From Doctor to Model: A Unique Journey Dr. Elise Brisco’s career path is nothing short of extraordinary. Beginning as an Integrative Optometrist and Clinical Homeopath, she dedicated over 30 years to improving patients’ quality of life. Her mission to help people heal naturally through lifestyle changes, healthy eating, exercise, and mindfulness became the cornerstone of her practice. Her passion for holistic health led her to co-found the rehabilitative vision clinic at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and serve as the team optometrist for the Anaheim Ducks for five seasons.
Her work earned her accolades, including two patents for a design that enables people to use mobile phones without reading glasses. She also formulated homeopathic medications and ran a multi-disciplinary wellness practice that brought together experts in preventive cardiology, osteopathy, OB/GYN, plastic surgery, Chinese medicine, and more.
But it was her coronation as Ms. Woman California United States that changed everything. The title brought modeling opportunities and fan mail from around the world. People of all ages, especially middle-aged individuals, shared how inspired they were by her story. Realizing she could impact more lives through modeling than in the exam room, Dr. Brisco embraced the challenge of being both a doctor and a model, bridging the worlds of health, beauty, and fashion.
A Mission-Driven Career For Dr. Brisco, modeling is an extension of her work as a doctor. Her goal is to shift perspectives on aging, showing that beauty evolves with time and that self-care plays a vital role in the process. She’s at the forefront of the pro-aging movement, breaking stereotypes that have long marginalized women as they age. By being a midlife influencer, she’s challenging the notion that beauty is limited to youth.
“I’m here to tell you that you can be both beautiful and smart as a woman,” she says, highlighting how she’s working to dispel the misconception that beauty and intelligence are mutually exclusive. Her role as a model allows her to become a role model for women everywhere, particularly those who believe their prime is behind them.
Bridging the Gap in Representation Dr. Brisco is a maverick in the modeling industry, which has traditionally favored youth, height, and extreme thinness. She’s part of a growing movement advocating for the representation of diverse body types, ages, and ethnicities on the runway and in media. Her voice is crucial in an industry that’s slowly recognizing that its customers want to see models who reflect their reality.
“The average woman in the U.S. is 5’3”, size 16, and 40 years old,” she points out, questioning why designers choose models who don’t reflect their customer base. By walking in Miami and Las Vegas Swim Week—events that once excluded older models—Dr. Brisco is making history. She’s following in the footsteps of other mature models who have paved the way for age inclusivity.
Choosing Passion Projects When it comes to her projects, Dr. Brisco is selective. She collaborates with designers, photographers, and brands that align with her values. She’s drawn to causes that benefit communities, artists whose work conveys a meaningful message, and brands committed to the well-being of their customers and the environment. “I believe in the spirit of ‘Love thy neighbor’,” she explains, “If we all live by this, there will be more harmony and less grief in the world.”
Her dedication to doing the right thing fuels her work as a model and a doctor. By partnering with fashion designers and wellness brands, she’s able to merge the worlds of health, art, and fashion in powerful ways.
Defining Success and Milestones For Dr. Brisco, success is defined by health, happiness, and peace of mind—not just for herself, but for her family and friends. Her proudest achievement is her transition from doctor to model. After reaching the top of her field in optometry, she started over as a newcomer in the modeling industry. This shift was anything but easy. She faced the challenge of being judged on her looks after years of being valued for her intellect.
Her hard work paid off. She trained with renowned model Coco Rocha, attended weekly modeling lessons, and studied how to be a more effective brand ambassador. Her message about healthy living and embracing aging has been embraced by many, and she’s proud to have become a cover girl featured in prominent magazines.
Future Projects and Vision Dr. Brisco’s journey is far from over. Her future includes creating artful modeling campaigns and statement photoshoots promoting diversity and acceptance. One of her boldest moves was participating in her first nude photoshoot—a statement of female empowerment that was later published in multiple magazines.
Her message to others is clear: Celebrate aging. Each birthday is a gift. She’s grateful to be part of a movement that’s redefining beauty standards. Her story, shared by platforms like Harper’s Bazaar USA, is inspiring people of all ages to live life to the fullest and take pride in every stage of their journey.
Final Thoughts Dr. Elise Brisco’s career is a testament to the power of reinvention. From doctor to model, she’s shown that it’s never too late to pursue a new passion. By bridging health, beauty, and fashion, she’s not just redefining aging—she’s rewriting the rules of what’s possible for women at every stage of life.
Credits:
Photographer Keith Ayers @akaportraits619
Designer all styles except for the last one: Fraud Collection @fraudcollectionfd
Last design (black bralette and skirt on rocks): @thenaughtygirlshop
Follow Dr, Elise Brisco on Instagram: @hollywoodeyes