A close friend once asked, “How could you let all that go?” I sipped my dandelion tea, gazing out the window. The question hung in the air. What had I let go? I took a slow, deep breath, feeling into it.
For twenty-five years, I thrived in the spotlight—modelling, film, television, and media across Australia and beyond. I was an international cover model, a face on Neighbours, a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Survivor, and part of the award-winning documentary Go Back to Where You Came From. Strangers recognised me at the shops, stopped me in airports, even named their daughters after me. With fame came offers—lucrative work, elite circles, a life many dream of. But beneath the glamour, something was missing. The work brought moments of fun, creative highs, and fleeting gratification, but little soul-deep joy. I knew there was more.
Life’s chapters often pull us between the external and internal worlds. Society nudges us to chase the outer markers of success—fame, wealth, status—while whispering that the inner voice should wait. I wrestled with guilt, shame, and overthinking when I first felt the urge to step away from entertainment. Leaving behind ‘success’ takes courage. It’s not just about letting go of people or places; it’s about releasing an identity that no longer serves your heart.
The decision to transition wasn’t a single moment but a quiet unfolding. I’d spent years in front of cameras, curating an image, but my soul craved depth. I began to explore meditation, women’s circles, and doula work. Slowly, I built Honouring Heart, my business named for exactly what I was doing—honouring my heart’s truth. Today, I guide women’s circles, train others to facilitate them, and teach circle facilitation globally. As a birth and end-of-life doula and meditation teacher, I hold space for life’s sacred transitions. This work feels like home.
I found medicine in connecting others. We’re in a loneliness epidemic, disconnected from the old ways of gathering, storytelling, and supporting one another. My media career taught me how to command attention, but my soul-led path showed me how to create safe spaces for others to be seen. Leading circles, I witness women shed layers of doubt and rediscover their strength. Training facilitators worldwide, I see the ripple effect—communities healing through connection. This work answers a call to serve, not just myself, but a world yearning for togetherness.
Walking away from the spotlight brought a magnificent freedom. The weight of external expectations lifted, and I felt lighter than ever. There’s no script for success, no rule saying you must cling to one identity. Shedding those masks—model, TV star, public figure—revealed magic in following my deeper purpose. It wasn’t about rejecting my past but embracing a new chapter that felt true. Each layer I let go of brought me closer to joy.
My purpose now is about strength in community. I help women rise, create safe spaces, and grow together. Honouring Heart isn’t just my work—it’s a movement to make connection as common as yoga studios, accessible to all. Through my courses, I guide others to lead with confidence, share their stories, and build spaces where everyone feels held. This isn’t about me standing in the spotlight; it’s about lighting the way for others to shine.
I have no regrets. My past—every photoshoot, every TV set, every moment of recognition—shaped me. It gave me resilience, presence, and a voice I now use differently. I celebrate it all, knowing it led me here. Our human evolution never stops. If we stay open, we can cleanse our wounds, shed outdated programs, and rebirth ourselves as many times as we’re called. When you find a purpose that sparks joy, dive in. Listen to the wisdom within—it’s louder than the noise outside.
As I sit with my tea, reflecting on my friend’s question, I smile. I didn’t let go of anything that mattered. I released what no longer served me to embrace what does. From spotlight to soul, I’ve rewritten my story in silence, and it’s more vibrant than any script I’ve ever read. If you feel a tug to shed your own layers, know this: the courage to follow your heart is the greatest role you’ll ever play.
Imogen Bailey is a women’s circle educator who facilitates circles and trains both facilitators and circle teachers. She is a birth and end-of-life doula, a meditation teacher and a Reiki practitioner.
