Benjamin Smith

In an increasingly disconnected and divided world, Benjamin’s mission is to connect people at the soul level. Benjamin supports guests seeking practices to remain grounded in stressful environments, living in alignment with their core values. He finds the greatest joy in helping those plagued by anxiety and uncertainty, rediscover the glory of being fully alive.

Through his own spiritual journey, Benjamin holds an ever-growing reverence for the inner life. Trained in theological reflection, he draws upon contemplative spirituality including practices such as mindfulness for deeper connection with self, others, and the Sacred.

In his work with guests, he seeks to create a gentle, nonjudmental space to explore life’s “Big Questions” in a manner which feels safe. Whether it be moving through seasons of grief, reconnecting with their bodies, or finding community in a time of loneliness, Benjamin reflects back the wisdom already within each person. Attentive to the shifting religious and spiritual needs of the modern world, Benjamin believes that regardless of our background, we all benefit from exploring the questions “Who am I?”, “Who am I becoming?”, and “What is a life well-lived?”

Benjamin specializes in spiritual companionship with high performers. Prior to joining the Canyon Ranch, Benjamin served as a spiritual companion to athletes at a NCAA Division I University, as part of the Athletic Department’s integrative health and performance team. He walked alongside coaches and athletes as they deepened their skills for self-awareness and leadership, while also holding space for grief and life transitions.

Standing at the intersection of ancient wisdom traditions and the contemporary empirical research, Benjamin draws upon diverse fields ranging from sport psychology to contemplative neuroscience. During his graduate training at Yale University, Benjamin presented his research about the impact of contemplative practice and community building in high-pressure environments at multiple academic conferences.

Outside of his role at Canyon Ranch, Benjamin coaches quarterbacks and leads the strength, conditioning, and mental skills program at a local high school. He enjoys swapping poems and podcasts with friends, and exploring the natural beauty of the Bay Area.