Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Khiev.
Hi Lisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a first-generation Cambodian-American woman + creative residing in Southern California. My family are refugee immigrants from Cambodia and arrived in the U.S in the late 80s after experiencing displacements and genocide in their home country. I grew up watching my parents and extended family try to rebuild and integrate their lives in a country and culture they had no knowledge about, so much of my upbringing was really humble, experiencing a close-knit and enmeshed family life and trying to survive the day-to-day within our environments. My early environment wasn’t the safest, but it wasn’t the worst. I am lucky that I am surrounded by a family that tried their best to keep me in check.
I would describe my younger self as a happy, dreamy, imaginative, and sensitive child who really loved playing outside. I had dreams of becoming an artist and a teacher. Although quiet, I was easily captivated by life’s beauties and the wonders of the Earth. My calm way of being and the ethereal moods I carried existed hand-in-hand with my strong resistance to being controlled and to fit into a boxed life of the codependent housewife role – a role my Mother worked in grooming me into. I knew I was meant for something else.
My mindset dramatically shifted as I entered adolescence, having felt the ongoing impact of molestation/sexual trauma at the age of 11. That pretty much kind of altered much of my development and way of being as I grew up. I learned quickly the art of shutting down, hiding, and looking outside of myself for love and approval, while keeping all my emotions bottled up as I wasn’t ever taught the skills of emotional intelligence or regulation. Having my body violated at a young age and being directed to keep it a secret manifested into a deep fear of intimacy, body dissociation, and little to no access to my authentic voice for a long time.
At 18, I moved to San Francisco for school. I rediscovered a lot of my free-spirited nature in the city and this gave me much confidence to take risks, try new things, and travel. I received an opportunity to study and live abroad in Paris, France, while taking a good month out to travel solo. That is something everyone needs to try! I found much of my joy in wandering freely, doing yoga, and reading to get in touch with myself again.
A few years ago, after various jobs didn’t work out, I took a leap and began freelancing digital marketing and writing services for the fashion, beauty, and wellness/conscious industries and was heavily skill-building to see what else I could bring to the table. Since then, I’ve met many beautiful souls who got me to where I am and I’m thankful for the guidance and wisdom!
Today, I can say I’ve awakened to a vision of a higher calling, one shown to me by Source, to serve others and leave a deeper impact in the world we live in. Having now chosen a spiritual and creative path, much of this next chapter for me is diving deeper into my inner space and self-healing, so I can embody my Higher Self and help/inspire others to do the same. It’s an exciting path as it’s one that’s unconventional, scary as heck, and with no limits, so a new and conscious path for me is unfolding as we speak. I’m excited to see what will come of it!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being highly ambitious, I always fought for more in the way I knew how at the time. I truly desired to live a life I’ve never lived before. I chased after my idea of perfection in my marketing and media career but I always felt something was missing as pieces didn’t fit the way I had expected and planned. I also didn’t understand that failing in life was actually a catalyst for success. Building a strong foundation to uplevel my life felt like a dangling carrot, with many rock bottoms in-between. And there were many points where I couldn’t get a grip of my bigger ‘Why’ altogether. I struggled greatly with my lack of trusting myself and my direction, self-criticism, confidence, self-worthiness and having faith in my journey.
Much of my 20s was a relentless pursuit to succeed, met with quitting, lay-offs, fragmented relationships, job opportunities, and a whole bunch of financial hurdles. I was doing the most, yet felt like I didn’t do/feel enough, so that took its toll on my mind and body resulting in a sky high rise in my anxiety, depression, physical symptoms of stress, and the mental + emotional effects of not using my authentic voice in the world.
Feeling broken within me, my career life, my financial life, and my relationships, I eventually became overwhelmed with a sense of despair and desperation for a bigger purpose to it all. That glass ceiling eventually broke in 2020, as I found myself in the middle of the night in one of those falling-to-the-knee moments, crying of course, angry with ‘God’, and wondering what and why I was even on this planet. I don’t think I’ve ever felt pain like that before. I went to sleep that night and the vision for my life’s calling became clear to me and woke up renewed of my sense of faith. And for me, that was a big deal as I spent most of my life not feeling truly connected to my faith and purpose. I focused intentionally on cultivating my relationship with the Higher Source after that.
My path so far has not been easy or linear and I’ve had to re-commit over and over to self-healing, love, learning, and unlearning my limiting beliefs and lack mindset. Thankfully, I’ve met amazing people, collaborators, my partner, friends, and family that continue to support me on this journey!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently am a full-time freelance creative. I specialize in writing, creative strategy, big-picture ideation + storytelling, and working closely on creative campaigns within marketing for the fashion, lifestyle, and wellness/conscious industries. I combine honest, thoughtful, and idealistic approaches to sharing stories. So, how I go about that looks like working closely within creative teams – designers, photographers, writers, directors, creatives, etc., to package what would ideally be the most authentic message or story and the methods to reach their goal or target audience.
At this moment, I’m exploring my spiritual path, diving into unconventional ways of living, working and being and what comes of it is the most exciting part because I’m on the edge of finding out more of what it is that I can do that would leave a lasting impact. I’m diving deeper into yoga philosophy + mind and bodywork. Much of my work now is focused on inspiring others to find and live their truths, however I choose to go about that. Helping to shape and create stories and strategies as well as sharing with others to embody it is a part of my larger mission.
I’m most proud of the ways in which I can give and share ideas that can change the way an organization, brand, or person sees themselves and where they’re going. I lead from Spirit and intellect and with kindness and compassion. I’m also highly organized, intuitive, and both a creative and pragmatic thinker.
How do you define success?
I used to think success was having all the material things – a big home, cars, all the things that signified what we come to know as a wealthy lifestyle. Now I know those things are just the bonuses and they do not need to be something I need to attach to my idea of success.
Success, to me now, is one without a label. It is always evolving as I evolve and doesn’t have to fit into a box. It is what I make it! It’s living a life of freedom, the right to choose and grow, and be my authentic self in the world. Choosing to help and inspire others. It’s about JOY and reclaiming the truths within myself. Success is perception.
Ultimately, it’s leaving a deeper and lasting impact on the collective with my own unique contribution and giving to others with integrity and an open heart. I’d love to help change the world and make it a healthier and more loving place to live in.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisakhiev_/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/amoderncalm
- Other: http://www.amoderncalm.com/
Image Credits:
Elizabeth Martinez (for pics in fur jacket and plaid) Dany Srey-Snow (for beach pics and black/white photo) Nature and Intent, Consultancy (for smiling headshot)
