Coach Ray Nypaver

 Trail & Road · Beginner to Intermediate

Coach Ray is a free-spirit who prefers not to be identified by labels but rather by the light she brings to the world and others. In coaching, Ray enjoys being a guide to athletes (re: people who run) and helping them remember how to listen to their hearts and bodies in order to allow for their potential to unfold. She coaches with structured flexibility rather than control, love and joy rather than fear. Ray has learned that clinging on to past achievements can be just as detrimental as hanging on to past “failures”, yet also respects that it helps to have some tangibility of a person-spirit when seeking out a coach or running advice. With that, Coach Ray considers one of her most important jobs as being the kahu (guardian) of our Pawsitivity Coach Pacer! She is Lydiard II certified and has been coaching with Higher Running since 2016. Ray also holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (with a concentration in Transpersonal Wilderness Therapy) from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Ray is grateful to have been part of several journeys of clients/friends that included PRs, podium finishes, and more importantly, deeper understanding of self. Her “why” in running is to “expand my capacity to feel joy.”

In addition to run coaching, Ray also offers Embodied Sports & Life coaching sessions to help athletes and creatives uncover their blocks to peak performance and holds a certification in EMDR Performance Coaching.

Email: Ray.HigherRunning@gmail.com

Click here for Coach Ray’s Body Positive Workshop Curriculum for Female Runners.

Check out Higher Running’s Instagram or Strava for Ray and Pacers Friday Pawsitivity Tips!

Follow Ray:

        

“Ray has been my guide in the ultras journey for over 5 years! She really took time to get to know me, my goals and figure out what would work for me. But most of all, she taught me how to truly listen to my body again. After years of chronic disease, I thought of ultras as a way of getting back at my body that failed me so many times before. Now, “we” play together and “we” go to beautiful places.”

-Amy G.

“Individual coaching is not just coaching, it’s developing relationship between Coach and athlete over time. It is an opportunity to know an expert athlete who has a lifetime experience of doing the sport you enjoy. Gaining any peek into the experience of such an athlete is priceless for me. What I got most out of this is I learned a technique about how to listen to my body. Before I started coaching, I really didn’t know that, over the period of time, Coach Ray taught me that by taking me through various varying work-outs, easy work-outs. In the beginning, both myself and Coach Ray didn’t know what are my pace bands, that is exactly what an individual coach should do that is he/she will know you personally first before plotting your plan/goals. Another very important thing that I get out of coaching is personal motivation. Sometimes you need someone to push you, say good words to you and that all makes a big difference. You just cannot get that experience in online coaching! I am very glad that I got acquainted with Coach Ray, and other Coaches in the higher running family!”

“I always thought private or personal coaches were for “Professional/Serious Athletes.” Generic training plans are fine, in fact I think they are great. BUT having personalized help, from an experienced, well-informed athlete is exactly what a beginner needs!  

Ray is kind and professional, I ran my first half with her as my coach, and I felt the best I ever had during and after a race! Injury Free!!”

Follow Us!