Name to a Face: Heidi Lynn Austin

If you haven't had the privilege to meet Heidi Austin yet, you should make it a point to do so next time you see her around town.

Heidi Lynn moved to Whitehall in July of 2021 with her husband, Will, and three of their four daughters. Will's parents, Lionel and Karen Austin are longtime Whitehall residents.

Heidi's family has been back and forth across the U.S. several times, from Vermont to Colorado and the southeastern U.S., then back to Montana.

"Will would joke about me moving to Whitehall," Heidi said. "And I said not a chance."

Never say never. Call it God, the Universe, a spirit, or just Kismet; whatever it was finally impressed upon Heidi, after she went through a long, arduous battle with cancer, the need to find peace in small-town Whitehall. Heidi said she began to feel the love of the West when living in Colorado and now, in Whitehall, she is learning to appreciate "slowing down."

Heidi was born in St. Albans, Vermont. After graduating from Missisquoi Valley Union High School, she furthered her education at the University of Phoenix with a degree in Human Service. She is certified in holistic healing, Reiki, Bowen therapy, reflexology, and energy healing through biofeedback. Though she didn't start her business, A Bridge Between, until 2017, her personal journey began long before that.

As a young child growing up in the northeastern U.S, while other third graders played outside, she spent time visiting and helping an elderly neighbor. She enjoyed listening to his old war stories.

"I always enjoyed helping the elderly,' she said.

Besides her husband's family ties in Whitehall, what has kept her here?

"I grew up in a small town. Not as small as Whitehall; however, I love it here." She further remarked on how welcoming the town has been to their family. The girls are attending school here, where, after being homeschooled for the last three years, the older two have received high honors.

"I like the small community feel. It's like I'm living in a Hallmark movie!" she said with a laugh, noting that her hometown of St. Albans was only slightly larger than Whitehall.

While Heidi feels some things are perfect the way they are, she does believe this small community could benefit from some evolution in the way of improvement. And this is where she would love to assist. As the owner of A Bridge Between, Heidi feels she can be one of the necessary catalysts.

Many in the area have met Heidi Lynn and know her for her unconditional love, kindness, teaching, and healing, as well as her powerful presence and sense of purpose. Heidi is prime to manifest the necessary changes to bring her part of the world into a more sustainable future.

"I'm new here. I think that everything has its perfect timing. What better way of introducing myself than this?"

Kismet? Possibly. Make sure you introduce yourself to Heidi Lynn the next time you see her and ask her about her latest plans, The Gathering Place.