Team
The people behind
Awakenings Online
Bringing together experience, compassion, science, and a deeply human approach to transformation.
Laura Karch-Gries
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.
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.
“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
Dr. Adam Gries
With a career spanning 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 and founder of Awakenings Health in Raleigh, NC.
A licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medical doctor, Adam is a compassionate guide in the pursuit of physical and spiritual harmony.
His commitment to comprehensive care has led him to pioneer fitness and wellness programs for those with neurological disorders.
He brings to his practice experience from 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 the 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.
Through 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 the children’s book I CHOOSE YOU, he extends his commitment to wellness to all ages, inspiring growth and self-awareness at every life stage.
For those seeking lasting transformation in their health and well-being, Adam offers not only care for the body, but nourishment for the soul.