Meet Gabrielle Mika

We were lucky to catch up with Gabrielle Mika recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gabrielle, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I discovered my purpose when I became a mother while pursuing my MPH in epidemiology during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve always been passionate about health and disease prevention, but I hadn’t pinpointed the specific area I wanted to focus on. That all changed when I found out I was expecting my first child—it shifted my perspective and priorities completely.
I became deeply invested in maternal and women’s health, especially in the issues women face during pregnancy and postpartum. Despite all that women endure during this time, there are limited resources and studies dedicated to women’s health, particularly in mental health during pregnancy and after birth. I realized I wanted to advocate for women to have better access to the research, resources, and support they truly need.
That’s why I started my Instagram page, Hot Momma Journey, as a safe, welcoming space for women who want to improve their health, find community, and access helpful resources. Through this platform, I share educational content, wellness tips, a bit of humor, and celebrate the incredible strength of mothers. I want mothers to know they’re not alone and that there’s a community here to support them every step of the way.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

With a background in epidemiology, I found myself constantly diving into studies related to maternal and women’s health. I had gathered so much valuable information and felt a strong desire to share it with others. That’s what inspired me to launch Hot Momma Journey (@hotmommajourney) this past summer—a space dedicated to supporting and empowering moms on their health and fitness journeys.
The goal of Hot Momma Journey is to motivate moms to prioritize their health in manageable ways, like incorporating just 20 minutes of movement each day, no matter what form that takes. I share quick, healthy recipes, wellness tips, and the latest findings in women’s health. While the community is still growing, I’ve already been inspired by the stories and experiences shared by other moms.
It’s becoming a space where moms can feel seen, motivated to reach their goals, and find solidarity in the shared challenges and joys of motherhood. Hot Momma Journey (@hotmommajourney) is more than just a page—it’s a community for moms who want to become the healthiest, strongest versions of themselves without feeling alone on the journey.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities made the biggest impact in my journey to starting Hot Momma Journey (@hotmommajourney): confidence, seizing the present, and appreciating the support of others.
First, confidence—believing in myself and not letting fear of others’ opinions or my own doubts hold me back. Starting something new often brings uncertainty, but I learned to trust my vision and take that leap.
Second, the understanding that there’s no better time than now. My page is still fairly new, and for a long time, I told myself I needed to be more prepared or experienced. I always had an excuse: “I’ll start once I’ve done more planning or research.” But one day, with a nudge from my husband, I finally felt inspired to just start. It reminded me that there’s no perfect time, and waiting only delays the fulfillment of your goals.
Lastly, I realized the importance of embracing support from others. I was amazed by the encouragement I received from family and friends from day one. Their positivity reinforced my motivation and showed me who my true support circle was. When you’re embarking on a new path, people often rally behind you more than you expect.
For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to go after your goals with confidence, start now rather than later, and remember that your support network is stronger than you think. Dream big, set bold goals, and remember—you’re capable of achieving them!

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

Right now, my biggest challenge is imposter syndrome. Even with my background in maternal and women’s health, my professional experience, and soon-to-be three children of my own, I sometimes feel that someone “more qualified” should be sharing these insights. When I post fitness routines or workouts to inspire moms, I catch myself thinking, “Is my form perfect?” or “Could someone else do this better?” The same thoughts arise when I share recipes or wellness tips—I wonder if I’m qualified enough to be sharing them.
Imposter syndrome can make you feel unworthy and doubt your place, even in areas you’re passionate about. I’m actively working to shift this mindset by reminding myself that perfection isn’t the goal; authenticity and effort are. Sure, there might be someone more technically qualified, but the difference is that I’m out here doing the work, sharing, and connecting with my community in real-time.
My advice to anyone struggling with imposter syndrome is to start where you are and give it your all. Perfection isn’t what people need—they need real experiences, honest effort, and someone willing to take the step. You never know how much of an impact you’re making until you try.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @hotmommajourney