Dear Reader,

Welcome to my blog. I thought I’d start out by answering “why Laura Lisa?” Don’t let me confuse you, I answer to both. I use my middle name for a reason. And not just to set me apart from the crowd, though that may be an important side effect.

I didn’t have any nicknames when I was little, but my mother lovingly called me “Laura Lisa”. Born in Missouri, I figured it must have been a Southern thing. (Yes, I looked it up. Missouri is technically and historically a Southern state.) And no, it wasn’t when I was in trouble as you may have experienced. My mom was “the bomb”- her nickname, and another story.

All through adolescence I went by Lisa. I honestly don’t remember how I became known by just my middle name. Many a teacher was annoyed by this fact. It wasn’t until we moved to the Vermont at the age of thirteen that I decided I needed a new, more mature identity. So, Laura it was.

Today, Laura Lisa is an integration of my younger, more playful self and my mature, adult self.  It is the name I lovingly reclaim. This blog is a milestone on my journey to declaring my place in this world. I’m standing smack dab at the intersection of fun and work, young and old. Hey, it’s not a mid-life crisis!

I’m redefining myself by simply doing what I love, nothing more and definitely not an ounce less. Easy is not what comes to mind. Joy, definitely. I’m learning most of all to lean into discomfort. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone, right?

Read more about my journey in the “About Me” section above. Here, I will be writing on the loose topic of motivation. As you will learn, I’m an outright exercise evangelist. If you’re not working out now, you will by the time you get to know me.

As we grow together, it will eventually come out that I am not perfect. For example, I overuse commas. That’s okay, I’ve learned to accept and even love myself in all of my imperfection. I want to help you do the same.

Overall, beautiful people, this blog is my love letter to you. I hope you find something useful for your own personal journey. I want to share the strength I have found to not only survive, but thrive in this sometimes harsh world. You can do, be and have more. Most often it’s a shift in perspective that must occur first. And that, my dear, is a choice that happens in  your own sweet mind.

You are here to stretch yourself out of the status quo and into your absolute happiest self. I’m right there with you. Join me?

Until next time,

Laura Lisa