We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Zipken and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Embracing my neurodivergent brain. Diagnosed with ADHD at 36, I discovered its genetic overlap with autism—traits I see in myself. By understanding how my mind works, I have leaned into its strengths—deep connections, hyperfocus, and big-picture thinking—while creating the support I need. Prioritizing sensory management with noise-canceling headphones, dim lighting, and somatic work helps me stay grounded and thrive.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a somatic movement artist, helping people tune into bodily sensations and their relationship to space. I’ve adapted techniques for vital living—once confined to performance settings—into tools for everyday life. Through kinetic movement, I guide people in releasing habitual patterns in posture, gesture, breath, and sound. Nothing fulfills me more than witnessing those “aha” moments when my clients reclaim their freedom of expression.

In the U.S., we tend to lead with the mind, yet the body is often a more powerful entry point for healing, growth, and connection. Somatic work helps us tap into that deeper awareness, unlocking our potential from the inside out.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Play is everything. It’s the foundation of my work. In a world that prioritizes productivity, we forget that we aren’t machines. Play reconnects us to our humanity. I’ve learned to embrace both the hustle and the pauses—they balance each other. Constant productivity is a relic of the Industrial Revolution, but for me, true growth comes from honoring both movement and stillness.

Kinetic State is proof of what Seth Godin writes about in his book The Dip—that pivotal moment when you must ask yourself: Is this a dead end, or is it worth pushing through? Every challenge I’ve faced has clarified the path I was always meant to take—entrepreneurship. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about working harder; it’s about knowing when to commit and when to pivot. That perspective continues to shape my journey.

Right now, I’m focused on bringing my workshops to multiple organizations and developing an online platform for at-home access. Looking ahead, I’m especially excited about how Kinetic State can support the neurodivergent community, particularly those with ADHD and autism. Many also experience alexithymia, which makes it difficult to identify and express emotions. Somatic and kinetic awareness can be powerful tools for emotional expression, and I’m eager to explore how this work can make a meaningful impact.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA offers a diverse range of somatic movement practices for healing, self-expression, and body awareness. Silver Lake Yoga blends somatic-inspired yoga with mindfulness, while The Movement Studio and The Continuum Movement Studio specialize in fluid Continuum Movement. For posture and coordination, The Feldenkrais Institute of Los Angeles is a top spot. Authentic Movement thrives at LA Movement Collective and Studio 204 in Venice. The Body-Mind Centering Institute and Kinesis Movement Therapy explore developmental movement, while Dance Therapy Los Angeles focuses on emotional healing through dance. Los Angeles Tai Chi Academy and Qigong LA offer energy-based practices, and The Movement Project and LA Dance Movement teach Laban/Bartenieff Fundamentals. Ecstatic Dance LA provides a freeform dance experience, and sound bath movement sessions at The Sound Sanctuary and Moonlight Healing Arts create a deeply immersive experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A huge shoutout to my mentor and friend, Janine Forte, for my first workshop opportunity in West Palm Beach, leading to four this upcoming summer in Majorca, Spain. Full of gratitude for my brother, Nick Rosen, a constant artistic inspiration, and for my loving husband, Ben, and our two amazing kids—my heart.

Website: https://kineticstate.com

Instagram: @allkinetic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kineticstate

Other: Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/31hkxx2tdccjhpifb6vxavxykd2i?si=_Q0ZwdbURrerY8d3ZdRhdg

Image Credits
Ilan Presman

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.