Episode 8-Mary Kate Guilfoyle

This week’s Alone contestant interview is with Mary Kate Guilfoyle from season 2 of the Alone show. Mary Kate was incredibly fun to speak with. She talks about the tough jobs she has worked, from the Alaska pipeline to wildland firefighting, and now the toughest of all: running a daycare! A special thanks to Mary Kate for taking time away from her family to share her stories!

Transcript:

Sam 0:14

Hello and welcome to Episode Eight of the alone Podcast. Today our guest is Mary Kate, Mary Kate was a participant on season two of a loan. It's funny when I reached out to Mary Kate, she was very kind and quickly agreed to be on the show. Then she also kind of gave the disclaimer of wasn't on a loan very long and you know, but which is true, but we're excited to have Mary Kay with us today and the reason why she wasn't on the show for very long and to kind of jog your memory who we're talking to today is we got to see a lot of the inside of Mary Kay tanned she had an unfortunate running with an axe blade are very early in her experience on alone. And that took Mary Kate out but Mary Kate, thank you for coming on and being willing to talk and share a little bit about yourself and help us get to know you a little bit better.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 1:06

Yes, thank you for having me. Just so everyone knows my hand is it is fully functional. Just so you know. But thanks for having me. It's it's a pleasure to be on.

Sam 1:17

Yeah, you know it's it's funny it's not funny maybe it's funny now when when your season aired right and they're doing and because if you only watch the first few maybe you don't remember a whole awful lot but when when Mary Kate season first came out right there showing all the promos and like every single promo I felt like showed, you know the someone's hand flayed wide open and, and so, you know, for the first one, I think three episodes, we get to see the inside of this person's hand and I remember like watching like, oh, no, those are the clothes like see can see like the person's clothes. And you can see you're working with an X and like, you know, like, is it the viewer you knew it was coming because of all the promo spots. And it was like, it was so anxiety ridden for me to watch just because like I knew what was gonna happen. I knew what I was gonna watch and I was not excited for it.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 2:14

You're probably thinking to yourself, it's that girl that always talks a lot and doesn't pay attention. I got that a lot after after after the show. Like what you shut up and paid attention to what you were doing. I was like, Well, you know, I'm not moving nowhere talking to myself. How was I supposed to know that I was gonna whack myself with an axe.

Sam 2:34

And and to be fair, I'm sure we'll talk about this but it's it's not like you were unexperienced with axes and sharp objects. And, you know, sometimes just no freak things happen.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 2:47

It looks like I'm unexperienced. Yes, but No, I mean, I've used I've used those sorts of tools in everyday life. But you know, just, I mean, I we grew up cutting wood and having axes around and to add cutting kindling for the you know, I used to start the wood stove every morning and in our cabin in Montana in the woods. You know, that was our heat source. And that's every morning that was my job was to get the fire going. So, I mean, I was I was fluid with those sorts of tools. I just, it just doesn't look like it. Maybe a little out of practice is all

Sam 3:22

well, we do know that you know how to sharpen an axe at least right?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 3:26

My dad does. My dad did that. Ah, yeah, he takes he takes all blame for that. Yes. He's very proud. Yeah.

Sam 3:34

That's funny. Well, good. Good job, dad. That that axe was was mighty sharp.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 3:40

Yeah, it doesn't look like I was just watching the girls wire to watch it last night. We watched and yeah, it's pretty funny to see. It's just doesn't it looks like a neck. You know? Just looks like it's so quick. It's just a little neck. And that's it. But nope. It severed that tendon straight up to my elbow.

Sam 3:57

Yeah, well, I when I watched it, it was kind of the same thing. I was like, oh, man, like it it she just you just barely barely tapped it. I mean, you you actually stopped the axe head it looked like pretty pretty well. You arrested it when you figure out what was happening. But it just was just Gotcha. You mentioned that the tendon like severed did it actually did the tendon retract. Do they have to go in and like pull it down and do all that stuff?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 4:20

You know? Yeah, they did. And they that clinic was very, they did a great job. We did travel I can't remember the name of that little town. I wish I did for the doctors you know, so I can give him some kudos it's been so long. I haven't even thought about it. Anyway No, they were amazing. He got us right in there and we I screamed bloody murder they mean you're awake through it all you know and he had the extra cut the hand so you're watching them with scissors it was just oh god scalpel and go in but yeah, they did and he had his nurse practitioner all like remember she was wearing black Converse shoes, and I was like, Screw Weezing like the one of the helpers from the show that drove me out there. I mean, we were just, yeah, it was terrible. But they go in, you know, in the go all the way up the arm and he, he tried twice. And he just, he just said, Ah, man, I'm sorry, but we're gonna have to book a, we're gonna put you under I mean, I can't get it. And he says, but the bad thing about that is that you're going to lose function of your thumb, because it's going to be too long of a period of time. And I looked at him and I said, go for it, get it, go get it. And he looked at me says, okay, Third time's a charm, I'm going to give you my college best. And I said, go for it. Just Just go, I have to have my son, man, I'm still changing diapers. I got kids at home. So he did, he went in there. And we dug he dug down deep. And he finally was able to pull that tenant down. But it was it was quite a battle. So to all of you out there that wanted me to steal dress by some, because it looked like such a minor injury. I want you to know that. It was a little bit more than that.

Sam 6:03

Yeah, you know, we were talking. We were talking before we hit record. And you had mentioned that there was a bunch of highly skilled surgeons and wilderness first aid providers who, who felt like you easily could have handled that wound on your own.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 6:22

Yes, they did. And that's fine. You know, everyone's seen, they don't see all of it. They don't you know, people don't. And that's part of the show, you know, and another part of the show that people really don't realize is that you are literally all alone. So when you're all alone, there are no producers, there are no cameraman there are there's nothing out there. And something like that happens. You know, the other thing too, is that before we had this native ceremony, and it was really cool that they put on there, and I had this woman that came up to me who grew up in the area, she said to me, she said, Whatever you do, do not. Do not break a leg or cut yourself. Or she says, Oh my god, they'll be on Yeah, like, you know, they can hear that a mile away, you know, the Cougars or whatever. So here I am. So you know, we're watching it this morning and bones, like who you yelling for in the woods, you know, I said, well, the lady told me to make noise. You know, now I'm bleeding and going into shock. And I'm just thinking, I'm gonna get eaten alive here before my rescue

Sam 7:24

gets here, man. So a lot of screaming

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 7:28

and you know, but a lot of that was to make noise. Like I'm alive. Don't come near me.

Sam 7:33

Yeah. Well, we'll we'll transition into into other things here in a minute. But how how long? How, like, how much time had elapsed from the time that you got the injury to the time when you landed in whatever clinic you were in, and they were cranking on your arm trying to get your tendon reattached?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 7:57

Well, the genon reattachment didn't happen for quite a couple of Is it a couple days, I think, a day or two days, something like that, if I can remember correctly, they took me to the hospital, there is a town that we were staying in. And then from there, I had to go to a different clinic. Couple hours away. It was a long it felt like a long time after I press the emergency button. But I couldn't tell if they were receiving the signal on that. And then, so I took a couple pushes. They don't show that of course they don't show all that. But I remember throwing my throwing my my Rescue Satellite. I think I threw it in the water. I don't know, I was just so proud. And I couldn't tell if they couldn't they were getting my signal. And then I got a text message that came through that said, Are you okay, or something? Or is this real or something? I can't remember but. And I was in order. It's that old school typing. So it's like a BB CCC, you know? Yeah. So in order for me to type like, Yes, this is an emergency or anything, you had to keep hitting the buttons and then resend it and hope that you had a signal to resend the text was one. That wasn't our normal way of communicating in our lab texts. Anybody so? Yeah, I was frustrated for a while, but it felt like it took a while for the boat to get out there to get me longer than I know. But I knew because I flew out into my scene. So I knew that you know, wherever help was, actually I think help was on the water because they got my signal while they were I think collecting footage at a different camp. So they were closer than having to come from town, you know?

Sam 9:46

Yeah, so that was fortunate. That was very functional. Yeah, that's crazy. Well, we, let's do you have unless you've got anything else you want to say about about your hand and that whole incident. We can shift And, and get away from that moment.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 10:04

Yep, the moment it has passed.

Sam 10:07

All right, well, now now we all remember Mary Kate, we remember the the inside of her hand quite well. So Mary Kate, we were kind of talking beforehand, but, you know, I was trying to track down, you know where you've been, and it seems like you've kind of bounced a lot. So Montana, California, Alaska, Montana, Alaska, Montana. Where, where do you claim Where are you from? And and Where'd you grow up?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 10:34

Where is my home? Okay, I'll give you I'll give you the rush. Are you ready? Here it is. No, I was born in Chicago, to Montana, northern Montana. Noxon is a little town called Maxim, Montana. When I was three years old, I grew up Montana. Then we moved to eastern Montana when I was a freshman in high school. Then I went to college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. And then from there, I moved to California where I fought fires and worked on a construction crew. And then I moved to Alaska. That's, that's it. That's what I know. I mean, that's, and then back to Montana, and then back to Alaska. And so bounce back towards where it's home, I would say that my channel is home. It's where all my values came from. It's where I was raised. A home is where your heart is, right. So my parents were there, my family's all there. So Montana's my home. Alaska is my other home, my girls raised here. So this is our new home.

Sam 11:39

Do you get the chance to get back to Montana very often?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 11:44

I don't, I had. I talked to you about this earlier. That's probably nobody's business. But I figure that sometimes the more you talk about it, the better off you are. I was in a domestic violence, violence relationship with my youngest daughter, who's now three. And so I packed up my bags. It's been a long time since I've been home since the show, pretty much. I packed up my girls and my bags, was enclosed. And that was it. I lost everything and move back to Montana to get to get back on my feet. Get my girls safe away from that situation. So yeah. Yeah, anyway.

Sam 12:30

Thanks for sharing that. I guess. Since since we're there. And since we went to that point, your history, I guess, do you have any, any advice if there's someone that that is hearing this either for themselves, or they know someone else that that's in that type of a terrible situation? What have you learned? And what did you learn? And what would you tell someone if you're comfortable and willing,

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 12:53

one of the things I've learned for myself personally, is never lose, lose yourself, keep your job, keep your money, keep your family close, keep your friends close. Because when you lose all those things, when you're in a position that I was in, and you lose your job, you have no money, and you have no friends, and you've been cut off from your family, there's nowhere to turn, and you are literally lost. And the hole only gets deeper and deeper. So my, if you feel like that is a position that you're in or somebody else that you know, just walk out, walk, walk out, don't look back, and just keep on walking. And you don't have to have money. And you don't have to have a job. You don't have to have any of those things you just made yourself and and your kids or whatever it is that you're protecting, and move and somebody will help you. Somebody that's that's my advice is just keep going.

Sam 13:53

Yeah, well, in the shownotes will, I'm going to link phone numbers and websites for help resources for domestic violence, just so if you're there and you know, or you know, someone, you can go to the show notes and quickly get a phone number somewhere to go. But you, you mentioned something really interesting there that I guess I've thought about it, but I've never really thought about it. I've never been in your situation, obviously. But you talked about how you didn't have anywhere or anyone or any finances to really even be able to get away. And I think there's probably a misconception or a misperception that, you know, people just don't want to leave that relationship there. So whatever that they don't want to go, but I mean, to your point. I mean, you might be in a situation where you literally feel like you can't because you don't have anyone or anywhere or any how a way to get there.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 14:50

Yes, it's very scary. It's a scary, it's very scary position to be in. But I think that people just need to realize that if you are In that situation, whatever it looks like whether it's physical or mental, mental abuse is very real. It's just really important that you just keep your head up and go get help. Doesn't matter who it is walking to the police shelter or walking into Playstations say, hey, help me. Like, I don't I don't care how low you are or not low, but I mean low as far as like, the bottom of the hole. You know, you might be at the top of the hole, but don't get to the you know, if you're at the bottom of the hole, go somewhere, get some help. And that's it. There's all kinds of resources out there to help you

Sam 15:39

get in and how are your girls doing? If I can ask the question Is everyone everyone's okay?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 15:45

My daughters are my oldest daughter is 10. She's doing fabulous. She's on the student council voted in by her classmates. She's doing wonderful. Greta is a star readers. She's my five year old. She was the baby when I was on the show. She's in first grade. She's fabulous. And my youngest daughter day, and here we are. She's She's a Spitfire. She's a lot of fun. And I work on a daily basis to keep her she still has access to that situation that I previously talked about. So I'm working day and night to make sure that she is mentally, intrinsically safe. Every day in my life. It's still very hard.

Sam 16:30

I'm glad that they they got a good Mama Bear.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 16:34

No, they got a good Mama Bear. And my older two girls have a great dad and step mom. And we have very good family, friends. I mean, we have we have a good, good network of people. I have great family and my girls have great family. So everything's good. We're not victims. We are just moving forward.

Sam 16:53

Good on you. Oh, this man, this got got really serious really fast between your hand and all right. And then no, this is great. This is this is fantastic. I I just I'm grateful that you're willing to open up and again, you know, if you're in that situation, try and find a way. And we'll link some of those resources down below. But so you mentioned right, you went to went to California when you were younger, and did fire and construction. And for me I'm super fascinated by the whole fire thing. So what what made you decide you woke up one day and said you know I want to do is wildland fire? How did that decision get made?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 17:33

Oh, that's funny story. No, I was in college. And I actually had a friend of mine who had moved from Wyoming to South Dakota. And he was the the new captain, the fire crew there, the local fire crew in Spearfish. And he had talked about wildland fire and he was on a hotshot crew and he was just, you know, just so this story is always so exciting. So I decided, Oh, well, that's what I want to do. I want to try that for a summer job. I can do that. And so I looked into it. This is still back when they had paper applications, you know, instead of computers, so it's very, anyway, that's a different story, but recent

Sam 18:18

history, just the other day.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 18:21

So anyway, no, I applied. I said to him, I said what's the best crew in the nation uses? Well, I'll be honest with you the best crew in the nation of the Hobart hotshot Tahoe hotshot sort of Captain villain, California. And I said, Well, that's the crew I want to be on. Anyway. So I did put an application in but Hobart wouldn't you know, I have to have experience obviously. So I ended up getting on an engine crew at a downieville California for a season engine 32 out of downieville which was right down the road from Captain Bill.

Sam 18:54

Was that like a, like a BLM forest service crew or was that like a service?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 18:58

It was for service engine crew? Yes. So I spent a season on that crew and then spent the winter working out and trying to stay in shape. And then I PT or I did a I went and visited over spring break the following year, the Hobart hot shots and then got offered a job fighting fire with Hobart and that was I did a season with Hobart and did not take my job as a killer because I tried to get on with a hotshot crew up in Fairbanks. And like I said it was they went from paper application to computer application at this point. And I missed the boat three years in a row because my computer application didn't go through. So that was kind of the end of my fire. Career so I did I did I love fire. Very challenging or it's a lot of fun. It's the experience is a trauma I know a lot of hard work those boys. Kudos to those men and women on the line. I'm telling you what, it's, it's an amazing, amazing, amazing job.

Sam 20:11

You kind of you kind of glossed over something a little bit ago and maybe maybe deserves glossing over. But you mentioned that you'd spent that winter kind of working out and getting in shape. And I kind of want to back up to that a little bit. Because there's just some memories that are pinging my mind. I think for the world to know like you you ran across country, right? So you're it's not like you were a slouch or someone who wasn't like, super in shape. I have a friend who he did wildland fire for quite a while. And I remember his he was you know, in the offseason and he was prepping for fire season. He would you just post these pictures on Facebook or wherever. And he's and he's a super fit and shape kid. Right. And he hikes all the time. He's a big hunters. I mean, he's he's very much in mountain shape. But he'd have his his hunting pack on with just, you know, I don't even know how much we'd have in that pack. And he had a steep hill in his backyard, and would just be rugged. I mean, I mean, super steep. Like he would just be rockin that hill with his backpack on over and over again or to be on a treadmill. Right rockin that pack on a treadmill with whoever knows how much weight in it. And so I mean, was it just as simple as quote unquote, working out? Or what were you doing that that winter to try and get ready?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 21:29

I wish I wish I knew to do that I do for getting ready for that winter, and cross country and track you know, it's a different kind of workout, right? You're You're fit you're you're working out towards your, your specialty, whether it's hijab, or the hurdles, or whatever it is that you're doing a contest one. Anyway. So yeah, there's that aspect of working out and that was kind of my for me, you know, I just was run, run, run run. This is a running crew, Hobart tile hotshots that they're running crew, so you're gonna run. So I focused a lot on that what I should have been doing was a buttload of squats and pull ups and the whole nine yards because that I mean that I went from what I think I probably weighed a buck 25 maybe walking down to that crew and when I walked off, I was a buck 60 So a muscle right there muscle you need. Yeah, he's got his pack on his back. And that's no lie. That pack probably weighs between 35 and maybe 50 pounds, if not more, depends on a piece of Sawyer and he's, you know, wanting to pack a saw on his crew, you know, then that's even extra more. That's more weight. There's fuel, you got to take into consideration you know, crew members are packing in five gallons of jerry cans of fuel. I mean, all of it. I mean for PT on the hotshot crew that I was on, you know, you got your 35 pound pack plus a saw. Everybody's hauling a saw. And you're going switchback after switchback after switchback, you got people puke, and you got people you know, I mean it. Yeah, but it's every day. That's not just a one workout. That's an everyday workout. When you're running. Yeah, it's very intense. But I would I would have definitely shifted gears and when I hit the hit the weight racks rather than run run miles, I'll tell you that. Could you use that extra to use that extra legs for sure.

Sam 23:36

You were mentioning the different the different disciplines in track and field and I just just a quick plug. I just have to put it out there. throwers are the best part of the track and field team. And then we're just gonna move we're just gonna move on. Yeah, we're just gonna move, but throwers

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 23:54

I appreciate your I tried to throw one time and it didn't go very well. So kudos to all of you throwers.

Sam 24:01

And we tried to run we tried to run once or twice and that didn't go too well either. So

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 24:07

yeah, throwers don't like to run too much not even in warm up. I mean, they just kind of like the just look right past that. Don't say,

Sam 24:14

you know, we so we did, we had a tradition with my school and, and we would do it with others. So every time we had a meet with another school, we had a little tradition where we would we have a box of Twinkies, and we do a Twinkie relay. And maybe this is maybe this is common outside of my little school in my state. But we do a Twinkie relay. So you'd have a full relay team of throwers, right. So each school would would get four throwers for a four by one. And then you'd have your lead off and they take a Twinkie and you know they'd run their first 100 and you do a full like full handoff with a Twinkie right? And then whoever eat it, well, you know, whoever so whoever. Whoever ran the last leg right? they'd have to cross the finish line. And then as if sprinting 100 meters for a thrower wasn't enough, you'd cross the finish line. Then you had to unwrap the Twinkie. And the team. That one was the team that obviously finished the former one, but then ate the Twinkie first.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 25:19

So, motivation, yeah, motivation.

Sam 25:23

Yeah. So ever ran your anchor, they also had to pound a Twinkie once they crossed the line. And that was about our extent of running. And it came with Twinkies. So

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 25:34

kudos, man, I'm telling you what, that's that works, whatever works.

Sam 25:39

So fire, do you have any stories that you can share coming for me like wildland fires, just it's so fascinating. And, you know, if you haven't done this before, for those out there listening, if you haven't done this, go take some time and find some Instagram accounts or Facebook pages or news stories that show photos from the fire line with with your wildland crews. And I mean, that's, that's, it's a Yeah, I mean, it's, it's beautiful. It's incredibly beautiful, but also, just, I mean, it's everything. It's beautiful. It's terrifying. It's scary. It's fascinating. I mean, it's it's all of it.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 26:19

It is all of it. story wise, I you know, I don't know, I was I know that there are fabulous crews out there, but I'd have to say I was probably one of the best, you know, ever and fabulous, fabulous men. It was. It was amazing, actually. I mean, of course, there was a hard part to that job. And I, you know, I look at it now. And I just, you know, those those were learning experiences for me, you know, one of the things as a woman in a in a man's world, and I say that, you know, now I have to say that I have to watch myself, right, a woman in the man's world, because that is gonna get a lot of hairs up, probably. But it's true, you know, there. Yeah. But I always felt that if I can't do it, the way that the men do it, you know, if I can't, you know, if I'm required to do if the men are required to do this, then the woman should be required to do this if I want this job. So, you know, it's the same. It's the reason why I never went smoke jumping, I knew I could never haul out the amount of weight that a man could. So I never even tried even though that's a dream of mine. Like, that's my dream. But I knew that my body couldn't handle it. You know, same thing with being a hotshot, same thing was working construction. Same thing with working on the north slope in the freezing cold temperatures on a pipeline. Like if the men have to do it, then, and that's what I want to do for my career, then I have to do it. So I have to show up. So those are one of the you know, that's I learned a lot of lessons. I've seen a lot of things. And I've been in a lot of different situations. And that's how I have to look at that. Like I put myself there. That's where I wanted to be. That's what happened. Moving forward. So amazing things on the fire line, aside from the crew that I worked with amazing people. And I would have to say that one of my most memorable was fighting fires in the redwoods. And it was around Halloween time. So I think it was probably before but the glowing redwoods. I mean, that was amazing. Just walking in the woods. And then hearing these redwoods fall. I mean, you can hear them fall from oh my god, it was just I mean, talk about scary. But yeah, walking up on a glowing, huge tree that's just like, pulsating like a pumpkin. I mean, that blows your mind. It's very cool. But yeah, fire is. Fire is a phenomenal experience for sure.

Sam 29:08

Yeah, it's interesting to I mean, I don't know how much you're keeping track. So I mean, this year they've had again, I mean, obviously California probably every year since you left has set records for fires and whatnot. And I think this year they were maybe they did this when you were there but they've been using like what like basically fire blankets right so to cover the redwoods to try and save them from basically losing these ancient huge old growth forests to try and keep at least some of those those large trees alive

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 29:42

That's crazy. Yeah, I you know that California has been burning I get glimpses, glimpses of the news and stuff, but I don't follow a whole bunch as far as that goes, but I do you know, I have some Instagram stuff that I watch and do all that but you know, I mean part of it too, you know, and I'm I'm just freaking, like, they go to that extent save a tree and I get it. But you know, this is nature, and nature is going to run its course. So, you know, as far as like protecting homes and doing all that, you know, putting up a fire barrier. But, you know, I mean, these redwoods have burned years before we were even alive, you know, they've been mixing their massive amounts of fires in their lifetime, you know, I could see going to that extent, save a forest, but at the same time, it's like, nature's gonna take its course it has to take its course, you know, whether it's, we're going to have another ice age or whether, you know, whatever you want to call it. So, I mean, it's, yeah, not that there's not a need for five minutes. And I'm saying, because that, that's not what I'm saying. But it's definitely yeah.

Sam 30:51

Yeah, the episode seven, for those that haven't listened to episode seven yet, which is kind of weird to say that because Episode Seven isn't even out yet, as Kate and I are talking, but by the time this is out, if you haven't listened to episodes will be yes, it will be out. And if you haven't, go listen to it, it's really good. That episode is with Megan Hanna check, she was on season three. And she was also in is also in the forestry industry. And so she's a professional forester and biologist, and we kind of talked about that, you know, my there's this theory out there about wildfire and, and basically is, the more that we suppress the the worse it's going to get, because, you know, wild fire is a natural part of the world. And the more we suppress fire and fuel builds up, and, you know, so there's definitely something to that not to say that Megan agreed, but we did have a conversation about that. And basically, you know, nature is going to find a way to take care of itself. And fire is one way that it does that. Right, exactly. I agree. Well, you so I mean, it sounds like you've done. I mean, you've you've worked on the North Slope, you've done construction, obviously fire will kind of get in what you're doing now. But I mean, it sounds like you were not at all afraid of, of really hard work. What's up with that?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 32:11

I don't know. I don't know. I like a challenge. I really I don't know, I really like to laugh all the time. My girlfriend and I do in our older age as we get I haven't had you know, and I have three young kids and I know I run a daycare business. And so I just Oh man, it's been really hard to, to go work out or do something. So we just laugh. So I always tell her, you know, when I go to take the trash out, I make it a workout. You know, I mean, I lift the bag, and I do and I put it here and I do you know I do all these things with purpose. If I'm going to clean my bathroom, I'm going to clean it, like I'm cleaning it like a workout, you know, I do cleaning my floors, I'm going to everything I do. So I just you know, for me, I, I like a challenge. I like to challenge myself I want I like to be pushed to the point where it's like, I can't do that. But yet I can do this. So just keep doing it. So that for me is I don't know. And then, you know, to, to like fire, for example, or getting a job on the north slope and working in the arctic cold, you know that. I mean, that was really, you know, that was a challenge, you know, when it's freezing cold outside, to go outside and work in those elements. And it's not that I enjoy the work, but I enjoyed to be in that element or to be challenged that way. You know, it's kind of like swinging a two on a fire line. I mean, my God, it's like, it's so challenging, and it's hard work, but at the same time, it's, you know, can you do this? You know, can can you get through one more day? And so I like that about work, you know? And so now No, I run a daycare business. So yeah, I got I got kids in my home all the time. And I that's the same thing. I'm like, oh my god, can I get through today?

Sam 34:04

I'm just gonna say you know, someone, some people out there might might laugh from, you know, from wildland firefighter to working on the lines on the North Slope to daycare, but I've got a couple young kids too. And I'll tell you what, I'm I'm this is probably the hardest job you've ever had.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 34:22

This is the hardest job I've ever had. Yes, it is, you know, and I my kids used to attend daycare, and I used to work full time and then, you know, when my youngest child, father decided he wasn't going to help with childcare costs. I had to lose my job. And because I couldn't afford childcare, and that's the sad state that our nation is in but I'm sorry, I can't afford $2,000 a month and childcare because I have three kids going to childcare, you know, I can't do it. And I needed that help. And so I had to quit my job and so and then co It didn't help much either, you know, it kind of all spiraled down. But then. So I just said, what do people need? You know, what do people need? What do I need? I need childcare. So there's got to be other people didn't need childcare. So I do I provide affordable childcare, to the families that I cater to, and it is the hardest job that I've ever done. It's very challenging. So, and I love it, I love I love my kids that I have here. I mean, I love my children too. But as far as business goes, I have great kids, I have great families that come into my home every day and rely on me to take care of their kids. And it's very rewarding at the end of the day. And it's also the toughest thing I've ever done.

Sam 35:47

That's cool that you you you make a point to say affordable childcare, you obviously just mentioned that, you know that that was a struggle in your past. And so it sounds like you're making a concerted effort to make your current business accessible to people. Is that kind of what I'm getting there?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 36:03

You are, yes, I, for me, it's not about if I'm, if I can with the amount of children that I am allowed to have my home, legally, if I can at least put a roof over my head with that amount of children financially, then that's all I'm asking. I'm not asking for more. And my rates, I could be asking for way more. And that's, that's not what I want. And I don't want that because not that I don't want better for my kids to have more money in my pocket, which I wish I could win the lottery tomorrow. But the fact is that everyone's so greedy, you know, and everyone wants more and stuff. And, you know, coming from not having anything, just a few years ago, to, you know, walking into a secondhand store with literally a roll of pennies and picking up forks and towels. Towels is a big one, if you guys have used towels, and you don't want them anymore, take them to a secondhand store. But, and and paying with pennies to now having a roof over my head to get in and providing for family so that they can go and work and put food on their table, you get what I'm saying. And we can't do that by being greedy. We have to be able to give up a little bit and help out to everybody so that we can stay human. I mean, really literally, we have to look at each other. And you know, look at how much we've lost in the last two years to COVID. You know, what is life really all about? Yeah, you know, you have to think about that. And it's not about money, cuz you're not going to the grave with money. Your you know, you know, the kids need happy, healthy homes. Happy Healthy parents. So, anyway, I don't know if any of that makes sense.

Sam 37:55

No, no, the reason the reason why. The reason why I'm just sitting here quietly is like, I just there's like so many things going through my mind right now as I'm, you know, just first of all one, anyone who knows me, so any of my family and friends that are listening that know who I am. They know that I'm like a pretty, I wear my emotions on my sleeve. Right? So the reason why I'm sitting here quiet is I'm just sitting here in I mean, that's, that's a really, first of all you've come from, you've come from interesting and amazing places. But then to have such a sense of community, I guess is what it is to be just to help. Obviously, you take care of yourself. But so yeah, no, it makes perfect sense. And it's incredible.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 38:41

Well, thank you, I appreciate that, I just will tend to wish that people just take a step back. And just I know a lot of the alone show was about people that live in the woods and survival and all that kind of stuff. But at the same time, it's survival and within our communities, and there are a lot of people that need a lot of help. So

Sam 39:00

yeah, and that kind of

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 39:01

gotta open our eyes. And I'm not one, you know, I'm not, I'm not just you know, I'm not the person that goes out and save the world. But if we can each do our own part, then the little parts and the big parts. And, and next thing you know, you know, we're helping each other, I guess.

Sam 39:16

Yeah, I mean, most of us can't go and save the world, right. But we can certainly help our neighbor or help our family members. That said, it starts somewhere. But I think I have a question. So obviously you kind of went through where you've lived in and where you're at now. And so you you have a pension for small places. Do you think that that living in these smaller tight knit communities and especially I'm assuming up in Alaska, there's a lot more dependence upon each other for certain things and at certain times of year? Do you think that living in those types of communities has impacted your viewpoint on those types of things as far as helping others and trying to take just what you need and not more

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 40:04

I wouldn't say I wouldn't say no, my take on, on what you just said, they're taking what I need, and more of what I want is come from my situation with my youngest daughter's dead three years ago, four years ago, five years ago, after the show, it comes from that. Mostly, it comes from having a lot of happiness, happy go lucky things go on in my life. And then having my world turned upside down and put my kids in a position where it could have been a lot worse, and losing everything. And so, and there are so many people out there,

Sam 40:49

that sorry, no,

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 40:53

don't, don't try to think about too much. Oh, so there's just a lot of, you know, want to point a finger at people and be like, fuck up, or Come on, let's do this. So now that's where that comes from, comes from having to regroup. And, and seeing the love of like my parents, and my older girls, dad, and specific, specific friends that have stepped up and helped out. Without those people, without that kind of love, without unconditional sorts of things. My life would be a lot different. So I think that, for us, as a society, and as a whole, just even our little small communities, like you said, like even small community, I can probably make more of an impact by doing little in my small community that I would in a larger community, you know, I think if everyone just kind of just gets a little bit, a little bit,

Sam 42:02

well, I'm gonna, I'm gonna try and keep myself together here, because we're gonna devolve into a, into a mess here. No, I it's awesome that you've that you've been able to take your experiences and take the probably the worst experience of your life or the hardest experience of your life and turn it into something that has has given you a completely different and seems like, you know, at least in this area, a healthy and, and productive viewpoint on life and on your role in your community and in the world. And with those around you.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 42:39

I'm hoping that I'm hoping so. Well, let's, I just I really hope too, that my girls don't ever fall into that pattern. So anyway, okay. Moving on. say aye. We are definitely just moving forward.

Sam 42:53

Yep. Last thing, and then we'll move on. i You mentioned, you hope your girls don't get there. And I I hope for other people that your girls don't get there because I get the feeling that you would not would not take that lightly. So good on you. As a bad day for somebody,

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 43:09

bad game somebody for sure.

Sam 43:12

So you mentioned you mentioned working on the North Slope. And I I'm fascinated by that. What were you doing? I mean, it sounds like you're working on the pipelines. Were you? What was your What were you doing up there?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 43:24

Yep, I worked on the pipelines up there. Peter Bay, I would say I say I'm a sheep. I was a sheetmetal worker, but I really wasn't I was a field fab sheetmetal worker, which, you know, they it's just for the pipeline itself, after all these years is corroding right. So they go in with these crews, and they have a stripping crew and the strippers go in and take all the metal off the outside. They remove the insulation off the pipe. And then they Buffett, you know, may looking for density pipe density for leaks, right. So and then the crew that comes in after that to fix it up. And to remove sheet metal it is what that's like a sheet metal, they slap it over the top to these bands on it and use a band or the band it down. And sometimes there's some screwing going on where you got to screw up 90s or 45 or something. Anyway, I was on that crew where we re insulated and sheet metal the pipeline and concrete down from weathering and all that kind of stuff. So see.

Sam 44:19

So the sheet metal is is the sheet metal there to protect the actual pipe. That's that's run by crude. Yep.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 44:25

Okay. So it's called GMTs. Just general maintenance technicians, I guess what they call that position. But yeah, that was that was a interesting, fun, interesting job. while it lasted. I was up there a couple of years.

Sam 44:43

And so that pipeline mean that it's not like that pipeline is is running through like it's not running through populated areas. Right. So I mean, assuming that you spent some time in pre remote places while you were doing that, or did you guys have different sections that that you would work on? Depending on what career you were

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 45:01

on, know, every day, it was a different job and every job site because it changes, like through your work, 12 hour shifts, so you're on 1212 hours, different changes all the time, like he could be over here at this pipeline area, and then you're way over here on the different side of the field doing this job over here. So yeah, I bought fruit obey, you know, there's all kinds of all kinds of everything up there as far as where the oil is going, and two different sites and and sort of just kind of follow that pipeline where they think there needs to be attention. So I don't know if I answered your question.

Sam 45:39

But I was just curious, because I know that that pipeline, right, there's, there's places on that line that are pretty remote. And so were you working in the the remote locations, or were you more like, I mean, what did that look like for you

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 45:52

know, very remote, it's all very remote as far as like, I mean, you could be out at Whiskey pad, and you're way out there in the middle of nowhere, you know. So, I never, we never left Prudhoe Bay was shot down towards, you know, through, you know, south through Alaska or any of that there's other crews that do that. So we were up, up just proto a bit, proto Bay Area Deadhorse area up there, and just worked on any of those pipelines up there that needed attention. But I mean, the wildlife I've had so incredible up there, the musk gags and the polar bears, and I never did see polar bear lots of musk gags and the Wolverine, wolverines and caribou, and just Oh, the wildlife, the birds. Oh, my God, it just blow your mind. At what incredible?

Sam 46:42

We have what can you talk more about? What's it what it's like up there? Like as far as in fruto? You're on your you're right at the end of at least the end of the world as far as the United States, you're near the end of the world? I mean, what's that? What's it like? I mean, just do you? Do you miss it? Was it kind of a is it to me, it seems like a place that'd be kind of a haunting part in a way that you just couldn't ever really get out of your mind. What's it like living up there?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 47:09

Living while we lived in was Conex boxes? Oh, my God, it's really seriously, it's true. Now, there are some cancers there. And other, you know, just depends on what career you're on or what you did. But anyway, living up there was either lived in a man camp or you live when a man can't connect Spark. They're interesting. They cook for you, your lunches are provided. I mean, I don't really know what else to say. It's just, you know, it's just the work field force up there. When people are just rotating in and out, you're sleeping or you're working. Do I miss it? I wouldn't say that I missed the work at all. I think I mean, we had some pretty good times. I mean, the crews are just these guys are just hysterical. You know. I mean, you're, I'm sitting in a truck with four other guys, for hours on end. I say sitting in a truck. But I mean, we live out of these trucks, you know, all day, every day, for two weeks at a time, and if not more than that, because you work two weeks on two weeks off, right? 12 hour days. So it's insane. It is a thing I lost one year I lost 17 pounds. In a three week hitch. It was so cold and it was the middle of winter and there was no sunlight, absolutely zero sunlight, this whole period of time and I just like I just peered under my clothes. You remember I had to take a urinalysis, you know, so they had me they had to be there while you take all your gear off. So they could make sure that you weren't hiding any PII. So you can pass your drug test. I remember standing in there, and it was my turn and my supervisor was standing in the bathroom. And, you know, so I'm taking off all my winter gear. So I'm taking off the first layer and the second layer and the third layer and the fourth layer and, and he's you know, he's not watching but he's just like in the room there. And they have you know, and I love to have to be but anyway, so I get down to like my last layer there. And he's like, Okay, I'm stepping out of the room, but he was laughing but you know, before I had to go to the bathroom, but he was taking all my layers off. He's like, where are you? Where are you? Where are you? and I were laughing because I lost so much weight and I was in all these clothes. They call it refrigerator gear, you know? And I swear I'm in here somewhere and he's like, Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Are you eating, eating? Eating? So I mean No, I'm just ridiculous. So it's pretty crazy little world up there but I'm just you know, like Superman. either not in there when I was all the way just people might think that's kind of weird. He just had to make sure I wasn't hiding any urine in my clothes. Anyway, um Yeah, it's a different world up there for sure. But, you know, I mean it's it's interesting

Sam 50:17

did they did they fly you in a dead horse or did you have to take the dolphin all the way up?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 50:22

No it was my goal my job to get myself from Homer and Anchorage and then from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay they fly you up? Yep.

Sam 50:32

So that's all if you haven't had the privilege of driving the Dalton Highway then

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 50:38

I have not driven it past while I've driven to Fairbanks I did take company truck out a few times and go through the gate and drive down south after work a couple of times on the Dalton Highway but only for about an hour or so past. Past. Dead Horse sir. So no, I haven't actually driven it all the way.

Sam 51:07

It's to me it seems like I didn't realize that you spent time up there. And it just seems like like such a beautiful and amazing place. Maybe not. Maybe not a place to live long term. But it definitely seems like it would be an amazing and fascinating place to visit. So on your time off, did you I mean, you probably just booked it straight home did you get much I guess free time in that area? Or is it just all work all the time and then straight home?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 51:34

No, it was all work all the time. But I think you know, you have 12 hours after your shift you know to eat sleep and do whatever but no, I didn't spend you know, there's really no nothing really up there to kind of keep your hold in you know, but I didn't I didn't do any of that. Hang out, you know, pretty much did love sleeping when I could?

Sam 52:03

Yeah, I bet. Well, Mary Kay this this has been absolutely absolutely fantastic. So as we as we kind of look forward, what does your what do you think your future holds? Do you have any plans or anything you're working on? Or is it seems like you're in a really good spot, but what does your future look like? Do you think

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 52:24

you know, my future is day by day. And I'm literally day by day so it's just one day at a time. My My goal is to make sure that my girls are happy and healthy and thriving and that you know they're surrounded by good things in life so I don't I don't have a I can't look past today. I have to one day at a time because it's hard is I'm a single mom with three kids and it's it's really hard and I have a wonderful boyfriend right now and she's been great the girls and you know so yeah one day at a time is all it's all I can offer

Sam 53:09

you there you go that's perfect. And do your girls enjoy they enjoy being in Alaska

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 53:16

they do enjoy being in Alaska my you know my youngest is three so we're still working on keeping them outside more you know during like the cold winter months just like anybody else you know how it is when you bundle up kids and you get them outside and it's freezing cold outside and they want to come back and so we're still working on the winter sport thing so that's coming up but yes they do they love to be outside they love to go to the beach we spend hours and hours and hours at the beach we they do a lot of Yeah, I mean I would like to get my kids more in sports but there's not a lot of that offered here like you don't have access to a swimming pool they don't have access to you know a basketball team at the sage or any of that kind of stuff so I'm I'm really excited to win school sports kind of open up a little bit for my girls so they can get more exposure to that but just because I want to be on Team things you know whether active I need to get, you know, active that way too. So the girls love to be outside they have their tree port in there. We just got a new puppy. A super cute and so they're loving that and yeah,

Sam 54:31

what good dog did you guys get?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 54:34

Oh, geez, people are gonna laugh at me. I'm a big dog lover, but I got a little dog called a common doodle. It's common to mix between a I say this wrong every time as Charles Spaniard spaniel? Yep, something spaniel anyway and a miniature poodle. So the daycare I can't have a little kids And big dogs and hairy dogs in my daycare. So we went,

Sam 55:04

I think in Alaska that's referred to as wild animal food. Right? So you got to be careful with that little guy.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 55:09

Yeah. Yeah, little guy. He's gonna have a great time. He's gonna be great meal for an eagle. I did tell my daughter that the other day she was I walk in him and I said, you know, Bowden, the Eagles will come down and eat him. No, I said, Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, you watch. She's like, No, I don't want that to happen. I said, Okay, you got to keep.

Sam 55:32

Maybe don't watch that part. But don't don't let them get too far.

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 55:36

Don't get too far.

Sam 55:39

Awesome. Well, Mary Kate, this has been such a pleasure. But before we wrap up and close it down. Do you have anything that you would like to anything else you'd like to share? Anything you want to share? set the record straight on or any parting words before we wrap up today?

Mary Kate Guilfoyle (Green) 55:56

I were I guess I'd say I'd all the cast members that was on season two. Hey, guys. I hope that you're all thriving, and life is good. And everyone's healthy out there. And just all those survivalists out there, keep rocking it, have fun. And to those of you that are not thriving, pick yourself up by your bootstraps and start walking. So yeah. It's a great life. I know that for sure.

Sam 56:30

Well, Mary, Kate, thank you so much. And again, thank you for being willing to share your stories and share yourself. This has been absolutely incredible for me, and I've learned a lot and this has been been very fun. So I hope that things continue to go well for you and we'll keep in touch and just so grateful so you have a great rest of your day and have fun with your family. Thank you. I appreciate it.