What Happens After Gold? How Athletes Change Careers Later in Life.

As the Olympics come to a close and the Paralympics approach, it's the perfect time to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Canadian athletes, who brought home 27 medals and created unforgettable memories in Paris. Among the highlights were Phil Wizard's historic gold in breaking, marking the first time this event was included in the Olympics; Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson's silver in beach volleyball; and Summer McIntosh's multiple medals in swimming, with many more years of competing ahead of her. At just 17 years old, Summer McIntosh embodies a bright future in sports. However, as the Olympics wrap up, my thoughts turn to the athletes whose careers in sport are nearing their end, and what the future holds for them.

I had the opportunity to discuss life after sports with my colleague Candice Drouin, an Advisor with Game Plan. The organization is a collaborative effort between the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Sport Canada, and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (CAPSIN). Their mission is to support our national athletes in all aspects of life, including education, career planning, and developing life skills beyond sports. Candice is an expert in the unique challenges athletes face during and after their sports careers.

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Competing at a national level is an extraordinary accomplishment that demands immense time, energy, and focus. For many athletes, Olympic and Paralympic training consumes nearly all of their time. Studies show that the peak age for Olympians is around 27 (sport dependent). While most people in their early adulthood are pursuing education, gaining work experience, or exploring various life options, these athletes are fully dedicated to preparing for competition. As a result, education and outside interests often take a backseat, leaving some of our national athletes to begin their subsequent careers in their 30s. We see athletes risk injury during competition, but we often overlook the significant risk they took early in their journey: having to find their next career without the same preparation as non-athletes.

Many athletes also miss out on typical young adult milestones, such as dating, moving away from home, part-time jobs, and major events like graduations. The experience is entirely different for Olympians and Paralympians, who must dedicate as much time as possible to training to achieve their goals on the international stage. While the experience can vary significantly between sports—for instance, many rowers may receive scholarships in the U.S. and still pursue an education—their priority is always competition first, with everything else coming second.

For many of the athletes Candice works with, this new phase of life can bring feelings of panic and unpreparedness. While we see athletes in their element on screen, planning for life after sports is a completely different challenge. Sport is a fundamental part of their identity, and figuring out who they are outside of it is a monumental task. An athlete's career can usually end in one of three ways: they voluntarily decide it’s time to move on, they suffer an injury they can’t recover from, or they are deselected, no longer competing at a level that qualifies them for events like the Olympics and Paralympics.

This transition can be especially jarring for athletes who fall into the latter two categories. When their path changes unexpectedly, they must find a new direction in life, even if they aren’t ready. Unlike other professions, where losing a job doesn’t necessarily mean the end of a career, an athlete’s time in the field is often over. While opportunities in coaching or supporting the sport exist, it’s not the same as being the athlete they once were.

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Building a Balanced Life

First, Candice helps athletes identify interests outside of sport. This is crucial for achieving balance and developing a more robust sense of identity, and it can also help set a direction for life after competition. Many athletes gravitate toward specific fields, continuing in sport by pursuing kinesiology degrees, exploring sports psychology or counseling, or working in physically demanding areas like firefighting or the trades. Finding balance within their passion is important, but so is finding activities outside of it to enjoy. Suggesting a hobby or interest unrelated to sports often provides the necessary separation to build a healthier self-image.

This is an important lesson for anyone striving to excel in their field. Finding opportunities outside your core focus not only helps you achieve balance and calm but also allows you to learn more about yourself and where your life may lead.

Planning That Fits Your Needs

For many athletes, life after their athletic career comes as a shock, but it’s possible to start planning early. Candice often recommends that athletes pursue education at a pace that aligns with their training schedule or find part-time jobs that accommodate the irregular hours athletes may need to continue competing. Earning a Bachelor’s degree by taking two courses per semester over ten years is still a degree, even if it’s not at the typical pace.

Transitioning careers later in life is challenging for anyone, especially when other obligations like debt, parenthood, or work take priority. However, it’s important to remember that flexible options exist. If you want to return to school but can’t afford to be without a job, consider alternative programs or gradually work toward a degree. This approach allows you to stick to your plan while balancing multiple responsibilities.

Identifying Transferable Skills

This brings us to the next step in working with athletes: identifying transferable skills. Athletes in team sports often have an easier transition to the workforce because they’ve developed many of the soft skills valued in collaborative work environments. Every athlete brings qualities like focus, perseverance, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations. Highlighting these skills as desirable to employers can significantly ease the transition.

If you’re planning a career change, understanding and emphasizing your transferable skills is essential. It also boosts your confidence in what you can offer an organization and helps you convincingly present these qualities to potential employers.

Photo by Michaela Parente on Unsplash

Watching the Olympics and Paralympics as a child inspires many of us to pursue sports, push ourselves to perform at national and international levels, and represent Canada in a unique way. It’s incredible to watch our athletes compete with people from across the globe.

As an adult, I encourage you to find inspiration in our national athlete’s journeys for another reason: the courage these athletes show in the sacrifices they made to get there and the perseverance and bravery they demonstrate when transitioning into the next stage of their lives. If you’re contemplating a career pivot but are concerned about the risks or challenges, look to our athletes and know that they too will face a similar journey.

Ask yourself what so many kids ask themselves when watching the Olympics and Paralympics: “I wonder if I can do that too one day.”

If you know any athletes facing the challenges I’ve outlined, I encourage you to look into Game Plan where Candice and the other advisors are experts in helping athletes navigate the next stage of their lives. If you’re not a professional athlete but connect with their experience, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation with me to explore the possibilities that may lie ahead on your own career path.