Emily Hightower

Emily Hightower leverages her expertise in the neurophysiology of trauma and resilience to help clients master their stress response and improve their quality of life. By combining over 25 years of experience in breath physiology, somatic movement, yoga, meditation, and wilderness excursions, Emily empowers high performers to disrupt limits, align with nature, and heal their bodies and minds.

Emily developed Neuro Nidra™, the Skill of Stress course, and co-created SH//FT Health with Brian MacKenzie. Her experiential approach enables clients to understand and direct their stress response to drive optimal performance under pressure while promoting long-term balance.

Before joining SH//FT, Emily founded Intrinsic, where she helped combat veterans, athletes, and clients recovering from substance abuse resolve past traumas and gain clarity using a science-based approach and tools

EDUCATION

B.A. Fine Art University of Colorado 1996, Wilderness EMT Wilderness Medicine Institute 1996, Advanced Pranayama Breath and Yoga Alliance EYRT with Deborah Koehn 2000-2004, Bio and NeuroFeedback 2020, Institute for Integrative Nutrition 2016, Neuro Somatic Intelligence 2024

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Physiology, Neurology (clinical), Respiratory Care, Psychiatry and Mental health

Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration

Health and Human Performance Foundation

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Consultant for Rapid Health Optimization, Direct and create programs for SH//FT to train neuro physiology of resilience, 20 years of experience adapted breath protocols for combat veterans with sensitivity to CO2 from chronic exposure to stress and trauma, created archery programs to train breath and mindfulness for combat veterans, worked in Roaring Fork Neurology applying breath tools and biofeedback for neurology care patients of all backgrounds.