Vol. 24, Issue 2,  June 18, 2026

I have been in the speakers bureau world for a long time. I’ve heard a lot of remarkable stories. But every now and then, someone comes along who makes my ears perk up — and Lisa Crites is one of those people.

When I first learned about Lisa, I thought: breast cancer survivor, keynote speaker, healthcare background – wonderful! We see that combination, and it’s always good. But then I kept reading.

Lisa didn’t just survive breast cancer. During her recovery — while navigating a double mastectomy and a series of complications that would have flattened many of us — she “noticed something.” A gap. A problem that millions of patients face every single day that nobody had bothered to solve. And instead of just getting through it, she invented a solution.

From her hospital bed, Lisa Crites created The SHOWER SHIRT™ — a patented, award-winning, water-resistant garment designed to protect chest surgery patients while showering. (Because before Lisa came along, the standard of care was essentially: “Get yourself a plastic trash bag, good luck.” Today, thousands of patients around the world heal with a little more dignity and a little less improvisation, because of what Lisa did with her pain.

And that is a keynote speaker with a story to tell.

 

And Now, a Times Square Billboard

Last week, Lisa shared something with me that I knew I had to share right away. Her new memoir, Beautifully Unbroken: A Life-Changing Invention Born of Loss, Cancer, Courage, and Faith, just released on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble — and her publisher celebrated the launch with a billboard in the heart of Times Square.

When a speaker’s story is big enough to fill a billboard in Times Square, you pay attention.

The book traces her journey from the sudden loss of her mother, through her breast cancer diagnosis, through all the messy, hard, in-between places that don’t make it onto the inspirational poster — and through to the invention, the innovation, and the quiet, steady role that faith played through all of it. It’s the kind of story that reaches across and puts its hand on your arm.

But here’s what matters most if you’re an event planner reading this: that kind of visibility translates directly into audience excitement. When your attendees have already seen her name, already heard the buzz, already know there’s a book — your event feels even more special for having her.

What Lisa Brings to Your Audience

Lisa’s keynotes are built around four themes, that she tailors to each event type:

For breast cancer and cancer survivor events: Her keynote “Beautifully Unbroken: Strength, Survival, and the Power of Purpose” takes audiences through her diagnosis, recovery, and transformation with honesty, grace, and genuine hope. Cancer survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals all find themselves in her story and take inspiration from it.

For women’s leadership and entrepreneurship audiences: “From Setback to Breakthrough: The Power of Purpose-Driven Innovation” is the kind of talk that makes people leave the room and actually do something. Lisa turned adversity into a globally recognized patented product — and she shows others how to trust the ideas they feel called to pursue.

For healthcare organizations and corporate wellness programs:  “Beautifully Unbroken & Unstoppable” weaves together her survival story and her entrepreneurial journey into a high-impact keynote for audiences who need both emotional inspiration and practical insight.

For nurses and healthcare professionals: “Caring for the Caregiver” speaks directly to the emotional weight that nurses carry from someone who has lived in both worlds — the insider in the healthcare profession and the patient in the hospital bed. It’s a reset, a reminder, and a deep exhale for people who spend their days giving everything to others.

 

Why Right Now Is the Perfect Time to Book Lisa

Here’s something I’ve learned over the years: when aspeaker has real cultural momentum — a book launch, major media attention, a Times Square billboard — that energy walks right into the room with her. Audiences feel it. And that makes your event feel even more memorable.

Lisa Crites is having a moment, and most event planners I know recognize that kind of moment when they see one.

If you’re putting together a breast cancer survivor or awareness event, a women’s conference, a healthcare leadership event, or a nurses https://speakwellbeing.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Lisa-Crites-HS-260×300.jpegappreciation program for 2026 or 2027, I would love to connect you with Lisa. As always, there is no extra charge for our service — we are compensated by the speaker.

[Learn more about Lisa Crites and request booking information here.

 

Let’s Go Fishing!

Fishing?  Heck, yes, I grew up fishing for panfish at Girl Scout Camp Julia Crowell in Ohio, on Labor Day Weekends — the only time of the year that fishing was allowed there. The fish practically jumped on the hook. In my 20’s I caught rainbow trout in Michigan rivers, and walleye in Minnesota’s Boundary Canoe Waters.  Walleye is still my favorite fish to eat, although it’s never been as good as it was freshly caught and cooked over a campfire.

Today for me fishing looks more like taking a drive up the Columbia River Gorge to Cascade Locks, where Native Americans have salmon fishing rights in the Columbia River. There’s a parking lot almost under Bridge of the Gods, where they set up their stalls and coolers of freshly caught (same day) fish.  It sometimes involves a little bartering.

We like the steelhead, a sea-going trout, which practically melts in the mouth. When we settled on one vendor last Sunday, she tried to talk us into buying two fish – offered us a discount – but we settled for one eight pounder.  We’ll be back in a month or so for more. It’s about a 1-hour drive from home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, through majestic scenery — the kind that helps melt your cares away — once past the busy freeway city limits. No worries for us about gas prices — we took our Chevy Bolt electric car. Capped off the day with a lovely lunch sitting outdoors, looking across the Gorge to the Washington side.

I hope you’re getting out and enjoying whatever summer activities make your day — for your well being and those your love.

Barbara

For Your Well Being is published with the intention of bringing you insider speaker reports, exclusive stories about special events around the country, meeting planner tips, and fun stuff from the worlds of health and well being. Be well and be in the know! The Speak Well Being Group is a specialized speakers bureau, focusing on health and wellness for all types of organizations that want to foster health and well being for their employees, members, clients, and in their communities. Our speakers are hand-selected. They are not only experts in their fields; they connect with their audiences while bringing them life-changing information, smiles of recognition, and ultimately a sense of well being and hope. Finding the perfect keynote speaker for your special event or conference is my personal passion, not just once, but year after year. It brings me great joy to know that your audience was delighted and moved by the speaker we selected together. I’m committed to making the process easy, pleasant and fun.