Susan Averna, PhD

29/11/2025

It's the time of year where athletes express their appreciation for the people and programs to which they belong. As a coach, it's heartwarming to have my efforts and care acknowledged. I appreciate every sentiment but a recent favorite was "Thank you for creating a space where I feel safe." Psychological safety is a necessary component for well-being, development, and peak performance. Athletes bring a variety of histories, beliefs, and expectations and feeling safe looks different to different people. Learn about how we create and maintain a culture of belonging and psychological safety in my book FABRIC: Be the Coach and Build the Culture Every Athlete Needs.

Leadership in sport is a privilege that comes with responsibility and influence. Coaches well-versed in physiological and cognitive processes for growth, performance, and resilience provide a competitive edge for their athletes. Dr. Averna has distilled principles of development and neuroscience ...

15/06/2025

and check out episode #139 of featuring Dr. Susan Averna. It was great to talk with my good , Susan! Susan is a...

04/06/2025

Headlines fear monger over the adolescent mental health crisis. There's power in words. Are our kids in crisis? Many are suffering, for sure. Many are thriving. We lose nuance and the ability to change when we accept a narrative that disempowers us. I'm excited to explore the topic with some savvy 20-22 year old college students who came of age over the past decade, in this advanced seminar.

08/05/2025

Cindy and I talk about coach development for optimizing athlete development, well-being, and performance and for reducing coach burnout.

204. FABRIC: Be the Coach and Build the Culture Every Athlete Needs - with Dr. Averna. Cindy sits down with Susan Averna, a PhD developmental psychologist, college professor, and head cheer coach at Trinity College. For 30 years she has taught, counseled, mentored, and coached teens and young adults...

02/04/2025

Confidence and competence are built through doing. Our kids have lost the opportunity to practice and learn many physical and social skills through no fault of their own. We can thoughtfully and intentionally create the experiences necessary for these capacities to develop.

01/04/2025

What underlies peak performance, growth, and wellbeing is a strong sense of belonging. We experience a sense of belonging when we are unconditionally accepted and valued for who we are and when there is trust that when inevitable conflict and ruptures happen, there will be repair.

31/03/2025

27/03/2025

We cannot grow without discomfort and risk. And we do not take risks when under threat.

14/02/2025

Available now! Practical guidance for effective coaching and building team culture to support growth, well-being, and performance in your athletes. https://www.amazon.com/FABRIC-Coach-Build-Culture-Athlete/dp/1737068567/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=18SDTEORMQEBJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lkwoSM5F7BjBEGypGxioRWIoTmhfx3la9GjtQGZqcDc.55gMr7jv3xeMCrXtoEfWnswOZOS-YmP6HKj518KIRU4&dib_tag=se&keywords=susan+averna&qid=1739539241&sprefix=%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

25/01/2025

Serve and return 💕🧠

25/11/2023

Language is powerful and shapes our perception of daily life and each other. Thanks, Dr. Pruett for the reminder. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/once-upon-a-child/202310/when-did-typical-childhood-behavior-become-undesirable?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost&fbclid=IwAR2WtlrvE27WOX-xi2kFOY3Pwx71IlxswlJ53xadSjuzsqEUH_KlXTwQITw

Redirect parental energy to the progress of their journeys.