I Was Living The Dream As A Peloton Instructor. Behind The Scenes, I Was Suffering A Frightening Medical Mystery.
I’m known for saying, “Treat your body like it belongs to someone you love.” After my own health journey, I take this advice to heart now more than ever.
It all started five years ago, when my world flipped upside down. I was experiencing a level of exhaustion that I still find hard to describe. I felt like an infant who could barely stay awake for four hours before needing a nap, and I was grappling with unexplained weight gain, too.
I was able to get my buns to work to teach at Peloton, but more and more it felt like scaling Mount Everest just to get through the entirety of a class with my eyes open. I’d manage to teach a session or two only to fall asleep on the subway on the way home. I started waking up in different boroughs, which might have almost been funny if it hadn’t started to feel so dangerous.
I was supposed to be living the dream. I was at the peak of my career in New York City, which is fast-paced to begin with, but ol’ sleepkins over here could no longer hang with the big boys. Instead, I felt like a shadow of my former self, displaying only a shell of my personality. It is difficult to motivate and bring top-notch energy to hundreds of thousands of ready-to-go cyclists when you feel like garbage.
So I took matters into my own hands. I revamped my diet and doubled down on exercise, even though my body felt like it was dragging through molasses. I was convinced that if I just pushed hard enough, I’d turn things around. Spoiler alert: That did not work.
Nothing seemed to improve despite my best efforts, and the hope of feeling like myself again felt increasingly out of reach. Little did I know that this was only the beginning. For two years, I found myself in a loop of doctor appointments. Every time I saw someone new, I’d explain my symptoms, and every time, I’d get the same brush-off: “It’s probably just the stress of your demanding job,” or “Your symptoms aren’t severe enough to worry about.”
No answers. No solutions.
My family and friends saw the toll this medical mystery was taking on me. They were worried, frustrated and often at a loss for what to do. Eventually I felt like I had to take a step back from socializing and hanging out with the people I loved because I did not feel like myself anymore. My husband and my friends saw this change in me and encouraged me to keep pushing for the answers I needed.
I knew this wasn’t me. I knew something needed to change. I refused to give up.
After months of questioning and advocating for more in-depth testing, I finally had a breakthrough: I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition and the most common form of hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid. Thyroid hormones contribute to regulating your weight, energy and other bodily functions. My thyroid was producing very low levels of these crucial hormones, which caused my energy and metabolism to come to a near halt.
My diagnosis was a mixed blessing. I finally had an explanation for my symptoms, but it also meant accepting life with a chronic autoimmune condition and redefining what “healthy” meant to me. I worried, Where on earth do I go from here?
Managing Hashimoto’s has become a balancing act. I started medication to regulate my thyroid hormone levels and slowly began to get back to enjoying my day instead of dreading every second of it. I shifted my focus to nutritious foods, exercising for fun again instead of desperation, and carefully monitoring my health.
There were moments of intense frustration. I felt a bit betrayed by my own body and let down by the medical system. But I also found a new sense of purpose. Instead of focusing on what my body can’t do, I started being in awe of what it can do.
One of the most eye-opening things I’ve learned since my diagnosis is that having a thyroid condition, such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease, puts you at a higher risk of developing Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), a different but related autoimmune condition that requires separate care.
Armed with this new knowledge, I knew I was going to have to take care of my body — including my eyes — differently than I had been and stay alert to the risks.
TED can cause debilitating eye symptoms, including double vision, eye bulging, eye pain and even vision loss. It can also profoundly affect a person’s emotional well-being and ability to read, drive or work.
Imagine waking up one day and not looking or feeling like yourself? I knew the feeling all too well. As a performer and fitness instructor, I am not taking any chances with my eyes and now monitor them closely for any changes.
I’ve also learned throughout this process that however unique I may be, my story is not. Nearly 20 million Americans live with some form of thyroid disease, yet up to 60% of these individuals are unaware of their condition and the associated risks. That’s why I felt compelled to share my story, so others can take the action they need sooner than I could.
Here are the three things I’ve learned on my journey and hope others living with or at risk for thyroid conditions will find useful:
Pay attention to the signs: Understanding your health background and potential risks is crucial. This knowledge enables you to make informed decisions and keep an eye on any changes in your body to report to your doctor. I was tired for months and spent too long believing it was my fault. Be mindful of your body, and don’t shrug off any symptoms.
Advocate for yourself: If you feel something is wrong, speak up. If you don’t think your doctor is listening, find another doctor. Your concerns are valid, and it’s important you have them addressed.
Listen to your eyes: If you have a thyroid condition like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ and notice any changes in your eyes — such as eye bulging, eye pain or double vision — schedule an eye exam with a TED specialist immediately. I now have an endocrinologist and an ophthalmologist to manage my condition from every angle.
I am proud of the progress I’ve made on this journey. The Hannah of five years ago would be shocked and delighted to see the Hannah of today teaching dozens of Peloton classes, performing at the Met Gala with Ariana Grande and auditioning for Broadway — all while keeping my health a priority. This transformation is a testament to trusting my gut, speaking up until someone listened and finding the right care team.
Maintaining a positive outlook and a proactive approach has been a game-changer. Even with a chronic condition, I’ve learned to navigate my career and personal life without sacrificing my well-being. Setbacks have become a source of strength, reminding me of my resilience and pushing me to achieve what once seemed impossible. At the end of the day, I am and always have been stronger than I give myself credit for.
As a performer, my body is my instrument. The energy I bring to the stage or the studio isn’t just a reflection of my passion but also my commitment to my health. This experience has taught me that setbacks can be a powerful motivator. They remind us to truly treat our bodies like they belong to someone we love and push us to achieve what we once thought impossible.
Looking back, I realize that my struggles have shaped me into a more empathetic and informed individual. I am keenly aware that you never know what someone is going through, and I strive to inspire those around me to prioritize their health.
Sharing my story isn’t just about waving my weird flag for thyroid health; it’s about creating a community where we can all laugh, support each other and occasionally break out into spontaneous dance parties. Life’s too short not to have a little fun while navigating the twists and turns.
So here’s to becoming your own health champion, adding a bit of sparkle to your journey, and discovering a healthier, stronger and more fabulous version of yourself.
Hannah Corbin is an internationally recognized fitness instructor, dancer and founding instructor at Peloton, a digital fitness company. She actively educates and supports individuals facing thyroid health and autoimmune challenges, fostering a community of “autoimmune warriors” and promoting proactive health care strategies. For more from Hannah, find her on Facebook and Instagram.
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