Maine Cancer Survivor Builds Wellness App During Treatment

When Tom McGowan received a brain cancer diagnosis in 2024, he didn't just fight the disease. He built something to help millions of others along the way.

The Windham, Maine resident channeled his treatment experience into creating HappyTrek, a wellness app designed to make mental health accessible to everyone. Two years after his diagnosis, he's cancer-free with clear scans and reaching users around the world.

"I've realized a lot about cancer. It's not just a boxing match that you win or lose," McGowan said. "You can live with cancer and still do great things."

During countless hours at MaineHealth and the Dempsey Center, McGowan discovered that mental wellness didn't require expensive therapies or complicated routines. Simple practices like nature walks, yoga, and meditation made a real difference in his healing journey.

With an MBA from Husson University and an entrepreneurial spirit, McGowan taught himself web design and app development from scratch during treatment. He launched HappyTrek in October 2025, packing it with tools he personally tested during his cancer battle.

The app guides users to nearby nature trails based on their location, offers yoga and meditation classes, and provides practical strategies for building healthy habits. A free version gives everyone access to basic features, while subscription plans offer personalized wellness coaching.

The Ripple Effect

McGowan's vision extends beyond individual downloads. He's partnering with organizations to offer HappyTrek as an employee health benefit, making mental wellness tools available to entire workforces at once.

One year after launch, the app proves that life-changing ideas can emerge from life's hardest moments. McGowan discovered that mental wellness support doesn't need to be expensive or complex to be effective.

"It's everything that helped me during my journey, not just made up," he explained. His authentic approach resonates because every feature comes from real experience, not theory.

The entrepreneur continues expanding HappyTrek's reach while maintaining his own wellness practices. Those peaceful moments and nature walks that sustained him through treatment remain central to his daily routine.

McGowan's journey shows that cancer patients can do more than survive—they can create, innovate, and inspire others facing their own challenges.