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Monday 7am - 6pm Tuesday 7am - 11am 2pm - 6pm Wednesday 7am - 11am 2pm - 6pm Thursday 7am - 11am 2pm - 6pm

http://www.skadisportpsychology.com/

Skadi Sport Psychology, Minneapolis, MN (2026)

01/01/2026

2025!! What a year it’s been! I don’t yet have numbers, which offer a limited snapshot anyway, so we’re going for a month play-by-play.

JAN: We hosted the inaugural Skadi Athlete Summit, which was SO GOOD and stacked with some incredible speakers. Though we’re not doing it this year, it’ll definitely return in the future.

FEB: office expansion began & I did a training camp down in AZ

MAR: Returned to AZ to attend ‘s annual coaching summit, followed by Midsouth Double (half of which was canceled due to wildfires—but I got the 50k in!)

APR: back to AZ for the inaugural Endurance Sports Symposium, where I got to meet and IN PERSON for the first time. Definitely one of my highlights of the year.

MAY: Attended the ’s Women’s Coaches Symposium and a special event the night beforehand, both of which were filled with important conversations regarding girls and women in sport.

JUN: Doubled our office size at Skadi HQ, and completed our team roster by adding , , and .millerr as Skadi providers.

JUL: flew to DC to meet the crew in person for the first time. Another highlight of the year! Tried rowing AND paddling in an outrigger canoe. Ended up in the Potomac. Worth it.

AUG: returned to tri after a 9 year hiatus for the YWCA women’s triathlon. Already registered for next year! Also spent a week off the grid up in the boundary waters for another attempt at paddling.

SEP: returned as a sponsor for ’s season. Lots of weekend races, sleeping in tents, and opportunities to connect with the community members I know and love.

OCT: more MCA fun!

NOV: Skadi team members and flew to MN and hung out with the team for a long weekend of team bonding, including some serious pickleball.

DEC: Recorded the first batch of episodes for the upcoming podcast, which launches January 12. IT’S GOING TO BE GOOD! I’ve had so much fun connecting with thought leaders and change makers in the field.

2026 has some exciting plans in the works. Buckle up, because it’ll be a good ride!

12/31/2025

How to Know You’ve Found the Perfect Therapist, Coach, or Healthcare Professional

As an athlete, your performance isn’t just about training—it’s about having the right support system. Whether it’s a therapist helping you manage performance anxiety, a coach guiding your training, or a healthcare professional keeping you injury-free, the right person can make all the difference.

Swipe through to learn the 8 signs you’ve found someone who truly gets you and your goals. 🏆

At Skadi Sport Psychology, our team is here to help you with your mindset and mental health:
✨ Dr. Erin Ayala: Mindfulness, values-based goal setting, and self-compassion.
✨ Laurie Miller: Overcoming perfectionism and mental blocks.
✨ Hannah Silva-Breen: Thriving through failure and setbacks.
✨ Staci Mannella: Exploring identity beyond results.

💬 What’s one quality you look for in a great coach or therapist? Let us know in the comments!

📲 Want to learn more about how to find the right support at Skadi Sport Psychology? Shoot us a DM and we'll send you the information needed to set up a free consult with one of our providers.

12/30/2025

The fitness world is always changing, and if we want to build sustainable careers in sport, we need to train smart. I just finished reading the 2026 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends report, and it offers a great look at where the industry is headed.

The report surveyed over 2,000 health and fitness professionals and revealed a clear shift toward a more integrated, data-informed, and personalized future. While "Exercise for Mental Health" was a top trend, a few others stood out that have big implications for our long-term athletic journeys.

Here are a few key takeaways:

Wearable Technology (no. 1): This is about more than just counting steps. For the serious athlete, it’s a tool for intelligent recovery. By tracking metrics like heart rate variability (HRV) and sleep quality, you can learn to distinguish between general fatigue and a true need for rest. This data empowers you to decide when to push and when to pull back, which is crucial for preventing burnout and injury.

Fitness for Older Adults (no. 2) & Functional Fitness (no. 10): These trends underscore a powerful shift toward longevity. The focus is on building strength and movement quality that translates to both sport and life. By incorporating functional movements—like squats, lunges, and carries—you build a resilient foundation that supports performance for years to come.

The future of fitness is about training with intention. It's about using technology wisely, prioritizing functional strength, and building a body that can perform for a lifetime.

What’s one trend you’re excited to see gaining momentum in the fitness world?

Reference: McAvoy, C. R., Batrakoulis, A., Camhi, S. M., Sansone, J., Stanfield, J. T., & Reed, R. (2025). 2026 ACSM worldwide fitness trends: Future directions of the health and fitness industry. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal®, 29(6), 16-33.

12/29/2025

What sets therapy at Skadi Sport Psychology apart? For starters, we center your athletic identity while addressing your mental health.

We hear it often from athletes who’ve tried traditional therapy: “They were nice, but...”

That’s where we’re different. Here’s how Skadi supports you:
✅ We combine clinical expertise with deep knowledge of sport psychology.
✅ Therapy focuses on both performance and mental health, whether it’s managing anxiety, working through trauma, or coping with ADHD.
✅ Our strategies are practical—helping you thrive in sport and life.

And we get it—your mental health is as important as your physical health. That’s why we prioritize building trust with you, so therapy feels like a partnership, not judgment.

We’re also excited to have some pretty stellar providers on the team! They moved from 3 different states to become team members, and we couldn't be more grateful. They're offering therapy in Minnesota, plus performance coaching virtually everywhere.

Your mental health deserves care from someone who truly understands the challenges and pressures of athletic life.

What’s something you’ve always wondered about therapy for athletes? Drop your thoughts below, or DM us to book a free consult!

12/28/2025

Your mind deserves the same rigorous training as your body. Too often, we treat mental health as an afterthought, something to address only when it becomes a problem. But when you make mental health a priority, you're not showing weakness. You're demonstrating the strength it takes to nurture every aspect of your health and unlock your full athletic potential.

The holiday season offers a unique opportunity to shift focus inward. With a natural break in the usual rhythm of work and training, you have the space to build the mental skills that will carry you through the next season. This isn't about adding more stress; it's about strategic recovery and preparation that goes beyond the physical.

So, how can you train your mind during this time?

Start a meditation practice. Even just a few minutes a day can help improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance your ability to stay present during high-pressure moments. Think of it as strength training for your attention.

You can also begin psychological skills training. This involves learning techniques like visualization, goal-setting, and developing effective self-talk. Imagine yourself executing a strong race or handling a tough moment or setback with composure. By mentally rehearsing success, you build the neural pathways that make it more likely to happen.

This time of year is your opportunity to invest in the one piece of equipment that goes with you everywhere: your mind. Use this time to build a stronger, more resilient you.

What's one mental skill you're committed to working on this season?

12/27/2025

Navigating sport psychology and mental performance information online can feel like sorting gold from fool's gold.

The research is clear: misinformation in mental performance spreads rapidly because it often promises quick fixes to complex challenges. Studies examining online mental training content found that posts with sensationalist claims receive 3x more engagement despite lacking scientific validity.

When evaluating mental performance advice, look for:

1️⃣ Appropriate qualifying language ("research suggests" not "proven to")
2️⃣ Specific citations to peer-reviewed studies
3️⃣ Acknowledgment of limitations and individual differences
4️⃣ Legitimate credentials (LP, CMPC) rather than vague "certifications"
5️⃣ Claims matching the actual research magnitude (modest, realistic gains)

At Skadi Sport Psychology, all our providers are dually trained and committed to sharing credible, evidence-based information. We believe in making reliable sport psychology research accessible to all athletes.

Remember: evidence-based mental skills training works, but requires consistent practice and individualized approaches—just like physical training.

What's the most outrageous mental performance claim you've seen online? Drop it below so we can tell you what the science actually says! 👇

12/26/2025

Feeling constantly fatigued, even after rest? It could be more than a tough training block—burnout is real, and it’s something every serious athlete should understand. Here’s what you need to know:

What is athlete burnout?
Burnout involves physical and emotional exhaustion, caused by prolonged stress from training or competition, rather than just being tired. It shows up as:
👉 Persistent fatigue that rest doesn’t fix
👉 Declining performance despite more effort
👉 Loss of motivation or joy in your sport
👉 Irritability, anxiety, or mood swings
👉 Feeling detached from training and goals
👉 Nagging injuries or frequent illness

Preventing burnout:
The goal here is about doing things smarter, not doing less.
👉 Prioritize recovery like training: Sleep is key. Take rest days and plan lighter weeks.
👉 Separate your worth from results: You’re a person first, athlete second. Celebrate effort, not just outcomes.

Signs feel familiar? Take action:
👉 Zoom out: Take a break—whether that’s a few days off or a week of fun, unstructured activity. Reconnect with hobbies, friends, and family.
👉 Refocus on your “why”: Remember why you started. Find joy in the process, not just the results.

Your journey as an athlete is a marathon, not a sprint. Honor your body and mind so you can stay in the race.

Save this post as a reminder to check in with yourself. 🏃‍♂️

12/25/2025

For the first time ever last month, our core team all came together in person! Sam (our superstar virtual assistant) and Katie (our operations mind who keeps Skadi humming) flew in from Florida and Michigan for a few days packed with team bonding.

Even though Katie has been with Skadi for over two and a half years, and Sam nearly a year, this was the first time the entire team got to hang out face-to-face. It was overdue—and so worth it!

We swapped stories over a team dinner, got way too serious about our sock exchange, and filled a long weekend with laughter, brainstorming, pickleball, and a healthy dose of (let’s call it what it was) good old-fashioned scheming for 2026. These moments fueled us with connection and raised the bar for what teamwork can feel like.

After dinner on night one, Katie asked me, "would you ever have thought you'd be here 3 years ago?" My answer? Nope. Never.

In the book Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert explains how she thinks of creative ideas. She views them as living things that float around our world looking for humans to partner with and bring them to life. If we aren't open or receptive enough to make them a reality, ideas will move onto their next prospect. If we are too distracted, too busy, or too anxious to give them the attention they deserve, they move on, because they know their worth. And when a human gets excited by the idea and goes all in by taking a leap of faith and doing the damn thing? Great things happen.

This, my friends, is Skadi.

Wishing you all a meaningful and enjoyable holiday season, filled with plenty of rest and connection.

From left to right: Katie, Staci, Billy, Erin, Sam, & Laurie (not pictured: Hannah & Lexi)

12/23/2025

Ever wonder if sport psychology really works? As a former professor, I love digging into the research, and a recent major review gives us some clear answers.

Researchers analyzed 30 meta-analyses, covering decades of studies on how our minds impact performance. They wanted to know: what's the real effect of things like confidence, anxiety, and mental skills training on athletes?

The key finding? Proactively building positive psychological skills (like confidence, mindfulness, and self-talk) has a proven, moderate-to-large impact on performance. While negative factors like anxiety do have an effect, it's smaller than the boost you get from positive mental training.

So, the most powerful takeaway is this: Focus your energy on building your mental toolkit. Small, consistent efforts to improve your mental game can lead to very real gains in your sport.

What's one mental skill you're working on right now? Share it in the comments!

Based on: Lochbaum, M., Stoner, E., Hefner, T., Cooper, S., Lane, A. M., & Terry, P. C. (2022). Sport psychology and performance meta-analyses: A systematic review of the literature. PloS one, 17(2), e0263408.

12/21/2025

There's a prevailing myth in sports culture that pushing through pain is a badge of honor, a sign of toughness and commitment. But true athletic wisdom isn't about ignoring your body's signals; it's about learning to understand them. You don't have to push through pain to prove your worth.

One of the most important skills you can develop for a long and successful athletic career is the ability to distinguish between productive discomfort and actual harm.

Productive discomfort is the feeling of exertion that signals growth. It's the burn in your muscles during the last few reps of a hard strength session, or the labored breathing at the end of a tough interval. This kind of discomfort is temporary and manageable. It feels challenging, but not threatening. It's the feeling of your body adapting and getting stronger.

Pain, on the other hand, is your body’s alarm system. It’s sharp, stabbing, or persistent. It might be a joint that aches with every step of your run or a tweak in your shoulder that worsens with each swim stroke. This is not the feeling of growth; it's a warning sign that you're approaching or have already caused injury. Pushing through this kind of pain doesn't build character. It often leads to missed workouts and a longer recovery time.

Learning to tell the difference requires honesty and self-awareness. It means letting go of the ego that says you have to finish every workout, no matter the cost. True strength is having the wisdom to back off, modify, or rest when your body is sending you signals of harm. This isn't weakness; it's the ultimate strategy for longevity and sustainable progress.

What’s one way you’ve learned to listen to your body and tell the difference between discomfort and pain?

12/20/2025

Ever wondered what your therapist's Spotify Wrapped says about them? 🤔

Here's a peek at what our team has on repeat and what it might mean for your sessions:

🎵 Dr. Erin Ayala: With a love for Freak Folk (what is that, actually?!) and Electronica, sessions with Erin are like a perfectly curated lofi playlist: calm(ish), focused, and full of outside-the-box perspectives.

🎵 Hannah Silva-Breen: A high listening time of 67,000 minutes shows her dedication. Therapy with Hannah is like your favorite playlist on repeat: steady, comforting, and full of good vibes to help you find strength in your emotions.

🎵 Staci Mannella: Her top genres like Indie Folk and Oldies reflect her therapy style. Sessions are like a cozy chat with an old soul, full of wisdom, warmth, and humor to help you explore who you are beyond performance.

🎵 Laurie Miller: A mix of Alternative Country and Pop Rap (and gymnastics floor music!) means sessions with Laurie are structured, supportive, and energetic. She creates a judgment-free space where vulnerability is celebrated.

Therapists: what does your Spotify wrapped say about you and your style?

12/17/2025

Social media can be a double-edged sword for athletes. While it connects us to inspiring communities, it can also promote harmful comparisons and unrealistic body ideals.

But here’s the good news: YOU have the power to curate your feed and reshape your experience.

Swipe through to learn:
✨ How social media impacts body confidence
✨ Tips to curate your feed for positivity
✨ 10 athletes to follow who redefine what it means to be an athlete

Remember: Your body is your home. Surround yourself with messages that remind you to treat it with respect.

Want to read up some more on how to audit your social media feed? Comment below or DM us the phrase "Skadi blog" and we'll send you the link to our most recent article.

Skadi Sport Psychology

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Monday	7am - 6pm
Tuesday	7am - 11am
	2pm - 6pm
Wednesday	7am - 11am
	2pm - 6pm
Thursday	7am - 11am
	2pm - 6pm