The Women Leading the Way: Change Makers Highlight – Stories That Inspire
This month, Yeah The Girls 40+ shines a light on two incredible women who are making profound impacts in their fields—Sarah Bishop and Hayley Latham.
Sarah, a Mental Strength and Resilience Coach, helps individuals tap into their inner power and build resilience, empowering them to overcome adversity.
Hayley, a Hysterectomy Healing & Empowerment Expert, guides women through emotional healing and recovery after life-changing experiences, helping them rediscover confidence and embrace life post-surgery.
Both women continue to inspire and empower others to thrive, no matter the challenges.
Leaders of Change Sarah Bishop
Resilient, passionate, and unapologetically me—this is my journey
Grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let’s have a chat. If we haven’t met yet—hi!
I’m Sarah Bishop, and if you’ve been hanging around Yeah The Girls, you’ve probably seen me pop up in conversations, hosting expert hours, or sharing bits and pieces of my journey. I thought it was about time I properly introduced myself, because let’s be honest—when you’ve been through as much as I have, it’s nice to share a little of the why behind who I am today.
I’m a mum, an advocate, a coach, a crocheter, a lifelong learner, and someone who has had to rebuild more times than I can count. My journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has shaped the woman I am now—stronger, more resilient, and determined to help others find their own path forward.
Growing Up and Finding My Strength
I grew up in the Hunter Valley, bouncing between different schools and trying to find my place in the world. Life wasn’t exactly smooth sailing (understatement of the century), but looking back, I can see that those tough times were what made me so adaptable and capable of pushing forward no matter what.
Becoming a mum was the biggest turning point in my life. I had my first child young, and from that moment, everything changed. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about me—it was about making sure my kids had the best life possible, no matter what it took. I have three incredible children—Patrick (24), Taylor (23), and Lewis (17)—and they have been my greatest teachers in patience, resilience, and unconditional love.
A Life of Advocacy
My eldest, Patrick, has multiple complex medical conditions and disabilities, and navigating the healthcare and disability support systems for him became my full-time reality. I quickly learned that if you don’t speak up, if you don’t fight, things don’t get done.
Over the years, I became an advocate—not just for Patrick, but for anyone facing similar struggles. I learned how to navigate bureaucracy, communicate with professionals, and push for what my son needed. That experience led me into nursing, where I spent years caring for others, before transitioning into roles in the NDIS space as a Local Area Coordinator and then a Support Coordinator.
Working in the disability sector opened my eyes to just how broken the system can be. I saw families exhausted, overwhelmed, and struggling to be heard—just like I had been. I made it my mission to help as many people as I could, using my lived experience to bridge the gap between professionals and the people who actually needed support.
But here’s the thing—advocating for others is hard. It takes a toll. And after years of working within the system, I realized I needed to find a way to make an impact without completely burning myself out.
Rebuilding, Again and Again
Life has thrown me some serious curveballs. I’ve lived through two marriages marked by family violence, walked away with nothing but my kids and my determination, and rebuilt my life more times than I can count. Each time, I came out stronger, but that doesn’t mean it was easy.
Raising neurodivergent kids while managing my own disabilities meant I had to be creative about how I lived my life. I had to prioritize mental strength and resilience, not just for myself but for my kids, too. That’s how I found my passion for coaching and mindfulness—because when life is constantly throwing chaos your way, you need tools to stay grounded.
Where I Am Now
One of the biggest game-changers for me was crochet. What started as a hobby became a lifeline. It gave me something to focus on, a way to calm my mind when everything felt overwhelming.
Eventually, I realized that what worked for me could work for others too, which is why I now teach crochet as a mindfulness tool. It’s not just about making pretty things (though that’s a bonus!)—it’s about finding moments of peace in the middle of a storm.
These days, my life looks very different from the chaos of the past. I live in a beautiful home that feels like my sanctuary, surrounded by my four-legged companions—Mordi (my talkative husky), Crookshanks (my overly affectionate cat), and two other feline troublemakers, Nala and Claude.
I’ve built Toil and Remedies into something that truly reflects who I am—a blend of coaching, creativity, and community.
Through my business, I help people find strength, resilience, and a way forward. Whether that’s through mindfulness coaching, crochet therapy, or simply sharing my journey in spaces like this, my goal is always the same: help others recognize the strength they already have inside them.
And beyond that? I’m chasing my own dreams. I want to travel around Australia, ideally in a caravan with Mordi by my side, stopping wherever the mood takes me. I want to finally build a proper display for my Conqueror Challenge medals (because yes, virtual marathons are my thing!). And most of all, I want to create a life where my family is secure, happy, and thriving—because at the end of the day, that’s always been my biggest goal.
Strength doesn’t come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t. – Rikki Rogers
Building a life on my terms, one stitch at a time
Why Yeah The Girls 40+ community Means So Much to Me
This community is something special. When I first started engaging in Yeah The Girls, I was drawn to the energy, the support, and the genuine connections that form here. It’s not just a group—it’s a space where women lift each other up, where we share our experiences, and where we remind each other that we’re not alone in whatever we’re going through.
I love being part of that. Whether it’s through expert hours, casual chats, or just cheering each other on in the comments, I feel incredibly lucky to be part of a group where we get each other.
So, if you ever need a chat, want to learn how to crochet (or just need an excuse to sit down with a hot drink and some yarn), or feel like sharing your own journey, I’m always up for a convo. Life is better when we share it, and I’m so grateful to be sharing mine with all of you.
That’s me—Sarah Bishop. Just a girl with a yarn addiction, a heart full of passion, and a firm belief that no matter where you’ve been, there’s always a way forward.
"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain. – Vivian Greene
Leaders of Change: Hayley Latham
Awakening: The Journey Back to Me, After Hysterectomy
I didn’t always feel like an empowered woman. In fact, for most of my life, I was searching for myself…
After growing up with childhood trauma, becoming a teenage mum, and ending up in a dysfunctional, emotionally abusive marriage, I found myself feeling lost, broken, and utterly alone.
Self-esteem? What even was that? I had no confidence, was riddled with anxiety, and battled bouts of depression. But one thing always stood out—I was a fighter. No matter how many times life knocked me down, I picked myself back up, dusted myself off, put on the brave face, and carried on.
But survival is not the same as truly living.
The First Awakening
My love for self-development ignited in my early twenties. After finding my soulmate and finally feeling safe, I could begin the journey back to me.
There were challenges along the way—so many times I asked my soul, Really!?! Did I seriously sign up for this much trauma in one lifetime? But hey, that’s all part of the journey, right?
And then, life threw me the biggest curveball yet.
You are not broken. You are becoming. You are still whole, still powerful, and your story is far from over. – Hayley Latham
The Unexpected Blow: A Second Awakening
I was 47, living my dream—well, at least as much as one can while navigating the echoes of past trauma. As a Trauma Therapist, I had spent years immersed in self-development, completing my Master’s in Hypnotherapy, Timeline Therapy, NLP Coaching, and various other modalities for emotional healing. My practice was thriving. I was doing what I loved.
And then... womb cancer.
Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you just when you think you’ve got it all figured out.
Nothing prepared me for this. The doctors acted quickly. It was stage 1, and they told me a hysterectomy was necessary—immediately. I was lucky, they said. If they removed everything, I wouldn’t need further treatment.
But I was devastated.
I had always sworn I would never have a hysterectomy. I had seen what it did to my mother just a year after I was born. She lost herself. She became angry, sad, depressed, and anxious beyond words. Her trauma became my trauma.
She wasn’t emotionally available for me. My mother—who should have been my source of safety—was lost in her own pain, crying endlessly or screaming in rage. That became my Big T Trauma. It shaped me. I became a people pleaser. I feared being wrong. I dimmed my light to stay small, because small felt safe.
And now, the same thing was happening to me.
I cried for weeks. But then, something miraculous happened.
The Deepest Awakening: Healing Beyond the Physical
Being a trauma therapist with a long list of modalities meant I had tools. From the moment I was diagnosed, I began to see visions—flashing lights in my mind, spelling out the word VIOLATION.
At first, I thought it was about my mother’s hysterectomy. But as I dug deeper, I realized it had nothing to do with her… and everything to do with when I was molested at seven years old.
The moment that changed everything.
That day, trapped in a room, the door locked, with no escape… I complied. Fear paralyzed me. And later, as I grew into adolescence, that trauma rewrote my script. I lost my sense of boundaries. I was labeled promiscuous—a word I despise, because now I understand. When children are exposed to sex before they are ready, it changes them. The natural, slow unfolding of connection—holding hands, first kisses, the innocence of young love—became foreign to me. Instead, I froze. I dissociated. I found myself at the mercy of boys’ hands, unable to say no, unable to move. I was stuck in a freeze response.
And now, decades later, those stuck emotions had manifested in my body. My womb, the sacred space of creation, had been holding onto the fear from that day.
Once I realized this, I got to work. I did the deep inner healing. I released the fear.
A week later, I turned to my husband and said:
"The cancer is gone."
The Final Chapter: Reclaiming My Feminine Power
Despite my deep knowing, the doctors’ warnings weighed on me, and I went ahead with the hysterectomy.
And then… a tidal wave of grief. More pain, more emotions. My self-worth took a brutal hit. I felt like I wasn’t a woman anymore, like my feminine essence had been ripped away from me.
The journey through hysterectomy isn’t just physical; it’s a holistic transformation of the mind, body, and spirit. – Hayley Latham
Until I chose to begin the next chapter—the chapter of true healing.
Today, I stand here in deep gratitude—for my life, for my learnings, for the profound work that has brought me home to myself.
And now, I pass that wisdom on.
My Mission: Awakening Women to Their Power
I am honored to help hundreds—if not thousands—of women like me. Women like you, who may be reading this, searching for answers, longing for healing.
For those still battling symptoms, wondering if something isn’t right—I see you.
For those who have already walked this path, who have undergone the surgery and now wrestle with what it means for their identity—I hear you.
For every woman who has felt disconnected from her body, her power, her worth—I am here for you.
It is my mission to educate, empower, and awaken women to a new truth:
That we can heal.
That our past does not define us.
That we do not have to carry the wounds of trauma in our bodies forever.
And, perhaps one day, that we can eradicate the need for hysterectomies altogether—by healing our past and reclaiming the women we were always meant to be.
Femininity isn’t defined by a womb; it’s in your intuition, creativity, and strength. – Hayley Latham
Helping Other Women Rise
And for those of you wondering…
Three weeks after my surgery, the pathology results came in.
You know the dread of that phone call, don’t you?
The doctor’s voice was calm.
"The cancer is gone. It had regressed. You are in the clear.” I was free.
Some women don’t get this chance. And so, I stand here today, grateful beyond words—not just for my life, but for my awakening.
And if you’re ready, I want to help you awaken too.
Hayley’s approach is compassionate, holistic, and transformative. Through her HysterVibrancy programs, she helps women:
Process the emotions of hysterectomy—grief, loss, fear, and anger
Release past trauma and break through emotional blocks
Reconnect with their feminine energy and self-worth
Navigate menopause and hormonal shifts with ease
Step into a life of confidence, strength, and empowerment
But more than anything, Hayley reminds women that they are not alone.
“There are so many of us out there, struggling in silence. Feeling like we should ‘just get over it.’ But healing doesn’t work that way. We need support. We need to process. We need to reconnect with ourselves,” she says.
The journey through hysterectomy isn’t just physical; it’s a holistic transformation of the mind, body, and spirit. – Hayley Latham
Get in touch...
Ph: 0457288802
