Dr. Carrie Hastings’ success story begins with failure. The first time she competed in a hurdles race for Stroudsburg, Pa., High School, she faceplanted and bloodied her knees and elbows.

“You could hear the gasp of the spectators,” she recalls. “It was humiliating, but in that moment I had a choice. I could walk off the track and accept the disqualification, or get up, clear the remaining hurdles, and cross the finish line. I completed the race, promising myself that I would allow the grit in my knees and elbows to build my internal grit and resilience.”

Carrie went on to an outstanding track career, becoming one of the top hurdlers in Pennsylvania, and competing as a hurdler and sprinter at Notre Dame. She was the Irish track co-captain in 1997-98, while earning a B.A. in Communications. Carrie went on to obtain her master’s and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University, where she has worked as part of the adjunct faculty.

“Throughout my athletic career, I went through various personal challenges that impacted my focus and overall functioning.” Carrie says. “I didn’t have access to a sport psychologist but needed one. Once I decided to pursue psychology, I knew that I wanted to work with an athletic population. I felt particularly compelled to help athletes address mental and emotional stressors that can interfere with performance because I could relate to that struggle.”

Today, Dr. Carrie Hastings is a licensed clinical and sport psychologist and is the team psychologist for the Los Angeles Rams. She is also the Founder and CEO of Sport Psychology, Inc., a community resource that provides mental health support and mental skills training for athletes. Within her private practice, Dr. Hastings specializes in sport psychology, neuropsychological and psychological testing, and individual therapy. She is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and is listed in the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology and Mental Training Registry. Dr. Hastings currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the nonprofit organization, SportPsychMDs. 

“I have spent years working with athletes and non-athletes. By the time the Rams came looking for a team clinician, I not only felt prepared for the position, but confident that it could be a perfect fit. Being an athlete has been such a huge part of my identity, and my current work gives me a sense of purpose. Regardless of the level of play, I remain passionate about embracing athletes holistically.”

Dr. Hastings serves a youth population through her role as a Trainer and Research Specialist for the Play Like A Champion Today Education Series, leading workshops in southern California. She also presents nationally on the topics of trauma-sensitive & responsive coaching, depression & suicide, and bullying & hazing.

“Unpredictable circumstances repeatedly occur within sport and how one deals with them translates into everyday life,” Carrie says. “I like to tell athletes that it’s better to fail and learn than to win and learn nothing.”