Andrea Henkel Burke

Summary of skills:

• 2x Olympic + 8x World Champion Gold medals in the sport of Biathlon, Overall World Cup win, silver and bronze medals at Olympic games and world championships and multiple podium positions throughout a 16-year World Cup career. 
• Experienced Personal Trainer and renowned knowledge in exercise science, nutrition and general health. 
• Proven ability to translate complex research and knowledge about how bodies and brains work most effectively into clear and actionable steps for people of all ability levels.

Athletic career:

Andrea Henkel Burke, the esteemed German biathlete, forged an illustrious career marked by excellence in the Olympic Games, World Championships and the World Cup circuit. Her triumphs included securing two gold medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, showcasing her exceptional skill and determination on the grandest sporting stage. Henkel's dominance extended beyond Olympic glory, as she consistently demonstrated remarkable prowess in the fiercely competitive World Cup, amassing victories that captivated biathlon enthusiasts globally. Her unwavering dedication, precision, and unrelenting focus elevated her to a revered status within the sport, leaving an indelible mark on biathlon's history.

Despite her phenomenal success, Henkel encountered formidable challenges throughout her long career, enduring a two-year struggle after her Olympic victories with illness and form that almost pushed her out of the national team. However, her resilience and unwavering determination propelled her through this challenging period. What followed was a remarkable resurgence, defining her legacy even further. For over a decade following this setback, Henkel remained a stalwart presence in the sport, consistently holding a top-10 position on the world stage. Her enduring excellence spanned an impressive 16 years, with an astonishing 12 years within the top ten, 14 years in the top 15, and always ranking within the top 30.

Henkel's ability to compete at such an extraordinary level for an extended period stands as a testament to her enduring skill and adaptability. Her unwavering passion for biathlon transcended the challenges, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport's most enduring champions. Andrea Henkel's journey not only symbolizes resilience and perseverance but also serves as an inspiration, illustrating important steps to people who want to boost their physical performance can take - be they young athletes, people who want to increase well being or people who have impacted by longer term health concerns like Long Covid.

Professional experience:

After retiring from her racing career Andrea has built on her understanding of physical performance and how the brain and body works to support others to achieve well being and performance in all realms of life. Andrea’s main desire is to make healthy living simple and fun - helping people to understand more about how their body works and translate that into simple actions they can use to help them feel better and increase functionality, regardless of their starting place and goals. Her passion is to impart the knowledge she has gained, guiding others to help understand how their body works and what they can do to support it to be in balance, and continue to improve their capability. 

Her journey from a budding athlete to an elite performer fueled her passion to study what makes bodies work well, and understand what people can do to improve their own performance, regardless of their goals. To this end, she has gained education and coaching certifications encompassing holistic aspects that optimize brain body connections, healthy functioning of complex body systems and how to use exercise to support wellbeing.

Educationally, her certifications span nutrition, health, fitness, and the integration of sports technology for enhanced performance and well-being. Andrea holds certification as a therapist for psychoneuroimmunology (PNI Europe) and a Z-Health® and Life Kinetik® trainer, delving into the intricate body-brain connection. Through her experience as an athlete and personal trainer, she was serving on the jury for the Personal Training NEOS AWARD. 

She continues to meteor athletes, but her personal training work supports a wide range of individuals invested in health and improved fitness and functionality. She founded Andrea Henkel Burke Personal Training, spearheaded the Compete Like a Pro program to mentor a select set of young athletes, and most recently launched ThriveNinety, showcasing her commitment to holistic health not only for aspiring professional athlete development but also for people who are looking for holistic solutions and tools that enable them to live the life they desire. 

Andrea is passionate about making healthy living simple and fun by sharing practical tools and knowledge. Reframing what is possible and the steps needed to work toward those goals - allowing people to have clarity about the actions needed to achieve their desired outcomes clear, obvious, and easier to do.

Interests:

Andrea remains active in a variety of outdoor activities, depending on what the season has to offer. She loves going for trail runs with her husband and dog, canoe camping, and all sorts of skiing. Andrea also is a board member of NYSEF, the New York Ski and Education Foundation, where she supports the Nordic sector of the program.