Takeaways from AASP’s Mid-Career Institute for Women in Sport

In September, I had the opportunity to take part in a virtual event for women in the field of sport and performance psychology, particularly women in the middle of their careers, hosted by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I saw the call for this event, my gut reaction was YES. The idea of connecting with other women in a similar space within their career was undeniably appealing. Two days, six hours, and lots of vulnerable conversations later, I’m certain the decision was a good one for me.

To respect the privacy of others and what they contributed, I won’t share all of the information from the event. However, below are a few key takeaways that resonated with me. In highlighting these, I hope they give you an opportunity to pause and reflect on what these mean for you as a practitioner and entrepreneur.

Being authentic is not a “free pass” to let loose.

Rather, when you act authentically, you are acting in alignment with your values. As I’ve progressed into the mid-career point (working full-time in the field for 7-10 years), I’ve become more aware of and certain about the top values that I want to prioritize - family, autonomy, creativity, curiosity, meaningful work. Earlier in my career, I had no idea of who I truly was, what I wanted my business to be, and how I wanted to show up as an entrepreneur and practitioner. A lot of learning takes place in those early years, so stepping into the mid-career phase is more about keeping those values front and center.

A bonus tidbit from Dr. Kensa Gunter was: “work doesn’t get to have all of me.” This was not about giving less effort or doing subpar work. It was about who gets access to you - all of you. Working with others does not automatically grant them access to every detail of your life and all parts of your soul. I can be authentic in honoring my values as I work while also keeping some aspects of myself private and only sharing those parts with people and spaces I have intentionally chosen.

Well-being is comprehensive and necessary.

Yes, I know the importance of taking care of myself and yet, it can sometimes get lost in the day-to-day demands of being an entrepreneur (especially with two kids running around). Rather than focusing on self-care, the focus was on well-being. More specifically, well-being was broken down into six categories:

• Move – engaging in physical activity

• Pause – resting, recovering, and being still

• Connect – with yourself and with others

• Nourish – prioritizing your needs and filling your cup

• Learn – growing, expanding, and being curious

• Play – engaging in activities just for fun

While some of these come more naturally to me, this was a great reminder to ensure my well-being is more well-rounded. Since this event, I’ve resumed my meditation practice and started tennis lessons. I’m also reflecting more on how to consistently add play into my days.

Seasons of maintenance are normal.

The phrase “if you aren’t growing, you’re dying” is a common one in business. For many of the women I spoke with at the event, this is very far from the truth. Many of us shared a desire for maintenance rather than growth; for being settled and enjoying the season we are in. I’m sensing there was an overlap between those of us leaning into professional maintenance and having younger children. Nonetheless, it was incredibly helpful to hear that slowing down was an acceptable option. Sometimes I get so caught up in new ideas and possibilities, along with current responsibilities, that everything feels like it’s going at hyperspeed and the only way to survive is to try to go faster. Confirmation from others about this normalcy of a "dormant" period during the mid-career phase, especially when other aspects of life require more attention, was more comforting than I expected.

As I move forward, my hope is to carry these reminders with me: authenticity that is rooted in my values, well-being that is broad and intentional, and maintenance as a valid and even necessary season. In mental performance, entrepreneurship, and life, these are my current anchors.