Lisa Hemphill, Wandering Spirit

This month’s cover profile is Lisa Hemphill, a wandering spirit by any measure! In fact, as we write this intro Lisa, and her husband John are on a cruise sailing around the tip of South America. Just another adventure for Lisa. Of course, when you’re a Travel Advisor at Sadie’s Global Travel, chances are you’re going to experience the world differently. As we age, traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences we can have. Seeing how other people live, unique cultures, customs, food, etc. is a great way to enhance the process of aging well. Lisa is the epitome of that and we’re proud to share her story this month. We think you’ll get some ideas on how to live with a wandering spirit and I’m sure Lisa will lend a hand if you need a travel advisor!

BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. are you from the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, marriage, family, etc.?

Lisa: My husband, John is retired Air Force, and he ended his career teaching at Maxwell/Gunter AFB after 25 years of service. We always thought we’d move closer to home when the kids married, but instead we moved a little further east to Pike Road and have planted some strong roots in our church and community.

We moved here when our daughter was in college and our son was finishing high school at LAMP. Our daughter, Amelia received her veterinary degree from Auburn University and our son, Brandon received his medical degree from UAB so we kind of settled in this great area. Both our children married wonderful spouses and have blessed us with 6 beautiful grandchildren (Amelia and Drexel have 3 daughters, and Brandon and Brittny have 1 son, 2 daughters)

BOOM!: Lisa, for many years you were the Southeast Region Development

Director for the Arthritis Foundation, Southeast Region. Please share with our readers how you got involved with the Arthritis Foundation and your roles?

Lisa: I wasn’t looking for a position when the Arthritis Foundation found me. My predecessor, Gary Tomlin and I met at a health fair and he said he wanted me to have his job when he retired. I was humbled, but he was persistent, so we had lunch and he told me about the Jingle Bell Run/ Walk for arthritis and what a great event it was. So I said I’ll help you put it on this year, and see where this takes us. I was hooked because I met some amazing people with arthritis. I learned that children got Arthritis and how it affected the entire family. At that time there was NO pediatric Rheumatologist in the state of Alabama. We changed that during my tenure and now children with Arthritis are being cared for by some amazing physicians and treatment has greatly improved.

My greatest love was Camp MASH (Make Arthritis Stop Hurting) which is a week-long camp for kids with Arthritis. Being a part of that camp was lifechanging. Each child’s smile melted my heart and I’ve watched so many of those kids grow up to be adults and live very successful lives. Thank you, Facebook, for allowing me to see the wonderful adults they became. Camp Mash continues every summer and I pray for the camp and the people who give their time and energy to helping those kids have a changed life.

What were some of the benefits in helping support those who are challenged by arthritis? Camp Mash, being an ally, raising money for arthritis research, knowing and loving each person that called our office. I remember taking a 4 year old girl to meet the governor. He knew why the adults were there, but he asked the little “hero” why she was there, and she said “I’ve got ARFRITIS”. He was blown away as he didn’t realize kids get arthritis too. I guess you could say, every step of advocacy changed the face of arthritis and I’m still blessed to have been a part of such a great organization.

BOOM!: Since leaving the Arthritis Foundation you became a Travel Advisor with Sadie’s Global Travel in Montgomery. Your Sadie’s online bio says you were born with a wandering spirit, would you describe what that means?

Lisa: Sadie’s has been a great place for me to be at this time of my life. Again, I had retired from the Arthritis Foundation and was enjoying doing crafts and things around the house, but decided that I needed something else to do for fulfillment in my life. My friend, Marcel McElroy, called me one day and said I have the perfect opportunity for you. And that afternoon I was interviewing with Ann Osten, President of Sadie’s Global Travel and she offered me a learning position. I was so excited about working in the travel industry as you can’t have a better fit than someone who loves to travel matched with helping people who want to travel.

I grew up in a rural area outside of Atlanta Georgia, and our version of travel was going to the beach or mountains for a long weekend and I loved it. I can remember a day in high school when the English teacher showed slides to us of her adventure in England. Everyone else in the class was taking a nap and yet I was mesmerized by seeing Stonehenge and learning about those awesome stone pillars. At that moment, I said “I’m going to see those one day.” Little did I know that within 10 years we would be living in England and our weekends were seeing as much of England, Scotland and Wales as possible. We had a VW bus and took the kids on a pallet in the floor (hey this was before seatbelts) and take day trips to castles, steam engine shows, historic monuments, as well as the Scottish Highlands and almost getting blown off the Wales/Cardiff bridge gust.

Yet it was all an adventure.

And the adventure keeps on coming. One of my daddy’s favorite sayings was “if you’ve been somewhere before and can’t find your way back, you're lost, otherwise its an adventure.” I love adventures.

How has your wandering spirit benefitted your clients? Because of living in Europe for 10 years we have seen and explored a lot of territory, so that wandering spirit truly benefits our clients as we can share our experiences with them. Since I love experiencing new places and countries, it is great to share that knowledge and experience with my clients.

BOOM!: It has been said that “everyone needs a good travel agent”, can you explain why?

Lisa: A good travel agent knows their client, and listens to their needs. A Great Travel Agent is part of their trip, from the planning, budgeting, researching and managing the trip. We also go the extra mile at Sadie’s in service and quality. After the trip is complete a great agent, has sealed their relationship with the client to continue serving their travel needs for future travel.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work? Sending a client on a wonderful destination and hearing all about their experience and excitement when they return. Giving a client the gift of memories is an amazing opportunity. How many careers can offer that.

Does your husband John travel with you much? Yes, John and I are usually a package deal. There are many times that I do a ‘girl’s trip’ and or a Travel Agent learning trip, but he loves to travel as much as I do.

BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences?

Lisa: Every place I’ve been holds a special place in my heart. From my first trip on an airplane to being on a Sampan in the Mekong River and everywhere in between. As diverse as you can get, but my memories just keep growing. Favorite vacation spot? I would have to say, drinking hot chocolate or a glass of wine in any piazza in Italy.

Any travel dreams planned? We have had a very ambitious travel schedule in 2022. In March we visited Egypt with a river cruise along the Nile., then July we spent a week on the big island of Hawaii with our very good friends, then in October we visited Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. People ask me why? And my answer is because I’ve never been there. For 2023 we are doing a South American cruise from Santiago Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina. In fact, we may be there at the time of this printing. Then later in the summer we plan to do another river cruise from Basel to Munich with friends. We might actually slow down a little after that, but I doubt it as we “aren’t getting any younger.””

My dream trip will be the African Safari, of course with a camera in hand, not a gun as I would love to see these magnificent beasts in their natural environment, and Machu Pichu and Galapagos and…and… I laugh because if I plan a great trip for a client, that is where I want to go next. 

BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region that you like?

Lisa: I like the fact that Montgomery is a “big/small town” where we have the small town charm with some city amenities. if you are involved in your local church or have kids in school, you are all family.

What do we need more of? We need more people that love to travel. 

BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community and/or civic organizations?

Lisa: I have scaled back my community service and focus more on family and friends.

BOOM!: What are you most passionate about?

Lisa: I suppose that could be boiled down into helping others and in the travel business that means passionate about the destination we are sending them to and being part of their life changing experience.

BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention?

Lisa: Obviously travel is my favorite hobby, from jumping in the car and heading to the beach or mountains or planning trips for John and me. I do love to read and its feast or famine. I can devour a book or not read for weeks/ months at a time.

BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed?

Lisa: Earlier in my life I was very action driven. Wanted to be the best I could be at my job, but when you are a military wife, “have orders will move”. Therefore I always worked or volunteered at each base we lived, and we lived in some great places. I would say now, I am more laid back and focused on results and relationships.

“How would you describe what it means to “age well”? Aging well means taking care of yourself and those you love, sharing our day. This is sometimes with a glass of wine with our firepit in the winter and fans in the summer. Great way to unwind and refresh. physically, emotionally and spiritually. Doing our best to stay healthy, active and vital to a ripe old age.

BOOM!: You and your husband are HS sweethearts... Would you share your love story and some of the qualities of a long-lasting marriage…?

BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a full day of activity?

Lisa: I love to do “porch time” with John and friends/neighbors. That simply means we spend time on our back porch

Lisa: Oh my goodness. Our love story has never ended. We “first met” when he played baseball for my brother in laws team in Sandy Springs, GA. To make a long story short I was quite forward and picked him out as the cutest boy on the team. Then I called him on the phone (forbidden for girls to call boys in those days) and asked him to bring a picture of himself to the next game. He didn’t show at that game, and I was a dejected 13 year old who was “stood up.” Fast forward a few years later and my best friend kept wanting me to meet this “guy” and I asked who it was, she said John Hemphill and I vehemently said No Way. She persisted and somehow managed for us to cross paths at our high school. She did the quick intros, I screamed John Hemphill, NO! and ran into the bathroom. I guess he was confused, but he hasn’t’ stopped chasing me yet.  Fast forward, we finally discussed the “dissing” and he fessed up that his parents made him go out of town. Since this was “pre” caller ID he could not get in touch with me. Forgiven!

We just celebrated 50 years of marriage and our secret for a successful marriage is no secret. Marriage is a full time job that you must commit and work at ever day to build trust, communication and respect. Surprises don’t hurt either!  We’ve had good times and tough patches, but we always worked them out because quitting is never an option. We put God first in our marriage and He is the reason He chose us to be one!

How do you and John like to spend time with family? Our family has gotten bigger and now the grands are almost all teenagers, so spending time with them gets harder and harder. We did a family trip last November with all 12 of us and it was so much fun! I would love to make it a family tradition. Hey, can ya’ll do it again?

Describe your experience as a mother and grandmother? John and I were young when we married and our greatest gift is being parents to our beautiful kids. We loved being there to nurture and support them all through their years. Being grandparents just magnified that. Seeing that little baby (all 6 of them) for the first time fills you with unfathomable joy. They are a joy and a blessing and when they run to you to give you a hug (at least the youngest still does), it is the best feeling in the world. The older ones will still hug us in public so that is a blessing.

What do your grandkids call you? Our grands call us Mimi and Papa John (cause like the pizza, he always delivers)  your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? Never give up on your dreams, keep making goals and always have something to look forward to (of course for me, it’s the next trip). Never Ever give up. Live your life to the fullest. As Clint Eastwood said “don’t let the old (wo)man in!

BOOM!: What are some of the future challenges you’re contemplating for yourself?

Lisa: Knowing when is the right time to slow down; or do I really want to run a marathon. The answer is no but don’t tell anyone.

What are your thoughts on a future retirement? As long as I continue to love what I do, I’ll stay at it. Of course, there is always the thought I may not be a viable asset for my clients. At that point I’ll pass the torch to someone that has the love of travel that I do.

BOOM!: Lisa, give us three words that describe you?

Lisa: Compassionate, Adventurous, and Never boring!  Yes, that is 4 words, but I’ve never been much of a rule follower!

BOOM!: Many people, as they age, experience a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, etc.

Lisa: Aging has changed so many things about the way we live our life. We have found “satisfaction” and comfort in living our lives daily. We no longer worry about “keeping up appearances” but spend more time being comfortable with who we are. Sometimes we are like little kids, still wondering what we are going to do when we grow up. In all seriousness, with age comes comfort and a strong sense of peace. How would you describe this sense of renewal in

We want to thank Lisa for sharing some of her life's story with us this month. If you're thinking about traveling and need a travel advisor, give Lisa a call at Sadies Global Travel, she's probably been where you want to go or she may even go with you! To learn more visit www.sadies.com or call lisa at 334.213.0000 We hope you’ll share Lisa's story with friends and family, they’ll enjoy the reading experience. Thanks to DiAnna Paulk and her creative photography skills, you're the best! If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please text them to Jim Watson at 334.324.3472 or email them to jim@riverregionboom.com