Lisa Marie Rankin - Writer, Yoga Teacher, and Ayurvedic Wellness Coach

Lisa Marie Rankin

Lisa Marie Rankin, M.B.A., M.S. is a writer, yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic wellness coach. She makes wisdom from ancient traditions accessible so women can improve their health, relationships, career, and more. Through her work, she teaches women to reconnect with their bodies, prioritize pleasure, and rely on their inner wisdom so they can feel like a goddess. 

Rankin is the author of The Goddess Solution, a practical spiritual guide that teaches women how to apply ancient wisdom to modern-day malaise. She also teaches a six-week online program (also titled The Goddess Solution) that teaches women how to feel healthy, radiant, and inspired, through myth, Ayurveda, and ancient and modern practices. 

Several years ago, Rankin decided to follow the path of the goddess. She left her job in the corporate world to pursue her passions for writing and teaching women how to reignite their feminine power and connect with the divine. 

Rankin holds an MBA and MS from Bentley University. She is an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach specializing in feminine form Ayurveda and is currently studying to be an Ayurvedic Health Counselor through The Shakti School. You can find her essays in Human Parts, a Medium publication. A divorced and single mom, she lives right outside of Boston with her two children, dog, and a flock of chickens. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, snorkeling, and spending time with mother nature.

I’m excited for you to connect with Lisa, learn more about her work and new book, and follow along as she continues to help others apply the wisdom of ancient goddesses to modern-day problems.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

Hello! I'm a writer, teacher, and Ayurvedic wellness coach. I recently wrote a book that HarperCollins published called The Goddess Solution. In it, I share how women can look to goddess myths as a framework to live their best life. Even though some of these myths are thousands of years old, they are still very relevant today. We can look to goddess archetypes for inspiration regarding relationships, sex, parenting, money, and more.

My writing and teachings help women take radical responsibility for their health, happiness, and wellbeing.

How did you get started?

I have always been interested in yoga and spirituality. Well, since college, anyways. In my late thirties, my marriage was ending, and I found myself less and less inspired with my day job. I began to look for happiness and validation through external factors like men, appearance, and career success. When that didn't work, I found myself drinking habitually in an attempt to mask my feeling of unease. I remember saying to myself: "I don't feel like a goddess." 

For some reason, saying those words inspired me to start figuring out what a goddess feels like. I began to research goddesses across traditions and started a blog to explain how I experienced their presence in my life. I learned that the goddess is sovereign and whole. She doesn't need to look outside of herself for contentment and joy - she creates it on her own. I began to practice what I was learning, and this wisdom changed the course of my life.

I moved on from my marriage. Ended a cycle of toxic relationship patterns. Minimized my alcohol consumption. And started to take exceptional care of myself - body, mind, and spirit. When I began to take accountability for my life, I found joy, ease, and meaning.

What Inspired the work you’re doing?

Just as I was looking outside of myself for happiness, I observed so many other women doing the same. Many women don't feel good about themselves. They think they'll feel better after they lose 10 pounds, get the guy, or make more money. But it doesn't work that way! We feel better when we can learn to love ourselves unconditionally. That's not something someone else can give us. Now, I teach women how to care for their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Self-care isn't just about eating healthy and exercising. We need to look at and understand all areas of our lives to truly feel good.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is learning how to live my best life and sharing that wisdom with others. I've always loved learning about what it means to be a human and how to navigate this often messy human experience. I'm passionate about learning how to apply spiritual teachings to everyday life, how our brain and biology affect our experience, and how to improve our relationships. My offerings combine myth, Ayurveda, ancient practices, and modern science so that we can feel healthy, radiant, and divine.

I am 100% living my passion and purpose. 

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

Oh, so many things! Hiking with my children. Walking barefoot outside and being in nature. Making love with my partner. Creating content that is meaningful and fun. Connecting with like-minded women and talking about what it means to be a woman. Learning new concepts and tools to apply to my life. Taking a strenuous bootcamp class with great music. Singing in the car on road trips.

Any time I am in a state of flow - and my mind, body, and spirit unite.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

Remembering, this is it. This is all we have - right now. We're not promised tomorrow. Pema Chodron, author, teacher, and Buddhist nun, has said: 

"Since death is certain, but the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?" You know you will die, but you really don't know how long you have to wake up from the cocoon of your habitual patterns. You don't know how much time you have left to fulfill the potential of your precious human birth. Given this, what is the most important thing?"

It's easy to wish for a different time, whether it be the past or the future, but that's really a futile (and sad) pursuit. Right now is all we have, and it's our divine duty to make the best of it. 

My children have been home for a good portion of the year due to covid and remote schooling. Even though I was trying to finish my book and other creative projects, I was grateful for the extra time with my children that the pandemic gave me. It is priceless.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

My younger self would be so happy! I never envisioned myself working in middle management in the corporate world, even though I was there for a good portion of my adult life. I always wanted to do something more creative and more in line with my interests in spirituality. But that really seemed like a pipedream. I was also making great money in the corporate world. People thought I was crazy to leave. My younger self is thanking me for taking the leap and following my heart. She was pissed about being in an office all day long.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

Thank you.

Thank you for the difficult emotions and triggers that show me the places I still need to heal.

Thank you for the pleasure I experience daily.

Thank you for the opportunity to be with people I love. 

Thank you to the earth for nourishing, sustaining, and supporting me.

What is your biggest dream?

Right now, it is to continue doing what I am doing. Creating inspiring content that helps women shift their mindset, improve their health, and experience joy. I'm doing what I love and am a positive force in the world. I would love to travel more with my children and partner. And I fantasize about living in an eclectic bungalow nestled in the jungle of Belize - someday!

To learn more and connect with Lisa visit her website www.lisamarierankin.com and you can find her new book “The Goddess Solution: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life” here and on Facebook @lisamarierankin Instagram @lisamarie.rankin and her online course, also called The Goddess Solution, will be open for enrollment in May, and women can learn more at goddess.lisamarierankin.com

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here