Hi! I’m Lisa Benton, and this is my blog. I write about all things health and some things motherhood. As a clinical health psychologist, I once ran a successful private practice where I helped women feel better in my office. Now, I’m a mom who hopes to help you feel your best here. I love all things health and fitness, running, Starbucks, blogging, boating, dining, and hanging out with family and great friends. I believe that exercise has magical powers, and I love to watch people actualize their potential in life.
The Longer Story for Those Who Want to Know
I grew up in Florence, SC with my parents and younger sister. My dad taught me to love reading through positive association with pancakes. On Saturday mornings, he took me to the Eat More for pancakes or to see the old train museum, followed by a trip to the library or bookstore. Thanks to him, I am a voracious reader. High school was a total bore-the only things that interested me were gymnastics, cheerleading, and dating. Looking back, I’m not sure why I liked cheerleading and am quite horrified by the skirts I wore. I once staged a boycott against the yellow “Big Bird” leggings we cheerleaders were forced to wear to school. Though I’m sure the school board wouldn’t care now, I’d like to offer my delayed nod of approval on those leggings. Good choice.
College was awesome. Thank you, Wofford!!! I majored in Psychology and was probably one of the few that did so with the intention of becoming a Clinical Psychologist. I started exercising my sophomore year to lose a few pizza pounds and discovered the magic of exercise and healthy lifestyle. Next stop, graduate school. I packed everything I owned and drove down to Ft. Lauderdale by myself. Culture shock hit, my classes were full of older adults, and I knew no one…… until I met the most fabulous friends of my life. You know who you are. We studied on the beach and took spontaneous trips to Key West. Good times.
During my 2nd year there, I met Mike. It was a happenstance encounter on Rush Street. Though he was quite drunk and called me “Linda,” we hit it off fast. Two years later, we got hitched in Jamaica (oddly, I have never smoked pot in my life). Every now and then, someone mistakenly calls me Linda and I think fondly of Mike. 
I graduated with a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, and we moved back to SC. Six years, one baby, three dogs, and 457 residential moves later, we’ve been happily married for over 8 years. Savanna was born in 2006, and I had no idea how much becoming a mother would change my life. What really surprised me was the fact that preschool registration occurs in February. 
While living in SC, I ran a clinical practice, and Mike was in real estate development and sales. The recession hit, and we decided to make some big changes for the better. After six years of debating, we finally decided to move back to sunny South Florida. Now, we enjoy boating in 80 degree weather in February. Go Heat. 
Our daughter, Savanna, is one of my two most favorite people in the world. If I could have picked any kid on the planet, I would have picked her. She is a rockstar gymnast, and I like hanging out with her because she is a cool kid.
We have two dogs. Rocky is a 5 lb Yorkie, and Black Jack is a rescue dog. My dad found him hungry and abandoned on a back road, and my parents took care of him until he dug 1042 holes in their back yard. We took him in because Savanna adored him now, he digs 1042 holes a day in our back yard. He’s not hungry anymore.
Other random things …..I love Starbucks, and one of my favorite places to be is Disney World. My pet peeves are tailgaters, dumb blondes (they make a bad name for all of us), long lines, lukewarm lattes, and riding in a car that has .091 miles worth of gas left in the tank MIKE.
I’m a maverick with regards to my lifestyle approach. I happen to think that we have far more choice in our level of health and happiness than most people realize. I like to challenge conventional thoughts, learn new information, and share it with you. I am constantly updating my information and therefore, my life. My site offers a new way of thinking about old problems, new ideas, and novel approaches to living better with an extra bold approach to health. It only takes ONE piece of new information to change your life, and I hope that you find that here. Nothing artificial.
Are you still reading this?! Alas, I bring you maverickmom.com. Cheers!
