Meet Stephanie High

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Stephanie High again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Stephanie , we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
Thank you for having me back! For those who may not know me, I’m Stephanie, founder of Kaizen Catalyst, a mental performance coaching business. At Kaizen Catalyst, I help individuals and teams unleash their potential by focusing on mental skills like resilience, grit, and emotional regulation. My approach is grounded in science—drawing from my Master’s in Sports and Performance Psychology and ongoing PhD studies—while being practical and adaptable to real-world challenges.

What sets Kaizen Catalyst apart is the blend of evidence-based techniques and a deep understanding of how people perform under pressure, whether in sports, business, or life. My journey has been shaped by a passion for helping others achieve alignment and success on their own terms, and I’m excited to share more about that today!

Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
It’s been a season of growth and evolution for Kaizen Catalyst. I’ve been refining my offerings to focus even more on mental performance coaching for individuals and teams, tailoring workshops and strategies to meet the unique challenges my clients face. I’ve also launched a new series of workshops called Mental Mastery for Peak Performance, which has been an incredible way to reach more people and help them build the mental skills they need to excel in high-pressure situations.

One of the most exciting developments has been my work with schools and young professionals, offering pro bono coaching to build hours toward my Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential. It’s been deeply rewarding to watch students and early-career professionals grow in confidence and learn to tackle challenges with resilience.

Of course, every journey has its hurdles. Balancing my business growth with pursuing my PhD in psychology has been a challenge, but it’s also a reminder of how important mental fitness is—even for myself. I’ve had to practice what I preach, leaning into strategies like time management and mindfulness to stay on track.

Looking ahead, I’m most excited about expanding Kaizen Catalyst’s reach through partnerships and more accessible offerings, like online resources and self-guided workshops. It’s all about helping more people tap into their potential, and I feel incredibly energized by the possibilities.

Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.

Favorite Movie: Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Favorite Book: Phillipa Gregory

Favorite TV Show: Godless

Favorite Band or Artist: A Perfect Circle

Sweet or Savory: Savory

Mountains or Beach: Both

Favorite Sport (to watch): Gymnastics

Favorite Sport (to play): Powerlifting

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Gymnastics

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Fashion Designer

French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Olivia Pope

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Animaniacs

Favorite Childhood movie: Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Favorite Breakfast Food: Proper English breakfast

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
When it comes to making difficult choices, my philosophy centers around alignment and clarity. I ask myself two key questions: Does this decision align with my core values and long-term goals? and What will this choice teach me, even if it doesn’t work out as planned?

I’ve learned that difficult decisions often involve tradeoffs that feel uncomfortable in the moment but pave the way for growth. For example, leaving my part-time job recently wasn’t easy—I value commitment and always want to ensure I’ve given my all. But when I evaluated the situation honestly, I realized staying was pulling me out of alignment with my priorities, both personally and professionally. That realization gave me the clarity to choose what felt right for me, even if it wasn’t easy.

My strategy also includes creating space to sit with the decision. I lean on mindfulness practices and journal through the pros, cons, and emotions that surface. I also rely on trusted people in my life—those who challenge me with honest feedback but ultimately support my growth.

In the end, I believe every tough choice is an opportunity to build resilience and self-trust. Even when a decision doesn’t lead to the outcome I hoped for, it always offers a lesson that shapes the next step in my journey. It’s not about avoiding hard choices but embracing them as part of the process.