Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Charles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My AH-HA Moment
One day, I found myself lying on my back, looking up at a slightly buzzing fluorescent ceiling light in a white, sterile hospital room. A curtain enclosed my bed, and I was hooked up to an IV, in pain, suffering from an intestinal illness. Earlier that day, I had received news that rivaled my physical pain and made me face my truth. When the hospital staff weighed me, I found out that I was forty-five pounds heavier than I thought possible. That was forty-five pounds over what I already thought was a heavyweight. It was so depressing and overwhelming. Through years of gaining and losing weight and exercising and not exercising, I had lost muscle, gained fat, and now had trouble digesting a variety of foods and sleeping through the night. I felt so tired and lethargic.
I was a mess!
It was a moment of personal reckoning. The truth was in—I had let myself go to a place I now found utterly unrecognizable, and there was no more hiding or pretending. I remember crying that inconsolable cry, feeling so sorry for myself.
But then, I realized that now was the time for me to get control over my body. That was the one area where I had never experienced sustained success.
By then, I was a lifetime member of two diet centers (one could ask why they have lifetime memberships) and an expert Yo-Yo’er.
But now, I was ready to say, “I will diet NO MORE.”
the “quick fix.” Liquid diets, magazine diets, anything was possible. However, regardless of the path the Yo-Yo’er takes, the end is always the same—all roads lead to failure until you commit to making a change from within. And that commitment doesn’t come with a quick fix.
I would experience various levels of “success” until I gave up and returned to the old habits that comforted me but did not serve me. Whether I admitted to it or not, each failure chipped away at my vision for the future. Each failure reinforced a variety of bad habits: avoidance, denial, lies, overeating, undereating, and secret eating. And sadly, each failure reinforced my loss of personal power. That’s the Yo-Yo life—destructive to the brain, body, spirit, and the belief that change is possible.
Throughout my career paths as a state and federal prosecutor, an actress, a singer, and a speaker, I stayed on the Yo-Yo plan. I categorized this area of my life, falsely believing that I had it all under control. After all, if I could accomplish the roles and responsibilities that my career path demanded, I could control my weight.
I learned how wrong I was when my Yo-Yo lifestyle began to impact my health. My “Ah-Ha” moment came after years of dieting and multiple years of inconsistent bouts of extreme exercise. That moment stopped me, changed my thinking about health, and led me to a path that altered almost every aspect of my life.
So, first, I took the immensely empowering step of throwing out all that JUNK. The late-night infomercial business took a hit that day. Out with the old way and in with the new!
I reclaimed the driver’s seat in my health and wellness journey with that simple action. At that moment, I knew I would succeed on my own terms, not relying on gimmicks or gadgets. I would be traveling a different road than I had ever traveled before. It wasn’t very comforting, but I was ready for the challenge.
Key to my journey was the overall drive to understand and experience the power of my brain and body, and I knew this required a shift in my mindset. I call it the YES! Mindset required that I create a new relationship with food, with fitness, and with myself and my beliefs. I had to take a moment to know and appreciate myself truly.
To get out of the negative thought-loop nightmare and create a lasting transformation, I embarked on identifying my true desires. I discovered I no longer desired the love and acceptance of others based on my weight, but instead, I desired the love and acceptance of myself, regardless of my size.
This decision eventually led me to become a fitness coach and trainer to help others get off their Yo-Yo paths. Years later, I now help clients truly feel their bodies and experience the wonder of their muscles.
For those of us who rarely allow ourselves to slow down, take in our environment, and feel everything the body is experiencing, please know that these things are vital in advancing our wellness journey.
Once I experienced my “Ah Ha” moment – my life was on the fast track to explore all aspects of health and wellness and educate as many as I can that they hold the key to their health — they are in the driver’s seat whether or not they are aware of that fact.
Now, as an International Keynote Speaker, I focus on sharing my unique approach to wellness utilizing the techniques I acquired as a Federal and State prosecutor. Not only can I prosecute the pounds, negative thoughts, and fears, but I can lead you on the path to creating a closing statement that changes your relationship with your brain and body from my unique top-down, inside-out approach.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Lisa Charles, Brain-Body Alignment Expert www.yescoachlisa.com
Lisa is an award-winning Keynote Speaker and Best-Selling Author of “Yes! Commit Do Live” – a book centered on training people to tap into the Brain-Body connection enabling them to embrace any passion and desire and turn it into tangible results.
Lisa is also the CEO of Embrace Your Fitness, LLC, a wellness consultancy driven to bring innovative, creative, and effective Wellness programs to individuals, corporations, and organizations.
After serving as a federal prosecutor and singer/actress, Lisa found a passion for wellness as a Coach and Trainer after successfully shedding 77lbs without dieting using her signature ‘Commit. Do. Live” strategy. She then served as the Fitness/Wellness Research Coordinator for the Rutgers University Aging & Brain Health Alliance.
Now, as a Brain, Body, and Belief Alignment Expert, Lisa specializes in Sleep management and Breathing techniques empowering corporate employees and individuals to let go of their limiting beliefs, find their creativity, embrace who they are, and break through any age-limiting barriers, by allowing them to experience wellness from her top/down, inside/out approach.
She is the co-creator of Reinventing the Women Mastery group and the provider of international retreats the help individuals experience the Age Defying Life by releasing stress, renewing energy, restoring sleep, while gaining the mental clarity to live the life of your dreams.
www.YesCoachLisa.com
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/embraceyourfitness/
https://twitter.com/YesCoachLisa
https://twitter.com/YesCoachLisa
https://vimeo.com/695907710/efb79d7528
https://youtu.be/0F6qtjWhbew – Speaker Reel
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
At its core, Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; it’s the mental reservoir of strength that individuals draw upon in times of need to carry them through without succumbing to despair. My life’s journey has been resilient, always moving forward no matter the obstacle.
In 2019, I was blessed to be named the Fitness/Wellness Research Coordinator for Rutger’s University Aging Brain & Health Alliance. In that position, I spent countless hours pouring over research articles, attending neurology conferences, and engaging in discussions with experts in the field. Each interaction and every piece of information added depth and nuance to my understanding of holistic, integrative wellness, solidifying my commitment to promoting health and well-being. In my position, I designed and implemented a wellness program that would complement the research that focused on exercise and its impact on Alzheimer’s and Dementia. More specifically, the research sought to add understanding to why African Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s and Dementia than any other ethnic group.
One of the critical lessons I learned early on in my role was the importance of individualized approaches to wellness. While research provided valuable insights and general guidelines, I quickly realized that the path to optimal health is highly personal and unique to each individual. This realization prompted me to shift my focus to cultivating a deep sense of empathy and understanding for the diverse needs and circumstances of those seeking wellness guidance. The senior population faces many similar challenges, but their approach to meeting those challenges is as different as a fingerprint.
Another pivotal aspect of my journey as the Fitness/ Wellness Research Coordinator was the implementation of evidence-based practices in program development. Drawing on the latest research findings and best practices, I designed wellness initiatives that were not only engaging and accessible but also grounded in scientific rigor. This commitment to incorporating research-backed strategies ensured the efficacy and impact of the programs I developed, ultimately leading to positive outcomes for the individuals and communities I served.
When COVID came, it shut down the research component, but my program continued. With the approval of the Department of Health, the mandate of my program was to ensure everyone within Rutger’s neurology department’s protocol, along with others within the African-American community, remained healthy during trials and tribulations that impacted the world community.
In the ever-evolving landscape of wellness programming, the shift to virtual platforms was a necessary adaptation. As a Wellness Coordinator, I faced the challenge of transitioning our in-person programs to online formats in response to the global Pandemic.
Embracing this change required a mindset shift and a willingness to explore new tools and technologies. My virtual wellness program offered a unique opportunity to reach a wider audience and provide access to resources and support from their home. I had to help ensure accessibility for all participants. To do so effectively, I had to provide clear instructions for joining virtual sessions, offer technical support for those unfamiliar with online platforms, and create a welcoming and inclusive virtual environment.
Engagement and interaction are vital components of virtual wellness programs. To foster connection and community in a digital space, I implemented interactive elements such as live chat, virtual breakout rooms for small group discussions, and online forums for ongoing communication and support.
Maintaining the same level of quality and personalized support in a virtual setting required creativity and flexibility, and I was able to deliver engaging and informative content to our participants.
Feedback and reflection played a crucial role in the adaptation process. Surveys and assessments helped me gather insights into the effectiveness of my virtual programs and identify areas for improvement. By soliciting participant feedback, I could tailor my offerings to meet their needs and preferences better.
Challenges arose in ensuring the security and privacy of participants in a virtual setting. Specifically, during an early session, my participants were exposed to graphic sexual images by an individual who crashed our virtual program. As a result, I implemented stringent security measures, such as password-protected sessions, to prevent a reoccurrence of that mishap.
Moreover, the transition to virtual platforms prompted the need to upskill my team members in digital literacy and online facilitation techniques. I organized training sessions to familiarize staff with virtual tools and platforms and best practices for engaging with participants in an online setting.
The dynamic nature of virtual wellness programs also opened up new possibilities for collaboration with guest speakers, experts, and partners nationwide. Through virtual connections, I broadened the scope of my programming and offered diverse perspectives and insights to our participants.
In response to COVID and the Global Pandemic, agility, innovation, and adaptability in meeting the community’s evolving needs was essential. By embracing technology, fostering engagement, and prioritizing inclusivity and feedback, I delivered quality wellness programming in a virtual space that resonated with and supported each participant on their wellness journey. With pride, I can report that everyone survived the Pandemic. That was a blessing from God.
Overall, the shift to virtual wellness programming was an expression of Resilience. When problems arise, we can either rise to meet them or shrink under the weight of the challenge. I choose to RISE.
What do you choose?
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
As part of my business endeavors, I partnered with a dynamic fitness guru, Christine Conti. We created an International Women’s Network entitled The Reinventing the Woman Tribe and designed and implemented life-changing International Retreats that transform participants’ lives. Before making these life-enhancing programs, we shared the same publisher and became Amazon’s best-selling authors almost simultaneously. My book is entitled Yes! Commit. Do. Live, and Christi’s book is Split Second Courage, both on Amazon.
As soon as we met, we knew combining our passions would be instrumental in reaching more lives.
I am the CEO of Embrace Your Fitness, an International Keynote Speaker, a Breathing Boss, and the
Brain-Body-Business Alignment Specialist, helping individuals through my curated Commit. Do. Live a method to live an age-defying life so they can release stress -restore energy, and gain mental clarity to live the Life of their dreams.
Christine Conti is the CEO of CONTI Fitness & Wellness, Chronic Disease Fitness Specialist, Mindset Coach, and Keynote Speaker- helping people overcome fear and unleash their “split-second courage” to live the fun and fulfilling Life they deserve.
When Christi and I combined our passions and purpose, we created a movement based on the 3 C’s: Courage, Commitment, and Community. We understood that everyone must be COURAGEOUS in their Life to be able to make the COMMITMENT to challenge their brain-body and beliefs that no longer serve them while thriving in a loving and supportive COMMUNITY.
Reinventing the Woman (RTW) is an immersive, stimulating, all-women’s, all-inclusive, life-changing Woman’s Mastermind Membership and RTW Retreat program. Christine and I represent what is possible when women of diverse ethnicities and ages unite to bring health and healing to the global community.
Together, we create the atmosphere to ignite participant passions while they:
* Craft a personal vision for an Age Defying Life;
*Discover how to improve your overall health from the inside out;
* Experience guided mind and body evolution, and
* Tap into your greatest potential by facing your fears and believing anything is possible!
Our Woman’s Mastermind Membership is ever-expanding globally, and the Retreats give ongoing opportunities for expedited growth. Christine and I created a Wellness Revolution. No longer can we sit on the sidelines. It is time to experience growth. It is time to take your journey within a loving, supportive community.
www.rtwtribe.com
https://yescoachlisa.com/join-the-rtw-tribe-in-dominican-republic/
https://calendly.com/yeslisacharles/25min
I want to also invite everyone to my defeat imposter syndrome- Ignite power, freedom, and unlimited success free master class. It Takes Pl., Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 12 PM EST. They can sign up by https://yescoachlisa.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yescoachlisa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaembracefitness/
- Facebook: https://twitter.com/YesCoachLisa
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/embraceyourfitness/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YesCoachLisa
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@yescoachlisacharles
- Other: www.rtwtribe.com https://vimeo.com/916119991?share=copy https://vimeo.com/909484532?share=copy