What does it mean to live life from the inside out?
In a culture that values productivity over presence, life coaching creates space to slow down and feel more alive. I help clients manage stress and meet goals in areas where they feel stuck, using research-based mindfulness and somatic tools.
Consistent mindfulness and meditation practices change the brain in measurable ways, much like exercise strengthens the body. Studies demonstrate increased grey matter in regions such as the prefrontal cortex, which supports emotional regulation and executive functioning, along with decreases in traits like neuroticism over time. Somatic work further strengthens interoception, the ability to sense internal signals from the body, which plays a key role in nervous system regulation and emotional intelligence.
… Or, in less technical terms,
My life coaching approach is like bicep curls for the brain—personal training for your mental and emotional health.
To learn more, or to inquire about my availability for new clients:
lifecoaching@halleheiden.com
415-364-8749
Born and raised in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, I grew up surrounded by the city’s culture of creativity, curiosity, and holistic thinking. That early exposure to diverse perspectives shaped a lifelong interest in the intersection of science, psychology, and contemplative practice.
I studied business at Cornell University before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from UCLA, where I focused on evolutionary psychology. During my undergrad I completed GRIT Life Coach training through UCLA and was employed by the university for several years as a coach and facilitator. I also have completed hundreds of hours of mindfulness training through the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and assisted in teaching Yoga for Anxiety and Depression, a UCLA pilot program integrating mindfulness and movement to improve mental health.
I went on to earn a master’s degree in Somatic Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). Our work together is further informed by my training as a yoga instructor and a nutrition credential through Stanford Medicine.
Before my academic studies, I trained in classical ballet with the San Francisco Ballet School through my mid-teens and later competed as a track and field athlete at Cornell University. These early experiences with movement and performance continue to inform my sensitivity to the relationship between body awareness, discipline, and emotional resilience.
Outside of my professional work, I find balance through yoga, long walks with my dog Moon, hiking along the California coast, and reading.
Clients describe my work as simultaneously deep and lighthearted, grounded and compassionate. Our sessions together invite reflection and practical tools for growth—helping individuals navigate stress, transition, and self-development.