Get to know the 24-year-old digital maven who can do it all!
Image Credit: Sophie Sahara
Meet Gigi Robinson. The digital maven and former Sports Illustrated Swim Search finalist is taking the world by storm as she balances her master’s program, content creation, advocacy work for the chronically ill, and her Spotify Live podcast “Everything You Need is Within” -all while living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
Today, HOLR is chatting with Gigi about her podcast, her thoughts on mental health and body image, and how she’s bringing her audiences together through multiple platforms.
Image Credit: Sophie Sahara
As a podcast host, chronic illness advocate, digital creator, and current USC Masters Student, you really can do it all! How do you balance all of your projects while working towards bringing your audiences together?
Thank you for having me! I think it really does pertain to individual productivity. I find that productivity is unique to each person. My productivity includes taking certain breaks. I like to break my day up into 15-30 minutes intervals only when I’m working on something, then I jump to the next task so I don’t get too burnt out.
Every day I wake up at 7:30-8:30 am then I go for a walk with my dog. I then make myself a coffee and do some breathwork for 15-30 minutes. Then, I open my computer and do some emails from 9:30-10. Then I’ll jump into a meeting and take a short break for another walk. For me, it’s all about taking breaks but for other people, it’s all about their personal productivity.
I love listening to music, too! I love jazz and I have a jazz playlist. I also love house music and Lizzo!
Image Credit: Ely Williams
Talk to us more about your Spotify Live podcast, “Everything You Need is Within.”
I love talking about my show! I have always thought of creating a show that provoked different kinds of conversations about mental health and things that happen around the world, for example, racial injustice, hate crimes, disability, and ableism in the social media and fashion industry, and applying it to different content creators. This is because, now, the role of creators in our world has emerged as a viral thing and a career path.
With that comes a lot of different identities and different intersectionalities that should be highlighted and shared. The influx of social media definitely affects our mental health. As a result, I created my podcast to be a space where creators can open up. I have this amazing project that social media has given to me and as a result, I have a corner of my house that is now a calm space.
I originally started it on Instagram live and didn’t know anything about podcasting. After a while, I decided I was going to repackage the show and pitch it out to see who would bite on it. Somehow, somebody on the Spotify team saw my message and set up an email thread and after that, the rest is kind of history. I’ve been with them for a little over a year now, with over 50 episodes. It’s the coolest thing!
Image Credit: Sophie Sahara
You are extremely passionate about speaking out on mental health and body image- how are you striving to be a role model for the next generation?
I think being unapotegetically myself is something I pride myself in. I always am giving back and encouraging other people to give back whether they’re a creator or not. Mentorship is improtant. I also love co-creation, so if we all get together and make an impact as a group it will be much more influential. I’m always out and about with my friends and interns because I love that communtiy aspect in terms of going from virtual to real life.
Im also passioate about talking about mental health and chronic illness. If you don’t live with one you probably know someone with one. As I get older, it’s imprtant for me to create the change I want to see in the world. I want to share resources to have people feel empowered to use their voices and set bondaris where needed- to truly be themselves and be their most happiest.
Image Credit: Sophie Sahara
What’s next for you and what are your future goals?
Well, right now I’m wrapping up my last semester at USC. As sad as it is to say, I don’t think I’ll be going for my Ph.D. All in all, I have really been enlightened by a lot of the innovation, design processes, and metholdoligies that they put forward for me. Over the past few years, I know I’ve grown into more of an intelligent and well-spoken scholar, which is very exciting for me. I’m really proud I did this during the pandemic and will be graduating.
I’m also working on my book, which is super exciting!