Transition Resources

Understanding the Transition

Webinars from Athletes Soul

PIVOTING TO LIFE AFTER SPORTS AND ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS

Licensed therapists and Athletes Soul transition coaches Erika Fay and Sammy Jo Diffendaffer talk about the grieving process, ambiguous loss and the emotional challenges athletes face when retiring from sports. 

They insist on the importance of allowing yourself to feel and process the emotions associated with the loss of your sports (anger, sadness, frustration...). They also share how challenging this time can be for spouses, partners and parents of athletes but also how they can be the ones who diffuse the situation by opening line of communication to talk about the transition. 

DEALING WITH ANXIETY AND UNCERTAINTY

Former professional Rugby player Marc Stcherbina shares his tips on how to better deal with anxiety and uncertainty using his life story as the example.

Marc Stcherbina broke his neck on the playing field ending a 12 year professional rugby career. Using that personal experience, he talks about how he left at that time and what he learnt. He talks about staying in the moment, confiding and practicing gratitude and kindness on a regular basis. 

TRANSITION FROM SPORTS

In this webinar, Myriam Glez (founder of Athletes Soul) talks about the challenges associated with athletic retirement and what athletes should expect. She also shares some key practical tools to mitigate these challenges:
- Educating yourself about the transition and be aware of what to expect
- Taking the time to process your emotions and use some specific tools to avoid a mental health crisis: transition support system, athlete mental health link app, mindfulness
- Develop a holistic deceleration plan for the first few months of retirement
- How to switch mindset post-sports and develop your professional career.

Other Resources

A Broken Body isn’t a Broken Person

Former Australian cross-country skier, Janine Shepherd talks about the tragic accident that ended her athletic career in this emotional Ted Talk. She sustained life-threatening injuries after being hit by a truck during a cycling training session. She describes the long recovery that came after her accident and her transition to a new and successful career as a aerobatics pilot.

A Ballerina’s Second Act, a TED Talk with former professional dancer Miko Fogarty

Mind, Body and Sport: Student-athletes in transition
Author: Penny Semala, NCAA website

Inspirational Books from Former Athletes

Soul of An Athlete explores the wisdom and invaluable life lessons that lie within athletics. It's not just about the victories or records; it's about the relentless pursuit of personal growth and the resilience forged through triumph and tribulation.
​
In this book, these remarkable athletes bare their souls, revealing the struggles they encountered on their athletic path. They recount the moments when they pushed their physical and mental boundaries to the edge, only to rise stronger with each setback. As their narratives unfold, it becomes apparent that retiring from sport brings forth the ultimate challenge—an extraordinary test that defines their entire post-athletic existence.

This book is a must-read for athletes, coach, parent or sports enthusiasts but also individuals seeking inspiration, resilience, and a roadmap to embracing life's transitions with grace and determination.​