I remember the first time someone asked me what I like to do outside of sports not entertainment related and it took me awhile to come up with an answer. Sports will end at some point but when you're in the moment, you don't think of anything outside the lines. As athletes, our lives often revolve around training, games, and performance. We grow accustomed to schedules, routines, and goals handed to us by our teams. But what happens when the whistle blows, the game ends, or the off-season begins? What do we truly enjoy beyond the sport itself?
Finding out what you really like as an athlete can help you uncover hidden passions, build skills outside your sport, and create a more balanced life for the long run. I truly believe you play better as an athlete when you have other things you can dive into to escape from the game.
Here’s a roadmap to help you figure it out your identity outside of sports:
Reflect on Moments of Joy
Think about the times when you felt truly happy outside of your sport. Was it spending time with family? Exploring new places? Engaging in creative hobbies? These moments often hold clues about what you enjoy.
Action Step: Write down 3-5 moments of pure joy in the last year. What were you doing? Who were you with? How did it make you feel?
Experiment with New Activities
As athletes, we thrive on routine and structure, but growth often comes from stepping outside of our comfort zones. Trying new activities can help you discover interests you never knew you had.
One big reason you need to experiment and explore because it will help you find out what you don't like. For the longest time, I thought I wanted to be a VC analyst until I found out what they do on a day to day basis.
Leverage Skills You Already Have
Your athletic career has equipped you with unique skills like discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Ask yourself: how can these skills transfer to other areas of life?
Trust me, your skills can apply to anything else outside of sports. You like strategy on the field, you can work in business development or for a creative agency. You're a good public speaker, that can translate to a media career. The list goes on and on.
Pay Attention to Your Natural Curiosity
What do you find yourself Googling late at night? What kinds of books, podcasts, or videos grab your attention? Curiosity is often a signpost pointing to your deeper interests.
Action Step: Spend 10 minutes reflecting on your recent searches, content consumption, or conversations. What topics keep coming up?
Connect with Others
Sometimes, discovering what you like is easier when you’re around people who inspire you. Look for groups, mentors, or friends who share different interests and see what sparks.
Examples:
Join a book club, local meetup, or hobby group. Reach out to peers who have transitioned into new careers or passions and ask about their journey. Action Step: Schedule one conversation or join one new group this month to expand your perspective.
Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot As athletes, we’re conditioned to stick to plans and push through challenges. But sometimes, it’s okay to try something and decide it’s not for you. Finding what you like is a process, not a destination.
Action Step: Give yourself permission to pivot. If you try something and it doesn’t resonate, take note and move on.
Explore Your Identity Beyond the Athlete Being an athlete is part of who you are, but it’s not all of who you are. The process of discovering your likes and interests is about building a fuller, richer identity that complements your athletic journey.
This month, I challenge you to step into the unknown, reflect on your passions, and explore life outside your comfort zone. You might be surprised by what you find.
Let me know—what’s the first thing you’re going to explore?
Let’s Work Together
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