Going for It All with Kylee Heath – Episode 67

The Recap

Jennifer welcomes celebrity hair stylist, Kylee Heath. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Kylee moved to Los Angeles at the tender age of nineteen to pursue her dream of becoming a hair stylist. Since then, she has worked with celebrities styling their hair for press, premieres, talk shows, and photo shoots. Kylee’s dedication to new and innovative styling techniques has given her an edge in the industry. Her celebrity clients include Nicole Kidman, Kristen Stewart, Rachel McAdams, Diane Kruger, Sofia Vergara, Riley Keough and Liam Hemsworth, among others. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband Jonathan, her daughter Rae, and a baby boy on the way.

In this episode, Kylee talks about following her childhood dream of becoming a hair stylist. She opens up about taking a ‘non-traditional’ path in life both in her career and in her personal life. Jennifer and Kylee discuss issues facing working mothers today, including the guilt that many feel while trying to maintain a healthy balance. Kylee talks about the longing she has always felt to become a mother and the journey that brought her there. Finally, Kylee and Jennifer bond over the shared reality that we are all making it up as we go and doing the best that we can along the way.

Episode Highlights

01:14 – Introducing Kylee Heath

02:08 – Jennifer announces this month’s charity initiative, GLSEN and its importance as October represents LGBTQ Awareness and History Month

04:54 – Jennifer reiterates the importance of supporting these charitable organizations either monetarily or otherwise

06:27 – Jennifer thanks the sponsor of today’s episode, Clutch Gifts

10:58 – Kylee’s background and roots

13:22 – Kylee speaks to her love of beauty and fashion

15:54 – The decision to move to Orange County to attend cosmetology school

16:15 – Kylee recalls the chances she took to pursue her dream

18:42 – How Kylee went from the front desk to assisting at the Wall Group

24:05 – A typical week of work for Kylee

25:24 – Balancing work and being a mother

27:54 – Kylee speaks to the struggle to find help with childcare

29:04 – Jennifer and Kylee discuss the guilt that many mothers feel

30:24 – Going for it all

32:38 – The importance of having a strong support system

35:49 – Taking the road less travelled

40:18 – Kylee talks about always wanting to be a mother

44:41 – The beauty that not every woman’s story is the same

47:16 – Flash Weddings

48:46 – Kylee talks about Baby #2

50:13 – The difficult transition that Kylee experienced as a parent

50:58 – Kylee shares her thoughts on potentially having more children

51:51 – What does Kylee think about when she hears the word MILF?

52:11 – What is something Kylee has changed her mind about recently?

53:45 – How does Kylee define success?

54:31 – Lightning round of questions

57:20 – Jennifer and Kylee talk about their favorite hair products

1:02:39 – Jennifer teases the guest of next week’s episode of MILF Podcast

1:03:27 – Jennifer reminds the audience to utilize the promo code ‘MILF15’ for a 15% discount at Clutch Gifts

Tweetable Quotes

Links Mentioned

Jennifer’s Charity for October – https://www.glsen.org/

Clutch Gifts Website(Use the code ‘MILF15’ for a 15% discount)

Kylee’s Website

Kylee’s Twitter

Kylee’s Instagram

Connect with Jennifer

MILF Podcast

Jennifer’s Coaching/Writing Website

Jennifer on Instagram

Jennifer on Twitter

Jennifer on Facebook

Jennifer on Linkedin

Transcript

Read Full Transcript

Kylee Heath: For young people out there, I recommend trying as many things when you're young as you can. I wish so badly there were more programs when you're in high school offered, because the fact that I got to try out cosmetology school in high school, if I didn't, I probably wouldn't have gone right out of high school. I actually, definitely wouldn't have. I would have been too scared. Maybe my parents would have questioned it a little bit more. They'd be like, "Oh, are you sure?" So, having that chance, I think really changed my path. And I just wish there were more programs like that. Even little internships you can get credits for. Because also working in an office a couple of hours, I learned, "This is not for me."
(Announcer): You're listening to the MILF podcast. This is the show where we talk about motherhood and sexuality with amazing women with fascinating stories to share on the joys of being a MILF. Now, here's your host, the MILF-iest MILF I know, Jennifer Tracy.
Jennifer Tracy: Hey, guys. Welcome back to the show. This is MILF podcast, the show where we talk about motherhood, entrepreneurship, sexuality, and everything in between. I'm Jennifer Tracy, your host. Welcome to October. Here we are. I'm so excited to be here today. Today's guest is Kylee Heath. Kylee came to me through my assistant, Skye. They're friends. And Skye said, "Oh, I have a mom who's perfect for the show." She hooked me up with Kylee. And I couldn't agree more, Kylee is a celebrity hairstylist who is exceptionally talented, incredibly motivated, and has more moxie than most people I know. And she's super-young. She has a toddler, a beautiful little girl, and she is expecting her second child.
Jennifer Tracy: So, she's pregnant. Gosh, I want to say she might even be the first guest on the show who's been pregnant when I interviewed her. Actually, I can almost say with certainty that that is true. So, we had a great talk. I went to her house, and we just chatted, and it was really lovely. And then I got to meet her little girl afterwards. She came home from a walk. So, that was really special. So, here we are in October. October is LGBTQ awareness month, and History month. And Pride month is June, at least here in the United States. So, it's different in different countries. But in the United States and Canada, October is LGBTQ History month.
Jennifer Tracy: And the reason that I wanted to kind of highlight that and talk about it, and also showcase it, I've picked this month's highlighted give as an organization called GLSEN, which I'll talk about in a minute. I've lived in West Hollywood for 20 years, and I've seen some amazing, beautiful, and tragic things in that time. I mean, before then, obviously. I lived in New York for a while. And when I was 14, I started modeling professionally in Denver. And being in the business, even in Denver at that time, gosh, it was 1990, I guess, it was a different time then. There was awareness, but it's nothing like what we have now. And obviously, we still have a long way to go.
Jennifer Tracy: But I've been surrounded by that community since I was a teenager. And it's really close to my heart, and it's really important to me that we talk about it, especially now, as a mom, and talking to other moms. Just in the last couple of weeks, I've had four different moms tell me that their child has come out to them as transgender, or as gay, or as queer. These kids are coming out to their parents as young as eight, which is amazing, and beautiful, and needs the support of the community, needs the support of organizations like GLSEN that provide education, they provide ... Their whole goal is to get every community in every school to be a safe space that's inclusive for all, and people who identify as all different sexual orientations, different pronouns, he, she, them, they, and just educate. Because all of this starts with education.
Jennifer Tracy: Anyway, that is really near and dear to my heart. It is National Coming Out Day on October 11. AIDS walk LA is October 20. A lot of really amazing events happening here in LA, but all over the world. So, especially in the UK, US, and Canada, when October is LGBTQ History Month. So anyway, I just wanted to highlight that. The give that I selected that's also on my website, I always have this on my website, and I have a button that you can click to donate ... And I just want to reiterate this. I said this last week, but if you can't be physically a part of something that means something to you, donate your time or your energy, it's really helpful even if you're donating five dollars to something.
Jennifer Tracy: That really makes a difference. Because, think about it, if everybody on your block donated five dollars a couple times a year, that adds up. So, I don't want you to feel like, "Oh, I can't make a $25 donation," or whatever. It doesn't matter, it's okay. And you don't have to donate anything. Even if you just go on the website and kind of read about it and educate yourself about what this amazing organization is doing, that's awesome, too. Because you never know when you're going to run into somebody that needs help, and you could say, "Hey, I heard of this amazing organization."
Jennifer Tracy: So, it's called GLSEN, and their website is, which will be in the show notes of this show, and also on my giving page on MILFpodcast.com ... their website is glsen.org. And they're just exceptional. They've been around since 1990. And they really specialize in kids. Kids that are LGBTQ+, and helping them to have an affirmative place in school, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and have that ... feel safe. Be able to feel safe. So, that's really, really important to me, and close to my heart. And just wanted to share that with you guys.
Jennifer Tracy: Today's sponsor is Clutch Gifts. I love these two ladies, first of all, who ... I know them through my son's old school. They are a gay couple, a gay lesbian couple, and they own this company that curates these beautiful, beautiful gift boxes. And it's very personalized, so it's a modern personalized gift solution, is what they call it. And everything is built around sommelier selected small production wines. Now, these women are such ... They really know about wine. I obviously, don't, because I don't drink. I think that's really cool. If I did drink wine, I would really appreciate that, because I can understand the art of good wine.
Jennifer Tracy: So it's a beautiful bottle of wine, and little curated things like candles, and little match boxes that have art on them. And their whole thing is that it works together to tell, in their words, a story of celebration, delight, and good taste. And they're just beautiful. If you go on their website, clutchgifts.com, when you get to check out, you can enter the exclusive code MILF15, you get 15% off. And really, if you have anyone you want to get a gift for that's special, I really recommend this. Because they're not going to get anything like this from anyone else. And it really goes the extra mile. I'm a big gift giver, and I send "Thank you's" to people, and it makes a big difference. It makes a big difference. It's personal, and it makes people feel special. And that's what we want. That's what we want.
Jennifer Tracy: It's so funny, I was at the In-N-Out just yesterday with my son. We went through the drive-through. And we were at the one on Lankershim and Cahuenga, for those of you in LA. And there's many In-N-Outs in LA. But, because we were coming back from the Valley. And I pulled up, and this young girl took my order. And she was just so beautiful. She had this perfect caramel skin, and bright eyes, and long eyelashes. Not a shred of makeup on. And she just had this bright smile. And she took our order. And I said, "You are so beautiful. You're just radiant." And she blushed, and she said, "Thank you." I said, "You're welcome." And we drove through, and my son said, "Why'd you do that?" And I said, "Because it's true. And I always want to reflect people's awesomeness to them, because why not?" You know what I mean?
Jennifer Tracy: We all give ourselves such a hard time about ... I mean, I certainly do, and I know most of my friends do, about everything. If we can just reflect someone's light to them, even if it's just in passing for a moment, there's no strings attached, there's nothing expected in return, it's just a genuine compliment, why not? As long as it's not creepy, which I wasn't. Anyway, and he was like, "Okay, cool." Then he went back to watching his phone. The Office. Always The Office. He just obsessively watches The Office. He's watched seasons one through nine. I think he's on his third round. He has it memorized. And I'm like, "Well, it's good television. I can appreciate that." All right. I've talked long enough. Now it's time for the interview with Kylee. I hope you guys enjoy. Hi, Kylee.
Kylee Heath: Hi.
Jennifer Tracy: Thank you so much for being on the show.
Kylee Heath: Thank you for having me on the show.
Jennifer Tracy: This is so amazing. Your home is so cozy, and warm, and beautiful-
Kylee Heath: Thank you.
Jennifer Tracy: ... as are you.
Kylee Heath: Thank you. You're so nice.
Jennifer Tracy: Cozy, and warm, and beautiful. It's true.
Kylee Heath: Cozy is life.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, that's good. We've got Holly, your Lab. Is she a Lab?
Kylee Heath: Golden retriever.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, golden retriever. She is amazing.
Kylee Heath: She's 10.
Jennifer Tracy: She's such a good girl.
Kylee Heath: Our little old lady. Yeah, she's so sweet.
Jennifer Tracy: So, you have a two-year-old, who's out with your mom right now, who's visiting.
Kylee Heath: Yes.
Jennifer Tracy: And you have one on the way.
Kylee Heath: Yes, another one on the way.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my gosh.
Kylee Heath: I'm almost 21 weeks.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my gosh. Wow.
Kylee Heath: It's crazy.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh.
Kylee Heath: Holly.
Jennifer Tracy: She wants some of the mic. Can you guys hear Holly panting? Say something, Holly.
Kylee Heath: Holly. Do you want to say something?
Jennifer Tracy: She's like, "I don't have much to say. I just need some cuddles." I kind of want to start just from the beginning. Your story's so interesting, and kind of where you've arrived. And you have so much more to go. Because you're super-young, aren't you? You're like, 20-
Kylee Heath: I'm 29.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my God. That's so amazing.
Kylee Heath: Almost 30.
Jennifer Tracy: When's your birthday?
Kylee Heath: December 29.
Jennifer Tracy: December 29.
Kylee Heath: So, it's creeping up.
Jennifer Tracy: That's awesome.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: 30.
Kylee Heath: I know.
Jennifer Tracy: Milestone.
Kylee Heath: I know.
Jennifer Tracy: Where were you born and raised?
Kylee Heath: So, I was born and raised in Santa Cruz. Lived there my whole life. And all my family is up there, still. And so, I love it, because I love going up there to visit.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, gorgeous.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. [crosstalk 00:11:34]
Jennifer Tracy: That's called ... Is that considered Central?
Kylee Heath: Yeah, it's like Monterey Bay.
Jennifer Tracy: Central coast? Okay.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, okay. So it's-
Kylee Heath: It's about an hour and-a ... A lot of people call it NorCal, but it really is more Central.
Jennifer Tracy: Got it.
Kylee Heath: It's an hour and-a-half south of San Francisco, on the coast.
Jennifer Tracy: Did you hang out in San Francisco growing up?
Kylee Heath: We would always go up there to go shopping around the holidays, or for prom dresses and that kind of thing.
Jennifer Tracy: Prom dresses.
Kylee Heath: Because the mall in Santa Cruz is very pathetic.
Jennifer Tracy: Got it.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Got it.
Kylee Heath: It's not great.
Jennifer Tracy: And what did you do for fun, growing up? What was your favorite thing, as a teenager?
Kylee Heath: We were really ... My brother and I both, I don't know if my dad got us into it or what, but we were both really active. I played every sport. We did junior lifeguards from age 6, I think is when you start. And I did it until I was 17.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my God, the boys ... When you were the lifeguard at the local pool, the boys must have been like-
Kylee Heath: Well, so, junior lifeguards, it's a summer camp where you go down to the beach, and you are down at the beach basically, all day. And you're doing run swim runs and competitions. And it was so fun. When I was really-
Jennifer Tracy: It's like Baywatch for kids.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, it's hilarious. But you're just getting so much exercise and burning fuel. So, we would do that, even as a team, it would be from 9 to 12. And then me and my friends, we would just ride to the beach and go to the beach all day-
Jennifer Tracy: That sounds amazing.
Kylee Heath: ... and then call my dad and be like, "We're too tired to bike home. Come pick us up."
Jennifer Tracy: That is incredible.
Kylee Heath: So, yeah, that was our summers. We were just at the beach all the time, which was great. And then during the school year, I played volleyball, and did swim team, and I really enjoyed playing sports.
Jennifer Tracy: And when did your love of beauty, and fashion, and style sort of blossom?
Kylee Heath: That also started very young. I learned to French braid hair when I was really young. I don't know how old I was, but probably before I was 10. So, I always ... Or definitely before I was 10, because I have a picture in fifth grade when we are all on a camping trip, and all my friends have their hair in two French braids. And I'd do my friends' hair for proms. And I always loved that. And then my senior year of high school, I started doing cosmetology school as an ROP class. They offered it as a course.
Jennifer Tracy: At your high school? That's amazing.
Kylee Heath: So, it wasn't at the high school, but-
Jennifer Tracy: I see, you got credit for it.
Kylee Heath: ... they offered ... Yes, I got credit for it.
Jennifer Tracy: That's brilliant.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, it was great. So, my senior year, I would go two days a week after school, and I would go for three hours. And then, I got hours that I could transfer. And I loved doing hair. There was still a part of me, I'm like, "I don't know, maybe I want to go to college." I kind of wanted to be a teacher. There were a few different things that I wanted to do. I also was very into clothes, so I had looked at FIDM. I went to this program called The Three Days of Fashion, then I went to the one in Orange County. And I did really like that. I liked to sew and all of that kind of thing. I told my parents I wanted to look at cosmetology schools that were in Southern California, because I knew there was more opportunity down here.
Kylee Heath: And they were very supportive, which I feel so grateful for. They were like, "We've seen that you're passionate about this. And if that's what you want to do, we support you." So, we set up meetings at seven different schools to check them out. And I walked into the Paul Mitchell in Orange County, and I just was like, "This is it. This is where I want to go."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, Orange County.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, in Orange County.
Jennifer Tracy: So, did you move down there?
Kylee Heath: So, I moved down.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, because you can't commute from Santa Cruz.
Kylee Heath: No.
Jennifer Tracy: It's like, five hours.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. And I actually had three friends that were from Santa Cruz that were moving to Orange County-
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, perfect.
Kylee Heath: ... just to go to the junior college down there.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, perfect.
Kylee Heath: So, we all moved in together right after ... It was that summer after I graduated high school.
Jennifer Tracy: You were 18?
Kylee Heath: Yeah, I was 18.
Jennifer Tracy: Wow.
Kylee Heath: Which was crazy, a little bit. Having our own apartment. It wasn't like we were living on campus or anything. Yeah, so, and I loved it. I loved going to cosmetology school. It was awesome. And so, I started school in September. And since I had some hours ... you need 1600 hours to graduate ... I graduated in July.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, that's fast.
Kylee Heath: I was done, yes.
Jennifer Tracy: Less than a year.
Kylee Heath: Less than a year. And so, I took that summer to figure out exactly where I wanted to end up. And Angus Mitchell, who's Paul Mitchell's son, he had just opened a salon in Beverly Hills. And a couple of my friends that graduated just before me in cosmetology school were working there. And so, they connected us. And I went in and I interviewed, and the lady was like, "Sorry, we just don't have room for assistants right now." And I was like, "I'll do anything. I'll work at the front desk. Please, just let me know if anything opens up. But if you want somebody to run the front desk, I can start there and then-"
Jennifer Tracy: Work your way up.
Kylee Heath: "... work my way up."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. And so, they gave me a call and they were like, "You know what? Let's have you start at the front desk." And so, I moved down. And I was really nervous, because LA, just even growing up in Santa Cruz, it's such a different-
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, it's more of a small town feel, sort of, yeah.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. And people were kind of like, "Oh, LA," you know?
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And so, I was nervous. But my parents were like, "Hey, give it a solid three months. And we'll always be here. Nothing will change. Just give it a try." I think they might regret those words now. No, not really, but ... they're like, "Move home."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: But, yeah, so I gave it a try. And I got in and started assisting pretty quickly, as well as working the front desk.
Jennifer Tracy: And you were 19?
Kylee Heath: I was 19.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my gosh.
Kylee Heath: So, yeah, I was 19. And pretty crazy, yeah. And when I first moved, too, I had a job, but I didn't have a place to live yet. So, I remember, I was Google mapping and printing out directions. I was looking at places.
Jennifer Tracy: Right.
Kylee Heath: Because then, I didn't have navigation on my phone.
Jennifer Tracy: Sure, sure.
Kylee Heath: And it was a little stressful. But I ended up, through a friend of a friend, met a girl who also was looking and didn't have a place to live, who was moving from Northern California. And I told her, I said, "I found a place, if you want to move in." We met when I ... She just signed the lease, and that's when we met. And we lived together for seven years.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my gosh.
Kylee Heath: After that, she became one of my best friends-
Jennifer Tracy: That's amazing.
Kylee Heath: ... which, I really lucked out. So, that's kind of how it all started.
Jennifer Tracy: And so, when you were assisting at 19 in this Beverly Hills ... I mean, first of all, I just want to point out the moxie that it took for you, and the willingness to start at the receptionist level.
Kylee Heath: Right.
Jennifer Tracy: Because you knew what it meant to get into a ... I want to say elite ... Anything in Beverly Hills has got that cachet.
Kylee Heath: Right.
Jennifer Tracy: It's like, if you come from that kind of salon, it gives you a big feather in your cap.
Kylee Heath: Right.
Jennifer Tracy: So, you were just willing to go for it. And you told them, and they took a chance on you.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: I love that.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And then you were assisting. And then from there, how long did you have to be on the floor? Isn't that what they call it?
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: On the floor?
Kylee Heath: So, on the floor. It was ... I'm trying to think. Because I only worked there for two years. And I'd say after a year, for sure, I was taking some of my own clients. But I had also been assisting ... You're supposed to assist for a while, and that really is where you learn all of your-
Jennifer Tracy: Techniques and things, yeah.
Kylee Heath: ... techniques. Yeah, and you learn your style, and you learn how to really style hair and give somebody a great blowout. Because you're kind of doing that all day. And so, it was really good experience. And I think because I was so young, and I was thinking, "If I went to college, I would still be in school right now," so, I kept having that mentality, where I was like, "Okay, think of this as-"
Jennifer Tracy: Training.
Kylee Heath: "... school, and training. And I'm getting a little bit of a head start. But also, I want to really grow." So, I'd probably been there, I had been there for probably a year and-a-half, or a little over a year, and we had sent out little cards to CAA and different agents, to try to get more people in, just saying, "We'll give you a free haircut." And we had a call from somebody from CAA, and she said that she needed a haircut. And it was late. And everyone was like, "Oh, we are closing," and I was like, "Well, I'm happy to stay. I have nothing to do. I know how to close down the whole salon, because I can work the front desk."
Jennifer Tracy: Yes.
Kylee Heath: I was like, "I'm happy to stay. And I'll do it." And so, that was one of the greatest things that ever happened to me, because this woman, Sandy, we were talking. And I told her how I loved styling hair. Because also, I was in the space where I loved doing weddings, I just wanted to ... I was on Model Mayhem. I was trying to figure out how to get a portfolio-
Jennifer Tracy: What's Model Mayhem?
Kylee Heath: So, Model ... I don't even know if it exists. I actually need to look it up. Or, still. But, it connects photographers, models, hair, makeup-
Jennifer Tracy: Got it.
Kylee Heath: ... to do photo shoots.
Jennifer Tracy: Got it.
Kylee Heath: And everyone just kind of trades their work. And it's a way to build your portfolio. So, that's kind of what I was doing at the time. I was trying to do photo shoots. And I think, I don't even know if I have pictures from what I did back then. I don't even know if it exists. I need to look at up, still. But, I just really wanted to break into that world, and I didn't know how. And I had this woman, Sandy. And she said, "Oh, I'm so glad you mentioned that. My old assistant works at The Wall Group." And I was like, "Oh." No idea what The Wall Group was. But I was like, "Oh, cool." And so, she said, "Let me connect to you." And I sent this girl, Hillary-
Jennifer Tracy: So, for our listeners, The Wall Group is an agency-
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: ... that is makeup and hair stylists. They represent makeup and hair stylists for photo shoots, and TV, and all these things, right?
Kylee Heath: Yeah. So, every big image you look at has a huge team behind it. And The Wall Group sends everybody out there, and is kind of the middleman. But I just acted like I knew what it was. And when she left, I Googled it. And I freaked ... I was jumping up and down. I was like, "Oh, my gosh." And we had somebody that did PR for our salon, and she just told me, "Do anything and everything they ask you to do, just say yes." And I was like ... So, Hillary came in for a blow dry. We hit it off. And she was like, "I'm so glad I met you." I was like, "I'm so glad I met you." And she started calling me for assisting jobs at The Wall Group. So, I would just leave the salon. They would call me and I would be like, "Sorry, got to go."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And I would pack up this little bag, and I would just leave.
Jennifer Tracy: And you would assist other hairstylists on photo shoots?
Kylee Heath: Yes.
Jennifer Tracy: Got it.
Kylee Heath: So, I would assist other people on photo shoots. Or, if a stylist had one job, but then he had to leave early to get to a flight or another job, then an assistant would come just to cover, to make sure the hair still looked good while they're doing they press, or just basically to be there just in case anything happened.
Jennifer Tracy: Sure.
Kylee Heath: And so, I just said yes, and made myself very available to them. And it also paid off, because they used me a lot. And I got to know everyone really well. And it became too much, doing that and the salon. And I was feeling a lot of guilt for leaving early. And I decided to quit the salon, and ... Well, I had told them I would be there for sure on Tuesdays. And then that following Tuesday, a big job came in with The Wall Group. And I was like, "okay, this is my sign. I have to be done."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And I quit. And it was really scary, because being freelance is a whole other world.
Jennifer Tracy: Sure.
Kylee Heath: There's no guarantees. You don't get paid ... You can get paid three months to six months later, you know?
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: So, starting out was really scary. And again, I was thinking of it as my Master's program. At this time, I was 21. And my parents were also very supportive. They were like, "If you need anything, just let us know." But I really wanted to do it on my own. Yeah, so, just from there, it just kind of grew. And they started trusting me on little jobs here and there. And yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And so now, you work with some major celebrities regularly.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And you do all kinds of different ... What kind of projects do you work on now, just in a typical week?
Kylee Heath: Last week, I did a Comcast commercial with Amy Poehler, which-
Jennifer Tracy: Fun.
Kylee Heath: ... is so fun. She is amazing. And what else did I do last week? There was a big Chanel dinner, so I got somebody ready for the Chanel dinner. What I do love is that week to week is so different.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And I get to be somewhere different every day. Some days, like a commercial, you're gone for probably 14 hours. It's usually a 12-hour workday, and then with driving, and parking, and everything. But then, I can have a job that I'm getting somebody ready for two hours. And that can be my day. Or I can do multiple jobs in one day. So, it's been really great, and it's been especially great being a mom. Because being in the salon, I know you can also tailor that to what you need, or you could only do three days, and things like that. But with this job, sometimes I'll have two really busy weeks, and I just know that after that, maybe I'll have four days off, where I can just be home.
Jennifer Tracy: How do you balance that with ... Do you have help?
Kylee Heath: That has been a bit of a ... I do have help now, and I have a great situation now. But that was really hard to find-
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: ... somebody that could be flexible with my schedule. So, what's great ... I do end up working weekends a lot, so John O, my partner, he can be home with her on the weekends.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And then, we have a part-time nanny who's really flexible. So, I just tell her in advance, "Okay, I think that next week I'm going to need you Monday, Wednesday, Thursday around these hours."
Jennifer Tracy: That's hard to find, because you-
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: I mean, when I had my son, I was still auditioning when he was a newborn. I think I went on my first audition out after he was a week old, or some crazy thing. And I brought him with me.
Kylee Heath: Because you were acting ... Are you acting?
Jennifer Tracy: I don't really much, anymore. I mean, occasionally, I'll go on an audition, but ... And that was part of the reason why, actually, because once he was a toddler and I couldn't really bring him ... I couldn't just-
Kylee Heath: He wouldn't just be sleeping in the-
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, yeah. Just, it was more complex. And I couldn't have a person, because with auditions, I think probably similar to your schedule ... You probably have a little more advanced notice. But I would find out the day before.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And you know, mine-
Kylee Heath: Mine is honestly, like that, too.
Jennifer Tracy: Is it, still?
Kylee Heath: I will know to a degree ... Some things I'll know, like a commercial, I'll know that it's set to start at 9, okay, it's probably going to start at 6 a.m. But, they could call me and be like, "Tomorrow, we need you from this time to this time."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, and you have to just do it.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: To find a nanny or a babysitter that doesn't have anything else going on, it's really hard.
Kylee Heath: It is.
Jennifer Tracy: And unless you can afford to have someone full-time on salary, which-
Kylee Heath: Right. Which, we've looked into, but also for me, I'm like, "But then the weeks that I have four days off or five days off-"
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, you're paying them for just-
Kylee Heath: Yeah. And I'm like, I want to be with my kid.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: I want to be home with her. That's the thing, when I have time off, I do like to just be hanging with her.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: So, that was really hard to find. We had a great nanny from when, when she was three months old until she was a year. And she lived in Van Nuys, and obviously, I lived near LAX. So that was just a very long commute for her. And she had a young daughter. And it just took a toll.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And so, it was so sad, but she had to leave. But she was amazing. She helped me get her on a sleep schedule. And she just was amazing. So after that, it was really hard to find someone. I went through two that were just like, eww. Because most people that I found that were flexible were very lazy, and would call in sick all the time.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my god.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: That's the worst, when you're leaving for a shoot, and someone's like, "Oh, I can't watch your kid." And you're like, "What am I going to do?"
Kylee Heath: Yeah, especially, too ... Because my boyfriend, he travels a lot for work. And so, it's not like I can be like, "Hey, can you stay home with her today?"
Jennifer Tracy: Right.
Kylee Heath: The other thing that's been great is, both of our moms, our family, they love to come down. So, they try to come down once a month. And I usually book it around when he's traveling-
Jennifer Tracy: Perfect.
Kylee Heath: ... so that I have-
Jennifer Tracy: For the safety net.
Kylee Heath: Then I have a safety net, yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And then, we have a friend that, her son is two days older than my daughter. And they live a mile away. And their nanny's so great. And whenever we are in a bind, we do a nanny share.
Jennifer Tracy: That's huge, that's huge.
Kylee Heath: So, that's been a game changer.
Jennifer Tracy: It takes a village, it really does.
Kylee Heath: It does.
Jennifer Tracy: I mean, just ... It's really challenging for a woman to have a career and raise small children under the age of 15. My son is 10, and I keep ... It's interesting, because he's still, he's at that age where is part teenager, part baby.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And I keep thinking, "Gosh, I have to be patient with him, and be with him as much," he just wants me all the time.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And it's very sweet, even though I get annoyed by it sometimes.
Kylee Heath: Right. But then we want to hang onto it, too.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, because I'm like, "You know what?" I see my friend, my best friend Sabrina, her kids are almost 15 and 17. And they're very independent. I mean, she hasn't needed a babysitter for years. And so, like, "Okay, this time will change, and it's going to be-" but it's hard, man. It's hard. And you're trying to do stuff, and you're trying to make money, and you're trying to support yourself.
Kylee Heath: And then, the guilt.
Jennifer Tracy: The guilt, yeah, because you can't-
Kylee Heath: The guilt is the worst.
Jennifer Tracy: You lose both ways. When you're working, you feel bad that you're working, you're not with them. When you're not working and you're with them, you feel bad you're not earning money.
Kylee Heath: Yep. And then you're like, "And I doing everything half-assed?" And you're just like, "When will I ever be able to do anything 100%?"
Jennifer Tracy: I know. When they're grown-
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: ... I think, maybe. And I don't even know, maybe not then.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: But it's true, it's true. This is so fascinating. First of all, I so admire your chutzpah and your moxie. You just went for this. There was no hesitation, it sounds like. I mean, I'm sure you had your days where you were like, hard days.
Kylee Heath: Honestly, I really think that I've gotten better, but I think I'm so naïve.
Jennifer Tracy: What a blessing that is, though, because-
Kylee Heath: I know, I know. Ignorance is bliss. I'm sorry, and I know that's hilarious, but-
Jennifer Tracy: No, no, no. I know what you mean, though.
Kylee Heath: About a lot of things, too. Because my boyfriend, he's very structured, routine.
Jennifer Tracy: A pragmatic kind of guy?
Kylee Heath: Oh, my god.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And I couldn't be more opposite. I just roll with whatever. And so, it's been actually, really good for both of us, because we've helped to balance each other out.
Jennifer Tracy: Yes.
Kylee Heath: And he'll bring me back to earth sometimes. But I think that me ending up where I am now, to a degree, that's just really helped. I was just like, "I'm going to go for it. What's there to lose?" Even, I talk to my dad now and he's like, "Yeah, I remember when all your friends were going to college, and everyone was asking, 'Oh, where's Kylee going?'" And he would say, "Oh, she's going to cosmetology school." And they would give him this look like, "Oh, I'm sorry," like an "I'm sorry" look.
Jennifer Tracy: Right.
Kylee Heath: And I think I get it from them, too. He just was like, "Screw you guys." I didn't even notice. I didn't even notice that anyone would ever have judged that. And now looking back, I'm like, "Oh, I could see how that looks like an easy way out to some people." But I honestly think I've been passionate about it my whole life. My mom found books ... There is a Dr. Seuss book. You should get it for your son, it's so cute ... But it's about what you-
Jennifer Tracy: Oh The Places You'll Go?
Kylee Heath: ... what your favorite color is-
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, wait, which one is it?
Kylee Heath: It's All About Me.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, I don't have that one.
Kylee Heath: You fill it out with it. So, it'll be like, "What's my favorite color, my best friend's name, and what do you want to be when you grow up?" And mine says, "A hairstylist."
Jennifer Tracy: That is so precious.
Kylee Heath: And I filled it out when I was really young. And my brother's said, "An artist," and he's an artist, which is so cool. My parents are like, "We did something right."
Jennifer Tracy: Well, it is reflective. And what I've heard you say just in the last however long we've been talking is how supportive they have been. I mean, you've said it multiple times.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And I think that there is just nothing more important. I still struggle today. My parents really don't get me. They don't understand. They've always been afraid of the things I've chosen. And I never really felt ... They supported me financially. They paid for my college. And I really try to support my son and all of who he is, I think probably to a fault. Because he's again, just thinks that I am his slave in some regards.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: You know what I mean?
Kylee Heath: I really-
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my god. But that's so beautiful. And also, I just want to point out, I love my hairdresser, as we all do. You become close friends. And she's young, too. She just turned 30. And incredibly talented.
Kylee Heath: Your hair is so cute.
Jennifer Tracy: Although you can't ... My hair is super-smashed right now, but-
Kylee Heath: No, it's cute.
Jennifer Tracy: She and I have talked about how she's been doing this for eight years, and she's like, "It is not easy. People think, 'Oh, you just go to cosmetology school, and you start working, and'" ... And she's like, "No, no, no, no, no. You go, you work on the floor, and you do all these ... It takes-"
Kylee Heath: Hustle.
Jennifer Tracy: ... putting in the time, and hustle, and really putting yourself out there. Yeah, so I think it's a misconception.
Kylee Heath: I agree. I completely agree. And yeah, you're working weekends, when all of your friends are doing stuff. In the salon it was like that. And around the holidays, we always ... I remember it being like, they wanted me to work on Christmas Eve, I think. And as I talked about family, it's so important to me. And I was like, "No, I'm not working on Christmas Eve." And that's something about what I'm doing now, is the industry dies around all holidays. Fourth of July, Christmas, all of it, it's just like-
Jennifer Tracy: Nobody's shooting then-
Kylee Heath: ... ghost town.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, which is great.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. And it's the best. Because I just couldn't. And I know that is the time where you make a lot of your money, is right before all of these things, right before New Years, and-
Jennifer Tracy: Right.
Kylee Heath: But yeah, it just takes hustle. And as much as it's fun, because people look at it and they're like, "Oh, well that's like a fun job, so it's not hard." But it's exhausting.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: You're dealing with so many personalities, whether it's just the people that you're actually working beside, or the people that you're working for.
Jennifer Tracy: Sure.
Kylee Heath: And being on your feet, and driving all over town. And as much as I like being somewhere different every day, there are weeks that it is exhausting, as you could relate to, where just not knowing-
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, yeah.
Kylee Heath: The unknown is stressful. And it does wear on you. I couldn't be in a 9-to-5 job, I know that. Part of this, too, I remember when I was in high school, I got a job at an office. And I worked there for two hours, and I was like, "I quit."
Jennifer Tracy: You were like-
Kylee Heath: Nope.
Jennifer Tracy: "This is death. I can't do this."
Kylee Heath: I cannot. And so, I think that that was helpful. I think for young people out there, I recommend trying as many things when you're young as you can. I wish so badly there were more programs when you're in high school offered, because the fact that I got to try out cosmetology school in high school ... If I didn't, I probably wouldn't have gone right out of high school.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, you would have gone to college.
Kylee Heath: I actually definitely, would have ... I would have been too scared. Maybe my parents would have questioned it a little bit more. They'd be like, "Are you sure?"
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: So, having that chance, I think really changed my path. And I just wish there were more programs like that. Even little internships that you can get credits for.
Jennifer Tracy: Totally.
Kylee Heath: Because also working in an office for a couple of hours, I learned, "This is not for me." And that closed a lot of other doors.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, yeah. That's so great. Well, and I just wanted to say too, all those kids that were like, "Oh, we are going to college," I bet you anything that ... Because this was my experience, too. I went to college ... Well, I moved to New York to model for five minutes, and then I was like, "I can't take this. I hate it. I hate it."
Kylee Heath: What did you hate? Just all of it?
Jennifer Tracy: You know, it's interesting. I started modeling professionally when I was 14 in Denver, where I grew up. And very quickly, I was asked to move to London, and I was offered a contract to basically, leave high school. And I didn't, because I got a part in the school musical. And I was like, "I got a part in Grease as Frenchy-"
Kylee Heath: That's my favorite movie.
Jennifer Tracy: ... "so, I'm going to do it." I mean, it's one of the best.
Kylee Heath: Excellent decision.
Jennifer Tracy: I'm like, "I'm not going to give that up."
Kylee Heath: No.
Jennifer Tracy: So, I went to New York for the summer, I think when I was 16. I love your dog.
Kylee Heath: Holly's right in the middle of us, now.
Jennifer Tracy: She knows I'm a dog person.
Kylee Heath: She does.
Jennifer Tracy: Anyway, when I got there the second time to New York, I was a day 18. And I just didn't know who I was, is part of it. I had my own personal struggles to go through. But the other piece of it was, I just felt like ... I had always wanted to be an actor, and I kind of fell into the modeling. And I thought, "Well, this will be a good way to pay for things." But what happened was, I just really felt like a ghost, like I was such a number to these people. Nothing mattered about my soul or my brain, it was all, "What size are you? What tear sheets to you have? What photographers have you worked with?" And I just ... I couldn't ... I just felt suffocated. I just felt totally suffocated. And then I had a nervous breakdown and I came home.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: I came home, and then I went to college.
Kylee Heath: Understandable. Yeah, there's not depth.
Jennifer Tracy: There is not. I mean, I think you could have that if you were a model who had something else. But the thing is, at that time in my life, I was just out of high school. And I didn't have that other thing. I wasn't actively writing like I am now. I wasn't pursuing the acting on the side. I was just modeling, and living in self-loathing, because I didn't fit a certain size, and I wasn't Kate Moss.
Kylee Heath: Right.
Jennifer Tracy: Because that was the time. It was 1993, and Kate Moss was everything.
Kylee Heath: And it's all comparing. You're like, "If I don't get that gig," because that can happen with us, but you're like, "Oh, I wonder why I didn't get that. I wonder why they got that."
Jennifer Tracy: "What's wrong with me?"
Kylee Heath: "What's wrong with me?" Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah. So, it becomes this sort of shallow thing.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: So anyway, my point is, I did go to college. And than even still after college, I had that sort of, "Fuck, what do I do now?"
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And I almost moved to New York again. And I was too afraid, because my parents had said ... I had gotten into a Master's acting program. And my parents said, "If you do this, you're on your own, financially." And that scared the shit out of me.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: So, I moved back home. And I got work immediately again modeling, and acting, and doing stuff. I got some little bit parts in TV and movies. And then, I moved to LA, and the rest is history. But I would have loved, at 19, to be so clear as you were and have this path. I mean, what a gift.
Kylee Heath: I feel so grateful, I really do. I don't know how it happened. Because I really knew, I was like, "I really want to do hair." I just knew it.
Jennifer Tracy: So great.
Kylee Heath: And there were other things that I loved. I did have other passions. But I was like, "Nope, I'm just going to do it. I'm just going to try it."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, yeah.
Kylee Heath: And I'm so grateful that it worked out, and that I still love it.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And, of course, there are things that-
Jennifer Tracy: Of course, with everything.
Kylee Heath: ... suck. But, I do feel so grateful.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: So, when you became a mother, you were 27?
Kylee Heath: I was 27, yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: What was that like? I mean, when that information came to you ... I don't know if your first baby was planned, or if you-
Kylee Heath: Yeah, so, I've always wanted to be a mom, too. I had dolls until I was too old. So, my boyfriend and I, we were on and off again for a long time. So, there were many moments that I had in my mid-20s where I was like, "When am I ever going to get to have kids? Is this going to happen for me?" I always wanted kids young.
Jennifer Tracy: So smart.
Kylee Heath: I just-
Jennifer Tracy: Because the older you get, you're so tired. I'm 44 and I have friends that are my age trying to have babies, and I'm like, "Are you guys crazy?"
Kylee Heath: I know.
Jennifer Tracy: "Do you even know what you're signing up for?"
Kylee Heath: My aunt had her boys a little bit older, but not old. But she looked at me and she was like, "Have them young." She was like, "I'm so tired." She was like, "I can't-"
Jennifer Tracy: So tired.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. So, John and I, we got back together. And we both knew we wanted kids. And it totally happened as a surprise. And we were like, "Oh, boy." And we were both really scared, because we were like, "Okay, this is not what we were planning. This is not what we were expecting. " But we had so much history, we both knew we wanted kids. And we were like, "We are doing it. Let's do this."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: So, the first couple of months were very scary and a blur. And I felt extreme guilt. Because I pictured this moment my whole life, and I pictured getting pregnant, and telling everyone, and it being this exciting thing. And I felt really scared and sad about how it happened, just that it was a surprise, and that I wasn't married, and all these things that I kind of pictured. You know, you paint this picture.
Jennifer Tracy: Or, it's painted for you-
Kylee Heath: Or it's painted for you.
Jennifer Tracy: ... your whole childhood.
Kylee Heath: Exactly, which is ... When I told my brother that I was pregnant, and he was like, "Ha, ha. Wait, no, tell me, what were you really going to tell me?" I'm like, "I'm pregnant." And I just started crying. And he just was like, "Amazing." And I just told him my fears and all that. He was like, "Kylee," he was like, "society makes up what it's supposed to look like, what it's supposed to be. This is your story, and this is how it's meant to be, and you got to trust that." And I was like, "You're right." And I just ended up ... I let it go. I told my family, and they were all so excited. I was so nervous to tell them, for some reason. I think just because you just picture things happening in a different way, and because of society.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And it just couldn't have ... You just can't picture it any other way.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: My boyfriend and I, we had had kind of and on and off again past, that you can imagine there were some tough times. And I think that she ended up kind of being our glue, to be like, "You guys got this. I am your little love baby, and I'm going to make sure you guys work it out." And I really think it was the best thing ever, that happened. So, it was scary, and I felt a lot of guilt for not being immediately excited, especially because I had always wanted it. And I know so many people that have had such a hard time, and then it happened for me so easily out of the blue. I felt just guilty. In so many ways, it was a struggle. But, yeah. And then I really loved being pregnant.
Jennifer Tracy: So did I.
Kylee Heath: I just felt so pure, and I was just, "This is so amazing." And just that your body does this, without you having to do anything.
Jennifer Tracy: It's incredible. It's unbelievable.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. I was like, "I'm sleeping more, but other than that, I'm not doing anything."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: And my body's just-
Jennifer Tracy: Making a human.
Kylee Heath: ... making a human. It's so amazing.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. And then we had her November 11, and-
Jennifer Tracy: The rest is history.
Kylee Heath: ... the rest is history.
Jennifer Tracy: Now, she is learning how to go to the potty.
Kylee Heath: Now, she's learning how to go to the potty. Is just crazy. She is amazing, yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: It is interesting, what we do to ourselves, right, like with the guilt and stuff? And like we talked about earlier, that just doesn't go away for some reason. And I wish ... That's one of the missions of this podcast, is to help shift that, in sharing all of these women's stories, to other women, mothers, or would-be mothers, or women who don't have children, just to sort of help us shift that perception of self. You think it looks one way.
Jennifer Tracy: I mean, I'm such a great example of that, in that I had the marriage, I had a big wedding, I had the handsome husband, I had the house. And behind closed doors, it was not that great. And we ended up splitting up. And we were miserable for about five years before we split up. And now, it's pretty great. We're friends, we talk almost every day, we co-parent beautifully. I mean, it's hard on my son. That's really tough. It's still really hard on him, and he's pissed about it. But he's able to articulate it.
Kylee Heath: He's like "Why aren't you together?"
Jennifer Tracy: He's like, "Why aren't you guys together? I don't understand. You get along so well." It's confusing for him, because he never saw us fighting. And we didn't fight that much, actually. But it just ... He doesn't like the going back and forth. That's what pisses him off the most. He's like, "You've ruined my life with this divorce."
Kylee Heath: Yeah, that's still ... because my boyfriend's parents are divorced, too. He just feels-
Jennifer Tracy: Torn between, yeah.
Kylee Heath: ... pulled. If we go home, it's like a lot of coordinating, and ... But, and like you said, to raise awareness that we are all in this together. And it doesn't need to look any one way, which is the biggest lesson I've learned, too. I'm like, "We probably will get married someday, but it's going to look way different than what I ever pictured." I want the most intimate thing that's just about what it's meant to be about, not about having this showy party that you can post pictures on Instagram.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: Which, I definitely would have been that girl.
Jennifer Tracy: I was.
Kylee Heath: And there's also nothing wrong with that, because you could be proud. But, there's something about having a kid now-
Jennifer Tracy: Totally.
Kylee Heath: ... that I'm like, "That doesn't matter."
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, yeah, yeah, it doesn't. It doesn't. And I always tell younger people, like I was telling one of our mutual friends the other day, who is in a relationship and may or may not get married. But I said, "If it were me and I could do it over again, I would either do a flash wedding, where you email people five days before-"
Kylee Heath: Yeah, it's interesting.
Jennifer Tracy: I went to one of my dearest friends, David and Bianca, they had one in Santa Monica several years ago. And it was one of the best weddings I've ever been to.
Kylee Heath: I've never even heard of that.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my god. It's called a flash wedding. And you email the people a week before, and you're like, "No pressure if you can't come, but we're getting married. We'd love for you to be there." And we all went to the end of San Vicente, where there's that cliff overlooking the ocean, and it's just like a park with benches and stuff. And a friend of theirs was ordained, and he married them. There were about 45 of us there. Somebody brought bagels and lox, somebody brought orange juice and champagne, although most of us were sober, so we just drank the orange juice.
Jennifer Tracy: But David and Bianca, I hope you guys are listening to this. They wore ... She had a little white dress and a leather jacket on. He had a leather jacket on and a bow tie, and I think a Deadhead bow tie, because he's a Grateful Dead ... And it just was about, like you just said, the intimacy, and the friends, and the family. We all just stood there. I was crying. My son was climbing a rock behind the thing. It was perfect, and it didn't cost a dime. And it was meaningful. And yeah, it doesn't have to look a certain way. And the fact is, we are all just making it up as we go along anyway.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, we sure are. And things are just changing, you know?
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah. And now you're doing it all over again with baby number two.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, and with baby number two.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my gosh.
Kylee Heath: Which, I'm really ... this one was planned, which was nice to have that experience. But also, it was funny, because I always have wanted more than one child. And we were talking about it a year ago, and he was like, "Things are so great. We are on a place now where we can go on weekends together and not worry. And let's just calm down. Maybe we don't need another one." And I was a wreck. I was crying, like, "But we need another baby." And then I calmed down. I was like, "You know what? You're right. Let's just enjoy this moment. We finally have-" ... Things just felt a little easier. She was not one and-a-half yet, but just over one. And it just felt a little more easy. And I was like, "Okay, let's just enjoy this." And I was like, "I'll bring it up again in the summer."
Kylee Heath: And he just, one day out of the blue, texted me a picture of when I was pregnant, and he said, "Let's do this again." And I was like, "Really?" I was like, "Where is this coming from?" And it was just the best. I just, I didn't want to have to pry. And I had kind of let it go, too. And so, that was really exciting. And I got my IUD out, and we got pregnant immediately, which also then, I was like, "Oh, no. Are we ready for this?"
Jennifer Tracy: Of course.
Kylee Heath: Were so crazy. I was just like-
Jennifer Tracy: You're never ready, is the fact.
Kylee Heath: No, and that's the thing. And then, once you ... Of course then, that was kind of ... Rae was one and-a-half, I think, when I found out I was pregnant. And that was one of the tougher transitions that I had. There's different phases. There's these [inaudible 00:50:27] progressions, and introducing food, and then the crawling and the walking. And something about that one and-a-half, when they're just ... That's right when you have to actually start parenting, is what I felt like. Learn how to communicate with her and really teach her, and that was tough. And so, it was that, with learning that I was pregnant at the same time, that time. And then I was like, "Oh, man." It's been good. It's been a pretty easy pregnancy, thus far, which is nice.
Jennifer Tracy: Awesome, awesome.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: I mean, I almost hate it when people used asked me this, but do you think you'll have more? It's hard to say, because you're enjoying this meal right now.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. I don't think we will. I've always-
Jennifer Tracy: Because you come from a family of two.
Kylee Heath: I come from a family of two. He comes from a family of two. When I first was like, "Oh, wow, this is the last time I'm going to be pregnant again," I was like, "That feels weird." So, there was a part of me that was like, "Does that mean that I want three?" But I don't think so. I think that we'll have two. I think we love to, we'd like to be able to go to Hawaii, or do things, I think with three, it would make a lot of things more difficult.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: So, I think we would stick, at least for now, with two.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, awesome. Well, we've come to the time when I ask you three questions I ask every guest. And then I go into a lightning round of questions.
Kylee Heath: Okay.
Jennifer Tracy: What do you think about, Kylee, when you hear the word MILF?
Kylee Heath: I think about a confident, sexy, hard-working, whether it's hard-working at work or as a mom, woman.
Jennifer Tracy: That's you. You just described yourself.
Kylee Heath: Did I?
Jennifer Tracy: What is something you've changed your mind about recently?
Kylee Heath: Hmm, that's a good question. It's funny, because I was listening to your podcast all last night. I listened to the ones that I never got to the very end, because I wanted to hear a few stories. Okay, wait, something I've changed my mind about? That's a good question, and I feel like there's definitely stuff. My daughter's [inaudible 00:52:38]-
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, she taps her lip like that. That's so cute.
Kylee Heath: I guess I'm trying to change my mind about something. Because I was having an off week two weeks ago. I just felt so off. And I was like, "Oh, my gosh, what's wrong with me?" I just felt sad. And John was like, "What's going on with you? Are you okay?" And I was like, "I don't know what's wrong, but I just feel bummed." And I think I was just trying to, like we talked about earlier, do too much of everything and try to be too perfect in too many ways. And I'm trying to change my mind about that. I'm trying to just be okay with everything not being put away, or be okay with, whether it's ... I guess I'm trying to figure out more, what is the one thing that is making me happy, and what are the things that are stressing me out, and trying to find more balance. So, I'm trying to change my mind about needing to do it all. Does that make sense?
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, gosh, does it ever. Makes so much sense. How do you define success?
Kylee Heath: I define success first, with the word happiness. I think that that ... I don't think money buys happiness. I've been around many people with loads of money, and all of them are not happy. I can promise you that. So, I think happiness, and having self-worth, and being kind and generous with what you have. And yes, I would also, it being able to be comfortable and do the things you love.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah. Love it, love it. Okay, lightning round of questions.
Kylee Heath: Okay.
Jennifer Tracy: Ocean or desert?
Kylee Heath: Ocean.
Jennifer Tracy: Favorite junk food?
Kylee Heath: Chocolate chip cookies.
Jennifer Tracy: Movies or Broadway show?
Kylee Heath: Movie.
Jennifer Tracy: Daytime sex or nighttime sex?
Kylee Heath: Daytime.
Jennifer Tracy: Texting or talking?
Kylee Heath: Not that I get to do that anyway. Texting or talking? Well, John always says he'll text me, and then I immediately call him. He calls it the text and call. So, I would, I think I guess, a call.
Jennifer Tracy: Is that just with him, or you do that with everybody?
Kylee Heath: I feel like I do that with him and my mom.
Jennifer Tracy: Because you just want to hear their voice.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, or I'll be like it's easy. I have so much more to say to you.
Jennifer Tracy: Yes, totally.
Kylee Heath: So, I'm just going to call you instead.
Jennifer Tracy: Totally, totally. I couldn't possibly text it all.
Kylee Heath: But texting is very easy and convenient in most cases, these days.
Jennifer Tracy: Yes. Cat person or dog person?
Kylee Heath: Dog. Hate cats.
Jennifer Tracy: Have you ever worn a unitard?
Kylee Heath: Yes, I used to do dance. Oh. I mean, not-
Jennifer Tracy: Me, too.
Kylee Heath: ... not good dance, but I used to dance when I was little.
Jennifer Tracy: Shower or bathtub?
Kylee Heath: Shower.
Jennifer Tracy: Ice cream or chocolate?
Kylee Heath: Chocolate.
Jennifer Tracy: You almost said ice cream.
Kylee Heath: I almost said ice cream.
Jennifer Tracy: You said, "I-, I-, chocolate."
Kylee Heath: Chocolate. But I do like ice cream. But I eat chocolate every day.
Jennifer Tracy: On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at ping-pong?
Kylee Heath: Ooh, I've had some challenges with my grandpa. I would say four.
Jennifer Tracy: Okay.
Kylee Heath: I'm not good.
Jennifer Tracy: What's your biggest pet peeve?
Kylee Heath: I know I have loads of these, too, but why can't I think of it right now? Negativity. I don't know.
Jennifer Tracy: You're so cute. "Nnnnn-negativity." Okay, this one is, this is the perfect thing for you. If you could push a button, and it would make everyone in the world 7% happier, but it would also place a worldwide ban on all hairstyling products, would you push it?
Kylee Heath: I would.
Jennifer Tracy: You would?
Kylee Heath: I would, definitely.
Jennifer Tracy: Wow, girl.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, because I think ... If you're a hairstylist, you can do the job without the products.
Jennifer Tracy: This is revelatory.
Kylee Heath: Do you mean also, hot tools? Because I was thinking you just said products. So, I'm picturing-
Jennifer Tracy: I did not specify, so, yes-
Kylee Heath: I was picturing, I could still use a blow dryer and a round brush.
Jennifer Tracy: I think that would still work. I think products only means the actual stuff in the jars and those things.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, that's what I thought, which is why I was so quick to say. Because I can do anything with a round brush, and a blow dryer, and some hot tools.
Jennifer Tracy: Really?
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: That's amazing.
Kylee Heath: It may not last as long-
Jennifer Tracy: Right. But, it'll look good for one photo.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Now, this is not in the lightning questions, but I do want to ask you, what are your favorite hair products?
Kylee Heath: Hair products? Okay, there's so many. I love ... Iles Formula is a very small line.
Jennifer Tracy: How do you spell it?
Kylee Heath: I-L-E-S.
Jennifer Tracy: Okay.
Kylee Heath: Formula. And their shampoo and conditioner is amazing. And they have this serum that's, it's not oily, it's not greasy, it smells so good, it's good on any hair type. I'm obsessed with it.
Jennifer Tracy: Amazing, okay.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. I love ... What kind of products do you like in your hair?
Jennifer Tracy: You know, it's interesting, because I used to have long hair, and now it's short, which I'm loving. I'm having so much fun.
Kylee Heath: I used to have your hair.
Jennifer Tracy: You did?
Kylee Heath: Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Jennifer Tracy: You did?
Kylee Heath: When I was in cosmetology school, yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, my god, I love it, yeah.
Kylee Heath: Platinum blonde pixie.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, this is the first time I've ever been platinum.
Kylee Heath: It looks so good.
Jennifer Tracy: Thank you. It's really fun, it's really fun.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, so cute on you.
Jennifer Tracy: My hairstylist is amazing. She's wonderful. So, she taught me to use the cream ... I forget the brand, but it's like a cream that I put in my hair that really works. And then, I just bought hairspray actually, from Bumble ... I mean, from, not Bumble, from ... I don't know why I said Bumble. Because Bumble has the same branding colors as Drybar.
Kylee Heath: Oh, yeah, yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And I'm going to maybe, be working with Bumble on a project.
Kylee Heath: Oh, cool.
Jennifer Tracy: But, so-
Kylee Heath: I love Bumble and bumble. But you mean Bumble-
Jennifer Tracy: I meant Bumble-
Kylee Heath: The dating app, yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: ... the dating site, yeah.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Bumble and bumble, also I like the sea salt spray. But I haven't needed that, because-
Kylee Heath: I love the sea salt spray.
Jennifer Tracy: My hair is very ... This is, I hope I don't bore my listeners, but we are all hair women. You guys like doing hair, too. My hair is very ... I have fine hair, but I have a lot of it, and it has a lot of volume. So, unlike the beautiful and amazing Michelle Williams, whose picture I brought in to Emma when I first decided to do this, my hair's poofy.
Kylee Heath: Right.
Jennifer Tracy: And so, I don't need to add texture to it. So, I've had to learn how to work with short hair and not put product in it that's going to make me look like Einstein.
Kylee Heath: Right. Because you think short hair, "Oh, is going to be so low-maintenance," but really-
Jennifer Tracy: It's more work.
Kylee Heath: It's kind of more work.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: But I love it.
Kylee Heath: Because you have to do a little something every day to-
Jennifer Tracy: You have to.
Kylee Heath: ... smooth out the cowlick, and all of that, where with long hair, you kind of can just wake up.
Jennifer Tracy: And because I have wavy hair, I could literally do nothing with my longer hair if it was layered properly.
Kylee Heath: Well, Bumble and bumble, they have the Invisible Oil line.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh.
Kylee Heath: And they have this spray that I love for clients that have poofy hair. And I spray it before I do a blow dry.
Jennifer Tracy: Okay.
Kylee Heath: So, that could be good for you.
Jennifer Tracy: Okay, okay. I'm going to look those up. I'm going to look the Iles up. Did I say it right, Iles?
Kylee Heath: Yeah, Iles.
Jennifer Tracy: Okay. All right. Superpower choice. Invisibility, ability to fly, or superstrength?
Kylee Heath: Invisibility.
Jennifer Tracy: Would you rather have a penis where your tailbone is or a third eye? I want a picture of your face right now. I lose a lot of people on that one.
Kylee Heath: I feel like I would say the third eye, but what does that offer me, really?
Jennifer Tracy: Many people ask me that. And the answer is, whatever you want. It can have magical powers, it can just be a third eye.
Kylee Heath: You can sleep with two of them, and then that one could keep an eye out?
Jennifer Tracy: On the baby.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, that one can make sure everything's okay.
Jennifer Tracy: I love it. That's funny.
Kylee Heath: Because I like to sleep ... That's part of the problem when you're pregnant, I like to just sleep however I like sleeping. And I think that penis on the tailbone would be a little bit in the way.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, right, I guess. But don't men sleep on their stomachs sometimes?
Kylee Heath: Oh, yeah, that's true.
Jennifer Tracy: It just kind of flattens out.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, that's true. Okay, that's true. It could tuck into your crack or something.
Jennifer Tracy: It could tuck into your crack. Oh, my god.
Kylee Heath: I guess if it was for a day, I kind of wouldn't mind feeling what it would be like to have a penis.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah, yeah, just for a day. What was the name of your first pet?
Kylee Heath: Harley.
Jennifer Tracy: What was the name of the street-
Kylee Heath: Or Demo, actually, but I don't remember Demo as our dog.
Jennifer Tracy: So, let's go with Harley.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: What's the name of the street you grew up on?
Kylee Heath: Mount Vista.
Jennifer Tracy: So, your porn name is Harley Mount Vista.
Kylee Heath: Oh, that's pretty good. That is pretty good.
Jennifer Tracy: Any porn name with the word mount in it is pretty good.
Kylee Heath: And Harley, is kind of-
Jennifer Tracy: It's epic.
Kylee Heath: Yeah, that's pretty.
Jennifer Tracy: I almost just want to shorten it to Harley Mount.
Kylee Heath: Harley Mount, yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: I think that's it.
Kylee Heath: Yeah. Harley Vista's even a little like, porn-y.
Jennifer Tracy: Yeah.
Kylee Heath: What's yours?
Jennifer Tracy: Mine sucks. It's Smoky Lariat.
Kylee Heath: That does not suck.
Jennifer Tracy: Really?
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Okay.
Kylee Heath: I mean, I feel like you might be a motorbike-
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, I like that.
Kylee Heath: ... mountain star.
Jennifer Tracy: Smoky Lariat, she smokes Marlboro Reds.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: And she wears fringe-y leather jackets.
Kylee Heath: Yeah.
Jennifer Tracy: Kylee, you're a dream come true. Thank you for being on the show.
Kylee Heath: Thank you for having me.
Jennifer Tracy: Thanks so much for listening, guys. I really hope you enjoyed my conversation with Kylee. Join me next week for a fresh episode of MILF podcast where our guest will be Terri Fry, from Mom Like That podcast. My Canadian friend, I was actually the first guest on her podcast when she started almost a year ago, too, I think. Or, yeah, we started right around the same time. Really great conversation with her. We talk about marriage, we talk about separation, we talk about getting back together after separation, we talk about raising a child.
Jennifer Tracy: Oh, we talk about, for quite a while, how you really feel like you have to make this choice, having a kid or having a career. Because you really can't actually have it all. I mean, you can, but something always feels like it's being sacrificed. Anyway, so it's a really great conversation. So, please join me next week for that. Remember to go to clutchgifts.com. Use your exclusive VIP discount code of MILF15 at checkout to get your discount. I'll talk to you guys next week. Bye.