Successfully Transitioning into Life After Sports
By: Misty Buck - Athlete Mental Health Coach and Contributor to HOFH
The transition into life after sports can be undoubtedly difficult. We find ourselves suddenly without the structure of games, practices, team meetings, travel, training, etc. Additionally, we lose our outlet of playing our sport. On top of it, some of us struggle with no longer feeding the competitive drive within us. After such a loss, some of us feel like we don’t even know who we are anymore making the transition feel exceptionally challenging.
As we transition into the next stage of our lives, we might feel that our sense of fulfillment is lost for a multitude of reasons. For example, we no longer have the spotlight on us where we can showcase our talents. Another source of struggle can occur because we quickly realize that in our quest for a new career or purpose, there’s no clear linear path from Point A to Point B like there was in our athletic career.
It’s no wonder that so many of us feel overwhelmed or lost when our playing days are over. As athletes, our entire worlds have revolved around our sport, so when that’s gone, our next questions are likely, “What’s next?” and “Who am I?”
How can we successfully transition into the next chapter as retired athletes?
We’re not failures. When we retire from sports and we don’t have a clear path, we might feel like a failure. This way of thinking, while a valid emotion, can hold us back if we focus on it. We can reframe this by understanding that transitions are a completely normal part of life. Therefore, transition and change do not equal failure, but rather an opportunity.
Grieve the loss. When we lose something we love, it’s only normal to mourn its loss. As athletes, it’s understandable that we will feel grief at the end of our sports careers. Go ahead and feel the varying emotions and remember that we all have our own processes for dealing with that loss in our own timeframe. Reach out for support from those who understand this process by contacting organizations like Hall of Fame Health which offers athlete-minded programs.
We don’t have to have it all figured out. The only way to find answers is to try different solutions. Some will work, and some won’t but as the old saying goes, “you never know until you try.” Plus, most people don’t know what they are doing so the fact that we don’t have it all figured out is completely normal.
Visualize the future self. Visualization can be a powerful way to find clues to what steps to take next on our path. We can start by envisioning where we would like to see ourselves in one year, five years, 10 years, 20 years, etc. If nothing comes to mind, make up an answer as if telling a story.
Build a personal team. Just because our playing days are over, it doesn’t mean we don’t need a team. Build a community, that in a way is like finding a new locker room. Communities can help guide us through this transition by ensuring that we are not alone, and we are supported. We don’t have to lean on people—we can still be independent decision-makers—but we can’t play all the roles. We need people who can play the positions that we can’t in order to help us in living our best lives.
Find your “why.” In the book, Man's Search for Meaning, author Viktor E. Frankl wrote, “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.” As athletes, we are accustomed to using our platforms, which is something we should continue to maximize in retirement. We can look for other interests that allow us to use our skillset and talents, and then build a purpose around that. This becomes the “why” that we can use to do something bigger than ourselves, just like we did in our athletic careers.
What to do When Struggling with The Transition
The difficulties with transitioning into the next stage of life can lead some of us to even greater issues such as depression and substance abuse. When the struggle feels deeper than frustration, we might not recognize the person in the mirror. The goal isn’t to judge our experience by “toughening up,” but to grow into who we are meant to be by taking personal accountability and taking the steps to get the help that we need. Our experiences are unique and deserve individualized attention and a personalized plan.
HOFH provides comprehensive resources for mental health, behavioral health, and substance use issues for all athletes, their families, and beyond. Call our dedicated concierge service at (866) 404-HOFH.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or require emergency assistance, please call the HOFH Crisis Line at 866-901-1245 or call 911 or head to your nearest local emergency room.