Send us Fan Mail What happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels like the life you’re meant to be living? Welcome to Back Yourself, a special five-part series from Spiritual AF. Five people. Five short conversations. Five very different stories about trusting yourself and taking the leap. In this conversation, Liz sits down with Laura Yates, founder of The Hummingbird Life. Laura went from working in corporate finance to becoming a spiritual mentor and self-described Earth Witch, but getting there wasn’t exactly a straight line. Laura shares the mental-health struggles that forced her to look at how she was living, the car accident that became a major wake-up call, and why she eventually took an entire year out to work on herself and deepen her spiritual practice. That journey would take her travelling alone through India, attending teachings from the Dalai Lama, hiking through the Himalayas, exploring ceremonial cacao and reconnecting with nature, spirituality and a part of herself she says had always been there. We also talk about what it really means to back yourself, why lived experience has become such an important part of Laura’s work, and why even after taking some huge leaps, imposter syndrome can still show up. IN THIS MINI EPISODE: • From corporate finance to Earth Witch • The accident that became Laura’s wake-up call • Mental health, self-compassion and learning to trust herself • Taking a year-long sabbatical and travelling alone through India • Attending teachings from the Dalai Lama • Cacao, nature and reconnecting with ancient wisdom • Why Laura believes healing starts with reconnecting to ourselves, community and nature • What backing yourself means to her now ABOUT LAURA Laura Yates is the founder of The Hummingbird Life and works as a spiritual mentor and retreat facilitator, bringing together nature, movement, ceremony, cacao, Divine Feminine practices and earth-based spirituality. Find Laura: https://the-hummingbird-life.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thehummingbirdlife/ https://www.facebook.com/thehummingbirdlife https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-yates-hummingbird/ SPECIAL SPIRITUAL AF OFFER Laura is offering Spiritual AF listeners 50% OFF one of two upcoming online experiences. Use discount code: SAF50 SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER - ONLINE SEASONAL RITUAL: BELTANE & SAMHAIN 3:00–5:00pm SGT | Zoom A seasonal gathering honouring Beltane in the Southern Hemisphere and Samhain in the Northern Hemisphere — exploring the different thresholds of expansion, creativity, descent, ancestors and the turning Wheel of the Year.Find out more: https://the-hummingbird-life.com/upcoming-events/onlinesamhain SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER — ONLINE CACAO & DANCE CEREMONY 2:00–4:30pm SGT | Zoom Laura’s signature online cacao and dance experience, weaving sacred cacao, embodiment, movement and connection to Self, Spirit, community and Earth. You can still take part if you don’t have cacao — simply bring another favourite beverage instead. Find out more: https://the-hummingbird-life.com/upcoming-events/onlinecacaodance-7wysd Use code SAF50 to receive 50% off either online event. BACK YOURSELF This is episode one of our special five-part Back Yourself series. We’re sharing a new story each day, so make sure you FOLLOW Spiritual AF now so you don’t miss the next one. And if Laura’s story makes you think of someone who needs to hear it, send this episode their way. Stay curious. And back yourself. Support the show 💜 SUPPORT THE SHOW 💜 Your contribution helps us create more episodes, interview incredible guests, and continue building a global community where spirituality feels accessible, real and inspiring. Every contribution, big or small, helps keep the conversations flowing. Thank you for being part of the journey. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598709/supporters/new Leave us a five star review with an awesome comment on Apple podcasts or Spotify, and we will send you a free ticket to one of our LIVE monthly “Downloads with Liz & Dianne” sessions, which we host exclusively for our Spiritual Renegades members! CONNECT WITH US: ▶︎ Join THE SPACE https://www.facebook.com/groups/thespacegroup ▶︎ Join our Membership Community https://www.spiritualaf.co/joinourtribe ▶︎ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spiritual.a.f/ ▶︎ Linktree https://linktr.ee/spiritualasfuck ▶︎ Liz https://linktr.ee/IntuitiveLiz ▶︎ Dianne https://linktr.ee/diannedriscoll