Alexandra Stokman Brackett is the founder, CEO and head coach at Peoria Muay Thai, working to make the “Art of Eight Limbs” accessible to all genders, ages and abilities. She started the organization on a part-time basis in 2014 while working at Caterpillar, where she has served in a variety of roles for eight years. A Six Sigma Black Belt, she is currently a distribution consultant in the Building Construction Products Division, working with dealers on plans to increase revenue and growth.
Under Brackett’s direction, Peoria Muay Thai has shown annual growth of 20 to 30 percent since its inception. She has coached Muay Thai for eight years and brought a competitive team to the largest North American Muay Thai tournament four years in a row, winning four championship belts since 2013.
As a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, Brackett was involved in a number of significant overseas missions, including Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, she performs outreach to her fellow veterans through Muay Thai, providing a physical outlet to mitigate the symptoms of PTSD and serving as a host site for the local chapter of Team Red, White & Blue, a veterans’ support group. A supporter of the Illinois Task Force on Veterans’ Suicide, she is a member of the Caterpillar Armed Forces Support Network and the Women’s Initiative Network at Caterpillar, and provides seminars and mentorship for women looking to improve their wellness, nutrition and fitness.
Among a long list of honors, Brackett has received the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. After securing the women’s lightweight national title in Muay Thai, she represented the United States at the 2001 World Kickboxing Association tournament, winning the silver medal. A 2016 State of Illinois Women’s History Month Honoree, Brackett has spoken at numerous conferences on supply chain management and veterans’ affairs. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and refining paleo/primal recipes, and hiking with her family. iBi
