Louise Hay, born in Los Angeles in 1926, became a prominent American motivational author and speaker. Her life journey included significant hardship in her early years, such as abuse and teenage pregnancy, before she found success as a fashion model in New York. Her spiritual path led her to explore New Thought principles, particularly the idea that positive thinking and mental patterns could influence physical well-being. This philosophy formed the basis of her influential books and teachings.

Hay's most famous work, 'You Can Heal Your Life' (1984), proposed that many physical ailments stem from emotional issues and negative thought patterns, suggesting that by addressing these inner states, individuals could achieve healing. In 1984, she established Hay House publishing, which grew to become a major platform for New Thought and self-help authors. Throughout her career, Hay also dedicated herself to charitable work through the Hay Foundation and supported individuals affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. She passed away in 2017.

Louise Hay's work was deeply rooted in the New Thought movement, a spiritual philosophy that emphasizes the power of thought and belief to shape reality. She studied authors like Florence Scovel Shinn and Ernest Holmes, who taught that positive thinking could transform material circumstances and heal the body. Hay herself became a practitioner of Religious Science, leading affirmations she believed could cure illnesses. She famously recounted a personal experience in the late 1970s where she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which she attributed to holding onto resentment from childhood trauma. Hay reported refusing conventional medical treatment and instead pursued a regimen of forgiveness, therapy, nutrition, and other alternative practices, asserting that she overcame the cancer through these methods. This experience solidified her conviction in the mind-body connection and the potential for self-healing through mental and emotional transformation.

Hay's literary contributions significantly impacted the self-help genre. Her first book, 'Heal Your Body,' initially a pamphlet detailing probable metaphysical causes for ailments, evolved into her seminal work, 'You Can Heal Your Life,' published in 1984. This book became a global phenomenon, selling tens of millions of copies and being translated into numerous languages. It presented the core of her philosophy: that negative thought patterns, guilt, and lack of self-love contribute to physical illness, and that healing these emotional roots can lead to physical recovery. In 1984, Hay founded Hay House Inc., a publishing company that became a leading voice for New Thought, spirituality, and self-help literature, publishing works by numerous influential authors in these fields. Her work is often categorized within the New Age movement.

In the mid-1980s, Louise Hay became a prominent figure offering support to individuals impacted by the HIV/AIDS crisis through her 'Hay Rides' support groups. These gatherings, which began in her living room and grew to accommodate hundreds, provided a sense of community and hope. However, her approach also drew criticism. Some accused her of dismissing physiological factors in disease and profiting from the suffering of those with AIDS by focusing solely on mental causes. Critics pointed to her statements suggesting 'remissions' from AIDS and advising against reliance on medical care, which some interpreted as potentially harmful. Activists and academics voiced concerns that her philosophy, while offering comfort, might discourage individuals from seeking necessary medical treatment, thereby turning attention inward rather than towards external solutions or support systems.

“It is my belief that VENEREAL DISEASE is almost always sexual guilt. It comes from a feeling, often subconscious, that it is not right to express ourselves sexually. A carrier with a venereal disease can have many partners, but only those whose mental and physical immune systems are weak will be susceptible to it.”

“This movie is the story of my life, my teachings, and how I've applied the principles of my teachings to my own life.”

“You know, we’re not limited by the medical opinion. It depends whether we choose to do that or not.”

“I think it’s a terrible shame that at the moment the medical community is telling everyone that they have to die. Because it’s just not true, we know that’s not true. There are plenty of boys that are doing very well. You know, we can either buy into the fear or we cannot buy into the fear.”