Ashley Richmond founded Rise Mental Performance in 2022.  Her clients have represented organizations such as the NCAA, MLB, Cirque du Soleil, and SAG-AFTRA. She is a member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), PRIDE (LGBTQ+) Special interest Group, and Performing Arts Special Interest Group. Ashley has been studying human and animal behavior since 2004 and has an M.A. in Performance Psychology (with Distinction) and M.S. in Zoology.

Ashley is a life-long, multi-sport athlete, to include equestrian pursuits in the hunter/jumper arena and competitive figure skating with the Chicago Jazz Synchronized Skating Teams. Ashley’s interest in sport and performance psychology began during her career as a professional trapeze artist.  With the knowledge she gained of how her circus career was enhanced by mental performance techniques, she was inspired to help others. In addition to her education and training in the field of sport and performance psychology and to help gain a deeper understanding of all aspects of performance for elite athletes, she completed an internship as a strength and conditioning coach at the world renowned Cressey Sports Performance under the tutelage of Eric Cressey in Fall 2020.

Ashley has also enjoyed a successful professional career in renewable energy siting and permitting policy.  In the wind energy policy arena, she has advocated for some of the biggest names in the U.S. and global renewables development, manufacturing, and operation.  Ashley continues to consult to the industry using her geographic information systems (GIS), community outreach, and project management skills.