1 | From Survival to Self-Love: Lisa’s Origin Story

From Survival to Self-Love: Lisa’s Origin Story

In this candid solo episode, Lisa shares everything right before she leaves for Italy for 30 days, solo, with no plan. She gives insight into how a lifetime of caring for everyone else—marriage at 18, mom of three, top-producing real-estate career, even serving as mayor—left her successful on paper but empty inside. She unpacks the moment she realized she had happiness in flashes but not sustained joy, the “emotional American Ninja Warrior” it took to face long-running patterns, and why she chose a month in Italy to re-meet herself, cultivate self-love, and model a path others can take—without blowing up their lives.

What you’ll learn

*The difference between happiness vs. joy—and why joy must become the rule, not the exception

*How people-pleasing and over-serving can mask a lack of self-love

*The role of patterns (from childhood forward) in adult relationships, work, and wellbeing

*Why you don’t need a life explosion (divorce, quitting, moving) to transform

*A simple lens for change: notice misalignment → pause → journal → take one aligned action

*How intentional adventures (like Lisa’s month in Italy and a 7-day sail) can be safe pattern interrupters

*Building a life where decisions flow from strength and self-trust, not desperation

Resources & links

Learn The GRACE Process™ (Lisa’s framework for inner work and sustainable joy) visit www.lisagrace.me to learn more.

Follow Lisa on Instagram @lisagrace.me for daily prompts & behind-the-scenes of the journey

Join the Journey to Joy community for weekly newsletter, retreats, journal prompts, and more!

Quote to remember

“You don’t have to blow up your life to feel better—you can transform from the inside out.”

If you’ve felt stuck, overcommitted, or “successful but sad,” this episode is your invitation to choose alignment, cultivate self-love, and let joy become your new baseline.