“How a Powerful Woman On-The-Go Remains Centered, Present, and Radiant.”
It is such an honor to have been featured in The Bend Magazine December issue’s health and wellness section! THANK YOU so very much to the entire staff at the magazine for developing this story and capturing my thoughts and feelings about inner and outer beauty. You can read the full article on The Bend Magazine’s website. Enjoy!
By: Liza Wisner Photos by: Lillian Reitz
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, I grew up amidst a multiplicity of cultures. At the age of 19, I moved to Corpus Christi on a golf scholarship to pursue a career in Computer Science. I now serve my community as the Learning and Organizational Development Manager for the City of Corpus Christi. Through my development work, I discovered a passion for helping people grow and actualize their potential. I then went on to establish PowerUp.org in 2010 in response to the increasing demand for the inclusion of technology and life skills as a compulsory subject in all educational curricula worldwide. When I am not tapping away at my computer, I enjoy playing golf and spending time at the beach with my husband Denis, my three sons – Zaleik, Zamar, Zakai – and my dog Ziggy.
Inner and outer beauty is like the Yin-Yang philosophy, teaching that nature is composed of various forces, vibrations, and energy. According to this philosophy, maintaining balance and harmony is critical to ensuring a healthy equilibrium. For me, all beauty – inner and outer – lies in respect and honor for how we execute the following foundational actions: eating, moving, sleeping, breathing, and being present. I have found that when I get my fundamentals aligned, the rest tends to follow pretty smoothly. So every day, I consciously attempt to live through my masterpiece day checklist. Life has taught me that at the moment of our passing, our unshared hopes, desires, dreams, and ideas will all die with us. The biggest lesson here is learning how to master my time so that instead of spending it, I’m using it to maximize impact.
The Treasured Writings of Kahlil Gibran
I found this book at my father’s bedside six months after he had passed and I have never been the same after reading it. I didn’t know this side of my father and the absolute authenticity of Gibran’s writings on how to live your life blew me away. The book is a collection of short stories and lessons on love, marriage, beauty, work, children, challenges, and other life-related topics. For the past 23 years, I have read and re-read this book countless times. Amazon $33
My LifeBook
My LifeBook is a treasure. The cover is an old sari I cherish and the pages are each unique and personal to my journey. I discovered the creators of LifeBook, Jon and Missy Butcher when I was researching vision boards. I immediately found that creating my LifeBook was like developing a blueprint for the best version of my life. My husband and I have both undertaken this course to develop our own ideal future and created a detailed plan to accomplish it. Part of that process is recognizing the limiting beliefs we have in areas of our lives. mindvalley.com/lifebook Free
Technology-Driven Optimization
Technology-driven optimization is absolutely imperative because our greatest constraint in life is time. I believe that if I am able to master my time so that instead of spending it, I am leveraging it, then I’m on my way to success. In my quest to live an automated, minimalist life, I realized that I needed to digitize my actions. As an avid bullet journaler, my iPad and Apple Pencil were the best decision ever! I use them for almost everything I previously used pen and paper for. The most important among these is my Prime Time Routine. It is a routine that I follow the moment I wake up. It takes me about 15 minutes and if I am pressed for time, I can get it all done in less than 6 minutes. The routine is extremely important to me because it sets the tone, pace, and energy for the rest of the day. I wake up with purpose and with the intention to have a powered up day! primetime.lizawisner.com Free
Spiral Notebook
I use this notebook in my bedroom since this room is technically a no-tech zone. Yes, I take my sleep seriously. I am so glad that my husband feels the same way. As a self-proclaimed “sleep nerd,” this notebook is part of my sleep kit. Going to sleep with clarity of mind is vital, so I spend a few moments before bedtime writing down all the stray thoughts racing through my mind. I find that even after I shut down my system after work, I am still thinking about random work-related things, sometimes from weeks ago. I actually love reading these random thoughts the next morning. The spiral book is also convenient because in the morning, I can tear out the page and take it to my office.
MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
I’m lucky in that I get to work with some brilliant women who are interested in discussing outer versus inner beauty. These women know who they are and don’t need makeup, but like what it can do. That’s the key to beauty makeup. It’s fun and can make you feel wonderful about yourself by bringing out who you are, not by concealing yourself. When I do wear makeup, one of my must-haves is MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation. Through our Corpus Christi humidity, sweat, or tears, I find that it gives me round-the-clock coverage when I need it. MAC Cosmetics $36
Liquid Coconut Oil
If there was ever a product that was the jack-of-all-trades, it’s coconut oil. Aside from the numerous health benefits it offers, I use it as my makeup remover, hair mask, body and face moisturizer, essential oil carrier, massage baby oil, shaving oil, leave-in conditioner, deep conditioner, mouth wash, cuticle oil … the list goes on and on. Oh, and how can I forget, it will make your coffee taste like heaven! I have a small bottle I refill to keep the oil around, but I buy this liquid gold in bulk so I never run out. H-E-B $10
Lipsense Lipcolor
This is a long-lasting lip color that, quite frankly, is a dream come true – especially to my fast-paced, automated type of lifestyle. I put the color on and it lasts all day! Not only is it waterproof, it also does not kiss-off, smear off, or rub off. I have found that depending on the color I use, it lasts between 5–12 hours. Free samples from Maxie Dennis at 361-813-9658: $25, retail
Franklin Covey’s Talking Stick
A long time ago, a former boss introduced me to the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. My life changed completely after reading this book. Ten years later, I was certified to teach this course and in my kit was this stick. I keep it in front of me on my desk as a reminder to “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” I love the whole purpose of this and cannot tell you how many bullets I have dogged by following the principles of this talking stick. Provided training with learningcc.org $200 course
Zebra Banana Fiber Earrings
In 1995, I won a match play golf tournament with my dad. That was the last time I played golf with him. It was so amazing being there as a father-daughter team, winning a huge club championship trophy. I was 15 years old at the time, and the lady who had donated the prizes invited me to her store to exchange my prize for anything else I wanted. When I arrived at her eclectic store, I selected these earrings and a few other things. These earrings are another talisman in my life. I am reminded that life is precious and moment to moment, we must not take anything for granted. The memories I have with these earrings are priceless. A part of me is always afraid that if I wear them too much, I will lose them. I have, in fact, lost them before and they came back to me. For me, they are charged with my intention to live my best life, fearless in the pursuit of what sets my soul on fire.
