In this vibrant episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch welcomes artist, writer, cyclist, and creative trailblazer Lisa Congdon. Known for her bold use of color and voice as an artist and activist, Lisa didn’t start her art career until nearly 40—proving that it's never too late to uncover your calling. In this candid conversation, Lisa and Rebecca explore what it means to build a life you love from scratch, why imperfection is essential to creativity, and how movement and meaning are inextricably linked.

Lisa opens up about the vulnerability of starting over, navigating self-doubt, and the hard-won freedom that comes with aging. From living as a broke aspiring artist to becoming a renowned creative entrepreneur and elder Gen Xer with a powerful voice in the cycling and art worlds, Lisa’s story is an inspiring reflection of reinvention, identity, and enduring curiosity.

Together, Lisa and Rebecca discuss how to use our creativity to not only express ourselves, but also to make change—and why embracing flow, community, and self-defined success is the real masterpiece.

Show Notes:

In this episode, Rebecca and Lisa discuss:

1. Building a thriving art business from the ground up in her late 30’s without formal training
2. What cycling gave her that art didn’t—and vice versa
3. How community and connection power both endurance and creativity
4. The emotional and physical impact of aging and identity shifts

Transformative Insights:

1. There’s No Perfect Time to Begin: Lisa’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to become who you’re meant to be.
2. Imposter Syndrome Can Be Conquered: Success doesn’t eliminate self-doubt—but it can be dismantled with age, experience, and intention.
3. Movement and Art as Medicine: Both cycling and creativity offer essential healing, especially during times of physical or emotional recovery.
4. Redefining Success Through Values: Knowing your values gives you a compass to navigate the choices that shape your life.

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Lisa recalls the early years of building her business while struggling financially and feeling insecure about her skills.
2. She shares the deep impact of imposter syndrome even as her fame and recognition grew.
3. Lisa and Rebecca reflect on the emotional and identity shifts that come with physical injury, aging, and transitioning careers.
4. Lisa talks about the fear—and eventual freedom—of slowing down post-knee replacement and how art carried her through.

Practical Wisdom:

1. Flow Follows Familiarity: Mastery brings presence—when you know your tools, whether a paintbrush or a bike, you can get lost in the moment.
2. Set Boundaries to Preserve Joy: Lisa’s shift to a 4-day workweek helped her rekindle her love for art—and for life beyond work.
3. Make Space for Play and Recovery: Whether in creative practice or physical pursuits, recovery time is essential to long-term joy and success.
4. Use Your Platform for Good: Lisa uses her art to raise awareness, fundraise, and share values—because creativity can be activism.

Personal Growth:

1. Lisa’s evolution from broke, self-taught artist to respected voice in the creative and cycling worlds.
2. Embracing elderhood as a Gen Xer and using life experience as power.
3. Letting go of external validation and instead aligning with personal values and joy.

Links:

1. Lisa Congdon Website:...