ABOUT

laurie a. watkins

Laurie A. Watkins is an accomplished speaker, coach, and creator of the program, Ready | Set | Strong. For more than 17 years, Laurie has developed strategies to bring people together around common causes. Laurie helps individuals and organizations maximize energy and improve their wellbeing in the face of ever-increasing pressure and rapid change. Her coaching and expertise have been proven to fuel higher performance and inspire purposeful living.

She has held senior positions in government and the private sector, including her role as Barack Obama’s Florida Deputy Political Director in 2008, and was appointed as Senior Advisor to two Assistant Secretaries of the Army in his administration. In 2012, Laurie was recruited from her post at the Pentagon to support President Obama’s re-election campaign as his Florida Policy Director.

Laurie is a veteran of several congressional, gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, is an active partner of the Truman National Security Project, and member of California Women Lead and Women in Aerospace. She is a recognized expert in wellness, food security, disaster response, national security, and expanding education and opportunities for young women and girls.

Always a lover of the mountains and the ocean, Laurie decided it was high time to say “see you again soon” to the city streets of Washington, DC and head out west to Northern California. She is the author of the award-winning book, Go from Stressed to Strong: Health & Fitness Advice from High Achievers and a past guest lecturer at the United States Military Academy, West Point. Laurie holds a BS from Florida State University and a MPA from Florida Atlantic University.

When Laurie’s not speaking from the stage or coaching clients in business, you can find her coaching athletes in the gym as a CF-L1 CrossFit instructor or practicing hot yoga. When she’s not in the gym, you can find her hiking or skiing in the Sierra mountains, exploring the California coast, or volunteering with José Andrés’ non-profit, World Central Kitchen, feeding those in need.