Hi Reader,
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If there’s anything I’ve learned about being a psychologist over the past decade, it’s the importance of leaning into difficult and taboo conversations with compassion and curiosity. I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about my thoughts regarding the IOC’s latest trans athlete policy, which has sparked more social media debates and opinions about whether it’s appropriate. One thing that I’ve been stressing a lot during my conversations has been the importance of the community supporting trans and non-binary athletes with the “little things that are actually the big things” on a day-to-day basis.
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Just like building fitness or improving your mental skills, consistency is king here. We don’t need to start with grand gestures of allyship when working to support folks from historically excluded communities. What we CAN do is consistently show up in small and meaningful ways.
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So this email is for those of you wanting to do something, not nothing, despite feeling a little unsure about where or how to help. Here are a few ideas and suggestions for you. 👇

3️⃣ Things You Can Do Starting Today:

1. Create proactive policies BEFORE you’re asked
Don’t wait for trans athletes to join your team before making changes. Rename teams to be gender-expansive. Build inclusive spaces. Create systems that don’t require athletes to advocate for their own inclusion. The message this sends? “You belong here. We’ve already thought about this.”
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​2. Build it, and they will come (but be patient)
The gravel bike racing community has done something brilliant over the past several years: they created non-binary categories before they had participants. Not because it was required. Because it was the right thing to do. The result? Participation grew from single athletes to full podiums to dozens of competitors. And this year, MidSouth even had its own pro non-binary field in addition to a field for amateurs. When you create space, athletes show up—but be patient—because it takes times.
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​3. Use your privilege as an ally
If you’re a cisgender athlete, coach, or administrator, your voice carries weight in spaces where trans voices are dismissed. Challenge exclusionary policies. Create inclusive spaces without being asked. Do your own education instead of asking trans athletes to teach you. Your job isn’t to speak FOR trans athletes. It’s to use your position to create and defend inclusive spaces.
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This work matters. Not just for trans and non-binary athletes, but for all of us. When we lean into some of the messy conversations in sport with curiosity and compassion, we create more flexible, human-centered approaches that allow everyone to speak, learn, listen, and thrive.
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Check out the latest blog post with specific actions for coaches, athletes, and administrators. Read it here. 📖

🎙️This week on the Feisty Women’s Performance Podcast…

We welcome Dr. Melissa Mauskar to tackle the often-taboo topic of saddle sores in female cyclists. Discover evidence-based insights on prevention and treatment that can transform your cycling experience.

​🎧Listen on Apple Podcast​
​🎧Listen on Spotify​
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You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Just start somewhere. Today.
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Til next time,
Dr. A
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​P.S. If you’re an athlete navigating these challenges, or a coach building more inclusive team culture, check out our free DEI event guide to create more inclusive and equitable spaces. It even includes an event audit tool to help you identify growth areas for your events!

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