LIVE with The Famous Dr AL and Elisa Christensen
- S3E40
- 29:58
- July 24th 2024
Guest Introduction
- Elisa Christensen: An American author, poet, and public speaker.
- Achievements: Despite breaking her fifth lumbar vertebra in a skateboarding accident, Elisa became a triathlete, entrepreneur, wife, mother, and solo world traveler.
- Biggest Victory: Overcoming a 30-year dependency on doctor-prescribed opiates in 2017.
- Publications: Authored eight books focused on courage and gratitude.
Elisa's Early Challenges and Journey
- Skateboarding Accident: Broke her fifth lumbar vertebra in adolescence.
- Pain Management: Started on opiates in her late teens due to chronic pain.
- Triathlete Aspirations: Despite re-injuring her spine, she pursued triathlons, which worsened her condition.
- Medical Struggles: Faced multiple diagnoses and eventually had to undergo a two-level fusion surgery.
The Battle with Opiates
- Opiate Dependency: Long-term use led to high tolerance and severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Realization: Understood the mental aspect of her dependency when her mind anticipated pain relief before getting medication.
- Breaking Free: Successfully ended her dependence on opiates and chose a life of clarity and health.
Elisa's Literary Contributions
- The Fentanyl Warrior: Written to help others overcome opioid addiction.
- Goal: Save lives by sharing her story and experiences.
- Impact: Helped individuals, including a local resident's family member, overcome addiction.
- The Team Warrior: Focused on raising addiction-resistant kids and understanding the root causes of addiction in young people.
- Research: Interviewed teens in recovery to understand how parental communication could prevent addiction.
Key Takeaways on Addiction
- Addiction as a Mental Health Issue: Emphasizes the need for better mental health funding and support.
- Preventative Measures: Effective communication within families can play a crucial role in preventing substance abuse.
Living a Fantastic Life
- Warrior Mindset: Elisa shares her transformation from a victim mentality to a warrior mindset.
- Responsibility: Advocates for taking 100% responsibility for one's life and choices.
- Health and Clarity: Stresses the importance of maintaining a clear mind and healthy lifestyle.
Advice for Listeners
- Pursue Happiness: Find what makes you happy and pursue it earnestly.
- Take Responsibility: Own your life and choices without blaming others.
- Inspire Others: Recognize your potential to inspire and help others through your actions and achievements.
Final Thoughts
- Message to Younger Self: Don’t play small; embrace your potential and inspire others.
- Contact Information:
- Website: www.authorelisa.com
- Host’s Advice: Visit www.lifequalityassessment.com to assess your life quality and find ways to enhance your journey to a fantastic life.
BIO:
Elisa Fortise Christensen is an American author, poet, and public speaker whose message of tenacity and courage inspires others to become warriors in their own life stories. Despite breaking her fifth lumbar in a skateboarding accident during adolescence, she went on to become a triathlete, entrepreneur, wife and mother and solo world traveler. Yet her biggest victory took place in 2017, when she fought her way out of her 30-year dependence on doctor-prescribed opiates. She has since gone on to write eight books, all focused on approaching life with great courage and deep gratitude.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elisafortisechristensenauthor
TikTok: TikTok.com/authorelisa
LIVE with The Famous Unshakeable™️ Dr. AL
Broadcast on syndicated radio and available as a podcast, LIVE with The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL is where resilience, mindset, and personal transformation take center stage. Hosted by Dr. Allen Lycka — internationally acclaimed cosmetic dermatologist, bestselling author, and global keynote speaker — the show inspires listeners to thrive in health, business, and life.
Dr. Lycka is celebrated as a pioneer in modern cosmetic surgery, but his life took a dramatic turn in 2003 when he was misdiagnosed with ALS and given just six months to live. Choosing courage over fear, he embraced an Unshakeable™ mindset and not only survived but built a powerful second act as an author, mentor, and media personality. His journey inspired the bestselling book The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life with a foreword by Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Now, with over 500 episodes of his original show behind him, Dr. Lycka brings his signature energy to a new stage. Each episode delivers high-impact conversations with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, innovators, and celebrities — offering strategies for resilience, success, and reinvention.
Listeners can expect:
- Proven mindset tools for overcoming adversity
- Health, wellness, and lifestyle insights
- Business and leadership strategies
- Inspirational stories of transformation and triumph
If you’re ready to unlock your potential, rise stronger, and build an Unshakeable™ future, this show delivers the wisdom and motivation you need.
Meet the Unshakeable™ Host
Meet the Host: Dr. Allen Steven Lycka, The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL
Dr. Allen Steven Lycka, known as The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL, is a bestselling author, international speaker, and one of the world’s leading voices on resilience, reinvention, and personal growth. For over 30 years, he was celebrated as a top cosmetic dermatologist, pioneering advances such as laser-assisted tumescent liposuction and Moh’s Micrographic Surgery. He won the Consumers Choice Award for Cosmetic Surgery for 16 consecutive years, authored 17 books and 30+ academic papers, and hosted the #1 internet radio show Inside Cosmetic Surgery Today.
In 2003, Dr. Lycka’s life took a dramatic turn when he was misdiagnosed with ALS and told he had only six months to live. Choosing courage and the Unshakeable™ mindset, he continued practicing medicine while seeking answers, later discovering he was living with Chronic Lyme disease. His journey of resilience and reinvention inspired the international bestseller The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life (with Harriet Tinka), followed by The Pillars of Success (with Jack Canfield) and bLU Talks Presents: Business, Life and the Universe (with Corie Poirier).
Today, Dr. Lycka is recognized as a transformational coach, thought leader, and host of LIVE with The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL, where he interviews bestselling authors, entrepreneurs, and innovators to share practical tools for success, health, and thriving through change.
Dr. Lycka is happily married to Dr. Lucie Bernier-Lycka for 44 years, and together they have four daughters and nine grandchildren. He proudly counts his family as his greatest accomplishment and the foundation of his Fantastic Life.