What happens when a creative becomes a birth and postpartum doula? 📷🤰🏾
26 years ago I started pursuing photography and acting. Then I asked myself, what would happen if I shamelessly promoted myself? That question became a lifestyle, a community, and eventually led me here.
To Sweden. To birth work. To showing up for mothers and families in their most intimate moments through a creative lens.
There’s no better day than Mother’s Day to finally introduce this chapter. I’m @mayathecreativedoula and I’m here to shamelessly share, support, and serve.
#happymothersday
ANNOUNCING… SHAMELESS MAYA at RiC LIVE!🤩
We are so honoured to welcome Maya Washington-Hilding, lovingly known to many as Shameless Maya, as a speaker at Restored in Christ LIVE 2026.
Maya is a multi-faceted creator: a wife, mother, artist, author, birth and postpartum doula, photographer, and creative producer whose journey of faith, creativity, and vulnerability has inspired millions around the world.
What began in 2012 as a bold YouTube experiment in self-expression has grown into a powerful movement, through surrender, courage, and unwavering trust in God, Maya built a platform that empowers women to overcome fear through faith and create shamelessly with Him; as the voice behind Shameless Maya, she transformed a simple question into a global community of over one million subscribers, inspiring creatives to pursue their God-given purpose without apology.
Maya is also the author of My Shameless Struggle into Motherhood, a deeply honest and compassionate guide for women navigating the transformative journey of early motherhood with strength, grace, and faith.
At RiC LIVE, Maya will share powerful insight on faith, authenticity, identity, and embracing God’s call with wholehearted obedience. Her message reminds us that restoration is not passive, it requires stepping fully into who God created us to be and saying “yes” to Him.
🎟 Tickets now £39.50 🗓 1st August 2026 📍 St John’s Church, Hyde Park, London
Get your tickets here:
Come ready to be encouraged. Come ready to be challenged. Come ready to be restored.
#RestoredInChrist #RiCLive2026 #ShamelessMaya
Three years ago I set out to become a doula. I didn’t realize my life would take a scenic detour and humble me in the process, but I arrived anyway.
Training with @doulavicky and @forlossningsgruppen has allowed me to add labor and delivery to my postpartum training. I didn’t anticipate how healing this would be for my soul. I haven’t been this excited to continue a new chapter in a while.
I’m bringing all of me into this space and starting new chapters in my 40s 🎉 Hayo!!
Life doesn’t always turn out the way you think. What started as a dream in 2020 ended last year with a very big lesson in gratitude, humility, and letting go.
Although this story reflects a lot of heartbreaks it’s actually a very refreshing perspective. Check out the whole journey on YouTube 🙌🏻
I built a woman cave. I’m so grateful for @mmhilding advocating for me to have a space of my own. We had this spare room that was turning into a trash room, so the process began.
I wanted a space that was cozy for my early morning wake-up calls. Where I could read, pray, study and create. A place where I could release this creative version of myself, since the rest of my home is where I meet my family’s needs.
The process of renovating this room was healing. It gave me permission to express, and to discover what I like now. And having that freedom was sooo good.
This space is for retreat. For building. For growth. No matter how big or small, you can create right where you are. But this here is giving Anne of Green Gables 😂
Now that I have headquarters up, I’m hopeful for what’s next. I’ve missed you 💜
I may be an immigrant in one of the coldest countries culturally but I love my tiny countryside town, Åtorp. Last year I had a hair braiding stall outside in the cold and this year was all sun and I upgraded to an indoor desk.
After the kiddos and mamas braided their hair with me, off they went to @hildingfilmweddings for portraits. It was a family affair and oh so cute 🥰
The amount of times I wanted to cry from sheer joy and seeing all the smiles on everyone’s faces 🥹 I am exactly where God wants me. #grateful
I can’t help see God’s word everywhere especially here. Living in the countryside makes my favorite time of the year that much more special 🌾 Seeing the farmers harvesting and preparing for winter help me value the importance of hard work and rest.
Lord, help me catch my breath since these past 6 months have been intense 🙏🏾
📷 @hildingfilmweddings
Celebrating 4 years of Saga. And it’s definitely been a SAGA! In the midst of my own personal tribulation it’s nice to pause and celebrate one of the greatest gifts in my life with you @mmhilding
Happy Birthday to our beautiful, funny, prayed up toddler 🤯
#ad This family trip courtesy of @mammotiontech was so necessary after all the curve balls we have been quietly overcoming offline (more on that later).
We honestly love our Luba 2 AWD and Yuka. They have been saving us on time now that we have 2 homes to manage and I’m officially a property manager 🤯 Less time fussing and more time with family is always a win for me 🏆🙌🏾
For your chance to save $700 check out @mammotiontech until Aug 31st for their 2 year anniversary sale. Who else is getting slammed by life and pouring into their garden as an outlet? 🙋🏾♀️🌱
15+ yrs with Jackie is officially complete here. From Brooklyn to LA to Toronto, Sweden and beyond. Jackie was my living journal and companion through all my major life transitions. God knew I needed a friend even when I didn’t.
I didn’t realise how much of a heart of stone I had until Jackie started having health complications a year and a half ago. God will use any and everything to get your attention, even a dying dog. My faith was tested along with my heart. Witnessing Jackie transition a natural death has been by far the hardest thing I’ve had to witness. I had doubts and fear as I sat by her side but in times of trials and tribulations I’m reminded to focus on God’s promises and not my problems. My heart of stone is officially broken into flesh. To anyone going through struggle or grieving, my heart grieves with you. It’s too much to write here but Jackie is living her BEST LIFE with Jesus. See you soon!!!
