Hack Your Happiness
Hack Your Happiness
Small Bits of Happiness
Find Hope In Any Moment - Even The Impossible Ones: Astronaut Hayley Arceneaux
57 minutes Posted Jul 24, 2025 at 7:00 am.
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!Shop Mission: Small Bits of Happiness⁠Sign Up For Waking Up & Save $30! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Us⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Hayley on InstagramReady 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
Intro
How Hayley Got Started
From Cancer Patient To Astronaut
How Did Cancer Shape Hayley's Perspective?
Hayley On Finding Optimism During Her Toughest Days
The Importance of Taking Risks
How Can I Set Outside of My Comfort Zone?
What Does 'Hope' Mean To Hayley?
Hayley's Top Three Tips
Space Training: Physical & Mental Prep
What Was The Most Challenging Part of Space Training?
A Funny Story From Space
Hayley's Most Memorable Moment In Space
Seeing The Earth From Space
Staying Positive + Avoiding Burnout
Hayley's Favorite Travel Destination
What Can I Learn From Hayley's Story?
How Parents/Caregivers Can Support Struggling Children & Teens
Hayley's Mindset During A Challenge
Want To Become An Astronaut? Here's Your FIRST Step!
Working vs Training For Space
Hayley's Planet of Choice!
Hayley To Her Teenage Self
What Brings Hayley A Small Bit of Happiness?
Hayley's Motivational Quote
Find Hayley Here
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Show notes
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!Shop Mission: Small Bits of Happiness⁠Sign Up For Waking Up & Save $30! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Us⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Hayley on InstagramReady 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