Conversations with the Inspiring Haley Mohler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Mohler.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Haley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story isn’t one that ends with me drinking out of a mug that says Boss Babe while managing my own booming business and a published book, but my story does end in with a healthy mentality and a life filled with love.

Like a lot of people out there, my life has gone in a direction I never thought it would have. Every time I have had any sort of plan, I end up going a different route. I was born and raised in California and never imagined living anywhere else. Within one week during my senior year of high school, I spontaneously drove out to Arizona, auditioned, and was chosen as a member of the ASU dance team. Talk about last minute, right?

I could write a novel on my four years at ASU, but we’ll have to save that for another time.

Once I graduated with a health sciences degree, I did what most graduate students did… panicked. I decided to follow my heart instead of my wallet and continued to dance. I spent the next two season with the Phoenix Suns Dancers. It was really hard for me to set aside my “big girl” goals. I wanted to make money and be completely independent, but I gave that up to be able to dance while I still could.

Shortly into the start of my career with the Suns, I met Ryan McNeely. Now, I can’t stress this enough, I did not want to be in a relationship. I had been telling myself to just focus on me, and my future. After watching my parents go through a messy divorce, I didn’t ever see myself getting married. I didn’t want to rely on anyone for anything, and I definitely didn’t want kids. Well, remember what I said at the beginning about my life not going as planned? You guessed it. I fell head over heels in love with him, and letting myself do so was the best decision I have ever made.

I realized after dating Ryan for just a short amount of time that our future wouldn’t be normal by any means. In his line of work he spends May through the end of August in Chicago, and September through April in Arizona. I had a huge decision to make. I either spent 1/3 of the year without him, or I let go of my idea of ever having that “big girl” job. It was an easy decision. After only eight months of knowing Ryan, I packed up my things in Arizona and drove 26 hours with him to the suburbs of Chicago.

I have always had a creative side, but I suppressed it thinking that it wasn’t a “real career.” Any creative outlet didn’t have a salary and a 401k plan so it wasn’t what I wanted. I started to reach out to high school dance teams in the Chicago area, hoping to earn some cash by choreographing for them. I didn’t realize how much I would love it. Getting to use my creative side lit me up.

Ever since then, I have continued to pursue things that I love to do instead or pursuing dollar signs. I’ve just recently started my own photography business, and plan to focus on that over the coming years.

Has it been a smooth road?
I am not sure if I have ever met anyone who has had a smooth road to success. And I believe that success could mean something very different from one person to the next.

For myself, I faced some major struggles. I didn’t come from a family that sent me off to college with a credit card. I picked up part-time jobs (sometimes three at a time) all four years at ASU. I remember not having enough money to put gas in my car and having to ride my bike to work. Looking back at it now, I am so thankful for the financial struggles I faced. It taught me how to handle my money, and how to not let it affect my happiness. One of the biggest struggles I have gone through is body dysmorphia and an ongoing eating disorder. As a dancer, who has lived most of her life in front of a mirror, it didn’t come as a surprise. After being hospitalized on one occasion, I started to seek help. I joined a group of other women feeling the same way and also received professional care. My advice for anyone feeling any type of unhealthy urge or mindset in regards to your body is to talk to someone. So many women face these demons every day and the last thing that they need to feel is alone.

As far as advice goes, I keep it very simple.

1. Let go. Let go of the ideas of what friends you need to have, how you need to look, who you need to date or what you need to do with your life. The expectation I had for myself is what led me to my darkest days. If you live your day to day life with an open mind and heart, it allows you to accept whatever life brings your way.
2. Love. Not as a noun, but as a verb. Show love, and never suppress it. Smile at strangers, tell your mom you love her or let someone in your lane. Tell people how you truly feel, and express your gratitude. Ive always hated the concept that being emotionless is perceived as cool, I was never one to give into the “who cares less” game. I figured that anyone important enough to have in my life would accept me for everything I was and felt. Looking back at most of my life, I don’t have a lot of regrets in this regard because I have always been a lover. I promise that the more you show compassion, kindness, and love; the more you will feel yourself.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I consider myself my own brand. I specialize in creative products and or services. I have created my own Lightroom Presets that have been extremely successful, I choreograph for dance teams, and I’m a photographer as well. I am most proud of my passion. I put my whole heart into everything I do, and I always walk away from a job feeling extremely fulfilled. Something that sets me apart from others is my willingness to cooperate. As someone who has faced extreme financial stress, I am always willing to talk to potential consumers on what they are looking for, and how much they would ideally pay. I try to be as understanding as I can be, knowing that everyone fights their own different battles.

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I personally feel as though women have a plethora of opportunities. Our minds are more drawn to negativity, disasters, and struggles. So, even though I do not agree with media focusing so much on the challenges of media, I understand their approach. I feel that women are particularly well positioned for any job or place that a man may be. I love seeing women as CEOs, just as much as I love seeing stay at home moms. I think it all depends on where your passion lies and what makes you happy.

Pricing:

• Private Dance Lessons (college prep, professional prep) – $40 per hour
• Team/Solo Choreography- $200-$1500
• Graduation Portraits (collegiate or high school)- $100-$150
• Engagement Photos- $150-$350 depending on couple’s needs

Contact Info:

• Website: gumroad.com/Haleymohlerpresets
• Instagram: haleynmohler_
• Facebook: facebook.com/Haleymohlerphotography

Image Credit:
Bruce Yeung, Michael Anthony, Meagan Claire, Shelby Pine, Emily Vandehey

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