I’m a lifelong athlete that is here today through unrelenting perseverance and a deep-rooted philosophy that exercise is medicine. 

I grew up swimming competitively from age 6. My youth swim club was coached and supported by Auburn University’s swim program. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the positive impact of these great coaches and athletes on me would influence my future decision to be a coach.

I would not understand the importance of exercise as medicine as a child. Still, I vividly remember my father telling me during my teenage mood swings, “Heather, you have to exercise every day for your brain to be happy.” I thank my lucky stars every day for that advice. It has saved me more times than can be counted. 

I discovered the sport of triathlon in 1986 by participating in a local sprint triathlon with my Dad. I continued competing in swimming and triathlon throughout high school. In college, I discovered mountain biking and beer!

There’s a period during my 30s I could choose not to share, but silence will not educate or help the next person who may need to hear that transforming your life is more than possible, but a beautiful experience. I was a young personal trainer and started my first business, an all women’s boot camp. My boot camps grew to fill two class times in two separate cities. I also lived a life contrary to my core values during this period. 

A downward spiral began with party drugs and new friends outside my typical circle. I ended up in a relationship that changed my life forever. My wake-up call came after eighteen months of lying to co-workers and friends about my frequent injuries.  A female police officer drove me to the safety of a hotel one night in 2011. She told me I would die if I stayed. Like many abuse victims, I went back, hoping he would change. It took one more incident ending with a broken wrist, two broken ribs, and a concussion to leave for good. The purple cast on my left arm was the glaring evidence that would force me to own the truth to my family and friends. 

I used the help of a domestic violence center and friends to move step by step through the process of starting over. Exercise became my medicine once again. I began training for my first marathon with the purple cast still on my arm. I met an amazing and kind man who is now my husband. The ultimate act of recovering from physical and emotional trauma was training and completing IRONMAN Canada in 2013. I went on to complete five IRONMAN races, including World Championships in Hawaii in 2017. 

Presently, I am a leader in the IRONMAN community, serving as Regional Head Coach, Race Official, and mentor to new coaches. I’m also a passionate entrepreneur with a never give up mentality that has taken me on a non-linear path to owning a successful Sports Performance studio in Salt Lake City, UT, with my husband, Pat Casey. 

Our business, Peak State Fit, has allowed us to combine our love of endurance sports, especially cycling, with our bike fit and coaching skills. What started as a hobby is now a Hub of dogs, coffee, and bikes in Salt Lake City. 

Heather is proud to represent NOW Foods as an athlete ambassador.

Featured Guest On: 

• ABC Good Things Utah March 2. 2021, Jan 26, 2022, July 29, 2022

Contributing Author For:

• Health Magazine

• Shape Magazine

• Triathlete Magazine

• Experience Life Magazine

• TrainingPeaks Blog  

• Cycling West Magazine

• IRONMAN

Available For: 

• Hospitality industry project partnerships 

• Speaking engagements (live and virtual) 

• Corporate Wellness including fitness, nutrition and rejuvenation

• Educational clinics