Bare Speak

Service and Community with Nicole McClain Councilor-at-Large

• Lwilliamson • Season 1 • Episode 9

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0:00 | 48:22

In this inspiring interview, we sit down with Nicole McClain, a veteran and Councilor-at-Large in Lynn, MA to discuss her journey of military service, leadership, and dedication to giving back to both her country and community. She shares how her experience as a veteran shaped her commitment to public service, empowering others, and creating positive change throughout the city. This conversation highlights the importance of community leadership, women veterans in government, and inspiring the next generation through service and resilience.

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Thanks for listening to Bare Speak, a space for women who want to feel stronger, more connected, and more supported in their bodies and lives.

I’m Laura Williamson, a fitness and wellness professional with 20+ years of experience helping women move with more confidence, less pain, and more trust in themselves, especially in seasons of change.

*New episodes every other Friday
 *Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurasbarefitness
 *Learn more about me https://barefitnesspilates.com/

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SPEAKER_00

We knew we were soldiers. We had our uniforms on. I mean, but we didn't want to be always thinking about the danger that we were in. So we would laugh, we would joke, we did have times where we were, you know, doing our job. I was a supply specialist. I ordered parts for vehicles that were on the front line. So vehicles would come to the, they call it a motor pool. We'll come to the motor pool and they'd be all torn up, you know, from being on the front line. Class broken, bullet holes, and we would have to, you know, buy the parts to replace those those things or whatever. So we're in the motor pool and we're just trying to do our job every day. You know what I mean? Order the parts, you know, go and have something to eat, you know, come back, you know, to our little places where we lived, you know what I mean, and slept, you know, trying to have some normalcy, even though we know where we are. But then when there's a bomb and and our base is bombed, and you know, there was a a point where there was a bomb right across from me because there was a um a tent where we could exercise and do whatever, and the that tent was bombed, right? So it's like that's when you realize like we are in a real war zone, you know what I mean, and we can get hurt, and we're doing this for our country, right? You know, because someone sent us here. You know what I mean? It's not like we said, yes, let's go over there on our own accord and you know, fight. You know, it would it's our country, the people in power say this other country is a problem. We need to go over here and you know, diffuse that issue. So we're sent to do that, you know, and we and we hope that we're being sent to do the right thing. You know, we're not just being sent just because someone has a uh personal vendetta against someone else or because someone wants to, you know, is motivated by greed, and that's why we're doing this. You know what I mean? And I feel like what just happened with being with our s with the people being activated to bomb Iran, I feel like there was other issues. It wasn't for the good of the country. You know what I mean? I feel like it may have been for others for other reasons with this person that we have um in that seat of power right now. And I think that that's really unfortunate that lives are going to be lost and have already been lost because of this decision.

SPEAKER_02

Well, he already said so far we've lost four. Right. And he says, you know, he even said we're gonna lose more. We're gonna lose more. We're going to lose more. And the the goal here today is not to take sides for this political party or that political party. That's not the goal. I'm all about the human party. That's right. To be honest with you, I'm all about the families. I'm I'm about the loss of of family members and lives because I'm not gonna judge and say, is it or isn't it yes necessary? But I gotta ask the question. Right. You know, to make that decision because you're not making that decision for yourself and your family's not gonna be on the front line. That's right. But all the people that are in this country that you are serving are gonna be on the front line for you.

SPEAKER_00

For you, and for for whatever, you know, reason that you believed that this was necessary for. You know, and that's as as was said, it's not about Republican or Democrat or whatever, it's more about families and Americans and people losing their lives and not being able to come home to their families or being injured out there. You know, people's lives are gonna be in danger, and that's really, you know, why war should be the last resort. You should try to negotiate, you should try to speak to another country as much as you can before you decide that you're gonna take this step because you care about the people that you are, you know, in charge of.

SPEAKER_02

And literally, you're you're supposed to be taking care of your people.

SPEAKER_00

That's right.

SPEAKER_02

You're supposed to be taking care of your people. And again, today is not about bashing, um, because trust me, there's enough of that. But the now, in addition to you know, I avoid the news and I avoid it because I'm I it's just it's a lot for me to listen to, it's difficult, it's hard. And someone came to me the other day and said, Did you just hear what happened? And I was oblivious. I had no idea. Again, hadn't seen the news in over a week, maybe longer, to be frank with you, if that's possible. But it's true. And then I heard what happened, and then this morning I turned the TV on and of course more topic, more conversation. And then our president has a bit of a news uh I mean, he comes on today and he's talking about what has happened. Right. And and before that the view was on and they were talking about what has happened. And as I'm gaining more detail and more information, I just my stomach turns like I I have a s a sense of nausea because I'm like, no, how do we get here? How is this happening? Like we're we're about we're literally starting another, we're in another war. It's it's it's happening.

SPEAKER_00

It's and it makes everyone it puts the fear in your body. Like you feel it in your body, the fear of, oh my goodness, are we going to have a world war here? Like, is this going to be something where you know it erupts to, you know, something that's even bigger than, you know, Israel, America, Iran? I mean, I feel afraid. And I and I think a lot of people feel afraid, and rightfully so, because what does this mean when two countries come together to um to oppose another? You know what I mean? Like what does that what does that make other countries start to think? You know what I mean? Are people gonna start taking sides? What's gonna happen? And I and I just feel like, you know, like I said, a strategy, we have to think things all the way through. Like, what could the retaliatory, you know, you know, issues be? And I and I just don't think that that was giving us race. Yeah, I don't think that this the gravity of this was really taken into consideration. Like what could happen, you know.

SPEAKER_02

Well, I wonder, you know, you and I we were chatting earlier, and let me do an official start. Yeah. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Laura Williamson. This is Bear Fitness. You are coming in on a conversation that I'm having with Nicole uh Nicole McLean. She's counselor at large and Lynn Mass. And granted, we hadn't intended on starting the conversation this way. Uh we wanted to get more information about Lynn, but just based on the news that we both heard on the way in and what's been going on in the last several days, uh, we couldn't help but talk about it and our concerns. And so we're gonna continue on from here. Uh oh, I'm Laura Williamson. I am your host. I am, this is Bear Speak. I'm a personal trainer, apply as instructor, health coach, Reiki practitioner. I am all the things, personal cheerleader, but I'm also concerned about you. My goal is to help empower you to be your best self and by bringing you topics and information and resources to help you live your best life on your own terms. So today we have Nicole with us. Nicole, welcome.

SPEAKER_00

Thank you for having me, Laura, and um excited to see where our conversation goes.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I am happy to have you here. I avoid politics. I don't talk about politics because isn't that one of the the things they say? It's impolite car company. You're supposed to not talk about politics and things of that nature. But I think in this case it's it it's something that has come up. I think it's a weight, it it was on my mind, it was on my heart uh to be be clear about that. Um, because I don't watch the news, I don't care to watch the news because of this type of information. But never in my wildest dreams did I think that this would be what I'm actually avoiding. You know, a car crash, you know, I don't know, bad weather, I don't know, but not um a bomb was dropped on some children in in a building, and I that's not what I thought I was trying to avoid, right? To be frank with you. So now here we are and we're talking about this. Um and if I may share, Nicole Nicole is actually a veteran.

SPEAKER_00

That's correct. I'm a veteran of um um Iraqi freedom and also um the um second war that we also uh fought in Iraq. I was in Iraq in 2004 and again in 2008. So this news of um a bomb being dropped in Iran is really close to my heart. And um the retaliatory uh bombings from Iran on bases that are in uh Qatar, that are in the uh Middle East area, uh as as a retaliation of the bomb being dropped by America is um of big concern to me because you know, American soldiers and um these young girls that lost their lives due to this bombing is just really catastrophic, honestly. And the worst news that we we could have been receiving right now.

SPEAKER_02

And before I continue, um let me say thank you for your service. Absolutely, let's go there. Um because this is beyond bravery. It's real easy for me to sit here and say I'm upset and oh no, and this is awful, and it is awful. But as someone who has never served, and it comes from a family of veterans, um and of course you wouldn't people you wouldn't know this about me because it's just not something that comes up. But I think I think a lot of us know people who serve or who have served or are veterans in some way, shape, or form, and I just feel like it's part of our tapestry. I I think it's it's it it just is what it is. But you know, I'm what I would like to ask from you today, Nicole. Um we plan on talking about other things and we will get to those things, but I would love your perspective um as a a veteran, a soldier who was I mean, you you lived it right in the line of fire. And it's real easy for me to to to feel badly about it, but that's nothing compared to you actually experiencing it. Like you said, hearing mortars and you know, waking up day to day and you know not knowing if the person next to you or friend of yours is if you're gonna come back from battle or not. I have no idea what that feels like. I don't know what it is, I don't know what it's like, and I don't think a lot of people do either.

SPEAKER_00

Right.

SPEAKER_02

You know, so for for me, again, this is not about taking political sides. I'm looking at the human side of it only and purely because I'm thinking about the families, I'm thinking about the children. Uh those are the people that I am thinking about right now and the effects it has on your immediate family, the people who care about you, and your communities.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, you have to think about it though. Um when we're out there, we're not thinking about who's a Republican and who's a Democrat and who's, you know, white, who's black. We're not thinking about any of that. We're thinking about making sure we all come home safely. That when we go overseas and we're fighting for our country, we're not concerned with, you know, politics. We're concerned with making sure the person to the left and right of us is safe and that we're safe, you know. So that's our daily uh battle every day is to make sure that we're mentally, emotionally, and physically, you know, sound all the time. And it's not always easy. Um, when you're away from home, you know, you're you're very sad. You're always thinking about home, especially myself. I was a mom. I had to leave my son with my mother so that I could, you know, serve the country. So I mean, there's though there's a lot of different um, you know, elements that go into serving our country. It's not like just, you know, one type of person is doing this work. Moms, dads, you know, cousins, daughters, everyone is there. And it's it's more of a humanity thing than it is anything else, you know, and and I think that people need to understand that. Um soldiers are bipartisan, you know.

SPEAKER_03

Right.

SPEAKER_00

We we're here for everyone, and we're trying to make sure our country is safe, and that's why we do what we do. Um, that's the base of why we do what we do, definitely.

SPEAKER_02

And there are more women now in the service than there were before because we were talking about this that my aunt was a Marine way back when, but you know, then women weren't allowed uh to be on the front line. No, they weren't allowed. And there's this beautiful picture of her in a skirt. I mean, you s there's a row of them sitting in at desks and they're at typewriters and they're typing, and yeah, but yeah, but she was nonetheless, she was a veteran. And when she passed away, you know, you you have the option. Um, it's in Maryland, she was buried, you know, she had the rifle salute, she had the whole thing when she passed away. Um, but I gotta tell you, as nothing as a family member, someone who was at that funeral, when the rifles go off. My uncle was another one too. He was a Marine. Right. Um, and he guarded the president. Um and up until and then he retired, and and then that was it. And he also had the the gun salute, but I I gotta tell you, it's something about it is poetic on the one hand, but it's very definite. It's it's like you know it's it's done. Right. You feel the honor. You feel the honor, but then it's definitely like this is a lot. Yes. I did a lot, it's important, but it's like it's it's I can't explain it. Right.

SPEAKER_00

It's heavy on two sides, right? It's like it's really like I'm so proud of my loved one for being able to do this and to have served the country, and then I'm hugely saddened because now they're no longer with me. You know what I mean? It's like, and we were talking about that, right? With the people that come and give that news to the family when they're child. It's always I'm saying their child, but with their loved one has passed. You know what I mean? It could be, you know, anyone, you know. So yeah, and when they get that news and then having the gravity of not having seen them, you know, not having seen them, them being overseas for um however long or in battle for however long. They don't have to be overseas to have been a veteran, but to be away from their family. And then the next time you're gonna see them is when they're being buried in a casket, you know, in a casket in a casket.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, with the flag draped over.

SPEAKER_00

You know, and that's why, you know, when we're making these decisions, we need to be thinking of that. We need to be thinking of those families who first are going to be sending their loved one off. Yeah, we had a parade before I left. We had everybody was out there holding signs for us, telling us good luck, telling us how proud they were of us. But think about the people who went over and they were gone for years or years and some change, and their families never got to talk to them or really got to see them often. You know, now we have, you know, Zoom and we have all those things. But it's nothing like being in person with your family. So then the next time they are gonna see their loved one is when someone comes to inform them that they have passed in battle or they have passed somewhere. You know what I mean? And Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, trust me, nobody wants that visit.

SPEAKER_00

Nobody wants that visit.

SPEAKER_02

That visit is not um, I I again. Yeah. Uh it it's just again, it's all rah-rah until you're living it.

SPEAKER_00

Until you're living it. Until it really touches you. You know?

SPEAKER_02

No, it's it's it's it's it's different. You know, it's it's such a mixture of emo. I mean, mourning is one thing, but uh again, this is I have to admit, it is next level.

SPEAKER_00

Right. And it makes me think of, you know what I mean? Like we said, we're not bashing anyone here. We're not trying to, yeah, we're not trying to make anyone look like, you know, they're doing the most awful, you know, thing. But I mean, there's been talk, negative talk about veterans and and soldiers. You know what I mean by this administration. And then now we're being used to fight this battle. Right. You know what I mean for this administration. So is it like we're not worth anything as soldiers, or is that we we you are gonna depend on us and respect us and honor us as soldiers? Yeah, it's not a good idea. You know what I mean? Like what is it? You know, you can't, you know, you know, downplay uh a group of people who are defending the country and then activate them, you know what I mean at your whim. It should be always a level of respect for our military.

SPEAKER_02

Right. I I I would I would tend to agree with that. Yeah. And it's just, you know, in the idea, and so one of the reasons why you were invited here, one of the reasons, of course, I know you and I think you're fantastic. But you came to mine. I mean you laugh, it's true. Um everyone, I I tell you when I am blessed to know some amazing people. You have no idea. And and I wanted people to know what it is someone someone like yourself, someone such as yourself, who does you give so much to your community. You do so much for the people you care about and for the people you don't even know. You know, and I I ha I gotta bring this up. I have to talk about this. It's a lot, you know, because you're pouring, you're pouring out, you're giving. You're kidding, you're you're literally giving a lot. And when you're giving so much, and and a lot of us do a lot, just in different ways. But what I'm finding is on a personal level, based on the the type of work that I do and I've done, again, I haven't always gone through my whole history. One day you guys will fully know me because I've also been a social worker for the Commonwealth. I've I've had a couple of lives, to be honest with you. And it's just as women, we do a lot.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, we do.

SPEAKER_02

We do a lot, we give a lot. Yes. So we're always giving. But the we carry a lot, we give a lot, but we don't always give a lot back to ourselves. And that is true. And that being said, nothing can be more evident than you're a veteran. You're you've been through all you've been through, you've seen some stuff, I know you have. We haven't even touched on it here. I mean, we we touched on some stuff, but we haven't touched on some stuff, you know. And I don't know how much you can or can't. I mean, it's interesting again, as someone who has family, and they can't even talk about what they saw. Like, I can't talk about Laura. Like, okay, right? There's that as well guys, you have no idea. You have no idea what our veterans are going through. You have no idea what they're doing. And I talk like I've been there, I haven't been there. I just I've I heard that.

SPEAKER_00

But you've been adjacent, yes. You've seen a lot. And my family is a military family, and I and I blame it on myself, right? I'm the first one. I went to the army, my sister is uh in the Air Force now, and my niece is a Marine, right? So now we're you know, our immediate family. My grandfather was an in the Navy. I have a cousin that's in, you know, that was also in the army. So we have a lot of family members that have been in the military. Like, and people don't always think that, right? That there's so many people of color. It's a very diverse military. Oh, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02

Yes, it is.

SPEAKER_00

It's hugely diverse. I mean, there hasn't been a war that, you know, black Americans haven't fought in. So we've always been soldiers, you know what I mean? So I I think that that is worth noting. Like, and when I being a soldier in Massachusetts and then going out and seeing that for myself, it wasn't it, that was an experience for me, being overseas and seeing how multicultural our military is.

SPEAKER_02

I can't even imagine. I just, you know, I I just think it's it's amazing. And and so now we can really jump in on on more about you. So you are counselor at large in Lynn.

SPEAKER_00

That's right.

SPEAKER_02

And how long has that been for you now?

SPEAKER_00

Um, this is my second term, so almost three years, my first term, and I was the first black American woman to be a counselor, elected as counselor at large in the city of Lynn.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, um gotta give you your flowers. That's absolutely and there's four of us.

SPEAKER_00

There's four counselors at large in the city of Lynn, and we have um uh eleven of us all in in in entirety. So there's seven ward counselors and then four counselors at large. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

I mean, you are doing the thing.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I'm working hard.

SPEAKER_02

But you know, you're working hard, but and see that's gonna bring us back to and we'll come to this. Tell us what your what you have some awesome initiatives that you are working on currently and been working on.

SPEAKER_00

Can you share some of that with us, please? Absolutely. So in the political realm, I've been working to give voice to our youth and young adults. This is something that's really close to my heart. Um, working with a group of people that we've named the Youth and Adolescence Task Force. So it's built up of students that are, well, youth that are 16 years old, all the way up to adults who are over 21, um, to be mentors in for these for these youth. So our our goal with the Youth and Adolescence Task Force is to um better serve our young people so they can transition into adulthood more successfully.

SPEAKER_03

Okay.

SPEAKER_00

And the ultimate goal would be to have an actual dedicated um city department for our youth and young adult services. So we don't have anything like that in Lynn right now. Um I noticed that in Boston they have something called the empowerment division or something like that. That's really, you know, if you have something that you want to learn as a parent or as a guardian about what's going on and how to help your young person succeed, you can go to that um department and get that information. So in Lynn, we don't have something like that, and Somerville has something like that as well. So I'm I I'm hoping that ultimately this youth and um and adolescence task force will translate into something more permanent in our city where uh parents and guardians and young people can walk into this area and learn more about what's available internships, um, mentors, um, you know, free trainings, things like that, that they can, you know, help them, bolster them into adulthood. So that's that's one of the initiatives that I'm really um passionate about. I recently wrote my first um ordinance, which is like a law or legislation, and that law was um to better support or to like bolster um resources for our, you know, women and gender-affirming um community in the city of Lynn. So that, you know, things about, you know, because abortion is a hot issue at this moment because, you know, Roe versus Wade was overturned. Um gender-affirming care is on the chopping block as well. People don't want to, you know, give our LGBTQ community the services that they need. So I just wrote that ordinance, which is like some kind of legislation, um, so that we are keeping that on our radar and we are holding up the uh the laws of Massachusetts when it comes to that kind of care, you know, gender affirming and women and abortions and things like that.

SPEAKER_02

And what what else? What just to give people an understanding? What exactly does a counselor at large do? What are some of your your responsibilities also?

SPEAKER_00

Um so we are able to approve or deny the budget that the um that the mayor writes the budget annually, and we are able to review it, and um we can't take anything off of the budget, but we can um we can't add anything to the budget, but we can make some recommendations. So that's what um one of the things that is a big deal that the counselors are able to do. Um we're able to write legislation, so that's something that I was able to do for the first time with that gender affirming care ordinance. Uh we're able to connect our community members with the resources that they need at city departments. So if someone is, you know, they have a pothole, they want that covered up, they can call their counselor, their ward counselors, or they can call their counselors at large to handle those issues. Um I've also had people contact me a lot for the Lynn Public School System. That's not in really in my purview, so I'm able to refer them to a school committee member so that they can get that kind of help. So um a big a big part of the job is answering the phone for our constituents and getting them to whomever they need as far as city services are available.

SPEAKER_02

I mean that I mean that's again that that's awesome. How did and we go back now we can kind of go back to this a little bit. How did being a veteran influence basically what you're doing right now?

SPEAKER_00

I think there's a huge parallel, which I didn't initially see with being a veteran and then a public servant. I don't like to call myself a politician because I'm did not graduate with a degree in political science or anything like that. You know what I mean? I'm more of a public servant than I am a politician because I I see how politicians move, and I'm like, that's not really me. You know what I mean? So I am, I'll I'll call myself a public servant. And um as a veteran, I feel like that's what I was as well. So that that um sort of parallels things. Like it makes me see like I'm always of service, you know what I mean? So that's how it's the same thing, in my in my opinion. That's how that parallels. Like it's me putting myself out there for people who, you know, probably will never know that I did it right for them. And um But you made it better. But yeah, you made it better. And improving the yeah, improving things, you know what I mean? Whether it be silent or in the public eye. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Okay, so when you and I talked initially, I asked the question, would you you don't consider yourself a politician.

SPEAKER_00

No.

SPEAKER_02

But do you consider yourself an activist?

SPEAKER_00

And I also said no to that. I don't think I'm an activist because I see activists as being like Tamika Morley. You know, like she's out there and she's like loud. She really is and she's doing like she's like she's here. She's like, she's not. For me, I'm more like, yeah, I see there's a problem and I'm going to handle it this way, not in a loud, put everything on blast way, but on a more stealth mode. Yeah, more quiet. Silent. Yeah, but powerful. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. I understand.

SPEAKER_02

I I understand that you I I don't have to be loud.

SPEAKER_00

No, you don't have to.

SPEAKER_02

You know something's coming, you just don't know when. That's what stealth mode is. It's very quiet. It just sneaks up on you, and you're just like, I'm here. Like, oh, shh.

SPEAKER_00

How did that happen?

SPEAKER_02

Jeez. Like, oh man. And then your whole situation is blown up and you just like I I I don't what just happened.

SPEAKER_00

What just happened? I'm I'm not really sure how this all came about.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. Um, yeah, yeah. Um, but you know, for the the the health and wellness, the wellness part of things. And as we were talking about earlier, like this is a lot though. You're carrying and you've carried a lot. I don't see how you're gonna be a veteran for the country, you're gonna be a mom, you're gonna be all the things to all the people all the time. I mean, how do you fill your cup? Because the the cup runneth over and then the cup is empty or half full. How do you fill your cup? How do you control it?

SPEAKER_00

I try to go, I try to go silent a lot. You know what I mean? I try to like, I mean, yesterday we visited my my grand my grandchildren, and it was wonderful, right? Everybody have two grandkids.

SPEAKER_01

How old are you? I'm angry with you writing about because you like you're like 12. Like, how old are you?

SPEAKER_00

And it was like wonderful to be with them. You know what I mean? One and two years old, you know what I mean? So they were really sweet. And then when we got home, I went straight to the room. And my husband was like, What are you doing? You don't want to come and watch TV?

SPEAKER_01

She needs some downtime. Exactly.

SPEAKER_00

So yep, I try to like just, you know, separate myself and just that's how I fill my cup, right? By just having some some just alone time where I where I'm not expected to do anything for anyone. And people think that I'm crazy when I'm like sitting at the bar by myself or I'll take myself out to eat, or just be by I'll just do things alone and you know, that bothers people, which I'm like, you know. But that's but that's how I feel my cup by being by myself. Yeah, right. Yeah, that's how I feel my cup. And I get that.

SPEAKER_02

It's um, I get that. So then what does it because we we talked about things to do for yourself because when we met, the way we met was, you know, we worked out together a little bit, we trained together and and you were in beast mode. Uh you were, you were, you really were, because you you were posting your workouts, you were doing things. Yes, I was trying high. I need to get back to that Nicole. That Nicole's gone, but you were doing some stuff.

SPEAKER_00

I'm trying to bring it back.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, yes, ma'am. Yes, you were doing things. Yes, I was doing things. You were not messing around, you were getting it done. And I was like, all right, well, oh god, Miss Nicole. Let's see what you're doing there. Oh god. You were, you really were. And I just, you know, what what does a normal day look like for you? When Nicole gets up in the morning, like what does that look like?

unknown

You know?

SPEAKER_02

All right.

SPEAKER_00

So I get up in the morning, I stay in the bed for a little bit, but then there's emails, right? I do that. I do that. So then you get up, you you check your emails, try to answer those, have some coffee, you know what I mean, and then you get ready to go out into the world, right? So um being at City Hall Um during the during the days also um sometimes I can do that and you know, talk to people. And um I was working for Elite for Education as my full-time job. So that's what I was doing. Um, I do that for probably eight hours a day. And then there's meetings after six, you know what I mean? So then you do all the meetings with all the organizations that want to be um, that want your support, you know. So that's basically what my day looks like, you know, just trying to serve the community. You know what I mean? Even hearing it, hearing it when I when it was hearing myself say out loud is like, I spend my day working for people and trying to get them what they need, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_03

Right, right.

SPEAKER_00

So it it makes sense that my alone time is so like important because I do spend a lot of my time just trying to help others.

SPEAKER_02

Okay.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Wow. I mean, again, you're always giving back. It's just it's a lot. Um is there such a thing as balance for you though?

SPEAKER_00

I always say that if I'm succeeding at one thing, I'm failing at something else. Okay. You know what I mean? I think that that's what if you see me and I'm like rocking at an at an event and I'm or I'm the organizer of the event and I I got this whole thing going on, I'm at the microphone and I'm introducing everybody and I'm doing all those things. People see, oh, this is a successful person and she's doing a lot of great things. But then in the back of my head, I'm like, oh, my house is a mess. I need to clean my bathroom.

SPEAKER_02

That's fair. No, that's fair. That's life. You know what I mean? Like so, because if all your attention and most of your attention is there, something is. Think about it. Yeah, something else is not. So that that's a that's a fair that's definitely fair. Something else is not there. Oh, yeah, that that's fair. Right.

SPEAKER_00

I mean So I don't think there's balance. I think there's more priorities, right? You prioritize things. You know what you gotta do daily. So whatever is at that top of that list for that day is what you're gonna rock. You know, you're gonna rock that. And then maybe there's another day that you're gonna rock the cleaning. You know, that's gonna be the top of the thing on your list. So it's like what you prioritized, what you prioritize daily is how you get that, you know, the best out of life. I don't think there's ever balance. I think there's more prioritization. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

That's a recurring theme. I asked that question to another guest of mine and she said the same thing. She felt like she's like, there's no such thing as balance. She's like, she's like, there's no way you can do it all at one time. Right. She's like, you can do it, but just not at one time. It it is it's it just doesn't have because sometimes you have to be more over here than you are over here, and then you have to make your way back over here. She's like, I I don't I don't think it it I don't think it happens that way. But if what's something that or one thing that you wish people knew about you?

SPEAKER_00

Wish that people knew.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, because you're a veteran, you're because we're not talking, we didn't want to get into politics today. We weren't trying to do that. We were just trying to talk about service. We were trying to talk about service, humanity. That's that was the goal of today, and balance what it's like to be you, human, Nicole. Woman, the woman, Nicole, the powerhouse that you are, and how are you able to to keep it and pull it together?

SPEAKER_00

I think I want people to know more than anything is that I'm I really do care genuinely, right? Right. I I don't want people to think that I'm just doing this because I want to be a counselor at large. I didn't even want to be a counselor at large, right? It's not something I even wanted. It wasn't something that was on my radar. I was doing, I was being the founder and president of North Shore Juneteenth Association, and this was during the pandemic, and a young woman came to me and she said, I want to do something because George Floyd's death. Can we do something, right? So we put together this thing called Prevent the Cycle, where we had this demonstration in various parts of Lynn, people were like protesting. They would have their signs and they'd protest, and then we'd all come um as a group in front of City Hall to make our demands, which were we want a human rights commission, we want the Lynn Police Department to wear um body worn cameras, and we want oversight for the for the police and some some form. Well, we wanted an unarmed crisis response team. That's really what we wanted, right? So once we did that, because we did that, we had to meet with the counselors um of the city at that time, and the counselors just they seemed so far removed from um what was going on in the city of Berlin. And I was like, we need someone at this table that thinks the way we think. Look at all these people in front of City Hall that feel the same way, that believe that we need these initiatives to go forward, and then we go inside of City Hall and no one seems to think that that's necessary. So that separation is what even made me feel like, okay, well, someone needs to run. And I started asking other people if they were going to do it. You know, and when they were saying no or they weren't sure, that's when I was like, okay, fine, I will I'll run for office. Right. So I did it. You know what I mean? That was what, 2021, I believe. And we didn't win. You know what I mean? We didn't win. And it was me and um uh Adriana Paz was my campaign manager at the time. Yeah, did it be?

SPEAKER_02

I did the Red Rock, um, we were doing Pilates in the Park. Oh, that is Red Rock. That's right.

SPEAKER_00

And I did the post, and I was like, yes.

SPEAKER_01

I was like, wait, is that right? I was like, that's right. And I was like, oh. And I posted that. I was like, she's running.

SPEAKER_02

I was like, and I and I couldn't make the I couldn't make the the party. I know you guys have the. We had the pig. No, because it was just the time, the timing was not good for me.

SPEAKER_00

But I remember I didn't know that you knew.

SPEAKER_02

I did, no, and because I was teaching a class in the parking design with your picture on it.

SPEAKER_01

The biggest day was behind me. And it was like, yes, Nicole. I was like, oh, I was like, I didn't know. I had no idea.

SPEAKER_02

I was like, I didn't, I did, yes, I knew. Yeah, I knew.

SPEAKER_00

So that means I knew I'd like my motivation, was because I truly wanted someone that would be there to represent this group of people. You know what I mean? Like these people that want things to, you know, go forward in our city that are gonna help everyone. You know what I mean? So that's what I want people to know more than anything, is that it's out of a genuine care for people that I do that I do this.

SPEAKER_02

Because it's hard to because we don't always get this side of our leaders. We don't always get the, well, you know, tell us about yourself. What makes it we don't always get that you kind of get it, but the way we receive it, it's in a very matter-of-fact kind of way.

SPEAKER_00

Right.

SPEAKER_02

Right? Instead of the person, the human behind it and the, but you know, I'm a mom, I I you know, I'm a grandmother, I'm a you don't always get the the heart behind it. You just get the information. Right. You know, so it's nice to to connect with you on a human level because this war affects humans, people in general. I say war because it is a war because they've been using that word too.

SPEAKER_00

And I know Congress hasn't declared it.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, but it is. But because now now we've started, it's like you're in a schoolyard and and one of you who it's like who throws you're shoving each other around until eventually somebody throws a punch. Right? You just okay, here we go. And I don't even know if there was actual shoving at this point, to be honest with you, to be frank with you. I think maybe someone just it could have been a sucker punch. I don't know. I'm speaking out of term because I don't like I said, I haven't been watching the news. I don't know enough. I just know as a person, you know, who has loved ones who have been, who have served, who, you know, it I I just I don't want that for anybody. You know, I mean it's going to happen, but I I just it's just a lot. And then it's a lot when you return as someone who has served as a soldier and to reinsert and and back into everything after you having gone through all the stuff that you've been through. That's another aspect. We didn't touch on that. But there's that's also you know, trying to reintegrate after. Afterwards, which wasn't rough. Doing what you've done, experiencing what you've experienced. You know, talking about it. You're never the same.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, you're never the same. Like when I came home, I when I left, I was a hairstylist, right? I used to do hair when I left. When I came home, just didn't just couldn't.

SPEAKER_02

It wasn't the same with this. Yeah, I just didn't have it. It didn't seem after everything you've been through, it just is like I'm doing hair. Right, I'm a hairstylist.

SPEAKER_00

And some people that came home, then they passed. You know, they they committed suicide, I'm sorry to say.

SPEAKER_02

No, you once they get home. It's you know what I mean? Because it's the truth, it's real.

SPEAKER_00

I mean, we all of us made it home, but all of us didn't stay once we got here. You know what I mean? So it's like everybody was so happy that we didn't lose anyone. But think about what's on everybody's mind. You know, there's there's a lot of you've seen a lot, you've been exposed to so much. You don't know how people are emotionally. And like I said, when we were there, it was easy to check on each other. When we get back home, we all live all over the place.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, because no one understands what you've been through. No one's experienced what you've been doing.

SPEAKER_00

So how are we gonna check in on everybody?

SPEAKER_02

How are you gonna talk about it? Who are you gonna Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, so that's another thing that people don't think about, but that is a reality of being a soldier. Like your mental health is is at risk, and you have to do everything that you can to maintain it, and then sometimes you don't know how to. You know?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I yeah, it's it's it's just a lot. It's war isn't good for anyone, it affects everyone. Everyone.

SPEAKER_00

It cannot be just thrown around, it should not be taken lightly. We have to be more strategic. Yeah, we have to.

SPEAKER_02

You can be rah-rah, like, okay, we're gonna go to war. Like, what what does it mean if we do that?

SPEAKER_00

What is the gravity? How is it going to affect everyone? And not just our country, everyone all over the place.

SPEAKER_02

Everything all at once.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

We have to think about it. Nothing's gonna be left. War affects everything.

SPEAKER_00

And people say, oh, heroes are gonna lose their lives, and that's the consequences of war. But it's not just heroes are gonna lose their lives, it's a lot that's going to happen.

SPEAKER_02

There's a lot of thank you. In addition to. Right.

SPEAKER_00

If the life doesn't matter to you, what does? You know what I mean? Let's think about it. You know, if the if the lives are just something that you mention while you're talking about your ballroom, well, yeah. What else is going on? What's the real thing that's gonna make you see that this wasn't the best step forward? You know what I mean? For America as a country, you know. I digress because we're not doing any side taking. We are just making sure that people understand soldiers and families and families of loved ones on either side.

SPEAKER_02

That's right. That's right. On either side.

SPEAKER_00

Are going to be a good idea.

SPEAKER_02

Again, this is what you say, bipartisan.

SPEAKER_00

Negative that's right. Right? That's are going to be negli negatively affected here. Yeah. Everyone.

SPEAKER_02

No one no one's it's gonna touch it's gonna touch everybody. Yes. Whether you think it is or isn't, just know it will. It will. It absolutely will. And I I just some of us more than others in a more profound way. But it's it's again, it's not good for anyone. You just don't I can't. It's just so much. And so what I will say to you is um if people need to reach out to you, if they need something, uh what's the best way to connect? Do they connect with you and what do they connect with you for? Or what's the the protocol if if someone's listening to this now and they're like, oh, I want to talk to her more, I want to know more about her, or I have this issue that I need to remedy and I'm not sure what direction I should go in.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, you could definitely reach out to me. I'm all over social media. So you can find me on social media at um Councilwoman McLean on Instagram, and I am Nicole McLean, Counselor at large on Facebook. So those are the only platforms I really use at the moment. Um I have a YouTube channel as well. Um you can check that out. Um you can also email me, um Nicole for F O R Lynn at Gmail as well. And um also I would love uh you to check out my nonprofit organization, the North Shore Juneteenth Association. We're on Instagram and Facebook as well. And um we also have a website, nsjuneteenth.com. So please take a look at um the initiatives that we're pushing forward through that nonprofit organization too.

SPEAKER_02

Okay, and I I have one final question for you. I mean, what does the future hold for you? Are we thinking about mayor or governor McLean? Like what are we what are we looking for? Because obviously I'm looking to get another interview up. So, because you really it's you know, I'm thinking about myself right now.

SPEAKER_00

We talked about a lot of things, and we didn't get to talk about everything on your list.

SPEAKER_02

So I just Well we did talk about a lot of things. I I just wonder, like, you know, what's the future, what's the future looking like? What what do we think? What do we where are we leaning right now?

SPEAKER_00

I mean, I always play with the idea of being the first black woman mayor of Lynn. I play with that a lot. But I'm not I I don't know. I don't know if that's ever going to come true. But I really do play with the idea. I play with the idea and I've been playing with it often lately, but I'm not gonna I'm not going to say that that's true. I'm not gonna I may not go for that. I may not go for that, but it has been a thought in my mind. But I'm I'm definitely looking to uh work in the education field more. I want to work more with our young people and um help them to, you know, help to give them some of the things that I didn't really have as a young person, someone that wants to see them, you know, move to the next level. So that's definitely um in my future.

SPEAKER_02

Okay. All right. Yeah. Well, you heard it here first, and she's coming back when it happens. I'm so excited. Okay, I'm gonna be alright. I'm gonna be able to do it. We're on the fence. We're on the fence. We don't know. It's been emotional. I have to admit it's been an emotional day. I've had highs, I've had lows, I'm having a high again. And let me tell you, I wouldn't be here for this. I do. Uh this is Laura. I am Laura. This is Bear Speak. Thank you so much for joining us today. We will see you, we will see you next time. Nicole, thank you, thank you, thank you so much for sharing your time and your day with us. This was decompressing for everybody. I know, because we got to let some stuff go. This was nice. And uh, this has been fantastic. Everyone, you'll hear from us again. Um visit again. We got some very awesome guests and awesome, awesome, awesome topics going on around here. And you know, if you need anything, feel free to reach out. I'm gonna add in my information too. I'm at infarefitnesspilates.com. And you can find me on YouTube, Laura's Bear Fitness. You can find me on Instagram, Laura's Bear Fitness, and Facebook at Laura's BearFitness. All right, that's it for us. We'll see you soon. Take care. Bye.