Holly Brooks, 2x Olympian, MS Counseling Psychology Class of 2016
Alumna Holly Brooks’ journey from ski coach to two-time Olympian and now mental health advocate reflects a life shaped by purpose, adaptability, and a commitment to helping others navigate performance, pressure, and well-being. Today, she works at the intersection of mental health and performance psychology, supporting athletes, high performers, and families.
Brooks’ path to Alaska Pacific University was rooted in her love of skiing and the outdoors, not an immediate plan for elite competition. It was at APU, working within the ski community and coaching alongside athletes and mentors, that her trajectory began to shift. “It was really moving to Alaska… being exposed to people who had that success really allowed me to start thinking that way,” she shared.
As her athletic career evolved, so did her education. APU’s flexibility allowed her to design a learning experience that matched her life as a high-performance athlete. When she wanted to study sports psychology, the university helped create an independent study opportunity. “The amount of flexibility APU was able to grant was incredible,” she said. “They were willing to help create what I wanted my education to be.”
After retiring from competition, Brooks transitioned into counseling psychology, building a career focused on mental health, athlete wellness, and destigmatizing conversations around performance and identity. “I like to work at the intersection of mental health and performance,” she explained.
Her advocacy has included public speaking, clinical work, and serving as executive producer for the documentary Winning at All Costs: Breaking the Silence on Athletes and Eating Disorders, created with the Alaska Eating Disorder Alliance.
Brooks is also candid about burnout and the realities of high achievement. “A couple years ago, I literally had three jobs… and I totally burnt myself out,” she said, noting how that experience reshaped her understanding of sustainability and success.
Today, she focuses on what she calls “small batch quality,” prioritizing presence, balance, and meaningful impact over constant expansion. “You can’t be perfect in all these spaces. Something’s got to give,” she said.
Her journey reflects a core truth of the APU experience: growth is rarely linear, and the most meaningful paths often emerge through curiosity, challenge, and the courage to evolve.
Connect with Holly
Business: Holly Brooks, LLC.
Focus Areas: Mental health, performance psychology, athlete wellness, counseling, coaching, and consulting
Documentary Video: Winning at All Costs: Breaking the Silence on Athletes and Eating Disorders
