Hi, I am Gabby Jones, Owner-CEO-Smile coordinator at UpLift

I am a cup-half-full kind of gal. Standing at a wooping 5 foot at my tallest, I am part Colombian part Texan.

Hi, I’m Gabby Jones, Owner-CEO-Smile Coordinator at UpLift.

I’m a Colombian-Texan, born and raised in Bogotá. My life has been a rollercoaster! Every turn making me stronger and shaping me into the Gabby I am today.

I founded UpLift not because I’ve "made it" on the other side, but because I believe there’s no final destination in mental health. Despite ongoing struggles, like we all have, I’ve learned that compassion, empathy, and action are key to getting through and living a fulfilling life.

UpLift was born out of my healing journey after my brother’s suicide in 2010. Grief hit hard and paralyzed me. Later in 2020, when the world turned upside down for all of us, this lit a fire under me to start what I have already been thinking about in my brother’s honor. My mission was to spread smiles. I started with the “You Are Essential” boxes, delivering them to people who needed a little lift (and a toilet paper roll- yes, they included toilet paper). Every box I delivered filled my heart and fueled my purpose.

Growing up I learned early on the value of service and how much it brings me joy. Watching one of the most important people in my life give and love unconditionally, inspired me. Helping others has always been my passion. And I've learned that it’s especially important when I navigate the waves of depression.

You can find me outdoors on sunny days, or on Instagram @gabbysgab being either silly or deep—but striving to show more of the "in-between," the rich moments that often go unseen.

So, here’s to more smiles, brighter days, and making life’s wild ride a little lighter. Let’s team up! Subscribe to my Blog, follow me on Instagram, drop me a line, and head over to the shop if you have someone you need help Lifting UP.

Much love and keep looking UP,

follow my journey.

Cheers to the one who made me, the ones who raised me, the ones that I call mother in any form, and the ones who made ME one. To mother is to love, to break, to heal, and to hope. It’s the strongest verb ❤️ Thanks to these wonderful figures I am the mother I am today! #mothersday #diadelamadre #mymanymothers

Won the lottery with this one ❤️ 😇 #siblingsday #mateovillamizar

And then you get these and DANG 🫶🏼 We did good making these beautiful kids, honey. @bbqcajones @thecapturedexperience

It’s not that hard for me to make family pictures the most awkward event of the year ❤️ #igotyou #leaveittogabby Love @bbqcajones expression

I love this pic and you would never know by looking at it that it wasn’t all so peaceful. The not so pretty side was all the snotty tissues I left behind. I had a terrible head cold almost the whole time we were there. I sucked it up but on days when we had time to chill, I took advantage and just basked to let the Sun do the healing 🤧☀️ #maui #upsidedown #sunhealing

Mahalo, Maui! 🙏🏼🌈🌺❤️🤙🏽 How can I pick my favorite part of the trip since every day kept topping the last? We covered all the island (upcountry, backcountry, up, down, and around!) in 7 days and experienced different climates, incredible views, and all the amazing things the island offers. These are just some highlights! Safe to say we stayed BUSY! ✅Sunset in Lahaina 🌅 ✅Snorkleing tour of the crater of Molokini and swimming with sea turtles🤿 ✅It’s Whale season in Maui! Saw so many humpback whales breeching the water just by walking on the beach or driving down the road. You can also hear them when swimming under water 💦🐋 ✅Stopping at farmers stands, chewing on sugar cane, drinking fresh coconut water…so many delicious things. 🥥 ✅The famous road to Hana and all the magical stops in between…hiking down to remote waterfalls, swimming in ice cold water and screaming in delight🥾🦦 ✅Waking up to see the sunrise in Hana while sitting on the black sand beach was a moment I’ll never forget 🌅🏝 ✅The drive from Hana around the back of the island was epic🚘⛰ ✅Stopping for coffee and locally made banana bread on a hut on the side of the road ☕️🍌 ✅The milky shores of Baldwin Beach were a delight 🌊👙 ✅Haleakala National Park and hiking along the 7 sacred pools to go up to a bamboo forest🎋🌊 ✅Seeing the huge and sacred Banyan trees 🌳 ✅Staying at the Lumeria Educational Retreat with its lush gardens, meditation lawn, and such a peaceful presence everywhere you walked. Heaven!🧘🏽‍♀️🪷 ✅Evening family Ukelele lesson 🎵 ✅Drive to Kula and seeing the house Clayton used to live 🏡 ✅Staying at the Kula Lodge and having a fabulous birthday dinner there! Then waking up to a magical Mountain view under the largest avocado tree I’ve ever seen! 🏞🥑 ✅Heading up to the Haleakalā summit and driving through the clouds to the 10,000 feet most incredible crater from the dormant volcano 🌋🪨 ✅Driving back down with breathtaking views, and relaxing in Kama’ole beach park 🏖 ✅Exploring Illao Valley ✅Live local music at Maui Brewing Co. 🎸🎷🪘 ✅Walking around the local Sunday market in Kahului 🍍📍 ✅Yummy fish tacos at Jaws Tacos 🌮 🎣 …more in comments…

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I feel them 🌈❤️ Not sure I could ever top this birthday! 38 has already involved standing tall at 10,000 at the Haleakala crater, and falling at sea level in a matter of an hour or so. Maui is everything that’s been promised and more! 🌈❤️🌺☘️🎉 🐋 You made it happen babe @bbqcajones thank you 🙏🏼 #stGabbysDay🌈

Somehow our Christmas card pic turned out SO dark this past December.
The irony of it all is that the card said “merry + bright”… 🤦🏽&zwj;♀️ on top of that some cards got mailed back to us with unknown reasons 🤷🏽&zwj;♀️

So h

Somehow our Christmas card pic turned out SO dark this past December. The irony of it all is that the card said “merry + bright”… 🤦🏽‍♀️ on top of that some cards got mailed back to us with unknown reasons 🤷🏽‍♀️ So here’s to a merry and bright year even when things get dark.. or late, or don’t turn out our way 😅

These boys have my heart ❤️

Christmas in the hill country was good for the soul 💛 Ready for 2023! 💥 #sanantonio #leakey

I believe in.

1 occasional glass of single malt scotch on the rocks, keeps the doctor away
dancing is a way to worship

always think that people are doing the best they can with what they were given
true heroes are those breaking generational trauma
just because they carry it well, doesn’t mean it’s not heavy
there is a right way to fold towels. period
there is also the right way for a toilet paper roll to face
don’t take things personal, specially from your teenager
things will always turn out for the better. even when they don’t seem like at the time
life can suck and be beautiful at the same time