Heidi Retzlaff Teams Up with Olympian Wynn Roberts to Teach Lifestyle PE Program
It’s a crisp winter morning at Hillcrest Academy. Snow blankets the ground, muffling everyday noises and creating a hushed stillness across the campus. Suddenly, that stillness is punctured by the soft swoosh of skis gliding over uncharted hills, followed by a chorus of laughter and encouragement as students wind their way along a course cut by Olympian Wynn Roberts.
As Roberts leads the way, a steady and reassuring presence guiding these budding skiers through each turn and glide, Physical Education (PE) teacher Heidi Retzlaff tarries behind to encourage students who are learning a lifestyle exercise.
The Joy of a Lifestyle Approach
In many schools, PE can feel like a set of random games or a quick dash across a track to get energy out so students can sit in classrooms longer. But at Hillcrest, there’s a bigger story unfolding. A Christ-centered, classical model of education guides everything that happens in the classroom, and extends even to the gymnasium and beyond.
Rather than focusing on short bursts of skill drills or memorizing sports rules, Hillcrest is deeply invested in building a lifestyle of activity. Every ski run, every warm-up stretch, every high-five is part of a tapestry that knits together physical health, spiritual growth, and lifelong habits.
Cross-Country Skiing: From Snowdrifts to Soul-Shaping
While cross-country skiing might appear to be just another sport at first glance, there’s something uniquely immersive and contemplative about it. Surrounded by God’s creation, students at Hillcrest learn perseverance as they push onward through challenging terrain. They also experience quiet moments where their minds can wander to the greatness of God’s handiwork—those bare trees and gently falling snow become a living illustration of the Lord’s creativity.
And with an Olympian like Wynn Roberts coaching them, the dreams of these students expand beyond the immediate fun of skimming over snow. What if, with dedication and faith, they could reach something as big as the Olympics one day? But even if they never set foot on an Olympic course, these kids are building the kind of grit, patience, and resilience that will serve them in every area of life.
Heidi Retzlaff: A Visionary for Physical Education
Behind this thriving program stands Heidi Retzlaff, whose contagious enthusiasm and commitment to student growth have reshaped the perception of PE at Hillcrest. Rather than simply marking time on a workout schedule, Heidi frames physical activity as both a gift and a stewardship responsibility. Each class is a chance for students to rejoice in the bodies God gave them—capable of running, jumping, skiing, and discovering new skills every day.
Her approach offers a welcoming space for all levels of athletic ability. Students don’t just learn how to push themselves physically; they also discover how their bodies work, why exercise matters, and how staying active honors God. Heidi has carved out an environment where every child feels equally valued, from the star athlete to the hesitant beginner.
Connecting Mind, Body, and Spirit
In the classical model of education, training the mind is paramount, but so is fostering virtue and godly character. The link between physical health and academic success is well-documented: regular exercise can improve memory, sharpen focus, and boost mood. But something more than academics is happening here. When students push through physical challenges, they also learn spiritual truths, like perseverance in trial, gratitude for small blessings, and respect for the bodies the Creator has given them.
Even in a simple warm-up routine or tying their boots for skiing, children are practicing discipline. If you watch closely, you’ll see them cheer each other on, offering support and a helping hand. In that unity, you glimpse the workings of Christian community and the seeds of servant leadership taking root.
Celebrating What God Is Doing
God is at work in the Hillcrest Academy gym, on its snow-covered trails, and in every student’s heart. These young hearts are learning that caring for their physical health is a form of worship, an act of gratitude to the One who made them.
The lifelong benefits are clear: immediate boosts to academic focus and emotional well-being, yes, but also the promise of future well-being, as these habits of movement and discipline carry into adulthood. These young skiers, basketball players, dancers, and more will remember the thrill of discovery they felt in Heidi’s PE classes. They’ll recall how God’s presence was made real to them in the hush of the winter woods, skis sliding quietly over the snow.
That’s the joy of Hillcrest Academy’s lifestyle PE program. It’s more than a requirement on a student’s schedule, it’s a story of worship, growth, and community. It’s a story of trusting that God made these bodies to move, to learn, and to glorify Him with each step, stride, and heartbeat. And it’s a story that, by God’s grace, will echo in the hearts of these students long after the snow melts.