Today we’d like to introduce you to Lala Hayden.
Hi Lala, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Laura Hayden, but my friends call me Lala. I am the firstborn to a Spanish dad & British mama, living between London and Barcelona.
Singing has been my passion since I was two years old. I grew up working in fashion as a model and Mtv as a host. At 22, I began to pursue my dream in music and started a band called Anteros.
I feel like, for a long time, I was chasing the idea of success and being “who I was supposed to be”. This led to a big disconnect from myself for many years.
At 30, I broke down and decided to repair. I took some time away from the band and went back to school. I studied meditation, yoga, health and nutrition. I became aware of the importance of the mind-body connection and realized that everything is connected. Eventually, I managed to heal my relationship with myself, my body, food, family…and found my power. Music began to pour out.
I believe that it is my purpose to use my voice to guide people towards self-empowerment and finding their inner voice- whether that is through music or sharing my experience and learnings through workshops that I have created.
This month – at 33 – I have released my debut solo EP, Girl Becomes. You can listen to it here: https://orcd.co/lalahayden_girlbecomes
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been a rollercoaster to say the least. Full of bumps and heavy winds, but isn’t that always the case?!
Personally, I would say one of the biggest struggles has been not processing the experience of being bullied at school. It had such a long-lasting effect which resulted in people pleasing, not setting boundaries & ultimately not trusting myself. This leads to a whole other set of challenges, right?
My relationship with my body & food has also been really tricky. It has taken me years to acknowledge that it was even a problem. I feel like one of the biggest lessons for me has been understanding that me not eating – or not eating the right foods- directly has an impact on the quality of my thoughts & the health of my mind.
Professionally, there has been many. I feel grateful to have the opportunity to have worked in many creative industries, but it comes with its downsides. When I was 21 working in tv, I got sat down and told that I needed to lose weight (I was a US size 4-6). Or when I entered music – as a young woman in a male-dominated industry – there were a lot of meetings that turned out to be dates or approaches from male producers and artists that turned out to only be interested in me romantically. I feel like it is a lot of micro-aggressions that add up over time.
Looking back, I realize how much some of these bumps have taught me about who I am and what I want / don’t want. I can’t change the past, but I can decide how I move forward and how I channel what I’ve learned.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist and entrepreneur. I have been making music since 2012, both in a band (Anteros) and solo as of 2023. I have performed at festivals all over, including Glastonbury and SXSW. In 2019 I was featured in Netflix’s movie Eurovision, where I performed my band’s track ‘Fool Moon’. I have just released my debut solo EP titled Girl Becomes! Listen here: https://orcd.co/lalahayden_girlbecomes
I am also the proud owner of a personal development coaching business (Inbody by Lala) where I guide curious souls towards self-empowerment since 2022, and as of last month, I have co-founded Soul Cafe, a healthy eatery in the heart of Barcelona.
How do you define success?
To me, success means going to bed at night and feeling FULL! Full meaning balance: a healthy social life, healthy body, healthy mind & healthy environment. To me, success means having real, honest relationships where I show up authentically.
To me, success means having a GREAT relationship with myself. This includes strong boundaries, a healthy relationship with food, exercise and with my body. This includes both owning and forgiving myself when I make a mistake or take a wrong turn.
To me, success means living a life where I don’t need to do anything to “disconnect” from at the end of the day. & finally, success to me means that whatever I do for a “job” involves making a difference in society, whether that be through my music or through providing mind – body nourishment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/lauralalahayden
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralalahayden/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralalahayden/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lalahayden
- Other: https://orcd.co/lalahayden_girlbecomes
Image Credits
images by Hanna Hayden & Dimas Henkes
