Hilary Russo’s career began under bright studio lights. As a television news anchor and reporter, she once envisioned herself climbing the ranks to a national broadcast desk. But in the years following 9/11, her reporting on tragedy and loss began to take a personal toll.
“I didn’t even realize the level of dysregulation I was experiencing,” Russo says. “I was taking the burnout and stress of work home with me.”
That awareness marked the start of a transformation that would take her far beyond newsrooms—into the heart of trauma-informed holistic wellness. Today, Russo is the founder of HIListically Speaking®, LLC, a nationally recognized media and wellness brand dedicated to helping people turn trauma into triumph through neuroscience-based tools and storytelling.
From Broadcast News to Holistic Healing
After years in journalism and acting, Russo’s transition to wellness began while working on Daily Burn 365, a live-streamed fitness show based in New York City.
“It was the first time I ever learned what a health coach was,” she says. “We all had health coaches, and it really inspired me. I wanted to help others live better—and I wanted to live better myself.”
Her curiosity led her to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the largest health coaching school in the world, where she earned her certification. She later became a faculty host for the program’s educational series, combining her broadcast expertise with her passion for wellness.
But Russo’s journey didn’t stop there. At a networking event, she was introduced to Havening, a neuroscience-based technique that uses touch and pleasant distractions to rewire the brain, regulate stress, and build resilience.
“Someone offered to try it on me at a bar,” she laughs. “I didn’t know what she did to me, but I wanted more of it.”
That encounter deeply changed her path. Russo became a certified Havening Techniques® practitioner—and later, a trainer who now teaches doctors, therapists, and first responders around the world.
The Power of Storytelling and Self-Discovery
Russo sees a clear connection between her background in journalism and her work in emotional wellness.
“When I was a reporter, I held space for people to share their stories with the world,” she explains. “Now, I hold space for people to share their stories with themselves. In one, you broadcast out; in the other, you broadcast in.”
Her belief in narrative transformation inspired her trademarked HUG It Out® Method, which weaves humor, understanding, and gratitude into everyday life.
“The ‘H’ is humor—finding moments to laugh, even when things don’t go your way,” she says. “The ‘U’ is understanding—knowing who you are and how you show up in the world. And the ‘G’ is gratitude—not just for things outside yourself, but for who you are.”
Russo is currently writing a book based on the method, which recently earned an honorable mention from Hay House Publishing. “If you can’t have me personally,” she says, “you can still have the HUG It Out way in your pocket.”
Leading a New Kind of Wellness Movement
In addition to private practice, Russo’s work spans multiple platforms. She hosts HIListically Speaking, a globally ranked podcast in the top 1.5% worldwide. She’s also a seasoned media professional, having worked for outlets such as QVC, CVS, and Aetna, where she co-hosted the Healthy Communities travel series highlighting wellness initiatives in underserved areas.
Her work today centers on corporate wellness, speaking engagements, and trainings that bring emotional intelligence and resilience into workplaces.
“We live in a sick-care system,” she says. “If we aren’t asking questions about our own health and well-being, we’re putting control in someone else’s hands.”
Her second signature program, The Pioneer Practitioner™, encourages people to advocate for themselves.
“Being a pioneer practitioner means you have the right to ask questions, to learn more, to take ownership of your journey,” she says. “You don’t have to have all the answers—you just have to be willing to explore.”
Looking Ahead
With a full calendar of international appearances—including a global Havening conference in New Zealand and practitioner trainings—Russo is stepping into a chapter filled with purpose, travel, and connection.
“More than anything, I want to help people be kind to their minds,” she says. “That means teaching tools that are accessible and actionable. Whether it’s through a podcast episode, a corporate workshop, or a one-on-one session, my goal is to remind people that resilience and emotional well-being are basic human rights.”
Even as her brand expands, Russo stays grounded in the values that guided her from day one.
“At the end of the day, the real currency isn’t cash,” she says. “It’s time well spent with people you love. It’s living the HUG It Out way—finding humor, understanding, and gratitude in every part of your story.”
Connect With Hilary Russo
Website: hilaryrusso.com
Instagram: @hilaryrusso and @hilisticallyspeaking
YouTube: youtube.com/hilaryrusso
HIListically Speaking Podcast: hilaryrusso.com/podcast