Past to Possibility Interview #1: Louise Hallam
Louise shares a defining moment from her life which shaped the person she is today
A warm hello from me! 👋🏻 If you're new here, I'm Natasha - psychotherapist, mum, wife, and cocktail enthusiast! 🍹 Welcome to Therapreneur Diaries, where I share my journey of growing my online private therapy practice, and you'll find posts about:
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The lessons I’ve learned as a new business owner, juggling multiple roles
The importance of self-compassion and living in alignment with your values
How self-exploration can transform your present and future
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I’m excited to introduce my spin-off series: Past to Possibility.
This series is all about exploring the powerful connection between past experiences, how they shape the present, and how they influence the possibilities for the future.
Through a series of reflective questions, each interviewee will share a significant moment in their life that sparked personal growth, how it influenced their mindset and actions, and how those insights continue to impact them today. I’m deeply grateful to Louise for sharing her story and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Past to Possibility Interview #1: Louise Hallam
Louise worked in a corporate role for 25 years. After being introduced to her Native American Guides, she began the teachings and passing on of ancient women in the role of a Modern Medicine Woman, focusing on the elimination of stress.
Through her own commitment to raising her consciousness and overcoming her ancestral fears, Louise is now working with senior leaders, changemakers and entrepreneurs to place them and their business at the heart of rebuilding fit for purpose systems and society through ground-breaking methods.
What is one defining moment or experience from your past that has shaped the person you are today?
My mum has bipolar and has been in and out of psychiatric care for all of my life. In 2017, at a time when I thought she had her last episode, she was admitted again. Visiting her there has always been a trauma trigger from my childhood and I knew that I just wouldn't be able to cope. My friend had lent me a book on meditation, so I thought I'm going to try this. I was amazed that it actually worked. I went to visit her feeling calmer and I left feeling calmer too. I would normally be upset, really anxious, crying or all three. I was just a bit anxious and this soon went away.
How did that moment or experience impact you as a person at the time?
For the first time in my life, I had a way of controlling my anxiety. I didn't have to keep experiencing the same horrible feelings and thoughts. I could choose how I felt in that moment, no matter what the situation or what it would throw at me. I didn't have to be a gibbering wreck every time I went to visit.
In what ways do you notice the influence of that experience showing up in your daily life or mindset today?
I left my corporate career to train as a Meditation Teacher. I felt it had such an impact on my life, in my ability to cope with life in a way that I had never had before, and I knew it would help other people the way it had helped me. That decision led me to meeting like-minded people. I started working with a spiritual mentor and working on my spiritual path, which opened up so many doorways and led me to the work that I do today.
Tell us about a decision or action you’ve taken recently where your current mindset, shaped by your past, played a significant role?
I have carried a deep wound of the fear of abandonment, rejection and disapproval. This can show up when I want to be more visible, when I'm up levelling in my business or when making new connections with people. I have to pay really close attention to this as it can have a negative impact.
What connections do you see between your past and your present? Does this surprise you?
I have done a lot of inner work on the influence that my past has on my present, but I am still often surprised by it. During a recent embodiment session, it became clear through the guidance of the coach, that I had a mistrust of the divine feminine, because of the relationship with my mother. I was able to see this from a whole new perspective and focus on what I needed to do to heal it.
Following your journey to this point, how do you imagine your current mindset, actions and habits will influence your future?
I have a constant awareness of when something comes up, that is either not mine to carry or requires further attention and healing. I am confident that I am able to work past and through anything that could inhibit my ability to progress, both on my spiritual and self-development journey.
What possibilities in the future are you most hopeful or excited about?
I am hopeful there will be a point where I do not bring some of my deeper wounds to the present and that the possibilities that this will open up to me will be expansive and exciting. I also enjoy shedding a light on other peoples stories and freeing them from their own mind and connecting them with their spirit.
✨Reflection: How did you find this exploration of the links between your past, present, and future?
I have found it very helpful as a reflection on how far I have come on my journey and the more positive perspective I can have on those past experiences, because I know it is possible to move beyond them, especially with help from the right people.
Connect with Louise:
Substack: The Wisdom Path
Website: Louise Hallam
Natasha’s reflection
Louise’s self-awareness really stood out to me. She recognised that her mum’s setback and hospital admission would trigger difficult thoughts and emotions. Instead of avoiding or suppressing her feelings, she confided in a friend and stayed open to new ways of coping. A single book recommendation led not only to a personal transformation but also to a complete career change - what now seems like a calling to embrace spirituality and help others.
On this journey, Louise continues to recognise that new situations may stir up difficult emotions. My sense is that she allows space for these feelings rather than resisting them. By staying open to her inner world, she puts herself in a strong position - either observing her emotions with compassion or taking meaningful action. This highlights her resilience, and I share her hope that, over time, she will experience the expansion and fulfilment she envisions.
✨ What stands out to you from Louise’s experiences?
Work with me
I offer 1:1 online therapy to women who are successful but struggle with self-doubt. I’d love to help you lead a life which is genuinely meaningful and fulfilling for you - and it doesn't just look good from the outside, it feels good on the inside.
There are 3 main focuses of my therapy work with clients:
Relieving your present symptoms so that you can stop feeling overwhelmed, on edge, or drained.
Understanding how your past experiences shaped your negative beliefs and behaviours, resolving them once and for all and stopping them from impacting you and day-to-day life… even if it feels like the past doesn’t affect you, it might be having more of an influence than you think.
Helping you take control of your choices, life, and future. We’ll work towards your goals and, when it’s time to end therapy, create a clear blueprint, making sure you can use your new tools on your own to stay on track and keep leading a fulfilling life.
You might also like these posts:
Past to Possibility Interviews – More inspiring stories from reflective women sharing their experiences.
Therapist Check-ins – Monthly reflections on my life as a therapreneur, the challenges, the stats, and the wins.
Deep-dives - In-depth explorations of psychology and business related topics.
Thank you for having me at Therapreneur Diaries Natasha. I really enjoyed the experience and it’s given me the opportunity to reflect on just how far I’ve come in managing my own emotions. Your input was sensitive and knowledgeable and I’m very grateful to have been able to contribute.
This was such a tender interview ❤️ Thank you Natasha & Louise xx