Influential Woman · Coaching and consulting
Kristyna Bertolone
Owner, founder, Game Changers, Performance Consultant, Game Changers
St Petersburg, FL
Her Story
About Kristyna
Kristyna Bertolone is the owner and founder of Game Changers, a coaching and consulting business she started officially in 2021 after 15 years as a physical education teacher and high school field hockey coach. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Southern Connecticut State University, where she was an NCAA athlete and captain, playing softball for the Lady Owls, and received her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Joseph's. During her tenure of teaching she participated in writing physical education, leadership development, growth mindset, and social emotional learning curricula that she started using and sharing online during the COVID era, leading to requests from college, university, high school, and professional teams across the country. She now offers digital playbooks and works with coaching and athletic departments to help staff and athletes build mindset, leadership, and team culture.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristyna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I grew up the daughter of a coach/teacher. I was always surrounded by sports and the work ethic that comes from being a part of a team. It was only natural to follow in these footsteps as I began to navigate my adult career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
People won't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Walk the walk, so you can talk the talk.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make sure you believe in what you do and stay true to yourself. If something feels off, it probably is, trust that gut. When times get hard, focus your attention on what you can control and what brings you joy/lights you up. Where your attention goes, energy flows.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Biggest challenges; getting in the door. Biggest opportunities; meeting great people.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Awareness; Paying attention to myself, others, and the environment so we can respond with intention instead of reaction.
Ownership; Taking responsibility for my actions, effort, attitude, communication and impact instead of blaming circumstances or others.
Intentionality; Operating with purpose, awareness and clarity instead of simply going through the motions. NO CHECKING OFF BOXES.
Connection; Building relationships rooted in trust, communication, honesty and support so people feel seen and valued.
Growth; Willing to evolve, learn and improve through both success and failure.
It's funny how when you work for yourself, personal and work life seem to blend together. These core values take me through my day to day, whether I'm out running errands, running a workshop, or creating content.
I will also add that Game Changers exists to educate, equip, and empower athletes, coaches, teams and organizations with practical tools for mindset, leadership and team performance development.
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