Love Always Wins w/ Katelyn Hissong
Love over Fear founder, Katelyn Hissong, was not always an entrepreneur. Leading with love through every situation in her life, practicing gratitude has helped her zoom out so that she can clearly see what’s important in life, and that’s choosing love over fear. The more grateful she is, the more beauty she experiences. And when she feels grateful, she attracts even more experiences to be thankful for because gratitude grows all the good in life. A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles, and a miracle is a shift from fear to love. Katelyn and I got the chance to sit down and chat about her path of getting where she is and the struggles and lessons learned along the journey. She is one of the most amazing souls I have had the pleasure of connecting with through this platform and one of the most supportive and kindhearted people I know, buckle in because this is a good one. Continue reading below for more on personal development, mental health, and starting your own business...
What is the greatest connection you’ve ever experienced?
“That’s a good question.”
I feel like when I am meditating or when I am praying, that is when I am most connected with God or the universe or whatever you identify with. I feel such a spiritual connection at that moment. Also, whenever I am with my family, I think that I am most present in this moment, and because I am so happy that we are together.
What is the greatest piece of advice you’ve gotten or given?
I think to treat others as you would want to be treated. This is the golden rule that I try to live my life by, and I actually just read this book called “Wake Up Grateful”, and the author talks about the gratitude rule. Just to add to the golden rule, it means to treat others how they would want to be treated. I thought that was so beautiful because when you think about it, something I like isn’t necessarily what somebody else likes. I feel like those two rules pair so beautifully together. Having that mindset of trying to see what you can do to help others is very important. I feel like we are all here to help each other.
Can you tell me a little bit about your journey and how you got to where you are?
I was born on July 18th, 1994. I had the best childhood ever! I have two younger sisters and we are all best of friends. I am not just saying that to say it. We communicate telepathically all day long, it is just so much fun. I am best friends with my parents, I love hanging out with them. We were just always be bopping from one fun activity to the other. We played every sport, we would just play in the basement for hours and hours and come up with many different fun games. It was so much fun, and it was filled with so much joy. I am very grateful for my parents because they made everything about us and what we wanted to do. When I went to high school, it was the exact same way - just so much fun. In college, I was still definitely having fun, but it was the first time I experienced mental health. I think I had anxiety before, but I did not really know I had it in a way. I played tennis, and I loved it, but I would get so nervous for my matches. I thought it was because I wanted to do the best for my team, which is 100% true. However, although I did well in school, I just could not focus. When I got to college, it was great and fun, and there were so many wonderful experiences, but I didn't really know how to deal with it. I was not the type of person who was excited to go to college. I loved it, but I wasn’t thinking “oh I can’t wait to get out of here”. I loved living at home, it was a great situation. I feel like I naturally just have a very happy, positive baseline, so when I was feeling low, and when I was dealing with anxiety, I was confused because I did not know why I was feeling this way. I remember sitting in the lecture hall one day, and feeling like there were so many fluttering butterflies in my chest and my mind. I was just wondering why and how I can get rid of this feeling. I really did not know how.
I started seeing different doctors, and I think it is so beautiful that now mental health is something we are all open about. I remember being really embarrassed about it and worried I was going to run into someone when I was going to a session or something. I just started to find these little things that helped me, and I definitely had the mindset of “I will go to this doctor, and he will fix me”, or “I will see this specialist, and he will fix me”. When I realized that I can do a lot of work internally, that is when things started to shift. “Love Over Fear” started as a book I thought I was going to write, and I do feel that that’s still me, but I feel like there are so many things I am realizing, and there is no rush on that. I wanted to write everything out, because I wanted to be able to share it with others and help them. That is why I am also so grateful to be chatting with you because I feel like you have a lot of people who are in college who are following you. It has always been my dream to help people at that age and in that specific way because that is when I started experiencing these feelings. I started to type “one thing that helped me the most is…”, and gratitude was one thing that came across. I realized that yes, I do say what I am grateful for, but I wasn’t expecting it to be that. I decided to write down what I am thankful for each day and it grew into “how can I share that light with others”. I was then introduced to meditation, moving in a way that was not punishing my body, which was a huge game-changer for me; journaling was also a huge game-changer. Movement also helped calm my mind, not just my body. It is my intention to normalize mental health completely.
What has kept you moving on the bad days through the building process of your career?
I think it is the little rituals that I try to do each day. I don’t even like to call it a routine because I have definitely been in that regimented mindset of do xyz, which does not feel good to me anymore. I like to call them little rituals because if I can do them throughout my day, they definitely help me feel my best. Prayer and meditation are definitely two big ones. Prayer is when I talk and communicate with God, and meditation is when I listen to Him. Walking really helps calm my body and my mind too. When I do meditation and walking in the morning, it just really sets up my day. I love reading! Starting my morning and winding down at night with spiritual books are my go-to. I also love pulling one of the Gabby Bernstein cards that my dear friend, Marissa, got for me, because they always seem like whichever one I pull is speaking directly to me. Additionally, I love journaling and writing down what I am grateful for in the morning because it helps me see how I can spread love over fear by looking for things that I can do to help others throughout the day.
How did you get to be where you are in terms of career development?
I’ve experienced so many different fields throughout my career, and I’m really grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had because they’ve shaped me into the person I am today. I think for a long time I wanted to try and figure everything out, especially in terms of career. I would write pro-con lists and wanted them to tell me what to do. Now, I write what’s in my heart, tune in, and let the Universe guide me. That’s when things just naturally fall into place and align for me. It doesn’t always necessarily make sense on paper, but when I listen to my heart, that’s when the most magical things happen not only in my career but also my life!
Love Over Fear is something that had been in my heart for a long time. Everyone around me was encouraging me to go for it, so I finally did! Again, I learned a lot, and it’s a lot of work, but I am so grateful for all of the people along the way who are helping me. It has always felt so in the flow. It’s hard to describe the feeling, but so many people have been so kind, so helpful, and so generous with their knowledge.
When filled, the heart in the mugs expands. Practicing gratitude has helped me live with an expanded heart. It’s helped me so much, so that’s why I’m so grateful to share it so it can help others too! Writing down what I’m grateful for has been such a positive game changer for me and my mental wellness. I believe there’s two types of gratitude: one is the above—being grateful for all we already have. The second is the larger kind we feel when we give. So the second question of each day: “How can I spread love over fear?” was included to help us see all the ways we can spread our light to help others because that’s when the magic happens—when we share to help others shine too! I really feel like we all have the same purpose, which is to choose love over fear and help one another. That’s how it’s all evolved and expanded, and I am so very grateful!
What tips do you have for personal development as a college student?
First, I would say trying to know that as long as I am coming from the right intention, and taking the action when it feels aligned that things are going to work out. As long as you are coming from love and doing things from love not for love, things will work out. Of course, that is easier said than done. Finding little things that make you feel good and what works best for you is also important. There are so many things you can do that are free, such as walking outside, meditating, calling a friend or family member, or just closing your eyes and visualizing what you’re grateful for.
I used to think I wasn’t good at meditating because my thoughts weren’t always completely silent. I’ve learned that it’s not something you’re good or bad at. It’s a practice, and the more you practice, the better you’ll be at it. And also, trying to do things that fill up your cup in college. Don’t feel pressured to go out 4-5 nights a week. Learn to say no, and do what you love.
What 3 phrases would you leave behind as your legacy?
- Love over fear.
- My mom always says: the more the merrier! And that inclusive mindset is something I try to live with all the time!
- Sometimes we can get caught up in external things, and we think that they will make us happy. However, when you are trying to find happiness, it will always elude you, because happiness is found in helping others.
What keeps you centered in soul, body, and mind?
For the soul, I would say meditation and prayer. For the mind, I would say journaling, surrounding myself with people who keep me grounded and help me remember what is important in life. For the body, I would say movement.
