Mikayla Matthews Leaves Utah for Hawaii to Heal from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Key facts

• Matthews, 26, moved from Utah to Hawaii in late April 2025.
• She has four children with estranged husband Jace Terry: Beckham (8), Haven (6), Tommie (4), and Lottie (9 months).
• Matthews was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) in March 2025.
• She traveled to Hawaii with two of her children, sharing the journey on Instagram on April 29.
• Within two days of returning to Utah from a month away, her skin flared up severely.
• She has received free treatments from top doctors and feels 'horrible' for others who cannot afford care.
• Matthews plans to take someone else on a detox retreat to help them heal.

A Move Driven by Chronic Illness

Mikayla Matthews, a star of Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has left Utah for Hawaii in an effort to alleviate the symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), a condition she says was triggered by prolonged exposure to toxins such as mold. In an Instagram video posted on April 29, she documented her journey to the Westin Maui resort, writing, 'Officially starting the new chapter.' Matthews, 26, has been open about her health struggles since she first shared her CIRS diagnosis in March. At that time, she wrote on Instagram Stories, 'I'm genuinely just barely surviving. Chronic illness is all consuming and I haven't been able to show up as the mom I want to be for the last couple years.' She described the condition as having 'stolen literally everything from me,' including her ability to make eye contact due to severe skin flare-ups.

The Decision to Leave Utah

Matthews revealed that she had been away from Utah for about a month before her move, and during that time her symptoms improved significantly. 'Within two days of coming home, my hands flared up really bad, my neck flared up really bad,' she said in a TikTok video. 'I'm sitting here truly feeling like I'm here in Utah in this environment, I am just surviving with chronic illness, where when I was in Costa Rica, when I was in California, I'm living with chronic illness.' Encouraged by fans who suggested she leave Utah, Matthews announced her relocation to Hawaii in a follow-up video. She traveled solo with two of her young children, a journey that drew praise from viewers. One commented, 'Sorry did you travel by yourself with a baby AND a toddler?! Mom of the freaking year award girl.'

A New Chapter in Hawaii

Upon arriving in Hawaii, Matthews expressed relief and excitement despite experiencing skin flare-ups during the flight. 'I'm just so excited to be here. Positive vibes,' she said. In a separate Instagram video shared the same day, she tearfully acknowledged her gratitude for being able to take time for herself. 'I think every single day how grateful I am to be in the position that I'm in,' she said. 'The stress of having to heal your body and having to worry about taking care of your kids or paying your bills—it's just so overwhelming.' Matthews did not specify how long she plans to stay in Hawaii, but her posts suggest an indefinite relocation aimed at healing.

A Mission to Help Others

In a more recent social media video, Matthews shared her desire to help someone else facing similar health struggles. She explained that she has had access to 'some of the top doctors' and received many treatments for free, which she said she does not feel she deserves 'because of the position that I'm in.' She added that it makes her feel 'horrible' for people going through the same thing while worrying about cost. Matthews announced that she plans to take another person on a detox retreat, though she did not provide details on how to apply or when it would take place. 'This itself has been a very intense, traumatic experience,' she said. 'Feel like there's a reason I'm going through this, and I think every single day how grateful I am to be in the position that I'm in.'

The Stakes of Chronic Illness and Financial Burden

Matthews' openness about her financial privilege highlights the broader challenges faced by those with chronic illnesses. She noted that she cannot imagine 'not being in a place financially that I'm in right now or having the support that I have and having to go through this alone.' Her comments underscore the often prohibitive cost of treatment for CIRS and similar conditions, which can require specialized environmental changes and ongoing medical care. For Matthews, the move to Hawaii is both a personal health decision and a public statement about the lengths to which patients must go to find relief. Her story has resonated with fans who have followed her journey on social media and on the reality show, many of whom have offered support and encouragement.

What Comes Next

As Matthews settles into her new environment, the immediate question is whether the change will bring lasting improvement to her CIRS symptoms. Her experience in Costa Rica and California suggests that leaving Utah may be key to managing her condition, but the long-term outlook remains uncertain. She has not indicated whether she plans to return to Utah or make Hawaii her permanent home. Meanwhile, her offer to take someone else on a detox retreat signals a desire to turn her personal struggle into a broader mission. With her platform and resources, Matthews is positioning herself as an advocate for others facing similar battles, even as she continues to navigate her own healing journey.

The bottom line

• Mikayla Matthews moved from Utah to Hawaii in late April 2025 to treat Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome caused by mold exposure.
• She traveled solo with two of her four children and documented the journey on Instagram, receiving widespread fan support.
• Matthews has had access to top doctors and free treatments, which she acknowledges as a privilege not available to many.
• She plans to take another person on a detox retreat, aiming to help someone else with similar health struggles.
• Her move underscores the severe impact of environmental toxins on chronic illness and the financial burden of treatment.
• The long-term effectiveness of the relocation for her CIRS symptoms remains to be seen.