Meet Laura Mak Quist, Ms

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Mak Quist, Ms a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura Mak, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

In today’s world, resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have trait—it’s a necessity. Women face an array of challenges, from balancing family and work to overcoming personal and professional obstacles. My life has given me many opportunities to develop resilience. My experience as a competitive gymnast where I earned a full ride athletic scholarship for gymnastics at Michigan State University, was just the beginning of where my resilient foundation was developed.

This foundation of resiliency continued to be strengthen as I became an IFBB Fitness Pro and quickly moved into the top ten ranks in the world. Because of these two strong athletic chapters in my life, I was able to set meaningful goals and cultivate a wisely fierce mindset—a blend of wisdom, courage, and tenacity. Resilience became a light and a hope as we navigated a five year quest to grow our family. With many roadblocks like multiple rounds of IVF, late term pregnancy loss, and the development of Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own thyroid. I was able to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and determination because of my resilience.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Laura Mak Quist, MS, is a true embodiment of wisely fierce empowerment! With over three decades in the fitness industry, including her career as an IFBB Fitness Pro athlete and being featured on over 20 magazine covers, Laura Mak exudes strength, resilience, and boundless energy in everything she does. She is a champion of women’s wellness, inspiring others to transform their lives with purpose, grace, and courage.

As the founder of TheYogaFitLife.com, an online yoga and strength studio, Laura has created a welcoming space where women over 40 can reconnect with their bodies, improve their health, and prioritize mindful living. Her platform is dedicated to empowering women to embrace whole-body wellness through yoga, strength training, and intentional self-care—all designed to help women thrive at every stage of life.

But what makes Laura’s journey truly special is her willingness to evolve and adapt. She emphasizes that as women, our lives and businesses are constantly unfolding in ways we could never imagine when we first start. “When you stay open to change and trust your intuition,” Laura shares, “you can make smart decisions that align with your vision, even when challenges arise.” Her story of overcoming Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease is a testament to her resilience, demonstrating how setbacks can lead to remarkable transformations when met with determination and positivity.

Laura is also a #1 bestselling author with the book “Become Empowered,” where she shares her deeply personal Hashimoto’s journey and how she overcame its challenges to create a life of vitality and strength. Through her story, she offers readers practical tools and inspiration to conquer obstacles and embrace their own path to empowerment.

This spring, Laura will be taking her passion for wellness across the globe. In April, she will be teaching yoga for a week in the breathtaking Maldives, creating a transformative experience for attendees amidst turquoise waters and serene beaches. Following that, in May, she will be hosting along with two other wonderful teachers, a Yoga, Breath, and Sound Bath Workshop, blending movement, mindfulness, and healing vibrations to help participants release stress, recharge, and connect deeply with themselves. These events reflect Laura’s commitment to providing unique and meaningful opportunities for women to prioritize their health and well-being.

Professionally, Laura is more than a fitness entrepreneur. She is a storyteller, teacher, and guide who uplifts others through her speaking engagements, retreats, and writing. From hosting intimate wellness retreats in breathtaking locations to delivering keynote speeches at dynamic women’s conferences, she connects with her audience on a deeply personal level.

Laura also believes in giving back to her community and is committed to making a difference. She is currently serving her second term on the Leadership Team for 4Word Women Seattle and was a founding Board Member of the Eastside Action Rotary Club. Through these roles, she continues to advocate for leadership, service, and connection in all areas of life.

Whether she’s guiding women to live well through yoga and mindfulness, sharing strategies for personal growth, or inspiring others to unleash their full potential, Laura Mak is on a mission to help women live boldly, evolve fearlessly, and create a life that reflects their truest selves.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most impactful qualities on my journey have been: trusting my intuition on when to forge ahead and when to pivot, staying confident in making decisions, and taking action once I’ve made those decisions.

Trusting my intuition has been a guiding force, especially when navigating the unexpected twists and turns of both life and business. Early on, I learned that intuition is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. My advice for anyone starting out is to carve out quiet moments to reflect and really listen to your inner voice. Journaling, meditation, or simply sitting in stillness can help you tune into that deeper wisdom. Trust that your intuition often knows what your logic hasn’t pieced together yet.

Staying confident in making decisions has also been critical. Confidence doesn’t mean I’ve never doubted myself—it means I’ve learned to trust that, even if I stumble, I’ll figure out how to adapt and grow. To build decision-making confidence, start small: practice making everyday choices quickly and deliberately. Over time, you’ll develop the inner certainty needed for bigger decisions. Also, surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you. Their encouragement can remind you of your strength when self-doubt creeps in.

Finally, taking action is where the magic happens. A decision without action is just a wish. I’ve learned that momentum builds through movement, even if the steps are imperfect. For those just starting, my advice is to embrace progress over perfection. Commit to taking one small action each day toward your goals, no matter how minor it seems. The courage to act will set you apart and propel you forward.

These three qualities—intuition, confidence, and action—create a powerful cycle. Trust yourself, decide boldly, and take that leap. Even when the path isn’t clear, you’ll learn and grow with every step.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am passionate about collaborating with other women who are creating meaningful spaces for growth, inspiration, and empowerment. I’m especially looking to connect with organizations, event planners, and leaders who are seeking a dynamic keynote speaker for conferences, women’s events, and masterclasses. Whether the focus is on personal growth, wellness, business resilience, or mindful living, I bring energy, relatability, and actionable insights to every stage.

I love working with groups that value authentic storytelling and transformative learning experiences. My goal is to inspire women to embrace their strength, tap into their intuition, and boldly pursue their passions in business, wellness, and life. Whether it’s a room of entrepreneurs, a gathering of wellness seekers, or a team of driven professionals, I thrive in environments where collaboration and empowerment are at the forefront.

For those interested in collaborating, I’m always open to brainstorming creative ways to make an event impactful and memorable. You can find me on my website, LauraMakFitLife.com, or connect with me on Instagram @LauraMakFitLife. Let’s create something extraordinary together that leaves women feeling wiser, stronger, and more inspired to take on their world!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

James Patrick Photography – the Pink and Leopard, silver snakeskin, and the floral fitness photos
JMORENO PR, Jose Moreno, The bright Pink and Navy tights, and seated with the hat
Alena Lauren – dress, light pink, and side shot

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