When we think about “wellbeing,” our minds often go straight to things like fitness classes, nutrition programs, or spa days. But as workplace wellbeing expert Megan Hammes reminds us in this week’s episode of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, true wellbeing is so much deeper than that—and it doesn’t have to come with a price tag.
“Wellbeing is a very personal journey,” Megan shared. “It is absolutely okay to do wellbeing on your own terms and really go inward for that—not just what your peer group or others are doing. True wellbeing does not require money to be spent.”
Megan is the founder of Hammes Homestead and Consulting, a workplace well-being expert, and longtime listener of this very podcast, as she shares in the episode.
Megan has spent more than 20 years guiding organizations in employee health and wellness. But like many of us, the pandemic brought her to a turning point. After years as a team member at a large organization, she chose to take a step back, listen to her inner voice, and create something new that aligned more deeply with her values.
Her story is about courage, presence, and redefining success…and throughout the interview I was blown away by her depth of knowledge and the care and compassion she has for helping others.
What We Talk About in This Episode
✨ The power of slowing down – Megan shares what it was like to leave a career she loved and start her own business with intention and trust.
✨ Mental health matters – We explore why it deserves the same attention as physical health, and how to talk about it at work and at home.
✨ The numbers we can’t ignore – 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental health challenge in any given year. That means every workplace, every family, every circle of friends is impacted.
✨ The role of social connection – According to Megan, the single most powerful thing you can do for your health (mental and physical) is to invest in quality relationships.
✨ Redefining success – From focusing on strengths to leaning into joy, Megan shows us that “success” doesn’t have to look like constant hustle or achievement. She helps you identify what feels steady and where you may need more support, clarity, or care.
The Many Dimensions of Wellbeing
When we think about “wellbeing,” our minds often go straight to things like fitness classes, nutrition programs, or spa days. But as workplace wellbeing expert Megan Hammes reminds us in this week’s episode of The Found Podcast, true wellbeing is so much deeper than that—and it doesn’t have to come with a price tag.
“Wellbeing is a very personal journey,” Megan shared. “It is absolutely okay to do wellbeing on your own terms and really go inward for that—not just what your peer group or others are doing. True wellbeing does not require money to be spent.”
One way to visualize this broader view of wellness is through a wellness wheel. Instead of focusing on just physical health, the wheel highlights many different areas that make up a whole and balanced life:
- Financial wellbeing
- Spiritual wellbeing
- Social wellbeing
- Physical health
- Mental health
Taking stock of each area can help you identify what feels steady and where you may need more support, clarity, or care.
The Role of Connection
One of my biggest takeaways is the importance of connection to mental health.
Megan underscores that wellbeing isn’t only about how we care for ourselves—it’s also about how we care for one another. In our conversation, Megan highlighted the importance of noticing when someone else may be going through a hard time.
Research shows that people experiencing thoughts of self-harm often hope that someone will reach out and notice their pain. Megan emphasized that while it can feel awkward or intrusive to check in, the act of noticing and asking is powerful.
“What’s the worst thing that happens?” she explained. “Maybe somebody gets mad if you say, ‘I’ve noticed a change in you… you seem different, I just want to check in and make sure you’re okay.’ I can take that. The flip side is, they might say, ‘Yeah, things are really bad for me,’ and then we are in the privileged position of connecting them with care.”
Wellbeing at Work and Beyond
This conversation is a reminder that wellbeing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s multidimensional, personal, and deeply relational. We each have the opportunity to practice wellbeing on our own terms—and to notice and support those around us when they’re struggling.
If you haven’t yet, give Episode 216 of The Found Podcast a listen. Megan’s expertise offers both practical tools and heartfelt encouragement to expand how we think about wellbeing at work and in life.
And if you or someone you know is struggling, please remember you are not alone. In the U.S., you can dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with help right away.
Be the first to comment