S2 EP 3: Monday Motivations and Louise Hay

✨ In this Monday Motivations episode, we explore the extraordinary midlife transformation of Louise Hay — a woman who went from a childhood of trauma and hardship to becoming one of the most influential figures in the self-help movement. Louise didn’t publish her first book until she was 50, and in her 60s she founded Hay House Publishing, building a global legacy of healing and empowerment. From her cancer recovery to the creation of The Hayride support groups and the Hay Foundation, her story reminds us that it’s never too late to begin again, to heal, and to create a life filled with purpose.

If Louise’s journey inspires you, I’d love to hear your reflections. And if you have a story of resilience or transformation to share, you could be featured in a future Monday Motivations episode — details are in the show notes. 💜

Transcript

Odelia (00:01.358)
Hello and welcome back to the Midlife Awakening podcast and to another episode of Monday Motivations. My name is Odilia and I'm the host. Every Monday I bring you an inspiring story to help you start your week with hope and perspective. These are stories of resilience, reinvention and healing. Real reminders that it's never too late to begin again. Today's story is about a woman who transformed not only her own life,

but also the lives of millions around the world. Her name is Louise Hay. You may have heard her being called the Queen of Affirmations or recognized her as a pioneer of the self-help movement. But what you might not know is that her journey of transformation didn't really begin until midlife. She published her first book at the age of 50, and in her 60s, she created one of the world's most successful publishing houses. Her story is living proof.

the second half of life can be the most powerful chapter of all.

Odelia (01:17.934)
Louise Hayes' life didn't begin with ease or privilege. She was born into poverty and her childhood was marked by neglect, instability and abuse. By the time she reached her teens, life had already thrown far too much pain her way. Louise ran away from home and ended up in New York City. She managed to build a new life for herself, working as a model and later marrying a prosperous businessman. From the outside, it might have looked like she'd

finally escaped her difficult beginnings. But the marriage ended 14 years later, and it was in that moment, heartbroken and starting over, that her healing journey really began.

Odelia (02:00.621)
In the early 1970s, Louise started attending meetings at the Church of Religious Science in New York. She didn't just attend, she trained in the ministerial program and soon became a popular speaker. What began as curiosity blossomed into a calling. She found herself counselling people who came to her with their struggles. And before long, this became her full-time work. Out of these conversations and her own studies, she compiled a reference guide.

connecting the mental causes of physical ailments with affirmations for healing. This was the birth of her very first book, Heal Your Body, often affectionately called The Little Blue Book. Published in 1976, long before the mind-body connection was widely discussed, this book introduced her ideas to readers in 33 countries and was translated into 25 languages.

Louise was already planting the seeds of a movement that would eventually change lives worldwide.

Louise's philosophy wasn't just theory. She was forced to put it into practice when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Instead of relying on conventional treatments alone, she chose a different path. She committed herself to an intensive program of F-affirmations, visualization, nutritional cleansing, and psychotherapy. Within six months, she was completely healed. Her cancer diagnosis could have been the end of her story, but instead,

It became the turning point. It gave her proof that her methods worked and the confidence to share her message even more boldly.

Odelia (03:43.599)
In 1984, Louise published You Can Heal Your Life, the book that will become her defining legacy. In it, she explained how our beliefs and ideas about ourselves often cause our emotional problems and physical challenges, and how by using tools like affirmations and self-love, we can change our thinking and transform our lives. The book became a New York Times Bestseller and stayed on the list for 13 consecutive weeks.

Over 50 million copies have been sold worldwide. And here's an incredible detail. More than 20 years later, because of her appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, You Can Hear Your Life returned to the New York Times Bestsellers list. was the first time in history that had ever happened with the same book. Think about that. A book written in Midlife, reshaping not just her life, but the lives of millions.

decades after it was published.

Odelia (04:46.993)
Louise's work wasn't just about books, it was also about building community. In 1985, at the height of the AIDS crisis, she began a small support group in her living room. Just six men came to the first gallery. She called it the Hayride. But word spread quickly. By 1988, the group had grown to 800 people meeting weekly in a West Hollywood auditorium. At a time when fear and stigma surrounded AIDS,

Louise created a safe space of compassion, love and support. Long before red ribbons and public campaigns, she was already showing up for people who needed her. This period inspired her to write the AIDS book, creating a positive approach, capturing the lessons of courage, healing and love she witnessed in that community.

Odelia (05:43.448)
As her influence grew, Louise decided to create a platform, not just for her own voice, but for others too. In the mid 1980s, she founded Hay House Publishing. What started in her living room became one of the most successful self-help publishing companies in the world. Hay House went on to publish bestselling authors like Wayne Dyer, Gabriella Bernstein and Deepak Chopra, and so many more. Through Hay House,

Louise amplified the voices of countless heroes, teachers and visionaries, creating ripples that continue to touch lives today.

But Louise's vision extended beyond publishing. She also established The Hay Foundation, a non-profit organization that supported causes close to her heart. AIDS care, battered women, food, shelter, hospice and crisis support. Her foundation continues to give back today, more than 30 years later. When I reflect on Louise Hay's journey, what inspires me most is not just her success, but the timing of it.

She didn't publish her first book until she was 50 years old. She didn't found her publishing empire until her 60s. She didn't slow down at midlife. She started. Her life reminds us that midlife is not an ending. It's not a decline. It can be the most powerful new beginning. She turned her struggles into strength. She turned her pain into purpose.

and she left behind a legacy of healing that continues long after her passing.

Odelia (07:31.098)
So that was the incredible midlife awakening of Louise Hay. Her story shows us that even after trauma, illness and heartbreak, we can begin again. It shows us that age is not a barrier. It can actually be our advantage. And it shows us that when we do the work to heal ourselves, we create ripples of healing for others.

If Louise's story has inspired you, I'd love to hear your reflections. Share them in the comments here or on my sub stack or send me a message on Instagram. And if you have your own story of resilience, healing, or transformation, whether it was a big breakthrough or a quiet shift, I'd love to feature it on a future Monday Motivation episode. All the details on how to share your story are in the show notes because your story

might be the exact spark someone else needs to awaken their own new chapter. Until next Monday, take care of yourself, take care of your heart and remember, it's never too late to begin again. Bye for now!