7 Secrets of Beauty & Wellbeing: Lisa Butcher, holistic therapist
Photo: Sandra van Aalst
Lisa Butcher is famously beautiful – she has graced so many glossy pages, as a model – but it’s her post-modelling life that fascinates us. Having faced personal struggles herself, Lisa has become an in-demand holistic therapist, offering hypnotherapy, shamanic practice and reiki (with a string of qualifications that also include NLP and Emotional Freedom Techniques), having discovered via her own personal journey how powerfully helpful these treatments can be.
Jo wrote here about the extraordinary experience she had with Lisa, who practises a form of sound medicine called Innerdance. And we had the idea to invite Lisa to share the techniques she has honed to keep her balanced, inspired and – yes – beautiful.
Think you’ll agree: it’s fascinating stuff.
The best beauty tip I ever learned was that beauty truly shines from the inside out. There’s something magnetic about someone who radiates health, vitality, happiness, and self-belief. That kind of beauty isn’t something you can bottle – it comes from taking care of yourself on a deeper level, from nourishing your body and mind to embracing who you are with confidence.
That being said, I come from a fashion background and I believe in combining inner and outer care. I’ve spent many years in the sun, and as a result, I have some hyperpigmentation. To keep my skin looking fresh, I’m partial to using lasers, which help with pigmentation, and I love Profhilo—it gives my skin that extra glow now that I’m older. I never go out without sunscreen. So while beauty starts from within, a little extra help along the way doesn’t hurt.
Nature is my medicine. It’s part of my daily beauty and wellbeing routine to take time out and walk in nature with my dog. That’s my meditation, my time to connect with the earth, and a way to reset myself energetically. As an energy worker, I’m highly sensitive to other people’s energies. This makes living in a city challenging for me. Being surrounded by large groups of people often leaves me feeling drained and overwhelmed, so I’ve learned that I need to be intentional about how I restore my energy.
Movement is non-negotiable for my mental health. I work out four times a week at 1Rebel, doing Pilates, which has helped me stay strong both physically, mentally and emotionally. If I don’t move, I become unmotivated and start overthinking; however, exercise gives me the space to switch my mind off and realign myself.
I have a few role models who have profoundly shaped my journey. and I’m forever grateful for their guidance. One of them is my teacher, Pi, from the Philippines (read about him, and Innerdance, here. He has guided me to take my work to a whole new level, expanding my understanding of energy work and healing. His trust and faith in me have been invaluable, and his teachings continue to influence how I approach my work.
Another role model is coach Mara Taylor, a true force of nature and an incredible mentor. She founded GOGI , Getting Out By Going In, an NGO in America that provides therapy to prisoners, empowering them to better themselves so they can, in turn, help others grow. Coach Mara has taken me under her wing and entrusted me with bringing a new therapy system, GOGI Inner Dance, into prisons across America and rolling it out in England as well. Her unwavering belief in transformation and rehabilitation inspires me every day, and I’m incredibly honored to be part of this work.
I also have a shaman, Abuelo Antonio, whom I’ve worked with for around five years. He supports and instructs me on a deep shamanic level, helping me step into my full potential and hold space for the intense work I do. His wisdom and teachings have been instrumental in my ability to navigate the energies I encounter, ensuring that I can continue to show up fully for others while staying grounded and strong in myself.
Each of these mentors has played a crucial role in shaping who I am today, and I carry their lessons with me in everything I do.
I switch off by listening to the soundscapes and guided visualisations. I created Chakra Mediations — Lisa Butcher and Innerdance music – it’s something I do every night before falling asleep, and it serves as my editation. Innerdance works through neuroplasticity, meaning that while I’m listening to the sound, it’s actually optimising my brain, helping to rewire and restore balance on a deep level. I’ve never been great at meditating in complete silence, so having sound as a focal point allows me to fully relax and shift my energy.
One of my absolute favorite ways to unwind, though, is by being around friends and like-minded people, usually over a meal. There’s something so nourishing about sharing good food and deep conversations with people who truly understand you.
And when I really need to reset my energy, there’s only one place in the world that does it for me Tulum, Mexico. I stay and work at Holistika, a holistic wellness center unlike any other. It’s a truly special place that feeds my soul and re-energizes me in a way nowhere else does. The energy there holds me, restores me, and brings me back to myself. Whenever I feel exhausted, I return to Tulum to work with some incredible teachers and practitioners, and it always gives me exactly what I need.
The quality I value most in both myself and others is love and kindness. I strive to embody these qualities in everything I do and in who I am. When I work, I approach each interaction with unconditional love and non-judgment, creating a space where my clients feel truly seen and heard. For some, this may be the first time they’ve ever experienced that kind of support, which makes love an incredibly powerful force.
I also deeply appreciate seeing love and kindness in others. The people I choose to surround myself with – my closest friends and mentors – genuinely embody these qualities, and that connection is invaluable to me. Love, to me, is the most important currency in life, shaping both my personal and professional relationships.
I’ve always found my inspiration in Mother Nature. In every sunrise and sunset, in the full moon and the stars… There is so much beauty and wisdom in the natural world. However, recently, I’ve discovered a new source of inspiration: the prisoners I’ve been working with, particularly those in maximum and super-max security. Most of these men will never be released, yet their personal transformations are remarkable.
All of those I’ve met came from backgrounds devoid of love, guidance, or positive role models. But through learning, growing and applying the GOGI tools, they’ve chosen to change – to better themselves, to live with purpose in service to others and to extend kindness to others, often for the first time in their lives. Their resilience, their commitment to growth, and their desire to serve despite their circumstances inspire me deeply. I am always moved by people who take their pain and transform it into power – using their experiences to uplift others. That, to me, is truly inspiring.
My Akol bath ritual is essential at the end of my day – especially after working with people carrying particularly heavy energies. I use essential oils I found in Mexico, mainly copal and Paulo Santo, to alchemise unwanted energies and I mix them with Himalayan sea salt for a good soak in the bath. It’s an essential practice for me to release and let go, especially now that I’m working in maximum security prisons. Working with some of the most deeply traumatised individuals has reinforced the importance of my self-care routine—it’s what allows me to show up fully for the work I do.
