Scott and Elise introduce the Hunters of Happiness podcast, why they’re making it, and the core idea that “happiness has a backstory.” They share their love of talking with strangers, learning people’s stories, and creating a longer-form space (beyond short-form social media) to go deeper on real life.

The heart of the episode is their personal backstory: how they met at BYU, started dating in a very “old school” way, got “accidentally pre-engaged,” and eventually married. They then share a raw, detailed journey through infertility—multiple IUIs, two rounds of IVF (including a miscarriage), the emotional toll, and how community support came through once they started being open about it. A key takeaway is Elise’s shift in mindset: hope doesn’t prevent pain, but it makes the process livable—and happiness is something you actively choose and build, not something that simply happens when circumstances are easy.

They eventually get one genetically normal embryo (a girl—Lila), face a terrifying bleeding scare early in pregnancy, then experience major postpartum complications (postpartum preeclampsia) and a difficult hospital readmission and separation from their newborn. Later, when preparing for IVF again, Elise is diagnosed with Graves’ disease—then unexpectedly discovers she’s pregnant naturally (Gracie), which they frame as a miracle.

They close with recurring segments: “The Rundown” (weekly updates), “Key to Happiness” (gratitude + mindset/hope), and a fun Q&A bit called the “Trader Joe Bag.” They answer audience-style questions about gluten-free Disney options (Scott has celiac), whether they’ll keep a puppy from their dog’s litter, and a home renovation debate (vaulted ceiling vs coffered ceiling).

In Episode 2 of the Hunters of Happiness podcast, Scott and Elise share the full story behind their one-year health transformation—what sparked it, what they changed, and why it’s impacted their happiness as much as their bodies.

They dive into the “why” of their health journey: postpartum autoimmune struggles, Elise’s Graves’ disease diagnosis, and the wake-up call that led them to pursue a more personalized, root-cause approach.

Scott and Elise break down what they did through a customized program (bloodwork, food sensitivity testing, glucose monitors, meal timing, exercise changes, and supplements), what was hardest in the beginning, and the surprising improvements they felt—especially reduced inflammation, clearer thinking, better energy, and major symptom relief. Scott also shares his unexpected discovery of celiac disease and the “brain fog lift” that made him realize he’d been operating far below his true baseline for years.

They wrap with practical takeaways on meal prep, doing it with kids, the 80/20 lifestyle approach, and how better health can create more freedom—not less. Finally, they close with the Trader Joe’s Bag Q&A, including why they rented a podcast studio and their favorite travel experiences (with Versailles and Hawaii as top highlights).

Happiness has a backstory—sometimes it starts with healing.

How did Hunters of Happiness begin? In this episode, we’re sharing the full origin story—from Scott building his tech startup and Elise pursuing speech pathology, to the infertility journey that changed everything and unexpectedly opened the door to a whole new path.

We talk about how sharing infertility online created the first Hunters of Happiness community, how a simple blog name stuck, and how the platform slowly grew from heartfelt connection into a real business. We also dive into the early blogging days, getting fired while pursuing IVF, the first viral moments, the shift into DIY and home content during the pandemic, and what it’s really like to build a career as content creators and entrepreneurs.

We also answer your questions about how this all became a full-time job, how creators actually make money, what the hardest parts are, and why authenticity matters so much more than follower counts.

Plus: girls trips, a dog wedding update, puppies, power tools, haters, and the weird reality of being recognized in public.

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the heart, heartbreak, luck, grit, and growth that built Hunters of Happiness.