About Us
La Belle Vie was founded by Alyson Watson, an accomplished business leader, athlete, and mom. Her story is one of overcoming challenges, including:
- Overcame depression and eating disorders as a young person to graduate with a B.S. and M.S. in chemical engineering from Stanford University
- Became one of a small handful of women serving as the Chair and CEO of a large national engineering firm
- Overcame lifelong asthma to compete at the highest levels of triathlon and ultra cycling
- Recovered from devastating injuries suffered in a cycling accident to set a bike course record in a half ironman event, win an ultra cycling world championship title, and complete some of the most challenging endurance feats in existence, including a three-day Ultraman triathlon and multiple 100-mile trail runs
- Left an emotionally abusive marriage as the mom of two young children, finding a true and enduring love.
Alyson’s story is one of the resiliency of the human spirit. She founded La Belle Vie to provide a vehicle to reach more women, and to share what she has learned through her own journey to help other women to navigate what she refers to as the “Reinvention Paradox” and meaningfully improve their lives. She combines experience and knowledge gained as a woman in business leadership, a world-class athlete, a devoted single mom of two, and a master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to assist other women in moving past their programming to lead their most authentic lives. Through these challenges, she has developed a deep appreciation for the unique challenges that hold women back, and it is her deepest desire to help other women live their most rewarding, purposeful lives.
Educational and Coaching Experience
Raised in a small town in New Hampshire, Alyson moved to California for college, graduating with bachelors and masters degrees in chemical engineering from Stanford University. She has served as President and CEO of two engineering firms, including one of the largest national civil engineering firms in the United States, where she also serves as Chairman of the Board. In addition, she serves on two external Boards of Directors, advising on business strategy.
Alyson holds numerous coaching certifications and credentials, including Master of NLP and Master Life Coach, in addition to certifications in spiritual life coaching, intuitive energy healing, and non-therapeutic hypnosis.
Athletic Accomplishments
An athlete in her youth, Alyson moved away from athletics after her first child was born, and became mired in work and a toxic marriage. Despite multiple attempts to regain her health and vitality, it was not until 2015, when she completed her first sprint-distance triathlon, the she found her spark again. She has since completed five full Ironman distance triathlons (including the 2021 Ironman World Championships) and numerous half Ironman distance triathlons, even setting the women’s bike course record in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells / La Quinta.
In 2021, she won the overall women’s title for the 12-hour time trial at the ultra cycling world championships. She has also completed Ultraman Florida, a three-day, 320-mile, ultra distance triathlon, finishing third overall in the women’s race. She has completed two 100-mile trail runs, one 100-km trail run, and countless other ultra distance events. While cycling remains her strength, she has found a true love in trail running due to the time spent alone in nature.
Alyson has coached multiple athletes to complete marathons, half Ironman-, and Ironman-distance triathlons.
Spiritual Development
Like many engineers and scientists, Aly spent much of her life as a non-believer. Raised Catholic, she eschewed many of the anti-female teachings espoused by the religion, and she struggled with practices that conflicted with biblical teachings. It was not until much later in life that she became convinced, through deep shadow work and integration, of a universal oneness and the existence of higher organizing principles. Today, she has completed master-level Kundalini Reiki attunements and is certified in intuitive energy healing and non-therapeutic hypnosis.