©2025 – Amy Morin, LCSW. All Rights Reserved
©2025 – Amy Morin, LCSW. All Rights Reserved
Hunter Hayes is a singer-songwriter and musician who became the youngest male act to ever top the Billboard Country songs. He has been nominated for five Grammys and won a Country Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2012. Hunter’s most recent album, Red Sky, explores mental health struggles and the importance of prioritizing mental well-being.
Hunter Hayes, a successful singer-songwriter, joins the Mentally Stronger podcast to discuss his experiences with mental health and the strategies he uses to prioritize his well-being. He emphasizes the importance of understanding that feelings of loneliness and struggle are universal and that seeking therapy is a valuable tool for personal growth. Hunter also shares his love for meditation, float tanks, and other self-care practices that help him maintain mental strength.
“I think the biggest accomplishment is understanding that the more I work, the more tools I have, and the same things are going to come up, and that’s okay.” – Hunter Hayes
“I think the more that I’ve done [meditation], the more I’m just practicing, just breathing or just meditating.” – Hunter Hayes
“As much as you can put your phone down, try, and I am guilty of not doing that at all. I also believe that it’s one of the best things you can give yourself.” – Hunter Hayes
[0:00:00] Introduction to the conversation with Hunter Hayes
[0:01:22] Hunter’s background and experience in the music industry
[0:04:15] Hunter’s experience with touring and the challenges of coming off the high
[0:06:00] Hunter’s realization of the loneliness that comes after touring
[0:07:25] The difference between being lonely and being alone
[0:09:04] Hunter’s perspective on fame and navigating the public’s perception
[0:09:41] Hunter’s decision to talk openly about his mental health struggles
0:09:41 The discuss the universality of struggles
0:10:22 Why a song Hunter thought was unique was relatable to others
0:12:11 The ongoing nature of mental health
0:14:11 Why Hunter wants to change the conversation around therapy
0:15:20 Self-worth and self-awareness
0:17:34 The pressure to create hits in the music industry
0:18:47 Pressure on artists to create something new and valuable
0:19:25 Self-worth tied to achievement and external validation
0:20:12 Focusing on what can be controlled and trusting the process
0:21:47 Patience and timing in releasing creative work
0:23:30 Managing external pressure and expectations
0:24:49 Seeking therapy, coaching, acupuncture, and float tanks for mental health
0:25:23 Importance of taking breaks and finding relaxation methods
0:26:20 Exploring meditation through apps, podcasts, and YouTube
0:27:48 Learning about meditation from various sources
0:28:06 Accessible resources for learning meditation, such as apps and videos
0:28:42 How sensory deprivation tanks help with burnout
0:29:59 The benefits of float tanks and hot-cold therapy
0:31:16 The therapeutic effects of going for drives
0:32:44 The value of unplugging from technology
0:34:05 Importance of being present in the moment
0:34:56 Gratitude for the conversation and platform
0:35:04 The Therapist’s Take
0:36:33 The power of therapy and self-discovery
0:38:00 Importance of self-care strategies for mental health
0:38:26 Recognizing the universality of experiences and investing in self-discovery
0:38:56 Free access to online course for leaving a review