An Interview with Karen Mangia
Love what you do. When you genuinely enjoy your work on a day-to-day basis, it doesn’t feel like a chore. Loving what you do makes you excited to get up in the morning, motivates you to go the extra mile, and inspires creativity and growth.
Have you ever noticed how often we equate success with more? Whether that’s more products, more profits, more activities or more accomplishments, we buy into the belief that we have to do more to have more to be more. And that will sum up to success. And then along comes The Great Resignation. Where employees are signaling that the “more” that’s being offered — even more pay, more perks, and more PTO — isn’t summing up to success for them. We visited with leaders who are redefining what success means now. Their answers might surprise you.
As part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Craft — a dynamic entrepreneur and tech founder based in Los Angeles. Lisa started Southern California CPR in 2002, and now she’s launched Adventure Dating, a fresh take on connecting people through shared experiences. What sets Lisa apart is how she combines her passion for helping others with a genuine love of adventure — whether that means surfing, hiking, or simply getting outside and being active. She’s not just building businesses, but she’s helping to spark a whole new sense of community, both online and offline.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about the topic of our time. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?
I grew up with my grandparents, who played a huge role in my childhood and upbringing. My grandfather was a mechanical engineer and an inventor. My weekends were spent learning how to fix something — whether it was a pool pump, sprinkler system, or a car’s engine — or taking apart and reassembling computers. Some weekends were spent at his shop, watching him invent something entirely new from scratch. He once said, “Lisa, if you don’t like the way something is done, nothing is stopping you from inventing a better way yourself.” That piece of advice has shaped my life, giving me the confidence to challenge the status quo and build solutions from the ground up.
My grandmother was very much into wellness and health. She taught me to swim, play tennis, eat properly, exercise, and always believe in myself. Her focus on living well and staying active instilled in me a lifelong appreciation for both physical health and self-confidence. Their combined influence helped me become someone who isn’t afraid to tinker, create, or take a bold leap when the moment calls for it.
We all have myths and misconceptions about success. What are some myths or misconceptions that you used to believe?
I used to believe that success had to come quickly, but I’ve learned that real achievement takes time and patience to build. The journey is rarely linear, and it often involves persistence, resilience, and many lessons along the way. I also used to think that only wealthy people were successful, but my perspective has shifted.
Now, I recognize that successful people are everywhere in day-to-day life — like a pet groomer who’s passionate about their work, the owner of a small-town ice cream shop, or the dentist who changes people’s lives by fixing their teeth. Success is about fulfillment and making a difference, not just financial status.
How has your definition of success changed?
Success now means being genuinely happy with what you are doing and allowing everything else to unfold naturally. When you find fulfillment in your daily work — whether you’re building a business, helping others, or pursuing a passion — satisfaction and progress tend to follow. I believe that when you lead with purpose and joy, recognition and rewards arrive in their own time. It’s no longer just about reaching a certain milestone or financial goal; it’s about finding meaning in the journey and embracing the process along the way.
The pandemic, in many ways, was a time of collective self-reflection. What changes do you believe we need to make as a society to access success post pandemic?
I think society needs to prioritize health and wellness, including mental health. I think when a person is mentally and physically healthy, the opportunities are endless if they put their ideas into actions and success will follow.
What do you see as the unexpected positives in the pandemic? We would love to hear a few of your stories or examples.
I think the biggest unexpected positive was being able to work from home and spend more time with family and friends. Working from home became acceptable, and many people discovered they work better when they are in their own environment. It also allowed for a greater sense of balance and flexibility, making it easier to be present for both work and loved ones.
We’re all looking for answers about how to be successful now. Could you please share “5 Ways To Redefine Success Now?”
This is a great question. Here are the core values that guide me:
1.) Being healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. It just feels better when you feel good about yourself, both physically and mentally. When you prioritize your health and mental health, you have the energy and confidence to pursue your goals and enjoy life more fully.
2.) Be honest. Honesty is essential because it builds strong relationships and trust — whether in business or your personal life. When people know they can count on your word, it creates a solid foundation for every interaction. Trust not only leads to better opportunities and lasting connections, but it also helps attract and maintain a loyal customer base. In the end, being honest builds open communication, reduces misunderstandings, and makes it possible to work through challenges together.
3.) Love what you do. When you genuinely enjoy your work on a day-to-day basis, it doesn’t feel like a chore. Loving what you do makes you excited to get up in the morning, motivates you to go the extra mile, and inspires creativity and growth.
4.) Believe in yourself. Self-belief is integral because it pushes you to deliver your best. When you have confidence in yourself and your vision, giving up isn’t an option. It drives determination and perseverance, enabling you to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
5.) Patience. No matter what challenges emerge, patience is the key to success. If you stay patient and persistent, the rewards will come in time, bringing happiness and fulfillment. I’ve found that a happy person is often a patient person, able to weather setbacks and keep moving forward despite the challenges they encounter.
How would our lives improve if we changed our definition of success?
We would have more fulfilling lives with fewer illnesses. Prioritizing health, mental health, and overall wellness would lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships, as people would have the energy and emotional balance to connect authentically with others. It would also help with the creation of better products and services, since individuals who feel good are often more creative, focused, and committed to producing quality goods and services. Ultimately, we’d see happier, more resilient communities where people thrive both personally and professionally.
What’s the biggest obstacle that stands in the way of our redefined success? And what advice would you offer about overcoming those obstacles?
The biggest obstacle is that many people don’t believe in themselves because they fear failure, and they often don’t make time to prioritize their health. No matter how busy life gets, it’s important to dedicate at least time daily to your own wellness. Whether it’s a walk outside, an exercise class, or time at the gym, simply getting moving can make a big difference. You’ll feel better about yourself, and your life will start heading in a more positive direction.
Where do you go to look for inspiration and information about how to redefine success?
For daily inspiration, I go to nature. Whether it’s waiting 20 minutes for the wave to come when I’m surfing, riding my mountain bike on a single track trail, nature offers me a calmness that lets my mind be free from all the daily distractions. My mind being free creates happiness which in turn creates success for me.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He, she or they might just see this if we tag them.
It would have to be Steve Ballmer. He has followed his passion combined with his business acumen and brought entertainment to a large city and brought joy to himself and the community. The Intuit Dome also speaks for itself.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can connect us with us on Instagram @adventuredatingapp or download our Adventure Dating App on Google Play or the App Store.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this. We wish you continued success and good health.
About The Interviewer: Karen Mangia is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world, sharing her thought leadership with over 10,000 organizations during the course of her career. As Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, she helps individuals and organizations define, design and deliver the future. Discover her proven strategies to access your own success in her fourth book Success from Anywhere and by connecting with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Lisa Craft Of Adventure Dating App On Why & How We Need To Redefine Success Now was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.