1 00:00:08,051 --> 00:00:09,594 - Stories. 2 00:00:09,635 --> 00:00:11,929 - Since the dawn of time, we've relied on stories 3 00:00:11,971 --> 00:00:13,723 to entertain and enlighten. 4 00:00:13,765 --> 00:00:16,142 - Be they tales of adventure, love, loss, 5 00:00:16,184 --> 00:00:17,894 or abject stupidity, 6 00:00:17,935 --> 00:00:20,730 these sagas are passed down through generations-- 7 00:00:20,772 --> 00:00:23,649 a grand catalog of our collective experience. 8 00:00:23,691 --> 00:00:25,485 - But what about those epic stories 9 00:00:25,526 --> 00:00:28,321 only shared among a small circle of friends? 10 00:00:28,362 --> 00:00:30,448 How do they achieve the legendary status 11 00:00:30,490 --> 00:00:32,950 they so richly deserve? 12 00:00:32,992 --> 00:00:34,660 - By being told here. 13 00:00:34,702 --> 00:00:37,538 - Welcome to the ultimate chronicle of humanity. 14 00:00:37,580 --> 00:00:41,292 - This is "True Story with Ed and Randall." 15 00:00:41,334 --> 00:00:44,253 [dramatic music] 16 00:00:44,295 --> 00:00:46,214 - Good evening, and welcome to "True Story," 17 00:00:46,255 --> 00:00:47,715 the show that brings you true stories 18 00:00:47,757 --> 00:00:49,801 from real people across America, 19 00:00:49,842 --> 00:00:53,429 and Ed and I are only given one detail ahead of time: 20 00:00:53,471 --> 00:00:55,139 the storyteller's name. 21 00:00:55,181 --> 00:00:57,058 Hello, Tselane. - Hi. 22 00:00:57,100 --> 00:01:01,562 - What genre would you say this story is overall? 23 00:01:01,604 --> 00:01:04,315 - You know what, it might be a horror mystery, I'm not sure. 24 00:01:04,357 --> 00:01:06,067 - Okay. - A horror mystery? 25 00:01:06,109 --> 00:01:09,278 Okay. Set the stage for us. 26 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:11,531 - I was working as an after-school teacher 27 00:01:11,572 --> 00:01:12,865 for a science program. 28 00:01:12,907 --> 00:01:14,575 It was a couple of years ago, actually. 29 00:01:14,617 --> 00:01:16,369 - Couple years ago. - Yeah, couple years ago. 30 00:01:16,411 --> 00:01:19,372 [eerie music] 31 00:01:19,414 --> 00:01:26,504 * * 32 00:01:26,546 --> 00:01:28,506 I was working at this after-school program 33 00:01:28,548 --> 00:01:30,508 at one of these schools, and they were like, 34 00:01:30,550 --> 00:01:32,093 "We need a full-time science teacher." 35 00:01:32,135 --> 00:01:34,345 I was so excited that they gave me an opportunity 36 00:01:34,387 --> 00:01:36,389 because I was just finishing college. 37 00:01:36,431 --> 00:01:38,141 - What was it that made you so excited 38 00:01:38,182 --> 00:01:39,976 about this particular school? 39 00:01:40,017 --> 00:01:41,352 - Oh, because I love the kids. 40 00:01:41,394 --> 00:01:43,354 [bell rings] 41 00:01:43,396 --> 00:01:45,690 - We got this. 42 00:01:45,732 --> 00:01:49,152 Okay. Hi, everybody. Hi. Welcome, welcome to class. 43 00:01:49,193 --> 00:01:51,821 Oh, you look great, everyone's really doing it. 44 00:01:51,863 --> 00:01:53,364 Yes. Yes, fashion. 45 00:01:53,406 --> 00:01:56,284 Okay, backpack. Great, come on in. Okay. 46 00:01:56,325 --> 00:01:58,369 - I was super excited and stoked about it 47 00:01:58,411 --> 00:01:59,495 and just loved the vibe. 48 00:01:59,537 --> 00:02:01,456 - How important was it for you 49 00:02:01,497 --> 00:02:03,416 to get this job as a teacher? 50 00:02:03,458 --> 00:02:05,126 - Getting this job was so important to me. 51 00:02:05,168 --> 00:02:06,669 I guess it's just, like, growing up, 52 00:02:06,711 --> 00:02:08,171 science was, like, a part of my life. 53 00:02:08,212 --> 00:02:10,465 Like growing up watching my mom being a nurse 54 00:02:10,506 --> 00:02:11,841 and, like, sitting around, 55 00:02:11,883 --> 00:02:14,052 talking about crazy stories at the dinner table. 56 00:02:14,093 --> 00:02:17,388 - So we drained a total of 3.8 milliliters from the left knee 57 00:02:17,430 --> 00:02:19,807 and 4.1 from the right. 58 00:02:19,849 --> 00:02:23,603 - Science is awesome! - That's my girl. 59 00:02:23,644 --> 00:02:25,188 - And I loved science, 60 00:02:25,229 --> 00:02:27,065 but I never saw a science teacher that looked like me. 61 00:02:27,106 --> 00:02:28,441 - Yeah. 62 00:02:28,483 --> 00:02:29,525 - I guess it was, like, a lot of pressure. 63 00:02:29,567 --> 00:02:31,069 I was like, "I have to be this person 64 00:02:31,110 --> 00:02:32,570 that I didn't have growing up." 65 00:02:32,612 --> 00:02:35,281 - You have felt a calling to be a teacher 66 00:02:35,323 --> 00:02:36,991 basically your whole life. - Yes. 67 00:02:37,033 --> 00:02:39,577 I landed this incredible job, I'm so excited. 68 00:02:39,619 --> 00:02:42,330 This is, like, my first time being, like, 69 00:02:42,371 --> 00:02:44,832 in a classroom setting as a teacher. 70 00:02:44,874 --> 00:02:45,917 - You got this job. - Mm-hmm. 71 00:02:45,958 --> 00:02:47,710 - You set up your classroom. - Yes. 72 00:02:47,752 --> 00:02:49,420 - It's your classroom. - It's my classroom. 73 00:02:49,462 --> 00:02:51,923 I got all my beakers, I got all my equipment. 74 00:02:51,964 --> 00:02:53,341 I had to reorganize and clean it. 75 00:02:53,383 --> 00:02:55,134 It was great, it was exciting. It was fun. 76 00:02:55,176 --> 00:02:56,344 - What makes it special? 77 00:02:56,386 --> 00:02:58,096 What's your, sort of, like, signature? 78 00:02:58,137 --> 00:02:59,722 What makes the classroom yours? 79 00:02:59,764 --> 00:03:01,432 - Oh, my little skeleton that sits in the corner 80 00:03:01,474 --> 00:03:03,059 that looks crazy with the outfits. 81 00:03:03,101 --> 00:03:04,227 Like I'll put, like, 82 00:03:04,268 --> 00:03:05,520 cute little outfits on the skeletons. 83 00:03:05,561 --> 00:03:06,646 - Nice, nice. - Yeah. 84 00:03:06,687 --> 00:03:07,897 - Does he have a name? 85 00:03:07,939 --> 00:03:10,191 - You know what, they call him Skelly. 86 00:03:10,233 --> 00:03:12,693 - Hello, there, I'm Skelly. 87 00:03:12,735 --> 00:03:14,612 - You're making this special. - I'm making it special. 88 00:03:14,654 --> 00:03:16,739 There was a really popular teacher there. 89 00:03:16,781 --> 00:03:18,699 She's, like, organized and beautiful 90 00:03:18,741 --> 00:03:20,118 and her classroom is neat. 91 00:03:20,159 --> 00:03:23,538 - And what was her name? - Good morning, good morning. 92 00:03:23,579 --> 00:03:25,498 Good morning. 93 00:03:25,540 --> 00:03:28,626 - Miss Susan. 94 00:03:28,668 --> 00:03:30,169 - Miss Susan. Okay, wait, I sense a-- 95 00:03:30,211 --> 00:03:33,256 from the way you said that, I sense some-- there's some-- 96 00:03:33,297 --> 00:03:35,133 - Ooh, I got a chill. - Maybe some friction there. 97 00:03:35,174 --> 00:03:36,592 - Yes. 98 00:03:36,634 --> 00:03:38,970 You know, when I got there, I was just super excited 99 00:03:39,011 --> 00:03:41,723 and not thinking, but apparently I took over 100 00:03:41,764 --> 00:03:44,183 some of the attention that she was getting. 101 00:03:44,225 --> 00:03:45,893 - How long had Miss Susan been teaching at this school? 102 00:03:45,935 --> 00:03:47,603 - Oh, she had been teaching there for five-plus years. 103 00:03:47,645 --> 00:03:48,813 - Oh, she was-- - Oh, okay. 104 00:03:48,855 --> 00:03:50,106 - So she was VIP. - She was locked in. 105 00:03:50,148 --> 00:03:51,524 - Oh, yeah. She was locked in. 106 00:03:51,566 --> 00:03:52,650 So she's like, "Who is this new person coming in?" 107 00:03:52,692 --> 00:03:54,277 - Some competition. 108 00:03:54,318 --> 00:03:58,030 - So I said rutherfordium? I don't even know her fordium. 109 00:03:58,072 --> 00:03:59,824 [laughs] 110 00:03:59,866 --> 00:04:03,536 - Hi, Tselane. - Oh, here we go. 111 00:04:03,578 --> 00:04:05,663 - Hi, Miss Susan. 112 00:04:05,705 --> 00:04:07,457 - So she gave you some attitude? 113 00:04:07,498 --> 00:04:08,708 - She gave me a little side eye. 114 00:04:08,750 --> 00:04:10,168 - Mm. - Yeah. 115 00:04:10,209 --> 00:04:11,919 - It was passive aggressive, it wasn't like overt. 116 00:04:11,961 --> 00:04:14,839 - You're doing puppets. That's cute. That's fun. 117 00:04:14,881 --> 00:04:17,341 - Yeah, it's actually a unit on the periodic table 118 00:04:17,383 --> 00:04:18,760 using a visual aid, so. 119 00:04:18,801 --> 00:04:21,721 - Oh, that's neat. That's creative. 120 00:04:21,763 --> 00:04:24,891 - Yeah, I know. Thank you. 121 00:04:24,932 --> 00:04:26,225 - Mm. 122 00:04:26,267 --> 00:04:28,478 Well, what I love is that you're showing everyone 123 00:04:28,519 --> 00:04:31,105 that it's okay for women to be nerds. 124 00:04:31,147 --> 00:04:32,315 I love that for you. 125 00:04:32,356 --> 00:04:33,566 - Thank you. 126 00:04:33,608 --> 00:04:35,735 And similarly, you are showing everyone 127 00:04:35,777 --> 00:04:38,654 that it is okay to dress like a realtor in Dallas. 128 00:04:38,696 --> 00:04:41,449 - Oh, well, thank you so much. 129 00:04:41,491 --> 00:04:44,702 - Okay, well, thanks for coming by. 130 00:04:44,744 --> 00:04:47,872 Everyone, let's talk about social cues. 131 00:04:47,914 --> 00:04:49,707 - A few months later, and it's-- 132 00:04:49,749 --> 00:04:51,375 they're setting up for this review. 133 00:04:51,417 --> 00:04:53,711 So once you start teaching at this school, after so long, 134 00:04:53,753 --> 00:04:55,254 they have to come in, and administrators 135 00:04:55,296 --> 00:04:56,506 will come in the classroom 136 00:04:56,547 --> 00:04:58,174 and just kind of observe your teaching 137 00:04:58,216 --> 00:04:59,842 and see how everything goes. 138 00:04:59,884 --> 00:05:02,470 With the review, they'll decide if they want to keep you longer 139 00:05:02,512 --> 00:05:04,389 or if your contract is going to be over. 140 00:05:04,430 --> 00:05:05,723 - No big deal. - Oh. 141 00:05:05,765 --> 00:05:07,350 - No, just your entire career in the balance. 142 00:05:07,392 --> 00:05:09,727 - So, yeah, I'm like, "Oh, so this is my first, big, huge job 143 00:05:09,769 --> 00:05:12,105 that I've been waiting for, and now I'm getting judged." 144 00:05:12,146 --> 00:05:15,024 - So the stakes are high? - The stakes are so high. 145 00:05:15,066 --> 00:05:18,194 I'm like, "Wow, Skelly, what are we going to do?" 146 00:05:18,236 --> 00:05:20,738 - How are we going to impress the administrators? 147 00:05:20,780 --> 00:05:23,574 - I feel for you, Tselane. You're in quite a pickle here. 148 00:05:23,616 --> 00:05:25,618 Let's get to work. 149 00:05:25,660 --> 00:05:27,328 - Okay, we need an experiment 150 00:05:27,370 --> 00:05:28,913 that's really gonna capture the kids' imagination. 151 00:05:28,955 --> 00:05:30,415 You know, show the administration 152 00:05:30,456 --> 00:05:32,083 what Tselane's classroom is all about. 153 00:05:32,125 --> 00:05:34,585 I just wish I knew which day they were coming. 154 00:05:34,627 --> 00:05:36,796 - Just so I understand, so other teachers 155 00:05:36,838 --> 00:05:39,382 bring their classes into your class? 156 00:05:39,424 --> 00:05:41,676 - Yes, I'm science lab, so I'll-- 157 00:05:41,718 --> 00:05:43,803 so they have science, but they'll have 158 00:05:43,845 --> 00:05:45,263 their regular teachers, and their teachers will, 159 00:05:45,304 --> 00:05:48,433 yeah, bring the students in for the hour. 160 00:05:48,474 --> 00:05:51,477 So I have probably five or six different classes a day. 161 00:05:51,519 --> 00:05:52,979 - Okay. - Okay, and there's always 162 00:05:53,020 --> 00:05:55,189 another teacher coming in with the students? 163 00:05:55,231 --> 00:05:56,858 - Always. Yes. 164 00:05:56,899 --> 00:06:01,487 - And maybe it's a little bit more tense on the times 165 00:06:01,529 --> 00:06:03,448 when Miss Susan brings her class in. 166 00:06:03,489 --> 00:06:06,284 [tense music] 167 00:06:06,325 --> 00:06:07,618 - Miss Tselane. 168 00:06:07,660 --> 00:06:09,537 [wind blowing] 169 00:06:09,579 --> 00:06:11,539 - Miss Susan. 170 00:06:11,581 --> 00:06:15,418 * * 171 00:06:15,460 --> 00:06:17,503 [eagle screeches] 172 00:06:19,172 --> 00:06:22,341 - Miss Tselane, I hope you're ready for your review. 173 00:06:22,383 --> 00:06:23,551 If you don't make the grade, 174 00:06:23,593 --> 00:06:24,969 they're gonna send you out to pasture. 175 00:06:25,011 --> 00:06:26,637 - Oh, I'll have them eating oatmeal 176 00:06:26,679 --> 00:06:29,223 out of the palm of my little hand. 177 00:06:29,265 --> 00:06:30,516 - Is that a fact? 178 00:06:30,558 --> 00:06:32,727 - It is, indeed. 179 00:06:32,769 --> 00:06:35,313 Nice, long stalk of gluten you got there. 180 00:06:35,354 --> 00:06:36,981 - Gluten? This is wheat. 181 00:06:37,023 --> 00:06:39,609 - Well, not everyone's a scientist. 182 00:06:39,650 --> 00:06:42,028 [horses whinny] 183 00:06:43,654 --> 00:06:45,073 - Nice one. 184 00:06:45,114 --> 00:06:47,408 - Always tense when Miss Susan brings her class 185 00:06:47,450 --> 00:06:50,620 'cause the kids are overly excited, and she's just like-- 186 00:06:50,661 --> 00:06:52,246 - Why aren't they as excited with me? 187 00:06:52,288 --> 00:06:53,372 - Yes, for sure. - Yes! 188 00:06:53,414 --> 00:06:55,166 - Because they get really, really wild 189 00:06:55,208 --> 00:06:57,210 when they come to my class. I mean, I'm good. 190 00:06:57,251 --> 00:06:58,961 That's why they call me Miss Tsunami. 191 00:06:59,003 --> 00:07:00,254 So I usually calm them down at first. 192 00:07:00,296 --> 00:07:01,798 - Hold on. - Yes? 193 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:03,966 - They call you Miss Tsunami? - They call me Miss Tsunami. 194 00:07:04,008 --> 00:07:05,510 I'm really chill, but if they get out of hand, 195 00:07:05,551 --> 00:07:07,011 I'm like, "No, like, let's lock it up." 196 00:07:07,053 --> 00:07:08,930 - Mm-hmm. Yeah. - You are a tidal wave... 197 00:07:08,971 --> 00:07:09,847 - Yes. 198 00:07:09,889 --> 00:07:11,015 - Of awesome teaching. - Right? 199 00:07:11,057 --> 00:07:13,017 - Yes, yes. So the kids love you. 200 00:07:13,059 --> 00:07:14,936 - The kids love me. - And they're super excited. 201 00:07:14,977 --> 00:07:17,021 - Yes--I was looking online for some cool things, 202 00:07:17,063 --> 00:07:20,441 and I found this really cool experiment using nylons 203 00:07:20,483 --> 00:07:22,902 that you cut and, like, squeezing oatmeal through it. 204 00:07:22,944 --> 00:07:24,529 That represents, like, the digestive system. 205 00:07:24,570 --> 00:07:26,823 - They nylons are the intestines. 206 00:07:26,864 --> 00:07:29,200 - Yeah, yeah. - The oatmeal is the oatmeal. 207 00:07:29,242 --> 00:07:30,701 - The oatmeal is the oatmeal. It could be oatmeal. 208 00:07:30,743 --> 00:07:33,204 Yeah, breakfast. - Like, the person ate oatmeal. 209 00:07:33,246 --> 00:07:35,039 - Exactly! It's so simple, right? 210 00:07:35,081 --> 00:07:36,666 - It's exactly how it works, Ed. 211 00:07:36,707 --> 00:07:38,334 - That's so-- it's exactly how it works. 212 00:07:38,376 --> 00:07:40,628 So I was like, "Oh, this is gonna be fun." 213 00:07:40,670 --> 00:07:42,422 Miss Susan comes in. She brings her students. 214 00:07:42,463 --> 00:07:44,173 They're loud. 215 00:07:44,215 --> 00:07:46,467 I'm like, okay, trying to explain, okay, 216 00:07:46,509 --> 00:07:47,677 this is what we're doing today, guys. 217 00:07:47,719 --> 00:07:49,053 We're talking about digestion 218 00:07:49,095 --> 00:07:50,638 and, you know, they're raising their hands. 219 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:53,141 I'm giving them a breakdown. I split them up into groups. 220 00:07:53,182 --> 00:07:56,018 They have these giant bowls with the oatmeal that's, 221 00:07:56,060 --> 00:07:57,937 like, with oil in it, with these bowls of oatmeal. 222 00:07:57,979 --> 00:07:59,188 These giant bowls that 223 00:07:59,230 --> 00:08:00,732 they have to squeeze everything through. 224 00:08:00,773 --> 00:08:01,899 They're excited because they get to get their hands dirty. 225 00:08:01,941 --> 00:08:03,192 - Yeah. - Yeah. 226 00:08:03,234 --> 00:08:04,569 - They're just like, oh, we don't have to sit down 227 00:08:04,610 --> 00:08:06,154 and write anything? Okay, cool. 228 00:08:06,195 --> 00:08:09,323 And I notice a couple of people start walking into the room. 229 00:08:09,365 --> 00:08:12,034 - You digest it, and it becomes a little softer, 230 00:08:12,076 --> 00:08:14,871 a little stickier when it moves through the-- 231 00:08:14,912 --> 00:08:16,956 Principal Harris-- 232 00:08:16,998 --> 00:08:21,502 uh, through the digestive tract, um. 233 00:08:21,544 --> 00:08:25,131 - So it's the principal and a couple of administrators. 234 00:08:25,173 --> 00:08:27,216 They came in, and they're just with their note pads. 235 00:08:27,258 --> 00:08:29,343 And I'm like, why the note pad? 236 00:08:29,385 --> 00:08:30,428 - Yes. - But it's-- 237 00:08:30,470 --> 00:08:31,596 I'm sure it's normal, 238 00:08:31,637 --> 00:08:32,805 but it doesn't make it easy for me. 239 00:08:32,847 --> 00:08:35,433 So I'm just like, "Okay, guys, yeah." 240 00:08:35,475 --> 00:08:37,101 And I'm nervous, and I'm anxious, 241 00:08:37,143 --> 00:08:39,062 but I'm trying to use that energy 242 00:08:39,103 --> 00:08:41,981 to, like, make the experiment more fun. 243 00:08:42,023 --> 00:08:43,524 I'm trying, I'm trying, I'm trying. 244 00:08:43,566 --> 00:08:44,942 - Yeah, yeah, yeah, but this-- 245 00:08:44,984 --> 00:08:46,486 this is legitimately terrifying. 246 00:08:46,527 --> 00:08:48,821 - Oh, yeah--I'm trying to pretend that they're not there. 247 00:08:48,863 --> 00:08:49,739 - Yeah. - You can't pretend... 248 00:08:49,781 --> 00:08:51,074 - You can't. 249 00:08:51,115 --> 00:08:52,325 - They're not there because they're there. 250 00:08:52,366 --> 00:08:53,451 - They're there. 251 00:08:53,493 --> 00:08:56,496 - Okay, so, um, who had breakfast today? 252 00:08:56,537 --> 00:08:59,415 What'd you eat? Did you eggs? 253 00:08:59,457 --> 00:09:01,125 I didn't eat breakfast, I was too stressed out. 254 00:09:01,167 --> 00:09:02,585 [chuckles] Just kidding. 255 00:09:02,627 --> 00:09:05,671 - Strike one. She looks nervous. 256 00:09:05,713 --> 00:09:07,965 - Um, how do your hands feel? - Sticky. 257 00:09:08,007 --> 00:09:09,300 - Yeah, sticky, yeah. That's bad. 258 00:09:09,342 --> 00:09:11,302 You're good, it's good. This is what we're doing. 259 00:09:11,344 --> 00:09:13,513 So, uh, the digestive system, right. 260 00:09:13,554 --> 00:09:15,807 - They're there but I'm like, "Let's see, guys. 261 00:09:15,848 --> 00:09:17,141 Let's do this." So I'm, like, trying 262 00:09:17,183 --> 00:09:18,518 to get the kids excited and into the thing. 263 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:20,228 They're laughing, they're happy. 264 00:09:20,269 --> 00:09:22,313 They have their long, you know, nylons, 265 00:09:22,355 --> 00:09:24,607 they're squeezing the oatmeal through to the bowls. 266 00:09:24,649 --> 00:09:25,983 - Okay. 267 00:09:26,025 --> 00:09:27,860 - And then one student decides to scream out... 268 00:09:27,902 --> 00:09:31,697 - Oh my God, this is poop! They're pooping. 269 00:09:33,699 --> 00:09:37,954 - Yes, yes, they technically-- yes, they are, technically. 270 00:09:37,995 --> 00:09:40,415 - I would call that an astute scientific observation. 271 00:09:40,456 --> 00:09:43,000 - Right, I'm like, "It's actually a bowel movement." 272 00:09:43,042 --> 00:09:44,836 - Yeah. - Yes. 273 00:09:44,877 --> 00:09:47,130 And so all the kids start screaming about it. 274 00:09:47,171 --> 00:09:49,173 students: Poop butt! Poop butt! 275 00:09:49,215 --> 00:09:50,842 Poop butt! Poop butt! Poop butt! 276 00:09:50,883 --> 00:09:53,302 - Okay, let's all just use our inside-- 277 00:09:53,344 --> 00:09:54,721 - Hmm. Strike two. 278 00:09:54,762 --> 00:09:58,182 - Smaller voices, please. - Potty humor. Interesting. 279 00:09:58,224 --> 00:09:59,434 - They're like, "Yeah, it's poop!" 280 00:09:59,475 --> 00:10:01,060 You know kids, they can't hear words like that. 281 00:10:01,102 --> 00:10:02,019 - The administrators are looking 282 00:10:02,061 --> 00:10:03,187 and writing their notes. 283 00:10:03,229 --> 00:10:04,772 I mean, I think the assistant laughed. 284 00:10:04,814 --> 00:10:07,024 - [snickering] - I know, it's a little... 285 00:10:07,066 --> 00:10:12,780 - What? It's funny. It's funny. 286 00:10:12,822 --> 00:10:14,699 - So it's turning into a mad house? 287 00:10:14,741 --> 00:10:16,868 - It's a little bit of a mad house, it's a little wild. 288 00:10:16,909 --> 00:10:18,202 - And the administrators are scribbling... 289 00:10:18,244 --> 00:10:20,913 - Yeah. - Just furiously. 290 00:10:20,955 --> 00:10:21,873 - In my mind, they were scribbling. 291 00:10:21,914 --> 00:10:23,207 They were like--you know? 292 00:10:23,249 --> 00:10:26,836 - The principal just literally wrote "poop." 293 00:10:26,878 --> 00:10:29,797 - [laughs] Yeah. - Or "fired," either one. 294 00:10:29,839 --> 00:10:31,215 - Meanwhile, Miss Susan is just like-- 295 00:10:31,257 --> 00:10:33,134 - Oh, Miss Susan loves it. She's eating it up. 296 00:10:33,176 --> 00:10:35,178 - Wow, it's getting really out of control in here. 297 00:10:35,219 --> 00:10:36,721 students: Poop butt! Poop butt! 298 00:10:36,763 --> 00:10:38,556 Poop butt! Poop butt! Poop butt! 299 00:10:38,598 --> 00:10:40,141 - If only there was there was an actual teacher 300 00:10:40,183 --> 00:10:42,560 in the room, am I right? [chuckles] 301 00:10:42,602 --> 00:10:44,353 - She loved that you were kind of getting in a tight spot? 302 00:10:44,395 --> 00:10:45,605 - Yeah, she had a smirked little face 303 00:10:45,646 --> 00:10:48,733 and she was just like, "Hmm." - Mm-hmm. Ah. 304 00:10:48,775 --> 00:10:50,818 - I'm just gonna get one of these. 305 00:10:50,860 --> 00:10:53,821 [camera shutter clicking] 306 00:10:53,863 --> 00:10:55,907 Oh, that's cute. 307 00:10:55,948 --> 00:10:57,992 Yeah, that's a memory right there. 308 00:10:58,034 --> 00:11:00,286 - Yeah, I guess Miss Tsunami can't control her class. 309 00:11:00,328 --> 00:11:02,538 - Yeah, she can't hang. Exactly. 310 00:11:05,958 --> 00:11:07,377 - So there's six groups. 311 00:11:07,418 --> 00:11:09,128 In the six groups, there's a group over to the right, 312 00:11:09,170 --> 00:11:11,047 has some--a couple of the rambunctious kids in the group. 313 00:11:11,089 --> 00:11:12,215 - Okay. - Yeah. 314 00:11:12,256 --> 00:11:13,591 - Whatever one does, the other does. 315 00:11:13,633 --> 00:11:15,468 If one is like, "Eww, oh my stomach hurts." 316 00:11:15,510 --> 00:11:16,761 They're like, "Yeah, that's nasty." 317 00:11:16,803 --> 00:11:18,513 One student, I noticed, you know, 318 00:11:18,554 --> 00:11:19,889 making these grunting sounds. 319 00:11:19,931 --> 00:11:21,557 I'm like, "What is going on?" 320 00:11:21,599 --> 00:11:23,267 - Oh, no. You gonna be okay? 321 00:11:23,309 --> 00:11:25,019 - They're like, oh, oh, you know? 322 00:11:25,061 --> 00:11:26,604 Like, kind of, like, gagging a little bit. 323 00:11:26,646 --> 00:11:30,316 Out of the blue, it just was a literal projectile vomit. 324 00:11:32,026 --> 00:11:34,946 [kids screaming] 325 00:11:34,987 --> 00:11:37,990 [dramatic music] 326 00:11:38,032 --> 00:11:40,034 * * 327 00:11:40,076 --> 00:11:41,452 And once that happened, 328 00:11:41,494 --> 00:11:45,331 the whole room exploded into noise and chaos. 329 00:11:45,373 --> 00:11:50,211 - Hey, hey! Everybody calm down! 330 00:11:50,253 --> 00:11:52,255 - Are you all right? - I'm fine. 331 00:11:52,296 --> 00:11:56,426 - I'm not. - Yeah, okay. 332 00:11:56,467 --> 00:11:57,844 - Dr. Forsyth? 333 00:11:57,885 --> 00:11:59,512 Hi, yeah, we're going to need 334 00:11:59,554 --> 00:12:01,639 to move up my next therapy appointment. 335 00:12:01,681 --> 00:12:04,976 There's been another traumatic science incident at school. 336 00:12:05,017 --> 00:12:06,519 - Because kids are gonna say, 337 00:12:06,561 --> 00:12:09,063 "Oh, my God, it's throw up!" - Yeah. 338 00:12:09,105 --> 00:12:10,481 - So then you got people jumping. 339 00:12:10,523 --> 00:12:12,567 They were, like, pushing their chairs back 340 00:12:12,608 --> 00:12:13,776 and so overexaggerated, and I get it. 341 00:12:13,818 --> 00:12:15,319 - Sure, yeah. - Jumping around. 342 00:12:15,361 --> 00:12:16,529 Chairs flying in the air. - Eww, gross! 343 00:12:16,571 --> 00:12:18,364 - Jumping around, eww, this is disgusting. 344 00:12:18,406 --> 00:12:20,992 They're, like, pushing the chairs back, moving around. 345 00:12:21,033 --> 00:12:23,369 The principal and everybody is just there. 346 00:12:23,411 --> 00:12:25,997 And they're calm, they're so calm, 347 00:12:26,038 --> 00:12:27,498 and I'm freaking out in my mind. 348 00:12:27,540 --> 00:12:30,334 [kids yelling] 349 00:12:30,376 --> 00:12:31,669 - Oh, my gosh. 350 00:12:31,711 --> 00:12:36,549 - And then another student gets sick and throws up. 351 00:12:36,591 --> 00:12:38,384 - [gasps] - Same table? 352 00:12:38,426 --> 00:12:39,886 - Chain reaction? - Chain reaction. 353 00:12:39,927 --> 00:12:40,970 - They really do copy each other. 354 00:12:41,012 --> 00:12:42,513 - Yeah. [all laugh] 355 00:12:42,555 --> 00:12:44,015 - Wait, wait, wait, oh! Honey, are you okay? 356 00:12:44,057 --> 00:12:45,183 Are you all right? You're okay? 357 00:12:45,224 --> 00:12:48,269 Okay. Um, everyone, sit! 358 00:12:48,311 --> 00:12:50,855 - What do you think is going through the observers' minds, 359 00:12:50,897 --> 00:12:52,398 beat by beat, in this moment? 360 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:57,195 - The assistant, I think she got a kick out of it all. 361 00:12:57,236 --> 00:13:01,074 - Okay, Christie, that's-- shh, just, please. 362 00:13:01,115 --> 00:13:03,868 - It's just--it's funny. It's really funny now. 363 00:13:03,910 --> 00:13:05,536 - No, it's not funny, okay. 364 00:13:05,578 --> 00:13:07,705 This is work, and this isn't one of your open mic nights. 365 00:13:07,747 --> 00:13:09,207 Please. 366 00:13:09,248 --> 00:13:10,708 - I'm sorry, but also, how would you know? 367 00:13:10,750 --> 00:13:11,959 You never come. 368 00:13:12,001 --> 00:13:13,503 - I just knew that it was not a good thing. 369 00:13:13,544 --> 00:13:14,921 - She can't control her class? 370 00:13:14,962 --> 00:13:16,214 - Yeah, she can't control the classroom. 371 00:13:16,255 --> 00:13:17,757 Why would she do this experiment? 372 00:13:17,799 --> 00:13:19,050 Like, and I think these are all my own thoughts, you know? 373 00:13:19,092 --> 00:13:20,343 - Sure. You're projecting. 374 00:13:20,385 --> 00:13:21,761 - Yeah, I'm projecting, like the vomit. 375 00:13:21,803 --> 00:13:23,471 - You're projectile thinking. - Projectile thinking. 376 00:13:23,513 --> 00:13:25,014 Exactly. I was thinking the same thing. 377 00:13:25,056 --> 00:13:26,766 - You're projectile thinking. - I'm just shooting it out. 378 00:13:26,808 --> 00:13:28,434 Like, I'm like, okay. 379 00:13:28,476 --> 00:13:29,727 - But they're not giving you anything, 380 00:13:29,769 --> 00:13:31,437 so you got to fill in the blanks yourself. 381 00:13:31,479 --> 00:13:33,439 - Exactly. Yes, I'm filling in the blanks. 382 00:13:33,481 --> 00:13:36,484 [kids yelling] 383 00:13:36,526 --> 00:13:39,445 [tense music] 384 00:13:39,487 --> 00:13:42,907 * * 385 00:13:42,949 --> 00:13:44,325 So I'm like, "Okay, everybody, freeze. 386 00:13:44,367 --> 00:13:46,327 Freeze. Don't touch anything." 387 00:13:46,369 --> 00:13:47,912 So I had to make all the kids-- 388 00:13:47,954 --> 00:13:49,580 I said, "Everybody, stand up." 389 00:13:49,622 --> 00:13:51,874 Two kids, I had an assistant take the two kids 390 00:13:51,916 --> 00:13:54,127 out to the nurse just to make sure they were okay. 391 00:13:54,168 --> 00:13:55,795 - Miss Susan, I need you to line everyone up, 392 00:13:55,837 --> 00:13:57,547 take them into the hallway while I clean everything, 393 00:13:57,588 --> 00:14:00,717 and then we can resume in a minute. 394 00:14:00,758 --> 00:14:02,385 Now, Miss Susan, please. 395 00:14:02,427 --> 00:14:04,512 - I love that you enlisted Miss Susan to help you here. 396 00:14:04,554 --> 00:14:06,055 - Oh, I had to give her a job. Yeah. 397 00:14:06,097 --> 00:14:06,973 - Yeah. Because it's that's sort of-- 398 00:14:07,014 --> 00:14:08,266 - It's kind of a boss move. 399 00:14:08,307 --> 00:14:10,101 - It's a control move. I like it. 400 00:14:10,143 --> 00:14:11,102 - Susan, go. - Okay. 401 00:14:11,144 --> 00:14:12,895 - Go. - Thank you. 402 00:14:12,937 --> 00:14:13,771 - This is the best day of my life. 403 00:14:13,813 --> 00:14:15,189 - Okay, shh. 404 00:14:15,231 --> 00:14:16,941 - And were the principal and the administrators-- 405 00:14:16,983 --> 00:14:18,234 were they-- 406 00:14:18,276 --> 00:14:19,902 - They walked out because it smelled. 407 00:14:19,944 --> 00:14:22,196 They stepped out for a second, but they came back in after. 408 00:14:22,238 --> 00:14:24,031 So finally, they come back in the classroom, 409 00:14:24,073 --> 00:14:25,616 and everybody is still overly excited, 410 00:14:25,658 --> 00:14:27,118 and they don't care about anything else. 411 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:28,578 They just want to talk about the throw up. 412 00:14:28,619 --> 00:14:32,457 And I'm like, "Okay, let's do an overview of digestion. 413 00:14:32,498 --> 00:14:34,709 And, you know, this has to do with digestion, too, guys." 414 00:14:34,751 --> 00:14:36,127 - Yes! - This is vomit. 415 00:14:36,169 --> 00:14:37,462 This is, like, stomach. 416 00:14:37,503 --> 00:14:38,838 - Work it in! - You know, stomach acid. 417 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:40,381 - Brilliant. 418 00:14:40,423 --> 00:14:45,136 - Uh, okay, okay, so vomit. That happened. 419 00:14:45,178 --> 00:14:47,889 But how does it happen? [gasps] 420 00:14:47,930 --> 00:14:50,224 Mm, we think we know, huh? 421 00:14:50,266 --> 00:14:51,976 Okay, so food is broken down mechanically... 422 00:14:52,018 --> 00:14:53,936 - And I was trying to explain to them, like, how the stomach 423 00:14:53,978 --> 00:14:56,647 and why those things happen and certain things and-- 424 00:14:56,689 --> 00:14:58,149 - You just push the oatmeal the other way. 425 00:14:58,191 --> 00:15:00,526 - Yeah, exactly. Exactly. - Yeah. 426 00:15:00,568 --> 00:15:02,320 - And I was trying to, like, incorporate it in, 427 00:15:02,361 --> 00:15:03,738 and I brought out Skelly. 428 00:15:03,780 --> 00:15:05,323 And then I had the-- there's some pieces 429 00:15:05,364 --> 00:15:06,616 you can put inside of Skelly, the stomach-- 430 00:15:06,657 --> 00:15:07,825 - Wait, Skelly gets to be a part of this? 431 00:15:07,867 --> 00:15:09,160 - Skelly was in it. - How psyched is Skelly? 432 00:15:09,202 --> 00:15:10,453 - So you're like, "Skelly, you're on." 433 00:15:10,495 --> 00:15:12,330 - So that's how it works, kids. 434 00:15:12,371 --> 00:15:13,915 The digestive system is really just 435 00:15:13,956 --> 00:15:15,249 a bunch of individual parts, 436 00:15:15,291 --> 00:15:16,709 just like the engine inside of a car. 437 00:15:16,751 --> 00:15:17,960 Food goes in, 438 00:15:18,002 --> 00:15:20,755 your body processes it, and food comes out. 439 00:15:20,797 --> 00:15:22,131 - I did the best that I could, 440 00:15:22,173 --> 00:15:24,258 but I wasn't sure how the review went. 441 00:15:24,300 --> 00:15:25,843 - You didn't know if you'll have a job. 442 00:15:25,885 --> 00:15:27,178 - I did not know that I was-- 443 00:15:27,220 --> 00:15:28,388 I didn't know what was going to happen. 444 00:15:28,429 --> 00:15:29,472 I was like, it could either way. 445 00:15:29,514 --> 00:15:31,057 - Yeah. - You know? 446 00:15:31,099 --> 00:15:33,226 - When the principal and the administrators left the room... 447 00:15:33,267 --> 00:15:35,269 - Mm-hmm. They didn't even say anything. 448 00:15:35,311 --> 00:15:37,021 - What was their vibe? What was their look? 449 00:15:37,063 --> 00:15:39,023 - Oh, their vibe was like no vibe. 450 00:15:39,065 --> 00:15:40,191 - No vibe. - There was no vibe. 451 00:15:40,233 --> 00:15:41,859 I couldn't read anything. - Right. 452 00:15:41,901 --> 00:15:43,653 - I was like, did I do good, did I do bad? 453 00:15:43,694 --> 00:15:45,822 Was it a good thing I did that? I wasn't sure. 454 00:15:45,863 --> 00:15:49,575 - So digestive food is absorbed, right, 455 00:15:49,617 --> 00:15:52,703 in the intestine. 456 00:15:52,745 --> 00:15:54,831 And once that happens, once it's all broken down... 457 00:15:54,872 --> 00:15:56,124 - So I was like, okay, well, 458 00:15:56,165 --> 00:15:57,625 you know, if this is my last day, 459 00:15:57,667 --> 00:15:58,960 I guess I went out with a bang, you know what I'm saying? 460 00:15:59,001 --> 00:16:00,002 - Yeah. - Like, hey. 461 00:16:00,044 --> 00:16:01,421 - Yeah. 462 00:16:01,462 --> 00:16:03,005 - Like, I don't know when the review is gonna-- 463 00:16:03,047 --> 00:16:04,424 like, I don't know when they're gonna get back to me on it. 464 00:16:04,465 --> 00:16:06,801 - Right, right. - So I came into work 465 00:16:06,843 --> 00:16:10,096 the next day kind of tired, kind of down. 466 00:16:10,138 --> 00:16:11,889 You know, still trying to put on a face. 467 00:16:11,931 --> 00:16:13,182 Like, hey. Hi, guys. 468 00:16:13,224 --> 00:16:15,226 And the students... 469 00:16:15,268 --> 00:16:17,186 - Miss Tsunami, I heard about your class. 470 00:16:17,228 --> 00:16:18,354 That's so cool. 471 00:16:18,396 --> 00:16:19,731 - Oh. - You're so cool. 472 00:16:19,772 --> 00:16:21,941 We're gonna vomit so hard next year. 473 00:16:21,983 --> 00:16:24,193 - Sick. - Literally. 474 00:16:24,235 --> 00:16:26,070 - Oh, okay. 475 00:16:26,112 --> 00:16:27,864 - The talk of the school. - The talk of the school, 476 00:16:27,905 --> 00:16:30,825 but I still haven't heard anything about my job. 477 00:16:34,537 --> 00:16:35,913 - I didn't get a response right away. 478 00:16:35,955 --> 00:16:38,124 I actually had to kind of teach for a few more days. 479 00:16:38,166 --> 00:16:39,250 - Oh, gosh. - Wow. 480 00:16:39,292 --> 00:16:40,835 - What tough days. 481 00:16:40,877 --> 00:16:43,796 [apprehensive music] 482 00:16:43,838 --> 00:16:50,803 * * 483 00:16:53,931 --> 00:16:55,767 So you're thinking, "My days are numbered." 484 00:16:55,808 --> 00:16:56,934 - The next day is when 485 00:16:56,976 --> 00:16:59,145 I found out in the morning, before work. 486 00:16:59,187 --> 00:17:00,897 - You got called to the principal's office? 487 00:17:00,938 --> 00:17:02,440 - I, like, got dressed up and I was, like, really, 488 00:17:02,482 --> 00:17:04,067 like, prim and proper. 489 00:17:04,108 --> 00:17:06,444 I was like, "Let me make sure that they see a different side 490 00:17:06,486 --> 00:17:08,029 so just in case, I'm ready." 491 00:17:08,071 --> 00:17:10,073 - You got, kind of, like, gussied up for this meeting? 492 00:17:10,114 --> 00:17:11,574 - Yeah, oh yeah. Mm-hmm. 493 00:17:11,616 --> 00:17:13,117 - You got your hair done. You got new clothes on. 494 00:17:13,159 --> 00:17:14,494 - Yeah. 495 00:17:14,535 --> 00:17:16,454 - Are you feeling kind of, like, bold? 496 00:17:16,496 --> 00:17:18,289 Or are you just sort of presenting bold? 497 00:17:18,331 --> 00:17:19,832 - It's a fake bold. 498 00:17:19,874 --> 00:17:21,542 - Yes, a fake bold. - Yeah, yeah, it's a fake bold. 499 00:17:21,584 --> 00:17:23,378 You know, we got to put on-- 500 00:17:26,047 --> 00:17:28,257 - So underneath, you're, like, a ball of nerves. 501 00:17:28,299 --> 00:17:30,176 - Underneath, I'm like a scared little cat. 502 00:17:30,218 --> 00:17:31,511 I'm like, "Oh, my gosh." 503 00:17:31,552 --> 00:17:32,553 - So you're like strutting in confidently, 504 00:17:32,595 --> 00:17:34,472 but then you hit the glass window. 505 00:17:34,514 --> 00:17:35,932 - Oh, I walked slow. I don't know if I strutted. 506 00:17:35,973 --> 00:17:38,643 I was like tiptoeing in there, but I tried to pretend. 507 00:17:38,684 --> 00:17:40,144 So I go in the principal's office 508 00:17:40,186 --> 00:17:41,396 prior to school starting. 509 00:17:41,437 --> 00:17:43,398 So I go into the office, I sit down. 510 00:17:43,439 --> 00:17:47,402 The moment is, like, her going through this-- 511 00:17:47,443 --> 00:17:48,820 you know, these papers of notes, 512 00:17:48,861 --> 00:17:50,446 and I'm just, like, sitting there, like, 513 00:17:50,488 --> 00:17:52,782 holding onto my seat, just stressing out. 514 00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:58,579 - Sorry, it's just sturdy. Is that oak or ash? 515 00:17:58,621 --> 00:18:00,665 You know, neither is on the periodic table of elements. 516 00:18:00,706 --> 00:18:02,500 Would you believe that? Wood. 517 00:18:02,542 --> 00:18:04,001 Because of the trees and the oak. 518 00:18:04,043 --> 00:18:05,545 You get it, it's okay. 519 00:18:05,586 --> 00:18:07,505 - So towards the end, she finally goes... 520 00:18:07,547 --> 00:18:10,049 - I did get a lot of feedback, though, 521 00:18:10,091 --> 00:18:12,802 from that experiment of yours. 522 00:18:12,844 --> 00:18:16,055 And I have to say... [clears throat] 523 00:18:16,097 --> 00:18:18,891 * * 524 00:18:18,933 --> 00:18:21,686 We liked it. 525 00:18:21,728 --> 00:18:25,940 Parents loved it. They loved you. 526 00:18:25,982 --> 00:18:30,611 Oh, heck, I tolerate you. 527 00:18:30,653 --> 00:18:33,531 I don't love you, but I tolerate you. 528 00:18:33,573 --> 00:18:35,241 I think you have some good qualities. 529 00:18:35,283 --> 00:18:37,160 So, um... [clears throat] 530 00:18:37,201 --> 00:18:41,038 Yeah, I would say you are A-okay. 531 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:44,250 - Is that a principal joke? - Yeah, it means your review. 532 00:18:44,292 --> 00:18:47,128 You get to keep your job. - Ah! 533 00:18:47,170 --> 00:18:49,589 - Ah, yay! [laughs] 534 00:18:49,630 --> 00:18:51,174 - Okay, thank you. I love it. 535 00:18:51,215 --> 00:18:52,467 No, thank you. And I just, yeah. 536 00:18:52,508 --> 00:18:53,885 - Good, all right. 537 00:18:53,926 --> 00:18:55,219 - Is that it? - Yeah, you just leave. 538 00:18:55,261 --> 00:18:56,888 - You got to keep the job! - I got to keep the job. 539 00:18:56,929 --> 00:18:59,557 I got to keep the job. Like, I was so happy. 540 00:18:59,599 --> 00:19:01,267 - Well, when you were walking out of there, 541 00:19:01,309 --> 00:19:02,727 did you, like... - I did. 542 00:19:02,769 --> 00:19:04,729 I was, like, trying not to be too crazy 543 00:19:04,771 --> 00:19:05,980 because I was like, okay, don't be that. 544 00:19:06,022 --> 00:19:07,398 But I was ecstatic. I was ecstatic. 545 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:09,734 I was so thrilled, and I was grateful 546 00:19:09,776 --> 00:19:11,611 because, look, I have a good heart, 547 00:19:11,652 --> 00:19:14,280 and I just want to do the best for the kids. 548 00:19:14,322 --> 00:19:16,574 So I knew me being there, if their energy 549 00:19:16,616 --> 00:19:18,701 and their excitement for science was there, 550 00:19:18,743 --> 00:19:20,661 like, I was, like, okay, good. I'm doing my job, you know? 551 00:19:20,703 --> 00:19:21,996 - I'm happy for you. - Thank you. 552 00:19:22,038 --> 00:19:23,414 - But I'm super happy for those kids. 553 00:19:23,456 --> 00:19:24,624 - Right, right? - Yeah, yeah. 554 00:19:24,665 --> 00:19:26,000 - Because they got you. 555 00:19:26,042 --> 00:19:27,502 - And they're never gonna forget that lesson. 556 00:19:27,543 --> 00:19:29,003 Like, they're never gonna forget science. 557 00:19:29,045 --> 00:19:31,255 I have a couple of kids that want to be scientists now. 558 00:19:31,297 --> 00:19:34,258 [inquisitive music] 559 00:19:34,300 --> 00:19:38,679 * * 560 00:19:39,722 --> 00:19:41,432 - [vomiting] [cheers and applause] 561 00:19:41,474 --> 00:19:42,975 [triumphant music] 562 00:19:43,017 --> 00:19:44,560 - Thanks, Miss Tsunami. 563 00:19:44,602 --> 00:19:45,937 - Wow. - That's amazing! 564 00:19:45,978 --> 00:19:47,021 - Yeah, it was cool. 565 00:19:47,063 --> 00:19:49,065 - Thank you so much for sharing this. 566 00:19:49,107 --> 00:19:50,358 - Aw, you're so welcome. 567 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:53,486 - It's a story of triumph over adversity. 568 00:19:53,528 --> 00:19:56,989 It's a story of inspiration to young children. 569 00:19:57,031 --> 00:19:58,241 - Yeah. Thank you so much for that. 570 00:19:58,282 --> 00:19:59,367 - Thank you, guys. 571 00:19:59,409 --> 00:20:01,411 - Thank you. - It's amazing. 572 00:20:01,452 --> 00:20:04,372 [heartwarming music] 573 00:20:04,414 --> 00:20:11,546 * * 574 00:20:15,174 --> 00:20:17,635 So what do you think, Ed? You ready for another one? 575 00:20:17,677 --> 00:20:21,305 - Yep, let's do it. Hello, Nathan. 576 00:20:21,347 --> 00:20:22,682 - Hi. - Welcome. 577 00:20:22,724 --> 00:20:24,851 - Thank you. Thank you for having me. 578 00:20:24,892 --> 00:20:27,145 - Nathan, we can't wait to hear what you have to tell us. 579 00:20:27,186 --> 00:20:28,479 - Yeah. 580 00:20:28,521 --> 00:20:31,774 - Just so I can get kind of a vibe here, um, 581 00:20:31,816 --> 00:20:34,986 if your story were an animal, 582 00:20:35,027 --> 00:20:37,405 what kind of animal would it be? 583 00:20:37,447 --> 00:20:41,325 - Ooh, it would be the full development 584 00:20:41,367 --> 00:20:43,161 of a monarch butterfly, 585 00:20:43,202 --> 00:20:46,622 starting in a little baby caterpillar moment, 586 00:20:46,664 --> 00:20:49,709 into a cocoon, and then the struggling through 587 00:20:49,751 --> 00:20:53,337 and the full metamorphosis transformation 588 00:20:53,379 --> 00:20:55,798 into taking flight. 589 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:58,009 - Well, that was an incredibly story. 590 00:20:58,051 --> 00:20:59,969 Thank you, Nathan, for your time. 591 00:21:00,011 --> 00:21:03,139 [upbeat music] 592 00:21:03,181 --> 00:21:04,682 - This sounds amazing. 593 00:21:04,724 --> 00:21:07,518 I'm, yeah, I'm riveted already. 594 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:10,188 So set the stage for us. 595 00:21:10,229 --> 00:21:12,774 - So this story takes place kind of where most 596 00:21:12,815 --> 00:21:15,109 Asian stories take place, um, 597 00:21:15,151 --> 00:21:16,694 the cornfields of Ohio. 598 00:21:16,736 --> 00:21:18,905 - Sure. - And, you know. 599 00:21:18,946 --> 00:21:22,366 - Here, in the untamed cornfields of Central Ohio 600 00:21:22,408 --> 00:21:25,787 resides a curious subspecies of the monarch butterfly: 601 00:21:25,828 --> 00:21:28,039 The Nathan Ramas Park. 602 00:21:28,081 --> 00:21:31,584 Join us as we follow the life cycle of this little Nathan 603 00:21:31,626 --> 00:21:33,795 to find out if he can beat the odds, 604 00:21:33,836 --> 00:21:37,673 spread his wings, and soar beyond the corn. 605 00:21:37,715 --> 00:21:41,469 - And so, I kind of grew up in this very small town. 606 00:21:41,511 --> 00:21:43,888 We'd go pick apples in the orchard 607 00:21:43,930 --> 00:21:46,432 and, you know, go to cornfield mazes all the time. 608 00:21:46,474 --> 00:21:47,892 - So did you have, like, a pack of friends 609 00:21:47,934 --> 00:21:50,103 that you ran around with in the corn mazes? 610 00:21:50,144 --> 00:21:51,187 Was it a-- 611 00:21:51,229 --> 00:21:53,398 - I had a best friend in the world. 612 00:21:53,439 --> 00:21:54,649 His name was Greg. 613 00:21:54,690 --> 00:21:57,026 - The Nathan is a social butterfly, 614 00:21:57,068 --> 00:21:59,654 requiring companionship to thrive. 615 00:21:59,695 --> 00:22:02,532 Ours was lucky to find the rare best friend 616 00:22:02,573 --> 00:22:04,742 known as Greg. 617 00:22:04,784 --> 00:22:06,160 - We knew each other, actually, since preschool. 618 00:22:06,202 --> 00:22:08,454 We went to the same preschool together, 619 00:22:08,496 --> 00:22:11,416 and, you know, we were best friends. 620 00:22:11,457 --> 00:22:12,750 We did sports together. 621 00:22:12,792 --> 00:22:16,504 We did, like, you know, Honor Society together. 622 00:22:16,546 --> 00:22:20,258 And I was in love with Greg. - Yes, okay. 623 00:22:20,299 --> 00:22:23,761 - Like, I was head over heels, and he actually-- 624 00:22:23,803 --> 00:22:27,974 he was the captain of a jump roping team. 625 00:22:28,015 --> 00:22:30,101 - Can I ask you about this jump roping thing for a second? 626 00:22:30,143 --> 00:22:31,602 - Yes, yes. So-- 627 00:22:31,644 --> 00:22:33,271 - Is this something that your school competed in? 628 00:22:33,312 --> 00:22:36,774 Or it's like--something that he just, like, got together? 629 00:22:36,816 --> 00:22:38,443 - So his little sister really wanted 630 00:22:38,484 --> 00:22:39,736 to start a jump rope team. 631 00:22:39,777 --> 00:22:42,029 - Hey, Greg's sister. What are you doing? 632 00:22:42,071 --> 00:22:43,781 - I'm starting a jump rope team. 633 00:22:43,823 --> 00:22:46,075 - That's very specific. 634 00:22:46,117 --> 00:22:47,910 How can you have a team without a coach? 635 00:22:47,952 --> 00:22:51,372 - [whistles] I'm gonna be the coach. 636 00:22:51,414 --> 00:22:54,792 - And so his mother became the coach of this jump rope team. 637 00:22:54,834 --> 00:22:56,502 - What--what--where did you-- 638 00:22:56,544 --> 00:22:58,588 how can you have a team without members? 639 00:22:58,629 --> 00:23:00,923 - I'll join the team. 640 00:23:00,965 --> 00:23:03,718 - And I used to go watch them jump all over town. 641 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:06,471 [lively dance music] 642 00:23:06,512 --> 00:23:09,432 [sultry music] 643 00:23:09,474 --> 00:23:13,519 * * 644 00:23:17,857 --> 00:23:19,275 - What was your disposition towards jump roping? 645 00:23:19,317 --> 00:23:21,569 Was it something that you really wanted to be a part of 646 00:23:21,611 --> 00:23:22,820 or you just thought it was really great 647 00:23:22,862 --> 00:23:24,363 that your friends were doing this? 648 00:23:24,405 --> 00:23:26,574 - I love-- that's a great question. 649 00:23:26,616 --> 00:23:29,952 I love being supportive. 650 00:23:29,994 --> 00:23:34,832 Like, I don't like being the do-er of things. 651 00:23:34,874 --> 00:23:36,334 I love being on the sidelines. 652 00:23:36,375 --> 00:23:39,087 You know, for Greg, I was that kind of, like, 653 00:23:39,128 --> 00:23:41,089 "Oh you're doing something amazing and something 654 00:23:41,130 --> 00:23:44,759 "that's really niche that, like, you know-- 655 00:23:44,801 --> 00:23:46,594 that's just exciting and really cool." 656 00:23:46,636 --> 00:23:48,346 And so it was just really great being 657 00:23:48,388 --> 00:23:49,806 that kind of cheerleader. 658 00:23:49,847 --> 00:23:51,891 Getting to just see, like, the world of jump roping. 659 00:23:51,933 --> 00:23:54,185 And jump roping it-- it is like "Bring It On." 660 00:23:54,227 --> 00:23:56,813 It's like, you get all these colored jump ropes, 661 00:23:56,854 --> 00:23:59,232 and you get this, like, cute, spandex outfits. 662 00:23:59,273 --> 00:24:01,109 And you go and you jump, 663 00:24:01,150 --> 00:24:03,694 and it's professional, like, Double Dutch. 664 00:24:03,736 --> 00:24:06,197 You know, it's something called the Team Show 665 00:24:06,239 --> 00:24:08,491 where you have to have eight people compete, 666 00:24:08,533 --> 00:24:09,867 and you all go out there, 667 00:24:09,909 --> 00:24:11,869 and you're jumping these giant ropes, 668 00:24:11,911 --> 00:24:14,914 and you're doing all these flips and tricks. 669 00:24:14,956 --> 00:24:16,332 - Wow, this is awesome. 670 00:24:16,374 --> 00:24:18,543 Hey, let's get the crowd to do the wave, huh? 671 00:24:18,584 --> 00:24:19,836 - Yes! - All right. 672 00:24:19,877 --> 00:24:21,254 both: Whoo! 673 00:24:21,295 --> 00:24:23,297 - Whoa, that's more like a tidal wave. 674 00:24:23,339 --> 00:24:26,884 - And so they were training for regionals. 675 00:24:26,926 --> 00:24:29,303 So what you do is, you train all year, 676 00:24:29,345 --> 00:24:31,222 and then you then go to regionals, then you-- 677 00:24:31,264 --> 00:24:32,724 to try and get to nationals to try 678 00:24:32,765 --> 00:24:34,475 and get to the world championships. 679 00:24:34,517 --> 00:24:37,270 Kelly, the co-captain, she had this move 680 00:24:37,311 --> 00:24:40,231 where she would backflip into the Double Dutch ropes. 681 00:24:40,273 --> 00:24:44,652 One day, during practice, she backflipped and broke her back. 682 00:24:44,694 --> 00:24:47,321 - I'm good. - Oh, my gosh. 683 00:24:47,363 --> 00:24:49,782 - I'm good. - And so she had to drop out. 684 00:24:49,824 --> 00:24:51,868 And her dropping out, though, 685 00:24:51,909 --> 00:24:54,078 means that they couldn't go to regionals. 686 00:24:54,120 --> 00:24:55,788 - Right. - Because you need eight people 687 00:24:55,830 --> 00:24:58,374 to compete and without Kelly, they only had seven. 688 00:24:58,416 --> 00:25:00,543 And so when Kelly was injured, 689 00:25:00,585 --> 00:25:01,919 everybody else was just gonna quit, 690 00:25:01,961 --> 00:25:04,589 and the team was just gonna disband. 691 00:25:04,630 --> 00:25:07,091 - Dynamic duo over here. Good job. 692 00:25:07,133 --> 00:25:10,386 - Hey, Nathan, I, uh, I have something to ask you. 693 00:25:10,428 --> 00:25:11,512 - Yeah? - Will you... 694 00:25:11,554 --> 00:25:14,432 - Yes? 695 00:25:14,474 --> 00:25:15,975 - Will you join the team? 696 00:25:16,017 --> 00:25:18,561 - Uh, me? 697 00:25:18,603 --> 00:25:20,271 You've seen me. I'm not athletic. 698 00:25:20,313 --> 00:25:22,356 Plus, the cardio is, like, insane. 699 00:25:22,398 --> 00:25:24,525 I get winded just watching other people dance. 700 00:25:24,567 --> 00:25:26,861 - And he was like, "Well, you've watched us jump 701 00:25:26,903 --> 00:25:28,279 "so many times, and you have rhythm, 702 00:25:28,321 --> 00:25:31,657 "and you run cross country poorly. 703 00:25:31,699 --> 00:25:34,118 So, like, you're not coming from zero." 704 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:37,538 - You can be the new Kelly. Just imagine the crowd. 705 00:25:37,580 --> 00:25:41,375 [chanting] New Kelly, new Kelly. 706 00:25:41,417 --> 00:25:44,629 - I don't know. - We just need another body. 707 00:25:44,670 --> 00:25:46,881 For me? Please? 708 00:25:46,923 --> 00:25:49,842 [heartfelt music] 709 00:25:49,884 --> 00:25:56,015 * * 710 00:25:56,057 --> 00:25:57,350 - This was Greg asking. 711 00:25:57,392 --> 00:25:59,519 He knew that if I-- if he asked me, 712 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:00,978 that I would say yes, you know? 713 00:26:01,020 --> 00:26:03,106 Because I never would say no to him. 714 00:26:03,147 --> 00:26:05,358 And without Kelly, like, they had no-- 715 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:06,651 they had zero powerhouses. 716 00:26:06,692 --> 00:26:08,986 It was a truly, like, "Little Giants," 717 00:26:09,028 --> 00:26:13,950 "Mighty Ducks" kind of ragtag moment, you know? 718 00:26:13,991 --> 00:26:16,202 And we were jelling. 719 00:26:16,244 --> 00:26:18,788 There was Dave, who was, you know, maybe 4'11. 720 00:26:18,830 --> 00:26:22,166 Just this, like, like, smooth, little, tiny, Latino boy. 721 00:26:22,208 --> 00:26:26,295 And we had impossibly delicate girl Amanda. 722 00:26:26,337 --> 00:26:29,799 She just, like, looked like the most beautiful crane, you know? 723 00:26:29,841 --> 00:26:31,843 - Just like a porcelain doll of a person. 724 00:26:31,884 --> 00:26:33,302 - Yes, just a porcelain doll. 725 00:26:33,344 --> 00:26:35,138 Just like, one of those, like, ballerina figures. 726 00:26:35,179 --> 00:26:38,599 And there was just, like, these two sisters. 727 00:26:38,641 --> 00:26:39,976 They were Dave's little sisters, 728 00:26:40,017 --> 00:26:42,019 but they just, like, they were only there to, like, 729 00:26:42,061 --> 00:26:44,522 be injured every day. 730 00:26:44,564 --> 00:26:47,233 "Oh, no, we're injured today. No, it's the ankle today." 731 00:26:47,275 --> 00:26:48,609 - What was the name of the team? 732 00:26:48,651 --> 00:26:49,944 - The team was... 733 00:26:49,986 --> 00:26:51,821 [adventurous music] 734 00:26:51,863 --> 00:26:53,573 The Mustang Ropers. 735 00:26:53,614 --> 00:26:55,491 - The Mustang Ropers? - Yes. 736 00:26:55,533 --> 00:26:57,535 As much as I had seen them, you know, like, 737 00:26:57,577 --> 00:26:59,579 pick up these licorice ropes and do all their tricks 738 00:26:59,620 --> 00:27:03,040 and everything, I had never jump roped before. 739 00:27:03,082 --> 00:27:07,086 And so I was going in fully blind, 740 00:27:07,128 --> 00:27:09,297 fully just in the dark, fully lights off. 741 00:27:09,338 --> 00:27:11,090 - Whoa. - It was that kind of thing 742 00:27:11,132 --> 00:27:12,884 where I first came in being like, 743 00:27:12,925 --> 00:27:14,761 "It's jump rope, it'll be easy." 744 00:27:14,802 --> 00:27:16,679 And then I was like, "Oh, no, no, no, 745 00:27:16,721 --> 00:27:19,891 "I have to be a national gymnast 746 00:27:19,932 --> 00:27:22,560 "and also have rhythm and also, like, 747 00:27:22,602 --> 00:27:25,396 "basically be a boxer and, like, jump rope, you know? 748 00:27:25,438 --> 00:27:27,607 Like, and have insane endurance." 749 00:27:27,648 --> 00:27:28,900 - It's training time. 750 00:27:28,941 --> 00:27:30,526 [exciting rock music] 751 00:27:30,568 --> 00:27:31,903 Come on, you got it, Nathan. 752 00:27:31,944 --> 00:27:33,738 Go down, go down. 753 00:27:33,780 --> 00:27:34,989 Isn't this fun? 754 00:27:35,031 --> 00:27:36,699 - Yeah, yeah, it's fun. 755 00:27:36,741 --> 00:27:37,825 - Give me another, give me another. 756 00:27:37,867 --> 00:27:39,660 One more, Nathan. 757 00:27:39,702 --> 00:27:41,370 Two. 758 00:27:41,412 --> 00:27:43,372 Come on, give me another. 759 00:27:43,414 --> 00:27:46,084 - Are you clapping? - You'll get there. 760 00:27:46,125 --> 00:27:48,044 - High knees. Let's see it. There you go. 761 00:27:48,086 --> 00:27:51,464 36, 38-- - Zero, zero. 762 00:27:51,506 --> 00:27:53,257 I can't do any more, Greg. 763 00:27:53,299 --> 00:27:55,176 - Come on, give me one more. - Okay. 764 00:27:55,218 --> 00:27:58,012 - One more. - [groans] 765 00:27:58,054 --> 00:27:59,889 - All right, take a break. Take a break. 766 00:27:59,931 --> 00:28:04,143 - And, I remember "American Idol" season one 767 00:28:04,185 --> 00:28:06,354 was just airing, and I was just, like, 768 00:28:06,396 --> 00:28:09,857 and I was watching Kelly Clarkson's journey. 769 00:28:09,899 --> 00:28:11,567 I would just be in this ice bath, 770 00:28:11,609 --> 00:28:12,944 and just, like, watching the screen 771 00:28:12,985 --> 00:28:14,487 and just being like... 772 00:28:14,529 --> 00:28:17,323 - I am Kelly. 773 00:28:17,365 --> 00:28:19,033 - How do you think you've actually grown 774 00:28:19,075 --> 00:28:20,952 throughout this process? 775 00:28:20,993 --> 00:28:22,995 - I've grown as in getting used to, 776 00:28:23,037 --> 00:28:24,330 kind of, the scheduling and stuff. 777 00:28:24,372 --> 00:28:26,791 Like, it's so mad but, like, we're just now 778 00:28:26,833 --> 00:28:28,459 getting used to everything, and it's so great. 779 00:28:28,501 --> 00:28:30,920 - Give people an idea who are watching how you feel, 780 00:28:30,962 --> 00:28:33,256 where you are, where your head is in this competition. 781 00:28:33,297 --> 00:28:36,384 - We're kind of tired. - I'm also tired. 782 00:28:36,426 --> 00:28:38,886 I see myself in you, Kelly Clarkson. 783 00:28:38,928 --> 00:28:40,471 - Kelly is me. Like... - Wow! 784 00:28:40,513 --> 00:28:43,766 - I am here, and, like, we are both on our national journey, 785 00:28:43,808 --> 00:28:45,143 you know. 786 00:28:45,184 --> 00:28:47,979 Just, we are fully parallel right now. 787 00:28:50,940 --> 00:28:53,192 - I am Kelly. 788 00:28:53,234 --> 00:28:54,569 [coughs] 789 00:28:54,610 --> 00:28:56,487 - All right, let's run the routine one more time. 790 00:28:56,529 --> 00:28:58,656 - I'm sorry, I can't do it, Greg. 791 00:28:58,698 --> 00:28:59,824 I'm sorry. 792 00:28:59,866 --> 00:29:01,784 - Hey, I know it's hot. 793 00:29:01,826 --> 00:29:03,536 I know you're tired, 794 00:29:03,578 --> 00:29:07,039 but it's called jump rope, not chump rope. 795 00:29:07,081 --> 00:29:08,583 And I know that in each and every one of you, 796 00:29:08,624 --> 00:29:12,170 there's a heart beating at Double Dutch time. 797 00:29:12,211 --> 00:29:15,006 I'm not gonna let you quit now. 798 00:29:15,048 --> 00:29:18,885 We are the Mustang Ropers, 799 00:29:18,926 --> 00:29:20,887 and we're gonna make it to nationals. 800 00:29:20,928 --> 00:29:21,971 - Yeah. - Yeah. 801 00:29:22,013 --> 00:29:23,306 - All right? 802 00:29:23,347 --> 00:29:25,683 - He's right, let's do it. Come on! 803 00:29:25,725 --> 00:29:27,393 [hopeful music] 804 00:29:27,435 --> 00:29:33,357 all: Ropers! Ropers! Ropers! Yeah! 805 00:29:33,399 --> 00:29:37,904 - Did the Mustang Ropers have a reasonable shot at, 806 00:29:37,945 --> 00:29:40,907 like national level competition? 807 00:29:40,948 --> 00:29:44,535 - It truly felt like a shoot for the moon kind of thing. 808 00:29:44,577 --> 00:29:48,039 And so we were kind like this team held together 809 00:29:48,081 --> 00:29:49,540 just by threads, you know, 810 00:29:49,582 --> 00:29:51,084 by the time we got to regionals. 811 00:29:51,125 --> 00:29:53,961 - Okay. - Threads and a lot of heart. 812 00:29:54,003 --> 00:29:56,506 - So much heart. - A lot of heart. Of course. 813 00:29:56,547 --> 00:29:58,716 - Yeah, and so literally it was like 814 00:29:58,758 --> 00:30:02,553 right before we went on at regionals, and Greg said... 815 00:30:02,595 --> 00:30:04,389 - Okay, guys. This is it. 816 00:30:04,430 --> 00:30:07,266 I want you to go out there and give it 110%. 817 00:30:07,308 --> 00:30:08,851 - Do it! [all cheer] 818 00:30:08,893 --> 00:30:12,397 - Ladies and gentleman, the Mustang Ropers! 819 00:30:12,438 --> 00:30:14,941 - Hey, I just want to say thank you. 820 00:30:14,982 --> 00:30:16,567 You know, thank you for doing this. 821 00:30:16,609 --> 00:30:19,237 - And it just made my heart just, like, explode. 822 00:30:19,278 --> 00:30:20,738 - Wow. - Yeah. Got it. 823 00:30:20,780 --> 00:30:26,327 - Felt like a lifetime of gratitude in that one sentence. 824 00:30:26,369 --> 00:30:27,412 - Yes. 825 00:30:27,453 --> 00:30:29,747 - So, you know, we're jumping, 826 00:30:29,789 --> 00:30:33,793 and we're all just, like, you know, like young kids. 827 00:30:33,835 --> 00:30:36,754 [upbeat dance music playing] 828 00:30:36,796 --> 00:30:43,720 * * 829 00:30:52,979 --> 00:30:56,107 [cheers and applause] 830 00:30:58,234 --> 00:31:00,111 And we put it all out there, you know, 831 00:31:00,153 --> 00:31:05,575 and the top four teams go to nationals. 832 00:31:05,616 --> 00:31:07,577 - And the winner 833 00:31:07,618 --> 00:31:12,623 of the jump rope regional championship is... 834 00:31:12,665 --> 00:31:15,084 - Now, how many teams are at the whole regional? 835 00:31:15,126 --> 00:31:18,546 - I think for regionals, there was 20 or 25 teams. 836 00:31:18,588 --> 00:31:19,714 - Okay. 837 00:31:19,756 --> 00:31:21,674 [tense music] 838 00:31:21,716 --> 00:31:25,803 - The Blue Team Dreams! 839 00:31:25,845 --> 00:31:28,765 [cheers and applause] 840 00:31:28,806 --> 00:31:33,061 - We got fifth. We were one place away. 841 00:31:33,102 --> 00:31:35,813 all: Blue Team Dream! Blue Team Dream! 842 00:31:35,855 --> 00:31:37,398 Blue Team Dream! 843 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:40,401 - It was this moment, I put in the work, and it happened, 844 00:31:40,443 --> 00:31:43,362 and everything came together, and we did our best. 845 00:31:43,404 --> 00:31:47,575 - At this point, did you-- were you a little sad 846 00:31:47,617 --> 00:31:50,495 because you shared this experience with Greg, 847 00:31:50,536 --> 00:31:52,038 and it wasn't gonna continue? 848 00:31:52,080 --> 00:31:53,498 - Yeah. - Yeah. 849 00:31:53,539 --> 00:31:56,334 - Absolutely because the regionals was just a day thing. 850 00:31:56,375 --> 00:31:58,169 - Yeah. - You know, you can drive there 851 00:31:58,211 --> 00:32:00,546 and then come back the same day kind of thing. 852 00:32:00,588 --> 00:32:02,340 And so it's like there's something 853 00:32:02,382 --> 00:32:04,842 just so magical about the idea 854 00:32:04,884 --> 00:32:07,178 of going to a sleepaway adventure, you know, 855 00:32:07,220 --> 00:32:09,013 with your best friend 856 00:32:09,055 --> 00:32:11,557 and who you think is your soul mate, you know? 857 00:32:11,599 --> 00:32:13,017 - Yeah. 858 00:32:13,059 --> 00:32:14,811 - And so it was just kind of like, oh, my dream's over. 859 00:32:14,852 --> 00:32:15,978 - Yeah. - But... 860 00:32:16,020 --> 00:32:18,815 [phone ringing] 861 00:32:18,856 --> 00:32:20,191 - Hello? 862 00:32:22,652 --> 00:32:26,489 Okay. Yeah, yes. We'll be there. 863 00:32:26,531 --> 00:32:30,451 - One of the teams got disqualified. 864 00:32:30,493 --> 00:32:32,537 Maybe it was fate that wanted me to, you know, 865 00:32:32,578 --> 00:32:35,206 stay in the hotel room with Greg, you know. 866 00:32:35,248 --> 00:32:39,711 - We're going to nationals! - Oh, yeah! Yeah! 867 00:32:39,752 --> 00:32:41,421 - It was like someone turned on, like, that-- 868 00:32:41,462 --> 00:32:42,797 not even--not a light switch, but, like, 869 00:32:42,839 --> 00:32:44,549 one of those, like, big, like, sci-fi, like... 870 00:32:44,590 --> 00:32:46,092 [imitates electrical humming] 871 00:32:46,134 --> 00:32:47,385 - Yeah. - You know, like, moments. 872 00:32:47,427 --> 00:32:49,387 Like, we were-- it was electric. 873 00:32:49,429 --> 00:32:51,389 Except the twins, the twins were just like-- 874 00:32:51,431 --> 00:32:54,767 they were like, "We did not ask for this, you know?" 875 00:32:54,809 --> 00:32:56,436 - They're like, "My ankle still hurts." 876 00:32:56,477 --> 00:32:58,479 - Yeah, yeah, yeah. Where's my brace, you know? 877 00:32:58,521 --> 00:33:00,398 - They were putting their foot in the door like... 878 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:02,191 [all laughing] - Yeah! 879 00:33:02,233 --> 00:33:03,484 - Yeah. 880 00:33:03,526 --> 00:33:05,570 - So it's a month till nationals, 881 00:33:05,611 --> 00:33:08,781 and I, like, always look back on that time of my life 882 00:33:08,823 --> 00:33:11,993 as, like, the most innocent, positive time 883 00:33:12,034 --> 00:33:15,913 because I was doing something that felt selfless, 884 00:33:15,955 --> 00:33:19,584 and I was doing something with someone that I-- 885 00:33:19,625 --> 00:33:21,127 because when you have your first love, 886 00:33:21,169 --> 00:33:22,462 it's kind of like, 887 00:33:22,503 --> 00:33:23,880 you don't have anything to compare it to. 888 00:33:23,921 --> 00:33:24,881 - Wow. - Wow, okay. 889 00:33:24,922 --> 00:33:26,174 - And so it just-- 890 00:33:26,215 --> 00:33:30,094 it feels like everything is final, you know? 891 00:33:30,136 --> 00:33:32,597 So we get to nationals. - Ooh. 892 00:33:32,638 --> 00:33:35,183 - Like, it is not small potatoes, 893 00:33:35,224 --> 00:33:37,226 and it was everything. 894 00:33:37,268 --> 00:33:40,396 It was the anticipation of the competition of the next day. 895 00:33:40,438 --> 00:33:43,107 Like, the big, big day kind of thing. 896 00:33:43,149 --> 00:33:45,568 - Oh, we have arrived. [laughs] 897 00:33:45,610 --> 00:33:47,487 - Got our room key, roomie. 898 00:33:47,528 --> 00:33:50,656 [apprehensive music] 899 00:33:50,698 --> 00:33:53,576 * * 900 00:33:58,081 --> 00:33:59,874 - But, like, but that night, like, this is just our night 901 00:33:59,916 --> 00:34:01,375 where, like, Greg and I get to just, like, 902 00:34:01,417 --> 00:34:03,544 clear our heads and be in this hotel room alone-- 903 00:34:03,586 --> 00:34:05,421 - Just you two? - Just us two. 904 00:34:05,463 --> 00:34:08,883 I was just like, "I think I need to, like, just, like, 905 00:34:08,925 --> 00:34:12,970 tell him maybe not even how I feel," but, like, 906 00:34:13,012 --> 00:34:16,933 I just felt like I needed to say something, you know? 907 00:34:16,974 --> 00:34:19,519 - Yeah, cause it's all in you, and it wants to come out. 908 00:34:19,560 --> 00:34:21,187 - Yeah, I was like... 909 00:34:21,229 --> 00:34:25,024 - Hey, I need to tell you something. 910 00:34:25,066 --> 00:34:29,779 - Good, because I need to tell you something too. 911 00:34:29,821 --> 00:34:31,364 - I was just like, "This is it. 912 00:34:31,406 --> 00:34:32,990 Like, is he gonna propose to me?" 913 00:34:33,032 --> 00:34:34,242 - Yes! 914 00:34:34,283 --> 00:34:35,660 - Like, my 14-year-old self, you know? 915 00:34:35,701 --> 00:34:37,662 Like, and it just, like-- it's just, like, 916 00:34:37,703 --> 00:34:41,624 and the seconds felt like an eternity. 917 00:34:41,666 --> 00:34:45,336 - I am in love with someone. 918 00:34:46,838 --> 00:34:49,173 - I was so happy that I could, like, feel tears, 919 00:34:49,215 --> 00:34:51,634 you know, in that moment. - Yeah. 920 00:34:51,676 --> 00:34:54,470 - And I was just, like, okay. 921 00:34:54,512 --> 00:34:57,515 And, um, and he's just like... 922 00:34:57,557 --> 00:34:59,183 - I'm in love with... 923 00:34:59,225 --> 00:35:01,227 [heartfelt music] 924 00:35:01,269 --> 00:35:02,478 the captain of the Heartbeats. 925 00:35:02,520 --> 00:35:05,732 - I love you. What? 926 00:35:05,773 --> 00:35:08,276 Our rival team? 927 00:35:08,317 --> 00:35:13,030 - The number one jump rope team in America. 928 00:35:13,072 --> 00:35:14,282 - Yeah. 929 00:35:14,323 --> 00:35:16,576 - Like, they were the Death Star. 930 00:35:16,617 --> 00:35:22,123 We are Luke Skywalker, and he was in love with Liz. 931 00:35:22,165 --> 00:35:23,875 And-- - I'm feeling devastated. 932 00:35:23,916 --> 00:35:25,126 I cannot imagine 933 00:35:25,168 --> 00:35:28,546 what went through your soul in that moment. 934 00:35:28,588 --> 00:35:30,548 - I was so crushed, and he was like... 935 00:35:30,590 --> 00:35:32,383 - So listen, I need you to do me a favor. 936 00:35:32,425 --> 00:35:34,302 I want to go hang out with Liz tonight. 937 00:35:34,343 --> 00:35:36,012 So can you cover for me? 938 00:35:36,054 --> 00:35:40,141 - It ended up just being a devastating night, you know? 939 00:35:40,183 --> 00:35:44,645 - So you had said to him that "I have something to tell you." 940 00:35:44,687 --> 00:35:46,064 - Mm-hmm. 941 00:35:46,105 --> 00:35:48,649 - Did he ask, "What was it that you have to tell me?" 942 00:35:48,691 --> 00:35:50,276 - So... 943 00:35:50,318 --> 00:35:51,944 - So what did you want to talk about? 944 00:35:51,986 --> 00:35:53,488 - Um. 945 00:35:53,529 --> 00:35:54,864 - I don't even remember what I was gonna say, 946 00:35:54,906 --> 00:35:57,241 but I think I was just something about, you know... 947 00:35:57,283 --> 00:36:01,329 - Just so thankful we're friends. 948 00:36:01,370 --> 00:36:03,164 - You covered. - I just covered. 949 00:36:03,206 --> 00:36:05,374 And I'm so glad that we're here, 950 00:36:05,416 --> 00:36:07,585 getting to jump on this national stage. 951 00:36:07,627 --> 00:36:10,588 - So are you gonna help me sneak into Liz's? 952 00:36:10,630 --> 00:36:13,383 - Okay. - Yes! 953 00:36:17,095 --> 00:36:19,097 - So happy for you. 954 00:36:19,138 --> 00:36:21,724 - Oh, gosh, and you're saying that with a broken heart. 955 00:36:21,766 --> 00:36:25,061 - Yes, and so basically, like, 956 00:36:25,103 --> 00:36:29,232 I covered, and when they did the rounds. 957 00:36:29,273 --> 00:36:32,193 I was like, "Yeah, Greg's here. He's just in the bathroom." 958 00:36:32,235 --> 00:36:34,070 - Oh, gosh. - And so, like, 959 00:36:34,112 --> 00:36:37,156 I spent the night, you know, covering for him. 960 00:36:37,198 --> 00:36:39,033 And what I thought was this whole night 961 00:36:39,075 --> 00:36:40,785 where we're going to sit up all night 962 00:36:40,827 --> 00:36:42,745 and tell each other our secrets 963 00:36:42,787 --> 00:36:45,540 and just kind of, you know-- 964 00:36:45,581 --> 00:36:46,833 I don't even know if I was old enough 965 00:36:46,874 --> 00:36:49,961 to really understand, you know, like, love 966 00:36:50,002 --> 00:36:51,462 and all that comes along with that, of course. 967 00:36:51,504 --> 00:36:53,840 But, like, I just knew that this was supposed to be, 968 00:36:53,881 --> 00:36:57,176 like, our night where we got to spend together. 969 00:36:57,218 --> 00:36:59,721 [somber music] 970 00:36:59,762 --> 00:37:05,727 And right before we got on the stage for nationals, 971 00:37:05,768 --> 00:37:09,105 I realized that even though I did all of this for Greg... 972 00:37:09,147 --> 00:37:11,983 - Welcome to the national stage, 973 00:37:12,024 --> 00:37:15,027 the Mustang Ropers! 974 00:37:15,069 --> 00:37:17,655 - I was doing something where someone else-- 975 00:37:17,697 --> 00:37:19,574 in someone else's playground, 976 00:37:19,615 --> 00:37:21,659 in someone else's house, you know? 977 00:37:21,701 --> 00:37:24,245 And I finally saw, like, 978 00:37:24,287 --> 00:37:27,874 "Oh, this is-- this is my house, too, now." 979 00:37:27,915 --> 00:37:34,005 - I am Kelly Clarkson. This is my "American Idol." 980 00:37:34,047 --> 00:37:36,591 - Did you say something? - Not now, Greg. 981 00:37:36,632 --> 00:37:38,885 This isn't about you, this is about me. 982 00:37:40,845 --> 00:37:45,641 I've been waiting a lifetime for a moment like this. 983 00:37:45,683 --> 00:37:47,685 - You're in this stadium. - Yeah. 984 00:37:47,727 --> 00:37:52,440 - The lights, the electricity of this moment... 985 00:37:52,482 --> 00:37:53,733 - Yeah. 986 00:37:53,775 --> 00:37:56,027 - And suddenly, you realize, 987 00:37:56,069 --> 00:38:00,156 "I belong here, and I deserve to be here. 988 00:38:00,198 --> 00:38:01,532 - Yeah. 989 00:38:01,574 --> 00:38:03,493 - And I have what it takes to kick ass here." 990 00:38:03,534 --> 00:38:05,912 - And so, like, the lights go down. 991 00:38:07,789 --> 00:38:09,791 It's that moment where you can, like, see the dust 992 00:38:09,832 --> 00:38:11,751 in the air, you know? 993 00:38:11,793 --> 00:38:14,253 And, like, everything slows down. 994 00:38:15,088 --> 00:38:18,216 - [imitates power humming] - Yeah, exactly. 995 00:38:18,257 --> 00:38:20,551 They're literally spinning those ropes, 996 00:38:20,593 --> 00:38:22,512 and then we jump over the middle, 997 00:38:22,553 --> 00:38:25,723 and there's this moment in the routine 998 00:38:25,765 --> 00:38:27,850 that's one of the most difficult passes. 999 00:38:27,892 --> 00:38:30,686 It's these-- it's an iconic jump rope move 1000 00:38:30,728 --> 00:38:33,731 where basically the main jumper, which is Greg, 1001 00:38:33,773 --> 00:38:37,402 he'll go down the line and jump the rope 1002 00:38:37,443 --> 00:38:39,362 and jump the person at the same time. 1003 00:38:39,404 --> 00:38:42,073 And so it's going down the twins 1004 00:38:42,115 --> 00:38:46,077 and then Dave and then Julie, and I'm at the end. 1005 00:38:46,119 --> 00:38:50,748 I could just feel our energy in that moment, you know? 1006 00:38:50,790 --> 00:38:52,792 Because you have to be such a synergistic team. 1007 00:38:52,834 --> 00:38:54,127 - Yeah. - I could feel the rope 1008 00:38:54,168 --> 00:38:56,921 coming over me, and then I could feel it-- 1009 00:38:56,963 --> 00:38:58,589 it's like you can almost-- 1010 00:38:58,631 --> 00:39:01,342 just, like, you saw the rope moving. 1011 00:39:01,384 --> 00:39:04,470 I didn't feel any negativity, you know, like, in that moment. 1012 00:39:04,512 --> 00:39:07,014 - We're doing it. - I know. 1013 00:39:07,056 --> 00:39:08,599 - And then we-- 1014 00:39:08,641 --> 00:39:10,810 that's when we know that the routine is over. 1015 00:39:10,852 --> 00:39:14,939 And we're standing there, and we bow, and we wave. 1016 00:39:14,981 --> 00:39:19,277 It was such a culmination of the entire journey. 1017 00:39:19,318 --> 00:39:20,403 - Yes. - Even if it was-- 1018 00:39:20,445 --> 00:39:23,114 even though it was just one jump, 1019 00:39:23,156 --> 00:39:25,700 it's like my whole journey, like, 1020 00:39:25,742 --> 00:39:29,954 started with one jump and ended with this one jump. 1021 00:39:29,996 --> 00:39:31,372 - Yeah, yeah. 1022 00:39:31,414 --> 00:39:34,792 - And we were standing there, and they were announcing 1023 00:39:34,834 --> 00:39:36,586 the people who were gonna win, 1024 00:39:36,627 --> 00:39:40,048 you know, the competition, and of course, 1025 00:39:40,089 --> 00:39:42,759 the Heartbeats win first place. 1026 00:39:42,800 --> 00:39:44,969 Liz, of course, you know, grabs the trophy, 1027 00:39:45,011 --> 00:39:46,804 and we're all cheering for her, 1028 00:39:46,846 --> 00:39:48,181 and I'm cheering for her, you know. 1029 00:39:48,222 --> 00:39:50,141 We end up getting our participation trophy. 1030 00:39:50,183 --> 00:39:53,728 - Hey, come on, guys. This is all right. 1031 00:39:53,770 --> 00:39:56,147 - Yeah, this is good. 1032 00:39:56,189 --> 00:39:59,275 - It was almost better to lose, in a way. 1033 00:39:59,317 --> 00:40:04,072 - And also for you, it wasn't about winning so much. 1034 00:40:04,113 --> 00:40:06,783 Especially after this entire journey. 1035 00:40:06,824 --> 00:40:11,037 It's like this--you won for yourself in a lot of ways. 1036 00:40:11,079 --> 00:40:13,706 - I feel like every kid wishes that they could be 1037 00:40:13,748 --> 00:40:15,666 on the national stage for something, you know? 1038 00:40:15,708 --> 00:40:17,251 - Yes. - Of course. 1039 00:40:17,293 --> 00:40:21,339 - And kind of rediscovering my best friend. 1040 00:40:21,381 --> 00:40:23,508 - And in this process, 1041 00:40:23,549 --> 00:40:29,263 your affection for Greg just-- 1042 00:40:29,305 --> 00:40:32,600 it persisted, but just took a different shape. 1043 00:40:32,642 --> 00:40:35,603 - I was so set on a path that I envisioned 1044 00:40:35,645 --> 00:40:40,108 for what Greg and I's existence would be. 1045 00:40:40,149 --> 00:40:43,111 The growth that I got from becoming 1046 00:40:43,152 --> 00:40:46,030 a nationally competitive jump roper, 1047 00:40:46,072 --> 00:40:50,535 I realized that it far outweighed kind of 1048 00:40:50,576 --> 00:40:52,036 my hopes and dreams 1049 00:40:52,078 --> 00:40:57,250 for what I thought that the relationship had to be. 1050 00:40:57,291 --> 00:41:02,630 And it was so worth in that-- in the long run, 1051 00:41:02,672 --> 00:41:07,760 I wouldn't trade this story for the world. 1052 00:41:07,802 --> 00:41:10,054 - Well, thank you so much, Nathan. 1053 00:41:10,096 --> 00:41:13,099 - Of course. - And I'm gonna say something. 1054 00:41:13,141 --> 00:41:14,600 You're not a dusty, little moth. 1055 00:41:14,642 --> 00:41:17,603 - No. - You are a goddamn monarch... 1056 00:41:17,645 --> 00:41:19,605 both: Butterfly. - Thank you. 1057 00:41:19,647 --> 00:41:22,066 [all laugh] 1058 00:41:22,108 --> 00:41:24,861 - * I don't really care where we go * 1059 00:41:24,902 --> 00:41:27,822 * So long as you are with me, I'm home * 1060 00:41:27,864 --> 00:41:30,825 * Take me to the top of the world * 1061 00:41:30,867 --> 00:41:34,620 - Oh, yeah, I still got it. - Yeah, you still got it. 1062 00:41:34,662 --> 00:41:38,624 - Yes! - Yay! All right! 1063 00:41:38,666 --> 00:41:39,751 [cheers and applause] 1064 00:41:39,792 --> 00:41:41,544 - Where y'all at? - Right here. 1065 00:41:41,586 --> 00:41:43,171 - Hey! 1066 00:41:43,212 --> 00:41:44,922 [both laughing] 1067 00:41:44,964 --> 00:41:48,259 - I just want to, like, scream in your face. 1068 00:41:48,301 --> 00:41:51,596 - It would be a little weird. It's fine, but do it. 1069 00:41:51,637 --> 00:41:54,599 * Wonderland's where * 1070 00:41:54,640 --> 00:41:57,560 * I'ma take you higher, babe * 1071 00:41:57,602 --> 00:42:03,441 * Wonderland is ours again, love * 1072 00:42:03,483 --> 00:42:06,152 * Wonderland's where * 1073 00:42:06,194 --> 00:42:08,529 * I'ma take you higher, babe * 1074 00:42:08,571 --> 00:42:11,282 * I don't really care where we go * 1075 00:42:11,324 --> 00:42:14,160 * So long as you are with me, I'm home * 1076 00:42:14,202 --> 00:42:17,538 * Take me to the top of the world * 1077 00:42:17,580 --> 00:42:20,166 * And I'ma take you higher, babe * 1078 00:42:20,208 --> 00:42:22,960 * Runin' through the sunset with me * 1079 00:42:23,002 --> 00:42:25,963 * We can write our own love story * 1080 00:42:26,005 --> 00:42:29,175 * Take me wherever you want to be *