From Super Bowl hero Nick Foles to two-time Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan, athlete retirement news has been a big headline in recent weeks. The retirements are a reminder that sports careers can be fleeting and it’s not always easy to hang up the cleats, pads or helmets.
One of the biggest challenges athletes face is figuring out how to stay fit and healthy after they retire. They spend 10-12 months of the year training and conditioning six days a week, so stopping this routine can be hard. Athletes often fall into bad habits like not eating properly or sleeping enough, which can make it difficult to maintain their health in retirement.
Another challenge is finding a self-identity outside their sport. This can be particularly challenging for elite and professional athletes who spend most of their lives in the competitive environment. Finding a new community of peers, parents or partners can be helpful in making this transition.
WNBA superstar John Wall’s retirement announcement has been the latest example of how players can find nontraditional ways to adjust to their new life in retirement. Wall, a former MVP, recently launched an online basketball academy and is a part of a new NBA on Prime video channel. He’s also started a podcast on his personal experience with mental illness, which he hopes will help other athletes and young people in similar situations. Other athletes, such as WNBA legend Sue Bird and women’s soccer pioneer Megan Rapinoe, are using their influence to promote social justice issues in the world of athletics.