Michael Allison Privacy Policy
Last updated: October, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Smarter Coaching LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”), the business of Michael Allison, collects, uses, and shares personal information when you visit michaelallison.com (the “Site”), subscribe to our newsletter, or contact us.
If you have questions about this policy, email us at michael@theplayzone.com.
1. Information we collect
Information you give us
Newsletter and updates. When you subscribe to The Pursuit of Play, ask to hear about The Performance Code, or join an early-access list, we collect your email address. These signups are handled by Substack.
Enquiry and contact forms. When you contact us about coaching, speaking, media, or anything else, we collect your name, email address, and what you choose to tell us. Speaking enquiries may also include your organization, event date, location, audience, format, and budget.
Emails you send us. If you email us directly, we keep that correspondence.
Information collected automatically
Usage data. When you visit the Site, we and our service providers collect information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, the page that referred you, and the links you click (including links to Substack, the Polyvagal Institute, and book retailers).
Cookies and similar technologies. See section 4.
We do not knowingly collect sensitive information such as health data through the Site. Please do not include it in forms.
2. How we use your information
To send the newsletter, podcast updates, and book or course announcements you signed up for. Legal basis for EU/UK visitors: your consent, which you can withdraw at any time by unsubscribing.
To reply to your enquiry and arrange coaching, speaking, or media work. Legal basis: steps you ask us to take before entering a contract, and our legitimate interest in responding.
To understand how the Site is used and improve it. Legal basis: your consent, where cookies are involved; otherwise our legitimate interest.
To keep the Site and forms secure and prevent spam. Legal basis: our legitimate interest.
To meet legal, tax, and accounting obligations. Legal basis: legal obligation.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for automated decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on you.
3. Who we share it with
We share personal information only with service providers that help us run the Site and our work, and only as much as they need:
Squarespace hosts the Site and processes contact form submissions. (squarespace.com/privacy)
Substack hosts The Pursuit of Play and manages our email list. (substack.com/privacy)
Google Analytics measures Site traffic. (policies.google.com/privacy)
Substack receives and stores enquiries.
Links to other sites. The Site links to sites we do not control, including Substack, the Polyvagal Institute learning platform, Psychology Today, LinkedIn, podcast apps, and book retailers. Their own privacy policies apply once you leave the Site.
We may also disclose information if the law requires it, to protect our rights or the safety of others, or as part of a sale or transfer of the business.
4. Cookies
Cookies are small files stored on your device. The Site uses two kinds:
Necessary cookies keep the Site working and secure, for example by remembering your cookie choices. These are always on.
Analytics cookies help us understand which pages people visit. Visitors in the EU, UK, and other regions that require it are asked for consent before these are set.
You can change your choice at any time through the cookie banner or the Cookie Preferences link in the footer. You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the Site may not work as intended.
Embedded content such as videos may set its own cookies when you play it.
5. How long we keep it, where it goes, and how it is protected
Retention. We keep your email address for as long as you stay subscribed. We keep enquiries and correspondence for 2 years after our last contact, or longer if we work together and records are needed for tax or legal reasons. Analytics data is kept for 14 months.
International transfers. We are based in the United States, and our service providers may process data in the United States and other countries. When we transfer personal information from the EU or UK, we rely on our providers’ safeguards, such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses or the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.
Security. We use reputable providers and reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure.
6. Your rights
Everyone. You can unsubscribe from any email using the link at the bottom of it. You can also ask us to correct or delete your information by emailing michael@theplayzone.com.
EU and UK visitors. You have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to our use of your personal information, to receive a copy of it, and to withdraw consent at any time. You can also complain to your local data protection authority.
California and other US state residents. Depending on where you live, you may have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request its deletion or correction, and to opt out of its sale or sharing for targeted advertising. We do not sell personal information. We will not treat you differently for using these rights.
To make a request, email michael@theplayzone.com. We will respond within 30 days and may need to verify your identity first.
7. Children
The Site is not directed to children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has given us information, contact us and we will delete it.
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top shows when it last changed. If we make significant changes, we will let subscribers know by email.
9. Contact us
Smarter Coaching LLC
620 Rockwood Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
michael@theplayzone.com