Elisa Robyn shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Elisa, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
This past summer I have been volunteering as a Park Ranger at a Local State Park and LOVE it!! I act as a trail ambassador, a naturalist, and help direct traffic during special event weekends.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr Elisa Roby. I have earned two master’s degrees, one in geology and one in Jewish Studies, and a PhD in Educational Psychology. I am also a trained astrologer, a skill I used to put myself through college. Most of my career was spent as an Academic University Dean, though I also have worked as a geologist, a professional astrologer, and a non-profit board leader. This eclectic background led me to believe that it is never too late to live life on the loose, meaning creating a life worth living.
Life on the loose, my brand, is NOT about abandoning all obligations; rather, it is about creating a life that resonates with the small inner voice that echoes within you. I help people notice the everyday miracles that surround us all, and find pathways into the future.
My journey has taken me to working one-on-one with individuals, speaking at events, and consulting in Higher Education and non-profit board settings. I have found that over time, the possibilities and opportunities continue to expand. Life on the Loose is about being open to switchbacks on a trail, knowing that there is always something exciting to learn with each step.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
This is a fascinating question. I am sure there might have been earlier moments, but the one that stands out is when I told my family I was going away to college in two weeks.
Here is the background. I graduated from high school when I was seventeen, and my parents told me that I could apply to colleges away from home, but I could not attend any that required me to move due to my age. I remember thinking
‘Why would I apply if you won’t let me go?’ and applying to the local State University. I was accepted and attended while working two jobs for a year and a half. But I still wanted to leave home.
My dream was to be a forest ranger and help save the forests, which was lofty and not in line with my family’s ideas for a woman. I visited Northern Arizona University and decided I wanted to attend. I applied in the winter and was accepted for the next fall semester. My parents agreed that since I would be 19 I could go.
Then, out of the blue, I met someone who was going away to that college in January and asked why I did not just go now. He said I could go with him, since he was driving. I contacted NAU and was told that, yes, I could come in January. The start date was two weeks away.
Then I went home and told my parents that I was leaving in two weeks. And my father exploded. He forbade me from going. I could not even look at him as I explained all the reasons it was a good time to move into my major, and he just kept saying no. My mother was furious and said she had planned to take me in the fall and buy me shampoo and things for my dorm room. I told them both that I knew I had to pay for this myself (which was why I had been working two jobs), and I was going. Neither of them spoke a word to me for the entire two weeks, until the last day, when I was packing.
Then suddenly, they helped me pack. My dad held me on his lap. They invited my grandparents over to say goodbye. I remember getting to NAU in Flagstaff and feeling free and alive, with a sense that I was surrounded by possibilities.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I often felt alone and scared as a child. My home life was not dangerous, but my family was “old school” and could be very judgmental and controlling. I had few friends and was at times bullied at school. So at a young age, I learned how to find safety when I was alone. I read books, wrote stories, created fiber arts, and had wonderful fantasies. My favorite spot was in a grove of large trees in a local park, pretending that I was in a sacred wood that kept me safe.
But when I was truly frightened, I would call my large imaginary dog to me. Her name was Shiloh, and she looked like a mix between a St. Bernard and a Newfoundland. She would stay at my side when I was riding my bike or walking. This imaginary friend stayed with me through high school, and at times even later.
Honestly, I still feel that energy if I call her.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
In all honesty, I believe there is a higher power in this world. I will never be able to prove this, but in my heart and soul, I know that there are miracles around me every day if I just stop and notice them. I know that some force ties the world together, call it energy, the force, or G-d, it does not matter. There is something greater than ourselves and our thoughts that was here before humans and will exist after we are gone.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I love this question. Over the years, I have learned that when I am anxious or stressed, I need to connect with nature. As soon as I am walking on a trail, my entire body relaxes. The same happens when I am in my kayak on a lake. I find myself dreaming and laughing on long bike rides. Honestly, I think better when in motion, which is why I have a standing desk. I need to be able to move, to feel my muscles move and stretch in order to think clearly.
When I am running on the beach, I can hear the voice of the ocean speaking to me. A great deal of my writing comes from those experiences. I have written two novels, and for each one I would go for a walk, “hear” my characters tell me the next chapter, and go home and write. I have a deeply spiritual connection to the ocean and the mountains. These experiences transform me, as if I am channeling nature.
What is interesting is that I was never physically active as a child. My family did not take walks or take many bike rides. I started riding my bike just for fun, and fairly far distances, in middle school. This felt like freedom. When I went away to college, I started running and became much more active. This started me on a lifetime of exercise and movement
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elisarobyn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/elisarobyn8131/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisarobyn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrElisaShow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elisarobyn
- Other: https://medium.com/@elisarobyn
