The Power of Feedback and Resilience with Lyndsey Stevens

What do you do when the assessment sheet says "Did Not Attain"? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas talks with PSIA-AASI National Team member Lyndsey Stevens about her journey through the assessment process. Lyndsey opens up about failing her trainer assessment three times before finally succeeding on her fourth attempt. She explains how those setbacks weren't just hurdles, but essential learning moments that shaped her into the high-level educator she is today. Lyndsey dives into the difference between "passively declining" and "actively seeking" feedback, and why moving from the question of "Why did I fail?" to "What do I do to succeed?" is a total game changer. We discuss the importance of "Follow-up Culture," how to be a better receiver of feedback, and why examiners often enjoy being mentors more than they enjoy being proctors. Whether you are preparing for your Level I or eyeing a spot on the National Team, this conversation offers a roadmap for turning a "check-box" failure into a long-term professional victory. In this episode, we discuss: The emotional weight of seeing "Did Not Attain" on an assessment sheet. Reframing the past: Moving your focus from "Why" to "What." How to bridge the gap between being "at the standard" and proving it during an exam. The "Follow-up Culture": Prompting trainers with specific goals to get better data. Why being a good receiver of feedback is a skill that must be practiced. Read Lyndsey’s full article in the Winter 2026 issue of 32 Degrees magazine. 0:00 Intro: Meet Lyndsey Stevens and the "Did Not Attain" Moment 1:10 The Reality of Failure: It Took Four Tries to Pass 2:20 The Expectation Gap: Training Hard in the Wrong Direction 3:45 Moving from Passive to Active: Reaching Out to Mentors 5:00 Doing the Work: Preparing Outlines and Practicing MA Out Loud 6:45 The Pressure of the Team: Banking Days and Balancing Reputations 8:00 Strengthening the Eye: Leading Weekly Indoor MA Sessions 9:35 Shifting the Question: From "Why" (Past) to "What" (Future) 11:15 Reframing Feedback: Overcoming the Fear of Being a Burden 12:45 The Lightbulb Moment: Taking Responsibility as a Communicator 14:15 Barriers to Success: Avoiding Defensive Responses to Feedback 15:45 The Follow-Up Culture: Prompting Trainers for Specific Feedback 17:30 Avoiding the Plateau: Becoming a Lifelong Learner 18:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts