That last day – the one when the sport an athlete loves comes to an end – is an incredibly tough day. It’s a hard goodbye, filled with emotions that are often difficult to express.
Most people understand the loss that accompanies the end of a long athletic career. But what many don’t realize is the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with asking, “What’s next?” The mental toll of that transition can be overwhelming.
“I had spent my whole life working to be good at my sport, giving it everything I had. It was such a part of my identity that even a whole year after playing, I still find myself sometimes introducing myself as a volleyball player from the University of Florida,” says Kennedy Muff, Partnerships Coordinator at Podium X. “And I see the same dependency with other athletes. We have been so dedicated to our craft that we have a tough time separating ourselves from it. But our sport is not who we are, it is what we do. And when we realize that truth, we can take what we have learned from our sport and carry that with us to new opportunities.”
That realization that there is a need to move on can be jarring, especially when they have dedicated so much to their sport. Training year-round, through summers and off-seasons, constantly striving to compete at the highest level and being held to high standards. All that effort is focused on one thing: succeeding in their sport. But when the game ends, it can leave athletes feeling like they’ve sacrificed more than just time—they’ve sacrificed their personal development outside of sports, especially when it comes to preparing for a career.
With the pressure to always perform at their peak, along with the constant grind, the sacrifices—it can all feel like it was for nothing when the game ends. For many athletes, the transition to life after sports feels uncertain. They may feel like they’ve put everything into their sport, and now they are left wondering, “What’s next? Do I have what it takes to succeed outside of athletics?”
That’s where support and guidance come in. The skills they have developed through their athletic career—resilience, leadership, teamwork, discipline—are invaluable. But they don’t always translate immediately in the business world with traditional methods. That’s where programs like Podium X can make a difference.
For athletes, having tools to connect the dots between their athletic experience and their future career can be a game-changer. Podium X offers peace of mind, helping athletes realize that what they’ve accomplished in sports has equipped them with transferable skills. It offers a profile creator, a resume generator and job application tools all developed specifically for athletes to showcase what makes them special and highly employable. Knowing that others believe in their potential and want to hire them for those skills can significantly boost their confidence.
Before Kennedy Muff worked for Podium X, she was a collegiate athlete using the tool to help her find NIL jobs and looking for permanent employment once school and athletics was done. “The pressure I felt to figure out my life after sports was overwhelming,” says Muff. “After lining up a job, I gained a lot of confidence, even in my sport, because I knew I was going to be okay. I wasn’t under so much pressure.”
The question so many athletes face after their playing career ends is: “Am I going to be okay? What’s next?” The transition can feel like moving backwards at first, especially when you’re used to being at the top. But with the right guidance and tools, athletes can reframe that feeling of disadvantage into a new opportunity for growth.
Athletes need to remember that their sport doesn’t define them. Their value isn’t just in their athletic ability, which was showcased on the field or court. The soft skills they’ve developed—like leadership, communication, resilience, and the ability to manage challenges—are the real assets that employers value. These skills, combined with their athletic experience, make you a highly sought-after candidate in the workforce.
“Remember, there are millions of talented young people out there,” says Muff. “But what sets you apart as a high-level athlete is not just your athletic talent—it’s the drive, determination, and mindset you’ve built through your journey as an athlete. Those are the qualities that give you real value, no matter what happens on the field.”
The road to a successful business career can be tricky, but the experiences athletes have had, the challenges they have overcome, and the skills they have developed through their athletic career are incredibly valuable in the business world. The key is recognizing that and learning how to communicate it effectively. Turning to Podium X to make that process easier and more effective can help athletes successfully navigate this next chapter of their lives.