Isabel Calkins Mata is a queer, neurodivergent writer, advocate, and mindfulness meditation teacher, dedicated to fostering creativity, well-being, and authentic connection. Trained in Shamatha meditation, she is passionate about helping individuals and communities rediscover presence and vulnerability in a world often characterized by disconnection.
Isabel grew up splitting her time between Rochester, New York, and Nashville, Tennessee—a unique childhood shaped by the perks of divorce. After graduating high school, she spent a transformative year abroad in London with NYU before moving to its New York campus. In 2018, Isabel graduated from NYU with a degree in Contemporary Culture and Creative Production, a track within the Global Liberal Arts program.
After college, Isabel secured a full-time position at L’Oréal, working with Maybelline in New York City and later with Urban Decay in Newport Beach, California. From 2018 to 2020, she immersed herself in the fast-paced beauty industry, blending creativity and strategy.
In 2020, after being laid off from her job at L’Oréal, Isabel faced a pivotal realization: she had no idea who she was without external validation and the relentless demands of hustle culture. Determined to rediscover herself, she embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery through mindfulness, medication, and dialectical behavioral therapy. This experience not only led her to embrace self-acceptance but also ignited her passion for helping other neurodivergent individuals live more value-aligned lives.
This journey led Isabel to become the advice columnist for the Seattle Gay News from 2021 to 2023, where she wrote the widely beloved Ask Izzy. In her column, Isabel provided compassionate, insightful advice to queer readers navigating relationships, mental health, and authenticity. Financial challenges at the publication ultimately led to the role being eliminated.
From 2022 to 2023, Isabel also hosted the podcast Being Yourself Loudly, a heartfelt exploration of authenticity and mental health.
Today, as the Director of Outreach and Lead Facilitator at Mindfulness Consulting, Isabel trains and leads Listening Labs across the country, creating transformative spaces for individuals and teams to build trust, deepen understanding, and foster meaningful relationships. Her expertise extends beyond facilitation, encompassing mental health advocacy and storytelling. Isabel’s writing on mental health, relationships, and wellness has been featured in Wondermind, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Elite Daily, Marie Claire, and more.
