Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Mapp.
Hi Maya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Milledgeville, Georgia, also known as “Milly Vegas”, a small town with a big personality, nestled in Middle Georgia, full of love, talent, and laughter.
My parents, James and Bobbie Mapp always wanted the absolute best for my sister and I, so they decided early on that attending the local preparatory school from 6th to 12th grade would be best. I was heavily involved in several extracurricular activities ranging from athletics to the Georgia 4-H program. After graduating from high school, I attended Valdosta State University (VSU) and continued the same involvement pattern. I served as the Student Body President for two terms, and I also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Right after graduating from VSU, I continued my graduate education at the University of Georgia. If I’m being honest, grad school pushed me to places I never knew were possible. I found myself asking “big” life questions, which encouraged me to produce and pursue my first endeavor; my food blog called Mapped out Meals. `I’ve always had a passion for cooking, so I decided to share that with the world, and thankfully, people love it. However, after creating my blog, I still felt there was something missing. I’m an avid podcast listener, and most of the conversations I tend to have been centered around some sort of major life lesson. So, I wanted to explore ways of sharing those conversations between friends, mentors, and family with the world, which naturally developed into my podcast “Mapped Out.”
Many have asked why I didn’t choose a different name for the podcast, so there would be a tangible difference between the two; and my response to that is– that consistent marketing/branding is vital. If I was already known for my food blog, the podcast could just serve as an extension of that. Furthermore, I am thankful for my peaks and valleys. I have learned so much about myself spiritually, personally, and professionally leading me to the place I’m at today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No. Innovatively creating and consistently choosing to pour into my blog and podcast is something I must continuously work on. When I first started out, I didn’t know much about how to create a website. Thankfully, I had students that were more than willing to teach me how to do so quickly. I ended up in a Starbucks for 10+ hours developing my website and its features.
There were moments I felt completely wiped out and frustrated because specific tabs weren’t coming together fast enough; however, in the end, it came together. Regarding my podcast, the old saying about “closed mouths don’t get fed” was true. I had no idea what I was doing, but I really wanted to do it, so I reached out to one of my good friends, KeAndrea Rivers, and she shared everything I needed to know regarding how to create a podcast. From there I dived headfirst, I created my own marketing on Canva, and things fell into place there. What I’ve learned along the way is that we’re all human. We all have countless responsibilities to juggle; however, when you’re passionate about something, you will continue to persevere no matter what struggles come your way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I serve as a full-time higher education administrator for the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. I’ve been in this position for over a year, and I genuinely love working with a diverse group of students who have a strong passion for advocacy. I believe that in this role, I was hired to shake things up and serve as a foundational mouthpiece of institutional knowledge for students who don’t typically have access to spaces like this. I am incredibly proud of how I work to combat imposter syndrome not only for myself but for my students as well. Often, I question if I see myself in higher ed for an extended amount of time, and I don’t have that answer yet. However, choosing to pivot no matter how long/short you’ve been in your career is absolutely fine; honestly, I believe it’s necessary. This is what sets me apart from others, not being afraid to take risks and dive headfirst into new endeavors.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My relationship with God. I know that is probably the most unexpected answer, but throughout my journey, I’ve realized that how I show up in any space, friendship, business partnership, or relationship heavily relies on how I choose to show up in my spiritual relationship. When I’m consistently checking in and making intentional time with God, everything else just seems to flow more smoothly. I’m not saying that things are perfect, but being intentional about this relationship sets a strong foundation.
Contact Info:
- Email: mayamappga.96@gmail.com
- Website: www.mappedoutmeals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayamapp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maya.a.mapp/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mayamappga
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_ZQCIkcuA4_agVOPQY3hg
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mapped-out/id1563178173?i=1000517223266
Image Credits:
Tevon Knight
