Mikayla Matthews, a well-known personality from the reality series *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, has candidly shared her struggles with health anxiety as she returned from a recent trip to Costa Rica. The 25-year-old influencer took to Instagram to express her fears about her chronic illness potentially flaring up upon her return to Utah, where she has faced significant health challenges in the past.
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During her trip, which was part of a promotional campaign with Lindsay Arnold’s The Movement Club, Matthews revealed her intense apprehension about going back home. From her seat on the flight, she engaged with her followers on social media, conveying the overwhelming anxiety she felt, stating she was concerned about losing “all the progress” she had made regarding her health during her travels.
Matthews has been open about her ongoing battle with a chronic health condition known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). In her posts, she has discussed how her condition was linked to prolonged exposure to toxins, specifically mould, which she believes significantly affected her wellbeing.
In a recent Instagram update, she elaborated on the extent of the effects that her illness has had on her body. In her words, “mould illness has ruined just everything in my body,” impacting various aspects including her nerves, skin, hair, brain, gut, liver, and hormones. Despite this, she noted that her skin condition had been more “manageable and feeling more and more normal” in the weeks leading up to her return, which held a mixed significance for her.
However, the thought of going back to her home environment triggered her health anxieties. Matthews expressed a frustration with the unpredictability of her condition, stating, “I hate worrying about my condition flaring up again,” and voiced concerns about potentially experiencing more pain and limitations than she had in recent weeks.
In September 2024, Matthews first revealed the gravity of her illness on Instagram. She mentioned that filming the initial season of *Mormon Wives* had been particularly challenging due to her mysterious skin flare-ups. Moreover, she disclosed that she has had chronic eczema since childhood, but her other symptoms, which would later lead to her CIRS diagnosis, seemed to escalate following breast implants she received in March of that year.
As a mother of four children—Beckham, 8, and daughters Haven, 5½, Tommie, 3, and Lottie June, 8 months—with her husband Jace Terry, Matthews discussed the emotional weight of her struggle. She admitted that her health issues have led to feelings of “mom guilt,” which she described as having “eaten [her] alive.” These sentiments resonate with her followers, many of whom appreciate her honesty about the challenges of balancing motherhood with dwindling health.
Mikayla Matthews’ openness about her chronic illness has fostered a dialogue around health anxiety and the struggles faced by those dealing with similar conditions. Her story not only sheds light on the personal ramifications of chronic illnesses but also encourages a greater understanding and empathy from the community.
As she continues to navigate her health journey, Matthews serves as a reminder of the importance of mental well-being in conjunction with physical health. By sharing her experiences, she not only raises awareness but also inspires others who may be facing their challenges to seek support and share their stories, fostering a sense of solidarity in the face of adversity.