Meet Hannah Joy | Founder of The Joy Movement | Artist | Yoga Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Joy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I loooove this question. I think about risk taking as a form of liberation. Risk taking takes both bravery and courage. It pushes you to meet your fears head on. It’s uncomfortable. It’s edgy. It’s scary. It is also exciting and courageous. To give yourself permission to step into the unknown, to release, in order to receive what you are looking for takes so much strength. Risk taking is an integral part of our personal growth. It allows us to experience life more to the fullest. It opens up new opportunities that might not have arrived if we didn’t take the risk, if we didn’t step into the unknown.

I also think trust is a huge piece of risk taking. Trusting yourself in making the risky decision, without knowing the outcome, but trusting that no matter what comes from it, it will all work out. Yes, taking risks sometimes leads to “failures” but each decision we make in life, whether risky or not, teaches us a lesson about ourselves. Taking risks instills confidence in our decision making. It allows us to experience trial and error. At the end of the day, we are all just human beings, trying to navigate this human experience, which is a constant game of trial and error. I guess the question to ask yourself is are you going to let fear hold you back from everything that could come from getting a little comfortable?

For most of my life, I could identify myself as a risk taker. Especially in the last decade. Starting with moving to Colorado shortly after high school with no work lined up, not seeing the apartment we put a deposit down on, and taking the chance to start adulthood in very unfamiliar place with only the support of the few friends I moved out here with. Since then, I have flipped my life upside down countless times and drastically changed career paths more than once. From being a full time personal trainer and yoga teacher, to working in the event industry, traveling to build music festivals, to quitting and returning to the restaurant industry, to struggling to make any income from my art, to not working all winter to launch my business.

In 2019, my best friend who I moved to Colorado with wanted to end our lease early and move into her car and go to Oregon. Although, I wasn’t going to Oregon, I followed suit and decided I was going to backpack Central America over the winter. Donated 90% of my belongings, to move into my packed Subaru forester and continued on with life. Lo and behold, COVID happened and I had to make the hard decision to stay in Central America or return to the states. At the time of this decision, I was the sickest I’ve ever been, being carried around Costa Rica with friends I was traveling with. Returning to the states was not my “risky” choice, I also had to chose my health and security given the confusing unknown that led to the world shutting down. Since then, I have chosen to live in a van the past 4 years, not stress about paying rent or how much money I am making, but choosing to live for experience through risky decisions.

Fast forward to the present, I am starting to build a business, The Joy Movement. A movement around spreading JOY and how we can take responsibility for our joy.

This sometimes feels like the riskiest move. How can we manage our emotions and access joy without feeling guilty? How can we acknowledge and take responsibility without escapism, avoidance, or bypassing the scary reality of the current state of our world and country? It’s about taking ownership for what is ours. It’s about knowing that in order to feel things like joy and excitement, we must also allow ourselves to feel fear, anger, and anxiety. It’s about taking full responsibility for what is in our control, accepting what is out of our immediate control, and taking the risk to stand up, speak up, and fight for your own peace. Joy is the biggest act of rebellion at this moment in time. I believe living in your joy and encouraging others to find theirs, is worth the risk.

To go against the norm, to step outside of your comfort zone, to take the trip, to try study something new, to change careers if you’re unhappy, or to move to a new state or country. It is all a risk, but I never once hesitated. That’s not to say that there isn’t moments of panic or scarcity, but those periods of “oh shit” or uncertainty…lies the opportunity to create what we want our life to look like. This is what I base my teachings around. That any of us, at any moment, can make a decision to propel us towards the life we dream of. If we aren’t uncomfortable, then we are most likely complacent. There will always be fear and anxiety around taking risks because change is scary. Instead of letting fear and anxiety hold us back from taking risks and stepping into the unknown, let’s take those emotions by the hand and take them with us. We are full spectrum humans, with a full spectrum of emotions, they are all there, all the time anyway.

On the other side of fear, there is liberation. Take life one day and one decision at a time. Thrive in the uncertainty and TRUST that no matter what risk you are taking…it will always work out and it will liberate you.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Joy Movement is a vision that came through 3-4 years ago while leaving a music festival that I was working. I remembered a moment I had, walking through the crowd (it was an older, bluegrass crowd) with a mustache and clown nose on, bubble gun in my hand. All of the sudden, a stranger recognized me and started laughing uncontrollably as I wiggled around, talking with a man voice, and showering folks in bubbles. I became the highlight of the set as people gathered around, with huge smiles and uncontrollable laughter.

It was THIS EXACT moment I realized…this world needs more JOY and I am here to help people access it!
Of course at a festival it is easy to be silly, wild, and unhindered by judgement as you are in an environment where that’s encouraged…but what about our day to day lives? Where does it go and why do we lose it?

This is the mission behind The Joy Movement.

My goal of the movement is to collaborate with mental health, wellness, creative professionals, and really any human that is passionately dedicated to support the rediscovery of joy, wholeness, and prosperity for humanity. Especially in a time we need it most! How do we access JOY on the daily even when the world around us does not inspire it in us?
How can we tap into this subconscious yet often forgotten emotion without neglecting the work it takes to access it?
How can we hold space for others to help them discover the joy that lives within them even when it feels impossible?

The biggest challenge was keeping the momentum going after first having the idea. Having big dreams and goals but not knowing where to start or how to get there. It wasn’t until this winter where I hired a business coach and remembered how potent this movement is. We since have launched a merch line (wearable joy reminders) to get our brand out there. The Joy Movement Podcast will be launched this fall. We are planning our first Joy Movement retreat to happen at the end of the year or beginning of next. Eventually, will have video library on our website, sharing all different ways to tap into joy and tools to help uncover what is blocking it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Brunch at my favorite little cafe in Golden, Cafe 13. We would spend a lot of time by a creek to cold plunge and lay by the river or go climbing. Hike St Mary’s Glacier or Echo Lake Trail on Mount Evan. Go camp at one of my favorite spots near Twin Lakes outside of Leadville. Visit some hot springs like Cottonwood, Strawberry, Iron Mountain, or some of the secret ones. In the city, some of my favorite happy hours either at Teller’s Taproom (my work) or favorite roof top bars like Linger or 54thirty. Forest Room 5 is my favorite bar to end the night at. Some of my favorite dinner spots are Safta, Angelo’s, Somebody People, or Rootdown. Botanical Gardens and seeing a show at Red Rocks are a must.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to everyone along my journey of the past decade who has been by my side through all the crazy, risky, decision making. My friends, family, and community has given me nothing but endless support and celebration through it all. Even when they don’t understand or agree, they celebrate my bravery and happiness. It truly means so much to be held and celebrated through both the successful and unsuccessful risky decision.

Website: https://Thejoymovement.online

Instagram: @happyhannahjoy @thejoymovement_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejoymovementt

Other: Soon! The Joy Movement Podcast on Spotify

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Brooke Simmons @stashmina