Truama-informed 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 it.
At 18, I stepped into a Fortune 50 company’s corporate culture, chasing every milestone, climbing every ladder. On paper, I was “succeeding.” Inside, I was training how to run on fumes.
Each time I crashed, I thought pushing harder would fix it. (Surprise, surprise, it didn’t.)
Eventually, I crashed so hard that I finally had enough. I got curious about why high performers can be so capable and still break down. This transition began with a master's in performance psychology and current studies, progressed to a PhD in trauma and resilience..
Now I use all of it — the academics, the experiences, and the scars — to help ambitious people sustain their edge without losing themselves. Because performance isn’t about winning. It’s about resilience.
My Approach to this Deep Work
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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.
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. (The hamster wheel of approval.)
Started climbing the corporate ladder at 18. Dealing with unwanted advances from men twice my age. (Was taught “that’s just normal” in corporate life.)
Moved internationally and had to rebuild my life from scratch without knowing the local languages or cultures. (Japan, Mexico, Belize)
Survived 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. (And understand the privileges of “passing”)
Survived multiple sexual assaults both as a teen and as an adult. (I won't allow the stigma to hurt me or 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 I broke down and had to rebuild differently.)
And I’m still learning what it means to live with CPTSD.
