Retiring from elite sport generally is a complicated concern for a lot of sportspeople, who are sometimes confronted with emotional or psychological challenges.
Hearken to this text 7 min Hearken to this text 7 min Assume again to whenever you met somebody for the primary time. One of many first questions you requested, or have been requested, was seemingly: “what do you do for work?”
It is a well mannered, innocuous and socially ingrained method of attending to know extra about an individual. Nevertheless it additionally demonstrates the central position of our skilled lives as a part of our private identities.
For skilled athletes, their careers, exploits and recognition can change into the defining side of their identification.
So what occurs when sporting careers finish?
The transition to retirement, throughout professions and international locations, might be extraordinarily powerful to navigate.
It may be particularly tough for elite sportspeople, who can expertise retirement as a lack of identification, linked to their sense of accomplishment, which means and management in life.
How retirement impacts athletes
A standard saying with many sportspeople is “athletes die twice” – as soon as once they retire and once more at their dying.
Former Wallaby Brendan Cannon has spoken of this issue:
“[People] wish to discuss to you about what you was, and all you wish to deal with is what you wish to change into.”…
