About me
Dr. Summer Watson, MHS, PhD is a High-Performance Coach, Dr. of Psychology with a Clinical Emphasis, Podcaster and Live Show Host, Event Producer, Author, and Military Spouse of over 21-years. She’s the Founder of KORE Women, a unique home for the hearts and souls of women, where they can Kinetically connect, Organically learn from one another, Reshape lives through diverse interaction, and Empower one another to promote change.
KORE Women strives to support women through shared wisdom, kindness, mentorship, and guidance, as well as through the use of films, podcasts, and in-person and virtual seminars to share their journeys, stories, and strategies to support each other’s success.
Together with her amazing co-host Jen Fontanilla, Summer also co-created “The Emotional Entrepreneur – The Life Love and Money Show” – a live show that provides a safe space for entrepreneurs to open up about the emotions they experience while building businesses or ventures that not only aim for financial success but also contribute positively to people’s emotional well-being.
In 2021, Summer and Jen co-produced the “GRITConn” conference, which brought together veterans, military spouses, and entrepreneurs for an experience that left raving attendees feeling connected and inspired to pursue their passions.
As a military spouse, Summer has traveled across the U.S. and lived in Okinawa, Japan, for three years alongside her husband while he served a 21 year career in the U.S. Marine Corps. She has lived the military life and created programs to support our military members as a volunteer, an employee of the government, and a contractor. Her contributions include publishing a phenomenological study, “Effects of the War in Iraq on Military Marriages,” in which she studied six factors that affect military marriages separated by war. She has facilitated communication groups, taught courses in career transition, psychology, and human services, and has served as a mentor for doctoral students and professionals.
Dr. Watson holds a bachelor’s in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s in Human Services with a Specialty in Community Counseling from National University, San Diego, and a PhD in Psychology with a clinical emphasis from Saybrook University, Pasadena, CA. She also has been certified in teaching, mediation, substance abuse education and prevention, and leadership. She has served as a High-Performance Coach to those who are C-suite level executives, entrepreneurs, writers, creatives, and those in both for-profit and non-profit settings. But it’s her huge heart, real-world experience, and commitment to lifting others up that truly sets her apart.
At her KORE, Dr. Summer Watkins is all about bringing people together to share wisdom, creativity, and expertise.
What do you do and why do you do it?
I am a community builder, mentor, coach, educator, and leader. It has always been important to me to give back to the community, serve as a community leader, and bring the community together for shared passions and purpose. From my days as a junior high school president, student rep in high school, president of my sorority, and community connector, I have always been drawn to building communities to support one another and to create a positive impact with community engagement.
One of my next goals is to run for a political office.
What changed for you after age 50?
I think having cancer at 54 made me see things with a bit more clarity about how I wanted to spend my time and how I wanted to share my time.
What would you tell the 20 or 30-year-old YOU?
Stand true to your values and give yourself time to understand the values you actually align with vs. taking on someone else’s values that may not be those that you live in alignment with. Be honest with yourself about those values.
What do you think you’ll tell yourself in retrospect at the end of your life?
You lived a full life, where you supported people in community and brought folks together to learn and grow from one another. I feel like I have done this and will continue to do it until I am gone.
What impact do you think increased visibility can have on your business?
Brand Recognition and Awareness, Trust and Credibility, Client Acquisition, Feedback and Growth
Who or what inspires you and why?
There is not just one person who inspires me; there are many. People who inspire me are those who stay the course when things get tough, ask for help when they need it, are open to new ideas, are authentic and share their stories of tenacity. In addition, people who are kind and supportive and model this same behavior when people aren’t looking are all people who inspire me.
Something else I’d like to share
I love having fun and working. I have a passion for both and have always created balance to play hard and work hard.
