Why does this program exist?

We dream of a day ‘retiring athletes’ won’t feel lost, confused, let down, bitter, or disconnected after they stop playing. While not all athletes struggle, we have recognized a few consistent themes:
– Loss of identity and purpose. “Hockey is all I have ever known.  I’ve never thought about being anything else.”
– Little knowledge of what other careers might look and feel like. “I have no idea what any of my friends REALLY do for a living.”
– Insecurity.  “I don’t have the skills to be a (teacher/carpenter/salesperson, etc)”
– Starting over is intimidating. “My non athlete friends are 10-20 years into their careers.  Where do I even begin, and will I ever catch up?”
Life after an athlete’s career is over does not have to sound like this.  We are turning our dream into reality.

How are you helping athletes?

Athletes have huge value to offer a new ‘team’, employers, and society.  They sometimes have a hard time marketing those skills in the ‘real world’, or simply don’t know what they might like to do next. We help transitioning athletes develop clarity, passion, intrinsic motivation, and create a purpose filled life in their next chapter. 

Our Transitioning Athlete Network connects athletes with professionals in local and virtual communities. We have discerningly hand picked industry professionals with high performance sport backgrounds.

Through workshops, executive coaching, and creating a network connecting industry professionals with transitioning athletes, we’re helping athletes create the network they need get more of what you want, and less of what you don’t want in life.

What are the expectations of athletes?

We request that you do not abuse the access this athlete network provides you. We welcome you to join this exclusive community of like minded athletes with the goal of networking, and learning about new career possibilities.

What Should an Athlete do?

1. Search the network and contact industry professionals in fields that interest you.  
2. Request to speak with them on the phone, Facetime, or Skype, coffee, or a drink.
3. Consider requesting a day of job shadowing from an industry professional.
5. Consider offering to volunteer in the professional’s organization to learn from the inside.

How do the professionals benefit?

 The lives of athletes change through the connections made and guidance provided by our network of industry professionals.  So too will the lives of our professionals be forever altered.  It’s through service and the giving of time & wisdom, that we derive and sustain our intrinsic motivation.

What do you ask of industry professionals?

If you are a former athlete who has transitioned well in a new profession please contact us about joining the network directory.  If selected, you’ll be available to share your own experiences, skill sets, thoughts about your industry, and engage in great conversations with athletes who reach out to you!  For help with coaching strategies, I suggest The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way Your Lead Forever – by Michael Bungay Stanier.  7 questions that help you engage in thoughtful coaching, while giving less advice.

1. Consider speaking with an athlete who contacts you, 1x/month or quarter on the phone, Facetime, Skype, or over a coffee/beer.
2. Consider offering a day of job shadowing to an athlete who contacts you.
3. Consider posting an internship in your “offers” section of your athlete network member profile.