Mikayla Matthews, renowned influencer and star of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” is navigating the complexities of motherhood, health challenges, and entrepreneurship alongside her recent collaboration with the potato chip brand Snackish. In a candid conversation with PEOPLE, Matthews elaborated on how her chronic health issues have influenced her dietary choices and lifestyle.
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For nearly five years, Matthews has been on a significant health journey, marked by her struggle with chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). As defined by the National Library of Medicine, this condition disrupts the body’s immune system, manifesting symptoms that interfere with multiple organ systems. Overcoming this challenge has necessitated some major dietary adjustments, especially as a self-identified “foodie.”
“I love to snack, I love to eat, and unfortunately, I had to make a lot of those healthier and better alternative swaps,” said Matthews. Prior to finding Snackish, she expressed frustration with the array of alternative snacks that often compromised on taste, saying, “With a lot of brands, it comes with not tasting as good, or you don’t crave it as much.”
She was drawn to Snackish, created by Tara Bosch, the founder of SmartSweets, due to its appealing ingredients and flavourful offerings. Being a “big chip person,” Matthews feels that Snackish meets her snacking needs without requiring the usual sacrifices for healthier alternatives. “I find myself craving them and reaching for them all the time,” she stated, highlighting the importance of enjoying food even while managing health constraints.
In her pursuit to raise awareness about her condition, Matthews mentions the mixed responses she has received online. While many have shared support, she sometimes feels overwhelmed by the flood of opinions. “It can be very isolating,” she admitted, stressing the importance of using her platform to assist others dealing with similar health issues.
Her reality has been shaped by her experience on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” which has inspired her to pursue her own career aspirations. She finds empowerment in engaging with women-led initiatives like Snackish, which resonate with her vision of creating opportunities for other women.
Despite the successes, Matthews confesses that achieving balance in her life remains a constant struggle. “I genuinely have not balanced it,” she remarked, indicating that she takes things day by day. Her commitment to her work is driven by the desire to provide meaningful experiences for her children, which she finds rewarding.
Speaking candidly about “mom guilt,” she reflected on how important it is to recognise her accomplishments. “I just have to remind myself, like give myself a little bit of credit,” she explained. Matthews derives joy from the experiences she provides for her children, including memorable trips like visiting Walt Disney World, stating, “I wouldn’t have been able to do this if it wasn’t for the position that I put myself in.”
Matthews’ children, known for being picky eaters, have played a crucial role in her partnership with Snackish, acting as invaluable testers for the snacks. “Their approval is pivotal,” she noted, expressing satisfaction that the whole family enjoys the product.
Collaborating with fellow content creators such as Kat Stickler and Aspyn Ovard has further enhanced her engagement with the Snackish brand. Matthews views the new spin-off series of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” as a brilliant addition, despite some controversy surrounding it. “I hate the backlash that it’s getting, but also I have to remind them that we got that same backlash,” she said, urging those involved to focus on the positives and not let negativity affect them.
When it comes to handling online criticism, Matthews acknowledges the challenge of coping with the constant influx of feedback. She reflects on her differing responses to trolls, noting that how she reacts can vary from day to day. “It’s hard not to when there’s so much at one time,” she admitted, though she remains committed to standing up for herself when critical comments touch on her parenting.
Ultimately, Matthews seeks to balance the inherent pressures of social media with its potential for positive connection. “There’s so many great things that can come from social media,” she concluded, emphasising her desire to focus on the reasons driving her presence online.
“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” remains available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+, with its new spin-off, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County,” set to premiere later this year.