With Love, Gia: Finding Joy in the Hustle

It is incredibly hard to build a solid career in today’s society. With opinions weighing heavier than facts one must find creative ways to attract a genuine audience. It is no surprise millennials today care about one thing, authenticity. As a millennial, it is important to us that those we admire (up close and from afar) are not held to a standard of perfection but one of grace. To us (millennials), self-care is held to the same standard as hustle. Meet our answer, Gia Peppers, the one who finds joy in the hustle. If the category is black, brilliant and beautiful, Gia is the boss babe we’re all rooting for. As a woman of color in the media industry Gia continues to make space through her secret sauce of style and sisterhood. In this article, she talks candidly with PYNK about her story which is exemplary of her name which means, God is gracious.

Gia, you have IT. You embody what the industry calls the “IT factor”: charisma, beauty and intelligence. You check all the boxes and we are here for it. As a journalist, on-air personality and more you are constantly in unfamiliar spaces (for the first time). What affirms Gia in the most insecure moments?

I always remember to BREATHE; (if there is a moment of insecurity) that means that I have not allowed myself to be present in the moment and that overthinking has led me to feel insecure. If there is a feeling of anxiety or being out of place - I’ll say a quick prayer of “Lord use me” or affirm myself in “what's for you is for you.” Romans 8:28 always centers me to remind me of exactly what the scripture says and that is “all things work together”.

We often hear that success is merely when preparation meets opportunity. However, at PYNK we believe in defining ourselves for ourselves. What does success mean to you?

I look to Dr. Maya Angelou for this one. I truly believe that success is objective. As Dr. Angelou said “success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.” Success starts to shift in your life depending on the stages personally and professionally. For me, success right now is doing all the things that need to be done on my to-do list. Success is keeping up with my family and showing up for my friends (in their most important moments). Honestly, success is ever evolving. A blanket statement of success would be to live a life that I love; intentionally curated through hard work and patience, steeped in self-love.

Success is also checking in with self. I must highlight in this moment, Cheslie Kryst. On the outside she had it all, professional success, beauty and degrees. We would often connect and embrace each time we crossed paths, I always admired her. Her suicide brought about the unimaginable because I really took a hard look within myself (mentally, spiritually, emotionally, professionally and more). Her passing affirmed my thought process of when it’s all said and done - the accomplishments don’t matter if I am not fulfilled within myself. Because of this, I have learned to give myself grace; “If I don’t got it, I don’t give it.”

As a faith-filled millennial and a media mogul (in-the-making) what validation do you provide yourself to fully show up as Gia and not take imposter syndrome with you in such big moments in your professional career?

I learned early on that if point A is what’s for you is for you then point A.1 is whatever room you walk in, you’re meant to be there. Is it an insult to God, your gifts, talents and all that you are to walk into any room as if you don’t deserve to be there. So when I feel imposter syndrome I get still and remind myself, if it’s for me it will find its way to me.

For those media industry hopefuls, what are three non-negotiable tips you wish you would’ve known before the hustle started?

Figure out what stories you want to tell. (We all get so used to being different people and finding our way in the industry that we lose our voice in the work.) Remind yourself of why you started. What happened in your life that made you say I can tell that story better? Or I love this craft so much I’m going to learn it for myself.
Closed mouths don’t get fed. I’m big on letting people know when I want to be a part of things. There is no excuse for anyone who states they want to succeed in a media-based industry to not have evidence of said craft in an internet age.
The opportunities will come; Be mindful of your integrity on the way up. Always remember that this is a person-to-person relationship based business. Be kind and have a sense of humanity in how you move in this industry.

Self-care is a major key for women in power, where does Gia carve out the time to stop and refill?

I love being in church; on Sundays I can be found in church (no matter the city). It always fills my spirit. I meditate (oftentimes, on a scripture verse) and then journal. I’m big on spa days and trips to Jamaica by myself. I’m big on binge days, too. I learned to listen to my mind, body and spirit when it says, “I don’t have anything and I’m tired”. Family time is essential so if I haven’t seen them in six weeks, I hop on a plane to DC. It’s really important to know that there are different kinds of self-care.

For those feeling unworthy or burnt out from the grind, what love bite can you share to encourage them?
Acknowledge it and give yourself time to realign to the vision which is you. When you feel burnt out, stop to rest, celebrate and reflect on the work you’ve done so far. Whenever you can, remind yourself to rest and do not back down on that non-negotiable time.