Heidi Strickler joined the PLU cross country and track & field programs as an assistant coach prior to the 2021-2022 academic year.
As a Registered Sports Dietitian, Heidi specializes in endurance athletes, how the menstrual cycle impacts nutrition & exercise, RED-S and disordered eating, high school & collegiate student-athletes, and plant-based eating.
Strickler ran collegiately at Seattle Pacific University, competing in track & field and cross county after transitioning from soccer. In cross country, Strickler was an All-GNAC and USTFCCCA All-West Region selection for the Falcons, earning the GNAC Newcomer of the Year Award, placing eighth at the conference championships and 12th at the West Regional.
On the track, Strickler was named All-GNAC and All-West Region in both the indoor mile and 5,000-meters, winning the 2012 GNAC title in the indoor 5K. Strickler placed fourth in the 5K and 10K at the 2012 GNAC Outdoor Championships.
Post-college, Strickler has become a successful ultrarunner, finishing on the podium in every race she’s entered. Strickler is the winningest female on the Cougar Mountain Trail Series and is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Snowshoe Racing team.
Strickler earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and nutrition in sports & exercise with a minor in exercise science from SPU. She later earned a master’s degree in sports nutrition from Liverpool John Moores University.
