Team
Laura Karch-Gries
RYT, HHP
Transformational Wellness Coach • Founder of Awakenings Online • Speaker • Podcast Host
Laura Karch-Gries is the embodiment of resilience, radiance, and the relentless pursuit of wholeness. After surviving a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the neck down, she spent three decades rebuilding not only her body — but her mind, heart, and spirit.
Her journey from paralysis to power became the foundation for a body of work that now helps women across the world reconnect to their vitality, confidence, and joy. Through her company Awakenings Online, Laura blends science and soul, drawing from her background in exercise physiology, biomechanics, yoga therapy, holistic health, and life coaching to create a deeply integrative approach to transformation.
A former fitness entrepreneur and founder of Awakenings Health Institute, Laura has guided thousands through neurological recovery, chronic illness, and emotional renewal. Today, her focus has expanded to the heart of womanhood — helping women in midlife release burnout, rediscover their energy, and fall in love with life again.
Laura’s coaching invites her clients to awaken to their true selves — to find stillness where there was stress, laughter where there was fatigue, and freedom where there was fear. Her work bridges ancient traditions and modern science, weaving together Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, nutrition, somatic awareness, and emotional intelligence into a grounded and life-changing experience.
She is also the host of the podcast Magic Seeds, where she guides listeners through the art of navigating emotions and seasons of change, and the creator of the upcoming Awakenings App, an advanced transformational wellness platform for conscious living.
When not coaching, Laura can be found hiking, running, cycling, doing yoga, swimming with her three daughters, or simply living the radiant vitality she teaches others to reclaim. Her clients describe her as “a mirror of hope and possibility” — a guide who meets you where you are and reminds you that happiness isn’t something to chase, but something to awaken.
Dr. Adam Gries
DACM, L.Ac.
Dr. Adam Gries is a visionary in the field of holistic wellness, renowned for his innovative integration of traditional Chinese medicine with cutting-edge life coaching techniques. With a career that spans over two and a half decades, he has impacted countless lives through his roles as director of Chinese Medicine at San Diego’s Awakenings Health Institute, founder of Awakenings Health in Raleigh, NC, and through various platforms, including a popular podcast launched in 2022.
A licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medical doctor, Adam is a compassionate guide in the pursuit of physical and spiritual harmony. His commitment to providing comprehensive care has led him to pioneer fitness and wellness programs for those with neurological disorders. He brings to his practice a wealth of experience, having worked in both public and private healthcare settings, including a specialized role at Kaiser Permanente where he investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture in hospital treatment protocols.
Adam’s dedication to understanding the interplay of mind, body, and spirit has been shaped by a holistic approach he adopted from the early influence of his family and his personal athletic journey. His unique blend of psychological insights and Eastern medical training empowers individuals to overcome challenges and attain their full potential.
Beyond his professional accolades, Adam is a devoted advocate of a balanced lifestyle, incorporating yoga, meditation, and physical activity into his routine. A father who cherishes family time and a lover of the outdoors, he embodies the principles of holistic living that he imparts to his clients.
By launching his podcast, Dr. Gries extends his reach to a wider audience, sharing wisdom and practices that have the power to transform lives. As an accomplished author of a children’s book, I CHOOSE YOU he extends his commitment to wellness to all ages, inspiring growth and self-awareness at any life stage.
For those seeking lasting transformations in their health and well-being, Dr. Adam Gries is a beacon of holistic care, offering not just treatment for the body, but also nourishment for the soul.