Matt Gonzaga shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Matt, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are sacred. I like to ease into the morning with intention and a touch of softness and I start by making myself a warm cup of coffee and a matcha — yes, both — depending on the mood or sometimes just because I can. Then I step outside onto my balcony, which feels like a little sanctuary in the middle of the city. It’s where I sit for a while, take in the fresh air and allow myself a few quiet minutes to reflect on what’s ahead, sometimes journaling, sometimes just letting my mind wander through the tasks of the day. My cat, Betty, is always part of the ritual. I feed her, talk to her (as one should talk to a queen), and she usually meows back with an opinion. Music is also a must, I often put on something upbeat and dance around the apartment while still in my robe, letting movement wake up my body and spirit. Before I shift into work mode, I take a shower to reset and get dressed with intention. Whether I’m heading to office, working on meetings, or planning a wellness event, I like to enter the day feeling aligned.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Matheus Gonzaga, a Brazilian-born, Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, writer, and yogi. I speak eight languages and I’m the founder of MGLA International, a global consultancy that blends international trade, conscious branding, and wellness. I’ve spent over a decade building bridges between cultures, markets, and people, working with clients across more than 19 countries.
MGLA stands for movement, growth, love, and alignment — and yes, it’s also a wink to my initials and my home base in LA. Through MGLA, I help conscious brands, creatives, and global professionals expand their reach, tell their story, and move with purpose across borders. Our work includes trade advisory for wellness products, relocation strategy for expats and artists, and creative storytelling through our growing digital platform.
I’m also the author of Twelve Signs & One Hot Mess, a memoir-meets-astrology journey about love, heartbreak, and healing around the world. It’s a bold, funny, and emotionally rich reflection of my experiences dating every zodiac sign, featuring cities like LA, Istanbul, Stockholm, and Rio — and my cat, Betty, who appears as my spiritual sidekick.
What makes my work unique is the way it merges business with soul. I believe in conscious entrepreneurship, where trade can be purposeful, stories can be healing, and community can be global. Right now, I’m launching our first wellness products under MGLA and planning a rooftop book release party in Hollywood this fall.
Everything I do, from consulting to storytelling to sipping matcha on my balcony, is about creating a life (and brand) that’s aligned, expansive and deeply human.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that really shaped how I see the world was my first solo trip abroad when I was just 14. Leaving my country for the first time felt like stepping outside a box I didn’t even realize I had been living in. That experience cracked open my worldview and suddenly, everything I had seen on TV or read in books came to life in front of me. I realized how beautifully diverse the world is, not just culturally, but emotionally, spiritually, and in how people relate to life. That trip planted the seed for the global path I’m on today. It taught me that we, as human beings, carry so many different truths, and that connection across borders is possible, powerful, and transformational. It also made me fall in love with movement, not just physical travel, but personal and emotional growth that comes from it.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I think I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power the moment I realized that vulnerability wasn’t weakness, it was my greatest strength. For a long time, I felt like I had to be the strong one, the achiever, the one who had it all together. But life and love cracked me all open. Heartbreak, immigration struggles, cultural disconnection at first and starting over in a new country forced me to face my emotions head-on.
Instead of running from the pain, I began writing about it. Teaching yoga through it. Building a business that honored it. I realized that every tear, every ending, every “no” was shaping me into someone more grounded, more empathetic, more aligned. That’s when my book Twelve Signs & One Hot Mess started to take form. I wanted to show that even chaos and heartbreak could become something beautiful and something that could inspire and connect people. Now, my story is my superpower. And sharing it — in business, in art, and in life — is how I connect with others who are navigating their own messy, magical journeys.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I try my best to always show the real me, but of course, the inner Matheus sometimes stumbles, doubts, and isn’t always as confident as the version people might see online. That’s just being human. Still, even when I’m going through heartbreak or uncertainty, I make it a point to share those moments too. Vulnerability is a big part of how I communicate and connect. I don’t believe in curating a perfect image, what I care about is truth and authenticity — even when it’s messy. Especially in a world where so many people are taught to escape from their emotions or hide their shadows, I think there’s something powerful about saying, “Hey, I’m figuring it out too.” That honesty builds bridges. And I hope the version of me people see publicly is not just real, but also a reminder that it’s okay to feel deeply, to heal out loud and to grow imperfectly.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me for the good I did, not just in business, but in the way I made them feel. I want to be known as someone who truly listened, who cared deeply, who led with love. Beyond any title, project, or material success, what matters most to me is the impact I had on people’s hearts. If one day my name is spoken when I’m gone, I hope it’s with a smile, that people say I was one of a kind, someone who inspired them to heal, to grow, to believe in their own light. I want to be remembered as someone who reminded others that there’s always another path, another possibility, and that knowledge — especially the kind we gain through living — is one of the most powerful gifts we have. More than anything, I hope my story shows that softness is strength, that love is a legacy, and that every soul has the right to dream beyond borders.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mglainternational.com
- Instagram: @mattfgz @mglainternational
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matheus-gonzaga-aab330124/
Image Credits
Devereaux Clark @devereauxclark
