What in the world!?
As I write this, it still make me giggle. I am an empty nest Midwest mom who has always been extremely driven, am not afraid of going for big dreams, but also never even thought about reality shows. Well there was one time I was dancing in my 20’s in St. Louis and Real World asked me to be in the footage, but I knew I would get in trouble with my fam, haha, so the world did not get to see my Macarena. I actually don’t even watch tv, haha. Mostly. I prefer real life over fiction, however; because I have always felt like my life has been crazier and more exciting than anything you could make up.
How???
Last fall, I received a message on social media that a casting agent had seen me on social media and thought I would be a good candidate to try out for a reality show. After I turned around to see who was behind me she might be talking about, I began to wonder, “does she mean me and is this legit?” I did have some viral videos on Tik Tok (follow me at https://www.tiktok.com/@thatssotrishy?lang=en ), so I assumed that’s where this had come from since I doubted it was the Midwest TJMaxx I frequent.
After some source checking, she was legit and within 24 hours I was sending in a video audition. I never heard anything back, so figured I wasn’t what they were looking for, but was still pretty excited that anyone would even consider me.
Nigerian Scammer??
Fast forward six months and I get a text from “Mark,” (names changed for confidentiality) who tells me he thinks I would be perfect for another reality show. I giggle and ignore it. Evening comes and I began to think about it and thought, “well this may be interesting to say the least,” so I texted back to see if it was legit. He gave me the name of the first casting agent and we giggled as I confirmed that he wasn’t a Nigerian scammer.
Hold on! It’s On!
What ensued over the next two weeks was one of the most exciting and on the edge-of-my-seat mental adventures. I wish I could share every little detail because number one, I am an oversharer haha, and two, it was one of the most exciting journeys I have been on.
Gone all summer!??
What I can tell you is that I did virtual interviews/auditions, there was a lot to the process that I cannot share and I made it to the semi-finals. Like, I was in the last few running while the network decided the final cut. We were to leave within just a few weeks to film in a beautiful country for 8-12 weeks! This made me a bit nervous as I had FOUR trips with airplane tickets booked for that time period, and my heart was already aching if I were to miss them. But my husband is always and continued to be supportive, and we decided that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity that most do not get, so if I got the final call, I would set my life aside for the summer to be on a reality show!
Over the next few weeks, my mind traveled to the country, to the tasks I may be asked to complete, to what my life may change to be, to every area an overthinker like myself could fathom. I began to mentally prepare myself that I was about to be tested to my limits of every fear I had ever had and I best be doing something about them!
Parachuting? Eating bugs?
I began watching videos of jumping out of airplanes as I was just sure I would find myself parachuting a million feet into space. (Okay, my mind may be an exaggerator! Ha!) My youngest son agreed to jump with me locally if need be to practice. (Mind you most of me was still saying there is no way in Helsinki I am jumping out of a plane). I spent too many hours contemplating what a bug might taste like, just so I could be prepared in case! As I never learned to swim, I decided I might likely be dropped into the ocean, or in a white water raft, and if I was going to come out looking like a drowned rat, I was not going to die from drowning AND look ghastly. So I took swim lessons. And learned to swim in two weeks!
I began running again at the gym and even doing ab excercises. Uggh. I’m 52. My abs were not happy. Every part of me physically and mentally was challenged to step up to what I might be facing and I dove into making myself the best I could be. By the time I got the call about if I was going or not, I had already went through everything in my mind so much, it was as if I had already experienced the whole thing, yet never left the Midwest.
Alas the call!
I did get the call, however; and was told after much longer deliberation than they planned, they really liked me but alas I did not make that last final cut. While I would be lying if I did not have the momentarily self doubt we humans tend to get of, “I guess I wasn’t good enough.” But honestly, within seconds, I felt a wave of relief. I had prayed that if this wasn’t supposed to be my journey that the door would close and I was fine with the peace of knowing I was still going on my four trips and not being separated from my husband and family for the summer.
What I also go out of it was many, many things. I am a swimmer! I never was around swimmers, so just passively accepted that I was the “floater,” and never went over my head without my noodle. I felt accomplished that I had achieved so much in my mind and had conquered, or at least began to entertain, the idea that I could do hard things. Things I would never think I could normally do.
Most of all, I was tickled, excited, and happy that someone from a casting agency, a major televesion network, saw something in this crazy, overly driven, sqeaky voice girl that they would even consider me. This girl who battled self esteem earlier in my life, was now at an age when people often cast you off, was realizing that ANYTHING is possible and we are only limited by what our mind will accept. I am WORTHY, as we all are, of anything that life throws at me. It just may not be my journey or my season for that journey.
Confidentiality Agreement :/
Yes, I know the name of the show and the casting agency, etc., but I cannot share it because of the condidentiality agreement. I can tell you several things, however. Never underestimate the power of social media, never underestimate your capabilities, and if you drive by my home and hear weekly shouting and jumping, I am cheering on the reality stars who it was their season.
Maybe my reality show saga is over and maybe it is not!?? I live life everyday that anything is possible regardless of where you’ve been, what you’ve done or even how old you are! I think wisdom comes in asking our creator to guide us, and luckily he holds me back sometimes, but other times lets me soar.
Much love and keep reaching for your dreams!
Trishy xoxo
My TikTok inspired from this journey:
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How very exciting, it would have been so amazing to see you on a reality show. Just the fact that you were scouted out and chosen to audition is a big deal. But I’m not surprised, in all your videos and post it’s obvious you are living your best life and you always seem to shine when you are in front of the camera. Like you said, just keep chasing your dreams and remember age is just a number.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I would have been a blast, I am sure! I am very content with the decision knowing that God is faithful in keeping the right doors open when we ask him. I am still so excited that I got the opportunity and you just never know what the future holds! Hopefully, it is not eating a bug! HaHa