Surviving Rock Bottom, Finding Purpose: Nicole Gregory On Faith, Healing, & The Power Of Support (Inspirational)

What if your rock bottom was the beginning of your rise?

In this raw and heartfelt conversation, actress, model, speaker and advocate Nicole Gregory shares her deeply personal story of transformation—from her journey through homelessness, trauma and emotional pain to rising as a voice of empowerment in film, media, and women’s mental health.

Nicole shares her journey of overcoming emotional trauma while navigating life as a mother, a healthcare professional, and now a rising star in entertainment. She talks candidly about how faith, therapy, and community became her lifelines—and how being real about brokenness is the first step toward healing. and how she found healing, faith, and purpose in the midst of it all.

This inspirational episode is more than an interview—it's a masterclass in resilience, self-worth, and the unshakable power of faith.

• How to reclaim your worth and identity after trauma, loss, or rejection.
• Why support systems and therapy are essential for real healing—not just survival.
• The truth behind what it means to walk in purpose, not perfection, especially as a woman in a demanding world.

Press play now to listen to this empowering, inspirational episode and hear how Nicole Gregory turned pain into purpose—and how you can too.

Nicole's Social Media:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iam.nicolegregory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/i.am.nicolegregory

homelessness to healing story, faith and trauma recovery, women mental health, domestic violence survival podcast, emotional resilience, women empowerment story, actress testimony, how to heal after trauma, purpose-driven life, Christian podcast, overcoming adversity interview, trauma

Transcript

Reginald D: Welcome to Real Talk. Reginald D. I'm your host, Reginald D. On today's episode, I had Nicole Gregory. Nicole is an actress, speaker and media personality. Nicole also had a leading role in Sham Redmond's movie, the Decision.

Welcome to the show, Nicole.

Nicole: Hello. Thank you for having me.

Reginald D: Thank you so much. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to hang out with me for a minute.

Nicole: For sure, for sure, for sure.

Reginald D: So, Nicole, tell us a little bit about yourself, where you grew up and what was your childhood like.

Nicole: So I am a brown skinned girl from the south side of Chicago. I grew up there with my grandmother and my dad who raised me. Migrated from Chicago to Indianapolis where I built my very successful nursing and technology career and then migrated from Indianapolis to Atlanta about four years ago where I still maintain that it and nursing career and just kind of added,

added the acting, modeling and speaking when I got here. Wasn't expecting that, but so grateful to God. That's the assignment that he gave me. So, yeah, I've been doing that ever since I got here.

So here I am, little brown girl from the south side of Chicago.

Reginald D: I know, right? You know, God always puts us in the place we want us to be.

Nicole: Yeah.

Reginald D: So, Nicole, you've overcome so much from like I read, been homeless, domestic violence and, you know, basic emotional trauma. You know, can you take us back to that season in your life and what was that like?

Nicole: The season in my life where I was homeless was after I had gotten divorced and I just was really, I had lost my father,

I had lost both my parents within a year of each other, like about a year or two before that. And I just was really lost. You know, my dad and I, we were very, very close.

And so losing him, I just didn't know who I was. It took a little while for me to figure out who Nicole really was. And so I just was working but was just making a very impulsive decision and I don't think I was bringing my best self to the situations.

And so it led to homelessness because when you're married, you mesh everything together. And so it just left me a little bit financially struggling. And my youngest daughter and I, we were sleeping for a couple of days.

We slept at the top of a apartment complex in Indianapolis. And the security guard was always so sweet and he would let me in, you know, so I could have a safe place to sleep and went to work every day.

I had my clothes in my trunk, my toiletries in my trunk, and that's how I kind of live for Not a long time, but enough time to realize that I'm spiraling out of control.

So that season of my life was very difficult.

That's when I really developed my relationship with prayer is because I didn't know anybody in Indianapolis to the point where I could trust someone with that type of information.

And so I had to trust God.

And, yeah, it was hard. It was hard to talk about it. A lot of my close family members didn't know about it because I was embarrassed. You know,

I'm usually very structured, very orientated, and so that was very difficult for me.

Reginald D: Yeah, I bet it was. Especially having a young daughter, too, you're trying to take care of through all of that.

It was very, very challenging.

But what happened? What moment or encounter or breakthrough when you realized that you were not just surviving, but started rising through all of the stuff you've been through?

Nicole: I think I started realizing that I was a little bit different when things didn't stop me the way it stopped other people.

Like, even in the midst of being homeless, I still was working full time. I still was revered at my position. And I think I became emotionally mature. I started learning how to deal with my emotions.

So that kind of let me know that, okay, maybe God's got me here, because I need to be able to be relatable. I need to be able to be where someone is to help them through that moment in their life.

And I was always told that I was a little bit different, that, you know, God had something special. I had been told by pastors and, you know, profits, but I just really was uncomfortable with what that responsibility came with.

And I think that homelessness was a part of the running that I was doing. So the minute I realized that I was okay, it's okay to be different. It's okay to be chosen for something specific.

I started to get a little bit more comfortable, and things started really shifting because I started trusting more. But I don't think that would have ever happened had I not hit that type of rock bottom.

Reginald D: Yeah. It takes a situation sometimes, you know, that wakes people up. Some people wake up a little earlier than some. I have been in a situation where I had to hit rock bottom for me to realize what I really supposed to be doing and what God has for my life and,

you know, and stop all this foolishness.

Nicole: Yeah, yeah. Cause it's like, okay, I know who I am. You know, I know I'm not this. I don't know exactly who I am,

but I know I'm not this.

So that's When I started, okay, I need to be doing something different, and this is not going to work.

Reginald D: That was so powerful, what you just said. I know I'm not this.

You know,

you don't have it all figured out. People just realize that I know I'm not this.

Nicole: Right. I don't know. Yeah. I don't know what I am. I don't know where I'm going, but I know it's not here.

Reginald D: Right.

Right. So, you know,

and I think one of the biggest things, and one thing I do admire about you is that even though you've been through mental and emotional abuse and things like that, a lot of people can't shake that.

You know, they carry that and they can't get ahead in life because they still traumatized by whatever the situation may be, you know, And God bless them, because I know it's tough sometimes, but I applaud you for that.

I know it takes a lot of courage, too, to rise above all stuff.

Nicole: Yeah. And you know what? Let's just be honest. It takes a support system, too. I think where a lot of people make the mistake is that they feel like because it happened to them, that you can't be supported.

It's okay to get the support you need so that you're healthy and whole and you're not triggered every time something similar or sound like or relatable. You don't have to be triggered by it.

So,

yeah, what you see now is just the result of a good support system. Great therapy sessions. Like, I didn't do this on my own, so I can't take credit for something that a community helped me get through.

Reginald D: Absolutely. Yeah. It takes multiple people. Like I say, a group of people from all walks of life that can help you when you're going through things. Because like I say,

doing it alone sometimes, man, is tough.

Nicole: Yeah. Yeah. And you don't have to. That's just pride. When you're doing that, you're doing that because of pride. Once you set that pride aside and you realize that you're not the only one that's going through that, you'd be surprised what type of support and help and growth that you can get out of that.

Reginald D: Yes. So, Nicole, what would you say to a woman listening who is hiding her pain behind a smile or feeling,

you know, feeling like she is not worth anything and her worth is gone.

Nicole: Pray,

you know, because it's only in the isolation and the silence that you can hear.

So many times we, you know, as women, we carry. We feel like we're responsible for everyone and everything and give yourself some grace to grieve someone you didn't grieve or to feel the loss of something or someone.

Be okay with what that feels like. Sit in that. Don't sit in that too long, though, because then you'll end up staying there. But prayer, definitely.

I'm going to always encourage counseling because that's someone that doesn't have advice to give, but they're able to give you the tools you need to make it through that season.

Because the thing is, you feel like in those moments that it's going to be like that forever. And so you need the tools so that if it ever comes up again or while you're there, you know how to digest what's going on and move forward.

Doesn't mean you forget it. You just move forward. Like forgetting is not, you know, acting like it never happened. Forgetting is forgetting the trauma that you're triggered by to cause the same reaction that you would give in those moments.

So counseling, for sure. Get yourself a great group of girlfriends that you can be authentic with, that you can have those tough conversations with and that are going to hold you accountable and be supportive when you're going through that.

Don't do it alone.

Reginald D: That's good. That's very good advice. Let's talk about the actress, Nicole. How do you bring real life emotion into your roles without losing your emotional balance?

Nicole: Well, listen, I'm gonna be honest with you. In every character you see I play, there's a little bit of me in there.

So the only way I can bring the best out of a character is if I put a little bit of me in there. Being a Gemini, that helped because it's 17 of us anyway, you know what I mean?

Whoever I need to pull in for that character, I pull her in. I can never lose myself in a character that is a separate entity of me, that's a separate layer of me.

But I do put pieces of my own personality in her so that you can feel her being authentic as possible, so that you walk away with me on your mind about, wow, Brooke really did this.

Or such and such. Really did that. And you forget my name is Nicole altogether.

Reginald D: Right, right. Y'all are gonna put a little piece of you in, though, right?

Nicole: I do. I do. Because, I mean, I want my audience to feel like they're talking to me still, you know, because that's what's gonna make it feel memorable to you, is that you had a moment with me on camera.

So, yes, I do put a little bit of me in each character that I play.

Reginald D: That's awesome. That is awesome.

So, Nicole, you become a voice for women and girls who feel unseen or silenced. What do you believe are the biggest lies women need to unlearn? To walk in confidence.

Nicole: That I have to do it all by myself.

That if you're a mother, that you have to mother a certain way or you're not a successful mother, that you have to look a certain way to be seen,

that you have to follow a trend to be heard. Those are the myths that across generations,

we need to throw in the garbage.

For sure, women are strong. We are strong.

But we're human, and we need to be okay with taking care of the human side of us so that we can pour into others. Oftentimes, women are pouring from an empty cup.

And you need to know when it's time to step back and regroup and recenter. I do it every year. There's a certain time of the year where I don't do any interviews, I don't do any filming because I'm still a person, I'm still a mother.

I'm still, you know, a human being. And I have emotions and things hurt my feelings. So I have to give myself some time to recenter and rebalance myself. Stop being afraid of what you know is true about you, and stop melting into the background because you're afraid.

I had a bad habit of that. Having friends in this industry that are so seen, I would oftentimes melt into the background because I believe every moment is not for me.

You know, but they started telling me, stop doing that. Like, you're talented, you're gifted, you have this. You need to step out. Stop being afraid. This is your gift. This is your calling.

This may be your assignment.

So having that community, building a sense of community where I'm accountable, but I'm also pushed to my excellence. I think that's important.

The biggest takeaway, you do not have to do this alone. Whatever it is,

it's okay to ask for help.

Reginald D: Yes. And you said one thing earlier that women are so strong, and they are. And the part about you saying, you know, take time for yourself, you know, take care of yourself,

that's very critical because I've actually watched my mother. She was a single parent. I watched her,

worked three jobs, played for seven choirs in the church, and went to college and was raising me and my sister as a single parent. And I remember one time I heard this moaning in her bedroom and just crying and screaming, like, thinking she had had a breakdown and she hadn't really recovered from it since she still,

you know, had anxiety now and all that kind of stuff. But she just now. And I was like, if I had one thing to say to her back then, it would have been, hey, take time for yourself.

I think she'd have been a lot better off, you know?

Nicole: Yeah. Yeah.

Reginald D: But she was that woman, that strong woman. Man, they gonna go at it.

Nicole: They do. They do. And I'm quick to tell my children or my friends, I can't do that. I don't have the bandwidth to do that, or I can't do that right now, or, you know, I even tell my daughters, you know, you a woman first.

You belong to God. You're a woman first. And it is okay to tend to your womanhood and do what makes you feel good so that when your time has come and you're called upon, you're able to go because you're not depleted, you know, that's okay.

And there are going to be some moments I just can't, because I just can't because I'm just not in a mental space to be able to. So being able to be at this age and admit that, you know what, I need help doing this or I can't do this.

I know I want to do that. I can't do that right now. It's okay. It's okay to take care of you in your most broken moments so that when you heal, you're whole.

Reginald D: Exactly, exactly. So, Nicole, what does empowerment look like to you in real everyday life?

Nicole: Everyday life, I think from moment to moment and enjoying the moment, celebrating myself through small accomplishments, celebrating other people that I care and love and their accomplishments. I don't have a superhero syndrome, so I don't need to feel like I'm always the savior.

I love to see other people win. So that empowerment is layered for me. You know, getting through the day with a teenager is a accomplishment. So if I can make it through the day with her, she's such a great, great kid.

But, you know, being a teenager, teenage girl is a tough time. So I have a lot that I have to give out, you know, to develop her like she needs to.

So celebrating the moments and just realizing that, man, I was living in my car, and now I'm able to pull up into a home, and, you know, I'm just keep staying so humble, staying so grateful for the opportunities.

That's what empowerment looks like to me. It has nothing to do with how strong I am. It's. To me, it's everything to do with how humble I remain.

Reginald D: Yes. And like you said, dealing, you know, the moments. I always tell people, man, your moments are so critical. And how you handle your moments is like life changing, man.

Nicole: Yes.

Reginald D: It's going to take you to where you need to go or where you don't need to go. It depends on, you know, how you handle it. And like you said, as far as, you know, empowerment, I agree with you on one thing too, is lifting up other people, you know,

stepping in when you can and help them when you can, and encourage people to be the best they are.

Nicole: Yeah. And watching them win, like, I get a kick out of that when I see my friends traveling and getting awards and hosts, and it just lets me know that, wow, you know, I'm a part of a great group of people that care.

And they're just good women. You know what I mean? They're just good people. And so when you see good people winning, I love it. It doesn't always have to be me.

I love it for them. I love it for them.

Reginald D: Yeah. So I'm the same way. I have people on my team and I will push them and they like, you're crazy or you don't care. And then when it finally accomplished something or what, I know they could.

Nicole: Yeah.

Reginald D: To him, I said, that's the reason I say that. I know you could do it, you know?

Nicole: Yeah.

Reginald D: Then I walk away.

Nicole: Yeah.

Reginald D: It's like, you know, I'm not going, rah, rah, you, you don't need it.

Nicole: Exactly.

Reginald D: Somebody else. I got to be on the other side.

Nicole: Exactly. It's an amazing feeling.

Reginald D: Yes, it is. It is.

So, Nicole, you create custom wins for cancer patients. What inspired you to turn your compassion into this beautiful form of creativity that you have?

Nicole: Well, I've been in healthcare field going on 30 years now. I started when I was in my 20s, and so now I'm on the technology side of healthcare. But I've always loved having patient interaction.

And the one thing I know about women is that, you know, we always want to look pretty. We always want to look our best, you know, and when you're suffering from a disease like cancer, it takes away some of the womanhood in your hair.

For men too, you know, not just women. But it can hurt your self esteem when you don't feel like you look your best. And so it was my way to give back to a career that has given me so much, and it makes it even more personal.

I came off of the floor as a healthcare worker years ago, almost eight years ago. And so the technology side of things hasn't allowed me to delve back into patient care directly.

So this was the way that I was able to give back.

And the smiles that I see on my clients,

it just makes.

Makes it all the while. Like, then they feel they get a little piece of themselves that. And so it makes me feel really, really good that I can give them a piece of themselves back.

To reverence in such a difficult diagnosis, to try to, you know, journey through.

Reginald D: That is so great. That's touching, too, because, you know, people don't look at that side of it. You know, you see people with cancer, and a lot of people just, like, afraid they're gonna die, and then they successfully get treated.

But then all of the other stuff. Self esteem. Cause the hair fell out or they lost their hair. That part is devastating too.

Nicole: It is.

Reginald D: Get up and look in the mirror at that every day.

Nicole: So it's just. It's very small. But I consider it very small because they're dealing with so many other emotions. So if I can help them take that piece out of it, then they can pour that energy into other things that may require their attention a little bit more.

Reginald D: Absolutely. So as I'm talking to you, one word comes to my mind. Okay, the word faith.

Nicole: Absolutely.

Reginald D: How has your faith helped you not only survive, but find meaning in your past struggles?

Nicole: If I'm being honest, my slogan has been all faith, no fear for 15 years.

Like, because there's no way that, like, as you do that walk back in your life, that my grandmother was either praying for me or God was like, okay, I'm gonna let you do this, because this is what you need to learn to live.

But I don't know how it would survive without the trust. Because faith means trust,

you know? So I have had to learn to trust not only myself, but I had to trust God too. Because trusting God is trusting yourself. Trusting that what you hear in the back of your mind, you think is you going crazy.

No, that's the voice of reason telling you, this is what I want you to do. And it. It sounds. You would think it sounds like some deep voice. You know, God got this deep, vague, baritone voice.

You know, my child, do this. And it doesn't. It comes across as, like, you know, you should have been doing that, right? Like, you know that. You know that that's supposed to be you, right?

Or you know that you're really. You could be doing this, and it's just trusting. It's like, okay, I cannot be fearful. Because being fearful means I prayed all these years for nothing.

So I have to be able to trust. So faith is, to me, it's just another equal sign to trusting you and trusting that what the path that God's got you on is strictly for you.

If you don't have to look like nobody else's, it don't have to sound like nobody else's. It's for you, and it's a reason for that. So you have to trust that and have faith that.

Okay, I know I want to do this, but maybe I got to go down this road to get down that street that's trusting. So that's how I do it.

Reginald D: Yes. And I'm glad you said one thing that people think God comes in this deep voice and, you know, and rattles the whole room when he talks to you. And I used to hear my grandfather, he was a pastor, and it's like when he does stuff, man, it just works.

He step out on faith. He stopped pastoring in that 73 years old, and he was just gonna go and just enjoy some of the churches that he built. And then time he sat down,

he said, I gotta build on the church. Everybody like, man, how you gonna build a church, you 70 something years old?

Faith, man. Boom. Did it. My cousin's the pastor of it now, you know, so. Yeah, I mean, it's just one of those things.

But I used to say, papa, how do you know to do this? I heard God. God told me to. I'm growing up, like, I need to hear this voice. I mean, what is it?

I always thought like,

but as I got older, I learned. I learned, huh?

It's just that thing that's inside of.

Nicole: You that's telling you it sounds like you, right? It sounds like you. It sounds like you talking to you, right? Like, you know what I mean? It's like, this is what I want you to do.

And so my prayer is not to have more trust, it's to have more discernment. Because in that road of learning to trust, you gotta be able to know when to move and when to stay.

You gotta listen. And so trusting and having faith means listening. And in order to listen, you have to pray. So it's. To me, it's like, it's a domino of things in those messages.

Because sometimes the test, it's like, okay, I'm gonna see if you trust me like you say you do.

Because it's not gonna be easy. Just because I've got your back does not mean I'm going to just let it go. It's not going to be easy. Because you have to be tested so I can know that you are listening to me.

So that's why it's important that you trust yourself. Because when you're doubting, that's not God. If you got to doubt it, if you got to second guess it, that is not faith.

That's something else talking to you. That's not him. Because when it's him, it's going to feel different. You're going to move different. The people that are around you in that situation, they're going to sound different, they're going to be different, and it's going to be smooth.

It may not be perfect, but it will be smooth. You won't have to worry about what's on the other end because you've already, let's be clear. In having that faith, you've already seen the vision.

You've seen it. So now he gave it to you, but he didn't tell you how you was going to get there. He didn't say, I'm going to bring this person or this person or this person.

He just gave you the vision. Now. But when the vision is coming to pass, that peace as you go down that journey lets you know that what you thought you heard was true.

Reginald D: Yes. Yes. I like that. I like that, man. Because it's just one of those things where you know, you know, you know.

Nicole: You know, you know, you know, you know. That's why I teach my daughters, trust your instinct. Because we are not, we're not born protectors.

So God had to give us a intuition to know when something doesn't feel right. Because that's his way of protecting us. So when you don't listen to that, that's when you mess up.

But when you listen to that, that is your voice of reason. That's your get out of there. That ain't for you. That dude shouldn't be over there. That's what that means.

Reginald D: Absolutely. So what does it mean for you to live as a woman of purpose in the entertainment industry and beyond?

Nicole: Oh, it means that I don't have to be everywhere with everybody all the time.

You know what I mean?

I believe in doing things in order.

Praying about things before I sign up for them, stepping back when I need to, being where it's befitting for me to be.

Because I want to maintain my character. I have more than just the public looking at me. I've got a son, I've got two daughters looking at my behavior while I tread this entertainment world so I stay connected into what keeps me grounded and My faith in my family keeps me grounded.

My children don't see Nicole Gregory. They only see me as mom,

you know, so the expectations of that role is big to me. It means something to me. So how I present myself into the world reflects on my character and my children, too.

So I'm very mindful of that. But when I go to Indianapolis, my church family is there.

I definitely have that time with my pastor to make sure that I'm constantly covered. I do ask him to pray over me so that it keeps away anything that is not for me.

So that's how I'm able to tread with such confidence, is that I got God as my backup. And now my dad is up there. So I got two daddies up there was my backup, you know, so that's how I do it.

Reginald D: And one thing you said is that you think about things when it comes your way instead of just jumping on them, like opportunities and things like that. Because I always tell people, every opportunity is not for you to.

You know,

you'll see it. People gonna reach out to you, say, I want you to do this. I want you to do this. But you get out there and you start getting into all this stuff, you'll be so ineffective, you know, and burn.

Nicole: Out, you know, and burn out. Yeah, because, I mean, I live in Atlanta, so I could be everywhere all the time if that's what I wanted to do. But it's just not necessary.

What I'm trying to accomplish doesn't require my face to be everywhere, but it does require my face to be in the right places.

So I asked God, bring me my people. Bring me, you know, the people that are going to put me in the right spaces so I can make a difference in the right, right places with people.

Reginald D: Yeah, because my cousin, he's my pastor, you know, my grandfather left him in the church, but I went to the church because I'm originally from Greenville, South Carolina. That's like between Charlotte and Atlanta on 85.

So it's sit there. And I went home. He invited me to come speak at the church. So I came down there and it's out. He had a heart attack, right?

And we was talking. He's 50.

He's probably 56, 57, something like that. But we was talking and he was like, man, he said, I gotta chill out. I gotta step down, man, I had a heart attack.

You know, he was talking, you know, talking about life.

And he said,

man, you know, I had like nine jobs. I said, what? She's like. He said, man, I've Been a pastor. You know, he got his own insurance company. And he said, you know, I'm on this board.

I'm on the director of this. I'm the director on this board and this organization. I'm over this. I'm like, dude, I said, man, you got to pick and choose this thing, man.

You can't just everybody grab it at you, and you trying to run something that's. That's crazy to me.

Nicole: Yeah.

Especially in the entertainment, because entertainment is so broad. There are so many clicks within it. And whatever I want, whatever I take, I want it to have purpose. I wanted to leave people with something.

So every project may not be the right project, but the projects that I do take, if I can leave a stamp and plant a seed, those are the ones that I want.

Reginald D: Yes. Impact.

Nicole: Impact. I would rather have influence than money any day.

Reginald D: Yes, exactly. So, Nicole, what's next for Nicole Gregory? Any upcoming projects or missions we should be watching for?

Nicole: Absolutely.

Absolutely. So, of course, the decision is right now on streaming on YouTube. Excited about that. Hopefully that will be on Tubi soon.

And then I have a play that I am so happy to be a part of called Mama Bees Press and Curl that will be June 29th. Locations will be on my pages soon.

Then I have three films coming up. One is actually next week. I'm filming a film called Unspoken. Then I have Assassin's Redemption, and then another film where I'll be playing a agent,

a federal agent, and we'll do that during the latter half of the summer. So I've got a couple of things, you know,

brewing going on.

Reginald D: Yeah.

Nicole: So I'm excited. I'm really excited about the play because it'll be my first time on stage because I usually do film. So this is my first musical play theater production that I'm a part of.

So I'm excited about stretching myself to do some theater. So, yeah, guys, look on my page for that so you can come and support. And the other cast is so amazing.

And the lesson in it is definitely a great. A great message.

Reginald D: Wow. You really got some things going on.

Nicole: I do, I do.

Reginald D: It's like, you got the balance, man. You got the balance.

Nicole: I do. Because, you know, theater is different. You have to practice that. So it's like putting in that time, rehearsals and, you know, the character, the wardrobe, like it's a production.

It's a true production. And so to be thought of and asked to join that cast is, you know, was just amazing. And the cast is so amazing. So I'm so excited about that.

Because that's the first thing coming up. You know, films take a while because you got to edit, and then, you know, it takes a while. But theater is live. It's right there.

So I'm hopeful that people will come out and support this amazing production in June. So, okay.

Reginald D: I'm excited for you.

Nicole: Thank you. Thank you.

Reginald D: You've been set apart by God. I can tell that.

Nicole: I hope so. I pray. I pray that people see less of me and more of him and just the possibilities. Like when I was in Indianapolis speaking to others about the possibilities, I really want people to look at, not my age, like, oh, wow, she looks really good to be almost 50 and all this.

But the age of it doesn't matter because sometimes it takes a long time to brew the right, you know, the right chemistry to brew the right message. So I really want people to look at me and say, man, I can do this.

Like, I could get through this moment. If I want to act, I can manifest that. You know what I mean? And see, like I told people there, I want you to look at me and see what you can do versus what you're doing.

Reginald D: Absolutely. So lastly, Nicole, if you could leave one unshakable truth with our audience today.

If they're going through things and they don't know how to get out of it and don't know their purpose trying to find that part about life, what would you say to them?

Nicole: Say, don't stop until you find it. You'll know when you find it. Part of finding it is not giving up on the journey to finding what it is. Be yourself in whatever it is you're trying to do.

Don't get comfortable with mediocrity when you know you were born for more. People will come and go in your life, but God is the one thing that will always be there, you know?

So when you feel like no one understands you, talk to him, write to him. You can write it down, you know, if you don't know what to say, write it down.

But the biggest takeaway is trusting. You have to trust yourself. Part of the reason why people feel like they're not successful is because they're trying to copy and paste someone else's success into their life.

And so it leaves you feeling defeated when it doesn't look like that or it doesn't feel like that. But the end result, you gotta ask the pathway of how a person got there.

You'd be surprised about what you hear. When I take those pictures and people see me on Instagram and Facebook and TikTok those pictures, there is a whole production that goes behind that.

There's a camera, there's lights, there's makeup, there's hair, there's wardrobe. You don't see that process. All you get is the finished product. So be mindful that even the most glamorous finished product has to go through the process.

So stay strong in your process and trust me, the finished product will be exactly what it's supposed to be.

Reginald D: I love it. I love it. So, Nicole, how come my listeners follow you on social media and follow your career?

Nicole: Well, you can follow me at I Am Nicole Gregory on all social media platforms, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

There I list all of our upcoming projects. I give positive affirmation reels and posts and stories. I go live sometimes and we just have conversations and you can definitely see the links for the movie that I'm in called the Decision.

And you can just turn follow my journey. Sometimes I take my. I don't call them fans. I take my family with me on different sets to give them a backstage of, you know, what I have to go through to get to those, you know, on set, to get from there to there,

to get from comfort to camera, you know, So I just want people to really take away that I'm not perfect. I'm me. So when you see me, this is me.

I'm not being anything else but myself. And so I love taking people on that authentic journey. So you can reach me at I am.Nicole Gregory on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Reginald D: There you have it. Nicole Gregory. Thank you so much for hanging out with me today, Nicole. I really appreciate it.

Nicole: Thank you. Oh, this was great. We'll have to do this again.

Reginald D: Oh, absolutely, absolutely. Yeah, I'm definitely going to be following.

Nicole: You, so thank you so much. Thank you guys.

Reginald D: Quite welcome. Quite welcome. Thanks for tuning in to Real Talk with Reginald D. If you enjoy listening to Real Talk with Reginald D, please rate and review on Apple Podcast. See you next time.