From Burnout to Advocacy with Lisa Musselman

Meet Lisa Musselman, a 2025 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow, military caregiver, and passionate advocate for equitable care for veterans and their families. Lisa talks about her caregiving journey supporting her husband Andy, a pre-9/11 Air Force veteran living with ALS, while raising a family and trying to stay afloat herself.

Lisa shares the emotional and physical toll of those early years—missing milestones with her children, struggling to find respite, and putting her own health last. On the brink of burnout, everything changed when skilled nursing entered the home. This support allowed her to rebuild strength through physical therapy, prioritize mental wellness with therapy, and make space for joy through family vacations and visits with friends.

What makes Lisa’s story especially powerful is how she turned adversity into a platform for advocacy. Motivated by a friend’s early encouragement that she would “become a voice” for others impacted by ALS, Lisa now champions policy and support changes for military caregivers across the country. She firmly believes that veteran care should not be determined by zip code—and she’s fighting to make that a reality.

In this inspiring episode, we cover:

1. The real cost of caregiving on health, time, and family
2. Lisa’s self-care strategies for physical and mental recovery
3. Why caregiving support can be life-changing—not just for the veteran, but for the whole family
4. How Lisa stepped into her role as a caregiver advocate
5. The urgent need for fair, accessible veteran care across the U.S.

Lisa’s story will resonate with anyone who has felt isolated or overwhelmed in their caregiving role—and it’s a powerful example of how self-care and advocacy can go hand in hand.