In Her Heyday: Lisa Lane

11 minute read time

Lisa Lane is the founder of the CBD wellness brand Well Double L, based in the West of Ireland - and a woman with some great stories! I think her attitude to life in midlife pretty much embodies the HEYDAY energy; brim-full of beautiful confidence, openness, enthusiasm for life, and that certain calm that descends once you’re really at home in your own skin. This Q&A is one of my favourites since this series began, read on and see why…

Which three adjectives describe you best?

Curious, loyal, extroverted, introvert. Oh, that’s four!

What is the last thing that you said no to?

No sugar or milk in my Americano.

What is the last thing you said yes to?

I was trying to parallel my car into a very complicated spot in Dublin this morning compounded by the fact that about six construction guys were digging and staring nearby. One of them shouted over: “Jesus you could wheel a jumbo jet in there love! Do you need help?” I said yes.

How old are you?

55 years old.

What made you decide to do what you are now doing in your life?

I’ve always had an interest in wellness. And I embrace change. After moving back to the West of Ireland from NYC – I worked in Fashion /Retail HR/and Marketing for over a decade and I began to feel it was a grind. And then began thinking that it was normal; to think work is a grind (it's not ideal). A lot of it was so “externally” focused. And I get that but it depletes. Around the same time, I took CBD on a work trip to NYC (several years ago), it worked and so I was quite an early adopter. And I love to deep dive.

I hired a consultant to navigate the CBD territory and immersed myself in activating my plan and created my own business, Well Double L. I’ve never looked back. it’s such a cliché but everything I did and everything I was exposed to brought me to where I am. And to drag in another cliche every time a door closed in my life, another better fitting door swung open wide.

How many things have you been in your life so far? (outline the path)

Petrol station attendant, Gardener, Waitress, Bartender, Receptionist/ Event Planner, Stylist, HR Retail, then onto Marketing and PR, Property Management and I’m the Founder of a CBD and cannabis candle company, Well Double L. I've always done nixers and side hustles.

Where do you come in your family, and did this have any influence on you?

I'm the oldest. I can be, shall we say, directional? But it's only because I always know what other people should do! My sister, the youngest, (I have two brothers also) gives the best advice but you literally have to extract it out of her. It's like pulling a tooth but she really delivers.

Are you where you wanted to be at this stage in your life?

Yes and more. I'm where I want to be. I'm very satisfied and fulfilled in each area of my life. It took me long enough! I don't believe in staying in the house and testing how much God loves you – I think you have to go out there and shake things up and sharpen your spear and do stuff! But I've also been very lucky in my life.

What is the best, and worst piece of advice you have received in your life so far?

Gosh. It's a toss-up as I’ve gotten a lot of good advice in my life. My woodbine smoking poodle-loving Grandmother told me to remember, “There’s a fine line between an outfit and a get-up.” I've always found that helpful. Also, if I’d ever be upset about some drama growing up, my Dad might say, “Ah, girleen, there’s nothing in anything but for a while,” and I found that so comforting. I always think the best thing you can be for someone is comforting. I can’t think of one piece of bad advice I’ve ever gotten and I think that’s because I filter it out so fast, it doesn’t stick. I know what resonates for me.

What does midlife feel like to you?

I’ve never felt a stigma around midlife. My mother learned to fly a plane at 40 so it was never in my head that you had to stop doing things. In fact, I kind of noticed that's when you could really amp things up a bit. I keep telling all of my younger friends it's brilliant, it's way better than you think. When I was younger with a small child and working in tricky environments, I had no time to think. No time to plot and plan. I distinctly remember staying awake at night for little pockets just to have time to think. Now I can think whenever I feel like it. The luxury!

Is there something you have dreamt of doing for a long time? What is it? Are you going to do it?

Yes, I want to start keeping Alpacas.

People talk a lot about pivoting these days, of all the 'switches' you've made or recommend, which has been the most powerful change for you personally?

I think one skill that you get better and better at as you get older is that you begin to notice the sometimes subtle signs when a chapter in your life is ending or starting. My life has been full of pivots and I think it's so empowering when you accept the idea that you are the architect of your own life - it's so freeing! No one is really the Boss of you. And the best-kept secret is - you almost always get a second chance. And third and fourth. Life is full of other chances.

Sometimes, people think if they are miserable somewhere they get stuck and that's that. I used to think when you, “make your bed, you have to lay in it.” That's actually not true. You don't have to do anything of the sort. Also, and this has been key, I have found that whenever I've held on too tightly to an identity, whether its a person or place or thing, it’s invariably been taken away. Sometimes harshly. I try to hold on to everything lightly now. And that's worked out better.

How do you think the world of work can improve for women?

I think it's very important for women to really understand what value they’re bringing to an organisation or a family. To truly understand accurately in a non-flowery way, what that contribution is. Understanding that is your currency. Then monetise it. A lot of times a busy/ insecure/unhappy/dopey boss or a boss in survival mode isn’t going to tell you this information. Understanding your currency is power.

What do you spend too much time doing? And what do you spend too little doing?

A few months ago, I bought a handheld steamer in Dunnes and as a little treat to myself between Zoom or meetings or at the end of a busy day, I'll grab it and steam clean everything that isn’t nailed down. It's so satisfying. I recently noticed a callous on my thumb from the button so I understand I've gone too far. There's nothing that can't be steam cleaned. I'm spending too little time on finances. I’m lucky I have a super accountant because it's something I hate.

How do you care for your own wellbeing?

It's a daily practice. Bringing myself back to balance is hard sometimes because I have a lot of energy. The trick for me is to harness it and not spend it foolishly. The past few years I have had a very Extra morning scenario. I get up very early, go for a sea swim, then go for a 5k, and finish off with a little infrared light. I can do all of this before 9 am. It really sets me up for the day. And why wouldn’t it!

Then I go like the hammers of hell all day and start making shapes for bed circa 9.30 pm. There is no shame in my game. When I lived in NYC for 20 years, I had to be up at 4.30 am every morning and just the idea to have those early morning hours now, just for me, is such a treat.

What do you feel free of now that you are at this life stage?

Gosh, this seemed to take me an extra-long time to figure out operationally speaking but I don't call people my friend unless they are truly my friend. I feel like I gave my friendship too loosely when I was younger. Now I don't do that. Simpler times. (Also, I do wish there was a category somewhere between friend and acquaintance. I feel like there's a gap).

What gives you the most stress at this life stage?

I truly rarely get stressed these days. I look back and see I was a very anxious child and teenager. With good reason. I think with stress is that it’s there to tell you something, to address something. It’s different for everyone and people look at those sorts of things when they are able. I still think the best course of action when you have anxiety is to get out of your own head and help someone else, anyone else.

Then start really paying attention and the minute you have the bandwidth back, get into self-care mode, big time. Bring in the big guns. When you’re strong and well in yourself you’d be surprised at how quickly you can “ right-size “ events. Also, if I feel myself derailing I tend to ask myself, “Is this a crisis? Or am I just being royally inconvenienced?” And it's normally the latter.

Do you sleep well?

I do! My aim every day is to go to bed each night physically spent. Like a child would. And on the weekends, I nap. As in, formally - hot bottle, red light; the whole nine yards. Thirty-forty minutes tops. It's a game-changer.

Do you take any supplements or HRT?

I’m the supplement queen. Yes, obviously we should be getting our nutrients from food but for a number of reasons, this doesn’t always happen. I see a nutritionist and holistic practitioner here in the West of Ireland regularly and am guided by them. I go for colonics and acupuncture. I take CBD every day for inflammation or to even out. At the moment I’m front-loading Vitamin D once a week, I take Symprove, I make golden shots with turmeric each evening. I mean it goes on and on.

I plan it out in my diary and switch it up every three months. I use Kombucha or celery juice as a mixer with my Vodka. It's all about a “positive” cancelling out a “negative “. My happy place is a health food shop (and a Woodies - I'm a super fan). My superpower is I can meet someone and almost tell them what supplements they should be taking. I mean I shouldn’t, but I do.

What advice would you offer to yourself in your 20’s, 30’s and 40’s?

I wouldn’t. I didn’t take advice then, unfortunately. Now I'm all for it! I get to be around a lot of very smart people in my personal and business life every day so I try to observe and ask questions.

Did you ever feel lost in your life path? How did you find your way again?

Of course, many times – Lost can be a lonely place. It’s a bit harsh to say but if you’re not in alignment with yourself you are lost. You might be a little off the path or miles off but you’ll know by how badly or well you feel inside. Unfortunately, I think you have to help yourself with this one.

When do you feel truly alive?

Oh a sea swim, a great laugh, a windy day or especially hearing a song on the radio in the car from my disco days in the 80s in the Oasis in Salthill.

What do you consider your biggest achievement?

Can I count a child as an achievement? I am mad about my son Rory.

What was a major turning point in your life?

Becoming a mother. I was pregnant at 22 and in many ways, it's almost like in the Wizard of Oz where my life was in black and white before he was born and colour after.

What are you looking forward to?

It’s never the big things. I’m buying a new foundation this week and I’m excited about that. I'm also getting a skip this week and I can't wait. A gift to me from me.

Are you a good friend?

I really value my friendships so I hope so.

Any regrets?

Of course. But I tend to need to learn things the hard way so I consider regrets part of my process now. Last night I had a twirl bar that I scooped into a jar of peanut butter. It was the perfect carrier. There was no need.

What are you afraid of?

Proper primal fear for sure, the little boiler room in my cottage. During the day it looks like a typical disorganised space. If I’m alone some nights, I can hear a scary killer wearing hobnail boots (always hobnail boots) sounding like he has emphysema or at the very least a bad chest and he’s trying to claw his way out and up the stairs. I can hear my heartbeat in my eyeballs on these occasions.

Knowing what you know now, what is most important in life?

Relationships, relationships, relationships.

Favourite book, and why?

My very favourite is Family Life by Akhil Sharma. It's an autobiographical account of an immigrant family and it's a sob-out-loud and laugh-out-loud kind of book. I just adore that man.

Last time you cried (tears of joy count!)

I cry each day when I think about my father. He died in 2019. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I cry laughing at my sister, Deirdre. That girl gets it.

How do you draw on your own inner strength and creativity?

It's a bit like manifesting: I never try to plan or dream if I’m going through a difficult time. I wait it out and hunker down. And when I’m feeling up and energetic again and clear, that’s when I make little plans and get shit done. It's always about the vibration. Sometimes you’re not there. It's all cyclical. Everything has a season and we’re the same.

What are your feelings on this new Covid world we find ourselves in now?

This too shall pass. My thoughts run mostly to two groups of people - the elderly and all the mothers out there. it breaks my heart to see old people suffer. Especially old men. There I’ve said it I know that’s politically incorrect. And all the hats the poor mothers have to wear! I would have been so bad at homeschooling. My own son has even mentioned this.

Mothers carry most of the heavy loads in life but then the rewards are so great. I think that all the babies and children going through this will possibly be amongst the most secure on the planet after all the bonding and closeness with their parents.