Karen D. Cogan was a competitive gymnast for 10 years. Her gymnastics career prematurely ended in college after two serious injuries. She then focused her energies on her academic performance and received the UCLA Outstanding Senior Award. She has a master's degree in kinesiology and a Ph.D. in psychology. Currently, she works as a sport psychologist and consults with athletes both at the University of North Texas Center for Sport Psychology and in her private practice. She is a licensed psychologist, a certified sport psychology consultant (CC, AAASP), a member of the USA Gymnastics Health Care Providers network, and a member of the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry.