How HatchPath wellness coaching tackles workplace stress

During a five-year recovery from the effects of a broken neck, traumatic brain injury and chronic Lyme disease, Jordan Dunin realize that the path to wellness could extend beyond traditional medical practices. That led to the creation of HatchPath, a human performance program that’s designed to help employees reset, build resilience and create sustainable performance without burnout.

According to a Gallup poll, 77% of the workforce in the U.S. has experienced job burnout. However, while many companies offer traditional employee assistance programs (EAP), the average utilization rate is under 5%. And to help increase retention, reduce employee burnout and improve their return on investment, more organizations now turn to HatchPath.

While traditional EAPs are often reactive, HatchPath offers a proactive, personalized and fully managed wellness program that can help employees deal with chronic stress and burnout and improve their wellbeing through one-on-one coaching across a variety of wellness specialties. Plus, it can reduce administrative costs and increase ROI by an average of 4.2x.

Derived from Dunin’s own healing journey, HatchPath is designed to support the whole person through personalized coaching in stress management, mindset, nutrition and leadership. The inspiration for the company came when Dunin met his now-wife, Lauren, a holistic nutritionist, who helped him realize the need for wellness coaching in modern society.

“Given how we live our lives today, we live in a chronic state of distress. That’s why we’re seeing epidemics of chronic illness and people struggling with burnout in workplaces. Everybody has a challenge, whether it’s relationships, finances, work-life balance, nutrition or weight loss,” Dunin says. “At the core of it, there’s a reason that the problem is occurring and causing stress. People are just looking for a way to turn off from always being on. We help people deal with stress and live their lives better.”

While some employee assistance programs may be little more than a one-size-fits-all assistance hotline, HatchPath focuses on a tailored approach for each individual. Employees are paired with a dedicated concierge who handles coach matching, scheduling and ongoing support. With coaches available across a variety of well-being disciplines, HatchPath allows employees to find the help and support they need via one-on-one virtual sessions. The structured sessions are designed to provide employees with practical tools they can use at work and in their everyday lives to manage and reduce stress and live healthier, more balanced lives. Plus, employers receive feedback via their dashboard to see general areas where their employees are struggling. And that, Dunin says, translates into tangible results for employers and their workforce.

“Many businesses have employee assistance programs, but they’re underutilized. Typically, those programs are just downloadable resources that aren’t completed 90% of the time,” Dunin says. “I think that most executives don’t understand the ROI that comes from human performance. They don’t realize that they’re running a team, and if the people are burned out, it’s affecting their bottom line. If someone is simply not showing up to work or working at 30% capacity, and we take them up to 80% capacity, that’s a simple improvement, and you’re getting a decent return on your investment in your employees’ well-being.”

Far from being the stereotypical business owner, Dunin says he and his wife focus on living their lives as an example of the power of wellness coaching. Though the company has grown beyond its startup phase, Dunin says he has bigger priorities. “I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old, so in terms of life, I’m really focused on being a father first, husband and business owner. I think that people have that backwards with hustle culture,” he says. “I don’t want to miss the most incredible years in my kids’ lives, and that’s one of my big messages.”

Ultimately, in the age of information overload, artificial intelligence and 24/7 connection, Dunin says everyone can be stressed and overwhelmed, regardless of job title. And, as HatchPath is dedicated to helping people find a healthier balance in their lives, Dunin says he’s a testament to the benefits the company provides.

“My wife and I are living proof of what the business stands for, and we both have coaches on the platform,” Dunin says. “I still stress about things, but I’ve learned how to deal with it. And that’s what HatchPath helps people do.“

Written by Bill Wasinger

Top photo by Brian Tietz