Episode notes
In this opening segment of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Lisa shares a raw and deeply human turning point: depression, a major shoulder injury and infection, and a spiritual awakening that collided with the collapse of her business identity.
While recovering and navigating chronic pain and hospitalisation, Lisa was also doing a guided Kundalini awakening with daily 30-minute meditations—originally focused on “flowing” business, health, and life. But the deeper the practice went, the more it exposed what wasn’t aligned. What began as personal development and performance quickly shifted into something more confronting: sobriety, surrender, and the decision to choose healing over hustle.
Lisa reflects on building a salon business as an identity—systems, leadership training, big expansion plans—then reaching a moment of truth: “Screw the business, I want to get better.” From there, the conversation opens into letting go, grief, attachments, ADHD and identity, the wave-like nature of awakening (dark night, void, return), and what it means to live from purpose rather than ego.
The episode also touches on the twin flame journey as a catalyst for awakening—intense longing, mirroring, emotional integration, and learning the difference between love and attachment to outcomes. Together, we explore discernment, embodiment, and how authentic leadership can emerge when life forces you to let go of what you thought you were.