Ellie Smith
Specializing in Sport & Performance Mindset in St. Petersburg
Helping athletes and performers strengthen the mental side of performance, including confidence, focus, resilience, and consistency under pressure
Supporting athletes through injury recovery and the return-to-play process, rebuilding trust in the body and confidence in competition
About Ellie
Ellie Smith is a Mental Performance Intern at It Begins Within Healing Center, dedicated to helping athletes and performers strengthen the mental side of sport and performance. As both an athlete and a performer, Ellie developed her passion for mental performance through her own experience overcoming ACL tears in both knees. Those setbacks deepened her understanding of the emotional and psychological challenges that come with injury and inspired her commitment to helping others navigate adversity, rebuild confidence, and perform to their full potential. Ellie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Dance, from the University of South Florida, and she is currently pursuing her master's degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida while working toward the Certified Mental Performance Consultant credential. She works with individuals, couples, and families in St. Petersburg and statewide across Florida through virtual sessions.
Credentials & Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Dance, University of South Florida
Master's degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (in progress), University of Florida
Working toward the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential
Mental Performance Intern, It Begins Within
Who Ellie Supports
Ellie works with:
Athletes looking to strengthen the mental side of performance, including confidence, focus, resilience, and consistency under pressure
Performers seeking practical mental skills that translate directly into training and competition environments
Athletes recovering from injury and navigating the return-to-play process, including the fear of re-injury and loss of confidence that often accompany setbacks
Athletes and performers exploring identity beyond sport and developing a more balanced sense of self
Individuals working on sustainable exercise routines, healthy lifestyle habits, motivation, and balance between training, recovery, and life
Ellie’s Approach to Therapy
Ellie brings the perspective of someone who has lived the highs and setbacks of performance firsthand. Her work emphasizes building practical mental skills that athletes and performers can apply directly in training, competition, and daily life. She focuses on:
Strengthening confidence, focus, resilience, and consistency under pressure for athletes and performers
Supporting athletes through injury recovery and return-to-play, helping them rebuild trust in their bodies and return to sport with confidence
Guiding athletes and performers in exploring identity outside of sport and developing a balanced sense of self that supports both athletic goals and overall well-being
Helping clients develop sustainable exercise routines and healthy lifestyle habits through goal setting, motivation, routine building, and stress management
Supporting couples and individuals in fostering healthy communication, shared goal setting, and habits that support relationship satisfaction and overall well-being
What Ellie Helps Clients With
Ellie supports St. Petersburg athletes, performers, and individuals working on:
Confidence, focus, and resilience
Performance anxiety and consistency under pressure
Burnout and motivation
Injury recovery and return-to-play
Fear of re-injury and rebuilding trust in the body
Athletic identity and sense of self beyond sport
Sustainable exercise routines and healthy lifestyle habits
Goal setting, routine building, and stress management
Communication, connection, and relationship well-being
Ellie’s Background & Training
Ellie's path into mental performance is rooted in her own experience as an athlete and performer. Her training and experience include:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Dance, from the University of South Florida
Master's level study in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida
Active pursuit of the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential
Lived experience navigating recovery from ACL injuries in both knees, informing her work with athletes facing setbacks and return-to-play
A background as both an athlete and a performer, giving her firsthand insight into the mental demands of competition and performance
A Message From Ellie
"As both an athlete and a performer, I know what it feels like to face setbacks, to doubt yourself after an injury, and to wonder who you are beyond your sport. I also know what it takes to rebuild. My goal is to help you strengthen the mental side of performance, rebuild your confidence, and develop a balanced sense of self, so you can perform to your full potential and feel good doing it."
Ready to work with Ellie?
We invite you to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with us to begin your healing journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mental performance work, and who is it for?
Mental performance work focuses on the psychological side of sport and performance, including confidence, focus, resilience, motivation, and consistency under pressure. It is for athletes and performers at any level who want to strengthen the mental skills that support their training and competition. Rather than addressing clinical mental health concerns, this work is about building practical strategies that translate directly into performance environments and daily life.
How does Ellie support athletes through injury recovery and return-to-play?
Drawing from her own experience recovering from ACL injuries in both knees, Ellie understands the emotional and psychological challenges that often accompany injury, including fear of re-injury and loss of confidence. She helps athletes rebuild trust in their bodies, work through the mental side of recovery, and return to sport with renewed confidence.
What does identity work mean for athletes and performers?
Many athletes and performers tie their sense of self closely to their sport or craft. Ellie helps clients explore who they are beyond their performance and develop a more balanced sense of self, one that supports both their athletic goals and their overall well-being, which can be especially valuable during injury, transitions, or times of change.
Does Ellie offer virtual sessions across Florida?
Yes. Ellie works with clients in person at the It Begins Within Healing Center St. Petersburg office and offers virtual sessions to clients located anywhere in Florida. Virtual sessions make it easier for athletes and performers to fit performance work into demanding training and travel schedules.
Locations Served
Ellie offers in-person support in St. Petersburg and virtual services to those across the United States.