Two Women Who Influenced Sheren Gaulbert

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, I was invited to contribute to a collaborative blog by Lorraine McReight, founder of the London Hypnotherapy Academy.

Years ago, Lorraine invited me to train her clinical hypnotherapy trainees in supporting people living with chronic pain in line with current pain science. I respected her commitment to ensuring they entered practice with stronger knowledge and ethical foundations - and we’ve been friends ever since.

This year’s International Women's Day theme is “Give to Gain.”

I’ve been influenced by many incredible women, but I chose to focus on two who strongly embodied the theme in multiple ways, through their visibility and giving their time and knowledge through advocacy, education, training, and mentoring. Their generosity, curiosity, and dedication to others shaped the early foundations of the values I hold today - and inspired me long before I entered the clinical world.

My historical heroine is Indira Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister - a powerful communicator and global leader at a time when the world was far less accustomed to women in positions of power.

My contemporary heroine is Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, whose determination and dedication saw her beat nearly 13,000 applicants to join a mission to the Mir space station.

You can read more about why these two women influenced me - and discover the heroines chosen by the other contributors - in the full collaborative blog here: https://lorrainemcreight.co.uk/2026/03/06/whos-your-heroine