Unmasking the Real Housewife, D'Andra Simmons: Legacy, Vulnerability, and a Worldwide Quest for Wellness

Join us on "Crackin' Backs" as we traverse the diverse and inspiring journey of D'Andra Simmons - a skincare mogul, master chef, and real-life Dallas housewife. Discover the unseen side of D'Andra's world travels, influenced by her pursuit of anti-aging, and their impact on her unique wellness formulations.

Explore the personal and professional peaks and valleys of her remarkable career on-screen and off, and gain insights into her enduring commitment to authenticity. With a legacy shaped by a family crusade against cancer and a burning passion to promote health, D'Andra has dedicated her life to transforming others' wellness journeys. She took the helm of Ultimate Living International, creating top-notch nutritional supplements and skincare products, including her renowned D'Andra Simmons - Hard Night Good Morning line. 

Delve into this captivating narrative of resilience, revolution, and heartfelt resolve to heal the world, one person at a time.

We are two sports chiropractors, seeking knowledge from some of the best resources in the world of health. From our perspective, health is more than just “Crackin Backs” but a deep dive into physical, mental, and nutritional well-being philosophies.

Join us as we talk to some of the greatest minds and discover some of the most incredible gems you can use to maintain a higher level of health. Crackin Backs Podcast

Transcript

Dr. Spencer Baron: 0:00

Welcome to cracking backs, where we unmask the giants of wellness business and reality TV. Today, we're thrilled to have the formidable D'Andrea Simmons with us from heading a renowned skincare company to stirring magic in the kitchen as a master chef and lighting up your screens. As a real Douglas housewife. D'Andra truly epitomizes the phrase wearing many hats. But did you know about her globe trotting exploits venturing into some of the rise corners of the world, fueled by an insatiable passion for anti aging and health. Her journeys have significantly influenced her innovative formulations. D'andra was successful on screen career and her candid emotional vulnerability have inspired many. Even as she navigates the complex labyrinth of public expectations, her story takes a deeper turn. However, when faced with the impact of cancer in her family out of a personal tragedy, De'ndre together with her mother D. embarked on a quest for healthier living, and dedicated their lives to helping others. Their tireless efforts have given birth to ultimate living International, a beacon of wellness offering superior nutritional supplements and skincare products. Today, as the President and CEO, Dr. Andrew carries on this legacy of healing and transformation, one person at a time. Join us as we dove into her world of resilience, innovation and indomitable spirit.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 1:43

All right, welcome to the show D'Andrea. Well, you know, I actually struggled where we were going to begin with this because you wear so many hats and have a major skincare company, accomplished chef. And now you're on the set of The Real Housewives of Dallas now that you're not real. Before that show started. Yet. Many people may not know about your cup of coffee was nuts. I can't talk in world travel. And fact, when I walked through your house, and I'm looking at all the statues and the mask and the beautiful artwork, I assumed I assumed that was your husband? And he goes no, no, that's all my wife. And he goes, in fact, we argue all the time. Who's travelled the most? Say that? Yeah. And so especially with some of the, you know, the raw places you've been to not just the fancy Paris, Rome and all that. Did your passion for anti aging compel you to travel the world? Or? And what influences did this have on the formulation of your thoughts on health and wellness?

Unknown: 2:55

Well, Tara, thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate you wanting to speak to me after having my husband on because you know, it's kind of interesting to have a husband and wife at different times and different stories. And just to kind of follow up on your question, Jeremy. And I argue all the time about who's been to more countries. And he always claims that he has I claim that I have and we bought one of those maps, we put the little push pins in, we ran out of push pins, so it just gave up. I mean, the thing is, it got so filled up the map got so filled up that we couldn't put any more push pins in unless we buy one the size of a huge wall. So you know, maybe in our next house, we'll do that. But I don't know I think we both read about 75 or 80 countries my love of travel started I believe as an only child that was a very well read nerdy only child, I was a different person. When I started my life than I am today I was straight A student not really like the I mean, most popular person in my class, I was always reading books, I was always you know, I did a little dance and a little music and little things like that. But I was not very gregarious or social. And so being an only child with no siblings, and kind of my mother and father were older, I entertain myself at home and I entertained myself by losing myself in the world of books. And those books would take me on adventures to foreign lands to down the rabbit hole of Alice in Wonderland and the wardrobe with you know, the light line which in the wardrobe and all these different books that I would read, growing up and then Nancy Drew mysteries and everything. And then moving on to course you know, To Kill a Mockingbird and all the kind of things we had to read in school Catcher in the Rye, whatever it is. I just was fascinated with adventure and books and I would imagine in my head, my life going on these adventures with these people. And then I started reading books about different countries. And when I got into school when I was older in school, math was never my thing but English I was a straight A student, I went to English Warden High School in college via my creative writing abilities. And I still would love to write if I have the time unfortunately don't have as much time as I used to. But when I was, I guess about 12 to 14, my first if I can remember, my first real international trip was to the Middle East with my parents, and we went to the Holy Land, and explored that we went to Egypt, we went to Jordan, we went to Israel, and I can't remember where else we went. But I was just fascinated with this other part of the world and the way people lived. And the people were so different, but we inhabited the same planet. So I was kind of by that, that bit me that, you know, at that time, it totally bit me that bug for travel. And then I decided, I'm smart, my parents, I can convince them to let me go all over the world and study, yes, I would find I'm not kidding you from like 14 on a summer program, but a different country for children. And I would go all over the world and studying. So that's why I traveled so much I would I found a program in India, I found a program in Brazil and Uruguay and Paraguay and Argentina. And let's say Cambodia, Vietnam. You know, I went to Singapore, I went to a lot of the Africa, I've been all over Africa, more countries than Jeremy it's Africa. So the time I've been to Africa 17 times. And the reason is because I felt so in love with Africa and its peoples and its history. And you know, they say all of us originate from some part of Africa, in the world. And so every time I go there, I feel like I cry when I get there. Because I'm so happy, I feel like I'm some part of me is home, and then I leave, I cry because I have to leave. And there's so much history and strive and you know, you have the history of colonialism and everything else. So it's a very fascinating world that we live in. And if you have the opportunity to travel, and to learn and to meet people to explore their world and their life than you should and going into skincare, I had a business my mother's a cancer survivor, ultimate living is her business that I inherited. And with her, I traveled the world because when she became ill with cancer, she was always she was a model, she was five foot eight, she was skinny, she was gorgeous. She never had an illness or a sneeze or anything. And then she got sick and had cancer. And so she decided to travel the world and meet with these different doctors and nutritionists and stem cell people which back in the 80s and 90s was you had to go to Europe for all that kind of stuff. And we went to Tijuana for different treatments. And so I thought, okay, we're learning about these different products all over the world. Let me then turn that into part of my traveling. And when I created skincare, I went to women all over the world. And then when I married Jeremy, it was wonderful to see could take the photos and tell the stories of you know, women in Africa, why are you using ochre and painting your body with that? Or why are you using shea butter? Or why are you using the sausage to which is to Galia? Or why are you using argan oil or whatever it is. So that was kind of something I felt like I could then take my trips and work it into my business, and then learn about other women and what they do and how they take care of their bodies in their in their skin and may not have the access and the resources that we have to spend money on sunscreens and everything else, but they'll find a way to do it. And of course, the Asian women have most beautiful skin in the world. They don't go in the sun. Yet, you know, we loved our sun over here, and we like to be tan. So you just learned so many things in the way I learned and got into these cultures with these women was to talk about their beauty habits. It may be their hair, some of them do hair extensions. And I would say well tell me about your hair extensions, because we do hair extensions. And then they would let me braid their hair. And then we would talk food because I love to eat. And you know, what do you cook for your family? And what are your rituals in your home and I was able to go into one of the Himba women's private tents and you know, they never take a bath, but twice in their life once when they're born and once when they're married. And they do this other ceremony throughout their life to cleanse themselves, which is very interesting. But I was able to witness that because I had developed a relationship so I think travel is so important. I mean, it's all about what you enjoy in your life. It's something I enjoy some people I'm a friend that doesn't have a passport, you don't want a passport, I didn't care you know my it's always up to date. I hope that answered some of your questions and that way i Terry got ingredients that I then used in my formulations in my skincare hard night. Good morning and also in my nutrition products.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 9:42

D'Andra, I wonder that is absolutely fascinating. And you really immerse yourself in deeply into, you know, different cultures to understand how it can affect our bodies in different ways, usually mostly in a positive manner. But what were some of the challenges that you met up with then maybe some surprises that you faced when you applied those some of the principles from other countries and brought them to yourself and others.

Unknown: 10:11

Some of the challenges were resourcing those products. So for instance, you know, I wish I would have been 20 years ago on the cutting edge of like something like an Argan oil, which Josie Moran found in Africa, because she created a whole line off that. And, you know, I didn't think at the time, now I know a lot more, but getting those products, whether you have to source them from overseas or close to home, or now having them grown at home, you know, we can do that as well, costing them. Of course, in the last few years with the pandemic, it's been a stress on everyone in my industry trying to get raw materials, even for my, in my ultimate living line, I have the miracle pain cream that people love that have joint problems, I've had arthritis and, and different I live with chronic pain. So finding some of the ingredients just like for instance, one of the ingredients in skincare is carbomer, which is like a it makes it kind of slicky. So you can apply it couldn't get it anywhere for three years. So then you have to go okay, what are we gonna use instead? Same thing with components. Same thing with find something South America or a specific source of, you know, a CBD for instances and some of our products. All of those things are challenges. I will find out when what I learned about the sausage tree, which was in the bush because I had gotten an injury. I need cut it off. It looks like a big sausage, it grows off a tree, and you put it on your skin and it heals your skin, I would have to ask my lab and they're like, what, what are you talking about? I said, we'll find it. And it's this is the other name for it. So finding ingredients. May I call you do Mordecai, Dr. Baron or Spencer? Which was

Dr. Spencer Baron: 11:52

Spencer's fine. Thank you. You're welcome.

Unknown: 11:55

So those are some of the challenges that I found historically. And then where do you want to source so aloe vera, you can source it in South America, you can source it in South America as a source in South Africa, you can source it in Mexico, used to live sources in South Africa. Now in Mexico, they have a really nice Allah from the Hemmati valley with bread clinicals. So kind of also looking at the ingredients where they come from, and how those people are taking care of the land and the ingredients that they're providing, and what kind of chemicals and pesticides they're using, if they are using them. And you have to just do your research and know all that. So for instance, our green foods product we make that our green foods come are grown in like Utah, just like our minerals come from the Great Salt Lake and a pristine area, we get them from cutting process into can within like two, three hours with flash flash freezing them. So it's very fresh. All of those things as a manufacturer, you have to know who's manufacturing your product and, and make sure you stay on top of it. And I've been doing it for almost 30 years. So I know a lot about the industry. But still to this day, there's constant constant, you know, industry regulations. And of course, we completely don't get anything I'll be honest with you from I don't get any raw materials from Asia like not Asia, but China. I don't get anything from China, just because I don't trust what you know, I'm going to get so Korea is a little bit easier Taiwan, but then you know, there's political issues. So you got to deal with political issues as well overseas, and ingredient sourcing and are you getting what you're what you think you're getting? So

Dr. Spencer Baron: 13:37

you know, I want to back up a little bit because you brought up a interesting, you know, most you know, obviously dr. Terry and I are we take care of patients patients that are in pain. I like what you said about the was it the sausage route or the what was it that

Unknown: 13:54

Kelly Kelly as a Galia tree, which is sausage tree, and it's basically heals wounds of burns cuts that you might get in the bush, you just cut a piece off and put it on there and wrap it around your your arm and you'll heal a lot faster. I also another example of this was when I was in Zanzibar and I stepped on a sea urchin. And I was in the middle nowhere and so the local people went to a tree and cut a fruit off of a tree and the SAP put on my foot. And I believe it may have been some sort of a cashew fruit or mango or something I don't know but the white SAP and put it on there. I was dying and pain. But there was nothing else to do that was it and that's what they did. And it works. So you learn when you have to you make things work, and they they make things work in their environment. And so they then treat you in their environment and you don't have to have a medical answer as far as you know, a prescription for everything.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 14:52

You know, that's that's really interesting. We had a guest that kind of was talking about this. I'm gonna ask you a question. It seems like it seems like when we as humans on the on this earth, when we have a problem, it seems like and I'm gonna get a little religious it seems like God put something on the earth to fix it. And and there's always a solution in nature even we can talk about healing the brain with psychedelics, you know, there's always seems like there's something in nature that can fix it and man screwed it up by moving into a lab, and, and using all these chemicals that don't exist in nature. And we wonder why we have all these side effects. Is that Is that something you've discovered noon, three years that front and some of the most intelligent people aren't PhDs, there are people who live in the bush and have found that what works is that something you've discovered, I actually

Unknown: 15:47

would like to go to Peru and kind of peruse the, you know, the medicines down there. I have actually done the psychedelics myself. So I've tried, which ones I Alaska, I did Ayahuasca three or four times, Jeremy did an iOS Good trip, but he documented it, he did not do the Ayahuasca. So I went to Mexico and did it with a place I felt comfortable. I've done it here, you know, not supposed to do it here in United States.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 16:18

You did between your fingers.

Unknown: 16:22

Somewhere close to home. You know, just there's any cheese have to be, you know, trusted environment. And there's controversy, one of my friends who owns a company, she makes chip says Ray, she doesn't believe in it. She thinks it's bad. I had a couple of I had one not so great experience. Couple of okay, experiences. I don't know, I don't know, if I do it again. I you know, I don't know I have a lot of background trauma and chronic pain and things like that. That's why I was doing it. So I don't know how many treatments I would need. But it does work wonders for people I know people that were serious drug addicts that went on and did Ibogaine and are completely recovered. And I believe in that, because of their stories they have told me you know, there's people that I've done, you know, Bufo, and combo and all that kind of stuff, too, I have not done that I was gonna try the combo for the, for the arthritis and the chronic pain. But I haven't been able to go down to South America and do that. And when I was really having bad pain was during the pandemic. And obviously, there was no traveling down there to do those kind of things. But I believe that you kind of have to kind of go with what your heart and your intuition and your belief system tells you. It's a belief system thing in my religion, and we brought up Christians, you don't do these things. However, we also have freewill. And we have God who gives us a brain to research and find our own answers to things and that's why I can basically justify, you know, helping myself with, with resources that I may find. So and, you know, that's what I believe.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 17:59

So my question goes back to these, these remedies that are called considered home remedies, based on where you're at on the planet Earth. Now, I could see cutting a piece of, you know, tree or leaf or bark, right off the tree and applying it and synth, you know, and, and allowing the natural biology or biological transition to take place. But now, how do you? How do you produce that mass produce that manufacture that it's still maintain the essence of its greatest effects on the body or the intended effects? Because, you know, you hear about all these companies putting out you know, like, say CBD, and, man, we've tried so many and and they don't work as they say they do, but you know, and then you find out that, you know, doesn't have the, the stated ingredients, or the amounts and all that how do you how do you keep that, you know, intact? Or how do you make it as effective as it is when you're, you know, in the native country?

Unknown: 19:13

Well, so for CBD, you're absolutely right. It's wildly, wildly varies and efficacy, unfortunately, so I've had I tried to brand for like as a chronic pain, but I did like the tinctures and the oils. And it was great for about six months and then also didn't work anymore. And so my thought process was they're probably sourcing it from someplace else, either cheaper or a different plant or a different company. So I don't know the answer to that question, but it just stopped working. I've had other products like that that just don't work. It's just it's hard. So for us we have we use it for topical application. It's not for internal we're not taking it ingesting it. So ours right now we've had two products you've made with CBD, but we've only done one run. And so the first one Run was great. Now I get a second run. You know, I get to try it out before they do the run. And I make sure I ask is it the same product as before, and then you get the clinicals on the products that they provide from the manufacturer. And then the other thing is with tinctures so for instance, or with a kick Elia, which is the sausage tree, I, when I'm making an extract, let's use green tea, for example. Then I bring the green tea wherever the green tea is, I will go to the lab and I will steep it at the right temperature the right level because you can't not all tea is meant to be boiled. So that's a very important thing. So green tea is different from oolong tea are different from black tea are different from and all these different properties. So you have to prepare them at the right level. And then you put them in at that level and I been in the lab for 20 something years making sure those things are done. And then my mother Spencer used to make a product that I don't know if you've heard this product probably in the chiropractic world, it was easy act T Did you ever know the story of Dr. Renee Cass? No, but

Dr. Spencer Baron: 21:05

I've heard of the team.

Unknown: 21:07

Okay, so Renee Cass was a woman that I believe was in Canada if I remember the story cracked my mom saw this a long time ago and she had some sort of cancer. And so she went to the local EBG it was eat would you or would you want or something Indians, whatever. Oh, gee, what Indians and they made her this tea, a different herbs and the herbs to my best recollection, burdock slippery elm, Turkish rhubarb. There's a couple other I don't know, I'd have to go back we have a formula we used to make it. So it's wonderful for the immune system. It also we put cat's claw and ours now, cat's claws great for some people that some people are allergic to it, I developed an allergy to it. Unfortunately, the original formula for easy it did not have cat's claw. But I have a nutrition company. I can't say this cures cancer, I can just sell it to build your immune system, you know, and it did work very well. And it was one of our best sellers. But it was a product that we had to very much educate people on because they didn't understand it. Also a very expensive product to make, because every single herb in that formula has the bullet a different temperature. So if I'm going to a lab and they're just throwing it in a pot, it's not going to work, it's going to stop working. So I would have to make sure and it was very expensive that they would boil the burdock over here at this temperature. The slippery elm goes at this temperature, the Turkish rhubarb is at this temperature. And like I said, I can't remember, all the sheep's oil was in it too, that had to be at this temperature. So you have to make sure you're as an owner of a company, which a lot of nutrition companies do not do this, you're on top of it. And the reason I know so much is because I've been in it for so long. My mother and my father, were very interested in making products of integrity. My father, at one time with his brother had 63 companies, and he said to us, don't ever embarrass his family. Don't embarrass his family, I'll let you do this. Because this is your passion. But don't embarrass me. And don't tell me, I wish I would have had more money and come back and say, Well, you didn't give me enough money to start this business. And I couldn't get the best product, we're not doing that. He said, Buy the best and make sure it's the best and I'll support you. So I really was very lucky to have a family that was supported in every way with my father and my mother. I'm the only child. So in watch into watch them. My mother had that business for God 1819 More than that years before she finally turned it over to me that was a big story on the show. So but I was I learned a lot from both of them.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 23:34

D'Andra, you know, it's so fascinating. And I love the the understanding of human behavior more than anything. And it's, you know, it's interesting to hear, you know, what you share with such passion. But, you know, many people know, you know, dangerous Simmons is like the businesswoman, the TV personality and you know, which is what you do. But I think what we really love to know is who you are what drives you what gives you that, that passion, because you know, anybody can have a little bit of money or a ton of money. But there's that one ingredient that motivates you and gets you out of bed in the morning. Even when you don't want to so what what is that? What is that, that characteristic that you possess that that allows you to be successful?

Unknown: 24:28

It's funny that you asked this because Jeremy and I were talking about this recently. And he said, what's your purpose in life? And I go, Oh, and I said, Well, do you want a long purpose? You want a short purpose, but then I thought you know, I need to get it down to one sentence. So I developed one sentence, I believe that everybody can have one sentence and they basically make up their credo and it aspire to that every single day and live their life for that one sentence don't get convoluted and I need 50,000 things. So my one sentence is to live my life authentically, in order to inspire others. That's it. That's my one sentence. So whatever I do every day, it has to be authentic. It has to be true to who I am and to my brand. And I have to in some way, inspire other people by doing that. Because if I'm not doing that, then why am I here? I mean, am I here just to live my life for me, because that would be a very sad, vapid life to just live for yourself. And I also do not have children, Spencer, I have stepchildren. So I don't have my own children to pass on my belief system to so I have Jeremy's children, I hope I inspire them with what I do. And I hope that other children that I've taken on through the years that I've helped, in different ways are inspired by me or in some way, make decisions in a more thoughtful, pragmatic way. And care about other people, because I have shown that to them. So that's really an A very simple answer to your question, how I kind of everyday I get up out of bed and just mark my, or my, my compass goes towards that one. One saying that I just created it or, and said, but I also spent about four months writing a document on who I was. And it went from literally hundreds of words down to six words. And that was kind of the beginning of really kind of chunking down of, okay, I'm the big picture person, but I've got to figure out, I'm a big picture person with a lot of ideas, but what is the real core of who you are. And once you decide what your core is, then you can serve humanity and serve other people. And you really have to be you have to develop what your purpose is, and why you're here, if you don't have a direction, and you're a compass, without you know, without any direction at all, I mean, you're just a wandering ship. So that's, that's the thing that I really wanted to and it took me a long time to get there. It's not just an overnight, overnight thing, but challenge everyone that listens to this podcast to come up with your one sentence purpose in life. Just because mine says live my life authentically to inspire others doesn't mean that Yours Yours might be to be the best CPA in the world and teach my kids math, I don't know what it is. And yours might be to treat patients with integrity and honesty and loyalty and whatever. I don't know what it is. But that's not my thing to tell you what it is my my job to inspire you to create one mantra for yourself.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 27:36

When you're when you're overseas or not, well, heck, even in the United States, and you're asking somebody about how they take care of themselves, whether it be skincare, anti aging, and the moment you start talk, I mean, you've spoken to people from all over the world, whether it's through a translator, or what have you. I mean, I mean, this is what I imagined. I mean, you get you get excited to ask the question that, you know, whatever it comes up, regarding health or wellness? And what is it that you know, excites you? Is it in preparation for the answer? Is it because you can live authentically? And people feel that when you're asking them to look, you're leaning in your eyes are big? And you know, you're anxious to hear their answer. But what is it? What's that moment that turns you on? When they when you start communicating from with someone from another country, another world?

Unknown: 28:37

One really turns me on is, like I told you the beginning, we're on this planet, but yet we go to someplace else and other continent, it's so vastly different. You think, How can I be living on the same planet as this person? So ask them a question about taking care of their family, or how they live their life, and what kind of remedies or, or products they use, or how they even cook for their family, cooking is a very big way to bring people together. So that's kind of and I love food. So I love to cook and I love to share my recipes and my stories about how my family brought each other together with food, my grandmother's and my father, and we all came together with food and I think everyone in the world does that. So that's a commonality. I talked to them about that. And I'm fascinated by every ingredient every kind of thing they're creating, why they're eating this, why they're doing that. And then I also what are your routines? What are your How do you take care of your children? How do you what's you know, how do you work within the the constraints of whatever your nuclear family or whatever your marriage? You know, rights are? I don't know what there's, some people have a lot of wives and things and that's, that's their way of living your life. Are you okay with that? How do you feel about that? I've asked those questions. I don't have to call them ask questions. I mean, they just the answer. You know, I don't mind if he has Sarah and Jane and Abby, you know, as well. I think that's normal. Okay, so tell me about living with Sara and Jane and Abby, Julie and your husband. You know, Ralph, I don't know. I mean, it's just something I learned. I'm learning learning Lauren. And I believe my husband calls me Curious George, because he's like, you ask somebody questions. I'm like, God, he's like, you're like that little curious. George monkey. You're always curious. He's always called me curious, George. But I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. I was probably that kid in school that asked you many questions that people like, Oh, God, or again, oh, my God, you know, or she's gonna answer that question. To the question, I'll answer the question. I probably was that person. But it served me well in life later on. Because if you don't ask, you don't know. And I can care what I don't give a rip, as my mother says, what those kids in school thought about me because I was going to get to the bottom of it. And I was not going to get to test day and not know the answer, because I was too embarrassed to answer the quote, to ask the question.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 30:55

So let's, let's go out, maybe 3050 100 years from today? What is the legacy that you want to leave behind? What is it that you want to be known for 100 years from now, let's say 50 years from now?

Unknown: 31:18

That's a very interesting question, because of the fact that I have so many things that I do. And there's so many ways that I show my caring and compassion for people, whether it be with my food, my nutrition products, my skincare products, my humanitarian work, I work with veterans like Jeremy and I work, you know, we work a lot of veterans programs, I work with women of domestic violence I or survivor of domestic violence, and I didn't tell you that before I met him. So those are the things that are really important to me to talk about to share with people. So when I leave a legacy I want my brands to live on as authentically products that were created by a woman who, like I said, live my life authentically to inspire other people. I also want people to know about my food, and my, my friendships and my relationships, and you know, all the different things that are important to me. And it's, that's the one question what I can do my one mantra, but what is my legacy has been kind of puzzling me for the last, I would say more after I turned 50. So the last five years, I've been puzzled by what's my legacy going to be? So my mother's cancer survivor who helped other people and she's a patient advocate. And that was important to her. However, how do you fit acting in there, being a chef, having brands. There's just so many things, but I hope that my legacy, forget all the in ciliary things I create, maybe there's one person that has lived by change, and that's the most important thing. And that's it. And somebody remembers that I certainly don't want Spencer my tombstone to say she was a real housewife. That's the last thing. Because that's my accomplishment. So I was like, let's just let's just skip right past that. Okay, and move on to the next thing is that was just a way to drive a brand for me.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 33:19

Well, I think would be great is if, if that time when that time comes on the tombstone, we would say she was real. Period.

Unknown: 33:28

Yeah, she was real. She was authentic. Real. So as a wife, she was that mom, she was a friend. She cared about other people. That kind of thing.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 33:38

You know, on that note, when I was when I was in Dallas, and before I even been to your house, I knew I wanted you on the show after talking to your husband and and, and your husband, I sat around your pool when you weren't around. And we had this this amazing talk and, and so I knew I wanted you on the show. So I started asking people questions when we're on the carry the load walk about you. Yeah, I want to do so you know, the figure a couple of things. Do you know that one person mentioned your brands or your businesses or your acting career? Everything I got back was your emotionally honest, and your vulnerability that you wear your heart that you wear your heart on your sleeve? And my question to you is that is the perception I got the word is heart and deceive. And you're the most open and honest and real person. I mean, it's funny you're on the show called The Real Housewives and you're probably the realest one on there. And so how do you manage this form of openness? And you know, what is this? You know, how has this characteristics affected your personal professional relationships but the main thing is, how do you met in this world of business and in a man's world or wherever you want to call travel around the world and the little stuff? How do you manage this form of openness and vulnerability.

Unknown: 35:02

It's that's something that I made a decision to do. And my mother, I think, wishes I didn't make such a decision to do to be so open because her generation was not open and her generation was oh, let's not talk about the dirty laundry. Let's just you know, scoot over that what was it an blander says don't don't put tell, you know, tell about your trash or talking about you know, your, your dirty laundry and my mother always reminds me that Why are you doing that? It later says don't do that. But my generation is tell everything. Most people I mean, not not everybody. When I decided to be a real housewife, what Chairman I sat down, I said, Well, if I'm going to do this, I'm gonna do it. authentically. 100% real good, bad, ugly. Because I want people to see the the highs and the lows, the peaks and valleys, and a marriage in a business in a relationship with a mother in a relationship with children, stepchildren, in friendships. And so we I stay true to that now, when people talk about me on the show, they say what you said, Terry, that I'm the realest, Real Housewife on my franchise, because I do share everything. And the good, the bad, the ugly, I don't. Like for instance, one of the girls thought she was gonna be very crafty, and talk about my financial resources at the time when I was trying to take my company over my mother. And we were struggling. And I just said, Yeah, I'm having financial, I'm having problems financially. And she thought I was gonna lie about it and hide it and cover it up. I didn't hide it. I didn't cover it up. It's people go through that. People sometimes have $200 in their bank account. Okay, so what you know, you're not going to watch me anymore? Because I can't, you know, I pay my bills on time. I mean, but is that going to be something that you're going to cancel before? I mean, because I'm telling you the truth about my life about the struggles that we have. I, like I said, my mother is not a fan of my telling everything the way it really is. And being so transparent. My husband doesn't mind it. He's knows who I am. And he knows that I always come to the table with my truth and honesty. And I, the one thing about we said, don't lie on that show, don't lie on that show be who you are, if you make mistakes, own up to it, and move on. And every mistake that I was called out for I'm like, Yeah, I did it. Okay, move on. Even when Andy would say something on a reunion that was very negative towards me about my past that somebody would bring up. And I mean, not everybody has a great past. I'm told, you know, domestic violence and other things. I'd be like, Yeah, I did it. Okay. And next question, please. Because if you don't, if you don't start cut, when you start covering up and lying, and then the you have to get another line, another line, another line, and then you're eventually gonna be found out. So just own up to it the first day and just be done with it. Because then people forget about, they're on to the next thing, because you've told the truth, and you've been honest and vulnerable, and what are they going to do to you? Because you You came out and said, Yeah, I did that you're right. I mean, what can they really say at that point? Well, with the with my, on the show, it was hard for me because the other women, and I don't want to talk negative, but they were not as open as me. A lot of them were not as open about their marriages or about their struggles. And I think that with regards to other franchises, you see that a lot more than you saw that in Dallas. But if you look at the Southern woman, and Texas, they hide a lot of things with, you know, our hair extensions, our plastic surgery are this or that everything is a smoke and mirrors down here. It's like a mini LA. So it makes sense to me that they didn't want to share all of their truth on the show, or they picked was a cherry picking situation. And I was just like, Okay, here's 15 things happening in my life. What do you want talk about and of course, they would pick the most difficult one. So the last season I was on, they talked about the struggle with my stepmother and my brother, if they don't talk to me. And that was very difficult. Of course, Robert was like, Let's go talk about this. And let's go highlight this. And it caused a bigger problem in my family, and they still don't talk to me, because I was honest. And I went there. And I talked about I talked with Jeremy about it. And then I tried to get my stepmother to talk to me. And on camera, she wouldn't do it. So it's, you know, and I knew that when she did talk to me on camera, she was gonna say a lot of negative things about me about my character, but I was willing to go there and own up to it if it was going to happen. So that's the difference. I knew what was going to happen. I knew she was gonna say a lot of negative things. My father, my biological father committed suicide, and after that there was a big rift in the family. So I knew there were going to be a lot of deleterious comments made about me, but I was willing to say, Okay, I'll do this in front of the camera, because maybe some other people are struggling, and I know I'm gonna get I'm gonna get just lambaste From people but at the same time, maybe I help somebody. It's a very difficult I just think if you sign up for reality show, it's called a reality show. It's not called acting. There's a difference, right? When I go on set, and I'm an actress, I'm acting as another character. When I'm on Real Housewives, I'm myself, and we're sharing our stores. So I think that's, I will tell you that over when it's happening, it's very stressful. And you have a lot of people on social media that are, you know, the peanut gallery talking very negatively to you and saying horrible things to you. And they, of course, know everything about your life. You know, you're the ugliest, fattest person in the world, and you can't, but they can't believe you're on TV. And I mean, it just goes on and on. And so then when it's off now, two, three years later, people say, Oh, we watched the show, or you were very Dallas, you were true to Dallas, you were true to yourself, you are true to your family, thank you for representing Dallas and the right way in the positive way. Not positive. But in the true way. You know, I tried to be positive, but it's a reality show. At the end of the day, you're gonna fight, they want you to fight. That's what it is, is drama, drama. So it was like, my character, the reality reality. Being on a reality show isn't really something that is it's not something I enjoy, is this, something I really did not enjoy? What I go back, maybe to help my brands a little bit. I have one more year my contract. So I don't really have a choice, you know, but you know, it's not my favorite. It wasn't my favorite job. I'll be honest with you.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 41:36

Well, you seem to have navigated it quite well. I remember, back in many years ago, it was getting a divorce my you know, people love talking about it. My mom calls me up and she says, wow, you know, I heard some not so nice things about you. And they're your, your, your friends, your ex wife, your ex friends, whatever. They're there. They seem to be enjoying, talking, you know, coming up with conversations about all the negative. And they said, Mom, I think it's great because the National Enquirer does not write about people that are not famous that in other words, in other words, I must be something because I'm actually excited that they can talk about it, because you know what, the truth will always persist. And it will if it exists, it persists, which means I will outlive all the negative stuff. I will in the end always show the truth. So how did you navigate through all that? That garbage in? What did you say to your downline? What advice would you give to people that aren't as strong as you are? Personally? And you know, obviously professionally, what what is that? What is that?

Unknown: 42:55

You have to or the first two years Spencer, I was on the floor crying all the time, because I was reading all these horrible things about me online that weren't true and why it first I would fight back with these people. And I'm like, why am I fine? They don't know me. They're probably sitting in their parents basement eating potato chips. I mean, I don't know who these people are. They have a picture of their cat always. There's always a picture of their cat. So or some animated thing. It's ridiculous. What they look like they never have any followers, but they follow everyone is on TV, and they comment about everything about your life. So that gives me the first clue about why am I caring about what this person thinks about me. Okay. The second thing is Yes, I did develop a thick skin. So and what that means is, once again are Am I living my life authentically? If I am Why do I care what these people think about me? Because they don't know me anyway, if they met me on the street, okay, they're following me because I'm famous, right? If they met me on the street, these people hate me and say horrible garbagey things about me. But they're going to ask me for a photo, aren't they? For sure, especially if like bad so they can post a picture in the photo. And I'll give them the photo. That's fine. It's it's, they entertain themselves with gossiping online, with being negative about other people's lives. But really, they're miserable in their own lives. And they're very insecure. If they I don't comment on people online in a negative way. I will say nice things. I won't say nasty things. Even if I don't like you. I'm not gonna say anything about it. There's a person on my on our show that was fired, I guess a couple years ago, and I guess it was six months ago, went on a podcast and said horrible things about me. I'm talking to him for years, but apparently I'm a phony. I'm completely broke. I'm so poor that I can barely pay my bills just on and on and on, you know, and you're living in this beautiful new home. And she's saying all this stuff about me and I just thought and I didn't answer it. I mean, I just because why fight back with her because the only thing I said on Twitter somebody said aren't you gonna say something and I said, lions don't concern themselves with sheep. That's my answer.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 45:06

You know. And on that same note, I quote him all the time, because I just think he's amazing. But David Goggins has a statement that nobody and he takes all the negativity. And he made it into a real that he listens to when he works out, and pumps him up. And he says, it's effortless to music, I listen to all the negativity, because I realized that nobody above me will ever say anything negative to somebody below you. So it's only people below you that will say something negative. That's true. And so he goes, I do as I figured, the more people below me blowing hot air, it will lift me up when I when I feel like I'm falling. So he plays these tapes over and over just to pump them up. But I love what he would say that nobody below you will ever say nobody above you will ever say the negative. So you almost have to draw from that, that when you're getting negativity, you're you almost feel sorry, that they're in that world because it's not you, you know,

Unknown: 46:04

I don't I don't really think about it and dwell on it. I don't I'm one of the last people to know about people's gossip in their lives. About It was having an affair about whose kids are doing drugs. I don't I don't engage in those conversations. Because I don't first I don't have time. And it's not my business. If you want to come to me and talk to me because you want advice or how to handle something, but I'm not going to go tell people and call Susie and tell Susie, that Jill to this to me and I if you don't have if you have a lot of time on your hands, that's what you're doing. I don't have time on my hands for that. But it's also not, if I'm living my life, the way we talked about it. It's not my business what other people think about me, that's their, they can think whatever they want about me, that's they can develop their own opinion. I don't need to fight with them and tell them that they're wrong. I just have to keep on. It's about looking at the golden ring. I'm sure Jeremy told you this staying focused, staying in your lane, keeping on your path of what you are doing. And don't get sidetracked by the cat person over here that says, you know, you shouldn't be on TV because you're so ugly and hideous, and I hope you die and get hit by a bus and thrown in a ditch. Who cares what the cat person says? Because the cat person probably doesn't have a job. So otherwise they wouldn't have time to talk all day long on Twitter about you and your miserable, horrible poor life. You know.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 47:32

I love it. Okay, now, we are going to switch gears D'Andrea and whether you know about our rapid fire questions or not. I got five of them. I don't know if Jeremy warned you but they are going to be quick and fun. Are you ready?

Unknown: 47:48

Now that before you start, Spencer, I let people go you hate cats. I don't hate cats. I'm just saying that. People have pictures of cats all over social media when they don't want to put pictures themselves. Put a picture of a dog. I mean, whatever it is something that's not you is what I'm trying to say. Okay, it could be a cartoon character. I don't know. I mean, okay, let's let's do the rapid fire. Yeah.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 48:11

I I'm so glad you mentioned that. Because when you said it in the back of my mind, I thought you're gonna get so many Catalonian people I hate I don't care. That's fine. But no. I'm glad to clarify. Did they

Unknown: 48:27

always choose to put a picture of a cat is bizarre to me. Sure, I'm a vegetable but not an eggplant. You know?

Dr. Spencer Baron: 48:37

Great. Oh, I gotta plug in here. Hold on a second. All right. So our rapid fire. If you're ready, we are with question number one. Besides baking blueberry pies. What is your second favorite thing to cook?

Unknown: 48:57

Rapid fire is actually a par. No.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 49:01

It could be anything. We just know a little history about you and blueberry pie.

Unknown: 49:08

A tomahawk steak.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 49:10

Really? All right. Why?

Unknown: 49:15

Because I like to cook on Livefyre wood so that hanging Tomahawk steaks, it's very cool. presentation and then it just tastes delicious. You take some rosemary and you take some seasoning salt and pepper that you take rosemary and thyme and brush it around with some olive oil and it tastes really nice.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 49:31

So let me ask you, Terry, did she just completely blow off the blueberry pie conversation either,

Dr. Terry Weyman: 49:40

you know? Jeremy Matt Hughes in Garrett gonna be so disappointed in that answer.

Unknown: 49:47

I did. I don't know if he told you but I made him a blueberry fried pie last weekend.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 49:52

No. Oh, last weekend. All right. That's news.

Unknown: 49:57

I make little hand pies fried pies. I made a blueberry cream custard, blueberry custard fried pot and he liked it. And it was not bad. But I'm not a huge blueberry fan. Do you know that we under blueberry farm? Did he tell you this story? Berries, they were coming out of our ears because my father owned a largest blueberry farm itself at one point. And so we have, like, literally my mother would fly a plane up there and get blueberries every year and I got so sick of blueberries. So yeah, he made a lot of good money off blueberries for years and years, but I just blueberries or I'll eat him at breakfast or in a shake. But I'm not a blueberry pie person I can Jeremy's a Yankee. That's a Yankee fan people stuck in it.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 50:39

How come Jeremy didn't tell us that part of that conversation.

Unknown: 50:44

I said, Thank you. Very all that weird stuff, rhubarb. No, thank you.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 50:52

Question number two. What happened? In the African bush, more specifically, Capra Canyon.

Unknown: 51:02

That wasn't the African bush he was killed me in Texas. That's Texas. Oh, you didn't tell you. He took me out. Okay, of course, it's my fault. Because I didn't get up on time. That's what he says. But I mean, I didn't know it's gonna be 130 degrees. So we left at eight instead of six. And it was an eight mile hike. And it was 130 degrees. And we didn't have enough water. And I had some friends that didn't think ahead and bring enough water for themselves. So I got out and I had to go to the ambulance. And by that point, I was not sweating at all when you get so dehydrated. And putting the cold towels all over me and then all of a sudden I just was gushing water. So that was I was very proud of myself because I was in my 50s I made it in and out all by myself without the Careflight having to come and I want can there were several people that were younger than me that had to be carried out or rescue. Alright, so you're betting that's what a good? Jeremy's gonna say I'm not a good

Dr. Spencer Baron: 52:05

question number three. When it comes to barbecue, what is the mistake most people make and what is one hack to improve their skills right away.

Unknown: 52:18

Over cooking high temperature. Cook low and slow and low and slow, low and slow. And learn your grill or your smoker. If you don't know how to use your equipment. That's the biggest. That's the biggest mistake. I've seen people don't know how to use their equipment including me.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 52:42

I love it low and slow. Okay. Question number four. When cooking with your husband, Jeremy. What is your favorite song? Like a rock song that you listen to in the kitchen?

Unknown: 52:58

Oh Amy Winehouse rehab. I would never I would alto, alto and I can sing and that I can. I can hear my voice. I've lost my voice because I had an audition last week. It was five hours and I literally couldn't talk for three days. So but normally and in fact I was worried about today that I could talk or not but I have a lower voice so I sing whatever she has on her he has weird record player. So Jeremy listens to weird music. Did you talk to him about this? Weird music like D Atwood and all this alternative stuff. I have no interest in and rock. I mean So rock rock like hardcore Heavy Metal, not heavy metal like Metallica was good taste. He has very bad taste. So his children would listen to what he listens to. It's so bad. So and then of course he gets in the car with me and tries to change up all my music because I'm more traditional. And I also am from Texas. We have our country music. He hates kegel If you really want to if you really want to irritate him and bite into a country music concert it's for veterans so we have to go

Dr. Spencer Baron: 54:19

oh my gosh. Before question number five. Terry I think we might need to get Jerry Jeremy back on for a part. Twice chance

Unknown: 54:33

we should go out and play the newlywed game would be really fun. Oh newlyweds anymore but you know the 10 year into it. Yeah. Oh,

Dr. Spencer Baron: 54:47

that would be fun, like the dating game for that show. Alright, question number five. Last one last one when you have had a hard night. What is your best tip to best tip I have a better morning besides using that product from your hard night. Good morning. I love that.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 55:06

I love that

Dr. Spencer Baron: 55:07

that title. You got any tips for us?

Unknown: 55:10

Yeah, I really it's important to hydrate, whether it'd be with water or some sort of electrolyte drink is not necessarily the commercial brands. You have a lot of electrolyte powder as you can use that are holistic ones. I can't think of the names of ones that have collagen powders. And then also, I hate to tell you this, but if I had a heart and I like too much to drink, I'm going to eat something that's Brucey and delicious and enjoy myself not to make thoughts about it later. I'm going to have a cheeseburger and my husband french fries with it.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 55:42

All right. That would be would have been

Unknown: 55:48

still is a cheeseburger and I'll never I think if I was my last meal, I would still eat a cheeseburger because I just love cheeseburgers. Yeah, I would love a cheeseburger. If it was my last meal, I'd have a cheeseburger. So I don't even that often. But if I want my cheat day, I'm going to have a cheeseburger and it's going to be last week German, I went and had a smash burger someplace. It was really good. And I have a friend that has Gotham social club that makes the best smash burger in the world in New York City. And he's travels all around the country, making them he's been on Food Network. And that burger that man can make a good burger. I mean, I'm not that fancy. I like I like my escargot with my caviar. But if it's my last meal, I'm gonna have some hamburgers.

Dr. Spencer Baron: 56:32

Was that love that answer?

Dr. Terry Weyman: 56:37

You know, sticking with the fun, you know, I gotta ask you this. So how does a? How's it a skincare guru, a cooking sensation guru, a TV personality guru, Lance, such an amazing man such as Jeremy lock, you know, and, and I heard he was jumping up and down in the room. Yeah. When you texted him back? Or was it the other way around?

Unknown: 57:05

So I met him. I don't know. I don't know what he told you about that story. But when we met, I was in DC. He was in DC, we were staying at the same hotel. And I went to the bar because I wanted to get a glass of wine and take it to my room not to sit at a bar by myself. But I had had five stores that day where I went and talked about my skin here and sell to consumers. So I went in there and I have this hat on I wear a lot of house especially it was it was still chilly in DC in the beginning of March. And this this gentleman said one of his colleagues, Oh, I love your hat. May we take a photo of you? And I was like, What? No. Well, we're doing a photojournalism workshop, please do that. Please. like it'd be great for the kids to take a photo of you outside, the lights are set up. So I agreed to do it. And then at the end, I said, Okay, you know, I'm going to get my drink. He said, Well, let us buy you a drink. I was like, No, I'm tired. I've had a really long day. I looked over there at the table with all the guy he goes, let us the guys buy you drink. And I saw Jeremy, I thought he was really looking. And big a massive target anyone. I went over there. And I made sure that I talked to him. But I think he was at the other side of the table. And we had to like he had to move around. All these guys were trying to buy drinks and talk and he had to move around. We finally spoke and then I don't remember if the next night I saw them back there again, I don't know. But I was actually in a relationship with somebody. And it was going very south very quickly. So I was introducing Jeremy to my best friend because she was single. I thought well, this will be great. He's good looking, she'll like him. And so I brought her the next night. And he did not that was not his type of woman. So I just said to him, Look, I'm not single. And I said I'm not in a relationship but I'm happy and but I'm not going to compromise my relationship until I'm out there. I'm going to be out of a relationship for I'm going to do anything here. So I said here's my business card, do not call me Do not contact me. It's nice to meet you and move on with my life. And then I broke up this is my March I broke up in June with person I was with and I was going to DC to do a whole foods holiday show. Now somehow I had I guess I did have his number from the night that we texted it was nice to meet you or something like that. And so I said hey, I'm in town. I don't know if you remember me but I was wanting to want to have a drink and that's not something I would do but I had told him not to contact me. So he's not going to contact me but he'd had my picture I have a little had a picture with my card on his desk the whole time. So he obviously we had one date and it went well and then that was kind of it but he was also playing the field. So had to kind of you know put the screws to put the screws to realize that it's either me or field so decide and you get 30 days to make a decision. And then don't call me for 30 days. It worked, right? We're here. We're married,

Dr. Spencer Baron: 1:00:08

love, love these.

Unknown: 1:00:11

He will tell you that I chased after him did all this crazy stuff. And he wants to say that I texted him about the drink and was chasing after him. I specifically told him Do not contact me because I didn't want to put myself in a situation to compromise with the relationship I was in and be called cheater and all that mess. So it just, you know, he's He can say whatever he wants to say. But he did have a lot of women in different ports. Because you know, he traveled a lot. Let's just say that he had to get rid of all the other women. I made sure that was going to, I guess, get rid of Kelly and Martha. And he was like, he was a total player, you know, that used to call Jay. Jay teaser, and now they called Jay pleaser, because he's pleases me, Jay. Oh, please, next time, he'll be so mad.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 1:00:57

Like, well, well, yeah, so we don't leave him hanging into in the bush too much. The one thing I do love about talking because I, I love my wife, we've been married 27 years, I think she's one of the most beautiful people on the planet. And Spencer is in a great relationship when we're sitting by the pool. It's so cool. Because at first I thought you guys were newlyweds, because he just adores you. And the way he talks about you. And it just the love just pours out of every, every part of his body. And I find that you've been married like 10 years, I'm like, wow, that is what everybody should dream up to have that kind of passion for your spouse still down the road. And I

Unknown: 1:01:43

asked him to do was to become a Christian and join the church where I attend. Because in my opinion, I am very much about Do not be unequally yoked. And so that's my belief system. And he did. And he is an immense Bible study group now. And he loves it. And he's learned a lot over the years, last 10 years about the Bible and about, you know, about being the leader of the House and different things of that nature. And he's enjoying it, and I'm enjoying watching him grow as a Christian. And one of his sons went down and became a Christian. So that was, you know, that was a good thing to me that that we all have the same belief system is it's important to have the same belief system, because if you're trying to be in a relationship, and you're battling against each other about why believe this, I believe this, it just makes it more difficult to stay together. And then whenever we do have issues, we can, you know, go and pray about it. Or we can study we can't do. For instance, I can't do BSF I don't have the time, it's just too much, if you know what I'm talking about Bible Study Fellowship, which is a lot of homework. So I said to him the other day, because we have a couple that does that. Let's just have little books. Let's just go through like John and answer these questions together as a couple. And then we both learn and we're studying at the same time, we're going to run close together. Now. That's our belief system. That's what we do. So, but that's not for everybody, but it works for us.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 1:03:10

Right? That's beautiful. Well, we got close pretty soon, because I know you're busy. And But in closing, you have the floor, if you could give your teenage self some advice. What would it be?

Unknown: 1:03:25

Well, I could give my teenage self some advice, it would be stay on your path of what you want to accomplish the authentic, live your life with purpose, whatever that is at the time. And don't worry about what other people are saying or thinking about you or how you may look at 12 or 13 or 14 or 16. Because in 10 years, you're going to be a completely different person for 20 to 30 You're gonna be a completely different person. And every five years you've changed dramatically. But as long as you stay true to yourself, follow what your morals and ethics are that you believe to be true, then I believe we will create a life that is successful, happy and rewarding.

Dr. Terry Weyman: 1:04:13

Perfect. You know, on that note, thank you so much. And it's been an honor talking to you.

Unknown: 1:04:20

Last year, and I hope you guys come back and we get to see you next time at the new house. Oh,

Dr. Spencer Baron: 1:04:25

there you go. Thank you for listening to today's episode of The cracking backs podcast. We hope you enjoyed it. Make sure you follow us on Instagram at cracking backs podcast. catch new episodes every Monday. See you next time.