Christina Hathaway

MAS, LAMFT, CPT, CNC

Founder + CEO

Professional Background:

I hold a Master of Advanced Study in Marriage and Family Therapy from Arizona State University. Additionally, I have received specialized training in food and body obsession from The National Eating Disorder Association and other nationally recognized organizations. I completed the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certification for personal training and nutrition coaching. I am also a certified Women's Coaching Specialist through Girls Gone Strong (GGS) and hold a Hormone Specialist Certification from the Nutritional Coaching Institute (NCI).

Approach to Training:
One of my clients aptly described me as “constructively blunt with a side of sweet empowerment.” Drawing upon my experience as a licensed therapist, I have honed the ability to discern underlying struggles beyond the surface content. This skill allows me to help clients identify the true barriers to their health and wellness goals. I support them in reframing their mindset and establishing new patterns of thinking, feeling, and being.

With my certifications as a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, I integrate my profound understanding of human behavior with evidence-based training methods in nutrition and movement. This combination enables me to facilitate profound and lasting transformations in my clients' lives.

Fitness Journey:
My journey towards fitness and holistic well-being began at the age of three, when I took my first dance steps. As a competitive dancer and later a member of the Arizona State University Dance Team, I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of caring for both the body and the mind. Despite being active throughout my life, I faced personal challenges with body dysmorphia that impacted my relationship with my body, food, and overall well-being. Through self-discovery and a commitment to healing, I have cultivated a compassionate, self-loving, and self-respecting relationship with myself, which I now share with my clients.

My Goal:
At The Mindset of Matter, myself and my team leverage our extensive knowledge in health, fitness, and mindset to assist clients in rebuilding their relationships with their bodies and food. Our unique and transformative 3-Phased Coaching program addresses the emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of well-being, enabling clients to heal from within and create lasting, sustainable change.

Coaching Philosophy:
Coaching is a profound calling that blends my passions for fitness, nutrition, and compassionate caregiving. My mission is to guide you in discovering your internal and external strength, empowering you to become the best version of yourself. Together, we will embark on a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and personal growth.

Amanda Casillo

PCES, CPPC, CPT, CNC

Head Assistant Coach

Professional Background:
I am a certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist by Sarah Duvall's Core Exercise Solutions (CES). I have also obtained certification in Pre- & Postnatal Coaching from Girls Gone Strong Academy (GGS) and personal training and nutrition coaching from the local National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in Arizona. I am based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Approach to training:
My training style revolves around slow and controlled resistance training to maintain or regain strength, with a specific focus on pelvic floor stability, rehabilitation, and recovery. In terms of nutritional coaching, I aim to establish a foundation for improved health and nutrition while setting realistic expectations. I consider a client's past and present experiences, as well as their current circumstances, to ensure their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum needs are met optimally.

Fitness Journey:
My journey began over ten years ago in my college gym, which sparked a drive to challenge myself and prioritize my long-term health. As I continued to progress in my workouts and nutrition, I realized the importance of listening to my body's signals. After personally experiencing restrictive eating, injuries, physical therapy, and even surgery, I gained a new perspective on training programs. I embraced slow and controlled movement, focused on foundational exercises, and prioritized the mind-body connection. These principles became the core of my personal training and nutrition coaching approach.

My Goal:
I strive to create a space where women can build, maintain, and regain their strength through all phases of life and pregnancy. We focus on realistic expectations, creating long term, sustainable habits with nutrition, and allowing the body to adapt to its changing status with pregnancy and postpartum.

Elizabeth Wolfgang

Assistant Coach

Professional Background:

With a bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science and a minor in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, Coach Liz is equipped with a deep understanding of both nutrition and mental health. Her educational journey includes a diverse range of certifications, such as:

•NASM Bodybuilding

•Optimal Functional Nutrition

•NCI Levels 1 & 2

•CrossFit Level 2

•USAW Level 1

•Trauma-Informed Weightlifting

•Nutritional Management of Chronic Conditions (НМСС)

•Gut Honest Truth Mentorship

•Girls Gone Strong, and Functional

•Nutrition and Metabolic Systems (FNMS)

•Coach Liz is also pursuing further studies at UNR with the goal of becoming a registered dietitian.

Approach to Training:

Coach Liz’s coaching style is collaborative and supportive. She believes that achieving fitness and health goals is a team effort, where both the client and coach work together to uncover what the body needs and create personalized solutions. Her approach combines tough love with education, ensuring that clients are not only guided but also empowered with knowledge. Conversations are central to her coaching, as she ensures any changes made fit seamlessly into the client’s overall life.

Fitness Journey:

Having struggled with PCOS, Hashimoto’s, and significant weight issues, Coach Liz has personally experienced the challenges of extreme diets and chronic conditions. After reaching over 300 pounds and undergoing numerous extreme diets, she decided to become her own science experiment. By learning about her conditions and nutrition, she transformed her life, losing over 180 pounds. Her passion for Olympic weightlifting and balanced living now drives her to help others achieve similar transformations without deprivation.

My Goal:

Coach Liz aims to advocate for a balanced approach to health and wellness. She strives to help clients lose weight, regain energy, and address hormone and gut health issues. Her goal is to provide a supportive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and not dismissed by traditional approaches. Through her coaching, she seeks to promote deep health—a harmonious relationship with food and exercise that integrates holistic wellness into every aspect of life.

Laura Painter

Assistant Coach

Professional Background:

•Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner

•NESTA Certified Lifestyle & Weight Management Specialist

•Certified Nutritional Coaching Institute & Mind Pump Elite Coach

•PNBO Pro National Masters Figure Competitor

•Founder of Decoding Fat Loss, LLC

Approach to Training:

My approach to training is to meet each client where they are and create sustainable habits that support a healthy lifestyle. Whether the goal is building muscle, losing fat, or simply feeling better, I focus on combining nutrition, exercise, and stress management to help clients achieve optimal health. My goal is to equip them with the tools they need to maintain their progress independently. Building a deep and personal relationship with my clients is essential to me, as it allows us to navigate challenges together and find solutions that work for their unique journey.

Fitness Journey:

My fitness journey has been marked by both significant wins and challenges. I successfully overcame a severe binge/purge eating disorder, which took 15 years to stabilize due to a lack of resources at the time. Even today, I remain vigilant of the 'old me' inner voice that sometimes resurfaces. On the positive side, I've achieved my pro status in figure competitions after 20 years of dedication and hard work. One of my greatest accomplishments is coaching others to improve their health, body composition, and overall happiness, helping them feel confident and comfortable in their own skin.

My Goal:

My goal is to empower my clients to embrace a healthy and fit lifestyle by choice rather than through self-criticism or self-punishment. I aim to address the root of insecurities and past trauma to foster deep, inside-out healing. By focusing on educating my clients about the reasons behind their habits and actions, I help them understand the 'why,' making it easier for them to fully engage with their programs and integrate these changes into their lives.