Born in Taiwan to a French father and Japanese mother, Lisa's striking mixed heritage was evident even during her school competitions. However, it was her exceptional talent that first drew attention.

Starting in 2005, during her middle school years, Lisa won the 1,500m event at the Taiwan National Student Sports Games for three consecutive years. Her record of 4 minutes 30.50 seconds, set at that time, remained unbroken for many years, earning her the media title of "track and field prodigy."

Yet, early fame brought immense pressure. As a high school student, Lisa began to feel suffocated by performance expectations and external scrutiny. In her final year, she shocked many by deciding to leave track and field, a decision that led to a seven-year break.

Away from the track, Lisa entered a phase of life that contrasted sharply with her athlete image. She took on various jobs, including restaurant server, hotel receptionist, and even a nightclub DJ. Her life during this period revolved around parties, cigarettes, and alcohol, a way of rebelling against her athletic past.

After many years, Lisa (right, in photo) realized this lifestyle did not reflect her true self. In 2014, she participated in a 5 km night run in Tainan and unexpectedly finished first. This moment became a turning point, drawing Lisa back to running.

This time, she ran not for pressure or expectations, but to rediscover herself.

Not long after her return to competition, Lisa became pregnant. For many athletes, this might signal the end of a restarted career. However, she chose to continue, consulting with doctors and maintaining appropriate training levels.

Even at seven months pregnant, she competed in a half marathon at the Taipei Marathon but had to stop at kilometer 11 due to physical issues. This decision sparked debate but also helped challenge stereotypes about pregnant women and exercise.

In her personal life, Lisa and her ex-husband Brian are divorced but maintain a co-parenting relationship. She believes that the most important aspect is not the form of marriage, but providing a loving environment for her son.

Returning to professional competition, Lisa transitioned to marathon running and quickly improved. At the Osaka Marathon 2019, she achieved a time of 2 hours 54 minutes 55 seconds, marking her first sub3 performance—a significant milestone for amateur and semi-professional runners. Subsequently, she continued to better her results, achieving a personal best (PB) of 2 hours 40 minutes 54 seconds at the Taipei Marathon 2022, becoming the fastest Taiwanese female runner in the event. Lisa's biggest goal is the Olympics, but a chronic back injury has made her journey challenging. At the Daegu Marathon, a crucial event for accumulating points, she had to withdraw due to unbearable pain, missing her chance to qualify for the Olympic Paris 2024. Despite this setback, Lisa persevered. At the Tokyo Marathon 2024, she adopted a different approach, focusing less on performance, and still achieved 2 hours 52 minutes 58 seconds—a positive result given her injury.

Lisa was the top Taiwanese female athlete (domestic winner) with a time of 2 hours 53 minutes 1 second. This result again highlights her consistent standing among Taiwan's leading runners, even if she could not contend for the overall championship.

Part of Lisa's public image also stems from her family. She is the second of three sisters, all possessing striking looks. Her elder sister, Emmie Ries, is a familiar face on television and in Taiwan's running community, while her youngest sister also regularly participates in sports activities.

Local media refers to the three sisters collectively as the "family of runners," often appearing together at sports events and on social media.

While not a world-leading runner, Lisa possesses a unique appeal. Her mixed heritage, modern style, and compelling life story have made her a sports celebrity in Taiwan, securing numerous endorsement deals with sports brands. On social media, Lisa has a large following, frequently drawing attention whenever she appears at races.

From an early prodigy to a young woman who abandoned the track, then returned seven years later as a mother and marathon athlete, Lisa did not follow the typical path of elite sports. Her story is not just about achievements, but also a journey of self-discovery, where each stride is no longer driven by pressure, but by personal choice.

Hong Duy