We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lisa Callahan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lisa below.

Lisa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I started my coaching career in 2004, when I was hired to work for Weight Watchers. I loved helping people develop a healthy relationship with food. When we moved to Los Angeles in 2017 I decided I wanted to go out on my own. I got certified as Master Transformational Coach and founded Transformation for Real. The main challenge was believing I would get clients. I had been coaching for 14 years for a company, would people hire me directly? What I know now is it takes patience and consistency in marketing yourself. You have to stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone for things to happen. Potential clients don’t magically know that you exist. I found that networking to be incredibly helpful in growing my business.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Along with being the Founder of Transformation for Real, I am the co-host of “The Things We Know,” a popular top 10% podcast, which was recently featured in LA Weekly. As a leading Transformational Coach and public speaker, I have helped thousands of women identify what they truly want and then go after it. I guide dynamic, high-achieving, professional women with my signature Transformation for Real™ system, taking them from chaos to clarity so they can live a life they are fully in love with.

In 2017, my family and I moved to Los Angeles from Chicago. I received my Master Transformational Coaching Certification from The Health Coach Institute and went on to found Transformation for Real™, while also working for HCI as a Success Coach.

Growing up in Ohio, I was the person everyone came to for advice and leadership. After receiving my BA in Communications from Miami University, I spent my early career in Customer Service in industries as diverse as office supplies to temporary staffing.

A passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights, I completed the Ride for AIDS twice, 500 miles in 1999 and another 200 miles in 2014, raising thousands of dollars for AIDS charities, as well as increasing awareness.

My deep love for my two kids, Liam and Charlotte, my husband Darren, and music are what fuel my everyday existence. I am a fierce fighter against the patriarchy and for a woman’s right to make her own health care choices. In my perfect world, women are running things and the world is a better place for it.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have pivoted many times in my life and career. In 1997 my husband and I decided it was time to move to Chicago where we would live until 2017 when we moved to Los Angeles. In both instances we left on a wing and a prayer, but we knew it was the next step in our journey, leaving friends and family behind. When I moved to LA I also pivoted from working for someone to founding my own coaching business, Transformation for Real. That has been the most rewarding pivot in my life. I believe is is because of these leaps of faith that my clients are drawn to me. While life is not always easy, when you take a risk you can create a life you are fully in love with. My clients know I can guide them because I have made it happen in my own life.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

My BA is in Mass Communications from Miami University. I chose that because I thought I wanted to be a DJ on the radio. A career that barely exists anymore. However I can see now that between that degree and all my early years in customer support, every thing has happened exactly as it should at exactly the right time. I am not a DJ but I do have an incredibly successful podcast “The Things We Know” and I even get to share my love of music with the song we pick for each episode. So I guess the answer is I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything has unfolded exactly as it should in Diving Right Timing

Contact Info:

• Website: https://transformationforreal.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-callahan-transformational-life-coach/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thethingsweknowpodcast

Image Credits

Diana Lundin