Dr. Christina Heilman, PhD, ATC, CSCS
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Dr. Chris is a coach, speaker, author, and athlete who empowers athletes to go beyond what they think they are capable to achieve peak levels of physical, mental, and lifestyle performance. From her own experiences as a skier, climber, and endurance runner, Chris understands the mental game. She knows what it feels like to endure pressure, fear, frustration, self-doubt and all the other underlying factors that go into maximizing your potential. That’s why Chris's nearly 20 years of experience has helped hundreds of weekend warriors, youth sport participants, recreational, collegiate, and elite athletes skyrocket both performance and personal excellence. She believes that the skills that help someone be the best they can be in sports are the same ones that will help them in other parts of their life.
Chris's dedication and work ethic is among the best. She paid for every dime of her education, which earned her a PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a double board-certification as an Athletic Trainer (ATC) and a Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS). After being an athletic trainer to collegiate and Olympic athletes, Chris quit her career to pursue her passion for adventuring in the outdoors. Eleven days into this exploration, she lost all of her belongings in a forest fire -except the clothes on her back, camping gear, climbing shoes, and her car. Despite adversity, she preserved to climb and work as an outdoor educator in Joshua Tree, ski patrol at Grand Targhee, backpack guide for NOLS & other organizers in the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Tetons, and played to her hearts desire. After a fruitful year of exploring, she went to the University of Utah to dive into sport psychology. Switching careers from athletic training to sport psychology made Chris want to poke out her eye balls. But she stuck with it because of her deep curiosity in understanding the mind and habits to skyrocket ones life. In 2012, her dedication and passion for sport psychology paid off. The Association of Applied Sport Psychology awarded her the Dissertation of the Year Award for her pioneering research in the areas of motivation, caring, achievement, and positive youth development through sport. For the professional blurb, Chris has an extensive history of professional activity including conference presentations, publications in peer-reviewed journals and 10 years of university teaching in sports psychology and athletic training (see CV). Most of all, Chris is excited to announce her newly published sport psychology book, Elevate Your Excellence: The Mindset and Methods that Make Champions (October, 2017). This book is the culmination of her years of education, experience, and passion of mental excellence. The book is meant to help athletes, coaches, and other sport professionals demystify the mental game and learn the art and science of how to use your mind to strategically boost performance, health, and enjoyment in sports and life. In sum, it’s really Chris’s diverse experiences, academic degrees and achievements in both the mind and body, and having the courage to face her fears every single day that sets her apart from other mental strength coaches. Chris's unique background gives her consulting practice depth that makes working with her enjoyable and beneficial. Contact Chris today for a free 20-minute consultation to discover how you can develop a better mindset as well as see if you might be a good fit to work with her. Don’t worry Chris is not going to sell you anything...that just feels icky. She trusts that during the conversation you'll know if her work is a good fit for you...but you'll never know if you don't reach out. Contact Chris Today! Chris lives in Driggs, Idaho with her husband, son and her passion for powder skiing. |
Dr. Christina Heilman has been awarded the 2012 Dissertation of the Year Award by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), an international professional organization that promotes the field of sport, exercise, and health psychology.
Elevate Your Excellence is a peer-reviewed text with current science, expert advice, and actionable steps to skyrocket sports performance and health.
Whether you are an undergraduate student, coach, athlete, parent, or are just struggling to set and achieve meaningful goals, this text is an awesome resource that will have you looking inward and forward. -- Abigail Larson Ph. D., R.D., and 2006 Winter Olympian Member of:
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Education
PhD University of Utah (UofU), 2011
- Sport & Exercise Psychology
- Experiential Education
- Exercise Science
- Board-Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- Athletic Training
- Board-Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Awards
School District Grant: Fun Girl Fitness, Teton Valley #401d, 2013
Community Enhancement Grant: Biofeedback, Silverstar Communications, 2013
Dissertation Award: A Mixed Methods Approach for Positive Youth Development in Alpine Ski Racing, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, 2012
Outstanding Graduate Student in Sport Psychology, UofU, 2011
Outstanding Service to the Department, UofU, 2010
College of Health Research and Creative Grant, UofU, 2009
Outstanding Athletic Training Student, SDSU, 2000
Community Enhancement Grant: Biofeedback, Silverstar Communications, 2013
Dissertation Award: A Mixed Methods Approach for Positive Youth Development in Alpine Ski Racing, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, 2012
Outstanding Graduate Student in Sport Psychology, UofU, 2011
Outstanding Service to the Department, UofU, 2010
College of Health Research and Creative Grant, UofU, 2009
Outstanding Athletic Training Student, SDSU, 2000
Publications
Heilman, C., (2017, October).
Elevate Your Excellence: The Mindset and Methods of Champions. Momentum Press: San Fransisco, CA.
Vuckovich, M., Schoorman, R., Heilman, C., Kacob, P., & Benowitz, N. (2005).
Caffience herbal/ephedra combination increases resting energy expenditure, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 32, 47-53.
Starkey, C. & Johnson, G. (2005).
Athletic Training & Sports Medicine 4thed. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Jones and Bartlett Publishers: Sudbury, MA.
Textbook Editor:
Chapter 19: Face and Related Structure Pathologies
Textbook Reviewer:
Chapter 2: Soft Tissue Injury Management
Chapter 17: Additional Spine and Torso Therapeutic Exercise
Elevate Your Excellence: The Mindset and Methods of Champions. Momentum Press: San Fransisco, CA.
Vuckovich, M., Schoorman, R., Heilman, C., Kacob, P., & Benowitz, N. (2005).
Caffience herbal/ephedra combination increases resting energy expenditure, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 32, 47-53.
Starkey, C. & Johnson, G. (2005).
Athletic Training & Sports Medicine 4thed. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Jones and Bartlett Publishers: Sudbury, MA.
Textbook Editor:
Chapter 19: Face and Related Structure Pathologies
Textbook Reviewer:
Chapter 2: Soft Tissue Injury Management
Chapter 17: Additional Spine and Torso Therapeutic Exercise
Presentations
Sport Psychology Work with Athlete/Team
- USSA Youth Ski, Snowboard & Nordic Racers, Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Beaver & Teton Valley Ski Education Foundations, 2009-Present
- Quiet the Critic. Feed the Champion. Huntsman Springs Golfers, 2018
- Coaching Education Workshop, Youth Ski, Snowboard & Nordic Coaches, 2017
- Black Diamond Equipment Professional Rockclimbers Bootcamp, 2015
- Taking Your Golf Game From the Range to the Course, Huntsman Springs Golfers, 2015
- Brain-Body Golf Performance: Merging Physical Conditioning with Mental Training, Huntsman Springs Golfers, 2015
- Sport Psychology 101, Teton Springs Golfers, Swimmers & Tennis Players, 2014
- A.C.E. Your Performance, Jackson Hockey Team, 2013
- Performance Psychology: Anxiety, Focus & Teambuilding, Jackson Hole Mountain Supervisors & Ski & Snowboard Instructors, 2012
- Coaching Education Team Building Workshop, Snowbird Ski, Snowboard & Nordic Coaches, 2010
- Living Beyond 120 Podcast, Mindset Over Matter, 2018
- TrainingBeta Podcast, The Mental Game of Climbing Performance, 2018
- TrailManners Podcast, Psychology of Recovery/Injury, 2017
- TrainingBeta Podcast, How to Stay Calm Climbing, 2016
- Mental Tools for Injured Athletes, Big Sky Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Conference, 2015
- Optimize Motivation, Anxiety & Imagery, Eastern Idaho Technical College, 2012-2014
- Motivational Climate Impacts High School Athletes, Association of Applied Sport Psychology, 2013
- Youth Development in Ski Racers, Association of Applied Sport Psychology, 2012
- Goal Setting in Sports, Salt Lake City Community Workshop, 2009
- Caring About Character and Positive Youth Development in Physical Education, Park City School District, 2008
- Sports Build Character, The Utah Office of Education, 2008
- Athlete Awareness: Eating Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Athletic Symposium, 2002-2006
- Female Athlete Triad, Wisconsin Strength and Conditioning Symposium, 2004
- Live Well: Group physical and mental exercise program to optimize wellness, Dreamchasers, 2012-Present
- Understanding Learning: Motor Behavior 101, University of Utah Yoga Teacher Training, 2009
- Goal Setting in Exercise, Salt Lake City Community Workshop, 2009
Interview
Chris is in the Hot Seat…or she’s being cheesy and interviewing herself.
Chris, I am curious what are you interested in?
You might think I have a swivel on my head after you see my interests. But, I love to learn and grow so I choose to participate in a variety of interests. I enjoy...
skiing: alpine, telemark, backcountry, and classic cross country;
biking: road and sometimes mountain;
rockclimbing: sport, trad, and bouldering;
triatholons: sprint - half ironman,
running: 5K - marathon
hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, swimming, yoga, outdoor music festivals, dancing, volunteering in the community, sitting in nature, gardening, cooking, reading, sleeping, eating, building a tiny home, listening to subtleties, green smoothies, visiting family, organic food and farming, inviting friends for dinner, mother natures thrills and wonders, and learning about other peoples stories. That pretty much sums it up.
What do the letters behind your name stand for?
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Mental training to have the confidence to reach one’s full potential and perform on a consistent basis.
ATC: Certified Athletic Trainer
Evaluate and rehabilitate athletic injuries
CSCS: Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Personal training for athletes and exercisers
What type of music do you like?
Mainly acoustic (Jack Johnson, My Morning Jacket, Tom Petty). I also enjoy anything that has a good rhythm that inspires me to dance.
What are your favorite books?
Textbooks? I don’t know if these are my favorite, but I spent the last 15 years of my life reading textbooks and researching articles…which means I have not had much time for reading other books. My favorite genre of books are based on real life situations..biographies, memoirs, history, etc.
What do you watch on TV?
I like to read and play outside so I don’t really watch TV. If I am in front of the screen, then you'll catch me switching between sports and learning channels.
What’s your favorite movie?
Super Troopers…it cracks me up every time! I also really enjoy documentaries.
What did you do in your past life?
...certified athletic trainer, a certified strength coach/personal trainer, group fitness instructor, ski patrol, backpacking guide, shoe salesman, grocery clerk, ground maintenance worker, construction stop sign holder, dishwasher, bus-girl, food-vender, and play set designer.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I think I’m most famous for my extremely small feet. Womens size 5, kids size 3. Will a ski boot company please make me a ski boot that fits my feet….PLEASE!
Also, my nickname is Bubbles. A fellow ski patrol gave me this nickname because of my upbeat, positive attitude. It's funny because some people in my community only call me Bubbles and don't even know my real name.
Chris, I am curious what are you interested in?
You might think I have a swivel on my head after you see my interests. But, I love to learn and grow so I choose to participate in a variety of interests. I enjoy...
skiing: alpine, telemark, backcountry, and classic cross country;
biking: road and sometimes mountain;
rockclimbing: sport, trad, and bouldering;
triatholons: sprint - half ironman,
running: 5K - marathon
hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, swimming, yoga, outdoor music festivals, dancing, volunteering in the community, sitting in nature, gardening, cooking, reading, sleeping, eating, building a tiny home, listening to subtleties, green smoothies, visiting family, organic food and farming, inviting friends for dinner, mother natures thrills and wonders, and learning about other peoples stories. That pretty much sums it up.
What do the letters behind your name stand for?
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Mental training to have the confidence to reach one’s full potential and perform on a consistent basis.
ATC: Certified Athletic Trainer
Evaluate and rehabilitate athletic injuries
CSCS: Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Personal training for athletes and exercisers
What type of music do you like?
Mainly acoustic (Jack Johnson, My Morning Jacket, Tom Petty). I also enjoy anything that has a good rhythm that inspires me to dance.
What are your favorite books?
Textbooks? I don’t know if these are my favorite, but I spent the last 15 years of my life reading textbooks and researching articles…which means I have not had much time for reading other books. My favorite genre of books are based on real life situations..biographies, memoirs, history, etc.
What do you watch on TV?
I like to read and play outside so I don’t really watch TV. If I am in front of the screen, then you'll catch me switching between sports and learning channels.
What’s your favorite movie?
Super Troopers…it cracks me up every time! I also really enjoy documentaries.
What did you do in your past life?
...certified athletic trainer, a certified strength coach/personal trainer, group fitness instructor, ski patrol, backpacking guide, shoe salesman, grocery clerk, ground maintenance worker, construction stop sign holder, dishwasher, bus-girl, food-vender, and play set designer.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I think I’m most famous for my extremely small feet. Womens size 5, kids size 3. Will a ski boot company please make me a ski boot that fits my feet….PLEASE!
Also, my nickname is Bubbles. A fellow ski patrol gave me this nickname because of my upbeat, positive attitude. It's funny because some people in my community only call me Bubbles and don't even know my real name.
What Clients Say...
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"My experience working with Chris was excellent. It was a comfortable environment to dive into old emotional traumas and relationship patterns where I was given the tools to work towards healthy tendencies that will serve me moving forward in my personal life and my professional skiing career. Thank You!"
-Caite Zeliff, 26 y.o. Professional Big Mountain Skier |
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"Before the members of our executive team had corporate team building sessions with Chris, we were all just pulling weeds (negative-perspective). But now? It's all about planting seeds. That's because Chris taught us the power of positive thinking, which helped us understand why we can always achieve more than what we can't."
-Burt Rosen, EVP, Chief Client Partnership Officer at Ansira (Corporate) |
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"Chris's support and advice has been invaluable to me. The guidance she had given has helped improve not only my attitude and approach toward climbing, but achievement and outlook on life in general. This has resulted in noticeable improvements in my level of my happiness and motivation overall."
-McKenna Hogan, 15 y.o. Competitive Climber & Student |
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"Christina is an engaging speaker, obviously knowledgeable about mental skills training, and responsive to comments and questions. There is no doubt that participants walked away with tools they can use for the rest of their lives. Given her repertoire of workshops and training packages, it's a sure bet that Teton Valley Health Care will invite Christina to further assist our employees and clients."
-Ann Loyola, Director of Public Relations & Marketing at Teton Valley Health Care (Non-profit) |
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“I would describe Chris as a very friendly and upbeat person who has a very knowledgeable and helpful outlook on the mental aspects of competing. My participation in this program is one of the best things I’ve decided to do. If it weren’t for the great advice and useful tools Chris offered me there is a good chance I would have quit the sport. Chris helped me uncover something I lost on my way to improving; my love for skiing! Thank you so so very much for everything it truly means everything to me. It was very nice working with you."
–Nicole D. 15 y.o. Alpine Ski Racer & 45th GS Eastern Championship Finish |
Master Your Mindset with expert advice from Dr. Chris.
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Athletes have GRIT and are experts at grinding. But how can athletes achieve greatness with ease and enjoyment? How can we balance winning with well-being. If you're interested in learning how to win the mental game and skyrocket your success, I'd love to hear from you. CLICK HERE to send me an email.