Nurturing Outside of the Box: A Life Dedicated to Service | Yvonne Sinclair
Szn 2 Ep 12 | What happens when the life you imagined disappears—and you say yes to what’s next, one small step at a time?
In this deeply moving Portrait of a Matriarch episode, Elle sits down with Yvonne Sinclair, founder of Naru in Guatemala, whose story is part adventure, part quiet revolution.
Yvonne’s life began in London’s marketing world, where stability looked perfect from the outside. But when her family life didn’t unfold as planned, she found herself stepping into the unknown—first through solo travel in Egypt, and then, unexpectedly, in the rural mountains of Guatemala.
What started as a six-month commitment to help coffee workers became over two decades of living amidst cloud forests, serving thousands of malnourished children, and building bridges between worlds. Yvonne and Elle unpack the inner and outer journeys: from crafting an “escape bottom drawer” to discovering true purpose through service, simplicity, and relentless pragmatism. They discuss finding “enough,” releasing self-judgment, and the freedom that comes with aging and letting go.
This episode is about transformation—not by grand design, but by answering one ordinary yes after another. You’ll hear about the joys and heartbreaks of living and working in remote Guatemala, the realities of sustainable change, and the deep meaning that comes from steady, grounded leadership.
Whether you’re in the midst of personal loss, stuck in the waiting, or longing for purpose in unexpected places, Yvonne’s story will both comfort and challenge you.
Timestamps:
00:00:51 – Episode Introduction
00:04:14 – The Turning Point
00:07:23 – Arriving in Guatemala
00:11:21 – Yvonne's Hero’s Journey
00:18:23 – Why Guatemala?
00:21:34 – The Malnourished Children
00:28:50 – Life in Guatemala
00:50:59 – The Wisdom of Enough
Episode Links:
Naru Guatemala's Website: https://naruguatemala.org/
Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee - https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop
Down The Well Links:
Elle's Substack - https://substack.com/@ellerowley
Elle's Instagram - instagram.com/ellerowley
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About Down The Well:
Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books.
Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own souls. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.
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