Identity and the transition out of sport
The emotional side of leaving sport: identity, relationships and purpose. Ways to prepare early, stay connected and find support through the change.
Mental wellbeing
Leaving sport is rarely just a change of schedule. For many athletes the pool has been where their friends are, how their weeks are shaped, and a large part of how they answer the question of who they are. When that ends, by choice, through injury or because of selection, the loss can be bigger than anyone expected.
This article from High Performance Sport New Zealand looks at that honestly. It covers identity, relationships and purpose, and why preparing early makes the change easier to carry.
Who it is for
Athletes who are thinking about stepping away, or who have had the decision made for them. It is just as useful for the coaches, parents and partners alongside them, who often see the change coming and are not sure how to raise it.
Good to know
The article is written for high-performance athletes, and the psychology support it describes is for that group. The ideas about identity, relationships and preparing early apply at every level of sport.