Conversations with the Inspiring Lisa White

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa White.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
How I got to where I am today…I’m honestly not sure where to begin, but I would start by sharing I’m a born and bred Colorado girl. I don’t think I appreciated how wonderful it was to grow up this beautiful state until adulthood, but I credit my parents for giving me a wonderful childhood. I was very active in sports and found many activities that brought a lot of happiness. As an only child, I found writing to be a creative outlet and I began keeping a journal at the age of 10. To this day, I still write and have a collection of journals which span my life. At the age of 16 played competitive volleyball and at 18 made it as a “walk-on” to play collegiate volleyball at Colorado State. Experiences like this really had an impact on my life. My passion for sports has always been strong and so is my desire for travel and adventure. While in college at age 20, I had the opportunity to work at Disney World in Orlando for a summer internship and participate in their College Program; I cannot say enough good things about that experience.

In my later teen years, I learned about the field of occupational therapy and was naturally drawn to the roots of this profession which include art and science. It’s a field I feel incredibly grateful to have found. I knew I wanted to work with people and serve in the health and wellness field. When I was 22, I transferred to Creighton University in Omaha, NE for Occupational Therapy school. Upon graduation at 24, I moved to San Diego, CA where I embarked on my career. My first job was unique in working at multiple settings with the pediatric population – a Children’s Hospital outpatient clinic and multiple elementary and middle schools providing occupational therapy services. My professional path has taken the most amazing ride from working in hospitals and schools to adult rehab facilities, senior skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, memory care, ICU, outpatient clinics, home health and back again. I cannot think of as many fields that allow the opportunity to work across a huge array of settings and with so many different clientele. This kind of work that enhances one’s quality of life through meaningful and purposeful occupations of daily living has been a gift to me as much as it is for the people I serve.

After nine years in San Diego, I moved back home to Colorado and met my husband. We’re a Match.com success story, and believe fate played a role in bringing us together. Being in our “later” years to get married, we wanted to have a family and faced the need for fertility assistance. We went through IVF and had many setbacks along the way which I highlight in a book I wrote and will be releasing this year. The road to get our two years old daughter was long but worth it all. It’s amazing to think how my path has led me right where I am today. While going through the rollercoaster of infertility I felt very supported along the way, and I recognized that’s not common for most. I realized I had something valuable to offer, and I decided to create a service supporting women who were struggling through the ups and downs of IVF. I knew I could turn the pain I once had into a new purpose and share principles I learned as an occupational therapist on how to best navigate this wild ride. It’s one I wouldn’t change for anything.

Has it been a smooth road?
Our paths are rarely ever smooth ones – there were many bumps along the way. What I’ve learned is those bumps are necessary and they’re there to teach us. They often guide us to a new path which is often better than we could have planned. Did I ever think I would leave Colorado State and transfer? No, but I grew immensely. New opportunities showed up. Other bumps were trying to figure out where I was going to live post college. I knew getting out of my comfort zone and living in a new city was what excited me the most. I took a long solo road trip to California and realized the beach was calling.

I would tell young women who are starting their journey to listen to the whispers. Get quiet and the answers will often come to you. I found a lot of answers came to me through my journaling. There’s something about getting your thoughts out from your head and onto paper. I knew I made the right decision when I arrived in San Diego and accepted my first job. Of course, we’re made to grow and there came a time when I needed to make a move. I lived in 5 different places over the course of 9 years in San Diego, and each one felt like the right move at that time. When new work opportunities presented themselves, I explored those as well and off I went.

Tapping into what makes you happy and what lights you up is key. I would also tell young women to not be afraid to push yourself and try new things. Move to a new city. Move into an apartment with someone you don’t know. Take that job that excites you but sounds a bit scary. You just never know unless you try. My friends joke with me that I will go up to anyone and strike up a conversation. Some of the best connections I’ve made have started from me having the courage to reach out to someone I’ve never met. Get in a space of living in awe and wonder. Be curious and follow that curiosity. I promise it will take you to some amazing places and have you deepen into your own discovery of yourself. Check out MeetUp groups in your area on topics of interest to you and also explore groups on Facebook. Instagram is another great platform to search your desired topic by hashtags. The options are endless.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My work today is focused on providing personalized coaching support to women who are struggling on the emotional rollercoaster of infertility and IVF. As a relatively new business entrepreneur, I’m constantly learning new things and the ideas for creation are never ending. That’s what makes it so exciting! I have always carried an entrepreneurial spirit inside, but it became real when I launched my blog in 2018, created a website (IVF Manifesting A Miracle), and decided to utilize all my personal experience and background into this service which I know women are in search of. I find my background with 20 years of experience as an occupational therapist is one of the things that makes me unique when people may be looking at fertility coaches. I’ve personally lived through this journey and come out even more empowered and inspired. What also sets me apart is the unique lens from which I view and gather data about individuals and their individual challenges- I utilize a holistic approach looking at the mind/body/spirit, and know from experience that women have a lot more control in their fertility journey than they realize. My first book, “Hold On, Baby!” A soulful guide to riding the ups and downs of infertility and IVF will be released this year.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
It’s hard to choose just one piece of advice. To those who are just starting their career or embarking on a new business, know that you will always be learning and never fully have it all figured out. As cliche as it sounds, the journey really is where the magic is. Enjoying the process is what matters, not just reaching your destination. I’m learning every day, and that’s why the journey of entrepreneurship is so much fun. I’m not going to lie and say it isn’t work, because you’re going to work a whole heck of a lot; You feel different though when you’re doing work you are truly passionate about. Don’t think when you start a career that you have to stick with that job for the rest of your life. Each job will offer something of value. Seek out personal growth, stay open and curious. Embrace flexibility to better adapt when challenges come your way. Learn to live in flow. Some other tips are to seek out a mentor or a coach. I’ve hired coaches and they have been invaluable in helping me get started with building a business. I believe your work should feel fun, fulfilling and rewarding. Tune into your own intuition and with practice you’ll learn you have the answers within to guide you.

Contact Info:

• Website: ivfmanifestingamiracle.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: ivf.manifesting.a.miracle

Image Credit:
Britt Nemeth Studios

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