We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexina Cather and Emily Gaynor Porto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexina / Emily below.
Alexina and Emily, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
As co-owners of This is a MomBod, we’ve had moments of self-doubt, and there’s a very real pressure, especially as a woman and a mother, to have everything figured out, which of course no one does. But we have enough lived experience that we feel confident in our mission and our work.
What’s helped us most is anchoring into why we started this. This is a MomBod was never about perfection or having all the answers; it was about creating a space where moms could feel seen, celebrated and safe. That mission keeps us grounded. When self-doubt creeps in, we harness it and use it to reflect and find meaning in the vulnerability. We also surround ourselves with people, mostly other amazing women in our community, who reflect back the truth when we can’t see it ourselves.
Mostly, we keep in mind that the work we’re doing is bigger than us or any doubts that might pop up.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At This is a MomBod, we’re challenging outdated norms and redefining what it means to be a mother and a woman in today’s world. Despite the name, we’re not really focused on bodies. Instead, MomBod is our response to the cultural acceptance and even celebration of the “DadBod,” and its very different treatment of “MomBods”. We see this as a representation of how society’s expectations for men and women remain vastly unequal. To us, “DadBod” is more than a body type; it’s a metaphor for the everyday ways in which patriarchy shows up in our lives, from how we speak and work to how we show up in relationships.
This is a MomBod exists to disrupt those norms, to spark conversation, and to empower women to live unapologetically. We’re also committed to giving back: a percentage of our profits go to different organizations that are important to our missing. Right now we are focused on giving to Moms Demand Action, an organization working to end gun violence and protect families through grassroots activism.
We are also so excited to be preparing for the launch of a new collection of empowering pieces that reflect our mission, while also valuing style and self-expression!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resilience has been essential, especially when you’re challenging norms or creating something that doesn’t fit into a neat category. There will always be moments of setbacks, or slow growth. Being able to stay rooted in your “why” and keep moving forward is everything.
Clarity of purpose has helped us make aligned decisions. When you’re clear on your mission, it becomes easier to say no to the wrong opportunities and yes to the ones that move you closer to your goals. It gives your work direction and meaning—even when the path gets messy.
And finally, community-building has been one of the most valuable and fulfilling parts of our journey. The support, feedback, and energy that come from surrounding yourself with like-minded people can’t be overstated. Whether it’s customers, collaborators, or friends, relationships are at the heart of growth. And as single moms community is everything to us.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
This American Ex-Wife by Lyz Lenz is a powerful memoir that unpacks the complexities of modern womanhood, the institution of heterosexual marriage, and the journey toward self-discovery. Through her personal experiences of navigating a difficult marriage and divorce, Lenz explores themes of identity, resilience, and empowerment with sharp insight and emotional honesty.
The book deeply resonated with us because it pushes back against traditional narratives around marriage and femininity. Lenz’s candid and often humorous storytelling invites women to question societal expectations, embrace their own paths, and find strength in independence. Her willingness to share both her struggles and her growth inspired us to redefine what success looks like on our own terms—and to pursue our passions without apology. Her story is a powerful reminder that authenticity and resilience can be transformative forces.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thisisamombod.com
- Instagram: @themombodbrand
Image Credits
Photographs of Co-Founders by Kolleen and Bobby Kintz.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
