Another great AMA!

We hosted our second AMA (Ask Me Anything) last month, focused on the topic of networking. It was a blast! Solid questions. Great energy. Thoughtful follow-up. Thank you so much to those who joined us - and please remember to share your feedback!

One thing that came up during the AMA was about how powerful (and surprisingly rare!) it is to simply use manners as you are networking and connecting with others. On his podcast, A Bit of Optimism, Simon Sinek recently interviewed etiquette coach William Hanson about the business case for good manners. Bottom line: good manners aren't just about being polite, they're about how we interact with other people, considering the existence of others, and making people feel seen, heard, and included. Have a listen for tips and a few laughs.

Connect at the 2025 AASP Conference

Speaking of networking and connecting, we'd love to spend time with you in person at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference in Montreal. If you'll be there, here's where you can find us - come up and say hi!

Thursday, October 16th

• 1:30 - 2:15 pm – Business Ownership Special Interest Group (SIG)* Meeting

• 4:00 - 5:30 pm – Graduate Program & Career Fair (at the Project E table)

Friday, October 17th

• 7:15 - 8:15 am – Networking Opportunity with the Business Ownership SIG*

• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm – Workshop: Beyond the Playbook: Effective Strategies for Supporting Athletes with ADHD and Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) – with Drs. Lindsey Schriefer and Robyn Trocchio

Saturday, October 18th

• 3:00 - 4:00 pm – Workshop: Exploring Entrepreneurship: Is it Right for You? – with Drs. Lindsey Schriefer, Carla Carter, and Ashley Kuchar

*The SIG events are open to anyone at the conference, so you're welcome to join!

Trail Tips

Having been to many conferences in a wide variety of capacities, here are our top tips for enjoying the AASP conference experience and networking effectively:

Tip #1 – Take care of you first. Consider what you might need to show up authentically during the conference. We are both more introverted (meaning we need quiet time alone to recharge) - so we are strategic about breaks in our rooms, taking walks outside, and time to process the day's events. Remember your basic needs - sleep, nutrition, and hydration! Abby even gets a few groceries on-site to be able to eat lunch in her room most days. The more you take care of yourself, the more you can be yourself, the easier it will be to connect with others and enjoy your time.

Tip #2 – Define success for the conference. When the conference is over and you're on your way back home, what might help you to feel like your time was "successful"? Is that learning about a certain topic? Connecting and building relationships? Identifying a collaboration partner? Gathering resources for your business? Doing something new and unique? Put your goal setting skills to work pre-conference to set your target, and then consider your process to make it happen. This might mean reviewing the schedule and deciding to go to certain sessions. Writing down names of people you want to meet. Researching fun things to do in the area. With planning, you can create a meaningful experience while you're away.

Tip #3 – Take notes. There is so much coming at you during the conference. If your brain is like ours, it will spin out with ideas and possibilities galore as you move through the week. Come prepared to write things down - in a journal, a tablet, or something else. Take notes about what you learn, new research to review, and people you meet. This way you'll be able to capture what's important while you're there, then you can use your notes to reflect and take action in the weeks following the conference.

Tip #4 - Prepare for post-conference. We have already started our "to do after AASP" lists. Go ahead and look at the rest of October to preview what's ahead and get a basic plan together of what will be important for you to focus on after you get back. Plan for some time to reflect. Some time to follow-up with people you meet - via text, email, and social media. Some time to rest and "GHOS" - or get your head on straight. Think about what you want to get done this week so that you're set up for success after the conference. This will help you to enjoy your conference experience that much more!

Mid-Career Institute for Women in Sport

Last month, Lindsey attended the Mid-Career Institute for Women in Sport (MIWS), a virtual event hosted by AASP. It was a unique space for true connection and vulnerable conversations about being a woman in a male-dominated field, challenges of being "mid-career," and insights from others' experiences.

Interested in Lindsey's thoughts on the experience? Check out her blog on key takeaways from MIWS.