Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)

11/07/2025

🌟 Meet AASP’s President-Elect, Dr. Shannon Baird, CMPC! 🌟

Dr. Baird is the lead Mental Strength Coach for the 1st Special Forces Group (1SFG), where she equips elite warriors with the mental skills to enhance performance and longevity. With 20 years of applied experience—including a decade focused on the military—she continues to advance mental skills education and shape Special Operations’ Cognitive Domain.

A former Division I athlete, Dr. Baird earned her PhD in Sport Psychology from the University of Iowa and both her MEd and BS in Kinesiology from Bowling Green State University.

Learn more about Dr. Baird’s inspiring work here: http://bit.ly/3Wj3j8c

11/06/2025

As a parent, you want your child to succeed in sport—but success is about more than wins and losses.

Our latest AASP Blog post shares five simple, practical ways you can help your athlete build confidence, resilience, and focus through sport. These lessons can improve performance and help young athletes grow into stronger, more self-assured individuals beyond the game.

Read the full article here:

As a parent, your role in fostering this mindset is critical and can have a lasting impact beyond sport. With intentional support and a focus on growth, young athletes can build the mental strength…

11/06/2025

Discover the innovative projects supported by AASP’s 2025-2026 grants! From enhancing mental skills for college athletes and expanding student-athlete mental health clubs, to examining coach excellence, psychological readiness in ROTC cadets, youth anxiety, and athlete transitions after sport—these studies are advancing applied sport psychology research and practice.

See how these grant-funded projects are shaping the future of development, mental performance, and well-being: https://bit.ly/47EvWTx

11/04/2025

Ready to take on a leadership role within AASP? We’re accepting nominations for four Executive Board positions—a great opportunity to help shape the future of our organization!

Nominations are due March 2, 2026, and terms begin in October 2026.

Learn more and apply today: https://bit.ly/47BRT5M

11/03/2025

📣 The Journal of Applied Sport Psychology (JASP) is seeking an Associate Editor for a three-year term beginning January 2026. The position includes an annual stipend and the possibility of renewal following review.

Interested candidates should submit a brief (max 500 words) statement of interest outlining their fit for the role, along with a two-page CV or résumé.

Learn more about how to apply here: https://conta.cc/4ntK4oj

10/31/2025

From all of us at AASP, we wish you a happy and safe Halloween! 🎃

10/29/2025

Ever coached someone through a 12-mile “ruck” march while teaching attention control? Or helped build confidence at the rappel tower? As a Performance Expert, you will work alongside U.S. Army soldiers, civilians, and families, delivering cognitive performance skills in the heat of tactical tasks like weapons qualification, obstacle courses, and team physical training.

Be on the front lines in dynamic, mission-driven environments where hip-pocket training meets high-impact psychology.

Your career starts here! https://sri-hq.com/careers/learn-more

10/28/2025

October’s AASP featured podcasts explore leadership, fear and risk, and elite mental performance strategies. Hear from AASP’s 9th President, Dr. Tara Scanlan, on her journey and insights; learn how stunt performer and coach Dr. Brian Hite navigates fear and resilience; and discover practical mental skills techniques from Seattle Mariners Mental Skills Coach Dr. Kellen Lee. Featured episodes include:
🔹 AASP & Answered with Drs. Chelsea Wooding and Megan Byrd, CMPCs - A Conversation with AASP's 9th President, Dr. Tara Scanlan, CMPC-Emeritus

🔹 Let’s Talk Soul Podcast - Beyond Fear: Spiritual Lessons from Risk & Danger with Dr. Brian Hite, CMPC

🔹 Baseball Outside the Box - Mental Performance Enhancement Techniques feat. Seattle Mariners Mental Skills Coach Dr. Kellen Lee, CMPC

🎧 Catch all the insights and stories here: https://bit.ly/AASP-FeaturedPods

10/27/2025

AASP Members Andrew Friesen and Erin Haugen, along with the AASP Blog post “Play Hard, Be a Good Sport, Have Fun: Coaching Strategies to Keep Kids in Sports,” were recently featured in outlets including CBS News Texas, StateCollege.com, and Prairie Public. Coverage highlighted how youth sports are becoming more inclusive, how coaches can support kids’ fun and development, and how mental performance strategies help athletes manage pressure, anxiety, and overthinking.

Check out the Members in the News page to read more: https://bit.ly/AASP-MemsintheNews

10/24/2025

How do Mental Performance Consultants (MPCs) actually earn the trust of athletes, coaches, and staff?

Dr. Rebecca Zakrajsek breaks it down with the CREATE acronym, a framework that introduces practical, research-backed ways consultants can show up with their clients and develop meaningful change. At the end of the day, the MPC role isn’t just about providing “mental skills”. It’s about creating real connection, building trust, and providing support that delivers when it matters. This video is sponsored by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5PIzPhwUAg

To learn more about AASP, please visit appliedsportpsych.org or our LinkedIn Page, or follow us on Instagram at . To learn more about the Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) certification program, please visit: appliedsportpsych.org/certification/become-certified/.

How do Mental Performance Consultants (MPCs) actually earn the trust of athletes, coaches, and staff? A question asked by many! Rebecca Zakrajsek, PhD, CMPC,...

10/23/2025

AASP’s latest newsletter features an article from the Ethics Committee exploring how practitioners can thoughtfully and ethically integrate AI into their work while maintaining the trust, empathy, and cultural competence central to effective consulting.

Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/46GBYCO

10/22/2025

Toxic team culture can quietly undermine performance, increase turnover, and hurt collaboration—but it doesn’t have to. A recent AASP blog explains how leaders can identify toxic patterns, recruit high-impact team members, and implement strategies to build a high-performance, productive culture that lasts.

Check it out here:

Encouraging people to put their individual needs second and work together for the collective good of the group is arguably one of the most challenging tasks that leaders face. Nonetheless, this is an…