Do you long for a renewed sense of strength and self-discovery in the face of life's challenges? Are you seeking inspiration and guidance to navigate major transitions with resilience? Look no further! In this episode, we have the incredible Lisa Niver sharing her journey and offering the key to unlocking your own personal growth and transformation. Discover how to embrace change, overcome obstacles, and uncover a profound sense of self-discovery and inner strength. Get ready to embark on a transformative journey towards a renewed and empowered of yourself.

My special guest is Lisa Niver

Meet Lisa Niver, a globally recognized travel enthusiast, award-winning writer, and trailblazer in the digital world. Lisa's life is a testament to resilience and following one's passion. Her zest for adventure has led her to explore over 102 countries, making her an expert in not just travel, but life itself. Lisa has also faced personal trials, including a painful divorce, and yet, was able to turn her despair into motivation. She embarked on 50 challenging journeys before her 50th birthday, an experience she details in her riveting memoir Brave-ish. Lisa’s multi-dimensional life experiences, deeply resonating with our listeners, promises to inspire and guide them through their personal transitions.

If you do new things and make new choices, you will not be reminded of your past. So if you go to a new restaurant, you don’t have bad memories. It is important to work through past drama and figure out how to deal with it. And at the same time, do something that’s serving you in a positive way. – Lisa Niver

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Trace Lisa Niver's compelling narrative that underlines her remarkable toughness.
• Grasp the dramatic life improvement that embracing novel tests and challenges can bring.
• Validate the need for mental health guidance and strong relationships during demanding transitions.
• Identify the calming effects of immersive hobbies like scuba diving and scribing feelings.
• Be invigorated by Lisa's encouraging insights in 'Brave-ish' and realize the potential of mini steps towards enhancing oneself.

Role of Therapy and Trust-Based Relationships

Lisa Niver highlights the importance of therapy and the support of friends in her healing journey. She also emphasizes navigating troublesome circumstances through understanding the difference between mere inconveniences and actual problems. By emphasizing mental health, she underscores the pivotal role of therapy and relationships in fostering resilience and moving forward in life.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit Lisa Niver's website, We Said Go Travel, to read her articles and travel guides.
• Check out Lisa's YouTube channel with over 2 million views for travel inspiration and tips.
• Listen to Lisa's podcast, Make Your Own Map, to hear interviews with inspiring travelers and learn about their journeys.
• Purchase Lisa's memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After 50, to explore her personal story of transformation and find inspiration for your own journey.
• Connect with Lisa on social media to stay updated on her latest travel adventures and insights.
• Consider joining a scuba diving trip or taking up a new hobby that brings you joy and helps you reconnect with yourself.
• Take time for self-care activities, such as enjoying a relaxing bath with luxurious bath salts or spending time in nature, to nurture your well-being during challenging times.
• Find a support system of friends and loved ones who can offer guidance and encouragement as you navigate through difficult life transitions.
• Explore new places and try new experiences to create positive memories and associations with your post-divorce life.
• Embrace the healing power of walking and spending time near water

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introduction,

00:02:09 - Discovering a Love for Travel,

00:03:57 - The Educational Benefits of Travel,

00:05:11 - Make Your Own Map Podcast,

00:06:13 - Brave-ish: A Memoir of Transformation,

00:13:46 - The Healing Power of the Ocean,

00:16:44 - Healing Through Pain and Suffering,

00:17:11 - Setting Goals for Personal Growth,

00:22:45 - Overcoming Self-Perceptions,

00:27:46 - Coping with Life Changes,

00:29:40 - The Meaning Behind "Braveish",

00:31:52 - Favorite Travel Destinations,

00:34:54 - Small Steps and Patience,

00:38:42 - Embracing Change and Women's Stories,

00:40:58 - Embracing Challenges and Inspiring Others,

00:41:15 - Traveling as a Woman,

00:41:41 - Reflecting on Lisa's Journey,

00:42:45 - Overcoming Midlife Doubts,

00:44:03 - Taking Action and Making a Difference

I thought I would never laugh again. I thought it would never travel again. I had really felt very hopeless. But I did a lot of therapy, every kind of therapy that I could find. And I'm in Los Angeles, so there were a lot of kinds. - Lisa Niver

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:02 - Introduction,

Introduction to the podcast and the guest, Lisa Niver, an award-winning travel expert and author.

00:02:09 - Discovering a Love for Travel,

Lisa shares how her love for travel began during a family cruise when she was in junior high. She talks about the impact of visiting historical sites and how it sparked her curiosity.

00:03:57 - The Educational Benefits of Travel,

Lisa discusses the natural learning that occurs when traveling with kids and how it can foster curiosity, map reading skills, and cultural understanding.

00:05:11 - Make Your Own Map Podcast,

Lisa talks about her podcast, "Make Your Own Map," and the joy of interviewing incredible people and learning about their travel experiences and life challenges.

00:06:13 - Brave-ish: A Memoir of Transformation,

Lisa shares the inspiration behind her memoir, "Brave-ish," which chronicles her journey of self-discovery and empowerment after her divorce. She discusses the societal pressures women face and how her book resonates with readers.

00:13:46 - The Healing Power of the Ocean,

Lisa Niver shares how the ocean, particularly in Santa Monica, California, has helped heal her during challenging times. She discusses the intimate details of her marriage falling apart and how writing about it was a difficult but necessary process. She also shares helpful techniques she used, such as wearing a talisman and lighting a candle, to signal when she was writing about her past traumas.

00:16:44 - Healing Through Pain and Suffering,

Lori acknowledges that there are no shortcuts to healing and that walking through the pain and suffering is necessary. She expresses gratitude to Lisa for writing about her process, as it will provide healing for others who have experienced similar challenges in their own lives.

00:17:11 - Setting Goals for Personal Growth,

Lisa discusses her goal of completing 50 challenges before turning 50, highlighting the significance of setting goals for personal growth. She shares how these challenges helped her discover new aspects of herself and overcome her initial resistance to trying new things. The most significant challenge for her was getting a proper diagnosis and improving her eye coordination through tennis lessons.

00:22:45 - Overcoming Self-Perceptions,

Lisa reflects on her self-perception as not being adventurous or athletic. Through her challenges and the encouragement of a friend, she realized that she had been adventurous all along. She shares how saying yes to one opportunity led to many others, and the experience of discovering new sides of herself was transformative.

00:27:46 - Coping with Life Changes,

Lisa compares the end of her marriage to a natural disaster and discusses the importance of having a support network and seeking therapy. She emphasizes the need to focus on the steps that can be taken rather than dwelling on what cannot be done.

00:29:40 - The Meaning Behind "Braveish",

Lisa explains that she did not feel brave when people called her courageous after leaving her relationship. She shares her struggle with completing her project and the joy and freedom she felt in quitting. The title of her book, "Braveish," reflects her mixed feelings about being labeled as brave.

00:31:52 - Favorite Travel Destinations,

Lisa expresses her love for scuba diving and how she enjoys exploring underwater environments. She mentions Bonaire, Mexico, as a favorite location and shares her excitement about discovering new places and experiences through travel.

00:34:54 - Small Steps and Patience,

Lisa discusses the importance of taking small steps and embracing patience in the process of rebuilding one's life. She shares a story about her YouTube channel's growth and how her father reminded her to appreciate each milestone along the way.

00:38:42 - Embracing Change and Women's Stories,

Lisa reflects on the lessons she learned from a retreat in Puerto Rico, emphasizing the need to let go of what no longer serves us and to nurture the aspects of our lives that we want to flourish. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her story as a woman

00:40:58 - Embracing Challenges and Inspiring Others,

The host praises Lisa Niver for sharing her inspiring experiences and putting beauty into the world. They discuss Lisa's book "Brave-ish" and hope it encourages others to create their own challenges and be brave.

00:41:15 - Traveling as a Woman,

The host asks Lisa about her experience traveling solo as a woman. They address the concerns of others who think it is dangerous. The discussion continues in the patreon community.

00:41:41 - Reflecting on Lisa's Journey,

The host reflects on Lisa's adventurous life, from scuba diving to dealing with a devastating loss. They emphasize the message of transformation and hope that listeners are inspired to explore new possibilities.

00:42:45 - Overcoming Midlife Doubts,

The host encourages listeners, especially those in midlife, to believe that there are always new opportunities waiting. They highlight the importance of trying new things, pursuing passions, and embracing change.

00:44:03 - Taking Action and Making a Difference,

The host urges listeners to take action and be inspired by Lisa's story. They invite listeners to share their own inspirations and aspirations, emphasizing the power of connection and community in making a difference.

“One of the things about all the challenges that I noticed about myself was my first instinct when I was given the opportunity to do something new or different. My first response was always emphatic that I was not going to try. But as more and more challenges came to me later, I was more willing to do them.” - Lisa Niver