For 24 years, Lisa Sander has devoted herself to nursing—stepping into chaotic hospital environments, caring for patients in crisis, and supporting families through life’s most difficult moments. But after COVID, personal loss, and a lifetime of prioritizing everyone else first, Lisa began a journey of deep self-reflection and healing. Today, she uses her experience to guide women through transitions, trauma, and rediscovering joy.
In this interview, Lisa shares her story, the turning point that changed everything, and why she believes women need clarity, community, and a cheerleader to step into the life they deserve.
Lisa, let’s begin with an introduction. Tell us who you are and what you do.
Lisa Sander: My name is Lisa Sander. I’ve been a nurse for 24 years. I was married for 22 years and in that relationship for 28. My career required me to provide for my family, so for a long time, work took priority over everything. I’ve been an agency nurse most of my life—meaning I’d wake up not knowing whether I’d be in Cambridge that day or Fergus Falls. I had to walk into unfamiliar rooms constantly, figure things out quickly, and stay independent.
Over the years, I learned to rely on myself and gained confidence as a strong, capable woman. That independence, combined with decades of experience, is what I now use to help other women navigate their own lives.
You had a powerful turning point that set you on a path into personal development and coaching. What happened?
Lisa Sander: COVID. Everyone has a COVID story, but as a nurse, mine was very different. We lived in crisis mode. We were doing CPR constantly. We watched people die every single day—from age 20 to 100. We worked 16-hour shifts, not for the money, but because we couldn’t leave our peers or our patients. There simply weren’t enough healthcare workers.
During those three years, I personally went to seven funerals, including my grandmother’s. Meanwhile, many of my peers were losing their own loved ones. We were taking in all this emotional trauma.
For years, I had always asked patients at the end of life:
“If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?”
Almost all of them said: Travel in your 40s. Live now, not later.
During COVID, that message kept replaying in my mind. I realized: I’ve been living on a merry-go-round, working endlessly for others. But who is taking care of me?
That was my turning point. It was time to take care of myself.
Today, you help women rediscover joy and fulfillment. What do you believe keeps most women from experiencing that?
Lisa Sander: A lot of women don’t have direction—or someone cheering them on. Therapy and counseling have their place, but a life coach fills a different role. A coach doesn’t know your entire life story, but they can guide you, encourage you, and help you move toward who you want to become.
I’ve experienced miscarriage, IVF, divorce, and deep grief—and I’m still here, happy and grounded in my faith in God. Every decade of life brings a different transition. Most women don’t realize they don’t have to walk those transitions alone.
From your coaching experience, what helps women move past pain or difficult circumstances?
Lisa Sander: The biggest thing is visualization. You need to put the vision out there and make it real. I made two vision boards last year—I hit almost everything on them within twelve months. I’d never done that before. Women often write lists and cross things off, but visualization is different. When you can see your future, you start moving toward it.
It’s the same concept as pregnancy—once you’re pregnant, you suddenly notice every pregnant woman. Or when you want to buy a Jeep, suddenly you see Jeeps everywhere.
What you focus on is what shows up in your life.
I help people shift their mindset so they start seeing possibilities instead of fear. And I hold them accountable—positively. They may not like what they hear every day, but sometimes you need someone to tell you, “Stop repeating the same cycle. That door is closing because it’s not meant for you.”
You talk a lot about affirmations, clarity, and positivity. Why are these so important?
Lisa Sander: Because most people have forgotten how to dream. Life’s daily stresses beat them down—COVID, trauma, financial pressure, breakups, job changes. They stop believing in their own strength.
Daily affirmations remind you who you really are. Coaching bridges the gap between belief and action. My job is to help you see yourself clearly, visualize your future, and walk in that direction with confidence.
You and your partner, Ryan, host a podcast together. What is the focus, and what can listeners expect?
Lisa Sander: Our podcast is called “Our Healer, Our Protector.” It’s Christian-based, and it documents our real healing journey. Both Ryan and I have been through divorce, and if listeners start at episode one, they’ll see how much our lives and energy have transformed.
I’m very open about my journey. Since we started the podcast last March, I’ve lost 37 pounds—not because I was trying to, but because I let go of the stress and cortisol that had been weighing me down. We now have more than 10,000 followers.
The podcast isn’t just about divorce. We bring guests on, we appear on other shows, and we focus on bringing light into a world where most news and content is negative. We want to show people hope, positivity, and new perspectives.
We also surround ourselves with people who inspire us—so we can continue inspiring others.
Where can people connect with you or learn more about your coaching?
Lisa Sander: The easiest way to find me is LisaSander.com.
I always tell people: Just remember my name — Lisa Sander.
If you need guidance, encouragement, or direction, I’ll be there to help walk you through it.
