Hannah Berner on Quitting for the Right Reasons, Finding Your Passion, and Knowing Your Worth
Why Walking Away Can Be the Best Decision You’ll Ever Make
We’re often told never give up—but what if quitting is actually the healthiest, most empowering choice? Comedian, podcaster, and former reality TV star Hannah Berner joined Heal Squad with Maria Menounos to talk about letting go of a lifelong dream, overcoming performance anxiety, and embracing a career that truly brings joy. From competitive tennis to stand-up comedy, Hannah’s journey is a lesson in self-awareness, resilience, and trusting the universe’s nudges—even when they feel like a shove.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a path that no longer serves you, or wondered if you’re holding on out of fear rather than passion, this conversation is for you.
The Myth of Never Giving Up: When Quitting is the Right Move
Hannah Berner spent her childhood training to become a professional tennis player. By the time she reached college, the sport had consumed her identity. But something felt off.
“I got to a point where winning didn’t make me feel much, but losing devastated me,” she shared. “I realized I was just doing it because I was good at it, not because I loved it anymore.”
Despite the Instagram-age wisdom that tells us quitting is a sign of failure, Hannah realized that walking away from tennis was actually an act of self-care. “Sometimes quitting isn’t weak—it’s empowering. It means you’re making room for something better.”
Her wake-up call came—quite literally—when she got hit by a car her senior year. Thankfully, she was okay, but it forced her to take stock of her life. “It felt like the universe was saying, How much do I have to throw at you before you listen? I wasn’t happy, and I needed to stop.”
Listening to Your Body: The Physical Signs of Misalignment
Hannah’s story is a powerful reminder that the body always knows. Whether it’s an energy-draining job, a toxic relationship, or an outdated dream, ignoring the signals can lead to stress, anxiety, and even burnout.
“I would have panic attacks on the tennis court. My body was screaming get out, but my mind was still programmed to push through,” she recalled. “Athletes are trained to ignore pain, fear, exhaustion—but I had to learn to hear my voice, not just the one I’d been conditioned to follow.”
That same lesson applies beyond sports. If something in your life consistently drains you, makes you anxious, or forces you to suppress who you really are, it may be time to reassess.
Ask yourself: “Am I quitting because it’s hard, or because it’s not right for me?”
Finding a New Passion: From Tennis Court to Comedy Stage
Leaving tennis behind was terrifying, but it set the stage—literally—for Hannah’s next chapter.
“I started working at Betches, writing memes, tweets, and funny videos. It was like an unexpected joke-writing boot camp,” she explained. A dare led her to perform her first stand-up set—10 minutes in front of 300 people. The moment she got on stage, she knew.
“It wasn’t something I had dreamed about, wasn’t something I was manifesting. But in my gut, I knew I was in alignment.”
Unlike tennis, where the stakes felt suffocating, comedy felt freeing. “I wasn’t having panic attacks. I wasn’t competing. I was just me, and that was enough.”
Her takeaway? The right path won’t make you feel like you’re constantly fighting upstream. “Life is too short to be miserable every day at work. Don’t be a hero—find the thing that actually lights you up.”
The Danger of Tying Your Worth to Success
Like many high achievers, Hannah struggled with attaching her self-worth to external validation.
“Growing up, when I won, people were happy. When I lost, they were disappointed. That’s how I measured my value,” she admitted. So when she left tennis and wasn’t immediately successful in something new, she felt lost.
“I was MVP of my tennis team one day, and an intern at a fashion boutique the next—getting treated like absolute garbage. No one knew my name, and it crushed me.”
That identity shift was an ego death. But it also forced her to redefine success.
“I had to ask myself: Am I proud of who I am, even without the trophies? Because if your worth is tied to what people think of you, it’s going to be a brutal rollercoaster.”
Now, as a stand-up comedian, she’s built a career that aligns with who she truly is—not who she thought she had to be.
The Universe Will Push You—If You Don’t Move First
Sometimes, we know something isn’t right, but we refuse to let go. That’s when the universe steps in.
For Hannah, that meant being forced out of reality TV.
“I was on Summer House and a Bravo talk show called Chat Room. One day, I had two shows. The next, I had none,” she said. “At first, I was devastated. But now I know—if I’d stayed in reality TV, I never would have pursued stand-up full time.”
The lesson? When doors close, trust that they’re meant to.
“If something feels forced, it’s probably not for you. When you’re on the right path, things flow. You don’t have to force them.”
Dating Advice: If You Have to Ask, He’s Not It
On top of career wisdom, Hannah dropped some relationship gems, too.
Her best advice? “If you have to ask ‘Does he like me?’—he doesn’t.”
“Love shouldn’t be confusing. If a guy makes you question yourself, he’s not the one. The right relationship will feel easy, like riding a wave—not like you’re constantly struggling to stay afloat.”
Final Takeaway: Do What Feels Right, Not What Looks Right
Hannah Berner’s journey is a testament to the power of pivoting. Whether it’s a career, a relationship, or a way of thinking—letting go of what looks good in order to find what feels good is the ultimate win.
“At the end of the day, I don’t want an Oscar. I don’t need millions of dollars. I just want to wake up and not be depressed,” she said. “And that means choosing what actually makes me happy—not what makes other people happy for me.”
If you take one thing from this conversation, let it be this: Success isn’t about never quitting. It’s about knowing what to quit—and when to trust that something better is coming.
For more healing and wellness tips, be sure to subscribe to Heal Squad with Maria Menounos on YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
