DEI: Coaching with an Open Heart and Mind
Spectrum Performance is a multisport coaching service founded on the principles of DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The goal of Spectrum Performance is to help EVERY one discover their movement, and to support that movement through an open heart and mind informed by the principles of exercise science and best practice coaching.
Diversity: expressed in many forms, including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origin, religious commitments, age, (dis)ability status and political perspective.
Equity: acknowledging and recognizing the root causes of disparities in society with unbiased and impartial procedures, policies, processes, distributions of resources by institutions and systems.
Inclusion: differences are welcomed, different perspectives are respectfully heard and every individual feels a sense of belonging.
All are welcome; I’ve listed a few areas in which I have experience (not expertise). I am continually on an open-minded journey of growth, discovery, and learning regarding how best to support all individuals on their fitness journey. As a coach and member of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, I promise to consistently educate myself, acknowledge my privilege, and embrace my own diversity.
BIPOC individuals: You are seen, welcome, and heard here. I’m committed to listening and collaborating with you to ensure that you are supported in an environment that encourages strength without compromise and focuses on true representation and belonging in all aspects of the fitness world and racing. I hope that together we can create more diverse, inclusive, and equitable opportunities in fitness.
Autism/sensory processing: As someone who has collaborated with children and adults with autism and sensory processing disorder for the past 16 years, I have come to humbly recognize that the world looks and feels unique to every person living in it; together we can find ways to allow our uniqueness to thrive in settings we never dared to try. I was first a certified special education teacher, and now am an adaptive BCBA, classically trained with a modern approach. I create programs to meet unique sensory differences, social barriers, and learning styles, and collaborate with you to achieve your goals in a method true to you.
LGBTQIA: As a queer athlete and coach I strive to ensure all my athletes feel welcome and have a home in the fitness and racing community. I’ve been no stranger to second glances when traveling with my partner to races, feeling unsafe for showing affection, and sometimes needing to hide my queerness. I’m committed to queer visibility and safety in fitness and racing, and am very attuned to the specific challenges that trans athletes face in larger fitness settings, and in gendered race competitions. You can be uniquely yourself here without compromise or fear, and we will work together to find your place and, if applicable, navigate policy and protocols for competition.
Depression/Anxiety: Movement, mindfulness, and therapy have helped me manage my depression and anxiety (both clinically diagnosed at a young age). I understand that while movement was a natural way for me to support these struggles, depression and/or anxiety often contradict an ability to exert ourselves physically. I adapt plans to create goals that are both achievable and create a sense of accomplishment, modifying plans as needed to encourage adherence and habit formation for real, lasting change. If you’re struggling with one or both of these hurdles and have felt exercise programs haven’t worked for you, I understand. I’m ready to adapt your plan to your ebbs and flows of energy and emotional availability so that you feel the effect of continuous movement; 1 minute a day up to larger race goals and dreams. We can do this together, with empathy and adaptability.
Woman identifying athletes: Prenatal: all stages, from preconception, pregnancy, and recovery. Menopause, working moms, busy moms, in all stages of fitness. I’ve coached women with menopause needs, and am gaining both educational and personal experience with preconception and pregnancy coaching, as well as coaching through fertility treatments and hormone therapy.
