Lisa Johnson of Denver on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Lisa Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Lisa, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recently I’ve been proud of my improvement in my trail running time. I got back into running last year after taking some time off. Sometimes I don’t feel motivated to run but once I get into the run, I feel great. I feel strong, powerful, confident, capable and connected to my body.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Lisa and I run DenverMassage Therapy, a cozy small massage therapy practice right here in Denver, Colorado. I focus on helping people recover from injuries and cure stress — that perfect mix of healing and relaxation. I love combining different tools and techniques like hot stones, cupping, and red light therapy to really tailor each session to what someone’s body needs that day. What I think makes my work special is that I don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach — every client gets something unique and intentional. Whether you’re bouncing back from an injury, training hard, or just need an hour to completely unwind, my goal is to help you feel balanced, pain-free, and totally recharged.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
That’s such a good question. I think the part of me that’s really served its purpose — and that I’m learning to let go of — is the part that used to people-please as a way to feel safe. For a long time, I thought keeping everyone else comfortable was how I could protect myself or keep the peace. But now, I’m realizing that real safety comes from integrity and authenticity — from showing up as who I truly am, even if it doesn’t please everyone. Living that way feels like a deeper form of self-care. It’s calmer, more grounded, and so much more honest.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh yes. Many. Life is hard. Believing in my craft keeps me going…. hearing feedback and gratitude from my clients is very rewarding.

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 are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I’m not sure I’d call it a lie, but I think one of the biggest misconceptions in the massage industry is how underutilized our work is in medical and long-term care settings. Massage therapy has so much potential beyond the spa. It can play a huge role in hospitals, rehab centers, and nursing homes. Touch and bodywork can do wonders for pain management, recovery, and even emotional well-being, especially for people who are aging or healing from injury or illness. I’d love to see massage integrated more into those environments, because it’s not just about relaxation ,it’s about improving quality of life.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Whatever the story may be, I hope it’s hilarious and brings joy to whomever hears it.

Image Credits
📷 Monica Juarez @latinawcamera