Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Hunter.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I suppose I’ll start with where I am today. I’m an entrepreneur, a podcast host, a Certified Wellness Practitioner—and someone who’s achieved more recently by doing less. I’m also content.
How did I get here? Let’s rewind to September 2023. I was leading a session at a conference, the State of Black Health in beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was a moment that should have felt joyful, connected, and fulfilling. And it was. But it was also a moment of deep reflection on how profoundly unhappy I was. I was the definition of burnout: doing too much, always being “on,” constantly striving. I was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. That feeling came from a mix of things: a toxic work environment, a series of personal losses, and a lifetime of perfectionism.
By the end of 2023, circumstances aligned in a way that gave me a choice, and I took it. I decided to branch out on my own and explore what it would look like to work for myself. I had a wildly successful first year. But I also carried over some of the same habits that had burned me out before: saying yes to too much, working long hours, trying to make every project perfect. So, at the end of 2024, I decided to take a break. To “winter.” And it changed everything.
I’ve been intentional about doing less. About making space for creativity, prioritizing my well-being, and sharing the lessons I’ve learned with others. That desire is what sparked The Better Boundaries Brief in early 2024—a newsletter exploring boundaries in the workplace, which I’ve continued writing this year.
But my passion project is Work is Third, a podcast for women and marginalized folks reclaiming joy, rest, and boundaries, and reframing our relationship with work. Our mantra is: Work isn’t first. You are. It’s a platform to lift up real stories of how people are resting, caring for themselves, finding joy, and pushing back against hustle culture. My dream is to build a community that changes the way we work and lead. Work is Third is one way to share stories we can all relate to and learn from.
In addition to podcasting, I’ve started focusing more on organizational wellness by helping leaders and teams build healthier, more human-centered workplaces. That work is deeply informed by my own lived experiences, which I share openly through the podcast and the newsletter. I often think back to when I left that toxic job in 2023. My coworkers hosted a goodbye gathering and told me I showed them what was possible by standing up for myself. They even joked about getting bracelets that said “WWDHD” — What Would Dawn Hunter Do? It still makes me laugh, but it’s also a reminder that leaders have to model healthy behavior. Choosing to put myself first was the right call, and I’m really enjoying this new wellbeing era.
I recently wrote on LinkedIn about how non-linear careers are the future of work. That’s certainly been true for me. I’ve been a child protective services worker, a research scientist, a lawyer, and now an entrepreneur—with a few side quests as a security guard and Target employee thrown in. Each of those roles shaped how I see the world and deepened my commitment to designing systems where everyone can thrive.
It’s also important to mention how much cancer has shaped my journey. My father passed away from lung cancer during my 1L year at Stetson. My mom has had cancer twice. My younger brother has had cancer. I had breast cancer. And one of my beloved cats died of cancer in early 2024. It’s… a lot. But it has made one thing very clear: we have to be intentional every day about choosing joy and prioritizing our health.
Oh—and I can’t forget to share that I’m also one of the Nerd Nite St. Pete Bosses! We host monthly events for nerds in St. Pete, and I absolutely love the community we’ve built here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I started to detail some of this in my first answer, but I would say I’ve had a life full of challenges and I think I’ve defied the odds in many ways. I grew up in an abusive household. I sometimes hesitate to share that because I know it pains my mom to read it or hear it. But the short version of the story is that my family grew and healed and I found a passion for helping people who grew up like me to have a better life. It’s what drove me to working in child protective services.
As a cancer survivor, I still struggle with survivorship and mortality every day. I wonder if I’m making the best choices and living a life that I can be proud of and happy with that has nothing to do with achievement, and everything to do with being the best version of myself that I can be in service to others. And let me tell you that giving up everything to pursue a new path can be hard and scary and people will question you, but it is so worth it. I struggled for a while (especially financially) when I went back to school (twice!) but those struggles have landed me in this moment, and I feel more aligned than ever. You’re catching me at a great moment in time. There are always challenges, always valleys to navigate. But I have survived 100% of my worst days, and as my dad used to say “Every day above ground is a good day.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Dawn Lab?
The Dawn Lab is all about helping people rethink their relationship with work. It’s a public health consulting and leadership firm focused on one big idea: Work is third. Your life, your health, and your joy should come first, and I help leaders and teams build workplaces where that’s actually possible. I do a little bit of everything when it comes to workplace wellbeing and leadership. From executive coaching to workplace transformation programs, keynote talks, and trainings, I partner with organizations to create supportive, ethical, and thriving spaces where people can do great work without burning out.
What sets me apart is a blend of public health expertise, legal insight, and a deep understanding of how organizations really function day to day, drawing from my extensive leadership experience and lessons from my non-linear career. I’m known for bringing both warmth and strategy to the table. I’m proud that through the work I do, I’m helping people imagine a healthier, more joyful way to work and live. I want people and organizations to know that I’m here to help you on that journey.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love to collaborate! Some of my best work has been through “grown-up group projects.” People can:
– Be a guest on my podcast, Work is Third, or invite me onto yours
– Bring me in for a 90-day workplace transformation
– Book me as a keynote speaker, retreat leader, or workshop facilitator
– Partner with me on leadership development or employee wellbeing initiatives
– Hire me as a coach for executives and leadership teams
– Co-create content, tools, or trainings that help people set better boundaries and build healthier workplaces
– Sponsor or support my podcast or upcoming events
But I’m open to conversation! I love generating ideas and ways to collaborate while connecting with others.
Pricing:
- Contact for pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thedawnlab.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedawnlab/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workisthird
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-m-hunter/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkIsThird
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/workisthirdlife/
Image Credits
Jordan Torelli Photography
