#12 Linda Smyth - Marriage, Business Milestones, and Marbella

I think the main kind of reason behind marriage is showing you're super committed. You're signing a deal with each other, starting a family, starting a family. You're signing a deal saying, hey, I'm gonna stick with you, you're gonna stick with me, and we're gonna start a family and bring kids into a safe relationship. The night we met was 5 years ago to this day.

Yes, it was. It was a 5-year anniversary.

Yeah. All right guys, today we have a very special guest. We have my fiancée, my wife-to-be, my life partner, we have the one and only Linda Smith.

So hello, I'm finally on the pod.

Yeah, we've been waiting a while to do this. The last couple of months have been crazy, to say the least. Even the last year, we've been building a villa, we've been traveling all around, and we haven't had the chance to sit down. And now here we are. So Linda, before we get into things, what is your background? How did we meet? What are your hobbies and interests? Tell the people a little bit of the Linda Smith backstory.

So I'm obviously from Kildare, or I'm from Ireland as well as Rob, but I'm from Kildare and Rob is from Dublin. I grew up in Kildare and then I went and studied in art college in Dublin, so I have my design degree. And after college I moved to Melbourne in Australia, and then following Melbourne I moved to London, both where I worked as a makeup artist. So that kind of fell under my Arty side, my degree, I studied design for stage and screen, so I loved anything film, fashion-based. Worked in fashion for a while and found that super interesting and a big passion of mine. So then I started my own fashion, fashion brand, A Girl to Die For, and I also help with the design of the villa. So design, fashion would be my main interests, and I also love the gym, traveling, food, and Rob.

She's just a dream wife. She's just a dream wife.

Yeah.

And so me and Linda, we met at a house party, but not Annie's party, my house party. And so I was throwing just, just a small one, like 20 people there in an apartment in Dun Laoghaire. And we've got so many mutual friends.

We do.

And we've known of each other for years.

I used to see Rob viewing my Instagram story for years before we ever met.

I saw you, and there's a photo from like 2011, and Rob liked the photo. We can scroll back on Instagram and it's like Rob Lipsett liked this, but I didn't follow. No, I was playing it cool. I was too afraid to follow. And so we had loads of mutual friends and we— they asked, hey Rob, you know, I hear you're having a few people over, can we bring our friend Linda? And it's so funny that like you think, oh yeah, whatever. I was like, I'll bring her up, you know. I didn't put two plus two together like that. This was the Linda.

I was, I was home from London, I think for only like, I think it was two days. I hadn't actually visited home in Ireland for like two years and I came home and like, what are the chances that the literal night I get home that this is going on? But it was my friends Kate and Lauren. So you knew them for—

oh, many, many years. And so they brought Linda over and it was love at first sight. Yeah, I actually was like besotted.

We actually didn't even kiss or anything that night. We just like talked and laughed so, so much, which is like the basis of our relationship. It's all about laughter and very fun. So we got along so, so well. And then after that night, I went back to London and Rob was over doing a creator agency event and he was speaking in London. So I met you in Chelsea and we had some dinner with some of my mutual friends. Well, some of my friends I brought you and broke the ice a little bit.

And so it was like, it started very casual, and then we just started to really like each other. And it gets better. The night we met was 5 years ago to this day.

Yes, it was. It was a 5-year anniversary.

Yeah, well, no, so 5 years to this day we met, and then we started officially going out a couple months later. But let's just round it off.

Let's round it off.

Let's round it off. I presume we're going to be with each other in 2 months.

Yes.

By this podcast. Yes. Disaster happens. But so that is the backstory of how we met. And another funny one as well. Okay, so I had a collaboration with a Maldives resort. Okay, shout out Kandima. Been there like 2, 3 times or something. It's, it's just absolutely amazing. It's perfect. And so I'm single and I get this collaboration. You don't go to the Maldives if you're a guy.

You're with a group of guys.

Oh, that's the most suspect looking thing. You'll just not have a good time. It is strictly a couple's place. There's very few places in the world, like maybe Santorini would be another one where I would not go, you know, on my own or with a group of guys. But Maldives is 100%, you do not go on your own, you go as a couple. 100% of the guests there are as a couple.

Yeah.

So I had this collaboration, I'm going on my own, I said this is gonna suck. So we're, we're going out like, like, Maldives, nice. We're going out a month and I'm like, uh, so, you know, come to the Maldives next month. Yeah, of course, that, uh, will go down very well with any girl. So that was our pretty much our first—

not our first date, Paris first, because I got the Eurostar from London to Paris. And then after that, we— because obviously Rob lived in Dublin and I lived in London, so we had to find a way to just maybe see each other. And then eventually you moved over to London for a year.

So, and then we moved to Marbella. So that was, uh, like perfect timing with the collaboration and everything. But a really good topic now that we're on this is long distance. Now I know Dublin, London isn't that long. If for anyone Americans listening or anything, it's like I think it's a 50-minute flight.

And I guess I have my house in Ireland.

I knew the house in Ireland, so I wasn't true long distance compared to other people. But Linda, what would you recommend long-distance couples do?

Oh my God, um, I guess like, you know, there is situations where like, I think I would never start a long-distance relationship with someone if I wasn't like being realistic. Yeah, like, is there a chance of this actually working out? So for me and you, because Ireland is my second home, and like London is so close, it kind of worked. And I think after I moved out of my apartment, I went home to Ireland for a little bit and we lived in The Beacon.

Yeah.

So it was all very relative to each other. I think a lot of people have jobs where they need to travel a lot and just basically staying in touch and video calling, maybe just like planning exciting things for the next time you see each other.

I would say planning out the calendar year.

Yes.

Like every— you got to put in work to have something planned like every single month, but just going to be real with you guys, 95% people, you just find someone nearby. The world is a big place, you know, unless you're living in a town with 10 people, you'll probably find a good match. But that was— we made— I always forget, like, we were almost in a long-distance relationship. Yeah, for like maybe like 2 or 3 months, and then we've been pretty much inseparable ever since. And so going on from that, I like to do my podcast in chronological order. So we did our year in London, which was amazing, not just like for me like, we— I met so many new people. I love London. Yeah, we had so much fun. It was lockdown, but we still had like the best crack ever.

We did. We had picnics and Battersea, and like there was even a—

there was a few social gatherings, I think that's what they call them, in the weird lockdown era. But we had a great year. But we also said realistically, we're not gonna settle down here. We're not gonna raise a family here. We're not gonna buy here.

Yeah, I think you do your time in London and then that's like enough. Yeah, for me anyway.

Yeah, you do your time, you experience it all, and then you to move on. And then, so it was January 1st, 2021. We said, okay, gyms are closed in London. It was still in that semi-lockdown place. I said, why am I paying Kensington rent for a lockdown city? Dublin was like turbo lockdown, like old curtain twitchers. Yes, ultra lockdown. All the gyms are closed. So we said, where in Europe have we both been to before? I know it very well. Gyms are open, life seems normal, is in the EU. So, you know, we can pass freely.

Has a beach.

Has a beach. Has gyms. We know people there, international community. And when you tick all those boxes, there's one place in Europe, and that is Marbella. Yeah, it's the Marbs. And then so we moved here just for like, we got a monthly Airbnb, and then we end up purchasing Villa Lipsett. So tell us, what do you think of the villa now? What's it like living here with me?

It's just so good. It kind of feels like a big studio, and we've made it But for such like an airy minimalist house, we've made it feel very homely. Um, so by the furniture choices, like we chose lots of like wood and beautiful curtains, but we have a lot to finish off, mainly the outdoor we have to finish. But we just love it so much.

Yeah, and Linda was creative director of it.

She does our thing.

Yeah, you gotta have a woman's touch in here to make things go smooth.

Me and Pinterest.

Yeah, yeah. Oh no, honestly, and I'm like, my Instagram Explore page is just like interior decor. I'm like, and we literally just showed for our builders, we're like, just do this. I don't even think we had an architect.

No, we didn't. They said we did and we were like, we've never met him.

Yeah, exactly. He was like, yeah, he's in the back somewhere. So, uh, challenges that we've faced in the last couple of years and what has helped us, you know, grow as a couple. I think on the topic, the house. Yeah, I think there's nothing more ancestral than building a house.

And I think, I think with the house came like, there's always going to be a little bit of stress and like putting other things on pause. Like basically the house kind of for the last year was like a main focus, especially if I was like working a lot with designing it. And Rob like didn't have an office. We didn't even have wardrobes till maybe like, what, a month ago?

Yeah.

So I think with the house came just like a lot of moving around, a lot of kind of uncertainty of when we could move in. We were in like different Airbnbs, maybe doing a couple of trips, going back to Ireland, just waiting for it to be finished. So it's a nice relief now that it's finally done and very rewarding feeling.

Yeah, that's why we're like, you know, doing this podcast now. Like, I know we got— we'll get on to the engagement soon, but it's like, I know we got engaged in— was it September?

Yeah, no, it was the end of August.

End of August. And then we came back for September, then we pretty much traveled all of October. Yeah. So the last like 3 months has kind of seemed like one month. Like, we actually haven't had the chance to sit down and do this. So it's lovely to be able to do this now. Uh, and so also last year we were moving around so much, like that was a stressful challenge, like living out of a suitcase. That was definitely kind of a strange transitionary period of our lives.

I think everyone goes through like a strange period. That was just one of ours, I think.

Yeah, and especially like when, you know, building a house, it's like a life event that it's, it's going to be stressful, but but it's definitely been worth it. So, like, how happy are we here?

Yeah, I think, like, I can also envision, like, lots of fun things. Like, basically, we've had— I've had a few of my friends stay. I've had Kate and Joanna stay. You've had other friends over. You've had your big event. Yeah, but I can see— I can just envision a lot of good memories happening here, be it with barbecues with our families or, like, little events we'll put on and just more guests. And it's really— we had Rob's family here the other day for, like, a big meal, and it was just so nice.

Yeah. And so my two sisters— I got three sisters— two of them were here and they both have kids.

Yeah.

And so there's two kids running around. Yeah. So there are six people. First time we've actually filled this table up. There were six people here, and I was like, Linda, we can crank out a few kids. And yeah, there's plenty of room. I still need to do the final tour, but like, this house is way too big for just two of us, so we need to fill it up.

Okay.

And we'll get to kids and marriage later on, but now we gotta talk about the proposal. Okay, so setting the scene, our favorite holiday, I think Favorite holiday. How would you, how would you describe it?

See, right, I think when we go on trips, sometimes we usually do like a month, but because this was like, it was, it wasn't a week, it was actually 5 days.

Yeah.

And we basically, we had all the like plans made. It was like a very holiday mode, whereas if we go away on other trips, sometimes there's big gyms we're going to, content every day. Yeah, we're like doing other things, calls nonstop. Yeah, we really just clocked off for this and like really enjoyed ourselves. It was very holiday mode and I had been to Capri maybe when I was like 7, so I couldn't really remember it. Rob had never been, so it kind of felt like the first time that me and you had went somewhere, bar Mexico, that neither of us had kind of experienced together.

Yeah, which is also, funny enough, have been our all-time favorite trips.

All time.

So maybe, maybe there's something to be said about going somewhere you both haven't—

both have never been. Yeah.

And so we did 3 days in Positano. And where do we stay? You know, give people some— we've got to give people some info.

We stayed in, uh, what was the name of the first accommodation?

I'll put it on the screen, but it was like 4—

the guy was so nice. Yeah, it's like a restaurant underneath which is highly rated.

Yeah.

And the view from the balcony was just spectacular. It was also in a really good location if you want to walk in and out to Positano town. It was like the perfect location and the perfect view.

Yeah. And it was like was not expensive either. Yeah, you know, like it was— I definitely balled out.

Yeah, something sweets.

Yeah, it's something sweets. We'll put it on the screen and we'll put some clips of it on the screen, but it was absolutely amazing. So we did 3 days there, or was it 4 days?

We done 3 there and then 3 in Hotel Weber.

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You got it from?

Bespoke Diamonds, bespoke jewelers in just off Grafton Street. What's the name of the, the street?

Um, I think it's like Wicklow. No, it's not Wicklow.

Yeah, well, anyways, Bespoke Diamonds, it's in town. Um, if you Google it, it'll come up straight away, and they're so professional. I was very worried going picking it up, walking through town with it, um, and like kind of, you know, just choosing it and everything, but they helped me so much. Um, it was like you got an idea. Linda, Linda told me about 100 times, but anyways, right, I was like, oh, we'll shape. Yeah, I had the ring, I had it in a really big box, and I like had to shove it into one of my shoes. Like, my shoe was like shaped like a square, and then I hid that in my suitcase. And you know, when we get to a hotel, you just open the suitcase and leave it in the corner. And so for the first 3 days, I was like, you know, when am I gonna do it? I actually thought I was gonna do it.

I was gonna pack for you as well.

Oh yeah, and I was like, get away from the back. But I thought I was going to do it on the last night in Positano. And I don't know why, I just bottled it, you know, didn't feel like the, the right moment.

And then I think I was slightly hungover, so you're like, I don't want to drink again.

You don't want to be in it. But so either way, I always knew Capri would be like the peak of the holiday, like, like a magical spot, just a magical spot. Like, it looks like almost like Thailand with the mountains and everything. It's like exotic. And so we got to Capri, we were blown away. Night one, we were in such a giddy mood. Yeah, we just checked into a new hotel. We had insane views, like the views were crazy.

It was of like the main—

the main Marina Piccolo. Yeah, that's what it's called. And we only realized that was like the spot to go to after, after we left and started looking up like articles on Capri. And then we were getting ready to go out. Oh, this is so good, I love talking about it. We're getting ready to go out and we were taking photos as we do. We love taking photos of each other. We always just prop up the tripod like what we're doing right, right now.

And it's just the easiest and most convenient way.

And like, I hate asking people for couples photos. One is, yeah, wrong.

They're like, yeah.

And two, it's like we're like all like manhandling each other. I'm like, I don't want to put someone through this.

Yeah.

So anyways, prop up the tripod, have the view, and instead of putting on timer, I put it on record. So the whole thing is like recording. And then I go, hey, look, I got something that'll make this way better. And so Linda's like, what's it gonna be? Oh my God, I thought it was going to be Afra. Afra, I thought it was going to be— we were on our Afra buzz. Yeah.

Oh Jesus, we were.

And so then I just come out with the ring and got down on one knee. I can't remember what did I say. Yes. Yeah, what did I say?

I think you basically— so we started crying. Well, no, first of all, I started bursting out laughing. So did you.

Yeah, which is— I really like—

yeah, like, I want— we, we— I can't— I like— it was just all so funny.

Like, we were like—

it was happening.

We were like, this is like so happy.

Yeah.

As we're like laughing with happiness. Yeah, like, I getting giddy and we're like, oh my God, we're actually doing this. Whereas like, I would hate if we were like, you know, I just find it hard to watch. I found it like nice and light and easy going to watch. We started laughing.

I think I saw you coming towards me. So in the video, like, you can see, you can see that I'm like fixing my dress, that I could see him coming through and I could like— there was no hiding the box. So I was like, I knew it was just about to happen. So I was just like, oh, like It was brilliant.

And then, yeah, I just said, I love you so much.

Yeah, it was like, I love you so much. She gave me a little talk about just how much I meant to you.

Yeah.

And about the future. And then we got it done.

And then afterwards—

oh guys, the lobster pasta!

Wait, let's slow down now, right? Ultra giddy mood.

Yeah, like I changed dress because I was like, I'm just like, I'm gonna spill something on this if I wear this.

Yeah, you were wearing a white one and then you got into a pink dress and then we went out. And then so ultimate giddy mood, literally in the best mood ever. We just walked, or we got a taxi into town, walked around, and just went to a random spot with you, the photographer.

We actually were having a little cocktail. It was like this kind of lookout point at the sunset in Capri, and it just happened that there was this photographer there. He took a picture of us and he was like, come back in about maybe 2 hours and I'll have a studio where you can select the photos. We selected them like way later in the night and we woke up the next morning, we like, we don't even remember what they look like. They forgot about us and we had to call back to the studio what it like a day or two later and have a look for the photos. But they turned out really, really well. I think we thought that that was all we had of like the engagement, and it wasn't for maybe a day or two after when we looked at the video. We were like, wow, this is amazing.

Yeah, so I'm glad we left it a little bit as well.

We didn't like look at the video on the day or even the day after. I told my family— I think we told my, my mom the night of the actual engagement, and then we filled the rest of our family and friends in the next day.

Yeah. And, um, then we did the post on like Sunday or something. And like, I hate to be one that like, you know, lives for social media and all this, but get like everyone saying well done and congratulating you. It's—

you're getting nice messages and like catching up with people that you wouldn't have caught up with in a while and talking to them about it. It's fun.

Yeah, so that was amazing. And we just went home back to Ireland to see our families, just in like the best mood ever. So now a great question. So Why get married? What's the point of it all? I think so. It's like, you know, what changes once you say, will you marry me? And I do, and all that. Okay. And it's a piece of paper. I think the main kind of reason behind marriage is showing you're super committed. You're signing a deal with each other, starting a family, starting a family. You're signing a deal saying, hey, I'm going to stick with you, you're going to stick with me, and we're going to start a family and bring kids into a safe relationship. I think that's the main reason. It's just, it's just literally saying you're committed. And I think, I think I saw Jordan Peterson say this, he was like, they're hard to get out of for a reason.

Yes.

Like, if you have an argument and you, you instead of saying, like, let's say you're dating someone and you have an argument, you just leave it, you just ghost them. But if you're married and you have an argument, you're like, all right, we're gonna work through this.

Yeah.

So I think that's the, the main reason and benefit behind marriage is just showing you're committed and raising a family. And so now on to the family. Kids, what do you want, Linda? How many?

Girl, boy? Ideally I'd love 2 kids, but 3, maybe 4 if that happens. I think I'd be happy with 2.

Yeah, I'd love 2 girls, but I'd love 2 boys. But yeah, well, we'll flip the coin and see where we land. And do you think— what do you think? Okay, right, so we've been together 5 years now. Do you think there's a date where you can be like, okay, let's get married? Do you think there's a certain time, or when it's right, is it right?

I think when it's right, it's right. I also think that there should be a certain time. Like, I think a year is quite short. I think it depends on how old you are as well, but I think anywhere past 2 years, if it's the right person and you really, really know.

Yeah.

And late 20s, young 30s, then like, I wouldn't recommend like a 21-year-old being with someone for 2 years, be like, okay, let's go.

You're literally kids at 21. And but so late 20s, 30s, you know, 3-year mark is ideal.

Yes.

And really the longer the better. So, you know, I think we were pretty safe and responsible with 5, with 5, almost 5. Yeah, almost 4 and 10 months. So I think if you've been with each other a good few years, you know, she's wifey material, lock her down. And now also one thing I want to ask is, do you guys, the listeners, what are your proposal stories? How did it make you feel? Drop a comment down below. I'd love to hear some feedback. And have you any advice for getting married as well? Because look, let's be real, there's some disastrous—

I know, 50%, you know, we're entering like the wedding planning realm and it's very daunting, I think. So we'd love all the information and advice on the wedding.

Yeah, so 3 comments to leave down below, uh, any wedding planning tips or tricks that you guys have. Your experience with marriage and your experience with proposal. Be very educational, comment section. So now we are on to future plans, and that is the wedding. When is the wedding going to be, Linda?

So we were trying to decide, are we going to do 2024 or 2025? I know we want a small Marbella wedding. I think that's pretty like set in stone. And I've decided who my bridesmaids are. I've decided I think roughly how many people we want, what kind of dress I want. We're just trying to decide when really. And I think it's looking more like it'll be at the start or end of summer, be it in May or else in October, September, October, just because it gets really, really hot here during the summer months and very busy. So we'll have it either before or after summer, whatever year we choose. So we're just trying to decide the year.

And small or big wedding?

Small enough. Like, I think once—

like 80 to 100.

Yeah, 80 to 100. Is that small? Is that big?

We don't— we don't really know. But so I think, I think it was like Alex Hormozi or someone just put a, like, a good quote up, and it's like, if you're like splurging on a big wedding before like reinvesting into yourself and like, you know, a house and a car and everything, like, yeah, you've got it backwards. Like, at the end of the day, it's just like a one-day event. So, you know, obviously we're going to have a really nice wedding, but some people go over top.

Yes. And they kind of put themselves in debt. Yeah. I've been reading readings. I've kind of just like opened a new whole like, like chapter. I'm like, this is amazing what can happen to people with their wedding planning and they just go too far.

No, we, um, we were like talking, we were thinking about having one in Tulum with 10 people.

Seriously? Yeah.

I'm like, we get Christian Max to fly down from Texas. That's about it. But we were thinking like, you know, there's something nice about having a little barefoot wedding on the beach.

Barefoot?

Yeah, a little barefoot wedding on the beach in Tulum. Yeah, but most likely it's going to be in Marbella. We're going to utilize the villa. Like, this is bigger than any restaurant really, especially the outdoors.

This would be great, I think, for like a day-two barbecue or something. There's also so many nice venues, not even just on the beach, but there's so many nice mountainous venues in Marbella that like look like a possibility. Yeah, and I think I've started writing the list of who I want to invite, and so has Rob.

Time to be extra nice to Linda, guys.

Yes. So we have it all kind of an idea. I know we want a DJ over a band. We want, you know, little like details. I know what kind of flowers I want and what colors and stuff. It's just about kind of putting it all in place.

Yeah.

So that's the next thing.

I think, you know, day one you just have the main event. You know, sit-down meal.

I don't think I'd have the— do you know the welcome dinner? I'm like, I will wake up hungover if I will.

Oh no, no, you just have, you know, the, the day event, you rock up, uh, you know, everyone sits down, you do the church, whatever, and you go, you have fun, sit-down meal, you know, drinks, whatever, and then go out.

What a nice barbecue the next day. We've got to play a Padre. Yeah, and that's it. Yeah, favorite spot to go out.

Yeah, on a Sunday as well.

It's on a Sunday, so it works out.

That's what we do. And like, you know, again, we know everyone in Mosh, you know, we could sort out a deal And, uh, that's it. And look, if there's anyone who has any connections with wedding venues in Marbella, please hit us up. We'd love to chat. But that is probably going to be in what, May?

It'll be in May or September. We've definitely decided the months, and it could be next year, it could be 2025. Yeah, we will have to wait and see.

Yeah, we're fine. Like, so another good tip I heard is when you're engaged, prolong that engagement period, build the hype. Yeah, build the hype, and you know, enjoy kind of like the buzz behind planning it. Um, because when you're married, it's all over. Joking. But no, it is a kind of fun time being engaged.

So we've been loving it so far. Yeah, any like restaurant we go to, Rob's like, show the ring.

Yeah, I was like, show them the ring, they always give us a free drink. It's a little tip, free drinks for the next year and a half. Dreams and aspirations. What, as an engaged couple, is our dreams and aspirations going forward?

I think so far we've accomplished one of our dreams. I always wanted to kind of contribute to the design of a home and somewhere we can call our own, and we have that now in Marbella. We're pretty happy here, and I think like for the foreseeable we will base ourselves in Marbella. But it would be nice— like, I have my home, my family home in Ireland, but it would be nice for me and Rob to have our own family home in Ireland where we could spend a majority of the year and also have this place.

We love art.

We love Ireland. It's just— we just be honest. Yeah, all my friends are there, and like, we— I can't wait. We're going home again at Christmas, and we do really love Ireland. Yeah, like, it's a great novelty even though it wears off pretty quick. But it's very novel to be being home when we are home.

We love sitting on the couch watching RTÉ. Yes. So we absolutely love Ireland in small doses.

Yes. The novelty wears off pretty quickly.

Yeah. But no, we do love it. And so our goal, like our dream life setup is we have the house here in Marbella, a nice house in Ireland, and that's pretty much it. You know, we have our businesses going, we're able to travel freely. And I also like— I think if you have 3 properties, let's say you have a property in Marbella, Dubai, and Ireland, you could just rent 2 out. Well, not in— when you're in one, and then this is— that's not a life hack, just for free forever. Is that how property developers do it? Dublin?

Yeah, we'd love a house in Dublin. Yeah, maybe in like the next like decade.

We're not in any rush. Yeah, and Dublin prices are absolutely insane. So another house in Ireland, kids, a nice big Jeep. Yeah, that's us.

You'll be getting your Jeep soon.

But maybe, maybe if, you know, more people tune into the podcast and I upload more YouTube videos, they will easily get a Jeep, a nice Defender. That's what I'd love. This is the biggest one. This is the big question: tips and practices that have helped you maintain a strong and healthy relationship. And like, think about it, do you know anyone who's been like— I'm sure you know a few, but not many. Like, you don't know many people who've been in a 5-year relationship.

Yeah, I mean, like, it's pretty rare. Yeah, my best friend Lauren, she— her and Keith have been together quite a time, quite some time. My sister who's now married. I guess I know a couple of people, and it does— I think the key to a long-term relationship is obviously having a lot of fun, planning date nights, and also being a realist. So like, if things aren't perfect all the time, you work on those things. Don't expect everything to be like magic, or like if you fight you have to break up. Yeah, like you have to be real with the person, communicate super well, and be patient and loyal and honest.

And communication, honesty is always the best thing ever. No sneaking around, you know, the people hiding their phones and yeah, what the hell. Yeah, so weird. Yeah, you need to be just completely open, honest communication. Yeah, loyal, dedicated, and on each other's team and showing interest in each other.

Like, I show a lot of interest when Rob is like maybe recording for YouTube, or if I'm designing something for my brand, we'll always make sure to show interest. And that's like the most important thing you can do. And making quality time, doing date nights quite often. Hugely important.

Hugely important. Yeah, so like as soon as you and your girlfriend, your other half, you start becoming mates, not good. No, you need, you need to never be buds. We're buds, but we're not mates. Now you need to always, you know, keep the girlfriend-boyfriend or what, husband and wife dynamic and keep things romantic. And another one, personally for me, uh, maybe call me Shallow Al, right? Personally for me, I think you got to keep standards high. Like, Linda's in insane shape. She's like a fitness model. Like, you know, she looks— she puts in the work for me, and I want to look good for her. Yeah, and for you. And so I want to look good for her. She wants to look good for me. You know, we want to put our best foot forward and put our best selves for each other. And so as soon as— like, of course, we, you know, walk around in our pajamas and stuff, but as soon as you—

there's messy bun everywhere.

There's a messy bun. And like, as soon as you stop, um, putting in an effort for each other, you need to wind things back and say, okay, you know, Yeah, who, who else? Who do I want to impress?

And I think having the date nights kind of— they used to glam up quite often and they remember why they like you.

We do. But now this month we're doing—

yeah, we're doing November.

So November, we're saying no to everything. There's nothing on. So we're doing a month of just like, yeah, recording, gymming hard, working hard. But on average, like, let's say in the summer, we do like a date night every Saturday and we love it.

Yeah, date night like twice a week during the summer because in Marbella there's just so much happening and like there's always good things on in the summer. I think the wintertime here is the perfect time to kind of hibernate. It's raining today, so that's perfect.

Yeah. And so another one, how do you get into a good strong relationship? Like, how do you pick the right person?

I think someone who makes you laugh. I think like that's going to be something that is forever, whereas like obviously looks is quite temporary, you know. But I think someone who can really like to the core, make you really, really laugh, and that you can be comfortable and be yourself around. Always choose someone like that and who likes you for you, who doesn't like try and change you.

Yeah, Linda, you're nailing these answers. You're killing it. Okay, so wrapping things up before we go into the audience questions, what is our favorite memory with each other? I got a few.

I think we always have our favorite memories on a travel, like, travel trip because it's when we do things out of the norm. I remember one time we were in Joshua Tree and we had a beautiful barbecue, like, in the middle of the desert in the Airbnb. And they had this kind of, like, bathtub. It was, like, out underneath the stars. They also had, like, a boat. I think it was converted into, like, this big kind of, like, couch thing. And we just lay there, like, looking at the stars and chatting and, like, laughing loads. And it was, like, one of my favorite memories.

It was actually that of a movie.

Just the whole Joshua Tree trip always is one of my favorite memories. And then also a lot of Mexico memories from our trip.

It was amazing.

That was like proper traffic, very surreal.

We were doing— it was crazy. It was proper like, you know, the movie The Beach. Yeah, it was like that. And I think like, I'm, I'm a man who has done a lot of things in life. Like, I've pretty much experienced everything, you know. I don't, I don't know what else there is. There is to— there's not another floor for me to go up to, you know, really. You've been on the jet, the yacht, the best No, that's the best thing in life, having a beautiful girl that loves you, traveling the world. Yeah, I don't think there's a better high than that.

Yeah, we do love to travel.

We do. Of course everyone does, you know. And so yeah, that's probably some of our fondest memories together. And I also loved— there was a moment that for some reason it's just sticking out in, in my mind when we're in Santorini and we were in Cabo to go and we were just watching like the most insane sunset there. Violin playing, and you're just like, those surreal moments like that, that are just absolutely insane. And here's to many more. And here's to many more. All right guys, so time for some quickfire questions from you, the audience. So let's get through these. They— I say quickfire, but they'll probably last a little bit longer. So one, how important is it to have common interests in a relationship, and what do you do if you don't have money?

Well, we luckily have— we both love the gym.

Yeah, we really just say generally active, healthy.

I think I always had quite like— I loved going to the gym quite often and like always had a membership, but I never actually took it as serious as I did until I met Rob because he educated me a lot more on it. And now I just— it's like part of my daily routine now where it was just something that I do the odd time before I met Rob. And I think Linda, by the way, is like fitness industry standard. Well, I do. I think like over the last like maybe 3 years.

It's kind of just like your squats coming up to like 70 kg, you know. You know all about your amazing cock, you know, your actual genetics and physique. Crazy.

Thank you, Rob.

No worries. But yeah, no, Linda, Linda puts a lot of personal trainers to shame.

We have, um, a lot of common interests, but I mean, finding them in a relationship, I mean, it's easier to, to meet the people that you're supposed to be with if you're meeting them through common interests.

Yeah, personally, I wouldn't say like, you know, so someone asked, what do you do if you don't have money? Don't get with the You know, you're just off, you're off a little bit different sometimes as well, but you have to have like your overall lifestyle, I think.

Rob, I think made a point, you made a point recently, you were like, I'd like, I don't know if it would work if I was with someone who didn't understand social media because that's like a huge part of who you are.

Very true. Like, you know, not only being on camera but like helping me with photos, videos, everything, like, you know, and even this episode right here. So that's also a big one for is to kind of like, you know, you don't have to be an influencer with a million followers, like just be with someone who understands social media. Yeah, yeah. Like if, you know, if you're on a trip and you start vlogging.

Yeah, well, I think I was definitely a little bit like, like awkward in the vlogs at maybe the start, or like talking on camera. And now here I am today on a podcast. I think I've came far.

Very true. And so what is your advice for maintaining a relationship when both partners are extremely busy? We are the wrong person to ask because we are with each other 24/7. We're extremely busy, but like, we don't have to go apart. No, everything I do is like completely remote, you know. Oh, I don't have an hour in the day, but yeah, we're always beside each other. So what would you do if someone would like, you know, they both had very full-time jobs, very full-on jobs?

I mean, just make time when you're not doing the busy work to see the person and check in with them in the little while of the day that you have that isn't busy. Make sure that they know they mean a lot to you and and that's kind of the best thing you can do. I mean, in a lot of jobs can be so full-on, and I completely get that.

I would say same advice if you're in a long-distance relationship. Plan out the whole year.

Yeah, you know, like, because have things to look forward to is a very good one.

Yeah, that's like, you know, just a life hack. And it's like, if you're in a long-distance relationship and you also have like, let's say you both work like 9 to 9, like, you know, you're more or less in a long-distance relationship. Yeah, you don't see each other, you know. So it's just so important to plan out, you know, those events far in advance. So what's the best way to support a partner going through a tough time without feeling overwhelmed yourself? So best way to support a partner going through a tough time, that's a great question.

Um, I mean, just be kind and be a good listener is always the best thing. I think listening can do more than like what you say. Yeah, they want someone to talk to, I suppose, when they're going through it. Yeah, sometimes it's important to just have someone there to like, to just like actually, because like sometimes if Rob's going through like a really stressful situation, he'll like voice talk to me and he'd like, if there was no one here, I'd just be completely silent, wouldn't you?

Yeah, exactly.

So I think, yeah, it's good to just have a nice— someone to just listen and take it all in and advise you.

And it's also great, like, especially from a man's point of view, to have like a very nice feminine nurturing woman, you know, to just like— to just be a simp too, for a little bit. To just be— just be a weakling too.

Yeah, yeah.

A little cry on the shoulder. Moneybags don't do that at all. So that, yeah, just be there for each other and be a listener. Next up, do you think it's important to have relationship goals? If so, how do you set them? Yes, of course. Like, you know, we, like what we're talking about, we want the house in Ireland, we want 2.5 kids, you know, we want, uh, you know, a nice Jeep, um, we want to like, you know, travel more, travel more, we want to be and get our best shape ever, you know, we want to both like be as productive as possible. Uh, I definitely think like the whole— this has come from me because I'm just the way I am, like, you know, I'm planning everything to a tee. I think the whole life, the whole point of life is having goals and working towards them. And it's not necessarily hitting them, it's just having something to work towards. Because if you wake up every day and you've nothing to aim for, you're literally lost. Think about those words: aim, lost. If you don't have something to aim for, You don't know where to— you don't know what to do, and you're gonna get depressed. You're gonna, you know, your mindset is not going to be good. And so having goals in business, goals in life, goals in your relationship, extremely important. Always have something to work towards. But don't— and but understand that the best part is, is the work towards. Yes, it's not the end goal, you know, because when you get the end goal, you set some more and keep going, living life. So yes, have relationship goals. And then the last question: what are some red flags to look out for in a relationship? There's actually like, there's a few, uh, like dating coaches I follow, even like How to Beast, you know, uh, we need to go see his villa soon. Yeah, well, has done like full videos on this. But, uh, so one that pops into my head is if she has no long-term relationships with her friends.

Oh, with her friends?

With her friends. Like if she's always moving friend group, you know, something going on there. Linda's had her like friends forever.

Actually, my bridesmaids, like, this— yes, we're choosing, like, I'm gonna choose 4 friends and then 2 family members. So my sister and one of Rob's sisters, and then the rest are going to be 4 of my friends.

Yeah.

And they've all been like solid parts of my life for a super, super long time.

So that's one. Another one is a relationship with their father. Yeah, that's how they view men. That's the most common one that I get heard of. Her dad loves me, great relationship. Thank, thanks be to God. Another one for me is just someone who disregards their health and fitness. I think health fitness is the most important thing in the world. If a girl does not stay in shape and she neglects her health and fitness, from an evolutionary standpoint, it's actually unattractive because you're like, oh, how's this person? You were automatically unattractive to people who are unhealthy because they're like, how are these— how are we going to carry on our life, our genetics, our offspring? So So that for me is a huge one. And someone who talks ill of other people, you know, just bitches about other people, that's not a good one.

Father one, like if someone had a dad who like left or a dad who's done something, that is like— or a dad who like wasn't great to their mother.

Yeah, that's completely—

I'm lucky I have a good relationship with my father, but I think yes, I can see, you know.

Yeah. And so they are are probably my top 3. There's another one I've seen, um, having a woman that competes with you. Uh, that's the one I've— I'm not sure the— well, you certainly don't, you like support me. But having someone who's always trying to like get one up on you in the relationship, I've read that's a really terrible trait to have. And let's see if I can think of one more.

I guess dishonest, or like trying to be like secretive, or yeah, you know, not being completely real.

Yes, that's probably the number one.

And then someone who doesn't post you on Instagram. Yeah, I hate the way that is a thing, but yeah, but like someone who like— I— well, no, right? If, if the other per— if both of you aren't doing it, but if one person is actively showing you off, or like, you know, the other person is being weird about it, that is kind of strange.

Actually, Joe, nowadays Mike and Sadia Khan, the relationship psychologist, they made a good quote. They're like, if you're in a relationship in person, you're also in a relationship online. Yeah, just how it is. So I think that's also one as well. So any ones you want to throw in?

I think that was my only one.

Yeah, there we go. So guys, hope you enjoyed this podcast with the one and only Linda Smith. Really enjoyed it as well. It's actually— I don't know if you can see it, but it's raining outside.

We're gonna go get some sushi at my favorite spot.

We're gonna go get some sushi, chill out for a little bit, and hope you enjoyed listening to this nice relaxing podcast.

It is. Maybe we'll do it again sometime.

Maybe we will do Rant Too Soon. Anyways, right here Keep it real. Thank you so much for listening. Be sure you are subscribed on every platform. I will see you in the next one. Gameplan is back.