Lisa Sophie on Facing Fears and Finding Courage

Success isn’t just about collecting trophies on a shelf—it’s about having the courage to do things today that once seemed impossible. Lisa Sophie Laurent, author, speaker, and content creator, shares her Success Story, illustrating what personal growth looks like: step by step out of the comfort zone and straight into newly discovered freedoms. In her video, created in collaboration with the HDI Group, she takes us on a journey: spending a day doing all the things she used to deny herself before.

“Better not do it.” Lisa knows that cautious voice in the back of her mind all too well. It spoke up loudly before her first time reading from her books on stage. It even crept into everyday life—during seemingly harmless activities like making a phone call. “The inner resistance was often huge,” she shares, “but that’s exactly what success means to me: trying anyway.” For Lisa, success is about overcoming fears. Whether the challenges seem big or small, it’s about the feeling of not standing in your own way. And that’s exactly what she wants to encourage her community to do.

One story that deeply influenced Lisa stems from her elementary school days. A failed attempt at making a Christmas card ended in tears and embarrassment, convincing her for years that she wasn’t talented. She forbade herself from exploring creativity. But today, she designs calendars, paints ceramics, and ventures step by step into the world of creativity—without self-judgment. With humor and openness, she shares her small wins and how she’s learning to leave perfectionism behind.

“I’d never have dared to do this in the past,” Lisa says about going to the cinema alone to watch a children’s animated movie. What will others think? That question used to hold her back often. Today, her perspective has changed: “Most people probably aren’t thinking about me at all—they’re too busy with their own lives.” So why not just go for it? It’s a mindset that’s both simple and liberating. Lisa’s YouTube video captures her journey: humorous, honest, and filled with small but powerful lessons. It’s not just about personal milestones—it’s about the freedom to not let anything hold you back.

This article is part of an ongoing series: the HDI Success Stories. Success is a matter of perspective, and this series explores that idea. Lisa Sophie Laurent’s story is an example of how success can take many forms. The HDI Group enables success stories like hers for its employees: through individual journeys, shared lessons from both wins and failures, and the freedom to grow from them. Together, we (re)invent success stories. Watch Lisa’s YouTube video here and get inspired!