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Spotlight On: Dr. Kimberley Amirault-Ryan, Lead of Sport Psychology for the Canadian Olympic Committee and Performance Consultant for the Edmonton Oilers

Spotlight On: Dr. Kimberley Amirault-Ryan, Lead of Sport Psychology for the Canadian Olympic Committee and Performance Consultant for the Edmonton Oilers

Dr. Kimberley Amirault-Ryan lives her philosophy of embracing challenges and pushing boundaries to achieve more. The first female performance consultant for the New York Rangers, the New York Knicks, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Edmonton Oilers, she is also the lead of sport psychology for the Canadian Olympic Committee. Her passion for motivating audiences to reach their fullest potential has received praise from international corporations and sports organizations alike, including Visa, ING, the NHL, and the NBA.

What inspired you to want to be a speaker?

The incredible coaches I have had as an athlete and the ones I am privileged to work alongside with inspired me to want to go into speaking. Their ability to take people beyond even where they think they can go is phenomenal to work beside.

Any advice for aspiring speakers?

Talk with (not to) people. Have fun and enlist a great team to help you like I have at Speakers’ Spotlight.

What do you like to leave audiences with?

The “how” and the feeling that we are all “limitless” and will reach our full potential.

How do you prepare before a talk? Any special rituals? A good luck talisman?

I always go for a run the morning of a talk to ensure my mind is clear and fully present for my audience.

Do you have an especially memorable event you can tell us about?

The only talk I was ever really nervous about was on my first day in professional sport with the New York Rangers. I was supposed to talk to the whole team on the first day of training camp and I was worried about what they would think about me and my ability to make a difference. Then, on my way to Madison Square Garden the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks happened and obviously this  postponed my talk by a few days. It put my previous worry into perspective and gave me the lesson that any energy spent worrying about the things I can’t control is energy taken away from my desire to help others and make a difference.

Any funny or embarrassing situations you found yourself in as a speaker?

I am always surprised with the humorous questions people ask about my life during the question period after a talk…even as the cameras are rolling!

Is there a charitable cause that you feel passionate about? Why?

Joe’s Team Duathlon in Calgary for cancer because cancer has taken so much from so many we love.

If you had to choose a new career, what would it be?

Surfer or singer.

Desert island album?

The Heist and The Joshua Tree.

Best subject in school?

Psychology.

Last book you read?

Tao Te Ching by Lao-tzu.

Last film you saw?

We’re The Millers.

Celebrity crush?

Channing Tatum.