Bio: Laurie Williams

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Laurie Williams

Laurie Williams stumbled into her fitness career purely by accident. Having been an athlete all her life, she’d never followed an exercise regimen “just because,” but rather used it as a means to an end - specifically training for competition. In 1984 Laurie was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) while pregnant with her son Bryan. It was a complicated pregnancy, but she and her husband Michael were blessed with a healthy baby, and Laurie was released from the hospital on a 60mg a day prednisone dosage. Three short months later Laurie found herself bewildered and 40 pounds heavier. A friend who’d been attending a local health club and participating in “new” kind of exercise class invited Laurie to join her. It was an aerobic dance class, and from the minute the music was turned on, Laurie was hooked. Shortly afterwards, Laurie enrolled in an instructor training class and launched what would become a 20 year commitment to health and fitness education and training.

Laurie is a triple ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified professional as a Group Exercise Instructor, Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant and Personal Trainer and has served as a member of the Northern Virginia Community College faculty since 1996. She was one of the first instructors approved by ACE as a Master Practical Trainer and has presented numerous fitness lectures and workshops around the country.

In the fall of 2001, Laurie learned that lupus had severely damaged her kidneys and dialysis and/or transplantation was imminent. She began dialysis in April 2003 and received her kidney transplant 5 weeks later via a 20 year anniversary gift from her living-donor husband. Right away she focused her sights on the 2004 U.S. Transplant Games and is committed to assisting transplant athletes in accomplishing their goals both safely and successfully.