like, I want to make X amount of dollars? Or do you have a goal as it relates? to like financial goals moving forward now.

That's an interesting question. I have not yet made a goal yet. Yeah. I just hopefully I see an M in my account. I've never imagined me seeing a million bucks. That might be low from someone else. But like when you come from where I come from, it's like that is a lot.

Hello. For sure. I don't know. Maybe I need to think about that. Okay, something to think about. I said that's a financial goal for myself. With the whole conversation of like love and money, we saw a little bit on the show,

but conversations about this stuff, like talking to your, it's one of the hardest things. to do. If there's just a recent study out there that 50% of couples married and cohabiting, they don't even talk finances. Married. So what I would ask you is like in these discussions and conversations you're having as you're getting more intimate, what's your stance on like financial transparency and having these conversations and how do you step into them into your current connection? Oh, that's a, that's a tough one. I haven't yet to think that for my

goodness. Yeah. I would think like as we get further and further on our connection, get more serious. Maybe we should have those discussions. But as of now, they haven't came up yet. Yeah. Do you think maybe I need to. To me, it's like, I think you have to have it when you're comfortable. Yeah, for sure. And I think it's got to flow, but I think the transparency of those conversations are just so important.

And as long as it's done without judgment, shame or like weaponization, it's like, hey, let's just actually connect through this. Like, let's not, let's not bully each other. Let's not use it as information to beat each other up. But it's like a way to, like, information could actually be intimacy. No, for sure. As opposed to, like, this barrier, like, oh, we can't talk about it. No, for sure. And I don't think it will ever be a barrier as far as us not talking about it.

Because one thing I can say about Nick, any and every opportunity he ever has, he always tried to find a way to give me that same opportunity. Oh, that's awesome. And he was like, hey, I'm modeling for this company. I'm going to talk to him about, like, doing a collab or you even having your own line. Like, it's one thing about it. He's going to try to put money in my pockets any way that he can. And I love that about him because it's like, I would never feel like it's a competition between us.

That's so important in this space, too. It's a beautiful thing. Between him and his family, they're always fighting for me to get compensated or something like that. such a beautiful thing. I feel so welcome. I feel so seen. Just having a partner and to have his family back, I'm to make sure I'm financially good too, just as well as their son. I don't know. It's a feeling that I can't even

describe. Oh, absolutely. All right, let's talk about this. You start a business. It's a little bit tougher question. So you start a business today. Love Island, season seven. And you could hire anyone from the cast to help you with your business. You're like, they're going to help me blow this business up. Who you hire in. Shelley B. Wow, that was instant. That you knew, you knew.

My soul sister. Okay, I love it. That is my girl. I love her down. Okay, so tell me why. I mean, not why you love her, but like, why you hired her? I obviously know why, but like, I'm assuming trust connection. I truly feel like me and Shelley already have our own brand already.

Seriously. Honestly, it would be blowing up just because they call it Chilandria. I love it. I love it. And I just trust her. I trust her with so many of my secrets in the villa. Mind you, I've known her for a few weeks, but I feel like I could trust her with my life. You know, I truly feel like she's always been so honest and so open with me.

I feel like she would be a great business partner. Even when I was considering moving to L.A., which I still am, I even consider having her as a roommate. I live with her, you know what I'm saying? All this time. I'm saying, I really would love to roommate with you. For sure. You know what I'm saying?

I don't know, start a lot of together outside of the villa. That's a great answer. Now I'm going to reverse this question a little bit. Everyone on Love Island, season seven, they work for you. You're the CEO. It's your business. You got to fire someone. Who you fire it.

Taylor. Instantate you, do you care to elaborate? Why? I think it's obvious why. He's cool. We're friends. Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right.

What is one thing that you do within yourself to keep yourself secure and grounded? There's so many things that drive insecurities in this world. So like what's a little trading secret for how you balance yourself, how you keep yourself personally, mentally secure with it? Honestly, I go to church. Honestly, when I found myself being in a dark place prior to being in the show, it truly pushed me into God's house. I've never really imagined me going to church by myself. I would say, like, oh, I want to go with friends or family. But it's like, I was so down bad.

I was like, you know what? I can't lead on nobody but God. Like, God has truly put me in positions and situations to where I can't just go phone and friend. Like, it doesn't help. I need to go directly to him. So I just go to church, a journal. I literally, like, I just try to, I don't know. Some situations, only God could help me out of up and he truly did.

Go to church. That's unbelievable. Yeah. When you think about, like, celebrities or a public figure, someone that you look up to, who is someone today that you look up to them and you're like, I want to emulate what they've done. with like their brand, their business, and who they are. Mrs. Greed.

What's our first name? Emma. Yes. Yes. Fire. She's been on the podcast. Fire. Yes.

I literally just followed her the other day. They called me out on Twitter like, oh, Alangelo just follow Emma. Yeah. I was like, ah, you called me. Oh, my God. I will give my left arm to talk to that woman or to be in her presence. I just, bro, what she's done is so amazing. It's unbelievable.

I've been so obsessed with her here lately. Yeah, she's incredible. I mean, the way she's built, what she's built, it's like, literally unbelievable and just to have a woman that looks like me it's like it's so easy for me to see myself in that position you know what I mean because representation is everything everything absolutely everything I would kill to be in her presence literally I love it when you think about like maybe building a non-for-profit or like doing something from an impact perspective what does that look like in your future I love community work I always find myself volunteering at the Houston food banks I even convinced my team or my job to make Easter Bastas for like a homeless shelter for women and kids yeah because it was one of my accounts and They end up canceling with us because they didn't like the service. I went out there to meet them. Like, hey, what is this place? It's like, oh, it's a homeless shelter for kids and women.

I'm like, can I do something for you guys? Yeah. Easter's coming up. I want to get Easter baskets and just try to restore joy into these kids. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we literally maxed out our company cars, just giving back to that shelter. Yeah.

So something like that with women, kids. I don't know. The less fortunate truly pulls in my heartstrings. Yep. So I don't know. I have big plans. I love community work. I've always been in love with it.

You're going to build businesses. You're going to make huge. impact. The summer season is mayhem. Eating unhealthy, going out, and then you get to the structured fall season and it's a lot more stressful. Those are two big contributing factors to your overall hair health. Your hair is never just about your hair and Nutraful knows that. It could be your dating life, your diet, the juggling act that parenting can be, finding your rhythm and new routines, or even following your favorite sports team in an intense season. It could be almost anything that has almost nothing to do with hair. That's why Nutraful takes a whole

whole body approach to hair health, addressing the problems inside to help hair grow on the outside. Address the root causes of hair thinning with Nutrafol, the hair growth routine that keeps up with your life. For a limited time, NutraFol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you go to NutraFol.com and enter the promo code trading secrets. That's Nutraful.com. N-U-T-R-A-F-O-L dot com and use the code. Trading Secrets. That's Nutrafol.com, promo code trading secrets. Question I got for you on the dating. So you haven't had those conversations with Nick as far as like the finances go. But do you have any like, you know, you were single for five years.

Of course you're going on dates and stuff here and there. Do you have any hard and fast rules as it relates to money and relationships? So it could be, you know, dates always have to be paid for by the man or you have to have these conversations or yeah. Like, do you have any hard fast money rules as it relates to dating? I would hope I would not have to tell a guy, like, you have to pay for this day. Like, I would hope so you're courting me. Like, come on. Which, oh, I would hope I would never have to have that conversation.

You're like, I am the Southern charm. That's how it works. One thing about me, I don't mind reciprocating that energy back into my person. But it's like, after some time, though. Yeah, you got to put it in first. Yeah, I get it. One question I usually ask most people that come on the podcast, what's one thing that you overspend on? You know what you overspend on it?

What is that? Close. Oh, they're cheap. Yes. But I buy a lot of them. Even though you guys are chirping in about being cheap. Yeah. Lord forbid of a girl like she and.

I just love she and. I don't know. It's just nice. Yeah. All right. I get that. I get that. All right.

So you got traveling in your future. L.A. modeling is something you want to pursue to? Okay. Gotcha. And so, all right. You got a lot going on. You got a lot to achieve here.

And you're just getting started. Maybe more reality TV. Maybe you'll even start your own show. Fingers crossed. Okay. Beautiful. You'll be beautiful. All right. All right. If you had to give people, I know they're going to wonder, L.A., what do you think the timeline looks like if you do move? The next month, month and a half, maybe? So, okay, so you're making it. I need to get on it, you know? I can't get dragging my feet. Okay. I love it. Of all the partnerships, all the places, this is a good way for you to plug where you want. And like, from being on the cover of, let's say, Vogue or being in Vogue to like sports illustrated swim week, what's your dream partnership? For any year from now, you look back at your career, like, I want to do this.

maybe it's i don't want to take your answer but maybe it's something with emma maybe you and emma maybe you do like a skim line or something please that will be beautiful right my own collection within yeah and she's a co-founder yeah and she's a co-founder you're watching this please i followed you girl you don't have to follow me back i don't know i'm going to DM you right after this actually we need to talk let's go it's time you're manifesting it my own collection i am mad i'm going to go pray about this right after okay god please pray about this there's a lot on this episode you have put into existence, LA, your future in your relationship, talking about getting the mill in your bank account, the emigree partnership, et cetera. The last thing I got for in a personal

standpoint, when you look in the future, I mean, do you see, like, I know it's hard to think about this, but do you see, like, getting married and, like, from Nick Day, and having kids and stuff, like, where's your head with all that? Now, it's hard to look down that line, but, like, where do you stand with all that? One thing about me, I've always dated with intention. Love it. Which I came into the bill like that. Which is why I feel like I was very intimidated He came to the guys Because it's like

Oh, you can't be over here You're not here to play around You're like You're like come here and be a man to me Which is why I feel like A lot of guys Had a hard time approaching me Maybe they were too scared

This stuff in the road I'm like okay we're all 25 plus It's time to grow up We're not too far from 30 If you, I know I want to be married And the only way I'm gonna have kids Is if I have a ring on my finger I was raised by a single mom

And I know single parents Don't always pick and choose What their life is gonna look like But me being from the South I've always glorified marriage I always love what that looked like I've always yearned for that family-like bond, which I always appreciate my mom, you know, I'm saying giving me the life that I have.

But it's like, I really wish I had a dad here. Like, that would be nice, you know? Yeah. So, yeah, marriage is definitely in my foreseeable future. I've talked to Nick about that a lot. Like, hey, I date to Mary. So what are you on the same page? It's been together, what, 35 years?

Yeah, I know. I was beautiful. I would love that story, too. Exactly. And it's a, I mean, great role model for him to look up to. I love it. You're dating with attention. You're doing your thing.

The last thing I got before we get your training secret, you'll look at where you've come so far and everything that you've done, which has been so positively received, do you look back? And if you do look back, what is one regret? What is one thing you might have just been like, I wish I would have done that just a little different? I wish I was a lot more selfish in the beginning. I wish I did not just sit on it, you know? I was too scared on how people were going to perceive it. I wish I was more selfish in the beginning. I 100%. I always just wanted to look out for everyone else's feelings and disregarding my own and end up being burned in the end. But I came out with a great connection. So I truly just wish I was a little more selfish

in the beginning and stood on that, you know? And it's tough. Like, it's really hard to get used to those cameras. Like it's one thing to go on a day, you go on, like, for anyone listening it's, you go on a date and it's like, that's hard. Right. It's just like you're like, nerves are flying. Then you've got like cameras, got all these other people around. You're like, that's a lot. That's a lot of pressure. And like, I think when you talk about being selfish, it gets hard to do that from the jump with all those. cameras around you're not used to this you're working an elevator company in Texas

and all of a sudden you're on like Love Island the biggest show which being viewed a billion minutes it is crazy I saw it today that's insane isn't that why do you what is it about this season that became so big what you were in it though like

there's got to be what do you think it was I honestly thought we were boring I knew we have some trauma yeah I didn't know because we were put up against season six I was like which it was amazing I was scared going I'm like how do we compete

You know what I mean? But it's like, once you're in a villa, you're just in your own zone. You just kind of just forget all about the noise. But coming out of it, I'm like, sports bars, watch parties, parlayes, people are betting on who's on a couple up with who. Like, how did, I'm still asking the same question. How did it get this big? I don't, I don't know what happened.

I was literally locks into the villa the whole time. I really don't know. It's like a case study. Someone's going to have to analyze. Literally. I don't watch that video. Someone analyzed like what made people get into Love Island so heavily and so deep. But I know a lot of people are truly obsessed with the whole Nick.

Glendria thing. I mean, they're obsessed TMZs following you guys around. They're asking the take of it. Like, that's a whole different ballgame. I know, but I didn't think it was that big, you know. Yeah. That's a whole lot of action right there. There are bright things ahead for you.

I'm so happy that everything's worked out the way it is. I keep saying the last thing, I promise this is the last thing. The mental health of your peers cast all the things as you navigate forward. There's so much pressure on you guys right now. What do you do and what advice do you have? If you talk to your castmates about, like, this big change and the impact it has, not of course, like financially, but also mentally. Like, where do you stand with that?

And what are conversations you guys have amongst each other? I don't know. We just definitely just decided to, like, have each other's back. I know me and Shirley talk a lot because obviously this new reality is so crazy. I don't know. I know we have our psychiatrist who we're talking to in the villa like once a week. Yeah, that's so great. Yeah, we still talk to them.

That's so great. I'm going to lean on her, my girl, Ritty. That is my girl. See me. She hears me. I haven't had a session, we both cried together. Wow. I feel so connected to her.

So I love that we still have that support, even outside of the villa. So between leaning on her and just leaning on each other, just being there for each other, because I honestly don't think anybody else understood what we went through or understand what we're going through except for each other. So just truly having that tight-knit bomb between the castmates and just being there for each other outside of this whole experience truly is helping us. Kind of get used to this new reality. I love it.

It is unbelievable what you've been through, where you're going, how much you've done, and how much you're going to do. And the manifesting of it all is going to happen. I can't wait until it does. Thank you. Tyler Cameron's in the background over here, just popping. But what we got to do is we got to end with the trading secret. So it's something that is unique to your experience.

It's a piece of advice to quote, a motto, something that you live by. It could be personal, professional, financial, but it's unique to everything you've gone through. What trading secret can you all be? Oh, God. Never lose sight to who you are. Stay true to you regardless of the experience of the person. I like that. I think that's a good one.

I think it's a good one. I think something I, my trading secret that I've learned, I think, from you is like, don't force timing. It will happen the way it's supposed to. Beautiful. And the other thing I think I've learned from you is that no matter what position you are, it's just what position you tell yourself in. I love that.

Right. So you're not telling, you're not saying I'm broke because you're not. You're reframing it to be a different scenario because you know one day you won't be. Exactly. Exactly. So like I think, in between blessings. Yeah. In between blessings.

And so I think there's a lot of people out there that are going through struggles and going through challenges and how you reframe that and how you talk to yourself impacts what you are tomorrow. And so, like, I think that's something that you've done. So, cheers to you. Congratulations on all the success you've had. Where can everyone find everything you have going on? My name, Elangeria. I changed my username because everyone had a hard time finding me. I had a zero instead of O.

Oh, I see. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But now it's like, secrets out now. Now it's like, secrets out. Let them find you. Let them follow you. Literally. And we will be following your journey.

And we'll have you back on when you do get that Skim's partnership in that line. Let's go. We're Emma. Let's go. We're here right now. Halandred. Thank you for so much being on this episode, Tring Secrets. Thank you.

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