We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hollie Hauptly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hollie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My purpose didn’t come to me all at once. It developed over time, with each class I taught and every birth I attended.
After the birth of my first child, I was forever changed. I left that experience feeling strong, supported, and capable in a way I didn’t know was possible. Almost immediately, I knew I wanted other women to feel that same sense of power and peace in their own births. So, I became a doula and childbirth educator and began supporting families through pregnancy and birth.
As I worked with more families, I realized how many women didn’t share my experience. They didn’t have the education, tools, or support they needed. I saw time and time again how a woman’s birth experience affects her physically, mentally, and emotionally for weeks, months, even years. It influences how she sees herself, how she parents, and how she connects with her baby and partner.
That realization became the foundation of my purpose. I believe I can help make the world a better place, one birth at a time. Every time a woman feels seen, is supported, and loved throughout her birth, stronger families are built, and strong families create strong communities. But It all starts with how a woman is made to feel on one of the most important days of her life, the day she gives birth.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the owner and CEO of Birth Boot Camp, a national organization that helps families prepare for one of the most important and transformative days of their lives, the day they give birth.
At Birth Boot Camp, we teach comprehensive, evidence-based childbirth classes that go far beyond the basics of labor and delivery. We help families understand how birth works, how to make informed decisions, and how to build a birth team that truly supports them. But more than that, we help them see birth as something to look forward to, not something to fear.
I’ve seen hundreds of couples walk into class feeling unsure, nervous, or overwhelmed. Week by week, they start asking better questions, learning what their bodies are capable of, and gaining a real sense of confidence. By the time they welcome their baby, they’re not just “ready,” they’re genuinely excited about their birth experience. That transformation never gets old.
Our work doesn’t stop there. Birth Boot Camp also trains and certifies doulas and childbirth educators nationwide, giving them the education, mentorship, and business tools they need to thrive. I love seeing these professionals go out into their communities and make a lasting difference for families. It’s a ripple effect that is so fun to see. When birth workers are well-prepared and supported, more families have positive, empowering births and we see more and more lives change.
Right now, we’re focused on continuing to expand our online birth classes to make high-quality childbirth education more accessible. We’re also strengthening our training programs to better equip doulas and educators for the growing need in maternal care.
What excites me most is watching people’s mindset around birth shift. They go from be anxious and unsure to confident and ready. Because when families are supported through pregnancy and birth, they carry that strength into parenthood and we build stronger families, and stronger communities, one birth at a time.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
If I had to narrow it down, the three things that have made the biggest impact in my journey are passion, perseverance, and being resourceful.
I’ve always been passionate about birth work. It’s what drives everything I do. I know how powerful this work is and how much it can change someone’s life, so even on the hard days, it’s what keeps me going. When I see families walk away from their births feeling proud and supported, or doulas finding purpose in helping others, it reminds me exactly why I do what I do.
That passion fuels my perseverance. Running a business and working in birth isn’t easy. There are long days, unexpected challenges, and moments that stretch me in every way. But because I believe so deeply in the difference this work makes, quitting has never been an option. I just keep going, even if it means figuring things out as I go.
And honestly, that’s where being resourceful comes in. I’m not afraid to admit when I don’t know something. If there’s a skill I need to learn or a problem I don’t know how to solve, I find a way to learn it. Whether that’s reading, researching, or reaching out for help, I’ve learned that growth comes from being willing to learn something new.
For anyone just starting out, my advice would be this: find work that truly matters to you, because that passion will carry you through the tough parts. Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that you can figure things out along the way.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal clients are couples who are expecting their first baby and want more than just to get through birth, they want to understand it, feel prepared for it, and actually look forward to it. They know birth is one of the most important experiences of their lives and want to make it a positive one.
The families I love working with are curious and motivated. They’re ready to learn, to ask questions, and to take an active role in shaping their experience. They value evidence-based information and real guidance instead of piecing together random advice from social media.
Most of all, they’re a team. Their partner wants to be involved and helpful but just needs someone to show them how. I love watching couples grow closer as they prepare together and learn how to support each other through one of life’s biggest transitions.
At the end of class, my favorite thing to hear is, “We’re actually excited for birth now.” That’s when I know they’re walking away with knowledge, confidence, and a stronger connection than ever before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.birthbootcamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthbootcamp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirthBootCamp
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9VTK51bWOJ5o0S5A0h8VWw
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