Wellness with @_k0nigi
Kortni Gilson is a wellness and mental-health advocate best known from MTV’s Floribama Shore. After stepping away from reality TV, she turned her focus inward sharing her healing journey with raw honesty and humility.
Through her own transformation, she’s become a voice for those learning to love themselves again, reminding others that growth often comes from grace, not perfection. Kortni uses her platform to break stigmas around mental health and show that true healing starts when we’re willing to do the work within.
Q: If you could give one piece of wellness advice to women looking to improve their health, what would it be?
A: Invest in yourself. I’m a huge advocate for mental health because it truly all starts there. I personally work with a neuropsychologist, and it’s made such a difference in my life. Having someone who understands how your brain works and can guide you through your struggles allows you to really show up for yourself in every area mentally, emotionally, and physically. When you invest in understanding you, everything else begins to align. Mind body connection healthy mind healthy body!
Q: You’ve spoken openly about your own mental-health journey. What was the moment that made you decide: “I’m going to share my story publicly”?
A: I think the eye opener for me was realizing I was already living so publicly through Floribama Shore. I had a mental breakdown while filming the show. Abusing substances to numb out pain from past trauma, where I ended up going through withdrawal in front of the world. Once I got sober, I remember feeling completely alone. I knew I couldn’t be the only person struggling in that way.
God played a huge part in that turning point for me. I truly believe He placed me in that position so I could live through my humility and help others heal through theirs. Sharing my story became less about shame and more about purpose even if it reached just one person who needed to hear, you’re not alone.
Q: Through healing and growth, we often find purpose. How has your role as an advocate changed your relationship with self-care?
A: Through healing and growth, I’ve realized that self care isn’t just about me anymore, it’s about purpose. Knowing that so many people are watching, learning, and growing alongside me gives my self care more meaning. It holds me accountable to practice what I share. To nourish my body with things that make me feel good, to protect my peace, and to honor myself even on the hard days.
There are times when self care simply looks like doing the bare minimum, and that’s okay. Being an advocate has taught me that showing up even when it’s imperfect is still powerful. It’s not about having it all together. It’s about continuing to try, and allowing others to see that healing is a process, not a destination.
Q: What's your favorite Juna product and how do you incorporate it into your everyday routine?
A: I love the Chlorophyll Detox Drops and the Sleep Gummies! I’ve struggled for a long time with getting my brain chemistry balanced enough to have consistent, restful sleep and these are genuinely the only things that have helped me. I can’t take melatonin, so finding a clean, natural product that actually works has been such a game changer. I also use the chlorophyll drops daily as part of my morning routine, and the sleep gummies at night to help me unwind and reset! they’ve become little rituals that really support my overall balance!
Q: What’s a wellness trend or practice you’ve tried recently that you’re loving?
A: I’ve been really into Chinese facia release practices! They focus on fascia and lymphatic drainage. It’s honestly fun! You do things like body waves, tree trunk twists, golf swings, and knee taps. It makes such a difference first thing in the morning! I feel lighter, more awake, and just more connected to my body after.
Q: When things are heavy or the pressure is high, what’s the one tool or habit you lean on to reset emotionally?
A: I always come back to meditation. Im really into Reiki, and through that I’ve learned how powerful it is to combine meditation with prayer. It helps me reset my nervous system and gets me out of my head and back into my body.
I like to tell myself, “I give myself permission to let go of anything that’s no longer serving me.” I let my body feel what it needs to feel and release any stored emotion.
I actually pair this with journaling. It’s almost like a little ceremony for me. I’ll start with prayer, I’ll choose the intention whether that’s gratitude or just writing out what is on my mind. (We always have something to be grateful for) and end with meditation. This combination has genuinely changed my life and the way I think. It’s how I reconnect and come back home to myself when things feel overwhelming.
Q: Social media can be both empowering and exhausting. What’s your approach to maintaining authenticity and still honoring your own healing journey?
A: For me, it’s all about transparency. I try to be honest with my followers. I take breaks when I need to, and I don’t force myself to show up when I’m not in the right headspace. Social media can definitely be empowering, but it can also be really heavy at times. People always have opinions, and the judgment can sting if you let it.
What’s helped me most is reminding myself that I can only take offense to something if I believe it about myself. Most of the time, negativity is just a reflection of what someone else is going through it’s not about me. It’s been such an opportunity for growth because it shows me where my own triggers are and where I still have work to do and I think that’s beautiful. Staying grounded and true to who I am, even when I’m a little bit of a hot mess, is what keeps me authentic. Nobody’s perfect, and I think that’s what makes us all relatable.
Q: For someone who’s new to prioritizing mental-health (maybe struggling but unsure where to begin), what’s one small first step you’d suggest?
A: The first step is admitting that you need help or guidance. Recognizing that something feels off and that you want to do something about it is a huge act of courage. From there, I always recommend finding a licensed psychologist. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeing a licensed mental health counselor, but in my personal experience, working with someone who truly understands brain chemistry and trauma on a deeper level has made a massive difference in my healing.
Finding the right therapist is key! It’s okay if it takes time. (I’ve been through so many therapists trying to find the right fit. You really have to find someone you mesh with) Give yourself grace throughout the process, because healing isn’t a one time thing. You don’t just wake up one day “fixed.” The beauty is in showing up for yourself, even on the hard days.
Q: Many of us battle stigmas (from ourselves or others) around seeking help. What advice would you give to someone who’s scared to reach out for support?
A: The people who judge you for seeking help are usually the ones who aren’t ready to face their own healing. When I started my journey, I lost a lot of people not because I changed for the worse, but because I was growing and they weren’t ready to evolve. You really do have to prune to bloom.
Taking that first leap can feel terrifying, but it’s also where faith comes in. Trusting that things will get better, even when you can’t see it yet. And yes, it’s easier said than done, but you can’t live your life based on what other people think. It’s about trusting yourself, knowing you deserve a better life, and realizing that you are the one who creates your reality. Healing takes courage, but you are more than capable of it.
Q: Current Favorite Book/Podcast/Playlist/App?
A: The Body Keeps the Score - it’s one of those books that really changes the way you understand healing and how the body holds onto trauma.
The Molecule of More explores how dopamine the brain’s “molecule of motivation” drives our desires, ambitions, and emotions. It breaks down how this chemical shapes everything from love and creativity to addiction and happiness. The book helps you understand why we chase certain goals and how to find balance between seeking more and feeling content in the present.
For music, I actually asked my esthetician for her playlist because the songs were phenomenal for meditation and grounding!
