Brunch with Baylen: Celebrate the Return of Baylen Out Loud
In celebration of the second season of Baylen Out Loud, TLC invited The Philo Team to an intimate discussion with Baylen, her mom Julie, neurologist Dr. Alice Flaherty, and CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics) therapist Dana Wachter to discuss Baylen’s health, the show’s impact, and their ongoing efforts to help Baylen gain more independence.
Last season, Baylen and her family brought laughs, joy, and even tears as they candidly shared their lives with the world. We saw both the struggles and the successes as Baylen made incredible strides—taking on public speaking engagements, getting engaged to her fiancé Colin, and even moving away from her family home for the first time.
The Baylen we see on our screens today is a testament to all of the hard work she and her unshakable support system have put in. Because of their efforts, Baylen has been able to grow from a teenager who felt lost and imprisoned in her own mind–discouraged by doctors who said there was no hope for her–into an ambassador for the very thing she was once told would stand in the way of her dreams.
When asked where she found the strength to continue, Baylen simply said, “I don’t like being told I can’t do something.” When she felt overwhelmed, she would force herself to look in the mirror and say, “I am beautiful. I am beautifully complex,” and she would just keep going.
Baylen’s mom, Julie, expressed gratitude to the show for not only encouraging Baylen to become more independent but also for raising awareness. The show has allowed her family the opportunity to share their stories, and she sees it as an honor that Baylen gets to be the face of Tourette’s.
Therapist Dana Wachter referred to the show as a “platform for compassion.” She and Dr. Flaherty both shared stories of patients who have been inspired by Baylen’s presence on the show, noting that seeing Baylen on screen not only leads to greater acceptance but also opens up conversations about the various ways Tourette’s can reveal itself.
Baylen shared that only about 10% of people who are diagnosed with Tourette’s have Coprolalia–one of the tics that Baylen experiences–which causes individuals to say curse words or other inappropriate phrases.
As Baylen looks to the future, she has her sights set on being a bride in 2026. (And although The Philo Team might have some intel about the dress…. our lips are sealed!)
Baylen also shared with us that she’s looking forward to cooking more and eventually taking on the oven. When asked what she can’t wait to cook next, she enthusiastically answered baked ziti, lasagna, and, of course, cookies.
Anyone who’s watched the show knows that Baylen loves animals, especially dogs and alpacas. She said that she wants to move into a house with a big fenced-in yard to raise even more animals, and eventually, have a farm where she can invite kids over to experience their therapeutic benefits.
Beyond that, she hopes to establish a foundation that will enable her to spread even more awareness, offer scholarships to children, and provide them with additional opportunities.
Keep up with Baylen on the second season of Baylen out loud—streaming now on TLC. If you’ve fallen behind, you can catch up on everything you’ve missed on demand with Philo.
And don’t forget, your Philo Core subscription includes access to HBO Max Basic with Ads, so you can now watch all your favorite episodes of Baylen Out Loud, “Uncensored”. Just head to your account page to activate your HBO Max account today!
