How Are Skilled Trades Women Represented On Social Media?

In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela chats with Kelly McNamara, a soon to be red seal carpenter, about her career transition into carpentry and her experiences as a woman in the trades. She emphasizes the importance of finding a company that values workers and the economic need for new talent in the trades. Kelly also reflects on the societal perceptions of trades and her personal growth, highlighting compassion as a key tool for success.

👷‍♀️ More Than Just a Pretty Face! We dive deep into the representation of women in trades on social media. Kelly's perspective on the focus on aesthetics versus skill is thought-provoking and raises important questions about the messages we're sending to young girls.

Connect with our guest Kelly Mac Link: https://www.instagram.com/macs.edge/
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky Life Supports: Raya Kenney's Foundation Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Be a part of history!
 National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate.
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship:
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship
"We recognize a good education doesn’t always require a four-year degree.”

We support financial advancement for the skilled trades community.  You can reach out to Jennifer Markwell at Platinum Wealth email Jennifer@PlatinumWealth.net
website www.PlatinumWealth.net

Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00:00) - I don't think that the tits and ass should be overshadowing, you know, the actual content. If that's if that's truly what you want to do is you want to help people empower women to to be in the trades, to to use power tools. You don't need the other stuff.

Speaker 2 (00:00:19) - Welcome to the Sparky Life podcast. I'm your host Lia Lamela, and here we create the spark in our lives. Join me on this electrical journey where I highlight skilled trade tales and construction career opportunities with those I've met along the way. Thank you for joining for Trade Tales, continued our Sparky life. Guest Kelly McNamara is 35 years old and when she grows up, she's going to be a Red seal carpenter. Kelly joins us from British Columbia. She left her office job to pursue her passion in carpentry, and she believes in creating brave spaces within the industry. Today, we discuss how skilled trades women are represented in social media. A lot of skilled trades, female influencers lead with their sexuality. I find it interesting that a big trend right now on social media is how men don't want women with large body counts and how promiscuity is out of favor.

Speaker 2 (00:01:33) - But the largest Instagram followings for female trades women are primarily leading towards promiscuity. How do you feel trades women are portrayed on social media? Let's hear from Kelly, an up and coming female influencer for the skilled trades community. Welcome with me, Kelly Mack. Kelly McNamara, thank you so much for being here on The Sparky Life or better known as Kelly Mack on Instagram.

Speaker 1 (00:02:07) - Kelly Mack by all my friends and and who see me on Instagram. Yeah, I know it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you so much for inviting me to be on your podcast.

Speaker 2 (00:02:16) - It is a pleasure to have you. Kelly, I've been drawn to you through your reels. That's how I discovered you. And not only did I discover that you are knowledgeable about your craft carpentry, but you express it in such a fun, clever way. Uh, one of one of my favorites. Just because you know how some of us have that weird obsession where popping pimples or, like, making really, like.

Speaker 1 (00:02:47) - Clean, clear.

Speaker 2 (00:02:48) - Lines?

Speaker 1 (00:02:49) - Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:02:50) - Okay. You have this real. It's yellow. Is the name where you got that? Oh my God. Like that, that Ferris Bueller like music. I can't say.

Speaker 1 (00:03:02) - That's my Ferris Bueller real yet.

Speaker 2 (00:03:05) - Yes, yes. And you're pulling away the tape. You're pulling it away.

Speaker 1 (00:03:10) - Oh, the dopamine hit.

Speaker 2 (00:03:12) - That's one of my favorite reels. Just because the satisfaction of watching you pull away that tape.

Speaker 1 (00:03:18) - The tape peel are so crispy. It is, it is.

Speaker 2 (00:03:24) - And then I saw about giving good pointers on how to break things down. So first off, how were you introduced to the skilled trades? I know you're in British Columbia area.

Speaker 1 (00:03:39) - Yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:03:39) - And and where did it begin.

Speaker 1 (00:03:42) - I think the roots of my passion for carpentry, um, stem from my dad's workshop, so. Oh, yeah. So when I was a kid, uh, my dad and I would do little wood crafts. I was always doing little art projects, and from a young age he was he had a he had a bandsaw, he had a table saw.

Speaker 1 (00:04:04) - He had all kinds of woodworking equipment in the basement. So he would cut out the pieces until I was old enough to cut off the pieces myself. And I would paint and I would sand and, uh, you know, we'd make like, little Christmas ornaments and little, just little trinkets and stuff. I know that that's where everything started.

Speaker 2 (00:04:24) - That's beautiful. You had a great relationship with your dad. That's. That's wonderful. That's wonderful. And. Yeah, I mean, if anybody has seen your reels and highly recommend you check it out if you haven't, because you'll see what real crafts women ship. I don't even know if that's a word. Look somewhere now it's a word, right? So weird. Looks like. I mean, you are very talented. You're very talented.

Speaker 1 (00:04:51) - Uh, I mean, I don't want to say some of it's smoke and mirrors, but some of his. Some of it is definitely the magic of Instagram. Uh, at least I feel like I have a little bit of imposter syndrome.

Speaker 1 (00:05:05) - Um, I don't, you know, I'm putting these reels out and it's, um. Ah. And people are like, oh, my God, you're so good. And I'm like, no, like I'm, I'm okay. Like I'm an I'm worlds okay as carpenter. Well, okay.

Speaker 2 (00:05:19) - So you say smoke and mirrors. Give me an example of smoke and mirrors. What what about the real is smoke and mirrors to you? Or what do you feel makes it a smoke and mirror?

Speaker 1 (00:05:29) - Uh, for instance, the amount of, um, of content it takes to make one of those reels. Uh, there's a lot of editing, so it looks like. Oh, like you got that done in five minutes. No, that took several hours. Okay.

Speaker 2 (00:05:47) - And everything that's on the reel. Did you make.

Speaker 1 (00:05:53) - Yes. And if and if it's something that, uh, you know, somebody has helped me with or, um, I always do a shout out to whoever helped me or whoever.

Speaker 1 (00:06:04) - Yeah, yeah. Like I will never take credit for someone else's work.

Speaker 2 (00:06:07) - So that's not smoke and mirrors, okay? Okay. Just because you have to edit it in a timely fashion to show what what you accomplish in order to fit the time slot on a reel is not my definition of smoke and mirrors. Smoke and mirrors is you are presenting something that you did not create. Okay, so editing is a part of the process. It's just that you are trying to funnel the vision. You're trying to bring things into a sizable piece that people can absorb.

Speaker 1 (00:06:42) - That is that is true? Yes. Okay, I concur.

Speaker 2 (00:06:47) - So we began with dad in carpentry and then did you go to school for carpentry? How did you start your journey into becoming a carpenter?

Speaker 1 (00:07:03) - Yeah. Absolutely not. Uh, so my journey, I don't know. I don't know if I can say that it's unique, but, um, I'll give you a little synopsis of of how it went down. So, um, I have a background in, uh, so I have a Bachelor of science in kinesiology and a Bachelor of science in kinesiology.

Speaker 1 (00:07:26) - So it's. Yeah. So it's basically it's a it's a degree in health science, essentially. So it's kind of like a lot of people use that degree as a precursor to apply to med school or go to get a master's in physiotherapy. Um, so for about ten years, so straight out of high school, I went to university and for about ten years I did, uh, I worked in a physiotherapy clinic slash, uh, fitness facility. Um, and I got into doing ergonomics consulting for industry. Wow. So I was doing, uh, basically return to work programs for, uh, predominantly minors, but also welders and other trades. Um, and I would basically do assessments for people who had been injured, uh, help create return to work programs and help execute those programs to get people back to work. Okay. So, um, and.

Speaker 2 (00:08:21) - Beautiful, talented and creative, uh, smart. Very smart. Wow.

Speaker 1 (00:08:26) - Thank you, thank you. Wow.

Speaker 2 (00:08:29) - Very impressive.

Speaker 1 (00:08:31) - And so, uh, I think not unlike a lot of people, you know, after ten years and in a certain field, you kind of get bored and and you want to, um, you want to grow professionally, you want to develop new skills and try something new.

Speaker 1 (00:08:48) - Um, and still, I hadn't gotten into carpentry at this point, so I actually ended up doing, um, I ended up working in long term care management, which is a whole other story. Okay. Um, and so a lot of that was, uh, the salary that comes along with that. I think my ego kind of chased me down a rabbit hole of, of that paycheck. Right. Um, because it was a lot more lucrative than my original career choice. Um, and I have always prioritized financial independence, so I've never wanted, uh, my husband to bear the burden of, um, being the breadwinner. You know, if if he lost his job, I would. I love the idea of being able to provide for both of us for a certain amount of time. Um, that's very important to me. That's that's a value that I think my, my mom instilled in me. Um, and that's I very strongly value that. That's beautiful. Yeah. So, uh, essentially, um, I ended I ultimately ended up in, uh, a GM role for a long term care facility.

Speaker 1 (00:10:02) - Um, and when Covid hit, um, she had hit the fan. Kovid Covid long term care facility. Um, I mean, uh, I have the luxury of being Canadian, and health care is free for the most part. Um, but there are long standing systemic issues that when you're in a management role in health care, everybody expects you to have all the answers and solve the problems that, like I say, are long standing and systemic. Um, and to be completely honest, I had a mental health crisis.

Speaker 2 (00:10:45) - It was too much.

Speaker 1 (00:10:46) - It was way too much. And I'm an overachiever and I couldn't I couldn't fix. Anything. And that was I couldn't fix. I could not fix everything. Right? Um, and it just it became too much.

Speaker 2 (00:11:03) - Well, you're not alone. Uh, that happens to many, uh, completely burnt out. And. And there's actually a famous, uh, comedian. His name escapes me. Uh, I'll put it in the show notes below.

Speaker 2 (00:11:19) - But he was a nurse, and a lot of people in the medical field got burnt out from Covid and just had to step away from it completely. You're not alone for sure.

Speaker 1 (00:11:30) - Yeah. Um, yeah. So essentially I went I went on a stress leave. And I called my mom. I said, hey, mom, I just want you to know, um, you know, I'm on stress leave. I'm taking some time. And, you know, I, I don't know. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know if I'm going to go back to work, uh, in health care or if it's time for a career change. And she said, ha, ha, uh, you should start applying to construction companies. And I said, ha ha ha, because she she knows that that was always my plan B. Um, I've always dabbled in rentals. I've always been interested in interior design. And, you know, she thought back to all those times that, you know, I was in the woodshop with my dad crafting away.

Speaker 1 (00:12:23) - Um, so, yeah, it was always on the back burner. And she said, you know, like, what have you got to lose? And I was like, yeah, I really have nothing, nothing to lose. And at the end of the day, if I completely hate it, at least I have some life skills, right? Yeah. So that's exactly what I did. Um, and to sweeten the deal, you know, I, I done my research and I looked into, um, the different kinds of, um, subsidies that are available for companies to hire apprentices. So I essentially applied to one company and I said, hey, this is why you should hire me.

Speaker 2 (00:13:05) - And they said, hell yeah.

Speaker 1 (00:13:07) - I'm smart. I'm mature. I don't really know anything about carpentry, but my wage will be subsidized. And at the end of the day, if it doesn't work out, you're not going to have lost money, you know, through onboarding and whatever. So they hired me on.

Speaker 2 (00:13:22) - So how is the apprenticeship program?

Speaker 1 (00:13:26) - The apprenticeship program is really interesting. So essentially the way it works in Canada, I'm not quite sure how it works in, in the States. Um, but if you are a registered apprentice, there's a certain number of work hours required to fulfill the the Red seal requirements. And then you have a certain number of training blocks, uh, where you go away to school. So for carpentry, it's just over 6000 hours. And there are four training blocks. So each of them, each level is a seven week training block. And I've completed I'm I'm halfway done.

Speaker 2 (00:14:02) - Okay. And you're working towards your red seal?

Speaker 1 (00:14:04) - Yeah, exactly. And, uh, it's funny, I like to tell people when I introduce myself, you know. Hi. My name's Kelly Mack. I'm 35 years old, and when I grow up, I'm going to be a red tailed carpenter. Haha, I love that.

Speaker 2 (00:14:19) - Well, you are definitely on your way because your work is fantastic now.

Speaker 1 (00:14:24) - Thank you, thank you.

Speaker 2 (00:14:26) - Other than loving the US, I love Canada, I love Australia, why do I love you guys so much? Because you got you really the skilled trades programs that you guys have, the schooling systems, it's very good. So I have a lot of friends in Canada and I admire the system there. There's pros and cons to everything, but you seem to have a better culture around skilled trades than we do in America. And I would really like Americans to adopt some of the honorable behavior that's seen in the skilled trades environment in Canada and Australia, as opposed to the US. So when I see the types of reels that you put out, you focus on the depth of the craft. You give great tricks and tips. You do it in a fun way, and your work is really incredible. Whether you know it or not. It is okay. And that is very important because in the US, we've got the few women that we have in the skilled trades that are online and in, in the public.

Speaker 2 (00:15:46) - I tend to show reels of clothing that you wouldn't really wear when you're working, and it perpetuates the stigma that we're just sexualizing a female in the trades, instead of focusing on the skill that females can bring to the skilled trades. So what are your thoughts when you see, uh, women online, on social media? That, I mean, we know why they have the following. They have. And I'm not judging. Right. When you start to say that you want to be the role model for the new generation, then I have a problem, then I have a problem.

Speaker 1 (00:16:33) - And it's it's funny because if I had started out in the trades, you know, 15 years ago, though, that's probably what my reels would have looked like because I valued external beauty and aesthetics. Being a product of the 90s and the the fat shaming culture. Yeah, you totally get it. Yeah, I get it. Um, that was, you know, we we really placed a lot of focus on what we looked like.

Speaker 1 (00:17:03) - And as a product of that, um, I really felt that my worth was tied to what I looked like.

Speaker 2 (00:17:11) - Yes, I remember what that was like. I'm a 90s gal, too, so I get it.

Speaker 1 (00:17:16) - Totally. Yeah, you get it. So. And now I don't really give a shit. And I think I think it's more, um. I'm very. Gist of how I compliment females. Um, it's more how you look really strong. You look really confident. You are so articulate. And those are more the things that that I value. Um, but that that being said.

Speaker 2 (00:17:40) - When I.

Speaker 1 (00:17:40) - See, you know, these, these girls with, you know, tens of thousands of followers and they're wearing skimpy outfits, part of me now is like, you go, girl. Like, if that's what you want to do and you're making money off that, then that's your prerogative.

Speaker 2 (00:17:59) - But on the other side of that.

Speaker 1 (00:18:01) - I'm big into health and safety and I'm like, girl, like that is a safety concern.

Speaker 1 (00:18:07) - Put your hair in a ponytail. You're gonna get it sucked. You're gonna get a stuck in your table saw. Yeah. And if you're if you are grinding metal, like you're gonna get some serious burns on your tits. Oh, for.

Speaker 2 (00:18:20) - Sure, for.

Speaker 1 (00:18:21) - Sure.

Speaker 2 (00:18:23) - Oh, that reminds me of a real, very beautiful, very sexy, you know, dressed girl saying when she gets hot and sweaty at work, she's pulling a impact's to, like, have the the air from the impact. She's got long hair and she's like leaning, using it like a fan. I'm like, oh my goodness God.

Speaker 1 (00:18:47) - Oh man. This is it's a liability. It's a liability. Yeah. OSHA has something to say about that.

Speaker 2 (00:18:55) - Well, I am definitely with you on the look. If that's how you want your income base, you want your extra cash flow, and you want to utilize your beauty that I get, I all the more power to you. But when you start using your platform as a role model, yeah, for other generations or when you start using your platform to talk about.

Speaker 2 (00:19:19) - Tips and tricks in the trades and you don't have the schooling. You're not even finished yet. And when you're giving instruction on how to use tools, how to get into skilled trades, you really don't have the authority to do so. Your whole base is on aesthetics model sex. Yeah. Then I have a problem because it perpetuates the stereotype of, uh, you know, where a distraction on the field is really no talent. And having a female there, it hurts the rest of the opportunities for females to enter such an amazing career path.

Speaker 1 (00:20:09) - Yeah. I mean, I don't disagree with you.

Speaker 2 (00:20:12) - I'm just popping in to let you know we have exciting things coming in 2024. I can't wait to fill you all in on the live show, which is launching in the new year. I look forward to seeing you there. If you'd like to get all the info, just follow me on Instagram at Sparky Life of Leah. Now let's get back to the show.

Speaker 1 (00:20:36) - Like for me to see those women? I'm just like, yeah, whatever.

Speaker 1 (00:20:40) - You know, like, make your money. You could very well, you know, have done your research and, you know, these specific things. But it could be it could be hard for, you know, someone who's some ten year old girl who thinks. Or is that what I have to look like? That's where my concern lies, is a lot of these Instagram influencers are they've gone under the knife. You know, they've had all kinds of surgeries. They've had all kinds of nips and talks to look the way they do. And that is where it becomes problematic. And they use all kinds of filters. And it's more. That number of followers, that 1 million, where it's like, oh, you know, this is how I get recognized. Like I have to look like a Barbie doll. I have to look like a Victoria's Secret model to be valued in this society. Right. And it's it's sad that, that the aesthetics are, are overshadowing what could very well be some really good DIY tips and, you know, a way to empower women to, to to pick up power tools and, and do the whole maintenance things that they may not have the confidence to do.

Speaker 1 (00:21:55) - Right. Um, so, yeah, I, I don't think that, you know, the tits and ass should be overshadowing, you know, the actual content, if that's if that's truly what you want to do is you want to help people empower women to to be in the trades to to use power tools. You don't you don't need the other stuff. And I can I can say that, um, from personal experience. So I think what's really what's really powerful is when I do hear people, you know, when people come up to me or people message me and say, hey, you know that tip you gave about, you know, how to whatever how did you trim? You know, like I did trim. I did trim in my house. And now, like, I, I gave it a shot and it looks pretty good. And I just want to thank you for, you know, giving me for inspiring me to do that. And I'm just like, oh, yeah.

Speaker 1 (00:22:50) - Like, if that's the impact I have on people, then, you know, that makes me really happy. And, um, I want to I want to keep doing that and keep advocating for empowerment.

Speaker 2 (00:23:03) - That's a beautiful thing and it is amazing when you empower others. Absolutely amazing. What was the biggest challenge that you faced when you started to really involve yourself with carpentry?

Speaker 1 (00:23:20) - Uh. Oh, man. Uh, I think the biggest thing was. Starting over. So essentially, I'm not good at not being good at stuff. And for and for.

Speaker 2 (00:23:33) - I love that. Yes.

Speaker 1 (00:23:36) - I'm not I'm not comfortable with not being excellent at stuff. And for a long time I was really good at what I did. Right. Um, and I was successful. And here I am with this new learning curve. You know, when I started, I didn't even know how to read a tape.

Speaker 2 (00:23:55) - Yeah. Me too. Me too.

Speaker 1 (00:23:57) - And, uh, so that was very humbling. Yeah. Just starting over and being challenged to to just learn something new.

Speaker 1 (00:24:07) - And I think it's, I think it's much harder to learn new things and do hard things. Um, when you're over 30. Yes.

Speaker 2 (00:24:15) - There's stats on it.

Speaker 1 (00:24:17) - Yeah. Yeah. Like you're. Yeah. You don't process things as well. You know, you don't absorb the knowledge as well. So yeah, I think just just learning something new was the hardest thing. And not and not being good like I, I had to come to terms with being bad and having to make those mistakes and uh, having to, you know, thinking I was disappointing somebody by not being able to complete a task in a certain amount of time or, um, to a certain standard. Yeah. So I think that was the hardest thing for me. And to be honest, I think when I first started out, the company I worked for. Wasn't prioritizing my learning. So I think that was a barrier as well, is that, you know, I felt that stress, that time crunch. You know, if you're not being productive, then you're hurting the team.

Speaker 1 (00:25:15) - I would like people to know that that's that's not you don't have to be in that kind of environment. Like you can find an apprenticeship where they will foster your learning, they'll prioritize your learning, and you can feel comfortable making those mistakes and asking those questions and saying no to situations where you don't feel safe.

Speaker 2 (00:25:37) - Yes, yes, yes, that is really I'm so glad you brought that up because that's really important. The stats of women and men who enter the skilled trades and don't finish is just deplorable. And it's because, yeah, it's because of those bad environments. They they get into a toxic work environment and then they're like, I'm not going to put up with this. And instead of instead of thinking, oh, there's another company out there, I just need to switch where I'm at. They think, oh, they're all like this. I'm I'm done.

Speaker 1 (00:26:14) - Yeah. And I want everybody to know that it's a matter of at this point, it's a matter of economic stability. So we're losing trainees at an astronaut astronomical rate because our baby boomers are all retiring.

Speaker 1 (00:26:28) - Yes. There's nobody to fill these positions. So companies they can't not change to be more inclusive.

Speaker 2 (00:26:37) - Yep.

Speaker 1 (00:26:38) - So there is a space for you. No matter who you are. There is a space for you in the trades if that's what you want to do. And actually, I'd love to tell a personal story related to that. So there's one very profound experience that I had early on. I was asked to cut. I was cut and install a carriage bolt in a, in a joist, and it was the first time I had ever done that. I didn't even know what a carriage bolt was. Um, so I didn't have the knowledge, nor did I have all the tools that I needed to do the job. Um, so there's a lot of trial and error, and it was taking me a really long time, um, to do this. What now would be very simple task for me. So I had a whole board out. I had the bolt in, you know, had the washers on.

Speaker 1 (00:27:25) - It was just a matter of cutting off the excess bolt and finding a socket set to to put the nuts and tighten them. So I walked away and then came back, and I returned to find that a more experienced carpenter was on the ladder and he was fiddling around with this bolt and said, hey, like I was doing that, like, I'll take care of that. And he said, well, you're taking too long. And I said, uh, yeah. I've been running around trying to find the tools that I need to to finish it. He said, okay, well, I'm going to do this because you're taking too long, so go get me a grinder. And I was so close to finishing this task, so close. I said, you know, a buddy, if you want to finish this, be my guest. But go find the grinder yourself. Good for you. Yeah, yeah, but we don't. He. He looked me dead in the eye, and he said, you're useless.

Speaker 1 (00:28:21) - And I was so taken aback. It's one of those moments where you wish you had something clever and badass to clap back. Those moments where you're like, in the shower at night and you're like, oh yeah, I should've said this and this and this. Oh, oh my, uh, but no, I, I walked away. I didn't engage, and I took what felt like a mile long walk to the porta potty, and I close the door and eyeballed my fucking eyes out for a good 15 minutes. Because in that moment, those words preyed on every insecurity, every every ounce of self-doubt I ever had about making it in the trades. Right. And, you know, after 15 minutes of I'm quitting, like, I can't do this, I am useless. Like, you're right. I'm you know, I realized in that moment that, um, it wasn't a safe space for me, and I needed to find another company because I said, there's got to be another company out there who's gonna value my worth? Who's going to see what I bring to the table and and foster my learning? Uh, and that's what I did.

Speaker 1 (00:29:31) - I found another company, and, uh. Yeah. I just I want everybody to know that there is a space for you. And I feel like part of my obligation, um, because I have this platform on Instagram and because I'm, you know, I'm mature and I can be loud and I outspoken and not be scared. I have the obligation to stand up for my coworkers, um, and help create that brave space. If, you know, if they don't have the confidence to be able to speak up for themselves.

Speaker 2 (00:30:06) - That is absolutely fantastic. You're so clever that you said to yourself, okay, there's got to be another place that's going to support me, because so many people don't think like that. They don't. They just don't. They have one really bad experience and they think it's all like that. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (00:30:25) - So and it wasn't it wasn't worth a fight of, you know, going to my boss and saying, hey, this is what happened. You know, it was like, yeah, you know what? I can find something better.

Speaker 2 (00:30:36) - Exactly, exactly. Why do you want to try to be at a table where they're purposely pushing you out? You want to find the table that's going to welcome you or build the table yourself?

Speaker 1 (00:30:49) - Exactly, exactly. Yeah. Or just build your own table. Yeah. There you go. And I can do it. Literally. I love it, I love it.

Speaker 2 (00:31:01) - Oh. All right, Kelly, I am running out of time. What are the values you see? By working in the trades. Other than great income.

Speaker 3 (00:31:15) - Oh.

Speaker 1 (00:31:17) - Yeah. Um, empowerment is a big one. If you can overcome that fear of being bad at something. There's some relatively, um, some relative instant gratification.

Speaker 4 (00:31:34) - Yes, yes.

Speaker 1 (00:31:37) - So you can you get to fix things? Yeah. That is fantastic. Very, very unlike health care in general. You learn problem solving and resourcefulness. Yes. Um. And independence. Yes. You know, if you and it's life skills. Really, it really is.

Speaker 1 (00:32:00) - And you don't we don't learn those things anymore. Ding ding ding. Yes. Are you telling me all the things are like. Yeah. No, I certainly didn't really learn those things in high school. Yeah. Um, and it was never, never a focus. You know, my parents were very much, um, they, they pushed me to, to do whatever I wanted to do and be whoever I wanted to be. And I understand that that's that's a luxury. Not everybody has that privilege. But it was because I did well in school, because I had good grades. It was like, oh, you're going to university, right? Trades was never an option. Uh, and the people that we saw going into the trades were the people who had who were the bad kids. Mhm. Yes. The, the ostracized people, the bad kids or the people who had learning difficulties. They were just kind of uh, they were herded into the, to the trades based programs, which is really unfortunate.

Speaker 2 (00:33:01) - And it needs to not be that way because it's taking away opportunities from the masses. Yeah. Okay. With your journey towards your red seal, with everything you've accomplished, what tool is in your tool belt? What's something you carry with you that has helped you become so successful?

Speaker 1 (00:33:25) - Potent anxiety.

Speaker 2 (00:33:26) - Medication.

Speaker 1 (00:33:31) - Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Perfect. Yeah. Okay. For real though. For real. Um, I think the most important thing is compassion for myself and for those around me. Oh, yeah. I think that there's a hundred reasons why humans can't show up on a percent every day. All day. And, uh, we need to think outside the box and how to how to make people feel included so that they can thrive. Wow. In our environments.

Speaker 2 (00:34:02) - Giving grace.

Speaker 1 (00:34:03) - Totally giving grace. Giving space. Giving grace. Giving brave spaces.

Speaker 2 (00:34:11) - Yes, I love it. Oh, Kelly, you're such a pleasure. You are a beacon. Your energy 100% vibes. Compassion.

Speaker 1 (00:34:23) - Thank you.

Speaker 2 (00:34:24) - Glow you glow I love it, I love it. Thank you. Thank you so much for doing this. Thank you so much for being on the Sparky life. It's greatly appreciated and I can't wait to see more women enter the field like you. Thank you for joining us. If you felt a spark in today's episode, I invite you to write a review.

Speaker 5 (00:34:44) - I'd love to hear what lit you up. Take what resonates with you, and if you'd like to hear more of the spark your life, please subscribe, like, follow and share. Until next time, create the sparks in your life.