A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Life – An Interview with Laura Muirhead

How does a life shaped by bold pivots, an unexpected fire, a lottery win, and deep spiritual evolution ultimately lead home to the heart?

For Laura Muirhead, that homecoming has unfolded through a mosaic of entrepreneurial ventures, spiritual exploration, and powerful reinvention. A multi-passionate author, intuitive coach, CFO, and creative visionary, Laura has spent her life honoring the call of her inner knowing—even when it led her far from the familiar. Whether building a horse stable from a cornfield, walking through the ashes of a house fire, or developing her Queen Code program for women, Laura embodies resilience guided by authenticity and grace.

In this conversation, she reflects on her remarkable path—from spiritual shifts and life-altering loss to writing her memoir and mentoring women through archetypal wisdom. Continue reading or listen in by subscribing for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube to discover how Laura’s insights can inspire your own spiritual path.

You’ve lived such a fascinating life with so many twists and turns. What would you say is the golden thread running through it all—perhaps a value or a life lesson that’s stayed with you through everything?

Laura Muirhead: I often say the overarching theme of my life is “a funny thing happened on the way to my life,” because so many unexpected things have shaped my path. But if I had to name a golden thread, I’d say it’s a combination of perspective, individuality, and perseverance.

Perspective has helped me reframe challenges and see them in a more empowering light. Staying true to myself, holding onto my individuality—that’s been key. There’s also a kind of persistence, a refusal to give up on what feels aligned. And in more recent years, I’d add gratitude. That’s been a game changer. Gratitude has become a spiritual practice that grounds me through all of life’s shifts.

What was your spiritual or religious upbringing like? Did faith or spirituality play a role in your early life?

Laura Muirhead: It did, though in a rather unique way. I was exposed to several traditional religions growing up. I was born into a Lutheran household, and we went to church when I was very young. When my dad remarried, my stepmother was a Christian, and we began attending a Pentecostal church during my junior high and high school years—which, as you can imagine, was a big shift.

My best friend in high school was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I became a Mormon for a time. So, I’ve experienced Lutheran, Pentecostal, and Mormon faith traditions firsthand.

Today, I’m no longer a part of any formal religion, but I’m deeply spiritual. Over the last decade or so, I’ve been exploring my intuition and energy work more intentionally. Years ago, I attended a workshop with Laura Day, which opened the door to developing my intuitive abilities. I’ve recently worked with mentors like Joanna Hunter and trained as one of her first four Light Web^® Priestesses. That training has helped me understand energy in a much deeper way. My path hasn’t involved one lightning-bolt moment—it’s been a slow, steady unfolding.

Your story includes so many unique paths and passions. For readers who haven’t read your chapter in Awakened Hearts yet, what are some of the roles you’ve taken on over the years? What have you learned from following such a varied path?

Laura Muirhead: Oh, I hope you’re ready—because it’s been quite a ride!

I’ve always had a lot of different interests, and for whatever reason, I’ve been able to follow them. Whether it became a business or a personal pursuit, I’ve rarely ignored that inner pull. When I was younger, people used to call me a “jack of all trades.” I wasn’t sure how to take that at the time, but now I fully embrace it. I think I’d be bored if I only did one thing my whole life.

I’ve taken flying lessons, ridden and shown horses, done pottery and drawing—I love art in all its forms. I never thought I’d be an author, and yet here I am.

On the business side, I’ve worked in real estate offices and mortgage companies. I owned a bread store at one point. I built a horse stable from the ground up during my horse-showing years. More recently, I opened my own pottery and art studio.

The common thread in all of that was passion. Each time, something in me felt called to that particular thing at that moment. And while all of that was happening, I’ve also worn the constant hat of CFO for our family’s multimillion-dollar business for over 15 years. Bookkeeping and numbers come naturally to me, and that’s been my professional anchor.

What I’ve learned is this: it’s okay to follow your unique rhythm. Some people questioned why everything I pursued became a business—why I couldn’t just have a hobby. But for me, bringing things to life in that way is fulfilling.

At the same time, I’ve also learned when it’s time to let go. I recently closed my studio and sold the building. At first, I turned down a great offer because I wasn’t ready. Six months later, I was. Honoring your own journey, without guilt or fear of judgment, is everything. Only you are living your life. If something lights you up, pursue it. And when it’s time to move on, let yourself move on with grace.

So many people listening have dreams or desires—something they’d love to create—but they’re blocked by thoughts like “I don’t have the skills,” or “I can’t afford it.” You’ve taken bold action again and again. How do you move past those mental roadblocks?

Laura Muirhead: After my first business—the bread store, which I opened with friends—ended on a really difficult note, I wasn’t sure I could try again. It was emotionally hard. But the passion for the next idea—building a horse stable—just wouldn’t let go. It kept nudging me forward, even when I had internal doubts.

I thought I might find an existing horse stable to buy, but nothing in the right location showed up. Then, unexpectedly, someone mentioned a friend selling a cornfield. And I thought—why not? I bought that cornfield.

What I didn’t know at the time was that I was buying it on a land contract. I had no experience with that, but I figured it out. A land contract means you’re essentially paying the owner directly instead of working through a traditional mortgage lender. It sounds ideal—until you try to get a construction loan. Banks typically don’t want to lend on land still under a contract like that, since you don’t officially own it until it’s paid off.

That led to another challenge—but I stayed open. I happened to go to lunch with my accountant and mentioned how hard it was to get financing. He said, “I know the president of the bank across the street. Want to talk to him?” And I said yes.

I could have told myself I didn’t belong in that conversation, that I wasn’t “someone who talks to bank presidents.” But I said yes, and it changed everything. He connected me to the right department, and I got the loan I needed to build the barn.

It sounds like when people truly align with their passion, challenges aren’t roadblocks—they’re invitations to find another way. Would you say that’s true for you?

Laura Muirhead: Absolutely. If the passion is strong enough, you’ll find your way around the obstacles. I had no idea that lunch would lead to financing. That’s what I mean by staying open—you can’t always know what’s coming, but you can be open to receiving it.

Sometimes, the universe checks you. You’ll encounter a situation or person that makes you question your path, but I think those moments often ask: Do you want to stay here, or do you want to grow? They show you a version of what life will look like if you don’t pursue your calling.

It can feel like resistance, but it’s often an energetic invitation to step up.

That brings up an important question. How do you personally discern the difference between a sign to stop and a challenge you’re meant to push through?

Laura Muirhead: That’s such a good question. I think it comes down to tuning into how aligned the path still feels.

Sometimes when things start stacking up—flat tires, bad weather, unexpected costs—it might be time to pause. But I’ve also learned that not all delays are signs to quit. Some are pauses for preparation.

Years ago, when I was going through a divorce, I was trying hard to keep my horse stable. I pushed and pushed to get financing, but nothing worked. Around that same time, I had promised a friend I’d come to support her in California while her husband had surgery. I didn’t want to go—I felt like I needed to stay and fight for my stable—but nothing was falling into place.

So I went. I took the trip. When I came back, I had a completely unexpected opportunity to sell the stable. And I realized that pause—taking a break from the push—was what allowed a better outcome to emerge.

Now I always ask: does this still feel aligned? Is this a “no” or a “not yet”? Is this resistance, or is this a redirection?

Sometimes the universe’s detours are the most sacred part of the journey.

At this season of your life, when you look back, does it feel like all the experiences have come together into a kind of mosaic—or does it still feel a bit fragmented?

Laura Muirhead: Yes, absolutely—I do see the mosaic. One of the most powerful examples is when we finally pushed through and bought what we thought was our dream house. Ten months later, it burned down.

At the time, it was devastating. We were just settling in, and suddenly everything was gone. Of course, no one wants to experience that, and I certainly wouldn’t want to go through it again. But that experience opened doors that would never have been possible otherwise. Because of this, we ended up buying a second home in Michigan and began splitting our time between our home base in New Jersey.

That shift also allowed me to open my art and pottery studio—something deeply meaningful to me. And I truly believe none of that would have unfolded had the house not burned down.

What was going through your mind in that moment—as your house was literally burning?

Laura Muirhead: It happened around 3:30 in the morning. My husband happened to wake up and saw flames outside our bedroom window—we lived on the water, so there were lots of windows. At first, he wasn’t sure what he saw, but he quickly realized the back of the house was on fire. He yelled to get me up, and I grabbed my phone, called 911, and ran downstairs.

We had three dogs then, including a new puppy we’d only had for a few weeks. In the chaos, one of the dogs ran back upstairs. My husband went after her, and he said when he called her, she came—but by then, there was no air left to breathe in the house. We were lucky.

We ended up across the street at our neighbors’ house. I remember standing there, still thinking, “We’ll be okay. The fire trucks will come. They’ll put it out.” But then I saw the flames burst through the front windows—and that’s when I knew. It was over. There would be no saving the house.

In that moment, the only thing we could do was focus on the next step. What do we do now? Where do we sleep tonight? My husband is a problem-solver, and he immediately got us moving. He called his son, found us a hotel, and started putting things in motion.

And I’ll tell you, we never sat in victimhood. There wasn’t even a lot of crying. One of the only times I teared up was when I realized a collection of Finnish glass that my mother had gifted me was gone. That hit me for some reason. But even then, I remember thinking, “What good is crying going to do now? It’s not going to bring it back. We have to move forward.”

That resilience is remarkable. And then there’s another twist—before the house fire, you won the lottery. What was that like? What did it teach you?

Laura Muirhead: That was long before the fire. I was living in Ventura County, California, at the time. It was back when the California Lotto was only twice a week, and I remember walking into a pharmacy, seeing the sign, and thinking, “New Year’s Day and a lottery ticket—those go well together.” So I bought a $5 quick pick and slipped it into my wallet.

Later, I remembered it and checked the numbers in the newspaper. I saw them all at once, and then matched them one by one. I thought, “I have a winning ticket!” I had no idea how much it was worth or what to do next. I went back to the store, and they told me I’d need to visit the lottery office. So I did.

Everyone assumes winning the lottery is a dream scenario—no more problems, instant fix. But it actually came with its own set of challenges.

There was a sense of “why me?” A deep feeling that I needed to do something good with it—that this wasn’t random, that it meant something. There were also relationship dynamics. Friends and family began expecting things. It taught me the importance of having personal boundaries and clarity—what I call personal policies.

Thankfully, I didn’t lose it all. I wasn’t frivolous. It did allow me to pursue a few passions. But I also learned some hard lessons. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean it’s going to go the way you hope. That money doesn’t exempt you from mistakes. It just gives you more room to make them.

That kind of range—from total loss to sudden gain—makes me wonder: do you feel like you have something in you that draws these powerful life events in? Especially the highs—what is it about you that attracts opportunity?

Laura Muirhead: I don’t know exactly—but I’m deeply grateful for it.

Some of it comes from choosing the right people to have around me. Some of it comes from being authentic and telling the truth about my life. Writing my memoir was a huge step in that direction—finally sharing parts of my story that had been quiet for years.

Since doing that, things have started flowing in ways I never expected. Just sitting here, having this conversation with you, is part of that.

If I had to guess the common thread, it’s this: follow your passion. Be true to yourself. Protect your individuality. And listen to that inner knowing—whatever you call it: intuition, guidance, the universe. That’s what leads me.

You’ve contributed a chapter to the Awakened Hearts book titled The Journey to My Heart, and your full memoir is called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Life. What can readers expect from your memoir?

Laura Muirhead: I hope they find connection and inspiration in my stories. The memoir touches on many of the things we’ve discussed today—the unexpected turns, the challenges, and the way life often veers from the plan. That’s why I titled it A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Life—because instead of framing my story as a tragedy or a hardship, I see it as a journey shaped by perspective.

Some stories will make you laugh, some might make you cry. There are moments I’ve revisited that still move me deeply. It’s not just about adulthood—it includes my childhood as well, and how I’ve learned to navigate and reframe those early experiences through an adult lens. I hope readers see the thread of resilience and personal evolution woven through it all.

Outside of your CFO work, you also support women as a coach. Tell us more about who you work with and specifically about your Queen Code program. How do people benefit from it?

Laura Muirhead: The Queen Code is designed for multi-passionate women who are seeking clarity and self-alignment. It helps participants identify and rewrite limiting stories they might be telling themselves—those patterns we repeat without realizing. We all do it.

Through the lens of six archetypes—The Villager, The Knight, The Servant, The Princess, The Queen, and The Inner Sorceress—we explore the beliefs and behaviors that shape how we approach life, business, relationships, media, and self-care. Each woman builds her own personal Queen Code, a set of evolving self-defined standards and “personal policies” that help her step into her power with more grace, clarity, and confidence.

Instead of calling them boundaries, I refer to them as personal policies—just like a business has policies that define how it operates, we should have policies that define how we show up in our lives. Whether that’s committing to fresh flowers in your home each week or deciding not to spend energy on draining relationships, it’s all about being intentional.

And how is the program structured—are there live calls, or is it self-paced?

Laura Muirhead: It’s a blend. Each week includes a workbook that guides you through a specific area of your life. You first meet the archetypes of the queendom, and then each week is themed around aspects like self-care, business, media, or relationships.

You work through the journal prompts and exercises, and then pull everything together into your personalized Queen Code. And it’s not static—it evolves as you evolve.

You’ve also created the Queen Code Oracle Deck. How does that tie into the program?

Laura Muirhead: The deck stands alone but beautifully complements the program. It includes the archetypes, their aligned and unaligned energies, and journal questions that follow my signature framework: Question, Investigate, Heal, and Grow.

You might pull a card like “Heal – Servant (Aligned),” which reminds you it’s safe to honor and set boundaries on your time and energy. Each card has a deeper message in the guidebook and a reflection question for the day. It’s designed to be both thoughtful and accessible, whether you’re in the Queen Code program or want to deepen your self-awareness.

How can people connect with you and join the Queen Code or explore your offerings?

Laura Muirhead: You can find all my books, journals, and the Queen Code Oracle Deck on Amazon—just search my author page under Laura Muirhead. My website is afunnythinghappenedonthewaytomylife.com, and from there, you’ll find everything from the Queen Code to the memoir to all the creative projects I’ve poured my heart into. I’m also on Instagram at @laura_muirhead_.

Your chapter in Awakened Hearts ends with this beautiful line: “Imagine when the ripples we create become waves. Start today.” If someone reading this is feeling stuck, wanting to live their dream but unsure how, what would you say to them?

Laura Muirhead: First, I’d remind them that “feeling stuck” can be just a story. Nothing stays the same forever, and just recognizing that opens the door to possibility.

Ask yourself: What small step could I take today that prepares me for the next adventure? Maybe this pause is preparing you for something amazing that the universe is lining up for you. You don’t always have to push; sometimes, you just have to get ready.

Also, raise your vibration. Gratitude changes everything. Start with three simple things you’re grateful for—your sandwich, the sunshine, your favorite mug of tea. That energetic shift will help you see new doors, new ideas, and new clarity.

Most of all, remember: we rarely see the ripples we’re creating. Every little step—every action rooted in authenticity—has the power to build momentum. So start today. Just start.