Conversations with Lisa Hardwick

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Hardwick.

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 planned to be a “stay-at-home” mom, but that was before all my plans went out the window. And isn’t that just how it goes?

After I gave birth to my daughter in 2018, both my physical health and my mental health plummeted. I was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety when my daughter was only twelve days old. I struggled to simply survive a season of life that I was told would be joyous and beautiful.

Unlike many moms around the world, my story has a good ending. I had doctors who listened to me, I had a supportive husband, and I had a community of other moms who held me together during those very dark days. I realized that without this support, I wouldn’t have made it. I also realized that too many moms don’t have this support, and I wanted to do something about it.

The first step in this journey was writing my book, A Life Postpartum: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression. I wanted to speak out and share my story with vulnerability, so that other moms can find the courage to share their own story and seek the help they deserve. Since the book was published in October 2020, I have been speaking to local communities and organizations to raise awareness for this very important subject, to break the stigma associated with postpartum depression, and to give hope to families.

The next step I took was to form my company, A Life Postpartum LLC, which has allowed me to facilitate in-person and virtual support groups for new moms in the greater Cincinnati area. These groups are sponsored by local small businesses so that any expectant or new mom in the Cincinnati area can participate in the group for free!

It has been an incredible journey, and I do believe this is only the beginning! When moms support moms, amazing things happen.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It certainly hasn’t been smooth! Although, nothing worth having comes easily. It was quite a challenge to write a book, not to mention work with an editor and publisher, while caring for my infant daughter. But I kept reminding myself that too many women were living without hope, and my story could change that. I knew that I had the ability to make a difference, and that no one was going to do it for me. Since the publication, the challenge has been trying to get people to read the book. It has been incredibly difficult, because this isn’t feel-good fiction. I chose to write what people need to hear, not what people want to hear. I would much rather make a true impact in one person’s life than throw meaningless words at an entire generation.

Developing my LLC and support groups has been a lot of work, but it is truly rewarding work. I get to see moms come together in a safe space and support each other through one of the most challenging seasons of life. I get to see happy tears, healing tears, laughter, and true community.
It’s hard, and it’s worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most proud of my book, A Life Postpartum, because it has all of my heart and soul in each page. I believe that my greatest strength is my vulnerability, and that by expressing my own weaknesses and need for help, others will be encouraged to acknowledge their own.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have found that studying the enneagram has been incredibly helpful to identify my strengths and weaknesses in both my personal and professional life. The book “The Road Back To You” is a great place to start if you want to find out more about the enneagram. Additionally, as a mom, I like podcasts and blogs created by real moms like me! My favorite podcast is “What About The Mama” by Karena Skibinski and my favorite blog is from Whitney Ellison of Wellison Enterprises.

Pricing:

• $15.99 paperback book
• $9.99 e-book

Contact Info:

• Email: lisa@alifepostpartum.com
• Website: alifepostpartum.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alifepostpartum/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alifepostpartum
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6DE4bBYgyLdGRXxXRR3cLQ

Image Credits
Smile At My Lens Photography