In the high-stakes world of professional sports, many athletes reach peak levels of performance in their
20s, with even fewer able to maintain this into their mid-30s. With rigorous physical demands and steep
competition from their own teams and as well as their rivals, athletes inevitably age out of their
respective sports quite early into their lives, leaving behind a void that can be daunting to reckon with,
let alone attempt to fill. Yet career flexibility can be of true benefit to these athletes as they grapple with
changing their favorites and uncovering new and varied paths in the process.
These young, ambitious players are brought up to eat, sleep and breathe their chosen sport, tirelessly
honing their technique, (be it through time on the court running drills, hours spent in the batting cages
or practicing precise maneuvers on the rink) while simultaneously working in sync with teammates for
the advancement of a shared goal. Competing at this level takes an all-encompassing determination
and, as a result, the sudden absence of the sport initially feels like a deep loss to these athletes as they
are ultimately forced to pivot, changing their favorites or finding new ways to appreciate them.
Indeed, it can be a jarring adjustment, leaving behind this physically taxing, high-octane world of
triumphs, comebacks, and camaraderie. And while they may only have a finite amount of time in the
professional arena, the insights and experience they have gained serve these players well as many
transition into coaches, managers, commentators, and other advisory roles. The passion for the game
need not be sacrificed, and in fact, this expertise can be instrumental in the next stages of their careers.
Retiring athletes are free to continue contributing to their sports of choice in meaningful ways, or to
pivot into another field entirely, pursuing new challenges, opportunities, and skills to master, be it
athletic or otherwise. Professional wrestlers like John Cena and Dwayne ‘The Rock Johnson have
enjoyed tremendous success transitioning into full-time acting careers in film and television, while
former New York Giants defensive end, Michael Strahan has also greatly benefitted from his second life
as a journalist and morning show host.
It is natural to feel a sense of loss when walking away from a long-standing career, but there can also be
a sense of excitement if the next phase is viewed as an opportunity for a career metamorphosis filled
with new adventures. It is only when these athletes accept this inevitable change in their lives are they
truly free to see and explore the benefits of their situation and embrace the new favorites they’ve made
along the way.