10 Photos of Mikayla Matthews: 'Mormon Wives' Star Speaks Out on Split From Husband Jace Terry

Mikayla Matthews, star of the hit series 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' has officially confirmed her separation from husband Jace Terry after five years of marriage.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE this week, the mother of two revealed the split was a 'very hard decision' but necessary for her personal growth and her children's well-being. The reality TV personality is now navigating this new chapter in Utah, telling fans she is taking life 'day by day' as she moves forward.

Mikayla Matthews Breaks Silence on Separation

After the unexpected news of her split from Jace Terry surfaced, Mikayla Matthews decided to share her side of the story. Throughout the fourth series of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' the television personality explained that she and Terry were distancing themselves as she worked through personal intimacy challenges related to her past experience with childhood sexual abuse.

The couple are parents to four children, having most recently celebrated the arrival of a daughter in July. During a private conversation with PEOPLE, Matthews clarifies the current status of their relationship and where they stand as a pair.

Navigating Trauma and Intimacy Challenges

Regarding her experience with abuse, she explains, 'Last season, we dove into the beginning stages of it, and that was me revisiting all this trauma for the first time as well.' Discussing her dynamic with Terry, Matthews adds, 'It is still new to me, and it is new to him, and we are just navigating it the best way that we can.'

She concludes by admitting that the situation remains difficult, stating, 'Unfortunately, I think it is just something that is going to take a lot more time. I feel like that is all I can say on it now.'

Health Struggles Impacting the Marriage

In the most recent series of 'Mormon Wives', Matthews reveals that she and Terry have attended various therapy sessions as a couple, though she confesses to fellow cast member Whitney Leavitt that it has been 'hard to focus' on their intimacy problems while dealing with her persistent chronic skin flare-ups.

Terry shares similar frustrations with his friends, admitting that he is 'not cool' with the lack of progress between himself and Matthews. 'I'm definitely not okay with it,' he tells Dakota Mortensen, explaining that his own emotional reactions have been counterproductive. 'Me throwing fits about it all the time and getting [upset] — that doesn't help anything. So I just feel like the only thing I can do is be patient and be there for her.'

Conflict Over Therapy and Future Plans

Once the couple agreed to part ways, they explored their individual expectations for the separation, with Matthews explaining her desire to focus on her own growth outside of her marital duties, while Jace expressed disappointment over her reluctance to engage in trauma therapy.

'I think it's hard anytime you bring up the stuff with the sex and the intimacy,' Matthews notes regarding their struggles. 'I feel it's hard on me because again, my nervous system is already in fight or flight, and I'm already maxed out. My bucket is full.'

Highlighting his own perspective on the matter, Jace replies, 'I know, but for me, it seems like the solution to that would be to commit to trauma therapy until you're at a point where it doesn't make your nervous system freak out.'

'I feel like I've done a lot of therapy work already, and my stuff is still bad,' says Matthews. 'And again, I don't think it's like with the intention of being separated forever. I think we're obviously still going to see each other every single day. I'm not trying to go even a day away from the kids anyway.'

Remaining a United Front for the Children

In recent months, Matthews and Terry have maintained a presence together across social media and at various public appearances. The pair were spotted at the opening night of Leavitt's Broadway debut in 'Chicago' this January, where they were accompanied by their children for the high-profile afterparty in New York City.

The MomTok creator also included her husband in a playful Valentine's Day upload, teasing with fellow 'Mormon Wives' star Mayci Neeley that their spouses were effectively 'third wheels' during their joint romantic evening.

Prioritising Self-Care and Mental Health

Matthews is prioritising self-care following the release of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' series 4. Shortly after news of her split from husband Jace Terry was made public in the newest season on 12 March, the MomTok creator shared a photograph of herself undergoing acupuncture, captioning the post: 'Taking care of myself extra these days.'

The 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star provided a health update in a separate grid post just as the new series premiered. In the upload, Matthews discussed the challenges of filming the latest season of the popular Hulu reality show while only four weeks postpartum and experiencing her 'worst' health flare in over a year.

She also expressed gratitude to her followers for their encouragement, offering a special thank you to those who provided 'a safe space to share my journey and struggles in hopes it can help someone else out there.'