Time for our most popular AMA!

So you've been thinking about Starting a Mental Performance Business? Now is the time to ask your questions and get some answers from two people who have "been there, done that." This free one-hour live AMA (ask me anything) session gives you the opportunity to get genuine answers and insights about the challenges, realities, and triumphs of building a private practice as a mental performance coach.

This session is intentionally for current graduate students in sport and performance psychology and early career practitioners who have graduated within the last year or two.

We'd love to have you join us!

📅 Tuesday, May 19th
⏰ 12:00 - 1:00 pm EST
💻 Hosted virtually – join from anywhere!

Webinar Recording Available

If you missed our recent webinar, 3 Shifts to Grow your Client Base in Private Practice, you're in luck! The recording is now available. In the webinar, we spend time unpacking three shifts to help you attract and onboard more clients. You'll learn to shift from:

• supporting everyone to specifying,

• talking about you to talking about them, and

• selling to serving.

If you have an established mental performance business but you're not feeling satisfied with the amount or quality of clients you currently have, this one's for you.

1.5 general CEUs toward CMPC recertification are available. For our e-newsletter subscribers, use the code ELEVATE35 at checkout for $15 off!

Does anyone else feel like this time of year sneaks up on you? Heading into May, it already seems to be packed - then inevitably a few more things get added to our calendars, themed days at school pop up out of nowhere (at least for Abby's kids), typical responsibilities suddenly feel like a drain, and our to-do lists start to feel like they need their own to-do list. While we might not have the perfect solutions (spoiler alert: we are in the trenches with you!), we do have a few tips that might keep you from pulling out your hair or throwing up your hands in defeat.

Embrace the season. This time of year is hard. There IS a lot going on – that may be finals, end-of-school year activities, changes in sport seasons, transitioning schedules, summer prep, or whatever else. Rather than getting frustrated that this season is jam-packed, embrace the busy-ness for now. It is not forever, but for right now – and you can do it temporarily when you acknowledge the reality of the season. Stop trying to make May feel like July.

Say no to something. There may be quite a few things you say "yes" to right now - whether you want to, or you have to. However, find a moment to pause and check in on what can get a "no" from you this season. Maybe this is a "no" to baking homemade treats for your kid's class when store bought will do just fine (and letting your partner pick that up). Or a "no" to new clients for now - like Abby who just put up a wait list until August. Perhaps a "no" to your friend who wants to reconnect but if you're being honest, they are just a drain on you for the time being. A "no" can be for now, forever, or anything in between. The "no" we don't recommend is saying "no" to yourself - remember the Mindset #2 blog - Protect the asset - YOU!

Be lazy about the things that do not matter. We see you trying to be great at all the things all the time! When things feel heavy and chaotic, here's a gentle reminder that that's not the name of the game this season. Choose what is really important to you for the time being - where you actually want to spend your time, energy, and effort. And allow yourself to be "lazy" at other things - maybe it's cooking the easier dinner, checking email less frequently, or letting the clean laundry go unfolded for another day. Lindsey likes to ask, "Where would B- work (or less) be sufficient right now?"

Give yourself some compassion. When things are hard, we have a tendency to become more critical of ourselves. Isn't that interesting, too - when you think about how we don't like to receive that from others? Remember that awful coach who yelled when you didn't play well or the teacher who consistently pointed out where you fell short? Instead, show yourself some compassion - because you are a human, not a robot. Curious about what this looks like in action? Check out our recent guest blog post on self-compassion for entrepreneurs.

New on the blog

This month, we're continuing with our 10 E Mindset Series, where we explore Mindset #3: We are all unique; be yourself. There truly is nobody like you. The world, the field of sport and performance psychology, and your community need you, not a copy of another entrepreneur. In this blog post, we unpack this mindset, what actions you can take, and how this benefits your practice. No one can do your business like you.

Join AASP's Leadership Academy

Interested in leveling up your leadership skills?

Want to make an impact within the field?

Consider applying for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology's (AASP) Leadership Academy! Applications for the 2026-27 cohort are open until June 1st.

This is your chance to be a part of a small group of AASP members who are committed to learning and growing as leaders. With a cohort mentor to guide you, you'll invest 12 months into developing skills and building relationships that will serve you well as a future leader within AASP (think: Committees, Special Interest Groups, or the Executive Board), and also support you as an entrepreneur. Here's what one of the current cohort members has to say about the experience:

"The brilliance of the LEAD Academy lies in the shift from theory to agency. As mental performance entrepreneurs, we’re used to coaching others, but LEAD challenged me to be coached by the system itself. Between the curriculum and the hands-on experience of navigating the association’s internal operations, I have started to learn exactly what it takes to move our industry forward through participating in committees and giving back to AASP. The LEAD Academy is where you get to stop being a member and start being an influence within AASP. One week you’re diving into insightful modules on leadership and influence, and the next, you’re participating in and even leading peer discussions about what we learned and how we can apply the concepts in our work within AASP and with our clients." - Beaux Myers

We each have an important role to play in helping the field to keep moving forward - and this is a great way to get started. Please contact Betsy Shoenfelt, AASP Past-President and Chair of the Leadership Academy Committee, with any questions.

PD: The Psychology of Sales

Tim White will lead the AASP Business Ownership Special Interest Group (SIG) in this professional development opportunity on Thursday, June 4th from 12:00-1:30 pm CST. This is free, open to everyone, and is under review for 1.5 CEUs toward CMPC recertification.

Tim will introduce an applied framework designed to help you ethically and confidently navigate client acquisition. He'll guide us in exploring professional identity, understanding client needs, communicating based on values, and considering ethics in fee discussions. You'll develop skills to navigate initial client conversations, articulate the value of your services, and approach financial discussions with greater clarity and confidence - leaving with practical tools to support your growing business.

For questions, contact Carla Carter, the SIG Coordinator.