About Lisa Z. Lindahl

Byline BIO: Lisa Z. Lindahl is an inventor, artist, entrepreneur, and author. Early in her career, Lisa invented the first sports bra because she started running, joining the fitness revolution of the late 1970s. More than 40 years later, nearly every woman owns at least one. Today, the invention of the sports bra is considered one of the primary factors in the remarkable rise of women athletes worldwide, leading to a shift in perspective of what is possible for women in all sectors. Her latest book highlights her journey and its impact on the world: “Unleash the Girls: The Untold Story of the Invention of the Sports Bra and How It Changed the World (& Me).” For more information, visit www.LisaLindahl.com.

Broadcast BIO: Lisa Z. Lindahl invented the sports bra out of personal necessity. She had no idea it would become an iconic symbol of the fight for gender equality. Welcome to the program, Lisa.

Full BIO: Lisa Z. Lindahl is an inventor, artist, entrepreneur, and author. Early in her career, Lisa invented the first sports bra because she started running, joining the fitness revolution of the late 1970s. More than 40 years later, nearly every woman owns at least one. Today, the invention of the sports bra is considered one of the primary factors in the remarkable rise of women athletes worldwide, leading to a shift in perspective of what is possible for women in all sectors. Her latest book highlights her journey and its impact on the world: “Unleash the Girls: The Untold Story of the Invention of the Sports Bra and How It Changed the World (& Me).”

Diagnosed with epilepsy at age four, Lisa is also a champion for women’s health. She attributes her skill for creative problem solving and her quick adaptation abilities to a lifetime of coping successfully with this incurable disease. She served as the Senior Vice President on the Board of the Epilepsy Foundation of America from 1992 to 2001. She is also a partner in Lightning Squared, which Lisa founded with Dr. Lesli Bell in 2000 to design a compression bra for breast cancer survivors. The resultant Bellisse Compressure Comfort Bra holds a utility patent and is distributed worldwide by Jobst International.

Lisa has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions, including a Congressional Commendation from the 106th US Congress, Hall of Fame inductee to the Epilepsy Foundation of Vermont, Boss of the Year nominee by Sporting Goods Manufacturers’ Association, Entrepreneur of the Year nominee in Inc. Magazine, and an Outstanding Support Award from the Epilepsy Association of America.

Lisa received her Bachelor of Science in Education from University of Vermont and a Master of Arts in Culture and Spirituality from Holy Names University in Oakland, CA. She also completed the Advanced Program of Shamanic Studies at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies.

Her other books include “Beauty as Action: the Way of True Beauty and How Its Practice can Change our World”; co-author of “Minding Your Business,” a guide book for women entrepreneurs in the Women’s Small Business Program in Vermont; and “On Being a Woman with Epilepsy,” the opening chapter in the collective work “Women with Epilepsy: A Handbook of Health and Treatment Issues.” Lisa lives in Charleston, SC. For more information, visit www.LisaLindahl.com.