How Podcast Host + Lifestyle Creator Mary Skinner Broke Up w/ TikTok to Save Her Mental Health
Mary Skinner, a former government employee who wrote for the DOD, has found a way to redefine what living with a mental illness looks like. She is currently based just outside of Washington, DC. Mary is a former writer and editor, contracted with the military, and is now a podcast host and content creator on social media. Mary brings her unique blend of work, mental wellness, and life experiences to her fresh style of content. A date night ‘get ready with me’ and a guide on how to trust your intuition are both equally at home on her pages. She flips from sharing vulnerable stories about her journey with mental health to showing her lip combo in the same vlog.
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. In addition, Mary also speaks about 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.
Another passion of Mary’s is her YouTube channel where she shares weekly vlogs of her day-to-day life. As a true lifestyle content creator, she shows the amazing parts of her life, as well as some of her . In a culture where the internet is oversaturated by highlight reels, Mary is a breath of fresh- air. She isn’t afraid to speak about the hardships she has endured. This includes her bipolar disorder and OCD diagnosis. She made the second episode of her podcast all about her diagnosis where she detailed her journey with her audience.
Mary understands the importance of creating a balance of discussing deeper topics with her audience like her mental health struggles or advice 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.
Mary’s philanthropy interests include the National Network of Abortion Funds and the Human Rights Campaign. Mary recently got married to Rugby player, Matthew Gordon, and in her free time likes to spend time with him and her golden retriever. She also enjoys other activities such as reading, journaling, Pilates, and hiking. Additionally, Skinner has chosen to be outspoken on the effects social media can have on youth, especially young women and notably quit TikTok after gaining over 1.4M followers as it was creating an unnecessary space for stress and mental health issues for her. In doing so, she has felt free and is looking forward to further travels with her Professional Rugby Player husband Matthew Gordon. The two recently spent a month in his home country of Scotland together, and she gets to embrace her ‘hibernation era’ as Mary is someone who loves to romanticize the winter season.
