Keynote Speaking
for your next Event or Conference
Dr. Erin Ayala
Sport Psychologist | Business Owner | Endurance Athlete | Podcast Host |
Sport Psychologist | Business Owner | Endurance Athlete | Podcast Host |
Dr. Erin Ayala delivers keynotes that equip athletes, coaches, and staff with practical strategies to manage pressure, build resilience, and thrive, on and off the field. Because she's not just a psychologist. She's an athlete who's been in their shoes.
Organizations I’ve Spoken For:
You're Seeing It Happen on Your Teams
The signs are everywhere:
💔 Athletes who dominate in practice but freeze in competition
😰 Rising anxiety, burnout, and mental health crises you don't know how to address
🤷 Coaches who care deeply but lack the language and tools to help
📈 Pressure to prioritize mental health, but no clear roadmap for how
The old "tough it out" approach isn't working anymore. And generic motivational speakers who've never worked with athletes? They're missing the mark.
Your team doesn't need another pep talk. They need practical, evidence-based mental performance strategies, from someone who gets it.
That's where I come in.
Meet Dr. Erin Ayala
A Sport Psychologist Who Actually Gets It, Because I've Lived It
Here's the thing: I'm not just a psychologist who studies athletes from the outside. I am one.
I've stood on start lines with my heart pounding. I've pushed through when everything hurt. And yes, I've also fallen apart under pressure and had to figure out how to come back stronger.
As a licensed sport psychologist, Ironman finisher, published author, and founder of Skadi Sport Psychology, I spend my days working with athletes—from 12-year-olds finding their footing to Olympians chasing podiums. I also host the Feisty Women's Performance podcast, bringing evidence-based conversations about women's health and sport to thousands of listeners.
I know what it's like to battle perfectionism, navigate injury, and wrestle with the voice that says you're not good enough. And I have a PhD in Counseling Psychology and years of clinical practice to back up every strategy I share.
My Mission
To give your athletes, coaches, and staff the mental performance tools that actually work, not the fluff, not the "just think positive" nonsense, but real strategies grounded in psychology and sport.
What To Expect You Book Erin to Speak at Your Next Event
This isn't a generic motivational speech. When you bring me in, here's what your organization gets:
✅ Athletes leave with tools they can use immediately not vague inspiration, but concrete strategies for managing anxiety, building resilience, and performing under pressure
✅ Coaches and staff gain practical language to recognize mental health struggles and support their athletes effectively
✅ Content tailored to YOUR context whether it's youth leagues, collegiate programs, national governing bodies, or corporate wellness events, I customize every keynote to fit your sport, culture, and challenges
✅ Evidence-based strategies grounded in sport psychology research and clinical practice—no pseudoscience, no fluff
✅ An engaging, story-driven experience that keeps people hooked and ready to do the work (not zoning out on their phones)
✅ A safe, inclusive environment where all athletes, regardless of identity, ability, or level, see themselves in the conversation
The result?
Your team walks away with a shared language around mental health, practical skills to manage pressure, and a culture shift toward prioritizing athlete wellbeing alongside performance.
Speaking Topics That Actually Matter
Custom topics available! Let's work together to design content that fits your audience's unique needs.
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Description: Athletes train hard, but when it's game time, anxiety takes over. This session breaks down why performance anxiety happens and gives participants research-backed strategies to manage it—not eliminate it (spoiler: that's impossible), but work with it.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding the physiology of anxiety and why it shows up before competition
Practical breathing and grounding techniques to regulate your nervous system
Reframing anxiety as information, not the enemy
Building pre-performance routines that actually work
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Description: Mental toughness isn't about "toughing it out." It's about bouncing back, adapting, and showing up even when things are hard. This session dives into what resilience really looks like and how to build it sustainably.
Key Takeaways:
The difference between grit and burnout (and how to avoid the latter)
How to reframe setbacks as data, not failures
Strategies for building psychological flexibility
Creating a growth mindset that supports long-term development
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Description: Perfectionism can drive you to greatness—until it drives you into the ground. This session helps athletes and coaches recognize when high standards become self-sabotage, and how to shift toward sustainable excellence.
Key Takeaways:
Identifying the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism
Practical tools to quiet the inner critic
Building self-compassion without losing your edge
Setting goals that challenge you without destroying you
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Description: Injury doesn't just hurt the body—it messes with your head. This session addresses the psychological side of injury, including grief, identity shifts, and the fear that keeps you from trusting your body again.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding the emotional stages of injury recovery
Managing fear of reinjury and rebuilding confidence
Maintaining athletic identity during time away from sport
Communicating effectively with coaches and medical teams
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Description: Motivation isn't magic—it's a skill you can develop. This session explores how to set meaningful goals, stay motivated through the grind, and build habits that support long-term athletic development.
Key Takeaways:
The science of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation
How to set process and outcome goals that actually inspire you
Building systems and habits that outlast motivation
Recognizing when to push and when to rest
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Description: Burnout is real, and it's on the rise. This session helps athletes and coaches recognize the warning signs, understand the systemic factors that contribute to burnout, and take proactive steps to protect mental health.
Key Takeaways:
Identifying early warning signs of burnout
Understanding the role of rest, recovery, and boundaries
How to ask for help (and where to find it)
Creating team cultures that prioritize mental health
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Description: Retirement, career shifts, perimenopause, life changes—athletes face transitions that can shake their sense of identity. This session explores how to navigate these moments with resilience and self-compassion.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding the psychology of athletic identity and transition
Strategies for redefining success beyond competition
Managing grief and uncertainty during change
Building a sense of self that extends beyond sport
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Description: Coaches and leaders set the tone. This session explores how to build team environments where athletes feel safe to be vulnerable, take risks, and grow—without sacrificing accountability or performance.
Key Takeaways:
What psychological safety actually means (and what it doesn't)
How to give feedback that challenges without crushing
Recognizing and addressing mental health struggles in athletes
Building team norms that support both performance and wellbeing
What Your Audience Will Experience
Every keynote is customized, but here's what you can expect:
Engaging, Story-Driven Content
I weave together research, real athlete stories (mine and my clients'), and practical frameworks that make psychology accessible and memorable. No boring PowerPoints, just real talk that resonates.
Evidence-Based Strategies
No fluff, no pseudoscience. Every strategy I share is grounded in sport psychology research and clinical practice. You'll get tools that actually work, delivered in a way that makes sense.
Actionable Skills
Your audience leaves with strategies they can use today. Whether it's managing pre-race nerves, reframing failure, or building better team communication.
Inclusive, Human-First Approach
I believe all athletes deserve support, regardless of age, ability, identity, or competitive level. My presentations reflect that commitment, creating space for everyone to see themselves in the work.
What's Included When You Book
✅ Pre-Event Discovery Call
We'll chat about your audience, goals, and what success looks like for your event. This ensures the content hits the mark, not generic, but genuinely relevant.
🗨️Customized Keynote Presentation
Flexible format. Virtual or in-person. Tailored to your needs.
❓Interactive Q&A Session
Time for your audience to ask questions and dive deeper into what matters most to them.
📄 Downloadable Resources
Participants get tools and handouts they can reference after the event, keeping the learning going long after I leave.
⏩Follow-Up Support Options (Optional)
Want to extend the impact? I offer follow-up workshops, team sessions, or resource recommendations to keep the momentum alive.
Featured In The Media
Dr. Ayala's Work in Sport Psychology & Athlete Mental Health
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Dr. Ayala has authored books on sport psychology, mental performance, and athlete wellbeing, including work on perfectionism, performance anxiety, and sustainable athletic development.
Stay tuned for her latest author project HERE.
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Thousands of athletes and coaches tune in for honest, evidence-based conversations about women's health, performance psychology, perimenopause in sport, and the mental side of athletic performance.
🎧Listen to the podcast HERE.
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Is This Right for Your Organization?
Erin's keynotes are designed for organizations that care about the whole athlete—mind, body, and wellbeing.
You should book Erin if you're:
✔️ A youth sport organization or league looking to support young athletes and educate coaches and parents about mental health
✔️ A high school or collegiate athletic program committed to building mentally resilient, high-performing teams
✔️ A national governing body or sport organization ready to embed mental health and performance psychology into your culture
✔️ A nonprofit focused on athlete development, and you want evidence-based content that aligns with your mission
✔️ A corporate wellness program or conference exploring performance psychology, resilience, and leadership
✔️ A coach development program seeking to equip coaches with practical mental performance tools
No matter your sport, competitive level, or organization size—if you're ready to invest in athlete mental health and performance, we should talk.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I typically book keynotes 3-9 months in advance. I review every inquiry personally to ensure it's the right fit, so early planning helps secure your date.
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Both! Virtual presentations are available nationwide. In-person keynotes include travel (billed separately at cost).
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Keynote fees are customized based on organization type (nonprofit, school, corporate), event scope, and content needs. We'll discuss your budget during the discovery call. I offer reduced fees for 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
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Perfect. I specialize in making sport psychology accessible, especially for audiences new to the topic. I'll meet you where you are.
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Absolutely. Customization is built in. While I specialize in endurance sports, I work across many disciplines and will design content that fits your context.
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During the call, I'll learn about your event, audience, and goals. If it's a great fit, you'll receive a detailed proposal with content outline, logistics, pricing, and next steps. No pressure, just clarity.
Ready to Bring Evidence-Based Sport Psychology to Your Event?
Here's how it works:
Complete our Interest Form &
Free Discovery Call
Share your event goals, audience, and what success looks like through our interest form. We’ll follow up to schedule a call to discuss your goals and whether this is the right fit for your organization.
Receive Your
Custom Proposal
You'll get a tailored proposal outlining keynote content, logistics, pricing, and what your team will walk away with.
Lock in
Your Date
Sign the agreement and secure your event on the calendar.
(I book 3-9 months in advance, so early planning helps!)
Collaborate
& Deliver
I'll work with you leading up to the event to customize content for your specific context—then show up ready to deliver a keynote your team will be talking about for months.
Other Ways To Work With Erin
Interested in inviting Dr. Ayala to contribute to your work? Beyond keynote speaking, Erin is available for:
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Looking for an expert guest who can speak authentically about athlete mental health, sport psychology, women's health in sport, perfectionism, or performance psychology? Erin brings both clinical expertise and lived experience as an athlete to podcast interviews.
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Need an expert contributor for your publication, book chapter, research project, or editorial piece? Erin is open to writing opportunities that align with her work in sport psychology and athlete mental health.
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Want to go deeper than a one-time keynote? Erin offers customized workshop series and multi-session training programs for teams, coaching staff, athletic departments, and sport organizations.
Interested in collaborating?
Reach out to discuss opportunities: 📧 hello@skadisportpsychology.com
Download Erin’s Speaker Kit
Sharing this with your planning committee or board?
Grab the speaker kit with Erin's bio, credentials, speaking topics, and past engagements.