Performance Psychology Expert Based in SpokANe, Washington
Trauma-Informed Educator & Performance Psychology Practitioner
“Consistent, sustainable high-performance begins with psychological safety and emotional intelligence.” - Stephanie High, M.A.
Change for the better. Catalyst of transformation.
Meet Coach Stephanie High, M.A.
I didn’t end up at the intersection of trauma and performance because life was easy. I’m here because I’ve been through burnout, more than once.
At 18, I was working for a Fortune 50 company, chasing every milestone. On paper, I was “succeeding.” Inside, I was running on fumes. Each time I crashed, I thought pushing harder would fix it. (It didn’t.)
Eventually, I got curious about why high performers can be so capable and still break down. That led me to my PhD studies in trauma and resilience and to building a science-backed, trauma-informed approach.
Now I use all of it — the education, the experience, and the scars — to help high performers sustain their edge without losing themselves. Because performance isn’t about winning. It’s about bouncing back stronger, and knowing when it’s time to change.
Education & Training
Doctoral student in Psychology with a focus on trauma and resilience
Master’s in Performance Psychology
Over 20 years of experience in professional leadership, business development, teaching, and athletics.
Professional Memberships
Certifications
Mental Health First Aid Certified – National Council for Mental Wellbeing (2024)
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) – HRCI (2023–2025)
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) – ACE (2021–2025)
Rescue Diver (2018)
CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer (2016)
Published Work & Media
I’ve been through some shit. I’m a survivor.
What You Won’t Find on LinkedIn
Burned out — repeatedly — and thought the fix was just working harder.
Started climbing the corporate ladder at 18 and dealt with all the unwanted advances from men twice my age.
Moved abroad and had to rebuild my life from scratch without knowing the local language or culture (Japan, Mexico, Belize).
Survived the chaos of the aftermath of a natural/human-made disaster (Fukushima, Japan).
Lived as an ethnic minority my entire life, and as a racial minority for half of my adult life.
Survived multiple sexual assaults; I won't allow the stigma to hurt me. hold me back anymore.
Faced leadership burnout fighting patriarchal structures in a women-led organization that made me question everything.
Carried the weight of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and saying yes until it broke me.
And I’m still learning what it means to live with CPTSD.
Core Values
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Emotional Safety First
Growth starts where trust exists.
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Science-Driven Strategies
Research, real results, no guesswork.
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Self-Awareness as Foundation
You can’t change what you don’t understand.
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Adaptability & Mental Agility
The strongest minds adjust, not resist.
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Integrity & Authenticity
Sustainable success starts with alignment.
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Continuous Growth
Small, intentional steps lead to big change.
