Challenges Athletes Face When They Retire

Facing retirement from your sporting career can be tough, but knowing what to expect can make the transition easier. Here, we highlight the challenges that athletes may face when they finish competing.

All athletes have to face the reality that one day their sporting careers will end and they will have to begin a new chapter in their lives. Some may reach retirement sooner than others – New Zealand’s Julie Brougham was still competing in dressage at last year’s Olympic Games Rio 2016 at the age of 62 – but eventually every athlete will have to call it a day. The transition into a post-sport life isn’t always easy, but you can make sure you’re prepared for the transition by reading about the challenges that you may be facing…

1. Loss of structure
As an athlete, you are used to following a rigid training schedule. While at first it may seem liberating not having to get up and train every day, the lack of a strict routine can often leave you feeling lost. If you’re used to having things done for you by coaches or members of your entourage, then planning your own life and even carrying out simple tasks can often be difficult. To overcome this, try building some structure into your regular day by creating a schedule – even if it includes nothing more than eating breakfast and doing some laundry, it will help give you some goals for the day.

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