Lisa
“The river is where you belong and the river makes no judgements.”
Lisa’s passions literally saved her life. She was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Graves Disease in college, but since discovering her love for fly fishing, she’s been in remission. Fly fishing has been revolutionary for her mental and physical health. Lisa is her absolute happiest when she’s outdoors, surrounded by nature, on the river. When she’s not fly fishing, she’s working as a pediatric echocardiographer. She is someone who sets her mind to something and does it - showcasing her incredible drive and ambition. Meet Lisa. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
L: Hi, I’m Lisa. I am an Oklahoma native who currently resides in Denver, Colorado. I am a pediatric echocardiographer by trade. I love dogs, food, am an amateur baker, nature & river seeker, and have a HUGE passion for fly fishing.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
L: I love being in nature and am happiest when I am outside, preferably by a river with a fly fishing rod in hand. This is where I feel the most free and at peace. Once I dive into something, I tend to dive deep and get super obsessed. I’m more of an old soul and a traditionalist. Especially in my cooking and baking.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
L: My spontaneity, that keeps me young, but also my drive, that keeps me focused & ambitious.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
L: I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Graves Disease in college. I’ve been in and out of remission several times since my diagnosis. Each time I relapsed, it was due to a stress inducing incident. I’m currently in my longest remission yet (4 years) thanks to fly fishing. The day I picked up a fly rod was the day my life changed for the better. Fly fishing has done so much for my mental and physical health. May sound cliche, but fly fishing has saved my life.
P: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
L: Don’t spend your money on fancy materialistic things because that is what society tells you to do. It won’t mean much to you when you are older. The river is where you belong and the river makes no judgements.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
L: To be strong, bold, and courageous, but also kind, compassionate, and caring.
It means being unapologetic for who we are and being free in our own skin to do what we want and be what we want.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
L: My mother, Oanh. She is an ambitious, strong, and very hardworking woman. She, along with my father, owned a restaurant.
She worked 13 hour days, 363 days a year. Her only days off were Thanksgiving Day and Christmas off. She did this for 25+ years while raising 4 children. She tirelessly worked these long hours so that her children would have a better life than what she had growing up. I wish I had just an ounce of her determination and grit. She is fierce and courageous, but also gentle and caring. Oanh is the definition of a woman. Love you Mama.