America’s Sweethearts: DCC SEASON 2 OUT NOW!

Leslie Johnston [00:00:00]:
Welcome back, everybody, to Am I doing this right? And I am. I actually am, like, beaming.

Morgan May Treuil [00:00:05]:
I'm from smiling, so.

Leslie Johnston [00:00:07]:
Because we have Reese and Marissa from the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

Morgan May Treuil [00:00:14]:
Yes.

Leslie Johnston [00:00:14]:
And the documentary America's Sweethearts on our podcast.

Morgan May Treuil [00:00:18]:
I feel like we should do a standing ovation and just climb. I know I'll stand to my feet and applaud you guys.

Leslie Johnston [00:00:24]:
This literally, like, Morgan and I, we binge watch America's Sweethearts. That's what it's called. America Sweetheart. I know it's like America Sweethearts, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. But we binge watched that. Like, I mean, I think we watched it in, like, two days.

Morgan May Treuil [00:00:36]:
Yeah. No, it was very quick. Maybe a day. Yeah, maybe. It was so good.

Leslie Johnston [00:00:40]:
It was an embarrassing amount of time it took me to watch that show.

Morgan May Treuil [00:00:43]:
Yes.

Leslie Johnston [00:00:44]:
So good. So we have Marissa and Reese on, and I am so excited.

Morgan May Treuil [00:00:49]:
Oh, my gosh. No, I can't wait. You guys, thank you so much for taking the time to be here. And welcome to our. Our living room. And you're kind of in your own virtual living room.

Leslie Johnston [00:00:57]:
Yes.

Marissa Phillips [00:00:58]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [00:00:59]:
And this is going to be so much fun. Before we start, though, everybody knows who you are as they're watching this, and everyone's beaming and super excited. But can you give us, each of you, kind of a little. We'll get into it more later, but a brief synopsis of, like, who you are and what life is like right now.

Marissa Phillips [00:01:15]:
Yeah, for sure.

Reece Weaver [00:01:16]:
You mean to go.

Marissa Phillips [00:01:18]:
Yeah, you go kick us off.

Reece Weaver [00:01:21]:
This is funny because we've been talking about, like, we'll just tag along and feed off of each other, and we just. This is. This is going to be the start of it. So here we go. I love it, but.

Morgan May Treuil [00:01:32]:
Yeah.

Reece Weaver [00:01:32]:
So my name is Reese, and I am 23 years old. I am originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and I went to school at University of Alabama. Moved out to Texas to pursue this dream of mine, and I'm just so grateful that I have the privilege to pursue it, and I am looking forward to just the rest of the season. I know we are kind of in the thick of it right now, but this is my second season on the team. I recently just got married about six months ago.

Leslie Johnston [00:02:01]:
Congratulations.

Reece Weaver [00:02:02]:
Super exciting. Thank you. Thank you. But it has been such a whirlwind, and I am just grateful that the Lord has done what he does best and has just exceeded every expectation, has given abundantly, more than I could ever ask for, and I am just grateful to live it out.

Morgan May Treuil [00:02:20]:
This is so cool.

Marissa Phillips [00:02:21]:
Awesome.

Morgan May Treuil [00:02:21]:
Wait, tell us Your husband's name. You are both so precious. You guys are so cute. Wait, tell us your husband's name.

Reece Weaver [00:02:28]:
Yes. So my husband's name is Will, and we met in college, and he's originally from Alabama, a really small town. Morris, Alabama. And we both, once we got married, moved out here. He's working kind of in the Dallas area. Obviously, we are in Dallas, but he's. We're north of Dallas, so he's working there and he's doing well. And we're just making the most out of our crazy life right now.

Morgan May Treuil [00:02:56]:
It's so fun. I love that. Marriage is such a blast and you learn so much so quickly. Living with a boy is crazy.

Marissa Phillips [00:03:04]:
If you haven't seen his cooking videos.

Morgan May Treuil [00:03:06]:
He cooks.

Marissa Phillips [00:03:06]:
You need to go watch them. He cooks and he makes videos about it, and they are my nightly special.

Leslie Johnston [00:03:12]:
How have I not seen this? Oh, my gosh.

Reece Weaver [00:03:15]:
I'm very blessed in that department.

Marissa Phillips [00:03:17]:
He's a chef.

Reece Weaver [00:03:18]:
I can cook. But I feel like it's very soothing for him. Like, he really enjoys it. So I'm like, well, if you enjoy it, I'm not going to stop you.

Morgan May Treuil [00:03:27]:
If you love it, you can make it for me. I think that's great.

Marissa Phillips [00:03:31]:
That's right.

Reece Weaver [00:03:31]:
I will be your guinea pig and try and taste anything that you make.

Leslie Johnston [00:03:35]:
Honestly, a guy that can cook, that is like, plus, like, 100 points. We were all praying for it. We were all praying for it. And some were blessed more than others.

Morgan May Treuil [00:03:45]:
Only some were anointed with that gift.

Leslie Johnston [00:03:47]:
Oh, my gosh. Okay, Marissa. Marissa, tell us a little bit about you.

Reece Weaver [00:03:51]:
Okay.

Marissa Phillips [00:03:51]:
Yeah, my name's Marissa. I'm from Round Rock, Texas. The same as Morgan, actually.

Morgan May Treuil [00:03:57]:
So represent Round Rock.

Marissa Phillips [00:03:59]:
The Double R crowd over there grew up dancing with her little sister Amanda and her older sister Kristen. And so we've just known each other for a long time. And it's crazy that I feel like I'm, like, sitting next to you right now because we're like states and states apart.

Morgan May Treuil [00:04:13]:
I know. That's so fun.

Marissa Phillips [00:04:15]:
Grew up in Round Rock, went to Texas A and M University and graduated from there. And then after graduation, it was kind of like around Covid time when I was graduating. And so it was like a big next step in what life was going to look like after that. And I thought I was just going to go straight into, like, the corporate world or I thought I was going to do nursing. But Covid hit and I was like, okay, like, this is a change. Maybe I should shoot for a dream that I've Never done. And that was dcc. So I just went for it and got really lucky and got to dance with Reese last year.

Marissa Phillips [00:04:49]:
She was a rookie. So this is my third season as a dcc. And like Reese said, we're just grateful to be here and kind of in the middle of our busy, busiest part of the season. So we're just ready to rock and roll and happy to be here today talking with you guys.

Morgan May Treuil [00:05:04]:
This is so cool. So fun, I have to tell you. So, like, the Phillips family, which is Marissa's family, I feel like we've known them our whole lives. So I grew up, Ryan and I. Your oldest brother, your older, your only brother. Brian and I were in the same grade for all of elementary school, basically, and then until we graduated, and.

Marissa Phillips [00:05:25]:
That's right. I couldn't remember if you were his age or, like, in between him and my sister.

Morgan May Treuil [00:05:29]:
Yes. I have vivid memories of being in the same desk cluster as Ryan, actually. That's so cute. And then also, like, Michaela and Marissa were. And I'm. You're going to be like, well, whatever, because you guys are humble. Michaela and Marissa were, like, the best dancers. Like, no, seriously, they were really good.

Morgan May Treuil [00:05:49]:
And we go to competition, and then they would, like, place and they would win. And then they're those girls that are, like, humble about it. They're like, oh. Like, it's not. It's, you know, like, they're like. They're, like, making everybody else feel like they're the stars, but they're actually stars. They're, like, really, really good. And they always have been.

Morgan May Treuil [00:06:04]:
So I. It was like, no surprise.

Reece Weaver [00:06:07]:
I can attest to that.

Morgan May Treuil [00:06:08]:
Yes. She's so good, and she's so humble.

Marissa Phillips [00:06:12]:
Oh, my gosh.

Reece Weaver [00:06:13]:
Yeah.

Leslie Johnston [00:06:13]:
Marissa's like, can we move on, please?

Reece Weaver [00:06:15]:
Yeah.

Marissa Phillips [00:06:16]:
It's not even humble. It's like denial. Like, I will never.

Morgan May Treuil [00:06:19]:
Yeah. And then I'll never believe that. Yeah. And then, Reese, I feel like we know you because we got the chance to follow your story so closely through the documentary. And I have to tell you, and I think lots of people are probably telling you this, but one of the things that struck us about you in the way that you presented yourself is you preach the gospel with your life and with your demeanor. And you used this platform in a way that was, like, such a gentle way to minister the person of Jesus to people at such a large platform. And I can only imagine that that takes boldness and courage like you wouldn't believe. But the way that you did it was just so gentle and so seasoned with salt.

Morgan May Treuil [00:07:03]:
And we were just kind of blown away by the way that you did that and are so thankful for it.

Leslie Johnston [00:07:07]:
Yeah. And it was so genuinely you. You could tell that, like, this wasn't something you were put on. It was like, this is you. And you had the boldness to be like, oh, I can. I can talk to Netflix about this stuff. Like, that's so insane, but I love that.

Reece Weaver [00:07:21]:
Thank you so much. That means the world, truly. I mean, there are so many sweet comments and things that have just been given to our team with everything that's going on. And I know that there's 35 other girls that have stories too. And, you know, we. We all have had to kind of put ourselves out there in such a unique way. And it's scary, but those words mean so much. I know.

Reece Weaver [00:07:48]:
It means so much to our team as well, but it was scary, but also, like, nothing can stop our God from sharing the gospel, even if you think, like, Netflix wouldn't do that naturally. And so I'm just really grateful that, you know, it. It never got edited out or taken out, because that just shows you that we serve a almighty God who can just push through anything. So, yeah, I. I'm super grateful for that, and thank you all for your words. That means a lot.

Leslie Johnston [00:08:17]:
Oh, well, we're so glad you guys are here. So, as we start every podcast, we always start with an unpopular opinion, and we asked you guys to bring yours. And so who should we have go first?

Morgan May Treuil [00:08:30]:
Well, let's have Rhys go first because we haven't heard Marissa's yet.

Marissa Phillips [00:08:33]:
Yes.

Reece Weaver [00:08:33]:
Okay.

Marissa Phillips [00:08:34]:
Yes.

Reece Weaver [00:08:34]:
Yeah. Yeah.

Leslie Johnston [00:08:35]:
I'm very excited about it.

Reece Weaver [00:08:37]:
I know. I'm actually really excited for it too. I think we've talked about it before.

Marissa Phillips [00:08:41]:
It's really not that crazy. You're probably like, what?

Leslie Johnston [00:08:43]:
She's like, you're talking it up.

Morgan May Treuil [00:08:45]:
Don't hype it up.

Marissa Phillips [00:08:46]:
It's a very strong opinion of.

Morgan May Treuil [00:08:48]:
I'm excited.

Reece Weaver [00:08:50]:
So my mom and I were just. Really. My family. We all love Christmas so much, but October 1st, we put up our Christmas tree. So Christmas, way before December.

Marissa Phillips [00:09:04]:
Or even Halloween. Not even Thanksgiving. Yeah.

Reece Weaver [00:09:06]:
No. People trick or treaters would come to our house and be like, is that a Christmas tree?

Morgan May Treuil [00:09:08]:
Like, I'm confused.

Reece Weaver [00:09:09]:
Living room. You're like, sure is for 30 days, so.

Morgan May Treuil [00:09:13]:
Oh, my gosh.

Leslie Johnston [00:09:14]:
That is hilarious. Like, a fully dec. Like, it's decorated. It's not just like, oh, we've got the lit tree. The all.

Reece Weaver [00:09:20]:
It's ready.

Morgan May Treuil [00:09:22]:
October 1st.

Leslie Johnston [00:09:24]:
I don't think I know anybody that's done that.

Morgan May Treuil [00:09:25]:
I don't you usually hear November 1st?

Leslie Johnston [00:09:27]:
Yes.

Morgan May Treuil [00:09:27]:
Like, that's what we did. We did November 1st this year. Because I feel like Christmas is too fast and you should probably have it up as long as you can do it. But, like, October 1st is wild. That is like a next level Christmas boundary.

Reece Weaver [00:09:40]:
For sure.

Morgan May Treuil [00:09:43]:
I love it.

Marissa Phillips [00:09:44]:
You might as well push for September.

Reece Weaver [00:09:46]:
Might as well. I think my mom actually has. I think she has done like a September, like 30th.

Marissa Phillips [00:09:52]:
Yeah. Right. When you go back to school, like, it just goes up.

Reece Weaver [00:09:55]:
It does.

Marissa Phillips [00:09:55]:
Yeah.

Reece Weaver [00:09:55]:
No, I mean, we're already going to the storage unit at that point, so.

Leslie Johnston [00:09:58]:
So. So were you. Were you guys the family that, like, remember during COVID a lot of people would, like, needed some joy, so they put up their Christmas tree.

Morgan May Treuil [00:10:06]:
Wait, serious?

Leslie Johnston [00:10:08]:
They did. Here in California?

Reece Weaver [00:10:10]:
They were like, I do remember.

Leslie Johnston [00:10:11]:
Yes. Yes.

Reece Weaver [00:10:13]:
We weren't.

Leslie Johnston [00:10:14]:
I actually is crazy.

Reece Weaver [00:10:18]:
I'm not too sure. I think my mom probably hinted at the idea, but I think we were like, okay, hey, October 1st is, like, natural for us, but I think if we pushed it a little.

Marissa Phillips [00:10:27]:
Yes.

Morgan May Treuil [00:10:29]:
Something's not okay.

Leslie Johnston [00:10:30]:
So, Reese, do you continue that tradition in your own home?

Reece Weaver [00:10:35]:
So I don't. Right now we're in a one bed, one bathroom apartment, so things are a little tight around here. But just, like, looking at my calendar, you know, I try to stay on top of everything, but going into this month and next month and really just to finish out our season, I, like, really took some time to look at everything. And this was like, at the end of October, and I was like, okay, I have one more Saturday that I actually can.

Marissa Phillips [00:11:04]:
That's the last day we have free January.

Reece Weaver [00:11:07]:
Exactly. And so I was like, okay, it's not going to be fun, but I'm going to do a winter cleaning. I'm going to do. Or I guess you're fall cleaning, like, swapping summer to winter. I did all of that and brought out the Christmas tree. I mean, we did as much as we could because I just know that I'm gonna blink and it's gonna be December and family's gonna be here and everything. And I'm like, I don't have time. Like, it needs to be up, so.

Marissa Phillips [00:11:34]:
Totally.

Leslie Johnston [00:11:35]:
Yes.

Morgan May Treuil [00:11:35]:
You guys have such busy schedules. I would imagine that you have to literally plan out every second of life if you're gonna have every second.

Marissa Phillips [00:11:41]:
Well, I walked in today to her Christmas tree, and I was like, I didn't even get out my Thanksgiving. Like, it. It came and it was gone.

Morgan May Treuil [00:11:50]:
It was gone. Honestly.

Leslie Johnston [00:11:52]:
Yeah. I feel like holiday. Morgan and I both work at our church, and it is like Christmas season. We have like, something like 18 Christmas services, and they start, like, early December.

Morgan May Treuil [00:12:02]:
Yeah.

Leslie Johnston [00:12:02]:
So it's like, if you don't get your tree up before it's like, it is Christmas Eve and you're, like, throwing.

Morgan May Treuil [00:12:06]:
Out some garlic, you missed it. Yeah.

Leslie Johnston [00:12:10]:
Well, that's hilarious. I love that. I wonder if other people. October 1st, Christmas people.

Morgan May Treuil [00:12:15]:
It is crazy how divisive this subject is, though. Like, there are some.

Reece Weaver [00:12:18]:
Really?

Morgan May Treuil [00:12:18]:
Yeah. Oh, it is wild. Like, we will get some responses. I'm excited to see what people think. Like, it is. It is a stance, people.

Leslie Johnston [00:12:26]:
I know. It's like, people feel like they have to, like, come on the defense of Thanksgiving. And I'm like, you guys know that, like, Thanksgiving is not a person.

Reece Weaver [00:12:32]:
Yeah.

Leslie Johnston [00:12:34]:
It's kind of just like holiday. It's. The Thanksgiving's feelings are not hurt that a Christmas tree is.

Morgan May Treuil [00:12:39]:
People can live.

Marissa Phillips [00:12:41]:
I feel like now that you've said that, though, people are going to be like, Reese puts her Christmas tree up on October 1st. So I'm.

Reece Weaver [00:12:49]:
I actually might lose some followers, to be honest.

Marissa Phillips [00:12:52]:
No, that's okay.

Reece Weaver [00:12:53]:
I will say, too, like, my. Unfortunately, just with our schedule this year, like, we are not going to be able to go home and visit family. So when my family comes during Thanksgiving, because we play on Thanksgiving.

Leslie Johnston [00:13:05]:
Right.

Reece Weaver [00:13:06]:
That's when we're celebrating Christmas. So I know that so many families, like, have different schedules and different lives, and you've got to make the most out of it. So if you celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving together, there's.

Morgan May Treuil [00:13:19]:
You live your life and you do your thing. I'm gonna go home and make sure all my stuff's up after this, too, because same. Yeah.

Reece Weaver [00:13:26]:
Except my husband Jesus, birthday. Any day.

Morgan May Treuil [00:13:29]:
Every day is Jesus every day.

Reece Weaver [00:13:31]:
That's right.

Morgan May Treuil [00:13:32]:
I love that. That's awesome.

Leslie Johnston [00:13:34]:
Oh, my gosh. Okay, Marissa, tell us yours.

Marissa Phillips [00:13:37]:
All right, this one's a good one because I think everyone on the team knows that I'm going to say this and they're going to laugh if they hear this, but I think, oh, boy. I guess it's not that crazy. I think, honestly, you guys will agree it's not even an unpopular opinion, but I think Smuckers Uncrustables.

Reece Weaver [00:13:55]:
Oh, my gosh.

Marissa Phillips [00:13:57]:
Are adult foods, like. I think they were made for adults. Yes. And not kids. I'm so serious. Like, I saw. Well, okay. This is the premise of this.

Marissa Phillips [00:14:08]:
I didn't eat them that often until I Made dcc.

Morgan May Treuil [00:14:11]:
Yes.

Marissa Phillips [00:14:11]:
And now that is like my go to, like pre practice snack because it's like the perfectly balanced peanut butter and jelly bread. But it's not like a full peanut butter and jelly where you're eating it for like, and you're full. And we also get grab it on the go.

Reece Weaver [00:14:26]:
We're a little bougie too, around here. We do get the option of white or.

Marissa Phillips [00:14:30]:
Oh, the wheat one is superior too. The wheat one is so good.

Morgan May Treuil [00:14:35]:
Oh, my. Wait, so paint the picture. You're walking to practice and there's like a table of uncrustables and you just get to go select or what's the.

Marissa Phillips [00:14:42]:
Sometimes. Sometimes. So there's like a special treat. So I always have my own.

Leslie Johnston [00:14:47]:
Yes.

Marissa Phillips [00:14:48]:
You're like, this is what I'm gonna like, bring to work. Because I'm like, I don't have time to always like prep, like meal prep for stuff. So if I go straight from work to like a stadium practice, I'm driving at 5:00, leaving work, going straight there. So that uncrustables, I grab it out of my work freezer, I stick it in my bag, it's dethawed by the time I get there.

Morgan May Treuil [00:15:06]:
Perfectly moist.

Marissa Phillips [00:15:08]:
And then the good night that there's a table of uncrustables prepared. I just pick another one and then I do it for the next day.

Reece Weaver [00:15:16]:
I will say, let me preface though, because I have often walked into practice with a full plate of uncrustables, and I'm like, man, that sounds really good. Maybe after practice we leave and there is not a single one. And it's because I have seen my teammates with their little. Their little thief selves walk in there and just take their bag and pour the uncrustables in the back.

Marissa Phillips [00:15:41]:
And I'm like, okay. I'm not gonna lie. That's definitely me.

Morgan May Treuil [00:15:46]:
They're grocery shopping. They're grocery shopping.

Marissa Phillips [00:15:48]:
I was raised in the way of like, you don't leave leftovers. Like, that's rude. And so I don't know if it's like an Italian thing or just like my mother, but it was like, you don't leave stuff because people worked really hard. Yeah. Make it like, even though it's not made, it's like literally bought. But I'm like, well, and I do. I don't take them all, but I'll take like two or three.

Reece Weaver [00:16:08]:
Oh, no. There was a teammate the other day, and it wasn't you. And I'll take. I literally got her Red handed putting the rest of the crystals in her bag. I wanted one of those.

Leslie Johnston [00:16:20]:
Yeah.

Marissa Phillips [00:16:22]:
You didn't just come to me. I probably have like four, so.

Morgan May Treuil [00:16:26]:
That is so funny.

Reece Weaver [00:16:28]:
I'll take her up on that.

Morgan May Treuil [00:16:29]:
Oh, my unofficial snack of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

Leslie Johnston [00:16:33]:
I know.

Morgan May Treuil [00:16:33]:
They really should have mocked her.

Marissa Phillips [00:16:35]:
So here's the other. Here's the other thing. I. I thought it was just like a me thing for a while, and then there was a study that came out like a week or two ago.

Reece Weaver [00:16:44]:
And it was about the entire NFL.

Marissa Phillips [00:16:46]:
How like the football players, I think.

Reece Weaver [00:16:48]:
They go through like, okay, this might be it. A extraordinary number, but I think, I.

Marissa Phillips [00:16:54]:
Think it was a pretty big.

Reece Weaver [00:16:55]:
It was like in the millions, almost.

Marissa Phillips [00:16:58]:
Like billions of uncrustables that the NFL.

Reece Weaver [00:17:01]:
Just across the board. Whether you're a player or you're some.

Marissa Phillips [00:17:04]:
Sort of staff or whatever employee, apparently everyone eats them. Professional athletes eat Smuckers uncrustables. And it's not a kids food.

Morgan May Treuil [00:17:13]:
Y'all are keeping them in business.

Leslie Johnston [00:17:15]:
It's going to be like on the sidelines. Uncrustables.

Morgan May Treuil [00:17:18]:
Yeah.

Leslie Johnston [00:17:19]:
You know what? I'm in full agreement with this.

Marissa Phillips [00:17:21]:
I.

Leslie Johnston [00:17:22]:
We have them in our church, like coffee shop. And they just switched to the. The whole wheat one. And I was like, I literally sent a picture of my friends. I was like, this is such an upgrade. Like, we have whole wheat Uncle.

Marissa Phillips [00:17:33]:
You think at first you're getting drip because you're like, oh, it's like the healthy version, but they put. They put more peanut butter in those ones. Like it's a fat.

Leslie Johnston [00:17:42]:
I love that you know this. Like, I love that you know this.

Marissa Phillips [00:17:45]:
I eat them so often that. And I was like, the grape jelly one for a while, like that's all I would eat. And then they had the whole wheat ones at practice and they're strawberry. And at first I was skeptical. I was like. And then I tried it. The peanut butter is like this much thicker.

Reece Weaver [00:17:58]:
Oh, that's what I'm talking about. I put it in jelly.

Marissa Phillips [00:18:02]:
Yeah, it's so good.

Leslie Johnston [00:18:03]:
Well, I think there are whole wheat grape ones, so you gotta try those. We have those in our church cafe.

Morgan May Treuil [00:18:09]:
I'm gonna be honest. I don't know if I've had an uncrustable.

Leslie Johnston [00:18:12]:
What ever.

Morgan May Treuil [00:18:13]:
Yeah, I'm thinking, like, of all the things I could select. I don't know that I've gone for the uncrustable, but the way you're describing it is making me feel like I must.

Leslie Johnston [00:18:23]:
We're gonna go after this. We're gonna go after this.

Marissa Phillips [00:18:25]:
Okay.

Reece Weaver [00:18:26]:
Desperation. When you say hunger and tired.

Marissa Phillips [00:18:31]:
It's honestly the convenience. Like, being able to take it with me out of the freezer, not have to do anything to it, and then just be able to eat it at practice. That's. It started as a convenient thing, and now I'm like, wait, it's the best food I've ever had.

Morgan May Treuil [00:18:46]:
I think that's. I think that's genius. Anything that's like a sandwich that's already made for you in a package is a fantastic invention.

Leslie Johnston [00:18:54]:
Wow.

Reece Weaver [00:18:54]:
All this to say is the Dallas Cowboys chillers are fueled by uncle. They run off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Morgan May Treuil [00:19:03]:
Yes.

Marissa Phillips [00:19:03]:
Yes.

Leslie Johnston [00:19:04]:
Watch us after this episode go and try to get uncrustables to sponsor this episode.

Morgan May Treuil [00:19:10]:
That's amazing, you guys. These are great unpopular opinions.

Leslie Johnston [00:19:13]:
I know.

Morgan May Treuil [00:19:14]:
I am very impressed.

Leslie Johnston [00:19:15]:
I'm very impressed, you guys. I have, like, a second question I want to add on, and I. We. I don't think we told you we were going to ask you this, but because I'm in the room of all dancers, I have never danced, like, a day in my life, but I want to know, have you ever had, like, a really, really embarrassing moment happen to you while performing? Because I would imagine starting at what.

Morgan May Treuil [00:19:38]:
What.

Leslie Johnston [00:19:38]:
What age did you guys start dancing at? Like, three, four?

Marissa Phillips [00:19:42]:
Like, two or three? Yeah.

Reece Weaver [00:19:43]:
When we get.

Marissa Phillips [00:19:44]:
It's one of those things where you don't remember it, but your mom tells you it was like, two or three.

Reece Weaver [00:19:47]:
Yes.

Leslie Johnston [00:19:48]:
Yeah. Yeah. So I'm assuming you've had lots of, like, recitals and performances, and then obviously, as you get older, like, more intense stuff. Has anything embarrassing ever happened to you guys?

Morgan May Treuil [00:19:58]:
I absolutely just run through the list of traumatized view.

Reece Weaver [00:20:03]:
Yeah, there's definitely more than 20, so.

Marissa Phillips [00:20:08]:
Okay, pick.

Leslie Johnston [00:20:09]:
Pick one. Pick one.

Morgan May Treuil [00:20:10]:
In your mind, does the top one.

Leslie Johnston [00:20:11]:
Morgan, you can. You can answer this, too, if you have one off the top of your head.

Morgan May Treuil [00:20:15]:
Okay. Yeah, I feel okay. I feel like it is sort of like. And you guys can disagree with me. It feels like it's like a rite of passage almost, or a landmark of your dance experience to. To do a tilt kick during some sort of a competition on a really slippery competition for. And to have that tilt. Your bottom leg just comes right out from under you, and you slam that left hip so hard.

Morgan May Treuil [00:20:40]:
I feel like that's a rite of passage. But I think my most embarrassing, vulnerable moment. I'm not going to say the one that I see, but I'll tell you guys offline Marissa, did you have Miller?

Marissa Phillips [00:20:55]:
I did my freshman year, but I don't think I was on royalty with.

Morgan May Treuil [00:21:01]:
Okay, gotcha. So, by the way, our dance team was called Royalty. So just in case you guys didn't know this, you're in the presence of royalty.

Marissa Phillips [00:21:08]:
We're royals. Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [00:21:11]:
And Ms. Miller gave me a lot of feedback, and she's amazing. Like, if she's listening to this, she came to my wedding. She's awesome. She's like, you know, a hero for me. But one time she came into. Or she called me into her office after a performance or something, and she was like, hey, you have this thing that's called, like, the claw hand. And it's when you get, like, stressed during dance.

Morgan May Treuil [00:21:33]:
You dance, like, just with this, like, these claws. So I'm like. I'm doing, like. I'm doing, like my cross ball change. Like, cross ball change, cross stuff. And it's just claws all the time. And it felt so vulnerable to be like, oh. And I look back at all these videos, and it was all just like claw hands.

Marissa Phillips [00:21:51]:
Like, oh, no. And it's stress, but, yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [00:21:55]:
I don't know. I feel like there's so many that come to mind. But that tilt kick was something terrible. What are y'all?

Marissa Phillips [00:22:02]:
I've had a tilt kick moment as well, and I'm sure all of my royalty dance teammates will pull up the video and probably post it somewhere online because it was like, one of those things where. I think it was the spring show, which is our end of year recital run through. So it was filmed, of course, full costumes. And when we watched it back, they just had to replay it 16 times. Slipped and fell. But that's not mine, I'm gonna say the one that I know my mom is thinking of. And that's when. So we.

Marissa Phillips [00:22:34]:
We were at this competition and, you know, at like, a convention, they set the stage up, like, in the middle of a room. So it's like not a built stage that's been there. They bring it in for that day. Well, this one, the curtains, like, going around, they didn't have wings. Like, it was one of those stages where the stairs were, like, right on the side of the stage. I don't know if that's making sense.

Morgan May Treuil [00:22:55]:
Yeah, no, it does.

Leslie Johnston [00:22:56]:
Yeah.

Marissa Phillips [00:22:57]:
A dance. You would go off in the wing if you were off stage. And there's like, another area where you can get stairs. Yeah. Yes. So this was like, here's the end of the stage and here's the curtain, like, right there. And then there's Stairs that are, like, behind the curtain. Well, for this competition, we had a group dance, and we went on and off stage throughout the dance.

Marissa Phillips [00:23:16]:
Well, we couldn't go off stage because there was no wings. So we had to just, like, stand against the curtain for, like, the part that we weren't in. So, like, if you were off, you were just standing there. It was really awkward.

Morgan May Treuil [00:23:26]:
Oh, gosh.

Marissa Phillips [00:23:27]:
Well, there was a part in the dance where me and the girl next to me were, like, shoulder to shoulder. And we kept scooting back and scooting back. So we were like, okay, we want to, like, be as, like, still as possible. I think we're the youngest girls, like, in the group dance. So we kept scooting back. Well, one of the girls goes down, like, falls off the stage.

Morgan May Treuil [00:23:46]:
Off the stage.

Marissa Phillips [00:23:48]:
So naturally I have to fall as well just to make her feel better. So I fall with her. Wait, what? And it's like a six foot drop. Like, it is not like, I. We're full.

Morgan May Treuil [00:24:00]:
Oh, my God.

Marissa Phillips [00:24:02]:
And my mom is laughing because my older sister was also in the dance. So she's like, on stage dancing while this is happening. She goes, I think I just saw my other daughter fall off the stage. Well, naturally, when you're going down, you're, like, trying to find something to grab onto. So I grabbed onto the curtain.

Morgan May Treuil [00:24:16]:
No.

Marissa Phillips [00:24:17]:
And the curtain for the whole stage starts unveiling. Like, the whole thing is. And everyone else is on stage, like, still dancing. And the bad thing is, like, I was six feet under. Like, I was looking up, just watching it all happen. Oh, and the whole cage. I think they had to go on, like, a two hour intermission because they had to set it back.

Morgan May Treuil [00:24:42]:
That is amazing. Oh, my gosh.

Marissa Phillips [00:24:46]:
Find the video of that for, like, years, because we know it's out there, but we can't find it. And. But the funniest part about this all is that we went back to the competition the next year, and there were, like, guardrails on each side of the stage so that you could not fall off.

Leslie Johnston [00:25:02]:
Yes.

Marissa Phillips [00:25:02]:
That's amazing.

Leslie Johnston [00:25:03]:
Okay, first of all, the fact that you're like, I'm gonna fall because she fell just shows us how nice that is, your character.

Morgan May Treuil [00:25:09]:
Even if it means the entire set comes crashing down around you.

Marissa Phillips [00:25:13]:
Even if it means I'm grabbing the curtain and tearing it all down with me.

Leslie Johnston [00:25:16]:
That is. That's a movie.

Morgan May Treuil [00:25:17]:
That's like a sisterhood lesson. I'm gonna fall if you fall. But then also, you're like, you became one of those people that they made a rule about, like, yeah, you come back the next year.

Marissa Phillips [00:25:26]:
I was a way maker in that.

Morgan May Treuil [00:25:30]:
Yes.

Leslie Johnston [00:25:30]:
They're like, these are the Marissa guardrails now that live here.

Morgan May Treuil [00:25:33]:
That's so funny.

Marissa Phillips [00:25:34]:
I paved the way for safety. Honestly, I love it.

Leslie Johnston [00:25:37]:
That is so funny. I love that. I love that story.

Morgan May Treuil [00:25:40]:
Reese, what's yours?

Reece Weaver [00:25:42]:
Geez, I don't even know if I can go after that. That is, like, top tier.

Morgan May Treuil [00:25:45]:
That is a whole scene embarrassment.

Marissa Phillips [00:25:48]:
Top tier embarrassment, Right?

Reece Weaver [00:25:49]:
Yeah, that. That. I'm, like, kind of mind blown. That actually happened to you. But it's. It's really great. That's a. That's a golden.

Marissa Phillips [00:25:58]:
Golden moment.

Reece Weaver [00:25:59]:
That's so funny. So one of the. It's kind of not sore subject because we are well past this. But, like, I was really upset because I'm one of those. If I mess up or if I do something, like, it will just, like, eat me alive. And it is not to be sappy or anything, but when I was. I think this was my junior year of high school, I was playing the role Clara and the Nutcracker. And this was the party scene, and no one was dancing.

Reece Weaver [00:26:31]:
And everyone's on stage, but everyone's, like, still and, like, just watching. And I'm the only one dancing. So I'm in my party. I don't know if, like, everyone has seen the Nutcracker, if y'all are listening, but a lot of dancers are really gonna resonate. But, yeah, the party dresses are just, like, such heavy material. And I think we, like, weighed our dress, and it was, like, about 15 pounds, honestly, and it was just heavy. So anytime I turned, like, it was, like, taking me with me. So it.

Reece Weaver [00:27:00]:
Party scene was just really, really hard in general. Well, everyone's quiet. I'm the only one dancing, and I'm like, center stage, and I do this sequence that's the hardest for me at the time was like, an arabesque brise, and then I envelope the leg back in to do, like, an arabesque. And I'm in pointe shoes, too. Claire's role is on pointe, so I'm dancing. And we also dance with a live symphony. So to this night specifically, was a little bit faster. I don't know if, like, the symphony really excited.

Reece Weaver [00:27:35]:
And so I was like, oh, gosh, we talked about this because, like, I need a little bit more slower in this part because it's really tough. Well, they were a little bit faster. And I'm like, okay, no problem. Whatever. Well, this kind of is like the tilt jump moment for Me, because when I went into an arabesque, my standing leg just slipped right underneath me, and I just completely, like, face plant. Like, there's no. Nothing is graceful about this. Like, obviously.

Reece Weaver [00:28:05]:
Obviously nutcracker. It's a ballet. So everything is. To be graceful is to be placed. Like, even if, like, an emotional part, like, everything's still so pretty in place. Well, when I did the arabesque, it's, like, such a perfect picture moment, but I did it and then just, like, completely. And it was almost like I got hyped, too. Like, before I landed, it didn't, like, just fall.

Reece Weaver [00:28:26]:
I was, like, up and then down and. Oh, my God, it was so loud. Because, remember, no one is dancing.

Morgan May Treuil [00:28:33]:
Oh, gosh.

Marissa Phillips [00:28:35]:
And I'm like, I'm sure you got away, though.

Reece Weaver [00:28:40]:
I. I don't know.

Marissa Phillips [00:28:41]:
I feel like you were like, okay.

Reece Weaver [00:28:44]:
I got up and I was like. Like, my face. I could just instantly feel, like, the muscles just, like, you know, like, obviously still kept smiling, but, like, my whole demeanor just was like, yes, I'm. Anyways, that was my moment, and there's been so many others. But that, by far was probably, like, the most embarrassing moment.

Leslie Johnston [00:29:05]:
Oh, my gosh. You guys all put yourself out there so much. Like, I. The problem is. The problem is in real life, if you fall, you can, like, laugh it off with everybody. It's not like you can, like, laugh it off in, like, a ballet. Hey, everybody, let's laugh this off. You're just like, all right.

Morgan May Treuil [00:29:23]:
There is a real world application, though, to the whole, like, the show up, the show must go on thing, because you're not allowed to, like, fall and then not make a recovery. It's like you fall and then, like, you just did Marissa, you get up and you're like, I'm still Clara. And I'm.

Marissa Phillips [00:29:37]:
You're like, I'm still Clara and I meant to fall.

Morgan May Treuil [00:29:39]:
Yes. And there's something life about that.

Marissa Phillips [00:29:43]:
Yeah. I think it's very helpful because, like, in situations, even in college, like, I feel like if there's, like, a speech or something I had to do, like, it gave me a lot of, like, public speaking skills, because if I, like, blanked about something, I could just crop my way out of there. Yes. Almost like, pretend like it was supposed to be that way.

Reece Weaver [00:30:01]:
Yes. Like, you're not, like, going on the right track. Like, you still have confidence to keep moving forward, where I feel like, as if, like, something were just to go, like, completely out of the ordinary falling on your face. Like, dance has kind of instilled that confidence of, like, you still have to keep going, and you're gonna. You're gonna have to get through, and you will get through. And so I think that is, like, such a good, valuable life lesson.

Marissa Phillips [00:30:26]:
Yeah.

Reece Weaver [00:30:27]:
Giving.

Marissa Phillips [00:30:27]:
The stage was falling down, but we were still finishing the dance. The whole dance was finished.

Morgan May Treuil [00:30:31]:
Oh, there's something. There's something preachable about that. That's good. The stage is falling down, but the dance is.

Reece Weaver [00:30:39]:
We'll work on a sermon.

Leslie Johnston [00:30:40]:
Y. You can call it. That's showbiz.

Morgan May Treuil [00:30:44]:
That's showbiz, baby. God's in the business of showbiz, and the show must go on.

Leslie Johnston [00:30:50]:
And just the note that it's like, I hear all those stories, and I, like, love you all so much more that those things have happened to you and that you can laugh about it. And so it just goes through. Like, we're so much harder on ourselves when we mess up because we think, like, oh, everybody. Everybody saw it, and they think I'm an idiot, or they. They hate me now. And it's like, no. Most mistakes in life, people are like. It makes you human.

Leslie Johnston [00:31:10]:
And people are like, yay. Like, you're human. That means that, like, if I'm human, it's okay, and I can mess it up and it's fine.

Morgan May Treuil [00:31:17]:
Yeah. I want to hear from you guys. This is kind of speaking on the subject of dance, but. But transitioning more to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders thing. Talk to us about when you each had this dream to audition for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and what the mental process was like, getting to that point, to do it.

Marissa Phillips [00:31:37]:
Yeah, that's really good. Well, I think for me, it was like. And I feel like this is a common theme on the team, but a lot of us, they grew up watching the old show, the making the Team. They had, like, nine seasons, I believe.

Morgan May Treuil [00:31:52]:
Yeah, I think there's, like, there was.

Marissa Phillips [00:31:54]:
A lot of seasons. And so, like, I was watching it when I was in elementary, middle school, all the way through high school, college, and me and my one friend would, like, watched it all the time. Like, that was, like, our dance moms type of show.

Morgan May Treuil [00:32:04]:
Yes.

Marissa Phillips [00:32:04]:
So I grew up kind of, like, always seeing DCC as, like, this celebrity that I could never, like, reach or, like, attain. Like, it was like being on so youo Think youk Can Dance, or, like, America's Next or America's Greatest. What am I thinking?

Leslie Johnston [00:32:19]:
You're thinking of dance.

Marissa Phillips [00:32:20]:
Dancing with the Stars, America's Got Talent. America's Got Talent.

Morgan May Treuil [00:32:26]:
Or that One of those.

Marissa Phillips [00:32:28]:
But it's like one of those things that you're like, oh, that's really awesome for those people. Like, I could never do that. So, like, I think growing up, I didn't really know I wanted to try out because I didn't think it was, like, attainable, to be honest. Went through college, danced in college. And then like I said, when Covid hit, it was kind of like this, like, life moment of like, oh, crap. Like, I've got to figure out what's really important to me. And, like, is that the career that I'm studying in college is that pursuing a passion is that, you know, finding just where I fit in the world? And during COVID my dad was also very sick, and he passed away my senior year of college. So it was kind of like this weird thing.

Marissa Phillips [00:33:15]:
And I don't talk about it a lot, but I've definitely mentioned it to my family and some of my friends. But when he was, like, passing, he. I had this, like, such a strong feeling towards DCC for some reason, and I had never, like, really thought about it again, but it was like this pull, and I was like, okay, it's either my dad or God, and probably both of them, like, yeah, pushing me towards that. And I was so, like, you know when you get a feeling from God and you're just like, no, that it's undeniable. Like, I knew that he was pulling me towards it, and I didn't know why, and I had zero confidence in myself still, but I was like, okay, well, he's pulling me towards it. I have to, like, do it and go full throttle into it. And so again, I don't know exactly what that was, but that's what it felt like to me. And I.

Marissa Phillips [00:34:03]:
And I believe that to this day that he was pulling me towards that. Yeah, I got lucky. And I had the year of DCC that we didn't have a TV show, so I actually got to try out. And I think that was like another God wink of like, hey, you get to have the easier year of tryouts where there's no television cameras in your face and you don't have to interview the first time you, like, get in person with everybody. So, yeah, that's kind of where my journey took me and how I think I got the confidence to just apply. And I don't think I would have made it through that process without kind of like having that confidence that God was behind me, like, pushing me towards it.

Leslie Johnston [00:34:39]:
So, yeah, that is so cool. Thank you for sharing with that with us. I feel like When. When you know that God wants you to do something, I just feel like, yes, it gives you the confidence to actually go for it, but it also gives you the backing, like, when you're in it and it's hard or it's like you get backlash or whatever that looks like for you, that you've probably walked through the three years that you've been on the dcc. I feel like when you know that God is in something, you're like, you know what? All, like, the chitter chatter around me, like, that actually doesn't matter. Yeah, well.

Marissa Phillips [00:35:13]:
And I feel like that was honestly one of the ways I got through, like, finals and training camp, because I know you can attest this and a lot of girls in the team, but, like, finals is a very intimidating day. Like, probably the most intimidating day I've ever had in my life, because this is the first time you, especially as a rookie, your first time trying out, first time you're seeing everyone in person.

Morgan May Treuil [00:35:35]:
Yeah.

Marissa Phillips [00:35:35]:
So, like, the first two rounds of our auditions are virtual. They're online. You're submitting a video of yourself. You're not talking to anyone face to face. So finals day, you show up, and there's 85 beautiful women, all in their solo costumes. Their hair and makeup are done. They're doing their turns on the floor to warm up. They're kicking their faces, and you're like, oh.

Marissa Phillips [00:35:55]:
You see Kelly and Judy walk out. You see Charlotte Jones walk out. All these people that you've, like, watched growing up. And I just remember, like, getting there also Finals day, I was number two. Oh, that was my number. Yes, I was. Yes, I was. I was number two.

Marissa Phillips [00:36:13]:
And I have anxiety right now. Yeah, all that was. This was, like, again, the most stressful day. But I had such, like, a calmness over me, and it was one of those things where I was like, there's no way I could, like, be number two right now in front of Kelly and Judy, doing a solo around Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders that I've looked up to for years without God and, like, without that feeling that he wanted me to be there. And so I feel like finals day, like, I was just riding the wave. And then throughout training camp, it was like, well, no, like, it's okay because I'm supposed to be here, and if I get cut tonight, then I get cut. But, like, I have a feeling that I'm supposed to be doing something with this, so I'm just going to ride with it. And I feel like that's the only way, like, a Lot of us can get through it is by having that faith that, like, we're doing it for a bigger purpose.

Marissa Phillips [00:37:00]:
And if something happens, like I said, if we get cut or go home or whatever, it's like for a reason and for a purpose.

Morgan May Treuil [00:37:07]:
Well, you know, what's something you've both said now that's so powerful, Marissa? Just talking about, like, even the most high pressure situations that you feel like, you know, are really intense and make you feel scared, but you know, God's calling you to it. Or even Reese, with what you were talking about, like, the bravery of sharing your faith in this bold way. Like, not only are you auditioning for something that's very stressful and means a lot to you, but you're also taking the opportunity to share one of the most important things about you. But that could receive lots of, you know, public backlash. It's just a reminder that the things that God, the things that God is behind are able to go forward whether you're confident in yourself or not or even if you feel like the odds are stacked against your experience. Like, if God is for something, there's nothing that stops him from doing and accomplishing what he wills to have happen. I think that that's. That's like such a.

Morgan May Treuil [00:38:01]:
If you're doing something in life, even outside of dance, like, if the context of dance doesn't apply to you, whatever's hard in front of you that God's asking for you to step into, God's going to sustain you and move you through it. Like, you don't have to worry about your own efforts. You get to trust in God. And the other part of your story that I think is really cool, which I forgot about this, but our dads worked together at one company. I'm not sure. And that was partially how we knew your family. And the way that your family speaks about your dad, especially after he's passed, is so inspiring. And you guys speak with such grace.

Morgan May Treuil [00:38:37]:
And I'm so sorry about your dad's passing. It is really interesting timing that at the end of one season of your life, God actually birthed a brand new dream in your heart too. And there's something cool about that. Then when something comes to a close, there's something that's also comes to a beginning. And yeah, I think the way that you speak about God and your dad leading you to that place is so powerful. So, yeah, thank you for sharing that.

Leslie Johnston [00:39:02]:
Yeah.

Marissa Phillips [00:39:02]:
Yeah. I feel like even with, like, moving through that season where, you know, I was having the biggest loss of my life, but the biggest, you know, prosperous opportunity after was honestly all created by God. Like, I don't think he could have gotten me through that time. And honestly, I. I don't say this enough, but I feel like it was honestly a huge gift to my family as a whole because it gave my mom something to be excited about. It gave my brother. You know, he was a huge football fan with my dad growing up. So, like, it gave them all something to, like, have hope in and, like, excitement and joy.

Marissa Phillips [00:39:36]:
And so I feel like. And even the my cause, my boot thing, getting to have a platform to talk about my dad in a healthy way and share my story and just, like, speak faith into that was something that I wouldn't have had without dcc. I would have probably not talked about it a lot or shut down in that chapter of my life. So it was definitely all, like, perfectly crafted, and I'm just grateful that I get to share his story and be able to talk about it. And.

Morgan May Treuil [00:40:03]:
Yeah, that's amazing.

Reece Weaver [00:40:04]:
That's so awesome. I know.

Morgan May Treuil [00:40:07]:
I want to make sure we come back to the my cause, my boot thing at the end, because I want our listeners to hear more about that. But, Reese, can you talk about your experience with this with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders?

Reece Weaver [00:40:18]:
Yes. So it's funny because I guess we don't talk about our journeys a lot. And so hearing Marissa's, I was like, gosh, like, I can resonate so much with your journey, because I feel like Covid was the year that just in general, a lot of people had more time to just think. And it's so sad that we don't, like, have that opportunity just because we do. Everyone, everyone in this world lives very busy lives. I think that's just, like, the environment that we're always in is just this hustle of going, going, going. And Covid, obviously, like, there was a lot of grief and sadness and a lot of things that were happening in our world, but it also gave us this opportunity to be still and really think about, like, what, you know, as believers, like, what our life could look like and kind of go after things maybe that the Lord has placed in our hearts. And I know, like, I knew growing up I wanted to pursue a professional dance career, but I didn't know what avenue that looked like.

Reece Weaver [00:41:28]:
I've always wanted to pursue a career on Broadway or at Disney or, you know, whether that was, like, owning a dance studio or something like that. But I always, in the back of my mind, had dcc and I think kind of going off from her side. I never in my wildest dreams thought that this could be attainable just because the Dallas Cowboys shooters, I feel like, are much more than just incredible professional dancers. They have just this full package of being able to speak well and being able to represent something greater than yourself and to give back in such a beautiful and impactful way. There's just so much more behind this job that I think a lot of people are seeing now that the DOCU series has kind of highlighted a little bit of that. But I just always thought it wasn't attainable. I just. I looked at the DCC and I was like, oh, my gosh.

Reece Weaver [00:42:21]:
They're like this. The. The goal, the role models, you know, all of that. And what could I do that I thought Reese could achieve? But the Lord had bigger plans and like, he always does. And so during COVID I actually went to Dallas, Texas, for the very first time for the rose Bowl. Usually AT&T Stadium hosts the Cotton bowl each year, but because of COVID and just all the crazy things that were happening, it was swapped. So this year AT&T Stadium hosted the Rose bowl, and University of Alabama was playing. And that was actually one of my Christmas gifts, was to go watch Alabama take on Notre Dame that year.

Reece Weaver [00:43:02]:
And so I went, and so did at the time, will be my boyfriend, his family, we all went together and cheered on the Crimson Tide. And I remember walking into that stadium for the first time having nothing to do with NFL. We were there solely to cheer on our college. And walked in and just knew instantly. I was like, I want to be down there on that field as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. And my parents, being so supportive, always have been like, you know, we are going to back you and support you with whatever you do, whatever you dream. And that was such a big dream. I looked to my mom and I was like, I want to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

Reece Weaver [00:43:40]:
Because I had something stirring in me. But it wasn't until I was there when I was like, this is what I want to do. And I remember my mom looking at me, and she was like, oh, wow, okay, that's big, you know? And so since that, I knew, like, the Lord had placed it on my heart for a reason, and I didn't know what that is. And honestly, I'm still learning that myself now being on the team. I'm still. That's kind of still unfolding organically and still seeing, like, why I'm here, I guess. And I think we all are. We probably won't know the reason until years from now.

Reece Weaver [00:44:20]:
But I know that that was something that was placed in my heart and I wanted to pursue it. And I think one of. I don't really like to talk about qualities that I could have, but growing up, I've always dreamt so big, like, sometimes a little unrealistically. And so this was just one of those big dreams. But with big dreams, I have, like, wanted to put all my eggs in one basket and, like, go for it. And I did during college. But also I had, like, plan A through Z. Honestly, if Dallas Cowboys was not what was in store for me, but going back to kind of like, what Marissa was talking about and what we were talking about.

Reece Weaver [00:45:01]:
But if the Lord places something on your heart, it is on purpose, for purpose. And he's going to be in the details, and his hand is going to be through every single thing, all the way down to. This sounds silly, but even all the way down to your audition outfit or, you know, like, yeah, some like, your conversations. Like, he is so in the details. And that is something that I have seen just unfold throughout since having that dream and confirming it being at and T to now, I have just seen his hand in everything. Every conversation, every Billboard, every song that comes on. He is just always working. And so with that, I'm so grateful now that I can sit next to someone who I look up to not just as, like, a dancer, but as, like, a sister in Christ, too.

Reece Weaver [00:45:52]:
Like, that is something that means so much to me, is having godly example or godly women in my life who pour wisdom and guidance in my life, not just being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, but being a sister in Christ. And that's. That's just the most important one takeaway that I know that I'll be able to walk away from knowing that I have sisters, like, for life in that way. Yeah. But, yeah, that's. That's kind of how my journey, I guess, like, came about.

Marissa Phillips [00:46:24]:
Yeah.

Reece Weaver [00:46:25]:
Yeah.

Leslie Johnston [00:46:25]:
That is so cool. So you touched on something at the end of that. The sisterhood. So that's something that, like, all of us watching was like. I was like, I should. I always watch these things. I have this personality where, like, I have this personality where, like, I watch a movie or something and I'm like, I want to do that. Like, I watch Top Gun.

Leslie Johnston [00:46:44]:
I'm like, I want to be a pilot and do Top Gun. And then I watch. And then I watched the dcc and I was like, why did I not do dance? This is so fun. Like, look what they all get to do. But talk to us a little bit about like what the sisterhood actually is like and what's like an aspect of it that has been like so awesome that like girls who are not even maybe like, obviously they're not on the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders or. But maybe they have their own friends. Like, what's something about the sisterhood that you're like, everybody should be doing this with their own friends and like creating their own kind of sisterhood.

Morgan May Treuil [00:47:21]:
That's a great question.

Marissa Phillips [00:47:22]:
That's a really good question.

Reece Weaver [00:47:25]:
I feel like there's so many different things, but right now just I feel like anytime someone asks this in different seasons, it might going to be a little bit different. But right now in the season that we're in, I feel like something that is really crucial is that we're hanging out outside of DCC because I feel like often like we see each other, we're all working towards the same goals. But it's really special when you can walk away from that and then be able to connect on a deeper, more personal level. That's not bringing in dcc and that's healthy. I don't want to say like, you know, it's, it's so precious when you get to have those bonds at practice, but it's way more precious when you actually can talk about things outside of dcc because we are human beings and we do go through the same struggles. And I think that's what really sets separates so many sisterhoods apart. It's like you can walk into something and like have your sisterhood, but this sisterhood specifically, you can walk away from what you all do every day and be able to just walk through life together. A lot of us are in the engaged season, or we're married, or we have boyfriends, or we have the same jobs or we're working trying to find jobs.

Reece Weaver [00:48:42]:
Like a lot of us just are going through very similar things outside of dcc. And I think that's what's more special is when you can connect on those, on those deeper levels.

Marissa Phillips [00:48:53]:
Yeah, I'll piggyback kind of off of that. I think one of the like most eye opening things for me when I joined the team was I was expecting kind of that drill team, dance team environment of we're all going through the exact same thing at the exact same time, which is not the case. You're honestly going through different paths of life all on the same team together. And that's one thing I appreciate so much, is that, you know, some of my best friends are four or five years older than me. And then some of them are 18 years old. And so I'm a 24 year old who's friends with now this unique group of women. We're also all from different parts of the U.S. one of my close friends came from Ukraine.

Marissa Phillips [00:49:36]:
And I think that that just makes us all really well rounded individuals, but also supportive of what each other have gone through because you're. I don't think I would have ran into a lot of you guys in the world. And so it just gets to bring us together and be like, okay, now I'm getting to learn wisdom from someone, like you said, who maybe was married already. And now I'm walking through a season of engagement where I get to, you know, ask you all the questions, whether it's advice about relationships, wedding advice, because planning a wedding is super stressful, obviously, and then vice versa. And then I can take that wisdom and pour it into someone who's younger than me. But then we're all going through the same things of, okay, now we need to know this dance by tonight and how we're gonna help each other through that. So it's just this unique sisterhood of. And I feel like it's unlike anything else because like I said, you are also different, but united at the same time in what our job is and what we're doing together.

Marissa Phillips [00:50:36]:
So, yeah, that's something I really like.

Morgan May Treuil [00:50:39]:
You all seem to really love and support each other, which I think is really cool because we've talked about this in our podcast before, that girls are often pitted against each other. Like, even in the way that you start on the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, you start from a space of, like, competition. Like, you talk about looking around to all these really talented girls, and they're all going after the same dream that you're going after. And I have to imagine, like, even within practice or within games and performances, it's. It's impossible as a human being to not have the comparison bug that gets placed in you.

Leslie Johnston [00:51:12]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [00:51:12]:
But the difference in, like, doing, like, dealing with it in a healthy way or a not healthy way is, like, what you decide to do with the bug. And so I'm curious, like, what's the culture cultivated on your team that that makes it to where you guys are really supportive and loving of each other? Like, how do you battle the comparison thing? I.

Reece Weaver [00:51:32]:
That's, that's a really good point because that is something that is so valid. And I think we all have experienced that at some point. But I think one thing that dance has instilled. And that, that goes to speak about, like my teachers and the people that have really invested and poured into me is that they have always instilled. It's more of a competition within yourself instead of with other people. Like, we are always trying to be better and grow as individuals. Like my teacher always said, you know, go to the person that you think is just shining, stand next to him or her and learn from that. Like, grow and dance bigger and see what they're doing.

Reece Weaver [00:52:14]:
But it's not to be better than them. It's to grow and learn from them. And I think that's something that all dancers kind of have been taught, is that you want to be better. Because dance is such a. It's, it's storytelling too. So it's. It's not. Yes, we are athletes, but it's also an art form.

Reece Weaver [00:52:36]:
And so we always want to try to tell a story and do something that's more unique. Like, Marissa has gifts and talents that I don't have. And like, that's the beauty between with dance. Like, we all have strengths and weaknesses, but when it comes to competing, I say that and with little quotation marks, competing with each other, it's more that we're competing against ourselves because we have standards for ourselves. Sometimes unrealistic expectations. But we do have expectations in a sense of like, this is how I carry myself. This is how hard I've worked. You know, I have goals that I want to achieve.

Reece Weaver [00:53:17]:
And so when you get into training camp or when you get into the competitive season that we usually are in in the summertime, it's more in the sense that we want to achieve our goals that we have personally not, you know, how can I be better than the girl next to me? And if we all have that same idea, I feel like moving forward in training camp we can support each other on such a deeper level because we're all walking through the same thing. We all need to know, you know, 8,000 dances that evening. And you want to help each other because, you know, you're all competing within yourself. I don't know if that makes sense.

Morgan May Treuil [00:53:58]:
But it totally does.

Marissa Phillips [00:54:00]:
No, it definitely does. And I think piggybacking off of that, like it started, I think, with the precedents that the girls that came before us had set. And that comes from generations and generations before us of this team. Like, obviously this is a long running organization. And I think, I mean, for me, the first day I walked in and I got number two at finals, I was terrified and I was sitting next to two, you know, highly prominent DCC is Caroline, who was the point of the triangle my rookie year, and then Kelsey, who you also saw on the docu series last year, who was the point of the triangle. So I was sitting in between the two most beautiful and now intimidating individuals I had ever met. But they gave so much to me that day. And I feel like that was like, throughout training camp, the theme was like, these older women, they were stressed.

Marissa Phillips [00:54:49]:
They were trying out too. Like, you can be let go at any time and any year that you audition for dcc, but it's always been like just the way that the older veterans carry themselves to pour into the younger rookies that are trying out and that and the other veterans around them, the other friends that they're going through life with. And so I wouldn't say that even comes from us. I think it started with those girls carrying that out. But also to the point of what you've said, of like, we all have our different strengths. I think it's a huge thing that on the team, like our director Kelly always says, we're a bouquet of flowers. We're not a set of roses, we're not a set of tulips. And so I don't have to try to be a rose or a Reese or some someone else.

Marissa Phillips [00:55:33]:
I have to be me. Because if not, then I'm missing and whatever I was bringing to the table is no longer there. So I feel like that gives us all like another sense of peace, of like, okay, I don't need to be looking like the point of the triangle. I don't need to be that person to be my best self. And so I don't know, I think that's something that always, like, keeps us grounded and, and supportive of one another and not competitive, like you're saying.

Reece Weaver [00:55:59]:
Yeah, it's very individualized, for sure.

Leslie Johnston [00:56:01]:
That's so cool. I love what you said about there were older people who kind of taught you guys and kind of led the way in that anti comparison kind of thing. Because I feel like sometimes we can. If we're surrounded by people who are constantly comparing, then we become more comparing ourselves. And I feel like we can almost like stop the pattern of comparison by allowing other people. Because I would imagine, like watching the show, I was like, these veterans, like, if I was a veteran and there were new people coming in or say I was the new person coming in, I would feel like the veterans would hate me because they're going to take. I might take their friend spot or I might take their spot so it's like, the fact that they. Someone else probably had taught them, and now they're teaching other people.

Leslie Johnston [00:56:53]:
The fact of, like, I can welcome, like, Marissa, you in and treat you so well from the beginning, I'm like, man, that is such something to look up to and to emulate, like, in your own life is like, stopping that comparison and allowing other people to feel like they're a part of things. Was that difficult as, like, a rookie coming in, feeling like, oh, I. Like, how was that interaction at first when you did meet people who were already on the team? Like, was that difficult coming in, being like, ooh, I don't want to step on anyone's toes. Like, I want to take their spot? Like, was that a weird feeling when you first tried out?

Marissa Phillips [00:57:34]:
I think for me, it was more of, like, a starstruck moment. Like, again, I grew up watching the show, so, like, when I tried out the girls that were current members, I knew all of them, like, when it was, like, high. Hi, I'm. Blah, blah, blah. I was like, I know. And you're from everything about you, like, this food and this and that. So, like, for me, it was almost like this surreal, like, imposter syndrome for a while of, like, there's no way I can be dancing next to this celebrity, famous person that I've been obsessed with for months. Like, there's no way.

Marissa Phillips [00:58:06]:
So it's kind of like a. Almost like. I wouldn't say a fear, but just, like, the.

Reece Weaver [00:58:12]:
It's like being in the presence of.

Marissa Phillips [00:58:14]:
Someone, intimidation of, like, man, how can I show up and be, like, as good as the person saying next to me, like, they are this almighty. Being that it was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, like, how am I gonna stand in the same room and dance with you? So that was the most challenging at first, I think, coming to the realization of, like, no, I made it in this room, too, and I deserve to be here, and I'm just as incredible. Again, I don't think it was a comparison as much of a. But this person's so awesome. Like, there's no way that I could be awesome too.

Morgan May Treuil [00:58:49]:
Yeah, There can only be one.

Marissa Phillips [00:58:52]:
There's no way we can all be awesome. That's so good.

Reece Weaver [00:58:57]:
Kind of talking about, like, the nerves and the unspoken thing of, you know, these rookies coming in could very well take now our spots as veterans. But I remember I'm not too, Too drawn out from rookie season, but I remember when I tried out for the first time. Obviously, I didn't know this while we were Trying out. But the cut for my class specifically was very. It was very emotional because there were a team of veterans who witnessed three vets that did not make it, and these rookies took that spot. And to feel that and to see that was really, really hard, I think, for our class to take in because obviously we, A lot of us come from different college dance teams. And so we know what it means to be a rookie, but we also know what it means to be a vet. And when your teammates get cut, like, that hurts.

Reece Weaver [01:00:02]:
So we were, you know, really sad for the current DCC vets who have witnessed now their teammates not making it back. But then also being a rookie, knowing that you took one of those spots is. Is really hard to kind of move forward.

Marissa Phillips [01:00:21]:
And I think to be excited about, like, I know we kept trying to be like, please, like, don't let this take your excitement away. Like, we want y'all to be proud of the moment that you just accomplished. Like, do not let that take away. But then it's also, like she said, like, I'm sure the feeling of like, but I didn't mean to take away.

Reece Weaver [01:00:40]:
There is that possibility of coming in. Yes. I completely agree. When you walk in, you're starstruck by the people that you low key are obsessed.

Marissa Phillips [01:00:50]:
And we all stalk each other for.

Reece Weaver [01:00:52]:
Sure, a little bit stalker, kind of unhealthy, but that's just the reality. And that's what makes us, I guess, more human and more funny in that way. But there is that starstruckness. I don't know if that's a word.

Marissa Phillips [01:01:06]:
Yeah.

Reece Weaver [01:01:08]:
But it. It is a little bit pressing knowing that you could take a vet spot because you're not promised another season.

Morgan May Treuil [01:01:19]:
Totally.

Leslie Johnston [01:01:20]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:01:21]:
I feel like so much of this has application beyond just the dance world too. Like, I think about anybody's jobs right now, and everybody knows what it's like to, you know, like, do the comparison thing or the competition thing. Everybody knows what it's like to walk in as the. The new guy or the rookie and to have to, like, earn your own place in the team or even, like. Yeah, like, everybody knows what it's like to walk into a job where you're filling somebody else's shoes and that's like, that There's a reason why that's such a. Such a thing. Right. The having to measure up.

Morgan May Treuil [01:01:53]:
And so I love the way you guys are talking about it. And it's funny because when Leslie and I talk about comparison, even in our own line of work, we talk about how one of the remedies to comparison is to always be other people's greatest cheerleader. Like, if you spend more time cheering for them, then you have less room in your brain to be critical of them.

Leslie Johnston [01:02:12]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:02:12]:
Or to, like, compare them against you. But I like Yalls perspective of, like, if you look at everybody who's quote unquote, better than you, even though we don't, they. I love the bouquet of flowers analogy. Like, there's no better. There's like. And even like, in a spiritual sense, the whole body of Christ analogy is the same analogy as the bouquet of flowers. Right. It's like everybody's filling a different role.

Morgan May Treuil [01:02:35]:
Everybody's got a different personality, set and type. But I love the idea of, like, if you see somebody who's better at you than something, go be around them and soak up, up that experience so you can better yourself. I think that's a really cool, like, way of looking at the comparison thing, and I learn a ton from that. I am curious for all. Reese, I'll ask you specifically, since you were such a big part of the documentary and they captured your story, did you experience any pushback public. And honestly, Marissa, you probably deal with. You guys are both public figures. Did you experience pushback or criticism for what you said, for what you believe? Or how do you deal with public criticism being people that are in that public space?

Reece Weaver [01:03:23]:
That's a good question. So, yes, to answer your question, there is definitely commentary that comes your way. And it's. It's unfortunate, but also it's kind of like, you know, I always go back to the verse where Jesus is talking to the disciples, saying like, hey, if people hate you, it's because they hated me first. And so I know that that was risky, but that's kind of what we're called to do as believers. And that's something that I had to really remind myself is that verse particularly. But I'm such a people pleaser and I'm really shocked that this doesn't. I guess this doesn't affect me.

Reece Weaver [01:04:11]:
Like, it would have maybe high school Reese or early college years Reese, because any. Any negative thing that was said about me, it would just tear me down. And now I feel like I've gotten to a point where I'm like, you know, the docu series has showcased my. My faith, but also there's such peace that I feel like the Lord has just protected my heart and my mind. That does not. I'm not telling you that I don't experience spiritual warfare because that is a daily battle I face every single day. But when I do receive those negative comments and feedback, I have this peace knowing that, you know what? Why would I ever put my value or identity in someone who is, like, sending hate? Like, it's honestly silly. And I.

Reece Weaver [01:05:01]:
And I feel like younger Reese would be like, are you kidding me? Like, they said that about me. Like, I'm so upset, everything. But now it doesn't affect me as much anymore. I think there are some comments still that kind of attack more on a deeper level, that attack on my face. And I'm like, ooh, I take that to battle a little. Like, I take that to heart a little bit more. But I still have this peace that I feel like the Lord is just. He's the prince of peace and he's just doing what he does.

Reece Weaver [01:05:30]:
But I feel like I've have felt a lot of family and friends, prayers over, protection over, like, my heart and my mind and those comments. So, yes, I do see that. But the enemy has definitely attacked every crack, every little slight inch that I have that's not solidified. He will try to make his way through, and he does, and he comes to kill, destroy, and steal. And so that has been something that I really battle every single day. But also, the Lord is so gracious and he's so faithful, and he is still protecting, and he is just. He is pruning. And I like to look at this season as a pruning season because, yes, I experience negative things, but within it, the good always outweighs the negative comments for sure.

Leslie Johnston [01:06:23]:
Yeah. What do you feel like you have to do? Because we. Everybody experiences negative feedback from other people, especially if you're going to be outspoken about your faith. Like the Bible, like, promises, like, if you. Yes. If you, like, basically, like, show me to the world. Like, the world will hate you. So there's so many things in that.

Leslie Johnston [01:06:44]:
But what do you feel like you do? Because you talked a little bit. Like, you experience it daily, like, the daily kind of spiritual warfare. Like, what do you do to guard yourself so that you can, like, still experience joy and, you know, not let those things affect you as much? Like, is there certain things like that you do daily that keeps you kind of on guard against that?

Reece Weaver [01:07:06]:
I think so. I have a few different avenues that I can speak on, but one, I just owe so much credit to Will. He is. I don't know if I've gotten, like, this deep on a podcast, but I'm about to.

Morgan May Treuil [01:07:22]:
We live for that.

Leslie Johnston [01:07:24]:
We live for it.

Reece Weaver [01:07:26]:
That's right. Well, I would have to say, just like my life has definitely taken a complete 180 since the premiere date. And coincidentally that premiered two months on our two month anniversary. And that was definitely a very pivotal moment in our marriage as extremely newlyweds. Like, yeah, the ultimate newlywed life. And that was really tough, I think. And it still is tough on our marriage just being transparent and vulnerable in this way. Like there are times where I look to Will and I'm just like, what have I gotten myself into? What have I gotten you into? And you know, I feel like he has just been such an incredible rock.

Reece Weaver [01:08:19]:
Obviously my salvation is on the rock like that that is solely through Christ. But Will has just been such a sweet example of the love of Christ in a way of just always being there, always listening, listening, always being like my shoulder to cry on. And there's just, there's always, like there are hard days but like he's always there to listen.

Leslie Johnston [01:08:45]:
Yeah, yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:08:47]:
I don't want to come on myself too.

Reece Weaver [01:08:50]:
So if you're getting emotional, if you're getting emotional while listening to me, just laugh it off because I'm actually laughing at myself. So yes, there are, there are those times and I give them a lot of praise and for that. But it's my constant communication too with, yeah. My prayer life. I feel like often if I'm starting to feel like there's an attack happening and true, truly. Let me tell you, this season the enemy has always, he's always trying to come and I've experienced that my entire life. But I have never experienced it as much as this season that I'm in right now. And but it is a reminder that there is this constant shift I have to do is instead of looking out and what I can do, it's a look up and like, lord, I need you.

Reece Weaver [01:09:43]:
Like I have to come to the altar multiple times a day because the enemy is trying to steal that joy and he's trying to steal all that is good. But I have to remember that I'm going through this on purpose, for a purpose. And I know I've already said that, but the Lord is always going to be there to show that he's moving and he's still working. And I need to instead look horizontally, I have to look vertically and look up to him because he's going to be so kind like, like he always is. But it is constant communication with, with him and trying to seek wisdom and being obedient in that way. You know, getting into the word. Obviously those are practical resources and skills that I can Work on. But I think often we forget that we can pray all the time.

Reece Weaver [01:10:34]:
It's not just morning, you know, afternoon dinner. It's, like, constant. And that's something that has been super vital for me right now.

Morgan May Treuil [01:10:43]:
Thank you so much for sharing that. I honestly really appreciate the vulnerability, because, I mean. And to affirm what you're doing, too. It's like, in a way, the attack and the persecution, but specifically the attack from the enemy and the increase of that means that there's, like, a real spiritual battle and war being fought in the earth right now. And when he puts his guards up and goes on the offense, it's like this reminder that through how you are faithful to God with the platform you were given, there's, like, real movement happening. Like, the amount of people that heard about Jesus because of what you did, who tuned in because they love the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders or they love the Dallas Cowboys, and the fact that they got, like, a deposit of the gospel, it's like, it makes so much sense that the enemy would get mad and try to attack and go on the offense. And, you know, but I'm really thankful for your vulnerability in that, because lots of people know what it's like to experience what you're feeling, and yet they don't have that, like, support system.

Leslie Johnston [01:11:46]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:11:46]:
That you have.

Leslie Johnston [01:11:47]:
And so I would say Morgan and I even resonate. Resonate a little bit with you on that. Like, I. I mean, I could probably speak for the both of us because we talk so much. Like, I know Morgan's life and she knows mine, but it feels like even starting this podcast, like, it's, like, the most fun thing about. I feel like, both of, like, a fun part of our lives right now and such an impactful thing. But I do feel like it has been the hardest season, like, since starting this. There's, like, all these other things that I'm like, why is.

Leslie Johnston [01:12:14]:
Like, why is Satan coming at us in all of these different ways? And.

Morgan May Treuil [01:12:19]:
Yeah.

Leslie Johnston [01:12:19]:
And it just. And I keep reminding myself, like, I was reminding myself that this morning, I was like, if I was not doing anything for God, then maybe, like, my life would be a little bit easier.

Morgan May Treuil [01:12:29]:
So relaxing.

Leslie Johnston [01:12:30]:
That is so relaxed. But it wouldn't be worth living, you know? Like, I just want to encourage you, Reese. Like, what you've done in sharing your faith and being genuine to who you are and really putting yourself out there, like, really does remind me of a lot of the stories, like, I read in the Bible, where they're crying out to God, like, God I'm doing this, like, I'm doing this for you and I'm putting myself out there and showing people who you are. And, like, I'm getting backlash. But, like, God always comes through and he will protect you and he will give you everything you need for each day. And I've realized that it's not like a one time fit, one time fix. Sorry. That it's like, oh, God just answered this.

Leslie Johnston [01:13:11]:
And now I have no fear and I have no whatever. It's like, no. It's a daily thing that God gets to offer us and the encouragement that that brings. And honestly, the closeness, I'm sure in your relationship with God has increased even more through this as it does in all of our lives. And that can be such a gift in hard times to know, okay, my faith is not built on the mountaintops, it's built in the valley. And I just feel like that is so happening in your life, which is cool.

Reece Weaver [01:13:38]:
Thank you. That's so sweet. And it's very encouraging to hear because, you know, in the Bible you do hear all these stories and if you grew up a believer or you're a new believer or you're, you know, giving, giving this whole thing out for the first time, just giving it a try, like you're going to hear those stories a lot. But it's so true that you can apply all those stories to your life because those are real stories and those are stories that people experienced and walked through every single day. And I know for sure this is just, this is just my story. But that doesn't mean as beautiful as this journey and as beautiful as this gift has been, it's definitely the hardest thing I've ever experienced. But that's just the Lord, he's producing fruit even if I don't see it. So that's just something I have to cling and hold on to.

Reece Weaver [01:14:31]:
Really cool.

Leslie Johnston [01:14:32]:
So good.

Morgan May Treuil [01:14:33]:
So we'll, we'll start to, to wrap here in the next bit because I know you guys have really busy lives.

Leslie Johnston [01:14:39]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:14:40]:
But Marissa, I wanted to, I wanted to ask you about engagement season, because that comes with its whole set of things and you got lots of people that are listening that are either seriously dating or engaged. What are you learning either about God or yourself or your future husband through the whole engagement season?

Marissa Phillips [01:14:59]:
Well, honestly, a lot. Like, I think any bride or past bride or engaged women can attest that, like, planning a wedding and everyone says it, but you don't, like, believe it until you're in it. But, like, it's a lot And I was like, I can't be that bad. Like, I've done dcc, I've done college. Like, it can't be that. It's just a lot. And there's a lot of, like, things to decide. I am, like, not a very decisive person.

Marissa Phillips [01:15:24]:
So I feel like one of the hardest things for me is, like, making wedding decisions. Like, what color dresses and what color this and that, and do I want these silverware or that? I'm like, I don't care.

Leslie Johnston [01:15:35]:
Like someone else choose.

Marissa Phillips [01:15:37]:
Do you want to. Do you want your napkin folded like this?

Morgan May Treuil [01:15:40]:
Oh, my gosh.

Reece Weaver [01:15:41]:
I don't care. You're gonna wipe your face?

Marissa Phillips [01:15:43]:
Yeah, like, anything, please. So I think that's been, like, a huge struggle for me is just, like, figuring out how to, like, do it, but do it, like, still as myself. Like, my older sister just got married.

Morgan May Treuil [01:15:56]:
Yeah.

Marissa Phillips [01:15:57]:
Like a month or two ago, so. Or maybe three now. But I think it was hard at first. We both got engaged around the same time and so started planning our weddings around the same time. And at first I was like, oh, gosh, this is not gonna work because me and my sister love her to death. We're opposite on, like, the way we think about most things.

Morgan May Treuil [01:16:16]:
Yeah.

Marissa Phillips [01:16:17]:
And so, like, comparing that of like, oh, she wants this, like, should I want that? And she's, you know, spending more of her wedding budget on this. Should I be doing that? Like, it was this. And so that's, I think, why me and Brayden, my fiance, picked, like, such a far out wedding date. Cause we were like, okay, if we can, like, push this out a little bit, it'll give us time to, like, really think about, like you said with COVID like, just time to be still in engagement. And I think sometimes in this world, like, like, engagement can happen so fast where the wedding's tomorrow and then you're. You're married and you're like, what the heck? So it kind of gave us that space to, like, learn about each other, like, think about what we really wanted out of a wedding and set up our marriage. Also, like, we had time to wait until the off season because, like, we've mentioned in the season, we have no free time. We really wanted to get into premarital counseling, like, at a church.

Marissa Phillips [01:17:12]:
And we knew that if we did a wedding in the spring of last year, that we weren't going to have really time to do that. There was just no way that that was going to happen. So by, you know, kind of pushing that wedding day out, we allowed ourselves to do primarily Counseling in the spring, have the season again, and then our wedding will be this next spring. So it's been a lot, but it's been good. And I think, as I mentioned before, like, having girls in the team like Reese that I can talk to about, like, wedding planning and then in the future, like, about marriage. Like, I know she has an older friend on the team who was, like, married right before her that she could always, like, ask those questions, too. So it's, like, good that we have each other to kind of different stages, but, yeah, like, mentor each other. Yeah, totally.

Marissa Phillips [01:17:55]:
That's been really helpful.

Leslie Johnston [01:17:56]:
That is so cool. Okay. We've never ended our episodes this way, but because we're interviewing two of you guys, and you guys seem to be such great friends. Like, even you're sitting and you're holding those arms. It's so sweet. I'm like Morgan. But okay, so. So we have a.

Leslie Johnston [01:18:16]:
A really awesome small group, and we do, like, dinners together, and we celebrate, like, everybody's birthdays. There's a ton of us. So it's like, literally, like, three birthdays a month. It's always a birthday party. And the way that my family, ever since I was little, we grew up ending all of, like, our birthday parties and everything was we would affirm the person who it was their birthday and just, like, share with them what we love about them. Because most of life, people are tearing you down, and so it's a moment to build people up. So I'm curious, Marissa, what is, like, your favorite thing about Reese and Reese, what is your favorite thing about Marissa?

Morgan May Treuil [01:18:51]:
This is so good. Are you gonna tell me what you love about me after this?

Leslie Johnston [01:18:57]:
Later. I'm just joking.

Morgan May Treuil [01:18:59]:
I love it.

Marissa Phillips [01:19:01]:
Well, I'll start because I feel like it's easy to, like, affirm this girl right here. Like, she. Since the day you walked in. And like I mentioned earlier, she was next to me in our groups last year, so I got the gift of, like, seeing her in the deepest, hardest parts of the season, the happiest parts of the season. While she was being followed with cameras all the time, I was like, the girl on the outside was like, I'm over here.

Leslie Johnston [01:19:27]:
Like, go, girl.

Marissa Phillips [01:19:28]:
Like, and I just. It was always, like, so calming for me. I feel like that year for me was, like, one of the most stressed I've been on the team. I don't know why. Like, I think it was just one of those seasons where I was, like, extra anxious, extra stressed, and having someone, like, beside me who should have been more stressed than me. Because it was her first season on the team, but she always just had this, like, peace and light, and you would have a camera in your face, and you were still giving joy to, like, other people around you and. And that seriously, like, I don't tell you this enough, but got me through last year and just.

Reece Weaver [01:20:07]:
Marissa, you're gonna make me cry.

Marissa Phillips [01:20:10]:
I am gonna make you cry. But seriously, like, I wouldn't have. I know that there was even purpose in that with, like, having you next to me and knowing that, you know, God knew that I was gonna be stressed out that season. He knew I was gonna be anxious. But he put you there to kind of be that grounding source and that. That hope for me, so I won't cry.

Reece Weaver [01:20:32]:
That is so sweet. I'm about to say the same. But as a rookie perspective, she's like.

Marissa Phillips [01:20:38]:
Yeah, this girl was stressed out.

Reece Weaver [01:20:40]:
Oh, my gosh. Whatever. So that's so sweet. And honestly, I'm glad that we're doing this because it's a lot easier to talk about, like, people who you, like, look up to so much instead of, like, talking about yourself because you're like, bleh, gross.

Morgan May Treuil [01:20:55]:
Stop, gross.

Reece Weaver [01:20:57]:
But I would have to say kind of the same. You know, walking into your rookie season, it's. It's really special because you can be so close with just one class above you or below you because you walked through the same thing, or that person above you just walked through what you're walking through. And so coming in rookie season, Marissa was not too drawn out of rookie season. And so she, as a second year, was really just such an incredible resource. One, but, like, sister that I could really lean on. We were just. We just so happened to dance next to each other the entire year, which was so special.

Reece Weaver [01:21:37]:
And I needed someone who, obviously, I don't feel threatened or intimidated by anyone on the team, but Marissa just naturally has this welcoming presence and gift of just being so warm and so kind. And so I think it also has to do that you are like a sister with another sister, too, like, in your own family.

Marissa Phillips [01:21:57]:
But I've got a sister.

Reece Weaver [01:21:58]:
You just, like, you have that natural quality of just knowing, like, well, you're my sister, too. And I don't have an older sister or a younger sister in my family. And so to feel that warmth and that presence in that way was really special as a rookie coming in because I just looked up to so many vets that's already just naturally being a rookie. But another thing, too, and Marissa kind of talked about a little bit of her why? I feel like as an outsider looking at her, why on this team, I think not only is she an incredible dancer, an amazing human, but Marissa has walked through something that I have never experienced and walked through with losing an extremely significant person in her life. And I feel like the reason why the Lord put this on her heart to pursue was so that she can be a light for others in the sense of talking about the Alzheimer's Association. I know I have two family members who currently are battling Alzheimer's dementia. And it's. It's.

Reece Weaver [01:23:04]:
It's really cool to see that she can be such a huge ambassador for that organization, but also have a real life testimony and share it with so many people because it's way more than, you know, the uniform and the dancing and all of that. She's representing something far greater than herself. And to see that is really inspirational. And I look up to her in so many more ways than just being a dancer on this team.

Leslie Johnston [01:23:30]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:23:31]:
Oh, my gosh.

Leslie Johnston [01:23:31]:
So sweet.

Marissa Phillips [01:23:33]:
Each other cry, and I'm like, oh, my God.

Morgan May Treuil [01:23:37]:
I know.

Leslie Johnston [01:23:38]:
Well, I think it's so cool. It's like God is so in the details that, like, literally him even putting you guys next to each other was so, like, just something he would do. And it's like, you can see that written all over it.

Morgan May Treuil [01:23:50]:
It's so clear that this is the beginning. Like, this is the launch pad for a huge life of impact for you guys, too. Like, even if the season changes and it no longer becomes dcc, that's your platform to share and to do good. It feels like God's gonna continue to provide you guys with opportunities to love people and to love him and to be an advocate. Marissa, like, what we're just talking about for people going through unimaginable things.

Leslie Johnston [01:24:17]:
Yes.

Morgan May Treuil [01:24:17]:
So cool. And I love that, like, the older, younger, even, y'all are the same age, right?

Reece Weaver [01:24:23]:
You're 24.

Marissa Phillips [01:24:25]:
Yeah.

Reece Weaver [01:24:25]:
So Will is 24. But I feel like you're about the.

Morgan May Treuil [01:24:30]:
Same age, but, like, wise, I think.

Marissa Phillips [01:24:32]:
Think we're 11 year apart.

Morgan May Treuil [01:24:34]:
But, like, even the way you talk about each other, like, it just reminds you to have a person that's, like, in the season ahead of you or a person that's in the season behind of behind you and walk together because there's. There's so much joy in community and in sisterhood, and you can have that in so many places in your life. Like, you can have that in a small group. You can have that in a co worker circle. You can have that in A pickleball group. You can have it in lots of.

Leslie Johnston [01:25:00]:
Pickleball group that might be like a group of 80 year olds, but then.

Morgan May Treuil [01:25:03]:
They'Re really ahead of you. Yes.

Leslie Johnston [01:25:05]:
That is so cool. Marissa, tell us like, as we end our episode, tell us a little bit about the association organization that you started.

Marissa Phillips [01:25:14]:
Yeah, so I didn't necessarily start an organization, but whenever we join the team, we get to choose a cause that's near and dear to our heart. And it's the my cause my boot game just kind of like the my cause my cleat game that the players do. And so it's a really cool thing that we get to kind of choose something and then be able to honor that at a football game and on social media and with our family. So that's like something you do when you try out for the team. They ask you on your application, what would your my cause be if you were selected. And so right away that was like a really cool outlet that I kind of. I think when I was trying out, I was still processing everything as well. And so that was a great way for me to just honestly get it on paper and be like, here's what happened, here's why I want to talk about it.

Marissa Phillips [01:26:06]:
And I would love to just have the opportunity to do that. And so getting to do that, I know my rookie year, like, it was emotional for me. They. The first time they gave me my boot with a purple star on it, I was a wreck. Like, I was like, oh my gosh, there's no way I'm going to be able to like even wear this on the field, much less talk about it. But I feel like every time he's given me an opportunity to honor my dad in that way, he's again just brought that like, peace over me of you're. I'm gonna let. I'm gonna give you the calmness and the peace to tell this story and to tell it for your dad in the right way.

Marissa Phillips [01:26:44]:
And so I think with time it just gets a little bit easier. Obviously having the support of like my mom and my sister and my brother too, like, knowing that I'm kind of carrying that for the family and continuing to like have his legacy live with us. But me and my sister actually started a boutique about a year ago and that was just another avenue. We have an online boutique. And at first, like, it didn't start as an idea of a business, but it was more how can we continued to tell his legacy and give back? And so we were like, well, if we, you know, take our passion for clothing and fashion. And she's very much the mathematical finance businessman. I'm a creative girl. So we were like, okay, this is a good, like, volunteer.

Marissa Phillips [01:27:31]:
And so we had the idea for a boutique and tried to incorporate the Alzheimer's Association a lot within that. And just like, a month or two ago, we got to do a huge pop up with Kendra Scott, which was amazing.

Morgan May Treuil [01:27:46]:
That's so fun.

Marissa Phillips [01:27:48]:
Super big advocate of just not only women's entrepreneurship. I can't say that. Right.

Morgan May Treuil [01:27:55]:
And it crushed. Yeah, you said it really well.

Marissa Phillips [01:27:58]:
Wow. I don't think that's a real word. But, I mean, Kendra Scott's not only super impactful in that way, but also with giving back in the community. So she not only allowed us to come, like, take over her store with our clothes and our racks and all the things, but she also donated 20% back to the Alzheimer's negotiation of what she was selling. So it was just incredible. And, like, I think getting to see that even people as big as Kendra Scott, like, are so caring, and it reaches so much farther than what I can do and what my family can do that, like, the community will join together and, like, help each other to make an impact for things like Alzheimer's, which there's still a long way to go and a fight to be had. And so I hope that even after dcc, like you said, Morgan, that God just keeps providing and giving us those opportunities to make an impact and hopefully one day we can find a cure for it.

Leslie Johnston [01:28:56]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:28:56]:
So cool.

Leslie Johnston [01:28:57]:
That is so cool. What's the name of your boutique in case people want to go do a little shopping?

Marissa Phillips [01:29:00]:
Yes, it's called Joey Lynn, actually. And little background on the name. So we were, like, trying to come up with a name that was, like, not, like, cheesy. Like, we didn't want to be like Phillips sisters. Like.

Morgan May Treuil [01:29:12]:
Yeah.

Marissa Phillips [01:29:13]:
So. But we wanted to be, like, also something meaningful. Meaningful that wasn't just, you know, I don't know, some name that we were like, we have no connection to. So Joey is actually short for Joseph, which is my dad's middle name. And then Lynn is my mom's middle name. So we were kind of like, well, we'll just do a little combination of the two. So that's Joy Lynn, but yeah, come, come shop us. We're online and you'll probably see this girl modeling all over our page.

Morgan May Treuil [01:29:42]:
Yay.

Marissa Phillips [01:29:43]:
Love it.

Morgan May Treuil [01:29:43]:
Love it.

Marissa Phillips [01:29:43]:
It's so good having 36 friends that are beautiful.

Morgan May Treuil [01:29:46]:
Yeah, that is really nice. That is a pro.

Leslie Johnston [01:29:49]:
That's a pro.

Morgan May Treuil [01:29:50]:
Do you guys have practice tonight?

Marissa Phillips [01:29:52]:
Oh, yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:29:53]:
Oh, yeah.

Reece Weaver [01:29:54]:
Is there a game this season?

Morgan May Treuil [01:29:56]:
Do you practice every day?

Reece Weaver [01:29:59]:
Pretty much now. Usually we have, like, a day off before or after our game, but now because we've got so busy.

Marissa Phillips [01:30:09]:
Yeah, pretty much Monday through Friday. And we have a lot of games this month, so it's really fun because we get to start doing, like, Thanksgiving, and we're gonna get to dance with Lainey Wilson this year, which is really exciting. Oh, my gosh.

Leslie Johnston [01:30:21]:
We just saw her in concert.

Marissa Phillips [01:30:23]:
Yeah, she's the best. So. So it's all really, like, super exciting things. It just can get busy. But we're excited. It's going be fun.

Morgan May Treuil [01:30:33]:
Speaking of people who recover really well and the show must go on. I love Laney. I loved Laney Wilson before the concert, but we were at her show in Lake Tahoe because we live, like an hour from Lake Tahoe, and she fell off of her car on stage, the truck on stage. And her recovery was so graceful and funny and just, like, relatable. And you just fell in love with her more after she fell off of the car on stage. And I'm like, that's a good person.

Leslie Johnston [01:30:58]:
That's show business. Well, we love you so much, and we know everybody else does. And thank you so much for coming on the podcast. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule. Thanks for being open and honest. I've learned a lot.

Morgan May Treuil [01:31:16]:
I learned so much, and I encouraged.

Leslie Johnston [01:31:18]:
Yeah. I just love you guys so much. So if you ever come to California, come hang out.

Morgan May Treuil [01:31:22]:
Yes. We'll take you around all the spots. Okay. Have such a great day, you guys. And thanks for coming on. Am I doing this right? And you also. You're doing it right. Just in case you are on the show to figure it out.

Morgan May Treuil [01:31:33]:
You're doing it really right. So.

Leslie Johnston [01:31:34]:
And, Marissa, I hope they have just a table of uncrustables for you.

Marissa Phillips [01:31:38]:
Yes.

Leslie Johnston [01:31:39]:
The whole wheat grape version.

Reece Weaver [01:31:41]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:31:41]:
For lunch, you guys should have uncrustable. It's just a mountain of them.

Marissa Phillips [01:31:45]:
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Leslie Johnston [01:31:46]:
Yeah.

Morgan May Treuil [01:31:47]:
Okay, you guys, thanks for coming on.

Reece Weaver [01:31:49]:
Thank you guys for having us.

Marissa Phillips [01:31:51]:
So much for having us.