Before You Bloom

At just 17 years old, Lily Schubert's life changed dramatically. What began as declining health progressed into severe ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), leaving her bedbound for six years. During that time, Lily couldn't sit up, couldn't move her arms freely, and couldn't even roll over in bed without experiencing excruciating pain. She became completely...

In this powerful conversation, Helen Whait shares the extraordinary and deeply human story behind her decision to become a nun at just 19, and the lived experiences that shaped that moment long before she ever stepped into a convent. Helen reflects on a childhood marked by emotional abuse and control, and what it does to a young person’s sense of self, safety, and identity. She speaks honestly abo...

After years of sharing stories of resilience, healing, and growth through Before You Bloom , I'm excited to share a new chapter of my own journey. In this solo episode, I open up about becoming a Holistic Trauma Therapist and what led me to this path. From my experiences navigating chronic illness and personal challenges to the countless conversations I've had with incredible guests and li...

In this episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by Jaci Rogash for a raw and powerful conversation about trauma, healing, self-worth, and what it means to rebuild your life when everything feels broken. As a teenager, Jaci experienced sexual assault, an event that profoundly impacted the way she saw herself and her place in the world. What followed were years of self-hatred, destructive behaviour...

In this episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by Claire Steinke for a deeply honest conversation about cancer, fertility, motherhood, and rebuilding life after unimaginable uncertainty. At just 29 years old, Claire was diagnosed with uterine cancer and suddenly forced to confront one of her greatest fears, the possibility that she may never be able to have children. Faced with the recommendatio...

In this episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by Marie Weidlich, an ADHD advocate, award-winning marketer, and someone whose story goes far beyond the success people see on the surface. Marie opens up about growing up with relentless bullying, navigating life with undiagnosed ADHD, and the emotional impact of spending years feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, and like she never quite fit in. Wh...

In this episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by Alexa Leary, a Paralympic gold medallist, world record holder, and someone whose story goes far deeper than the highlights you may have seen. At just 19, Alexa’s life changed in an instant after a devastating cycling accident left her with a severe traumatic brain injury. She spent months in hospital and rehabilitation, relearning how to walk, ta...

I’m joined by Baci Hillyer, a Death Literacy Advocate, certified end-of-life doula, speaker, and the founder of Deadicate , a movement dedicated to reclaiming death as a natural, human, and communal experience. Baci’s work is not just professional, it’s profoundly personal. As a teenager, she experienced the unimaginable loss of both her father and her brother in a short space of time. These momen...

In this episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by Brooke Elliston, former lawyer turned breath educator and author of The Breath Reset Plan . Brooke shares how our breath shapes our nervous system, why so many of us are stuck in survival mode, and how small shifts can create powerful change. We explore the connection between breath, stress, and emotional regulation, along with Brooke’s five pill...

Today’s episode truly embodies the spirit of perseverance, partnership, and possibility. Hayley is joined by the incredible brother duo, Brent Pease and Kyle Pease, the inspiring force behind the Kyle Pease Foundation. Born with cerebral palsy, Kyle relies on Brent to be his legs on race day but what they’ve built together goes far beyond the finish line. Fueled by Kyle’s relentless determination...

Hayley sits down with Lauren Trevan to share the truth behind 16 years of coercive control, emotional abuse, and the devastating revelations that changed her life forever. Lauren reflects on who she was at just 18 when she met her husband at their sporting club, how quickly the relationship unfolded, and the subtle red flags she didn’t recognise at the time. She opens up about how jealousy, survei...

In this heartfelt episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by Katie Lolas, a Sydney high school teacher, mum of two, and the voice behind the much loved online space Lady Lolas . Behind her warmth is a story shaped by profound loss. In January 2021, Katie welcomed her daughter Harper into the world while also grieving the sudden passing of her sister, Nadia, who was just 31. In the years that foll...

⚠️ Please note: This episode includes discussions of sexual assault, addiction, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️ In this powerful episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by Adam Sheehy, a man who describes himself as “defiant in the face of an imbalanced brain,” and whose story is one of deep struggle, self-awareness, and hope. Adam opens up about the early signs that something was...

I’m joined by Bianca, a mother, advocate, and woman navigating profound grief, fertility challenges, and hope in the midst of heartbreak. Bianca shares her story of losing her beautiful son at 19 weeks, opening up about the days in hospital, the shock of loss, and the quiet devastation that follows when life continues but everything inside you has changed. She speaks candidly about the emotional a...

I sit down with Emma Godfrey to share her extraordinary story of motherhood, survival, and resilience. Emma was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML) the day after giving birth to her second daughter, a moment that should have been filled with newborn bliss, but instead became a fight for her life. As Emma navigated intensive cancer treatment while adjusting to life as a new mum, her...

I’m joined by the extraordinary Carol Lefevre. In a world where conversations about ageing so often centre on mid-life or decline, Carol offers something rare and powerful: an honest, hopeful exploration of later life, told from an older voice, for all generations. Framed by the turning of the seasons in her small suburban garden, Bloomer documents the year Carol turned seventy and invites us to r...

I’m joined by the incredible Krystal, a woman whose strength, resilience, and honesty will stay with you long after the episode ends. Krystal’s journey with endometriosis began when she was just a young girl, facing years of pain that was dismissed, misunderstood, and overlooked. After finally receiving a diagnosis at 23, her life shifted in every way : emotionally, physically, and mentally. Since...

In today’s deeply moving episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by the incredibly brave and beautiful Francesca Klemich, a 30-year-old woman who was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 29. Sharing your story while you’re still living it requires extraordinary courage, and I am truly honoured that Francesca chose to sit with us and open her heart so generously. In this conversation, Francesca tak...

In this week’s episode of Before You Bloom , I’m joined by the radiant Madi Young, a content creator who embodies confidence, resilience, and pure joy. Madi has built a beautiful online community through her authenticity, positivity, and creative expression across fashion, lifestyle, and dance. Born with amniotic band syndrome and living life with half an arm, Madi’s journey is one of embracing di...

Today on Before You Bloom , I’m joined by the incredible Steph Pase : a mum, entrepreneur, creator, and the heart behind one of Australia’s most loved online communities. Steph is known for her honesty, humour and the raw way she shares her life, from ADHD and anxiety to motherhood, business and healing through some of her darkest seasons. Her new book Mastering My Messy Life peels back the curtai...

Today on Before You Bloom , I’m joined by the incredible Steph Pase : a mum, entrepreneur, creator, and the heart behind one of Australia’s most loved online communities. Steph is known for her honesty, humour and the raw way she shares her life, from ADHD and anxiety to motherhood, business and healing through some of her darkest seasons. Her new book Mastering My Messy Life peels back the curtai...

In this soulful episode of Before You Bloom , Hayley sits down with beloved Play School presenter, actor, writer, and author Rachael Coopes to explore one of life’s most profound and challenging lessons : forgiveness. Rachael’s new book, The Art of Forgiveness , is a comforting and practical guide that invites us to look at what it truly means to forgive: ourselves, others, and the stories we’ve c...

Today's episode is both deeply moving and powerfully inspiring. I’m joined by Jessica Ella, a trauma therapist whose personal story is one of unimaginable hardship, resilience, and profound healing. Jessica opens up about surviving years of childhood sexual, physical, and psychological abuse. Experiences that no child should ever endure. She also shares the physical toll of living with Lyme di...

Today's episode is both deeply moving and powerfully inspiring. I’m joined by Jessica Ella, a trauma therapist whose personal story is one of unimaginable hardship, resilience, and profound healing. Jessica opens up about surviving years of childhood sexual, physical, and psychological abuse. Experiences that no child should ever endure. She also shares the physical toll of living with Lyme di...

Welcome back to Before You Bloom . In today’s episode, I’m joined by Chris, who lives with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition that disrupts how the brain sends and receives signals to the body. Often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, FND can impact every part of life, from physical movement to emotional wellbeing, yet it remains one of the least talked-about neurological conditions....