HELPING elite athletes navigate the transition out of sport into fulfilling post-sport careers and lives
The roar of the crowd, the thrill of world-class competition, the unwavering passion and focus – all gone the moment you cross that final finish line or hear the siren in that last game.
For some it ends with injury or the disappointment of non-selection, for others it’s a long fall from the highest of heights.
I know the feeling. Too well.
As I stood on the Olympic podium in Sydney 2000, an Olympic silver medal heavy around my neck, from the outside, it looked like victory, but inside, I had already begun wrestling with an unexpected sense of emptiness. For years, I’d pushed myself to the limit, sacrificed everything for a singular goal, and when it was over, I was left grappling with “What now?” (Read my story here)
The transition out of sport is one of the most challenging phases of life an athlete will face, as I experienced first-hand. With the Life After Sport coaching program, I’m here to support elite athletes navigating that exact journey – empowering you to move beyond the peak of your sporting career and find a fresh sense of purpose, identity, and strength in a new arena.
Life After Sport coaching with Olympic medallist Rach Taylor helps elite athletes navigate the challenging transition out of sport into fulfilling post-sport careers and lives.
Life After Sport is a custom-designed, research-informed coaching series tailored for newly retired athletes or those preparing to step away from elite sport, who often feel a sense of loss, emptiness, or overwhelm – especially when faced with the daunting task of starting a new career and life direction that can feel like beginning from scratch.
Delivered over four months (8 x one-on-one Zoom coaching sessions), we’ll explore the known psychological, physical, and social shifts that accompany the athlete retirement transition from sport. Together, we’ll reimagine and design your next chapter with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
The coaching series is designed to be flexible and can be adapted to best meet your immediate needs and personal goals, allowing for deeper focus on areas where more support might be valuable – such as customised and targeted career development.
Investment: AUD $1520 (single payment) or 4 x monthly payments of AUD $380
WHAT WE'LL COVER
Starting with a deep dive into where you are now, we’ll create a 'Life By Design' vision for life beyond the finish line. Together, we’ll build a roadmap and set actionable goals to kickstart your journey.
Transitioning out of sport means redefining who you are. Leveraging your Athlete DISC assessment, in this session, we’ll reconnect with the strengths, passions, and values that make you you, beyond your athletic identity.
The shift out of a team environment can feel isolating. Here, we’ll focus on strengthening relationships and creating new support networks that resonate with your post-sport lifestyle.
Your athletic career has given you invaluable skills - now, utilising your Athlete DISC assessment, we’ll translate them into new professional opportunities that align with your passions and strengths.
Life after sport should be about more than just work. We’ll explore your interests and build routines that support balance, well-being, and joy.
From sponsors to fans to family, everyone has ideas about who you should be. This session focuses on setting boundaries and finding your authentic path forward.
The transition from elite sport can bring a wave of emotions. Together, we’ll review and create actions to utilise evidence-based mental tools and strategies to help manage the ups and downs, building resilience for the road ahead.
Post-retirement, fitness, injuries, nutrition and even your own body can look and feel different. Here, we’ll create a wellness plan that supports your health, recovery and vitality in a sustainable and new way.
Just as you trained your body, now it’s time to train your mind. We’ll build a mental toolkit to keep you resilient, focused, and optimistic in whatever comes next.
With a shift away from previous athletic earnings, we’ll look at your financial options and consider what actions you need to take to support your independence and long-term security.
Here, we’ll explore how you want to make an impact beyond sport - whether that’s through mentoring, community work, or something else uniquely yours.
We’ll celebrate your journey, reflecting on your progress and wins along the way.
A clear, powerful vision and your own set of immediate next steps that align with your desired new future.
A balanced sense of self that integrates your past achievements with new goals and aspirations.
Renewed connections and a set of actions agreed to grow the supportive network you need for your next chapter.
Self-awareness, and a clear set of actions to take for launching your career beyond sport.
A plan towards your own holistic approach that allows space for passions, relaxation, and purpose.
Clarity on the external pressures unique to you, and an action plan to help you stay true to yourself.
Tools and strategies to test and try, creating positive action to handle the psychological and emotional challenges of retirement.
A considered approach to fitness, health and nutrition that aligns with your new lifestyle and goals, post-sport.
Mental fitness strategies that work for you, to empower you for the long haul.
Financial goals and aspirations considered, with actions to take towards future stability and peace of mind.
Actions locked and taking steps towards a legacy plan that reflects your values and aspirations.
Confidence and clarity with a roadmap for ongoing action, growth and fulfillment.
Life After Sport coaching with Olympic medallist Rach Taylor helps elite athletes navigate the challenging transition out of sport into fulfilling post-sport careers and lives.
Ready to get started?
Let’s chat about setting you up for a future that feels as rewarding as your past.
As a fellow athlete who has journeyed through the highs and lows of sport – and navigated life afterwards (read my story here) – I created Life After Sport because I know first-hand the unique challenges that come with leaving the game. This program is built on the insights and lessons from my journey, and it’s exactly what I, and countless teammates, needed when our sporting careers ended.
Whether you’re a recently retired athlete or preparing for the transition, I’m here to be your guide, providing the guidance, tools and structure to help you unlock the next version of yourself.
Ready to redefine your purpose and start a new chapter?
Life After Sport coaching with Olympic medallist Rach Taylor helps elite athletes navigate the challenging transition out of sport into fulfilling post-sport careers and lives.
Book a free 30-minute clarity call, and let’s chart the way forward together.
It’s not about “getting over it” – it’s about taking everything sport has given you and using it to reshape your life. This transition is about redefining who you are, honing in on what really matters to you now, and setting new goals that feel as meaningful as the game once did.
The transition out of sport isn’t just a career change; it’s a shift away from a way of life. Losing the routines, the camaraderie, and the adrenaline can feel like stepping into a void. But with the right support, it’s also an opportunity to rebuild with fresh purpose and direction.
Leaving sport can feel like losing a big piece of yourself. The daily purpose and drive, the community, and the focus all change overnight. It’s natural to feel adrift or down, and it’s normal to grieve what can feel like an enormous loss. It’s a process, but finding new ways to connect, setting fresh goals, and exploring interests can help re-energise and anchor you.
The ‘athletic career transition model’ (Alfermann and Stambulova, 2007) details the challenges and opportunities athletes face when leaving their sports careers, as well as potential intervention points to support a smoother transition. The model breaks down the stages athletes typically go through when they retire – preparing, transitioning, and adapting. It helps explain the mental and emotional shifts involved, so athletes can see where they’re at and what’s next in the journey beyond the field.
From redefining who you are, to finding purpose and building a new support circle, the hurdles are real. You’re not just leaving a sport; you’re stepping into an unknown. But these challenges also come with the chance to take your skills and resilience to new heights.
Absolutely. I even did this myself, coming out of retirement post Olympics to once again represent Australia at World Championship level, before deciding it really was time to retire this time (!). Plenty of athletes have made successful comebacks when they feel physically and mentally up for it. It’s all about weighing up the emotional and physical tolls, and whether getting back into the game fits with your long-term life vision.
When your identity, routine, and mates are all tied up in sport, stepping away can feel like a shock to the system. You’re left without the structure and drive that have defined you. But with a bit of planning and support, this time can be a chance to rediscover what else lights you up.
Athlete transition is the process of moving from the competitive arena into a new phase of life. It’s an emotional, social, and practical journey that helps you find new purpose, direction, and a sense of community beyond sport.
Most athletes wrap up their careers in their 30s, but it varies a lot depending on the sport and individual. Physical demands, injury, and life goals play a big role. Planning early for life beyond sport can make the transition smoother and give you something to look forward to when the time comes.
You might not realise it, but the years you’ve put into training, competing, and working with a team have equipped you with a powerful set of skills that are golden in life after sport. Here’s a quick rundown of the top transferable skills you’ve likely got up your sleeve:
These skills don’t just disappear when you retire; they’re part of what makes you you. With the right guidance, they can open doors and help shape a fulfilling path forward.
Interested to learn more?
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