It’s In Your Head started as a means to provide mental and emotional health support to others going through cancer treatment. I wanted to share the lessons I learned through my own experience so others didn’t have to suffer the way I did. As time passed, my focus shifted to helping others take the best care of themselves no matter where they are in life. IIYH brings awareness to the lens through which we see the world. We must look at our mindset, expectations, beliefs, and how we respond to the world around us, as we work together to build a life of happiness, health, and peace.
Meet Hunter
I grew up in Danville, Illinois, a small, blue-collar town in the Midwestern United States. I left immediately after high school to begin a career as a deep-sea diver. Towards the end of my 11-year career in the oilfield as a diver and deck foreman I lost many of my close friends to suicide, overdose, and other reasons. I began dealing with depression, anxiety attacks, and addiction. I was barely holding on with the help of therapy and prescription psychoactive medications.
Then in 2017 I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. This turned my whole world upside down and I quickly felt things spinning out of control. I knew I had to make a change. Between 40 rounds of chemotherapy, 28 rounds of radiation, and 7 surgeries, I took a trip to Thailand to clear my head and quickly became aware of the importance of self-care.
My doctors gave me no advice on how to take care of myself even telling me to eat ice cream to keep on weight and that sugar didn’t affect cancer. Just take the pills and do nothing. I was empowered to take my health into my own hands. I stumbled upon breathwork and it changed everything for me. After I finished treatment, I returned back to East Asia to heal myself physically, mentally, and emotionally and find what I wanted in this life.
Over the next 3 years of traveling Asia I changed my diet-not just what I eat but becoming aware of everything that I put into my body and mind. From 10-day silent meditation centers in the jungles of Thailand, intensive yoga trainings, countless emotional workshops, to leading retreats hiking the Himalayan mountains, I found my answers, created my self-care toolkit, and began teaching the lessons I had learned.
I returned home in the fall of 2021 to share what has helped me heal and feel my best with my community. I didn’t want my suffering to be for nothing and I believe it’s my life’s purpose to help others on their journey to health and happiness.
Meet Hannah
I grew up in the one stoplight town in Indiana – a hop, skip, and jump over the Wabash River from Hunter. I took an early interest in mental and physical wellness, as I struggled with depression and anxiety in my teens.
I studied Psychology at DePauw University, where I completed a Certified Personal Training course in 2009 and began teaching group exercise classes. I understood the importance of a regular movement practice to my mental and physical well-being and went on to build a public service platform around my passions during my pursuit of the Miss Indiana title, speaking across the state with schools and organizations on the topic “Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies.”
Over the last ten years, I explored a number of industries to expand my understanding of the world. I first entered the corporate world, working as an Environmental Scientist for oil & gas companies and implementing sustainability programs for manufacturing companies. The high stress and long hours took a toll on my mental and physical health and I eventually left the corporate world in search of a career aligned with my values and vision.
I went on to work as an apprentice with an urban farming non-profit called Growing Places, as a substitute teacher for every grade level, as a 4th generation auctioneer, and even an NFL cheerleader. I helped open a corporate gym and amenities center at the Capital Center towers in downtown Indy for LifeStart Wellness Network, and helped re-open and Invoke Studio, a yoga + wellness center, during the pandemic.
As the world slowed down, I studied with the National Academy of Sports Medicine to become a Certified Behavior Change Specialist, earned a Certificate in Optimal Nutrition from AFN, and completed my first 200 hours of Yoga Teacher training. I was the acting manager at Cityoga School of Yoga & Health before moving back home to support It’s In Your Head full time!
