Welcome to Thrive After Sport

From Peak Performance to Purpose: Support for Athletes & Dancers at Every Stage

Whether you’re actively competing or navigating life beyond sport or dance, our coaching helps you excel in your career—and beyond it

 

You are more than your performance — and your journey doesn’t begin or end with a medal, spotlight, or final whistle. At Thrive After Sport, we support elite performers — including athletes, dancers, and artists — to build the mindset, tools, and self-awareness they need to excel in their current arena and lead themselves confidently into whatever comes next.

Whether you're just starting out, deep in the demands of high-performance life, or navigating what lies beyond it, this is a space to reconnect with who you are, reflect with intention, and take aligned action in every part of your life.

This is about thriving — not just surviving — in high performance and beyond.

Who's this for?

  • Active or retired elite athletes (e.g., footballers, gymnasts, Olympians)."

  • "Professional dancers (e.g., ballet, contemporary) balancing performance demands or transitioning offstage."

  • Coaches and parents supporting athletes/dancers through career changes.

Performance careers are unpredictable. Whether you’re:

  • Struggling with pressure while competing,

  • Facing burnout or injury,

  • Or wondering ‘what’s next?’ after retirement…
    We help you thrive every step of the way.

Services

1:1 Coaching for High Performers

Personalised support for growth, clarity, and self-leadership
Tailored coaching that meets you where you're at — whether you’re balancing sport, elite performance with study or life, preparing for transition, or needing support to reconnect with your purpose. Together, we’ll clarify what matters most and build the mindset and systems to support it.

 

Workshops & Group Programs

Safe spaces to grow together
Online and in-person sessions for athletes, coaches, and parents. Using the CORE process, these workshops spark reflection, create community, and build confidence — covering topics like identity, self-leadership, communication, and redefining success.

 

Organisational & Club Support

Long-term partnerships that support the whole athlete
From short pilots to embedded coaching programs, Thrive After Sport works with organisations, clubs, and schools to develop athletes as people — not just performers. Together, we can create a culture that supports wellbeing, growth, and long-term success.

 

Our Coaching Framework:

The CORE Process

At the heart of Thrive After Sport is the CORE process — a clear, powerful model that supports personal growth through every phase of the athletic journey.

C – CONNECT
Build self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Connect with your identity, values, purpose, and inner voice.

O – OWN
Take responsibility for your journey. Own your strengths, challenges, story, and potential.

R – RESPOND
Step into self-leadership. Learn to plan, communicate, receive feedback, and manage transitions with intention.

E – EMERGE
Move forward with clarity, confidence, and resilience. Redefine success on your own terms and take action in life beyond sport.

 

“Too often, identity and wellbeing are compromised in the pursuit of excellence. Thrive After Sport is about changing that story — starting from the inside out.”

- Ellie Bell

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Thrive After Sport for?

Thrive After Sport is for high performers at any stage of their journey — whether you're just starting out, at the peak of your career, navigating transition, or figuring out life beyond sport. We also support parents, coaches, and organisations who want to better support the whole person.

Do I have to be a high-performance athlete to work with you?

Not at all. While Thrive After Sport was born from a passion for supporting athletes, my work extends to all elite performers — including dancers, creatives, and individuals working in high-pressure, high-performance spaces. If you're navigating the demands of performing at a high level, or you're in a period of transition and wanting to reconnect with who you are beyond your role, then this space is for you.

What makes Thrive After Sport different from other coaching?

We combine professional coaching with lived experience in sport, using our unique CORE Process — Connect, Own, Respond, Emerge. It’s a holistic and practical framework that helps you build the self-awareness, confidence, and tools to lead yourself well — on and off the field.

What kinds of topics do you work on in coaching sessions?

Each coaching journey is different, but common themes include:

  • Identity and purpose beyond sport

  • Performance pressure and mindset

  • Confidence, clarity, and decision-making

  • Communication, time management, and feedback

  • Transition planning and redefining success

  • Leadership, boundaries, and resilience

Is coaching confidential?

Yes. Coaching is a private and judgment-free space. We take confidentiality seriously, especially for athletes in high-performance environments. If the athlete agrees, we can share general themes or progress with parents, coaches, or support staff — but only with full permission.

Do you offer in-person sessions?

Most of our coaching is online, which allows flexibility and accessibility no matter where you're based. However, in-person workshops and group sessions can be arranged depending on your location and group size.

How do I know which package is right for me?

If you're unsure, start with a single Starter Session or Book a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call. We’ll talk through your goals and help you choose the best option based on your needs, stage of life, and budget.

Can you work with teams, clubs, or schools?

Yes! We offer workshops, programs, and partnership packages for organisations looking to support athlete wellbeing and development. These are fully customisable and can include coaching, education, leadership support, and transition planning.

Do you work with parents or coaches too?

Absolutely. We offer Parent Support Coaching Packs and Coach Support Add-Ons designed to help the wider support team feel aligned, empowered, and equipped to guide athletes in healthy, sustainable ways.

Contact us

Reach out to us for personalised coaching and mentoring to help you thrive beyond your sports career.

Email: ellie@thriveaftersport.com

About us

Thrive After Sport is a coaching and mentoring initiative based in New Zealand, dedicated to supporting athletes in their personal and professional development beyond their sporting careers. Our team of experienced coaches are committed to helping athletes thrive in all aspects of life.