Athletic Identity

What is athletic identity?

“Athletic identity can be defined as the degree to which you identify with your sport. It’s the loss of this identity, developed over years, that makes transition to “real life” such a challenge.

Because you have focused so much on your sport and given everything you have to be the best athlete you can be, finding something else that gives you a similar challenge can be difficult. For professional athletes and Olympians, the time commitment is year-round, and the sacrifices required make it a 24/7 job.” 

Finding your identity:
​
1. Welcome Growth
2. Learn and Absorb New Information
3. Be Open to New Opportunities
4. Be Patient
5. Welcome Change

Athletic identity can be defined as the degree to which you identify with your sport. 
There are two extremes when it comes to Athletic Identity: 

1. Athletes who keep their entire athletic identity when they leave sport and do not want to let go and move on
2. Athletes who completely dismiss their athletic careers in order to move forward

​​Both scenarios are not healthy. There must be a balance.

5 Steps towards balance

1. Do not wait until retirement to start planning “what’s next”
2. Take some time to heal emotionally
3. Remember what you do is not who you are
4. Find a mentor (Stage 2 Mentor Program)
5. Learn how to leverage your athletic career to move forward (Stage 2)

Sources:
https://johnhaime.com/2015/04/whats-next-a-perspective-of-athlete-identity/
https://caseymorrislifeaftersports.com/2019/04/13/finding-your-new-identity-after-sports/