With a number of big-name athletes retiring this offseason, it’s worth remembering that athlete retirement is a process. Athletes spend their entire lives preparing for retirement, but once they hang up their cleats the transition can be challenging. Not only are the athletes themselves affected by this change, but their parents, partners and coaches can also struggle with it.
It can also be difficult to find a new sense of self outside the sport, as many athletes have their entire identity wrapped up in their sport. For example, some Olympians have reported relying on food stamps and accruing credit card debt in their early post-athletic years. Thankfully, some athletes have found ways to cope with the transition and have been successful at finding their way in retirement.
From swimmer Michael Phelps donning his swimsuit again two years after he hung up his scuba gear to rower Helen Glover making a U-turn on her retirement, these former athletes have proven that it’s possible to “un-retire” and come back better than ever.
Athletes can do a lot of things in their post-athletic careers, including starting businesses and pursuing public speaking and philanthropic opportunities. Some even take a step back from sports altogether and start a family. However, it’s important for athletes to remember that the biggest challenge in retirement may be simply finding their place. Staying connected to peers is one way for athletes to maintain this connection, and the support they receive from their parents, partners and coaches should help them through the transition.