Today we raise our fists high and put our hands together in celebration of our Feature Girl Warrior, Canadian Author and Healer, Lisa M. Sobry, a leading voice on women and sexual abuse. Lisa believes that education and treatment for women would be more impactful if there were a better understanding of trauma. She has shared her stories of multiple abuses in several books to help other women like her. Lisa’s spiritual studies in Reiki, past life regression, and mediumship, as well as her life coaching, allow her to help her clients heal in a peaceful, safe environment that is organized and structured for success. She finds this multi-disciplinary approach guides her in all the directions she needs to go to help her clients heal and find the peaceful existence they so desperately are searching for. As an abuse survivor, it took Lisa many years to find and develop her spirituality and begin healing. Once she did, she became a successful author, motivational speaker, teacher, mentor and an empowered woman. It’s because of her life experience that Lisa has such a profound healing affect on those she comes into contact with. And to that we say an empowered YES!
What makes you a Girl Warrior?
I feel having the courage to speak up and give public talks about my own abuse and molestation when society “victim shames” makes me a Girl Warrior. Victims are viewed as weaker parts of society and are shushed or told, “There, there you will be okay.” It’s time for the world to know the shushing and comforting isn’t helping the victims heal. What helps the victims heal is being involved in schools and groups encouraging respect and non-violence of children, teenagers, and women. Stopping the violence before it ever starts! It’s very difficult to change a system where even today women are mistreated and are sometimes still seen as a man’s property. So, it’s time to change the game so to speak. By informing the children, we can affect change. That’s where I come in. By helping women heal, they can teach their children to be self-empowered.
I could have given up many times, however I didn’t. I chose to be successful owning many businesses, being a successful author, healer, and motivational speaker no matter how much society tried to hold me back. I am the voice speaking up for the wounded little girl, just as Greta Thunberg is the voice speaking up for our wounded earth.
How did keeping a journal help you deal with the trauma in your life?
Keeping a journal allowed me to write down all my thoughts and experiences, the good and the bad. By writing I released the emotions that were attached to the experiences. This allowed me to ‘let go’ of the feelings, understand the lessons I was learning, and it gave me the strength to move forward in my life.
You’ve written ten books on your spiritual exploration and journey. How was telling your story of healing the catalyst for the work you do today as a Professional Healer?
Telling my story of healing was a catalyst for the work I do today in many ways. As I became stronger – my voice became louder, reaching more women. The knowledge obtained from my journey allows me to be empathetic towards women in similar situations. I listen without judgement, encourage them to find the best qualities about themselves and speak truthfully from my heart. As a professional healer I reach many people from all walks of life, who each have their own story of survival to share. My job is to provide tools to people so they may move out of unhealthy situations in their life, find their personal power, and understand they are not stuck. I am someone who has suffered similarly, was shown tools to move away from that lifestyle and is a successful entrepreneur today because of it. I teach and share the tools that worked for me.
In your book Surviving Domestic Violence (release date 2020) you learned how to look after yourself first. What are the signs of abuse women need to know?
Women need to know it’s the small things that we overlook and brush aside that are the warning signs of an abusive partner. Raising their voice, squeezing your arm a little too tight, belittling you, and telling you what to say in conversations with friends and family are just a few of the smaller signs. If they ask you to lie for them – you need to ask yourself what else are they lying about? The biggest warning sign is relocating you away from your family and friends. By creating distance, they have more control over you and your life. Watch how a potential partner speaks to others and how they act. In my opinion it takes a year before a partner’s true colors shine through the mask of being the perfect person, they think you want them to be.
What do we need to know “for sure” about the power of plant medicine?
I believe plant medicine is another powerful healing modality that should be explored when a person needs to peel back the layers, to find the actual root of their traumatic experiences, and is ready to acknowledge and heal those experiences. Plant medicine is a modality that should be taken very seriously. Be sure that the Shaman preforming the ceremony is well trained and respected by their students.
What have been the biggest challenges or obstacles that you’ve overcome – personally and/or professionally?
The biggest challenge for me personally was recognizing that the abuse and trauma I survived was not my fault. It took me many years to realize this. Before I did, believing I was to blame affected all of my life decisions up until that moment. When I realized it wasn’t my fault, I felt my entire view of life shift. Once I shifted, my professional career soared. I changed my belief systems and found my personal power. I became more confident in the message I was to share with women.
What would you say to your younger Girl Warrior?
I would tell my younger Girl Warrior to get to know herself first before she ever entered in to a romantic relationship. Knowing herself means she has created her own tastes, thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes without a partner’s influence. It makes her a stronger person – a Girl Warrior. I would tell her to be open and loving but watch her back because not all people are honest. Watch and see how people act to see how authentic they really are.
What would you say to future Girl Warriors looking for inspiration?
Girl Warriors, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from being and doing what you want in your life. Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Surround yourself with people and communities who believe in you. Just one supportive person can impact your life immensely. You are an amazing person just the way you are. Live it, breathe it and be it.
Who is/are your Girl Warrior hero(s) and why?
My Girl Warrior hero is any Mother who removes herself and her children from an abusive relationship. It’s tough being a single Mother especially with the lack of financial support from our government and society as a whole. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to be on your own. I want you to know I think you are amazing! The power you are showing your children will affect them for the rest of their lives. You are showing them they can survive, be in a healthy family, and that the abuse is not their fault!
Blue Sky it. No boundaries here, just limitless opportunities. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I see myself in elementary schools, high schools and universities talking to students about equality and respect for each other. On a stage in front of hundreds of women empowering them to make the changes they need to, to live healthy lives. On more talk shows providing interviews, encouraging girls, teenagers, and women to find their personal power.
What makes you laugh uncontrollably? Cry out all the tears?
I laugh uncontrollably when I am surrounded by a group of women sharing happy moments of crazy things our children did when they were young. All the questions they asked us – I don’t know where we found our answers. Some of the stories make me laugh so hard it brings tears to my eyes. I cry out all the tears when I recognize a pattern within myself that has controlled so many decisions in my life. Releasing that pattern brings on uncontrollable tears.
What has been your biggest disappointment/triumph?
My biggest disappointment is in my parents for not teaching me how to love myself unconditionally. My biggest triumph was walking away from that abuse and teaching my children how to be self-empowered.
If a bioflic were written about your life what would it be called?
A Journey to Self Awareness.
To learn more about Lisa head on over to her website: www.lisasobry.com
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaSobryAuthorHealer/
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-sobry-11289a83/
Order her books and meditation cd at: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=lisa+m.+sobry&ref=nb_sb_noss
Photo Credits: Jennifer George Photography. www.jennifergeorgephotography.ca
