Leadership||Growth||Courage||Authenticity||Transformation begins at the end
of your comfort zone
Strike helps audiences move beyond fear and hesitation to thrive beyond their comfort zones as the best versions of themselves personally, professionally, and as leaders.
Trusted by Leaders Who Demand Results
Meet Strike
Angelina “Strike” Stephens
Callsign: Strike. Calling: Transformation.
Angelina “Strike” Stephens has spent her life beyond the comfort zone on flightlines, in boardrooms, and in life’s most demanding moments. Forged in high-stakes leadership and proven in the moments that test character and conviction, she brings courage, candor, and clarity to every stage.
With more than two decades of global military leadership, she has led organizations of thousands, advised senior executives, and delivered outcomes in environments where failure wasn’t an option. Known for driving innovation and cross-functional integration in the toughest arenas, she blends authenticity with hard-won insight to inspire audiences to rethink limits, build trust, and drive meaningful change.
What set her apart wasn’t titles or promotions, it was the moment she stripped away the armor and spoke the truth out loud. Her story is proof that the edge of the comfort zone isn’t where you break; it’s where transformation begins.
Beyond the titles, beyond the uniform, there’s a deeper story.
Every story Strike tells is rooted in something real: the inspirations that fuel her voice and the lens through which she sees the world. They show up in the people who matter most, the challenges that push her limits, and the moments that remind her what’s worth fighting for.
Each one is a proving ground, testing her perspective, stretching her capacity, and leaving a mark on how she leads and lives. Together, they are the heartbeat of her work and the reason her message resonates far beyond the stage.
Explore the inspirations that continue to define her story…
Inspirations…
Family
My biggest supporters are my husband of more than 20 years and our two kids, who remind me to find joy in the small moments and stay present for what matters most. Everything I do is to help create a better world for them, and they remind me every day what that should look like. Our “family” extends around the globe to those who earned a place in our inner circle through respect, trust, and laughter, as we find ways to support each other through life’s curveballs, left hooks, and landslides.
Adventure
I believe that life is meant to be lived to its fullest, and I find joy in seeking adventure and experiences that broaden my perspective. I have lived on wheels and on water, trekked and summited mountains off the grid across multiple continents, sailed our home across the Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season, jumped out of airplanes over 40 times (for fun, not work), and took military leave to work on an Alaskan fishing boat owned by my adventurous father-in-law, a fellow maintainer. I recently discovered mindfulness in fly fishing thanks to a veteran organization, and I look forward to casting a line in adventurous places to see what bites.
Sport
There was a time when I could launch myself over a high jump and sink 20 free throws in a row with nothing but net. Running in spikes made me feel like I could fly. My dad taught me to golf before I could tie my own shoes. I ran my first marathon at 16, and my “first date” with my husband was a 26.2-mile ruck through the desert for the 2001 Bataan Memorial Death March. I’ve always found joy in the camaraderie of competition, whether losing my voice cheering for basketball teammates from the bench or coaching kids to their first base hit in little league. I am also a lifelong baseball fanatic with a dream of becoming a 100-year-old usher at the San Francisco Giants ballpark when I grow up.
Music
I learned to play the drums at 16, finding rhythm and harmony in more garages than stages, and I can play a mean side-by-side chopsticks with my sister (we peaked before the teen years). I taught myself the ukulele (poorly) during COVID and find music to be the most powerful therapy there is. I am happiest when I’m in earshot of live music, whether played in a garage, in a candlelit jazz club, or an arena lit by flame shooters and lighters. Much of my writing is inspired by music, and I do my best work with a set of headphones blasting at full volume. I have 18 custom playlists (and counting) to guide me through life’s moments and help me tune out the noise (literal and figurative).
Epic Stories
I have always been drawn to stories that stretch the boundaries of reality, showcasing heroes and villains defined by their choices, not by binary labels of “good” or “evil.” I grew up watching the original Star Trek with my dad, convinced him to take me to see the first Batman movie seven times, and I’m a sucker for larger-than-life action movies. I’ve been most inspired by superhero universes woven together through thousands of comic books, later brought to life on screen to inspire generations to come. Sharing the contrast, depth, and interplay of these epic stories with my kids has been one of my greatest joys of parenthood.
Horses
Since I was young, I found ways to escape humans and work with horses. I’ve studied Equine Assisted Learning as a way to support adults and children impacted by PTSD. I also work with my own herd of horses (three, to be exact), who get me out of the “office” and into the elements, where I do my best thinking and reflection. Most of my speeches were blocked, staged, and rehearsed at the far end of a pasture, with flies, tumbleweeds, and barn cats for an audience.
Advocacy
No matter where life takes me, I will always be an advocate for suicide prevention, mental health, and an emphasis on psychological safety and wellbeing. I find purpose in partnership with organizations and individuals working to build cultures that empower people to step into every moment as the best version of themselves, invite collaboration and engagement in uncomfortable moments, and unlock the potential beyond the comfort zone.
Misogi
In Japanese tradition, a misogi is a challenge so difficult that the risk of failure is real, but the purpose is growth through struggle. After a traumatic injury in 2010, I was told I would never run or lift heavy again. After a decade of physical therapy, pain management and hard work, I proved them wrong when I completed my first Spartan race. I was hooked, and they’ve since become an annual tradition that gathers more friends and family every year, a reminder that we are only limited by what we believe is possible and by mustering the grit to see it through.
Serving
After 20 years of active military service culminating as an advisor to the most senior leaders in the United States Air Force, I am passionate about creating a better life for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Through volunteer and nonprofit work, I focus on creating meaningful partnerships and feedback loops to inform programs and advocacy work across the military ecosystem.
Keynotes
Talks That Change the Way You Lead
Beyond the Comfort Zone: Unleashing the Superpower of High-Performing Teams
What if fear wasn’t a stop sign, but a gateway to transformation? This keynote helps leaders and teams reframe hesitation as a launchpad for growth, fueling the innovation, psychological safety, and trust that drive real performance under pressure.
The Cost of Silence: Creating Cultures Where People and Performance Flourish
Silence doesn’t just block communication; it drains wellness, damages mental health, and fuels burnout. This keynote explores how unspoken struggles impact teams, culture, and performance, and how creating space for real conversation can restore resilience, rebuild trust, and fuel courageous leadership at every level.
Impact You Can Feel
“Grit, grace and unflinching authenticity - she had me on the edge of my seat and I bought the whole thing”
– Dawn Mahan, PMP – CEO, Bestselling Author & International Speaker
“Captivating, honest, and humbly powerful — truly transformational”
– Gina Johnson, Founder – CEO blueprint
“Strike’s keynote is a masterclass in courageous leadership. She redefines strength, transforms fear into fuel, and reminds us that the best leaders don’t wear masks, they build trust. A must-experience message for any team.”
– Tim Hebert, CEO & Founder, Atrion
“Such a powerful and necessary talk. Strike shows up with raw vulnerability to address a topic that’s too often left in the shadows. Her story is not only courageous — it’s deeply relatable, whether you’re leading teams or simply leading your own life. She is real, engaging, and profoundly inspiring. I left not just moved, but ready to take action.”
“Strike is brilliant, inspiring and evokes courage through connection.”
– Dr. Alaina King, Founder & CEO, Performance Psychotherapist
“Listening to Strike speaking from her heart informed by her impressive lived experience is exceptionally inspiring and informative. You’ll walk away a better leader and a humbler person.”
– Mark Cappellino, Founder, Principal, Executive Coach – New Knowledge Leaders
“I’ve seen many leaders speak, but few connect the way Strike does. She doesn’t deliver a speech—she delivers a truth. You feel it in your chest. Whether addressing a crowded room or briefing a team, she brings clarity, credibility, and courage. Her command presence is undeniable, but it’s her vulnerability and conviction that stop you cold. She changed the conversation on mental health in the military—not with slogans, but with substance. She doesn’t ask for culture change—she drives it. I’ve seen it. I’ve followed it. And I’d follow her again.”
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