Mary, a former government employee who wrote for the DOD, has found a way to redefine what living with a mental illness looks like. In her podcast titled “Prologues” she lends herself to being more of the internet’s ‘big sister’ as she openly speaks on topics ranging from her mental health journey (she is bipolar and has OCD) to her current favorite beauty products. She is passionate about showcasing how she’s able to live her life happily and takes her followers on a beautiful journey both mentally and visually through the use of her social media and podcast mediums.
Mary understands the importance of creating a balance of discussing deeper topics with her audience like her mental health struggles or advise on dealing with a break-up, as well as touching on lighter topics like her morning routine and fun girl talk. Creating her podcast“Prologues” was an opportunity to sit down in front of a microphone and do just that. She will get honest with you about the struggles of being post-grad in one episode and will dish about her eventful 25th birthday bash in the next. Prologues is a place to get comfortable with not having everything figured out, but still trusting in the beauty to come. Whether we’re talking about mental health, relationships, wellness, or just the chaos of being in your 20’s.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram | Podcast | YouTube | TikTok
How did you transition from government employee to self-made entrepreneur?
Quite unexpectedly, slowly, and organically. When COVID hit, I was working as a writer and editor in contracting, and I filled my time during lockdown by posting videos on tiktok. I never expected anything out of it, but it was a fun creative outlet during a difficult time. Once I started gaining a regular audience, I felt fueled to put more effort into it – but I still didn’t think it would become a job for me! I posted 3-4 times a day, every day, for over a year before it became a career option. I enjoyed and was grateful for my previous job, but since I was in military contracting, the job didn’t allow for much creativity. I never thought I was the type to try to be self-employed, but everything aligned and I just decided to go for it! In the two years since, I’ve fallen in love with having my own business, working for myself, and having more control over my life. I started learning about finances and entrepreneurship, and I felt inspired by other women I saw online. I love it now! Being a content creator allows me to be creative while also having a level of independence that I didn’t have before. I definitely hope to keep building my knowledge and experience and expand into other verticals.
What happened in your life that made you decide to change things?
Nothing specific happened, it just slowly started to feel like the right path. Funnily enough, my parents were my biggest supporters when it came to pursuing content full-time. I remember being so surprised, because I expected my parents to encourage caution and staying on a more traditional career track. I was shocked when they were so enthusiastic about me taking such a risk! I think. I don’t think I would have done it without their support and encouragement, and of course the support and encouragement from my then-boyfriend (now-husband).
Why is mental wellness one of your priorities for content?
I was diagnosed with Bipolar type II in 2019 after nearly a decade of struggling with my mental health. I was also diagnosed with OCD in 2022. I don’t think I could show up authentically online if I didn’t speak about those experiences and share my journey – my mental health is a huge part of my day to day, so it fits very naturally into my content. I also think that, for me, I just want to make other women feel seen. If I had been able to listen to another woman talk about having Bipolar while I was in the process of getting diagnosed, I would have felt much less alone. Same goes for my OCD – I just hope that sharing my story can help other people avoid the isolation I felt at the time. I try to balance mental wellness with other types of content, because one of my main goals is to show that having a mental illness doesn’t have to stop you from leading a fulfilled, content, adventurous, full life. It will always be a struggle, but it doesn’t define your personhood, interests, or life.
Tell us about Prologues. What does the title entail, and what is the show all about?
Prologues is the podcast I started last May. I considered different names for months, and nothing felt quite right, until I thought of Prologues. I love the idea that I am just barely beginning my story, that I have a full life ahead, and that I have more time than I think. One day I randomly thought, what’s at the beginning of a story? A prologue – and it stuck. Prologues is a bit of a personal journal for me. Each episode is like an entry into a diary, focusing on whatever happens to be at the forefront of my mind that week. I’ve done episodes on my relationship with alcohol, the pain of chasing dreams when it means moving away from loved ones, my struggle to find the right meds, and brain dumping about pop culture. I love the Girl Talk episodes – listeners send in topics or questions, and I chat about them as if I was chatting to my close friends. No topic is off-limit with Prologues.
What is the most challenging part of being so open about mental health with your audience?
Definitely the fact that being vulnerable about anything important online opens yourself up for criticism, judgment, and hate. If I share about being depressed and struggling to do my laundry, someone is going to comment and call me lazy. If I talk about anxiety, someone is going to tell me I’m self-absorbed because someone else out there has it worse. If I’m experiencing mania, people will say I’m talking too fast and it’s annoying, and I seem unhinged. I’ve been accused of faking my mental illness, which baffles me, because I can’t even really remember my life before I started experiencing symptoms. Honestly, if you can think of a stereotype against a certain mental illness, chances are I’ve heard it in the last few years. I think Gen Z is doing a great job at opening up more conversations about mental health, but we still have a long way to go. Over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at tuning that stuff out. I know my videos are helping produce positive change and are adding to the conversation, not because I think my content is so great, but because I have had the honor of speaking to so many women who have felt encouraged, seen, or understood through me sharing my story. It is an incredible honor, and I think that makes any negativity worth it a thousand times over.
What are some of your goals for 2024?
2024 is going to bring a huge amount of change in my life, so I’m just hoping to navigate those changes calmly and smoothly! I’m moving to Scotland, I’m exploring starting my own brand, and I have goals for Prologues. I want to finish the certificates in writing and editing that I’m working on, and I also want to get started on the ideas I have for writing a book series. I’m turning 26, so definitely starting to think really long-term! Hopefully, 2024 is a year of positive growth for me – that’s my main goal!
