Hi friends,

The cat is officially out of the bag, so I want to share this with you directly: I’ve accepted a new role as a Mental Health Coach with Headspace.

I’m excited, and also deeply reflective.

One unexpected part of applying for this role was being asked to take a long, honest look at my own story. Beginning, middle, and (for now) where I am today. When you lay it all out like that, patterns emerge. So does meaning.

The beginning of my story includes growing up in an environment where emotional safety wasn’t always present. It includes a lot of silence, no one talked about it. I learned early to be tough, to compete, to perform, to “fix” myself rather than understand myself. That mindset came with a lot of anger I didn’t know how to process, and for years it showed up as self-inflicted punishment: substance abuse, disordered eating, and other ways of trying to cope while appearing “fine” on the outside.

My time in veterinary medicine intensified that cycle. Long hours, constant stress, compassion fatigue, and a culture that normalized pushing everything down. I worked hard, cared deeply, and self-medicated harder.

Movement eventually became a lifeline. Then nutrition. Then coaching. Then, slowly and imperfectly, mental health. I’ve been on some version of a self-help journey since I was a teenager, even when I didn’t have language for it yet.

Living a mountain life has added its own layers. I love it here, but isolation is real. Depression is real. And like many of you, I’ve lost friends and acquaintances to suicide. That reality changes you. It sharpens your awareness of how much our daily habits, supports, and sense of connection actually matter.

Over time, I’ve become this coach, because of all of my lived experiences, and because of this community. A community that has never been just about exercise or nutrition, but about the deeper work: how we take care of ourselves, how we build habits, and how we move forward when life is heavy.

To be clear about scope (because that matters): my role has never been to dig into your trauma. My role is to help you make forward strides when you’re ready, to support behavior change, resilience, and capacity-building in real life.

This role with Headspace is also part of a bigger mission for me. Becoming board certified wasn’t just about letters after my name, it’s about legitimacy, access, and sustainability. While my NBHWC certification does not yet allow me to bill insurance directly, there are cases where clients can use HSA/FSA funds for health coaching, depending on their plan. And through Headspace, many members already receive coaching sessions included through their employer benefits, which is huge.

That’s a real step toward a whole-person health approach, not just therapy, not just crisis care, but proactive support for mental health, habits, and daily life! And on top of that, the Headspace app itself is incredible: meditations, education, tools, and resources you can literally carry in your pocket.

Now, I get to do this work as part of a team that is genuinely committed to mental health. I get to support more people on a regular basis, with structure, collaboration, and, yes, something that’s been rare in my Tahoe business life: consistent income and a consistent schedule.

And the best part?
I’m not going anywhere.

I still have my private practice, and I would love to see you in it, whether that’s for training, nutrition, or coaching when the time is right. This new role doesn’t replace the work I do here; it strengthens it.

Thank you for being part of a community that made this next chapter possible. I’m really excited about what’s ahead, for me, and for the people I get to serve.

With gratitude,

NBC-HWC | ACSM-CPT

⛰️PEAKS: Holding Your Center This Season

The holidays have a sneaky way of pulling people into all-or-nothing thinking:

• “I’ll start in January.”
• “I already blew it, so what’s the point?”
• “I’ll be good next week.”

Here’s the truth: maintenance is success right now. And sometimes, kindness is the most effective strategy.

A few practical ways to stay grounded, without sucking the joy out of the season:

Pick your anchors, not your rules

Instead of a full plan, choose 1–3 non-negotiables:

• 2–3 short strength sessions per week
• A daily walk (even 10 minutes counts)
• Protein at most meals

These anchors keep you connected without demanding perfection.

Eat like a human, not a headline

Holiday food isn’t the problem, rigidity is.

• Add protein and fiber before worrying about restriction
• Eat the foods you love on purpose, not out of guilt or rebellion
• One meal doesn’t undo months of consistency

Set boundaries that protect your energy I

t’s okay to say:

• “I’m going to move my body before we head out.”
• “No thanks, I’m good right now.”
• “I’ll stay for one hour.”

Boundaries aren’t selfish, They’re how you stay regulated.

Break the ‘might as well’ spiral

You don’t have to “get back on track.”

Just make the next supportive choice:

• Drink water
• Eat a normal next meal
• Go to bed
• That’s it. That’s the reset.

Your steadiness helps others, too​
When you model balanced behavior, moving, eating, and resting without drama, you quietly give others permission to do the same. And if togetherness matters to you, you can invite it in: a walk after a meal, a shared workout, cooking something nourishing together, or simply stepping outside for fresh air. You never know who needs the invitation, or the example!

This season doesn’t require discipline. It requires self-trust, flexibility, and care.

You’re allowed to enjoy your life and take care of yourself, at the same time.

Never Stop Learning:

Get your resources here...

• ​Stronger Easeful Nutrition E-Book​
• ​Goal Smashing E-Workbook
• ​Stronger Prep High Protein E-Book​
• ​Summit Stronger Blog​
• ​Meal Prep Done For You!​
• ​Coach Christine's Insight Timer Meditations​

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