Welcome to the first episode of the No Former Athlete Podcast. Most athletes spend more time retired than playing the sports they love. When the arena empties, retired athletes face a significant shift in identity, leading to feelings of loss, purposelessness, and confusion as they attempt to redefine themselves outside of their sport. In this episode, we explore the emotional and psychological challenges that come with leaving competitive sports.

From the rehearsed responses about their sports prowess as young athletes to the unexpected struggles in their 30s, our hosts, Erin McGinnis and Alex Gasaway, delve into the profound impact of retirement on athletes' everyday lives. They share personal stories and insights on how former athletes grapple with the void left by their sport, the search for new validation, and the struggle to maintain confidence and purpose.

This episode sheds light on the lack of support and conversation around this experience, highlighting the weight it carries on athletes' lives for years, even decades, after retirement. We discuss the mental gymnastics required to reshape the core of who they are and how athletes can process these feelings to avoid unexpected emotional upheavals later in life.

Join us on the No Former Athlete Podcast as we bring these hidden challenges from the shadows and reshape the narrative around life after sports. Whether athletes retire by choice, on a win, a loss, or due to a career-ending injury, every athlete must grapple with the fact that their beloved sport will never be the same. So, are you an athlete?

Let's redefine that identity together.

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