Meet Our Model
A registered nurse for nearly four decades, Lisa McBryde has spent much of her life focused on the health and wellness of those around her. Now in her 60s, Lisa has found a way to turn that care inward by trying her best to make the most of life. From morning meditations to walks in the woods, Lisa is continually learning how to slow down and be present in the moment, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Photography by Lanewood Studio
HS: What do health and wellness mean to you in this decade of your life?
LM: Health and wellness now mean finding a way to thrive. It is about figuring out how to keep up and still be able to do the activities I love and eat the food I love. I started working out when my oldest child was 10 weeks old, and it has become a crucial part of my weekly regimen. It helps me maintain my physical and emotional well-being and stay balanced. My workouts now also look a little different and range from doing yardwork and going hiking to participating in a water activity or going fly fishing, and I’ve also been attending a personal training session with my trainer, Cam Russell, every week for the past 15 years.
HS: What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?
LM: I start each morning by sitting in the stillness of my back porch, reflecting on my day, and listening for knowledge and instruction. I started journaling in 2010 and follow that with my devotional “Streams in the Desert.” My other self-care modalities include yoga, massages, chiropractic care, and acupuncture. I also like to walk my dogs and hike where it is a little more isolated so I can think. It really is like maintenance for my day-to-day life.
HS: What have been your goals for this decade, and how have you worked toward them?
LM: I try to look at my life and the real situation, not the one I hoped it would be. Over the last decade, that has meant letting go of some relationships and feeling that loss. I continue working toward inner peace, contentment, and forgiveness, and I am trying to focus on being truly happy and healthy and spending as much time as possible with my family and friends, especially my two sons, Garrett and Lucas, and two grandchildren, Charlotte and Cooper.
HS: What are your goals for your next decade?
LM: I want to share my love for the outdoors and desire to communicate with someone who appreciates it. I want, not to multitask, but to be present. I want to be a good listener and speak my truth. My dad passed on his work ethic and that means always being busy, but I feel like I need to slow down and enjoy this season of my life. I want to continue to learn something every day and to share my knowledge where I can.
HS: If you could give one piece of advice to someone about to enter their 60s, what would it be?
LM: My advice would be to embrace it; don’t run from or try to hide from it. You have so much to offer! Accept the fact that your body changes as hopefully wisdom increases.
HS: What have you enjoyed most and least about this decade, and what has been the most surprising?
LM: I’ve enjoyed learning to decline an invitation. I have the ability to boldly say no to things that don’t serve me, but I’ve had to learn that is okay. I have to say that I don’t like being referred to as old, and I have struggled with feeling tired more frequently. I have a great group of friends though, and even though we’re all different ages, we have a great time together. We are in different seasons yet respect exactly who and where we are!