We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Jacobson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
For me, risk is ultimately about integrity. It’s a sacred kind of courage. And it’s played a central role in how I’ve chosen to live, work, parent, and love—making space for something more real to emerge. It’s more about alignment. I think of risk as the willingness to step into the unknown when something deeper in you knows it’s time, even if the outcome isn’t guaranteed. I don’t take risks just to shake things up—I take them when staying the same feels more costly to my soul than whatever change might bring. In my life, risk has often looked quiet from the outside. Saying no when everyone else is saying yes. Trusting timing over pressure. Leaving relationships, roles, or rhythms that no longer matched the truth I was growing into. Those decisions were risks, because they weren’t always supported or understood—but they were necessary for my evolution.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business, Present Life Counseling, is less about “fixing” and more about deeply witnessing. I work with people who are ready to live from a more centered, authentic place—often those navigating the quiet tension between who they’ve been and who they’re becoming. What sets my work apart is that it’s not formulaic. It’s intuitive, psychologically rooted, and spiritually informed. I meet people in their humanity, not their symptoms.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built this in a way that honors my own nervous system, my values, and the deeper rhythms of life. It wasn’t easy—it’s still not, honestly. I’ve had to unlearn a lot about what “success” is supposed to look like. As a single mom with MS, I’ve had to design a business that works with me, not against me. That’s meant saying no when it would’ve been easier to say yes, and trusting slow, sustainable growth over hustle.

The biggest lessons? That clarity comes from rest, not force. That showing up as yourself is the actual strategy. And that people feel when you’re in alignment—it’s not about marketing tricks, it’s about resonance.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know about me and my work, it’s that this is about remembering. Not becoming someone new, but reclaiming who you’ve always been underneath the noise. My business is an invitation into that kind of return.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: Arrival + Unwind
We’d start slow. A grounding walk on the Greenbelt, letting the pace of nature set the tone. Then dinner at Samba Loca—something flavorful but relaxed, maybe with a cocktail if the mood is right. Back home, a cozy evening catching up on the porch with tea or wine under the stars.

Day 2: Local Flavor + Creative Vibes
Lunch at the Corner Cafe, then exploring the local shops downtown—Underground Books and maybe an art exhibit at the Center for the Arts. If there’s live music at The Amp, we’re there. Otherwise, a backyard fire and a good playlist.

Day 3: Day Trip to Serenbe
We’d head to Serenbe for a change of scenery—exploring the wellness shops, trails, and maybe catching a farm-to-table lunch at The Farmhouse. If we’re feeling indulgent, we’d book a treatment at Serenbe Spa. It’s just far enough to feel like an adventure but still peaceful and grounded.

Day 4: Nature + Nourishment
A slower morning, then off to Banning Mill for a hike by the creek. I’d pack a simple picnic—fruit, bread, cheese, dark chocolate. Dinner on the Rooftop Bar at Nama.

Day 5: Atlanta Arts + Urban Energy
We’d head into Atlanta for a dose of city magic—maybe a morning at the High Museum, lunch at Ria’s Bluebird or Le Petit Marché, and a wander through Ponce City Market. If there’s a soulful show or indie concert in town, we’d grab tickets and make a night of it.

Day 6: Rest + Reflect
A yoga flow in my living room or a class at a local studio, followed by journaling time or a creative practice—maybe collage or painting. Afternoon massage or energy work session if we’re leaning into self-care. Dinner would be something home-cooked, eaten slowly.

Day 7: Maybe one last walk on the Greenbelt or coffee by Lake Carroll to soak it all in before the goodbye hug.

To me, fun isn’t just loud or flashy—it’s about connection, beauty, and experiences that make you feel more you. Carrollton is about an hour from the city and offer that in subtle, soulful ways. You just have to know where to look.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people and influences that have shaped me, but if I had to offer a shoutout, it would be to the quiet, wise women who have walked with me in seasons of deep change—not trying to fix, not offering clichés, just holding space and reminding me of who I am when I forget. Some were mentors, some were friends, some probably didn’t even know the impact they had.

And I’d also acknowledge the teachings that have stood the test of time for me—spiritual psychology, Human Design, and the works of those who speak to the space between things… the inner terrain we don’t always have language for. They’ve helped me return home to myself, over and over.

So, this is for those who honor depth, who listen more than they speak, and who walk with others not from above, but beside. They’ve influenced my story more than any spotlight ever could.

Website: https://Presentlifecounseling.Com

Instagram: @Integral_lpc

Linkedin: Lisa Jacobson

Facebook: Lisa Jacobson, LPC

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