In this episode of BeAlive: The Podcast, host Chris Keefer sits down with Lisa Tarkington, a business coach, keynote speaker, and all-around badass who's not afraid to lay down the hard truths. As Chris’s personal coach, Lisa’s been instrumental in helping him and the BeAlive team dig deep and get real about what it actually takes to grow a business, lead effectively, and build a legacy.
Lisa doesn’t sugarcoat it. She went from the corporate grind, burning out, to risking it all to start her own business—no safety net, no backup plan, just grit and raw determination. She talks about that brutal moment when she had only $25 in her bank account and the grind it took to get her coaching and nonprofit businesses off the ground. Today, she’s a go-to advisor for execs and founders who need someone to cut through the noise and give it to them straight.
Lisa’s philosophy centers around discovering your “zone of genius,” that sweet spot where you’re in the flow and dominating your game. For her, coaching is where she thrives, and she’s here to get you thinking about what your own genius zone might be—and how you can start leaning into it.
You’d think running a business is all about the hard stuff—numbers, contracts, processes. But Chris and Lisa dig into what separates good leaders from great ones: the “soft skills” that don’t show up on a resume but define who you are. Chris admits he used to be the guy who’d bulldoze over anyone to close a deal, but Lisa’s helped him see the value of empathy, listening, and self-awareness. It’s about leading with both guts and heart.
Lisa makes it clear: anyone can bulldoze their way through a business meeting, but it takes a different kind of strength to listen, empathize, and make your team want to go the extra mile. These aren’t skills you can fake, and they’re often the hardest ones to master.
Lisa also tackles confidence—or the lack of it that kills so many entrepreneurs before they even start. She talks about her own battles with imposter syndrome and how, even after becoming a respected coach, she’d still have those moments of “Am I really cut out for this?” Her advice? Own it, push through it, and keep your eye on what matters. Chris shares his own journey of learning to lean into his role as CEO and get past the “I’m not good enough” crap that creeps in.
One of the toughest lessons Lisa brings to the table is knowing when to say “no.” In the beginning, you’ll take any project just to keep the lights on. But as she and Chris discuss, learning to say no is a game-changer. The grind becomes sustainable when you’re focusing on what aligns with your brand and not just chasing a paycheck. Chris knows this all too well—he talks about the gut-wrenching moment he turned down a big-money project that didn’t align with the BeAlive vision. That’s the kind of integrity and grit Lisa pushes her clients to have.
If you’re an entrepreneur who’s tired of the fluff and ready for a reality check, this episode is for you. Lisa’s approach to coaching is a call to arms for founders who are ready to stop BSing themselves and start building something real. Tune in and hear her no-nonsense take on leadership, confidence, and making the tough calls.