Meet Lisa Schoenthal

We were lucky to catch up with Lisa Schoenthal recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

You know, people always assume confidence is something you’re either born with or not, but here’s the truth: confidence is built like muscle—it only grows when you use it.
For me, it didn’t happen overnight. It came from a million little “do it scared anyway” moments. Leaving a comfortable career in special events to travel solo around the world. Writing my first book when my inner critic kept screaming, “Who do you think you are?” Becoming a flight attendant at 47, when most people told me I was too old to start over. Each time, I had to quiet the noise, trust my gut, and leap.
What I’ve learned is that confidence doesn’t show up before the leap—it shows up after. It’s earned in the wobble, in the messy middle, the uncomfortable face-plants that teach you you’re still standing. The more I put myself in unfamiliar rooms, on foreign soil, or in situations that stretched me, the more I realized, “Oh hey, I can do this. And I didn’t break.”
And here’s what I know, every time I chose authenticity over approval—writing honestly about my life, telling my stories, creating retreats that light me up—I built another layer of confidence. Self-esteem comes from living in alignment with who you really are, not who the world tells you to be.
So no, I wasn’t born fearless. I just decided that fear wasn’t going to be my driver. Confidence came because I got in the driver’s seat myself—sometimes crying, sometimes laughing, but always moving forward. And that’s what I want everyone reading this to know… you don’t wait for confidence. You create it, one brave step or stumble, at a time.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Well, first things first—I like to say I didn’t exactly “plan” this career. It was more like a series of wild detours that turned into a map. I started out in the world of fashion and later special events, both gave me a taste for creativity but also burnout. That burnout became the push I needed to travel solo around the world, and in those travels I rediscovered who I was: a storyteller, a teacher, a woman who wanted to live and lead with authenticity. Connection and community became my anchor. The freedom of doing that while traveling lights my soul on fire.
Since then, I’ve woven together everything I love—mindfulness, movement, nutrition, travel, and storytelling—into a brand that helps women transform their lives in a way that actually feels good and authentic. I wrote a book (The Men We Meet), launched a podcast (Sip Tea with Me), and created retreats like La Vida Sagrada, our sacred Día de los Muertos gathering in Mexico Oct 2025. And yes, somehow along the way I “accidentally” became a flight attendant at 47—which I now consider one of the most life-shifting, soul-shaping detours of all.
What excites me most about my work is that it’s not just about teaching yoga, hosting a retreat, or recording a podcast. It’s about connection. I get to remind women that their stories matter, their gifts matter, and that living authentically is not only allowed—it’s the key to joy, freedom, and impact. My Gramma Pansy used to say storytelling keeps love alive, and that’s exactly what my work is about: keeping wisdom and love alive through community.

Right now, I’m especially excited about two things—and I think you will be too:
Our retreats — these aren’t your average vacations. They’re sacred, soul-shifting experiences where we travel, explore, and transform together. Imagine swimming with dolphins, building altars to honor life and love, dancing under the moon, and walking away with new lifelong soul sisters. If your spirit is craving connection, adventure, and a reset, I’d love for you to join me.
My podcast, Sip Tea with Me — this is my heart on the mic. It’s where I get to pour out the lessons from my travels, my own transformations, and the wisdom passed down from my Gramma Pansy. It’s equal parts laughter, real talk, and soul medicine. Every episode feels like sitting down with your wisest girlfriend—the one who tells you the truth, reminds you of your power, and makes you laugh even when you’re crying. If you’re ready for stories that light you up and remind you that you’re not alone, I’d love for you to tune in and sip along with me.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

When I look back, three qualities have shaped everything about my journey:
1. The courage to take risks, even when failure was possible.
I’ve said yes to things that made zero sense on paper—like becoming a flight attendant at 47, writing a book that aired my personal love stories, or launching a podcast without a clue how it would land. Were they risky? Absolutely. But here’s the thing: failure never defined me. It refined me. Each “faceplant” handed me lessons in faith, hope, and determination. My advice? Take the leap anyway. Fear is loud, but your soul is louder if you actually listen and trust your gut.
2. The ability to connect with people quickly and deeply.
Traveling the world solo taught me that connection is everything. I’ve built lifelong friendships on a yoga mat in Bali, in hostels in Bangkok, and over tea in Turkey. That ability to walk into a room—or onto a plane—and connect heart-to-heart has opened more doors than any résumé ever could. My advice? Put your phone down. Look people in the eye. Be genuinely curious. You’ll be amazed at how fast the right people find you.
3. Communicating with clarity, empathy, and love.
I’ve learned that your words can either build walls or build bridges. Choosing honesty, even when it’s hard, and leading with empathy, even when you’re hurt, changes everything. Communication has been my lifeline—whether with family, friends, podcast listeners, or retreat guests. My advice? Practice speaking from the heart, not the ego. Ask more questions. Be curious.Assume less. And remember, listening is half of communication—sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all.
If you’re early in your journey, know this, you don’t have to master these qualities overnight. They grow the same way confidence does—through practice, through messy attempts, and through choosing courage over comfort again and again. And the payoff? A life that’s richer, more connected, and way more aligned with who you actually are.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

Honestly? I’d live the way I’m already trying to live—fully, authentically, and unapologetically lit up.Life should feel like a vacation!
I’d spend my days traveling to places that feed my soul—Australia, Bali, Spain, Mexico, Europe—because every new culture, food, and friendship feels like an invitation to grow. I’d host retreats that mix sacred ritual with belly laughs, where women come together as strangers and leave as sisters. I’d keep writing, podcasting, and storytelling, because leaving a legacy of love and wisdom—just like my Gramma Pansy taught me—is non-negotiable.
I’d also spend more time barefoot in the sand, swimming in the ocean, dancing under the moon, and sipping tea with people who make me laugh until I cry. I’d pour myself into love—loving others, loving life, and loving myself—because at the end of the day, that’s what we carry forward. Blissing out is what life is all about.
And here’s the kicker: I wouldn’t wait until I had “ten years left” to do all that. The truth is, none of us really knows how much time we’ve got. So why not live like that right now? My advice? Don’t save your joy for someday. Book the trip, tell the story, eat the gelato, dance the salsa, start the podcast, kiss the cowboy (yes, I’ve done that)—whatever makes you feel alive. Do it now. Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that a decade of fully lived moments is worth more than a lifetime of playing it safe.

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Lisa Schoenthal

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