Ep. 81 - Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me! (Sandy pt.2)

Join us for a rollercoaster ride as Sandy shares her journey from being a single mom to finding love in the most unexpected way—dangling from a rope. After years of searching, a chance trip to a repelling class in St. George introduces her to Russ and his Chihuahua. From awkward kisses to romantic getaways in Peru, their story is filled with humor, adventure, and ultimately, deep love. Sandy also opens up about her struggles with health, religion, and finding balance in life. She also talks about how Nannette's energy work has made a difference in her overall well being and health.  This heartwarming episode is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Transcript

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 0:24

I'm so happy. So after all of those uglies, and then I was a single mom for, let's see, from 2009. Until 2015 and in 2015, a friend of mine had to teach a, a repelling class in St. George. And he's like, I don't want to drive by myself. Please just ride with me. And I'm like, dude, I don't dangle from ropes. Like that's not a thing. But I said, if you will get me a hotel room, I with a pool, I will sit by the pool and read a book. You go dangle all the ropes you want, and then, uh, I'll drive home with you so that you don't keep you awake. So we get down there into St. George and he goes, just come to the first day of class and it'll be fun. Just come see what we do. And I'm like, cool. Okay. I'm bored. So I went and he taught me how to repel which surprised me. And I had a lot of fun and decided this wasn't so bad. And he goes, well, you, you're confident enough that I can take you down the hill or down, you know, this hike. I'm like, okay, well, there was another instructor. And there was this tall skinny guy and, uh, he was the other instructor and he had this cute little tiny puppy with him stuffed down his shirt all the time. And, uh, so I was like, that's what, he's such a nice guy. Look, he's got a, he's got a Chihuahua in his jacket. And, uh, so he was going

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 1:46

like, who travels with a chihuahua in their pocket?

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 1:49

right? Like he just shoved the Chihuahua down his jacket. So the next day we go on this huge hike and there's all these amazing, Views. And these, I've never done anything that like that in my life. And I, like, I repelled on these hundreds and hundreds of feet and I didn't die. And I was starting to flirt with this tall, skinny guy. Cause God, he was so cute. And so I, this one really scary repel, I told the, there was three guys that were helping me make sure that I didn't die. So I told him, I said to the cute guy, I said, if I will actually set to all three of them, I said, if I survive this, I'm going to kiss you all full on the mouth. That's just how we're going to end this repel. you know, so my friend was like kind of laughing going, yeah, I bet she is, you know, so I get to the bottom and this nice man down there, he helped me and I, you know, I, so I heard him kiss him on the mouth. I'm like, I lived. And then I grabbed the tall skinny one. And I was like, I kissed him and it was the worst kiss ever. And the whole world, like, I don't think a, I don't think he heard me and B, I don't think he believed me. literally it was like kissing a tree. It was just like a thump. And I'm like, well, shit, that was not very flirty. Like, how do you flirt that badly? Sandy? Like, come on. I mean, you're, I know you're out of practice, but seriously. So I was like, now I'm just embarrassed. So we get through the hike and I'm still just following this guy around. And I just think he's so cute. Well, we get to the end and everybody's kind of saying goodbye and exchanging phone numbers so we can exchange pictures, exchanging Facebook and whatever. And he was so kind and he hugged me and he spun me around and he sticks me up in the side of the street. He goes, I'm taking this one home with me. And I looked at him. I said, well, be careful what you wish for. Cause I'd probably go. And that was it. Like, and he just was joking and I'm just like, okay, you know? So I go back up north and he goes to his house and we start, you know, Facebook messaging to exchange pictures. And I said. You know, I sure hope your friend, cause he had come with a woman. And I'd come with my friend, Stu. And so I said, I sure hope, you know, your friend wasn't offended that I kissed you. And he goes, well, why would she care? We're not dating. I'm like, Oh, and he goes, well, did Stu care? And I'm like, why would Stu care? We're not dating. And he goes, and I said, you know, there's a concert. You should come up and go to this concert. And he was like, Okay. I don't have anything to do. He stuffed that Chihuahua down his jacket, jumped on a motorcycle and came up that weekend. And we went to a concert and spent the weekend. I just had a blast. And then Thanksgiving came and he had to come up to see his kids. And so we spent that weekend again, just having a blast. And he invited me to come down. He's from Kanab, Utah. And I'm like, what's a Kanab? Like I literally, I Googled it like, where's, I've never heard of Kanab. I had my friend, Stu, drive me down because I don't drive in the winter and I can't drive at dark. And so Stu takes me down and drops me off and I go and I came around the corner of this stupid little podunk town. And I thought, you're home, you're home. And I'll be damned. I was not, I grew up in a small town. I was never going to go back to a small town. I wanted to live in the city. I want to retire in Seattle or New York or Portland. Like I'm. Like I'm city and I came around the corner and I was like, damn it, I'm home. I'm like, nah. And so then I'm like, well, don't get excited. Like this guy barely knows you. so, you know, we, we visited a couple of times and one time he actually told me, he's like, don't let the red dirt get in your ears, you'll fall in love with it. And I said, too late, I'm already in love. And he looked at me and he goes, I was afraid of that. And so I was like, Oh dear, this is not going well. I'm like trying to tell him that I love him. And he's like going, don't. And, uh, so there was some back and forth and back and forth. And the next thing you know, he's like, what are you doing in June? And I'm like, I don't know. And he goes, well, let's go to Peru. And I'm like, what? And he goes, yeah, I've got some friends who are going to Peru. And I'm like, what? I'll go to Peru. So I got, went and got a passport and my friend Ken and Caitlin took me to Peru with Russ and I came back and fully in love. And he was like, okay, I've had enough of you. Like two weeks with you was like plenty. We're good. And I'm like, wait, wait, wait, timeout. What? No, no, no, no, no. This is, this is not how my story ends. Like, no. And so there was a month where we kind of, you know, Didn't talk very much. And then finally I just said, you know, just need to let me love you. You need to let somebody love you. You deserve to be loved. And he's just like, well, you don't even live here. And I'm like, well, have you asked me to come live there? And he's like, well, you would need a job and you wouldn't need that. I'm like, well, I'll come down and get a job. And I moved down and.

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 6:31

just reminds me of Grey's Anatomy and she's like, pick me, choose me. Love me,

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 6:38

Exactly. And I was just like, well, what is wrong with this? Like I can see our whole future is laid out and he's like going, no, you're no, no thanks, but thanks for the, thanks for coming to Peru with me. I needed a companion, but I'm like, no, no, no. Like this is going to be my life now. And so, but you know, I, I. Came down. I met some wonderful, amazing people and they gave me a wonderful, amazing opportunity for a job. And it has turned into something beautiful in nine years. And two years ago, Russ asked me to marry him and we eloped to my favorite peekaboo, Slot Canyon and, uh, my youngest daughter performed the ceremony. She went and got ordained and she performed the ceremony. And then we just celebrated our life and we've just had every adventure that you can imagine ever since. So, I don't need, I mean, I still believe in God, of course. I mean, who could not believe in God when you look out and see the rainbows and the, and the beautiful things and all the things that have been given to us. But I don't believe that because I'm not wearing the right underwear, or I'm not paying so much money, or I'm not praying, you know, like I'm, I'm, God still loves me and, and I can still love God and it's all going to be okay. And I have friends who are still in the LDS church. I have friends who are not. That didn't change who we are as people. And I think that sometimes that's hard for people to understand. Like just because I don't go to church doesn't mean I'm a bad person. I'm not promiscuous. I'm not killing people. I'm not doing drugs. I'm not doing all the things. I'm still me. I just spend my Sundays

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 8:27

have a moral compass

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 8:30

Yes. And, and that never changed. Like, I'm still me. So, yeah, I mean the road has been bumpy and it's, it's hard some days. But I've never been happier. And I'm going to hold on to it and live my adventure with Russ until, until I die. Don't until I don't have any more adventure to have. So,

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 8:55

just have to interject because I'm over here losing my shit. Because the two of you are just my favorite people in the whole world. And I always tell Brad, I'm like, Russ can get me to do anything that a normal person can't get me to do.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 9:11

right.

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 9:11

I,

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 9:12

that camping Russ asked Nan. Oh, yeah, she's all about it

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 9:17

I, yeah. And then,

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 9:18

camp. The Marriott is my camping.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 9:20

and when I found out after the camping trip that you didn't camp, I was like, but she did so good.

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 9:27

But you know what? I can do lots of things. I think because I trust Russ and he just has this beautiful spirit and he's so familiar, but I just, I love the two of you and you two are so perfect and whatever hell you had to go through to get to him, it has to be worth it because

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 9:49

And that's how I do feel. And I didn't do anything by any book. I literally went outside of myself and I did things that I would never do. I, like I said, I don't dangle from ropes, but I dangled from a rope. And I always tell Russ, I said, I found, I found him at the end of a rope. And. I think I was at the end of my rope, and he saved me, and he He is the calm to my storm. I literally, I gave away and sold almost everything I owned and moved down with nothing. I started all over yet again. This time, I think my picker was not broken and I think I chose well and We have to choose each other every day. You know, he drives me crazy. I know I drive him crazy. But he loves me just the way I am. And I love him just the way he is. And I think it works for us because, you know, when, My health right now isn't as good as it was when I first moved down and I was able to go and I learned how to hike. I don't, I'm not, I'm a city girl, but I, I went hiking. I went hunting. I have killed things. I have killed things with a bow and an arrow. I have killed a black bear. I'm going to throw that out there because I have killed a bear and he hasn't yet. So I have to still own that. Hopefully in two weeks.

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 11:12

you also outfished

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 11:13

I, yes, I have. Uh, yes, I have, but hopefully in two weeks he can redeem himself and he'll, he'll get his own bear. But it's an, it's an amazing opportunity that I've, I've never left the country until I met Russ. And now I have left the country multiple times and done multiple amazing things. I've learned about the Indian heritage in this area. And the reverence that my husband has for that. And my, the reverence that he has for the animals that, yes, we take their life, but it isn't a waste. You know, we make sure that we, use the meat, we use the things. It's not just for sport. We fill our freezer and we, you know, it, it, it isn't taken lightly And he takes such good care of me and our, our little pack of animals. And you know, we just, we have a beautiful home now where we can be comfortable. And you know, he likes to sing that you're the queen of my double wide trailer and I'm happy in my cute little double wide trailer. It's it, it makes me happy. It makes me whole and I'm a homebody and I love to be there and to have my home. When he comes home from hunting. Or, you know, and he will hunt things that are alive. He will hunt things that are dead. Uh, he hunts arrowheads and sheds and potteries and, you know, the ancient things, and he has such respect for them. He. He treats everything with such dignity and he's very kind and smart. And I'm very lucky to have found him to complete me. And he's the calm to my crazy. So you're fine.

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 12:54

It's beautiful.

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 12:55

And and he is such a good man, you know Sandy thank you for all that you've shared with us. I do want to jump into something and I hope it's not too personal I hope you're okay sharing it earlier today You actually got a balance from Nan and you were talking a little bit about that balance between Before the show and, and Nan doesn't talk about her clients and expose, you know, them at all. So maybe I'm, I'm stepping, you know, across the line. I shouldn't, but would you be willing to talk about some of the things that came up while you were doing that? And I'm just going to let Nan and you chit chat about that. Cause I thought it was really crazy how some of this bubbled up in your balance.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 13:37

Yeah. No, I mean, I threw my back out yesterday, traveling home from Iowa and it was a miserable trip home. And my daughter ended up getting a wheelchair for me because I couldn't, I couldn't even walk. I was so miserable. And I came to your home in the middle of the night to sleep. And when I woke up this morning, I was in a wheelchair. Could barely make it into your kitchen. And Nanette said, do you want some coffee? I said, yes, but not for a minute because I can't let go of your counter. And I was literally in so much pain that I could not move. And she was willing to give me a balance and then I'll let Nan tell how that it's magic and I believe in it a hundred percent, but I, I don't know what it is, but oh my gosh, I'm upright. And it's. She's a miracle worker.

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 14:27

I am just an energy worker. That's what I am. Your body did all of the balancing. So, when a body is in pain like that, it's just an opportunity for you to heal. And so you had some things that were kind of in the way that were causing your back to hurt. And it's always going to be a trauma or an emotion or an old belief system. Those are your beaver dams and you had some major beaver dams and you had some ages that came up with certain

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 14:55

And I'm,

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 14:57

that was so interesting. But what I thought was interesting when you were telling your story, you had a soul sabotage that came up. Soul Sabotage. And when we're talking about all of that religious stuff and you wondering if God is there and if he cares about you And all of that stuff. I'm just like losing it because and I even texted you soul sabotage. This was it

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 15:20

Right. Well, and, and like one of the words that you had given me was unhappy and it was at the age of 23 that I was unhappy. And I had gotten married. My first daughter was born, but my husband and I were going through some really ugly times and I was definitely unhappy. And I knew I had made a mistake and I knew, but again, Mormons don't get a divorce. You just, you know, you just. Be better. And no matter how hard I wanted to be better, I could never be better. So I was definitely unhappy. And then the next word you gave me was unworthy and it went back to 30 and 30 was when I lost my temple recommend. And the bishop had told me that I was no longer worthy and I felt unworthy. And I was like, Oh my gosh, yeah, I know exactly what you're talking about. And then at 50, no, yeah, 55, you talked about, I can't remember the word shoot, I should have written it down, but it was like, you're spot on and you found all those things. And then once we, you know, talked about those beaver dams and you helped me to release them, it was amazing because I could literally feel. The energy in my legs, my legs had been numb from the pinch in my back and suddenly I could feel the energy. My left leg woke up first and my right leg kind of still beaver dammed into my hip. And then we went a little further and a little deeper. And then all of a sudden it was just like this whoosh. And then I could feel this pressure in my head and in my ears. And it was just like, It was crazy. Cause it was just like so much was just coming and it just like almost exploding out of my face and exploding out of my ears. And then I just felt good again. Now is my back completely healed? No, but can I move? Yes. Can I stand up and sit down without, you know, wanting to cry? Yes. Did you heal degenerative spine disease? No, but did you make it so that I could function in human society? Yes. And that releasing that balance hooey wooey voodoo shit, Brad, your wife's got it in spades. She's amazing.

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 17:46

You know what I love? I love to hear, you know, how it affects the body and how you start to feel that energy return. I always stand in reverent awe of the body and of your spirit and how your body knows how to heal itself. All of our bodies do. All I do is move energy and I'm really good, but you're the one that does the healing. So it's not really me. That's causing you to feel better. It's you. And you have to remember the beaver dam that you had has been there a long time. And so it's going to take a little bit of time for that energy to come through and heal. And can your degenerative disc heal a thousand percent? Yes, it can. But we want to make sure that, you know, you, Take care of your cute body while she's healing and cause it does take time, but you did some major hard work today and it's just so interesting hearing your story. I'm just blubbering like a fool because I'm like, remembering your balance going like, Oh, that was that. Oh, that was bad. I mean,

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 18:49

right. And that's kind of how it's brought it all back and it's brought it all out. But at this time, like retelling my story, yes, I cry, but trust me, I cry all the time, this telling of my story wasn't painful. To the point that it has been normally. I don't like to share my story there. I don't, I don't choose to share my story with very many people. So hello world. Here's my story.

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 19:15

Well, and there's a lot of story you didn't share that, uh, you know, we're not going to get into, but there's a lot that you've been through, Sandy. You had a lot to work through.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 19:25

You know,

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 19:26

your body's releasing. Remember that with you crying like this, this is you releasing still, you're fresh from a balance. So you're releasing body mind and soul and you're doing it. So this is you doing the work, not me.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 19:39

right. Yeah, no. And, and I've got voodoo here hugging me and I couldn't be happier. So yeah, I I just appreciate everything. You know, I, I, Russ brought me to you and for that, I will always be grateful. So stepping outside of my comfort zone has healed me in the past. So I felt like, why not? Let's step out of my comfort zone and, uh, see if it can continue to keep healing.

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 20:11

Absolutely. You're amazing. Thank you for being vulnerable and for sharing your story, Sandy. We just love you so much.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 20:19

I love you

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 20:19

And you are a warrior. You're a goddess warrior.

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 20:22

Yes, absolutely. Thank you. And thanks for sharing. Thanks for sharing with everybody out there. I think that stories like yours help a lot of people. And that's one of the things I love to do on the show is have these types of interviews because the more folks that we talk to, I think the more. Light. We can shed in those dark places.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 20:45

Well, the thing is, is that you You're not alone. And I, until I worked in the criminal justice system, I didn't know about it, which is unfortunate. And I wish I could have learned about it any other way, but I felt so alone. And then when I worked in the justice, criminal justice system, I found out there are so many women and especially in the LDS church who feel the way I felt and don't Feel like anyone will believe them. You know, the, all you have to do is just, you know, if I was just a better wife, if I was just a better person, if I was just, no, you're fine, you know, like look outside yourself and you're not alone in that. And, and I wish more women knew that there was a support. I mean, I didn't know that I could set boundaries. I had no idea. Cause I got married as a child and. Learned badly because, you know, my, my husband and I, we were both children and we were learning bad behavior, bad information off of each other. And so I didn't know that he, he didn't have, I didn't have to be treated that way. Like I didn't know I had, I could stand up for myself. Like, and, and as a grown ass woman, you would think that you would get that. But I honestly, I didn't get it. I, do now. Like I would never allow Russ to treat me that way. Like, you know, I'd, you know, hit the highway dude, but I didn't know that that was an option. It's weird.

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 22:13

and I think this is a really good place to put out that there is help out there. If you're in a situation where you are being abused, you are in a domestic violence situation. There is a hotline. You can call it 1 800 799 SAFE 7233 so 1 800 799 SAFE or you can go to the hotline. org. Get help. Talk to someone, talk to a police officer, talk to a counselor, a trusted ecclesiastical member. But don't struggle through it alone.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 22:44

Yeah. Cause you're not alone. And that, that isolation is what perpetuates of it. It perpetuates your belief that you're not good enough and that, that you deserve to be treated badly. You know, like we had had sex before marriage. And so I figured God was punishing me and that was my punishment and that's my fault. Like I shouldn't have done that. Now I have to pay that price. Well, you don't have to pay that price in forever. Like. That's what I was taught. That's how I was raised. And I look at it now and I think, how stupid was I pretty darn stupid. That's a learning curve. And I hope that other people don't have to live that learning curve. I hope they understand. God loves you just the way you are. And he, he's not a punishing God. Like, I don't believe that God punishes people that way. I just, I don't. So, but I did for a very

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 23:42

Well, and also, you were not stupid. You were learning. So, being stupid is knowing the difference. You know, knowing the truth and still choosing the bad way. Choosing to be the bad way. That way that you were learning and you've learned a lot and you've come through some really shitty stuff to become to who you are, but now you are a voice for other people and you're a strength for women and you're such a light and I'm so thrilled that you and Russ are a thing. And our cruise was awesome.

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 24:14

Was it not the best?

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 24:15

I just have to, it was the best. We have to do it often. I, we Other

sandy_3_08-18-2024_143428: 24:22

Thanks, Brad. Thanks, Nan.

brad_3_08-18-2024_143426: 24:24

Yeah. Thank you so much, Sandy. We have loved having you on here. And thank you everybody who, Is watching this on YouTube. We're listening on, uh, one of the, the platforms that you get your podcasts, please make sure to like, and subscribe. It really helps us out a lot. We really love you and appreciate all of you guys and we'll see you

nannette_3_08-18-2024_143428: 24:44

side of the veil.