From ICU Nurse to Grief Coach: When Pain Becomes Your Purpose
Season 8 - Episode 9
Grief transforms us in ways we never anticipate - sometimes leading us directly into our life's purpose. Lisa McFarland joins Chris to share her extraordinary journey through child loss and how she discovered unexpected meaning on the other side.
After losing her daughter Alexis to a rare genetic bone marrow disease, Lisa took an unusual path: she became a pediatric ICU nurse. This decision marked the beginning of a series of career transitions as she navigated raising her son Zachary, who lives with the same condition that took his sister's life. Through each pivot - from nursing to legal consulting to corporate leadership - Lisa was unconsciously searching for healing.
The conversation delves into what Lisa calls the "grief cloud" - that state where we shut down emotionally to avoid pain. She describes waking consistently at 3AM, finally realizing these moments weren't insomnia but opportunities when her defenses were down enough to hear her true self. These middle-of-the-night revelations eventually led her to make profound life changes, including leaving her marriage and corporate career.
Chris and Lisa explore particularly sensitive territory around medical mistakes and whether to pursue litigation after a loss. Their nuanced discussion offers valuable perspective for anyone facing similar difficult decisions. They share insights about differentiating between happiness (fleeting and situational) versus joy (a deeper, more sustainable state) and how proper self-care creates the foundation for authentic healing.
What makes this episode especially powerful is the connection between two people who've experienced similar profound losses but found different pathways forward. Their conversation demonstrates how sharing our grief stories creates space for others to feel less alone in theirs.
Whether you're navigating personal grief, supporting someone who is, or working professionally with grieving clients, this episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional resonance that will stay with you long after listening.