Here's my alphabet. What's yours?

Welcome to my blog and my website. Thanks for joining!  I'm on a mission for women like you to LOVE your career and love your life.  So who am I? Here's a little more about this curly blonde's life and favourite things:

The A-Z's of Lisa

Adventurist.  I LOVE trying new things and exploring the world.  Anything from meeting new people, to white water rafting, to sky-diving, I love it.  I will try anything once... and I have never regretted anything I have tried. 

Beach.  Is there anything better than sand, waves, and beautiful water?  Not in my world. I love the ocean, and lakes and rivers.  Whether it's a tropical beach in Southeast Asia or the beaches in Vancouver (not so tropical but still beautiful), beaches are so good for my soul. I'm lucky to be only a few blocks away from a beach most days of my life.

Croatia.  Where my family is from. Croatian was my first language and to this day, most of my family still lives there. I love spending summers swimming in the Adriatic sea, and eating delicious Croatian truffles and cevupcici (deliciously spiced sausages!)

Dancing. I started at the age of 3 in ballet, and continued through tap, modern, jazz, hip-hop, song & dance, and point. My love with dance has extended to salsa, belly, tango and burlesque. And let's not forget the occasional twerking to some top 40 (even if it's just in my kitchen)!

Extreme Extrovert.  I'm a 30/30 on the extravert scale. Every time I do a Meyers-Briggs assessment, my other traits change. Not extravert though. I absolutely love being around others and soak up energy from those I'm surrounded by.

Food. Delicious! I used to be a ridiculously picky eater (I didn't like steak or seafood). Let's just say a 2 month trip to China fixed that! Now, I adore trying new food and cuisines. I also generally dislike cooking and being in a foodie-centric city like Vancouver suits me well!

Goals.  I love them!  I'm all about making sure that I'm living life on my terms and goals help me do that.  There's nothing better than doing some deep soul-searching, reflecting and brainstorming with amazing friends to determine what my BEST life is. And then setting some awesome, inspiring goals and habits to match. 

Husband.  His name is Troy and he's simply amazing. I have found a true partner in life. He's smart, funny and it doesn't hurt that he's extremely handsome. 

Inspiration.  It's all around us so I make sure to soak it in every day.  Each day, I take time to be grateful for the amazing things in my life (my 7pm phone reminder).  I'm always on the lookout for fun, interesting and inspirational events online and in my city that will teach me and inspire me to be a better coach and human being. So far this year, I'm already signed up for The Art of Leadership, and at least 2 TedX Conferences. #inspirationoverload

Juggling. I have a great life, don't get me wrong. But my schedule, commitments and life are a constant juggling act. I'm very deliberate with my time and each week I sit down to plan out the next week. It helps me make sure I have all the right balls in the air and that the important ones are getting the attention they need. If only juggling time would be as cool of a party trick as actual flame juggling or something....

Kelowna.  Where Troy & I got married, on a gorgeous rooftop overlooking the lake. It's where I got to have friends and family from all parts of then world celebrate as I said "I do" to my best friend. It holds a special place in my heart. Plus it has amazing wines ;)

Leadership. I love everything about leadership.  I even started the Vancouver Island Leadership Conference 8 years ago, ran it for 3 years, and it continues to this day. I believe we all need to be leaders, not just at work or school but in our home lives. Each one of us can be a leader in life as we support friends, family and lead ourselves on the path to achieving our goals and dreams. 

Meeting new people.  Genuinely one of my favourite things. Everyone is a friend I just haven't met yet. I love finding similarities and the connections between all humans - I've learned we really are all more the same than we are different.

New York. One of the most amazing places on earth. I absolutely adore every moment I spend here and mostly only watch tv shows if they can offer a glimpse of Manhattan. 

Open-minded.  I believe in being open, honest, and vulnerable.  I'm not perfect and that's ok.  I love learning from others and hearing their perspectives. I will always learn something and continue to grow more as a person when people share their thoughts with me and I deeply appreciate it.

Possibility.  There is nothing that can't be done when we believe it's possible. Nothing is more powerful than people who believe in their own potential.  When we believe in possibility, fear disappears and we just do it.  We create change.  We make a difference. As Henry Ford said, "Whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, you are right."  

Now I want to empower more women to believe they can.

Quad. My husband loves quadding and so do I. That's why we have a quad in our downtown apartment complex. Sure, it's a little quirky but it doesn't take long to get a bit outside the city and hopping on the quad is an exciting way to get deep into nature and explore new territory. And it's a great conversation starter with the neighbours.

Running. Something I always hated and never thought I could do. Until I found wicked-awesome running partners and I've now done 5 half-marathons. I'm signed up for number 6 and love the challenge and friendships that form over sweat and exhaustion.

Sustainability. We're all just visiting on Planet Earth and it's important to me that the world will be a better place because of me. I once heard "leave everything just a little better than you found it" and I apply this philosophy to everything. Whether it's a job, a city, a friendship, and especially, this beautiful planet, I live and work to make everything I touch better.

Travelling. My great love. My current count is 32 countries and I will hit 50, 100, and more in my life!

Umbrella.  You won't catch me on the We(s)t Coast without one. This curly hair frizzes just hearing the word "sprinkle" so I'm always prepared for the rain. 

Vancouver.  The city I live in and adore. My love affair started when I was a child and I'm constantly in awe of its natural beauty and cultural diversity. 

Wine.  My usual drink of choice. I love visiting wineries around the world and meeting super passionate wine makers who put their all into their delicious wine. The only thing better?  Getting to take home a bottle and enjoy it on my patio with my husband and awesome friends. In full disclosure, I also love craft beer and I swoon for original, innovative cocktails. 

Xenodochial.  Wow. Who knew finding an "x" word would be so hard?  Xenodochial means "friendly to stranger" and it's a philosophy I live by. Everywhere I go, I find connections with all ages, backgrounds, languages, and distance.  And now we've learned a new word too!  

Yoga.  What kind of Vancouverite would I be without it?  All kidding aside, I love the mix of mental and physical challenge in yoga and it helps this type-A chick stay grounded, humble and sane. 

Zestful.  How I approach life. Life's an adventure, an exciting gift, a remarkable journey.  I want it to be filled with fun, love, curiosity, wonder, exploration and laughter. 

Who are you?  I love getting to know amazing, driven, passionate women like you.  

Get in touch with me - I love hearing from you!