For athletes, retiring from a sport can be a major life change. But despite the many challenges, it’s possible for some former athletes to find success in post-athletic careers.
This week, NFL star Tyrann Mathieu announced he was retiring from football. The safety, who is known for his toughness and blond patch in his hair, played 12 seasons with the New Orleans Saints and earned 21.5 sacks. He will now coach with the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, USA women’s soccer star Alex Morgan hung up her cleats after an impressive career that saw her score 123 goals with the national team.
As these athletes and others prepare to hang up their spikes, the BEAA recently released a survey that shows nearly half of Britain’s Paris Olympians and Paralympians feel unprepared for life after sport. The survey suggests that this may be partly due to the lack of support and planning offered to athletes once they retire from competitive sport.
Athletes should consider keeping in contact with their peers and coaches, even once they’ve stopped competing. This helps to maintain a connection and gives them someone to talk with about their transition. Family members, partners and friends also help to make the process easier.
It’s also important for athletes to plan ahead financially. After years of shelling out thousands for elite coaching and equipment and sacrificing a regular paycheck, it can be challenging to adjust to a world without sport in their early post-athletic lives. For this reason, it’s often helpful for them to set up savings accounts or invest money in non-sporting ventures.
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