Stop "firefighting," and start "fireproofing" your life.

Life can be fast-paced. All too often, we get swept up in a tidal wave of to-do's. We're so busy tending to the latest crisis that we never slow down enough to rethink our ways of working, or to cultivate the foundational awareness and skills necessary for success. 

With coaching, you have an opportunity to change that. 

I can help you live more intentionally, and work with – rather than against – the way you're wired. We can transform stress into curiosity: Together we'll explore what's working and what's not, and find ways to shift from overwhelm to ease and flow.

By harnessing your strengths and your preferred ways of working, we'll help you scaffold your path forward. And the processes and systems we co-create will radiate outward into other aspects of your life: We'll ensure you’re set up for success with your career, relationships, health/wellness and personal passions, and find ways you can live a more resonant and fulfilling life.


“We can do hard things. We just don’t have to do them in the hardest way possible. And we definitely don’t have to do them alone.”
— Eric Tivers

Meet Laura.

Hi! I'm Laura Reid. Growing up in California's Silicon Valley and working in high tech has instilled in me how to move quickly, but moving to the Santa Cruz Mountains surrounded by nature has helped me embrace the beauty of slowing down. 

During my time at Stanford University, I earned a BA in Psychology and an MA in Sociology, giving me the chance to study what makes people tick both from the inside out and through the lens of group dynamics. My subsequent work in the education and corporate sectors focused on building relationships: with donors, with alumni, with employees and with networks of like-minded peers across the globe. I am a Certified MentorCoach®, and I earned my ACC with the International Coaching Federation in 2022. I am also currently working toward certification with the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC).

I see coaching as an opportunity to form deep connections with people seeking to make changes in their lives. I'm fascinated by stories: not just our history or our aspirations for the future, but the stories we tell ourselves every day (consciously or unconsciously), and how they shape our engagement with life. For me, coaching goes beyond just equipping people with new skills and tools. Perhaps more importantly, it gives people the chance to pivot their perspective, and to start using a new narrative as they embark on their next adventures.

“People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.”
— Simon Sinek

Get started today.

Coaching

We all struggle with executive functions, or the skills that bridge the gap between knowing what to do, and actually executing on that knowledge. We'll untangle the web of interconnected factors preventing progress, and explore how we can leverage your mental toolkit to get unstuck. We'll also get specific about how you can adopt a test-and-learn approach to experiment with different strategies for structuring your path forward.

My approach synthesizes strengths-based coaching with positive psychology, and focuses on cultivating awareness. 1:1 sessions are typically 50 minutes, and are your time to get curious about both where you want to go and what's holding you back. I'll help you identify whether a challenge is an issue of not knowing what to do, or the lack of tools or emotional resources necessary to take action. We can collaborate on new patterns of thinking, doing and relating, and chart a path forward which aligns with your goals – all within the context of how you're wired and poised to thrive.   

“Dreams and reality are opposites. Action synthesizes them.”
— Assata Shakur

  • "Laura provides such a safe, empathetic space, and acts as a sounding board when I need it the most. She has a knack for asking the right questions to cut through the noise and expand my line of thinking when I'm feeling stuck or insecure. Through our sessions, I consistently gain clarity and feel at peace with my forward momentum. Laura has a unique ability to make me feel heard and valued, and her insightful guidance and practical strategies have empowered me to navigate life with more confidence."

    — Amber

  • "Laura is authentic, caring, and easy to talk to. She really hears and understands what I say and—more importantly—tunes into what is not being said. Every session she asks questions that help me focus my thoughts or think in a new, creative way that brings insights and answers. She is fun to work with and very resourceful, offering a variety of tools that felt made especially for me. Every session I leave with clarity on what to do next, and a belief that I can do it!"

    — Lianne

  • "Laura is an intuitive, thoughtful and compassionate coach. She listens and hears things in what I say that I didn't necessarily notice. Her approach is reflective and insightful, and reminds me of a heart with ears. Now I find myself feeling more instead of simply thinking. I appreciate her thought-provoking questions, and how she is able to help dig deep fairly quickly with her easy-going nature. Her gentle demeanor creates a safe place for me, and helps me see myself more clearly."

    — Lindsey

  • "Working with Laura, I have overcome issues with negative self-talk and self-doubt. She is empathetic, wise, articulate, and brings engaging activities and exercises into the coaching experience which I haven’t found anywhere else. She asks questions that help me see things in new ways, and she helps me leverage my strengths (and navigate my weaknesses) to achieve my goals. She also has a brilliant sense of humor that makes me look forward to every coaching session."

    — Elyse

Let's Get Started!

If you're interested in learning more about coaching, I'd love to hear from you. We can schedule a complimentary 30-minute introductory session to:

  • Get to know each other, and see if I'm the right coach for you.

  • Review your current challenges and expectations for coaching.

  • Explore how we might partner to bring your goals to life.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
— Chinese Proverb