The Journey to Joy with Coach Lisa Grace

In this episode, Lisa and Mari explore what happens after the breakthrough — when awareness is high, patterns are exposed, but life still feels tender and unfinished. This conversation lives in the messy middle of the GRACE Process™, where old protections fall away and vulnerability begins to surface. Together, they unpack grief, resistance, and the nervous system’s fear of being seen, revealing why healing isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about learning how to feel safely. This episode is an honest, compassionate look at what it really takes to move through, not around, your healing. What you’ll learn Why awareness alone doesn’t create change — embodiment doesHow resistance and unprocessed grief block receiving (love, money, connection)The difference between knowing better and feeling safe enoughWhy vulnerability can feel terrifying after fear has been your armorHow triggers are access points, not setbacks, in the GRACE Process™ Resources & linksExplore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meFollow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisasjourneytojoy Journal promptWhere am I avoiding feeling something because it doesn’t feel safe — and what might open up for me if I allowed myself to move through it instead? Quote to remember“Healing doesn’t happen by holding it together — it happens when you finally feel safe enough to metabolize it.”

In this raw, hope-filled episode of Journey to Joy, Lisa sits down with Joe Rivera—former Wall Street high-flyer turned transformational coach—who went from seven-figure success to near death from opioid addiction… and rebuilt a life anchored in purpose, faith, and service. Joe shares how money became his “higher power,” the overdose that took six cans of Narcan to reverse, the bathroom-mirror moment of surrender, and the hard inner work of trading ego for integrity. You’ll learn what Joe calls life’s shifting “assignments” that forge resilience and joy. What you’ll learn The shift from numbing pain to feeling purposeWhy sobriety is more than putting substances down—it’s rebuilding identityHow small wins compound into confidence (and lasting success)The difference between religion and spirituality—and why purpose bridges bothPractical ways to use your past as a launchpad, not a labelResources & linksJoe’s book: Re-Forge Your Life: From Addiction to Assignment Free gift: Text REFORGE to 646-495-9867 to get The Comeback CodeJoe’s podcast: Re-Forge Your Life with Joe Rivera (Apple & Spotify)Quote to remember “Fear builds prisons. Faith builds empires.” If this episode moved you, follow, rate, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that a comeback is always possible.

In this soul-baring episode of Journey to Joy, Lisa meets Patricia “Mattie” MacGregor—writer, solo traveler, and poet—whose five years of one-way tickets became a masterclass in intuition, independence, and healing. From couch-surfing with buskers to au pairing in Spain, to a Bali retreat that blew her life wide open, Mattie shares how following “the next right feeling” rebuilt her self-trust after heartbreak, illness, and starting over. This is a roadmap for any woman (or man) ready to trade fear for discernment and alignment. What you’ll learn How solo travel can sharpen intuition, self-reliance, and joyThe difference between blind optimism and discerning optimism in love and lifeWhy “your desires are holy” (and how to stop overriding them)Practical cues that you’re out of alignment—and gentle ways to course-correctHow sharing vulnerably can become a lifeline for you and othersResources & links Mattie’s book: Turbulent, on AmazonFollow Mattie’s journey on Instagram @mattiemac11 Quote to remember “The cost of questioning my intuition is my life.” If this episode resonates, follow and share it with someone who needs a nudge to book that solo trip—or to finally trust the voice inside.

In this deeply personal episode, Lisa celebrates a powerful inner graduation — releasing lifelong patterns of self-rejection, dismissal, and achievement driven by proving her worth. Through reflection, coaching insight, and radical self-honoring, she shares what happens when you stop fueling your life through pressure, drama, and performance. This conversation invites you to examine what has been driving you, and what becomes possible when you choose determination, alignment, and self-trust instead. It’s a reminder that joy isn’t earned through struggle — it’s reclaimed through self-acceptance. What you’ll learn Why you can only feel rejected or dismissed when you reject yourself firstHow achievement can become a coping mechanism rather than true alignmentWhat happens when old drivers fall away and a new identity begins to formHow to recognize the fuel behind your ambition — pressure or joyWhy graduating from patterns requires celebration, not shame Resources & linksExplore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meFollow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisasjourneytojoy Journal promptWhere in my life am I still proving my worth — and what would change if I chose determination rooted in self-trust instead? Quote to remember“I am unavailable for rejection because I no longer reject myself.”

In this reflective episode, Lisa shares honest truths from the top of the Koko Head in Hawaii — about loneliness, transition, and the quiet courage it takes to do things you’ve never done before. She opens up about being single, starting over later in life, and the unseen emotional weight that can exist alongside freedom and adventure. Through real-life moments and spiritual grounding, this conversation reminds us that joy doesn’t mean the absence of hard days — it means staying present, compassionate, and engaged with the journey as it unfolds. What you’ll learn Why new seasons often feel harder simply because they’re unfamiliarHow to meet loneliness, fear, and uncertainty with compassion instead of judgmentWhat “joy in the journey” really looks like (and what it doesn’t)How faith, self-trust, and daily grounding practices create emotional stabilityWhy you don’t need the full picture to trust the next step Resources & linksExplore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meFollow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisasjourneytojoy Journal promptWhere in my life am I rushing myself through an experience that deserves more grace, patience, and compassion? Quote to remember“Joy in the journey doesn’t mean it’s easy — it means you stay present, loving, and willing as you move through it.”  

In this powerful solo episode, Lisa shares the real story behind her move to Hawaii—and the emotional unraveling and healing that followed. What began as a physical relocation became an initiation into deeper self-trust, emotional maturity, and nervous system safety. Through vivid metaphors of oceans, walls, and waves, Lisa invites listeners to see their triggers not as problems, but as access points to healing the wounds they’ve carried for far too long. What you’ll learn Why big life changes expose emotional wounds that were already thereThe difference between suppression and repression—and how they impact your bodyHow triggers act as invitations to heal, not signs something is wrongWhy safety is required before deep emotional healing can happenHow self-rejection shows up as feeling rejected by others—and how to break that cycle Resources & linksExplore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meFollow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal promptWhere in my life have I built a wall to stay safe—and what might be waiting for me if I allowed myself to gently step beyond it? Quote to remember“When nothing bad can get to you, nothing good can get to you either.”

In this episode, follow Mari’s story update! What happens when you outgrow the version of yourself that survived — and step into the version of yourself that gets to live? This conversation explores the fear, excitement, and emotional recalibration that happens when you stop operating from survival mode and begin choosing joy, alignment, and self-trust. It’s a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t mean pushing harder — it means redesigning your life so joy is sustainable. What you’ll learn Why leaving survival mode can feel scary, confusing, and freeing all at onceHow anxiety and excitement feel the same — and how to choose excitementWhy resistance shows up when you try to live a new life with old rulesHow releasing old expectations creates more energy, ease, and alignmentWhy joy isn’t accidental — it’s practiced through awareness and choice Resources & linksExplore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meFollow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal promptWhere am I still living from survival instead of alignment — and what would change if I redesigned my expectations around joy instead of pressure? Quote to remember“You didn’t lose your drive — you outgrew survival, and now joy is asking to lead.”Credit: Intention Commit Release Receive Framework- Rebecca Silence

In this episode, Lisa shares the behind-the-scenes story of selling her home, moving to Hawaii, and finding the exact ocean-view condo where she’ll write her book — not through force or hustle, but through trust, alignment, and receiving. She explains how resistance, not a busy schedule, is what truly drains your energy, and how letting go of “how it’s supposed to look” opens space for better-than-you-can-plan blessings. Through real-time miracles, money stories, and deep trust in God, she shows what happens when you listen to your body, honor your truth, and allow life to move through you instead of gripping for control. This is an invitation to stop outsourcing your power to plan and start trusting the wisdom within you. What you’ll learn Why resistance — not your to-do list — is what’s really exhausting you How releasing control and trusting yourself creates more energy, ease, and clarity The difference between forcing a plan and setting yourself up to win How opening up to receive, instead of over-controlling, allows unexpected blessings to find you How The GRACE Process™ helps you move from fear and over-planning into self-trust, alignment, and joy Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt: Where am I gripping tightly to how I think things “have” to go — and what might become possible if I softened my grip and trusted myself, and God, with the next step instead? Quote to remember:  “Your job is to set the intention and take the next right step — then loosen your grip so life can surprise you.”

Sometimes joy doesn’t come wrapped in clarity — it comes wrapped in chaos. In this episode, I share what it felt like to pack two suitcases, fly to Hawaiʻi, and suddenly question everything I thought I was sure about. That “Oh crap moment” we all face — when excitement turns to uncertainty — isn’t failure; it’s an invitation. Through the lens of The GRACE Process™, I walk you through how to move from fear to trust, from control to flow, and from looping in old patterns to living in alignment with yourself again. What you’ll learn Why your nervous system mistakes “unfamiliar” for “unsafe” — and how to calm it.The 4 stages of transformationHow to recognize when you’re looping between excitement and avoidance.The power of pausing to ask, “What’s my next right step?” before reacting.How to anchor in self-trust so that joy can exist even in uncertainty. Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.meFollow @rebeccahsilence on Instagram for more on the 4 Stages Journal prompt: Where in my life am I mistaking discomfort for danger — and what would trusting myself look like instead? Quote to remember “Discomfort isn’t a sign to turn back; it’s proof that you’re stepping into a life your old self couldn’t yet imagine.”  

On a pine-lined roadside with a shredded tire, I saw my newest pattern in full color: calling “freedom” what was really avoidance. Selling my house, resigning as mayor—right choices—but my rush to feel untethered was a way to dodge other emotions I didn’t want to feel. Through The GRACE Process™, I named the cycle, felt the feeling I wanted to outrun, and chose roots: in myself, in God, in my work, and in relationship. Commitment isn’t a trap; it’s how joy becomes the rule, not the exception. What you’ll learn The stages of commitment and how to stop looping back to “the beginning.”How “untethered” can be a disguise for avoiding pain—and a simple way to spot it in yourself.The difference between rooting in a partner vs. being two rooted people who choose each other.Four anchoring commitments to end the spin cycle: self/integrity, faith/prayer, devoted work, and aligned relationship.A GRACE Process™ mini-flow to move from anxiety to aligned action (name the feeling → feel it → 10/10 next step → journal → recommit). Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt: Where am I labeling “freedom” what is actually avoidance—and what one rooted step could I take today instead? Quote to remember “Commitment isn’t a cage; it’s the soil where self-trust grows.”

On the flight home from Italy, I chose my next edge: let my body reflect the peace and power I’ve built inside. I hired a coach, set a 90-day plan, and immediately hit the real obstacle—identity. Not food, not workouts—identity. I realized my inner “thermostat” still saw the chubby kid, not the strong woman I’m becoming. So I started rewriting my “I am” statements, practicing self-trust with food and in the gym, and stepping into rooms that stretch me. It’s The GRACE Process™ applied to my body—one honest, aligned step at a time. What you’ll learn How identity—not willpower—is the true ceiling on fitness (and how to raise your “thermostat”)The “I am a person who…” practice to recode habits in real lifeUsing the 10/10 step check to make food + training choices that feel congruent (not forced)Why entering “stretch rooms” (events, communities) accelerates growth—and how to manage the discomfort with self-loveApplying The GRACE Process™ to health goals so you stay consistent without self-attack Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt: If my body already matched who I am becoming, what would “I am a person who…” look like today—in one meal, one workout, and one choice I make on autopilot? Quote to remember “I don’t need a harsher plan; I need a truer identity—and I’ll live into it one aligned choice at a time.”

Choosing self-trust over everyone else’s urgency was the new challenge. Coming home tested everything I learned abroad. Within a day, I slipped back into old patterns—overworking, people-pleasing, outsourcing my decisions—until my body’s resistance made me pause and recalibrate. From knee surgery to Ultra training, from a mistaken flight to the decision to sell my home and resign as mayor, I practiced staying “me” in the noise, separating other people’s fears from my own Knowing. With prayer, presence, and the GRACE Process™, I let the path reveal itself—one aligned step at a time—and found peace again in not needing to know the whole plan. What you’ll learn How to notice the moment you default back to old patterns—and use your body’s signals to recalibrateHow to stop micro-planning, choose the next right step, and remove anxiety at the sourceHow to lovingly separate others’ fears from your decisions and keep steering your own shipWhy relationships reveal unhealed parts of ourselves—and how to stay fully yourself without filtering for loveLetting go with grace: honoring grief (homes, roles, identities) while trusting God and your Self to lead Resources & links Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/@lisagrace-me Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt: Where am I borrowing someone else’s fear—or filtering myself—to keep love, and what would my next step be if I stayed fully me? Quote to remember “I don’t need to know the whole plan—I only need to stay me for the next step.”

Lisa breaks down why our plans so often lead to anxiety—and how self-trust changes everything. Using her signature visual storytelling (you may want to catch this one on YouTube), she reveals the trap of over-planning to avoid pain and how that control keeps you stuck in fear. When you learn to take one aligned step at a time, guided by your own inner “10 out of 10” feeling, life stops being unpredictable chaos and starts unfolding as it’s meant to: with flow, peace, and purpose. What you’ll learn Why your detailed plans often create resistance instead of safetyHow fear and control are rooted in avoiding past painThe self-trust method for taking the next aligned stepWhy listening inward removes anxiety from your goalsA GRACE Process™ insight: your journey feels right when you do what’s right for you Resources & links www.youtube.com/@lisagrace-meExplore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meFollow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal promptWhat’s one area of my life where I’ve been over-planning out of fear—and what would trusting myself look like instead? Quote to remember“When you trust yourself enough to take one aligned step at a time, the anxiety disappears and the path unfolds perfectly.”

Fresh from her transformative trip to Italy, Lisa opens a new chapter—this time focused on aligning her inner peace with her outer power. After mastering emotional healing and deep self-trust, she’s ready to embody that growth physically, committing to a challenge to become the strongest version of herself. Through this new journey, she reminds us that every next level of life invites discomfort—not as a warning to stop, but as an invitation to expand. What you’ll learn Why self-love and self-trust are skills you must keep practicingHow physical goals can mirror emotional healingThe power of committing publicly—and following throughWhy discomfort is always a sign of growth, not dangerA GRACE Process™ insight: growth comes when your body, mind, and spirit align Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt Where in my life am I ready to challenge myself to grow—and what support do I need to follow through? Quote to remember “Discomfort isn’t a stop sign—it’s a signal that you’re stepping into your next level.”

Standing on Jaws Beach in the Bahamas, Lisa returns to the place where her self-trust journey began. What started months earlier as a panic attack and a deep longing not to be alone became the moment she realized she’d been waiting for permission to make choices for herself. Through scripture, reflection, and grace, she learned the sacred balance between trusting God and trusting herself. This episode closes the loop on her healing journey—from fear and dependence to peace, partnership, and deep inner safety. What you’ll learn How trauma responses can reveal where you still need healingThe difference between divine guidance and self-trustWhy fear of pain keeps you from experiencing joyHow to identify when you’re living in survival instead of creationA GRACE Process™ insight: safety and love begin inside you, not outside of you Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt Where am I still waiting for permission to move forward—and what would trusting myself look like today? Quote to remember “When I stopped waiting for someone to tell me it was time, I realized God had been waiting for me to trust myself all along.”

Lisa shares openly how journaling became the bridge between awareness and transformation. What started as writing down “aha” moments turned into a daily practice of healing, trust, and self-leadership. Through each entry, she learned to identify patterns, release control, and witness her own growth in real time. This is where The GRACE Process™ begins—when you stop reacting to life and start recording so you realize you're awakening to it. What you’ll learn Why traditional journaling misses the point—and what to do insteadHow awareness and reflection turn pain into personal powerWhy avoidance keeps you in survival mode and how to break freeA simple way to track emotional progress and celebrate growthA GRACE Process™ insight: writing is how you rewire your relationship with yourself Resources & linksExplore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meFollow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal promptWhat realization from today do I want to remember—and what does it show me about who I’m becoming? Quote to remember

What began as a birthday trip to Italy quickly turned into something much deeper — a journey from self-love to self-trust. Lisa shares how releasing the need to plan every step revealed a more profound kind of safety: one that comes from within. Through spontaneous travel, quiet reflection, and courageous listening to her intuition, she discovered that true peace isn’t about control — it’s about trusting your own inner knowing to guide you, moment by moment. What you’ll learn The difference between self-love and self-trust — and why you need bothHow over-planning blocks intuition and flowSimple ways to practice tuning into your energetic “yes” and “no”Why external validation fades when you develop inner certaintyA GRACE Process™ insight: safety isn’t found in control, it’s created through connection to self Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt: Where in my life am I seeking safety through control instead of trust? Quote to remember: “When I stopped needing a plan to feel safe, I realized I already had everything I needed inside me.”

In this solo reflection from Pisa, Lisa shares what it really means to travel — not just through Italy, but through life — without a plan. She explores how over-planning can block our ability to receive what’s meant for us, and how openness creates room for divine alignment, connection, and joy. From unexpected friendships to newfound self-trust, this is a new lesson in life, that safety and love don’t come from control — they come from within. What you’ll learn How over-planning can keep you from experiencing what’s truly meant for youThe power of openness and presence in attracting aligned experiencesWhy self-trust is the antidote to fear and controlHow to honor “clean pain” without resisting your emotionsA GRACE Process™ insight: releasing control is the bridge to self-love and peace Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.me Follow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt: Where am I clinging to my plans instead of allowing life to unfold with grace? Quote to remember: “When I stopped needing to control everything, life began to surprise me with exactly what I needed.”

In this heart-opening episode of Journey to Joy, Lisa sits down with internationally acclaimed musician Marcus Eaton, who left behind the chaos of L.A. and the comfort of familiarity to follow an inner calling to Italy. In this conversation, Marcus shares the deeply human story behind leaving Los Angeles and following an inner pull to Italy — not because life was perfect, but because it wasn’t working. He opens up about panic attacks, identity shedding, ego death, and the quiet courage it takes to bet on your soul when logic says stay safe. Together, we explore what really shifts when you stop gripping, stop forcing, and finally allow life to support you. This episode is a reminder that transformation isn’t a leap into the unknown — it’s a return to yourself.  What you’ll learn How anxiety can be a signal that life wants to move you forwardThe difference between forcing a path vs. receiving oneWhy self-trust grows in solitude, silence, and surrenderHow environment affects your energy, creativity, and identityThe GRACE Process™ insight: letting go creates space for alignment and support Resources & linksFollow Marcus on Instagram @marcuseatonmusic On TikTok @marcuseatonLearn more at marcuseaton.com and buy his latest album! Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meFollow Lisa’s journey on Instagram @lisagrace.me Journal prompt: Where am I gripping life out of fear — and what would open if I softened instead? Quote to remember: “Life opens the door the moment you stop trying to control where it leads.”

In this episode, Lisa continues her solo journey through Italy and discovers a deeper truth inside a train station and a heavy suitcase. A spontaneous conversation with a stranger reveals how we often carry emotional “baggage” long past its usefulness. As she repacks her luggage—and her life—Lisa walks through the Re-Decide step of The GRACE Process™, learning that letting go of what once served you is what creates space for what’s next. What you’ll learn The power of re-deciding: How to clear out what no longer deserves space in your life.Emotional baggage ≠ safety: Why what once protected you can now be the thing weighing you down.Letting go is not loss: How to feel the temporary discomfort of release without making it mean regret.Movement reveals what’s heavy: Change your environment to see what’s truly holding you back.How to make room for more: You can’t receive new blessings if your hands (and heart) are still full. Resources & links Explore The GRACE Process™ at lisagrace.meDaily reflections & behind-the-scenes: @lisagrace.me Journal prompts:What am I still carrying that no longer serves me?What am I finally ready to release, even if it feels uncomfortable? Quote to remember “What protected me once doesn’t now. What I thought I needed has become a burden—and I’m finally ready to set it down.”