Leaving sport or retiring from competition can be a big change and it is widely acknowledged that this can be difficult.
There are resources out there to help with this, here is a brief explanation on why it can be a difficult time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWiPVW1IBVs
Fighters on the on the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) or based at the Centre of Excellence have a Performance Lifestyle Advisor who works with the fighters based there but there are resources and support available to all of our top level fighters via different agencies. Some of our retired fighters over the coming weeks will talk about their experiences with some of these.
Here are some of our favourite pages:
| Service | Contact |
| Lane4 Performance
Founded by former British Olympic Swimming Gold medallist Adrian Moorhouse, they work with global clients across the world to deliver award-winning leadership development, management skills training and transformational change programmes. |
https://www.lane4performance.com/ |
| Future Smart
Provides support for professional athletes to study for Undergraduate, Masters or Professional Qualifications Future Smart are currently advertising a bespoke education opportunity for elite fighters/athlete to gain a Post Graduate Certificate in Leadership. You do not need a degree to sign up for this. |
https://www.futuresmart.uk/ |
| Dame Kelly Holmes Trust
We know world class athletes are a unique asset to society. That’s why we harness the unique capabilities of athletes who exhibit the high performing attitudes and behaviours required at that level. With the right training and support, they will deliver a legacy to the community wherever they focus their capabilities. This benefits both athletes and the wider community. Since the Trust was founded in 2008, we have supported over 600 athletes to successfully transition from their sporting careers. |
https://www.damekellyholmestrust.org/are-you-an-athlete |
| Switch The Play
The Switch the Play Foundation is the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting all sportspeople to successfully transition into life outside of sport. |
https://switchtheplay.com/ |
| Next Step Ready
Whether you’re looking to find the right job, set up your own business or just want to have a great plan for when the time comes, the Next Step READY programme is ideal for you. |
https://nextstepready.co.uk/ |
| The Transition Phase
The Transition Phase is an early careers programme that supports talent from an elite sporting background. We utilise our own experience of having successfully transitioned into careers to provide athletes with career guidance and support, making them aware of their transferrable skills and how they can be utilised in a professional environment, whilst providing organisations with access to high potential talent. |
https://www.thetransitionphase.com/
Downloadable Materials: |
WATCH:
Listen to Nekoda Smythe-Davis and why planning for life after sport has given her peace of mind to enjoy her sporting journey:
We recently sat down with Aaron Turner and Tom Reed to discuss their recent transitions out of elite sport and some of the struggles that they faced:
Chris Walker-Hebborn, ex-Olympic and Commonwealth swimmer gives an honest account of his transition
LISTEN:
Lizzie Simmonds is one of Britain’s most successful swimmers.
She is a double European Champion, a 13-time British Champion, a double Olympian and a Commonwealth silver medallist – that’s just a short list of her achievements. The 28-year-old retired from the sport back in July 2018 but things have been far from simple since then.
When you’ve lived for most of your life as an elite athlete – chasing targets and aiming to go as fast as you can – there is a massive void to fill when you take it away.
That’s proved to be particularly challenging for Lizzie as she struggled to come to terms with her loss of identity.
Not only that, but the current vice chair of the BOA Athletes’ Commission also admits to struggling with her emotions at competitions – too often she would believe her self-worth as a person was wrapped up with her success in the pool.
In this feature interview Lizzie speaks to Alasdair Hooper all about her life after sport – the identity crisis, the battle with self-worth, and also the challenges of seeing your body change once you retire.
But, through the hardship, the 28-year-old has learnt a lot and she is ready to pass on her knowledge to the next generation.
Click here to listen to her podcast on Spotify
This is Medals & More, the podcast taking you behind the scenes of British Olympic and Paralympic sport. Hosted by Dame Katherine Grainger, Britain’s most decorated female Olympian and now the Chair of UK Sport, Medals & More brings you the inside scoop on what it’s like being an Olympic or Paralympic athlete.
They chat to speaking to the heroes of Games gone by, those aiming for glory in Tokyo and the coaches and teams behind our brilliant athletes.
Click here to listen to the whole series
READ:
Resources |
| TASS Lifestyle Workbook
Balancing a dual career is hard. We want to give you the tools you need to help with your own personal development. This booklet contains a selection of exercises and resources to help you. The tools can be completed on your own, or as part of your lifestyle sessions. |
| EIS Athlete CV Writing Guide |
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