Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jessica Kameko Rooks of new york city

Jessica Kameko Rooks shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Jessica Kameko, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day in the life of Travel with Meko as a busy single mom is definitely full, but so rewarding. My mornings start with dropping off the kids at school before heading into marathon training. I’m currently preparing for the New York City 26 Mile Marathon, so a typical run can be up to two- four hours. After that, I switch gears into student mode to focus on my college coursework.

Afternoons are all about family with picking up the kids, cooking dinner, and helping with homework. Once that’s settled, I carve out time to create and post content on social media, as well as work on building my brand. By the end of the night, I make sure to have quality downtime with my kids.

Even though my days are packed, they’re fulfilling because I get to grow as a mother, a creator, and an individual all at the same time.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Jessica Kameko Rooks is the creator behind Travel with Meko, a lifestyle and family travel brand built around the motto “Motherhood With No Limits.” As a single mom, marathon runner, student, and entrepreneur, she shares real-life experiences of balancing parenting while still embracing adventure. Through her content, Jessica inspires families, especially moms, to travel more, explore with their kids, and create meaningful memories together. What makes her brand unique is the way she showcases motherhood in motion, proving that parenting does not have to limit joy or exploration. She is the author of Motherhood With No Limits, where she shares her personal journey of becoming a travel creator as well as practical tips for traveling with kids. She also creates Mommy and Me group trips for moms and their children, and is currently planning the 2026 group trips for the new year.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before I started my brand Travel with Meko, I was a young mom at 18, constantly being told that my life was over after having kids. I almost believed it, that the fun was done, that traveling, working, and chasing my goals was no longer possible for me. After my daughter was born, I went through postpartum and realized I would never be my old self again. Instead, I needed to rediscover who I was as a woman and as a mother.

I started by creating a bucket list of goals just for me, and one of the biggest ones was taking a solo trip to Costa Rica. It was my first solo trip ever, and it turned out to be empowering. I learned what it felt like to rely on myself, to explore, and to embrace a new version of me. That trip showed me that I could still grow, still enjoy life, and that I could bring my family along on this journey too. It was the moment I realized my story was not over; it was only beginning.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power when I first became a single mother after having two kids. At first, it felt like a big failure because no one plans to be a single mom, and it was such a heavy decision to make. But choosing that path was about breaking generational curses. Even though a two-parent household is often seen as ideal, I realized it was more important for my kids to have a happy mother than to witness a toxic relationship. I wanted to show them what a healthy relationship looks like, one they can actually learn from. When I started sharing my journey on social media, I realized I wasn’t the only one facing these struggles. My stories became more than just my own; they turned into a testimony, a survival guide for others walking a similar path.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
An important truth that very few people agree with me on is that being a single mother can be far better than raising your kids in an unhealthy relationship. What matters most is the emotional health and happiness of both you and your children. Choosing to be single allowed me to break generational patterns, show my kids what a healthy environment looks like, and prioritize their well-being. And the truth is, raising kids isn’t a one-person job—it takes a village. Building your tribe is essential if you want to be successful and give your children the life they deserve.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people will most misunderstand my legacy by assuming it’s just about traveling, creating content, or being a successful single mom. The deeper truth is that my legacy is about breaking generational cycles, showing that happiness and success are possible on your own terms, and empowering others, especially women and mothers, to realize that their circumstances do not define their worth or their future.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
N/A i own all rights to my photos

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