Why do some retired athletes struggle or “flounder” after retirement?

Athletes are goal-driven beings with an unwavering focus on their objectives. When an athlete retires, their goals can become unclear or non-existent. Without goals, an athlete’s purpose, passion, motivation, confidence, and focus suffer.

Imagine what it would be like to play a soccer match with no goals or a basketball game with no baskets. It would be pointless. Everybody would be running around aimlessly with no purpose and no direction.

Goals provide clarity. Goals highlight a clear and specific target. Committing to and focusing on a goal is what launches an athlete to an elite level within their sport.

Yet, many athletes find themselves lost when their competitive career ends with no financial, personal, professional, or business goals. In essence, some retired athletes have nothing to shoot for.

When a former athlete loses a sense of purpose, the result can be depression, financial loss, addiction, or family conflict.

Retired athletes with no post-career goals and plans face a number of challenges:

Lack of Structure – Competitive athletes have a very regimented, orderly schedule, often with little input. These athletes follow a strict schedule of practices, meetings, rehab sessions, competitions, travel, team dinners, and team social obligations. When an athlete retires, they lose that structure. With an overabundance of time, retired athletes often have difficulty occupying their time productively and efficiently.

Identity Loss – Athletes often identify strongly with their sport, and their sense of self is closely tied to their athletic achievements. Transitioning from a high-performance athletic career to a “normal” life can be stressful. Athletes may struggle due to the loss of intense competition, camaraderie, friendships, and adrenaline rush that sports provide. Retired athletes often struggle to find a new purpose or passion.

Social Isolation – Athletes spend significant time with teammates, coaches, and others involved in their sport. The sudden loss of this social network can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Financial Pressures – Depending on the sport, contracts, and the number of years played, retirement can be fraught with financial challenges. Athletes who did not manage their finances well during their careers may struggle to maintain their lifestyle after retirement. In addition, an athlete may not be well-versed in budgeting their money, saving for the future, or creating financial stability for their family. Countless retired athletes have declared bankruptcy after earning millions of dollars throughout their professional careers due to a lack of financial awareness.

Mental Health Issues – The mental health challenges associated with transitioning to a new phase of life can be significant. Transition stress can be overwhelming and, without proper resources, can lead athletes down a path of alcohol, drug, gambling, and reckless spending addictions.

Pressure to Succeed – Athletes are accustomed to setting and achieving goals. In retirement, they may feel pressure to replicate their success in other areas of life, which can be daunting and contribute to stress.

For athletes to succeed and achieve life satisfaction in the next stage of their lives, they need to identify personal and professional goals to guide them.

Whether going back to school, starting a new business venture, volunteering, setting up a non-profit organization, or expanding their role within their family, goals provide purpose, direction, and order.

Tips for Identifying Post-Career Goals

Start thinking about potential post-career goals early in your athletic career. The idea is to prepare early for your future. Preparation includes exploring your interests, building a network of connections, acquiring necessary skills, and formulating a plan.

Find support that can help you plan for the future. Nothing is ever accomplished alone. In sports, athletes need coaches, and planning for the future is no different.

Athletes who have systems and support in place to meet their post-career interests and objectives tend to be mentally healthier, financially secure, personally successful, and interpersonally connected.

For more information about career transition coaching or the extensive services offered by Player Support Services, contact us at info@player-support.com