She went from fighting for her life as a child to flying into space as the youngest American astronaut. In this episode, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Hayley Arceneaux. Hayley talks us through her experiences as a child with cancer, getting her dream job, and her unexpected opportunity to go to space! From her seat on the Inspiration4 mission (literally called “Hope”) to her daily habits of self-care and optimism, Hayley shares what it really means to dream big, take risks, and live fully, even in the face of fear.
You’ll hear:
How Hayley found joy + purpose, even while sick.
Hacks for stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Behind-the-scenes of becoming an astronaut (including funny stories!)
Advice for finding hope in everyday life.
Whether you’re facing a personal challenge, chasing a wild dream, or just in need of a dose of hope, this episode will lift you up and remind you of what really matters!
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Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with 4x Astronaut, Ellen Ochoa. In this episode, Ellen shares her experience as the first Latina to go to space, advice for overcoming rejection, and hacks for managing imposter syndrome. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KA0uRdJI88JVXYIgm8dRV?si=yyttjMZCRqm4nxix6CbCaQ
(00:00) Intro(02:41) How Hayley Got Started(03:13) From Cancer Patient To Astronaut(06:53) How Did Cancer Shape Hayley's Perspective?(09:41) Hayley On Finding Optimism During Her Toughest Days(11:41) The Importance of Taking Risks(14:13) How Can I Set Outside of My Comfort Zone?(16:18) What Does 'Hope' Mean To Hayley?(18:01) Hayley's Top Three Tips(20:13) Space Training: Physical & Mental Prep(24:15) What Was The Most Challenging Part of Space Training?(26:14) A Funny Story From Space(28:04) Hayley's Most Memorable Moment In Space(31:02) Seeing The Earth From Space(33:58) Staying Positive + Avoiding Burnout(36:38) Hayley's Favorite Travel Destination(39:25) What Can I Learn From Hayley's Story?(41:37) How Parents/Caregivers Can Support Struggling Children & Teens(44:06) Hayley's Mindset During A Challenge(46:12) Want To Become An Astronaut? Here's Your FIRST Step!(47:54) Working vs Training For Space(50:13) Hayley's Planet of Choice!(51:07) Hayley To Her Teenage Self(52:23) What Brings Hayley A Small Bit of Happiness?(53:30) Hayley's Motivational Quote(54:20) Find Hayley Here(55:28) Key Takeaways