Looking Ahead: Big Changes Coming to It’s In Your Head in 2026
As the year comes to a close, I’ve been spending time reflecting on where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and the people who made this year what it was. I’m incredibly grateful for the work, the connections, the challenges, and the growth that came with all of it.
This year took me back to my roots. I spent time supporting several new districts, including Bismarck, stepping into the school I grew up in and directly impacting the community that shaped me. Getting to work with the kids of people I grew up with was surreal and deeply meaningful. It was one of those full-circle moments I’ll carry with me for a long time.
This year also marked my fourth year working with District 118’s Kenneth D. Bailey Academy, and I truly got to see the shift that comes with consistency and trust. Watching students engage more fully, use the tools we’ve been teaching, and show up with confidence has been incredible. Volunteering alongside them at the Douglas Discovery Garden and seeing these skills in action reminded me why this work matters so much.
Outside of the classroom, I traveled to Vietnam, discovered the rocket fuel that is Vietnamese coffee, and used it to power our team through an intense summer of operations, developing and refining a structured methodology to guide the way we deliver information.
I reunited with friends from around the world who I only get to see every couple of years, and it was inspiring to witness everyone thriving after the challenges of COVID, growing families, building businesses, and seeing the results of years of self-care and intentional work finally bearing fruit.
On a personal level, this year marked a major milestone: I finally returned to my pre-cancer weight and strength, eight years later. Through lifting, eating well, and truly fueling myself, I’ve learned (again) how important it is to support the body and nervous system if we want to show up fully for others. I also celebrated my 20-year class reunion, another reminder of how time and even the most minute choices we make shape us in ways we don’t usually see day to day.
We developed and piloted a new parallel program for teachers and students, and I started offering public stress relief classes at Plant Mode in Champaign that sold out every session. These opportunities have allowed us to reach new people and impact the broader CU community. We’ve already collaborated with Urbana police and are looking ahead to working with first responders, individuals, and schools in even deeper ways.
As the year winds down, I’m preparing to return to Thailand, where so much of this journey began, to decompress and intentionally prepare for a new role and some major shifts ahead. This time will be about reflection, gratitude, and deciding what I want to carry forward and what I’m ready to let go of, as I reinforce the habits that will support what’s coming next.
2026 holds major changes for It’s In Your Head that weren’t even on the radar this time last year. New resources and opportunities are on the horizon that will exponentially expand our ability to support those in need of regulation, and we’re excited to be making some big announcements in the coming weeks.
The first (and most impactful) change is this: It’s In Your Head is now officially a Non-Profit Corporation.
While we’ve always done non-profit–type work, this shift allows us to get resources into far more hands. This week, we filed for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, which will further support and expand our mission.
The coming changes have been nearly a decade in the making. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to receive updates and get the first looks at what’s ahead.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous year filled with connection, joy, and self-love. Remember, you can pause and TAKE A BREATH whenever you need it.
With gratitude,
Hunter LaFave
CEO, In Your Head Inc.
