From Mexico City to Stanford, Jhonnatan Gama is more than a physics PhD candidate: he’s a traveler, seeker, meditator and someone who transforms scientific research into an act of presence and purpose. With a sensitive photographic eye and a soul full of contrasts, he represents what MGLA values most: the coexistence of reason and intuition, science and spirituality, body and cosmos.

*Image is a courtesy of Jhonnatan Gama 2025.*

In this conversation, we talked about his academic path, his relationship with yoga, the importance of silence, and what true success means to someone who lives to seek answers — both outside and within.

MGLA: Jhonnatan, today you’re a PhD student at Stanford, but let’s go back to the beginning. How did it all start?

Since childhood, I’ve always been interested in science and experiments. Seeing things on TV or in museums sparked immense curiosity and I wanted to understand the world, but I was also drawn to the practical applications, like mathematics. At 13, I began exploring different scientific fields, took part in competitions and Olympiads… and realized this was what I wanted.

In high school, I was already focused on physics and math, but I also had diverse interests: music, medicine, painting, architecture… Choosing was a process, but I had my mother’s support. I did an exchange at UC Davis, got to know Silicon Valley and other universities in the region. One day, hiking with a friend in Berkeley, looking out over the San Francisco Bay, I felt a deep connection and made a wish to come back someday.

I returned to Mexico, finished my degree, and started thinking about the next step. There was stability there, but during my year of social service, something inside me said I needed more. I was almost depressed and realized that to feel alive, I had to chase that dream. That’s when Stanford appeared and among many options, it was the right choice.

“One day, hiking with a friend in Berkeley, looking out over the San Francisco Bay, I felt a deep connection and made a wish to come back someday.”

MGLA: Your life seems full of contrasts. How do you integrate so many different parts of yourself?

My life has always been made of contrasts. Growing up in Mexico City taught me to live in chaos, to constantly adapt. Over time, I realized I like doing many different things. I’m aware that I have many sides, and while it’s not always easy to bring them together, they need to coexist — otherwise, I wouldn’t exist either. The meaning of my life lies in that coexistence.

MGLA: And how did things change after you started practicing yoga?

I had practiced yoga before, but in a loose, unstructured way. I found a structure that gave me more body awareness and clarity about what I was feeling with each movement. Buddhism is also part of my journey and brings me a lot of peace — I’m living a simpler, more present lifestyle, less distracted. Meditation was already part of my practice, but yoga added a new layer to it. Today, everything blends into my training and routines. I take better care of myself, my physical body, and all of that became stronger once yoga became more present in my life.

MGLA: How do you balance academic life with self-care?

By creating boundaries. Understanding there’s a time to relax and a time to research. I have a well-defined schedule and try to follow it with discipline. But I also listen to what my body and mind need. Sometimes life demands focus in one area, other times in another and you need the sensitivity to notice that.

MGLA: And about photography… what makes a photo good to you?

When it captures an atmosphere. I like to record the weather, the daylight, the surrounding space… Whether there are people or not, if the sky looked a certain way… A good photo is one that captures a moment so precisely that it can be felt forever.

MGLA: What does success mean to you today?

Before, it was more about stability and what’s considered “normal.” Today, success is having inner peace, doing what I like, what has meaning. That resonates with everything around me. I enjoy research, reading, the silence of the night, watching the sunset, or driving while listening to music I love. Simple things. That’s what makes me feel accomplished.

MGLA: And what advice would you give to someone searching for themselves?

Be present. Listen to yourself. To what your inner voice is saying. The answer is often already there. It just takes silence and presence to hear it.

🌍 MGLA Lightning Round

Mexico City or Barcelona?
→ Mexico City

Lisbon or LA?
→ Lisbon

Machu Picchu or Berlin?
→ Machu Picchu

Sunrise or Sunset?
→ Sunset

Reading scientific papers or reading tarot?
→ Tarot, lol

Solo travel or group trip?
→ Both

Yoga or nap?
→ Yoga before bed

One word that defines you today:
→ Seeker. Researcher.

📸 Follow Jhonnatan on Instagram: @jgamav
🌐 www.mglainternational.com | @mglainternational
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MGLA x Jhonnatan Gama: The scientist who asked the Bay to come back. And he did.

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