Do you have a story?

In an interview I did with Kerri Pottharst, Olympic gold medallist in beach volleyball, she mentioned the importance of having a good story. Find your angle to share with journalists to build your newsworthiness and gain free publicity.
Now High Road Entertainment is seeking stories from athletes. Do you have a compelling and inspirational story? Some of my favourite movies are those involving sport and athletes overcoming challenges to make good. I recently watched "Invincible" the story of Vince Papale who got to live his dream when he joined the NFL at age 30. There is something about the athlete who defies the opinions of others, the rejection and the failures to continually strive to be their very best. It is listening to one's own heart that enables these stars to persist through the pain and shine.
It is this very tenacity that can be used to overcome the challenges of sporting retirement and to create success in something new. Has the fight left athletes when it's no longer about sport? When do people stop dreaming about their future? It's never too late to dream and to fight for that dream. Keep striving for success in everything you do.
What's your favourite inspirational sporting movie?

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

I just read that Scott Miller, Australian swimmer, was pleading his case in a sentencing hearing for drug-related charges.
Miller admits not knowing what do with his life when his career ended in 2004. Here is yet another tragic example of a gifted athlete, devoting his childhood and teens to a sport, and then having nothing to step into afterwards.
Athletes often think that they will deal with career and 'life after sport' when they stop playing. It's time to wake up and realise that that is too late. There are too many instances where this lack of planning leads to depression, drugs and unfortunately even suicide (Jobie Dakja).
There is a let-down after living in another 'stratosphere' for much of life likened to falling from the Gods. Back in the land of mere mortals and everyday life, there is less to get excited about unless you have a plan, a new passion and are prepared.
There are some systems in place provided by sporting organisations and yet athletes fall through the cracks. While programs can educate and support athletes, it is up to the athletes themselves to step up and receive the support. It is up to them to use the education to make plans and realise that all the warnings about life after sport are true. It can be a struggle so be prepared by doing something before retirement.

Relationships of Sportstars- Real or Surreal?

In the USA there have been a slew of reports on athletes and their adulterous lifestyles. Married NFL player Steve McNair was killed by his girlfriend. In Australia, NRL star Greg Inglis faces charges of assaulting his girlfriend.
These stories, and more, are not uncommon in the non-sporting world, so is it because of their media profile that it seems to be more of a problem within sport?
A recent article reported the divorce rate for NFL stars was 60-80%, much greater than the national average. Why is this?
Life and a relationship while playing sport may be very different when the sporting career is over.
In a piece on Deadspin, it introduces the problem that it's not only the athletes that need to adjust to a new life on retirement from sport. Their spouses are also experiencing change and coping with not only a change of lifestyle but also the change in personality the former athlete may demonstrate. The dynamics of the relationship can change and it may not be one either party had expected or want.
Even during sport their are challenges for relationships due to long absences and temptations. There is a long-accepted creed "What goes on tour, stays on tour" which goes to suggest that extra-marital relationships are condoned, perhaps even by the spouse. Simone, wife of Australian cricketer Shane Warne, regularly forgave him for his indscretions.
These acts may be less excusable when the athlete is retired, but are they still tempted towards old habits? How does a relationship survive sport?
I believe solid relationships are built on shared values, clear communication, mutual respect and a desire to grow together. A greater understanding of values and how they affect both the individual and the relationship can help.
What do you think?

Mixed reaction to Favre Retirement

I am reading, with some amusement, at the various opinions on the decision by NFL player, Brett Favre, to retire again. His actual decision was to 'remain' retired. After going through shoulder surgery there was some encouragement/pressure by his team, Minnesota Vikings, to keep playing to make all that rehabilitation worthwhile. Fortunately Favre didn't agree that was grounds for returning to the game.
According to ESPN's Ed Werner, troublesome ankles and left knee weighed alot in his decision, which wasn't an easy one judging by the number of people he was reported to have consulted.
Some think Favre back-and-forth act is 'selfish' and that he should just 'stay there' (retired). That he had retired a number of times before and had dared to show his emotions to a hungry press, did not work in Favre's favour for some fans. I say "give him a break".
Yes, he is done, as many care to share. The decision to retire is not an easy thing one - regardless of how many awards you have, how many years you have played, injured or not. It can be emotional when something you have devoted your whole life to, including childhood, is now over.
I align with the sentiments of loyal Packer Fan, Dr Jeff Cornwell, who in his blog 'asks' Favre to consider his identity has being more than that of a sports star. This is only what he does. Identity is a core issue for athletes to address in order to move on to greater success in life after sport.
Hopefully Favre will find a new passion and become more than a star athlete. There are many ways he can direct his energy to in a positive way in order to succeed beyond sport.

If at first you don't succeed, find out how

One of the biggest lessons I learnt over the years of striving for my goal was the power of persistence. On my journey towards playing for Australia in the 2000 Olympics, I never would have gotten over the setbacks of injuries and partnership changes without persistence.
It helps to have a clearly defined goal and remaining focused on it. My dream to be an Olympian was like a magnet pulling me through and gave me the courage to keep going for it. Along the way I would often reassess the goals, questioning them and determining if they were really what I wanted. In my heart I believed I was good enough to succeed at the international level and play at the Olympics – even if nobody else did!
Every champion has achieved their personal goal through persistence – persistence in training, persistence through the hard times and even persistence through the good times, striving to be even better.
Michael Jordan needed to call on the power of persistence early in his career. As a sophomore in high school, Jordan was initially cut from his high-school basketball team in Wilmington, N.C. Tis setback compelled him to work even harder. Every great athlete has had their fair share of setbacks and it is how you deal with these setbacks or obstacles that will determine your fate.
There is no such thing as failure, only feedback. One can learn the most from one’s failures – finding out what didn’t work and trying something different will, over time, ultimately lead to success. We do this from the very beginning of our lives learning new skills as a baby. Learning to sit-up, to crawl, to walk, etc. If we gave up on the first attempt at walking, we would all be stuck crawling around. We learn from each attempt, each mistake.
The more you fail the more you will succeed. Where has your failure turned to success?

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Show me the Money

In Jerry Maguire, Cuba Gooding Jr's charachter asks sporting agent Maguire "Show me the money". Well Forbes Magazine has done just that with it's lates Rich list. It has put out a list of the top-paid sports persons in 2009.
It's no surprise to see Tiger Woods at the top of the list. Michael Jordan sits tied at No. 2 with Kobe Bryant, both on $45million, even though MJ retired 6 years ago now and Bryant is still playing.
Jordan is doing well in 'retirement' with the Jordan Brand and is now considering purchasing a basketball team.
Motorcar racing, golf and basketball dominate the list with the two outsiders being David Beckham (soccer) and Manny Pacquiao (boxing). Beckham's precense in the list demonstrates that you don't have to be at the top of the game to earn the top money. Beckham has done well through endorsements and publicity and knows how to keep himself in the media spotlight.
How do you make money from a sporting career? As Beckham shows, it's not about being the best. Jordan is still making money when he has long finished playing basketball.
There are no females in the top 10 but a good friend of mine, Kerri Pottharst, knows something about leveraging one's athlete career. Since winning Gold in the 2000 Olympics in beach volleyball, she is a frequent guest speaker at Australian events, runs corporate events and has numerous media spots. She proves you don't have to come from a high-profile sport. It's how you leverage and promote yourself. Want to find out more? I'm interviewing Kerri in August. Find out more

Arrested development

I was just reading about the downfall of yet another Olympian, one less noted - US Ice Skater Nicole Bobek was arrested last week on drug charges. In an article by Nancy Armour, it discusses the challenge for ice skaters chasing perfection on ice in not only performance, but also aestheticness.
The thing that came through for me in this story is how, by being involved in sport at such an early age and that being the only life the athlete knows, that any social development is 'arrested'. This was a concept I became aware of during a talk at the IART Conference. Athletes development in areas other than sport are not specifically catered for.
This can occur in career development also. Kansas University has just launched a Hoops 2 Heels program to facilitate life after sport for it's basketball players. Many collegiate athletes are not aware of how to write a resume, let alone be in touch with what they want to do in a life focused away from sport.
Athletes need to consider for themselves how they can develop in a more balanced way and coaches/managers need to encourage this. I have heard that in some sport cultures, that any attention other than on sport, is discouraged. This attitude can have long-term repercussions on the athlete's life and will hopefully be replaced by more programs like that supported by KU.

Well done Mark Webber

How heartening to see Australian Mark Webber win the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Germany. Only the third Australian ever to win a prestigeous title in Formula 1 motor car racing, Webber has been on the world circuit since 2002. His Forumula 1 history not been a highly decorated with a best year-end ranking of 10th until 2009. Webber has also experienced many team-changes and last year suffered a broken leg.
However, still unable to run properly, Webber has had a turn-around in fortunes this year with a number of 2nd place finishes leading up to this breakthrough win in Germany.
It seems the stars have aligned for Webber, to allow his natural talent and speed to shine through. Unrest in teams and unreliability in cars has affected him in the past. Now ranked 3rd in the series, persistence is paying off.
In his win Webber acknowledged the support and encouragement of his team.
I'm a great fan of any athlete demonstrating persistence and self-belief and the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve success. These same attributes will ensure success in any field, on the sporting field or beyond. Don't you agree?

You can help me

Hello there. I’m writing now because I need your help with something.
Before I get to that, I want to express my gratitude for being part of my mission to help others live the fulfilling and enriching life they desire and deserve. There's no question that retiring from sport can create uncertainty and doubt for many athletes and I'm thrilled to offer a way to overcome this and remind you of your own inner strength.
Right now, here's where I need your help. Will you please tell me what you think of my new membership site and the updates I have made.
http://winner.successbeyondsport.com

You see, I have been listening to feedback and heard that some felt an initial investment of $297 for the membership and course was risky or too much.
I asked myself – how can I reduce the risk, and how can I make it affordable for everyone to join? More importantly how I can add even more value to help athletes all over the world transition effectively out of sport?
When you go now you can join for just $1.00 to experience the monthly interview, a monthly masterclass, the forum, and bonus downloads. No risk.
Have a look and tell me what you think.
If you find it doesn’t give you the information and support you need to play a bigger game, then please tell me what else you need.
I would really like to hear your comments and find out what it is that you need to achieve your success. Go now to Success beyond Sport.

Reach your goals - do whatever it takes

Now that you have goals, what do you do to reach them. As an athlete you worked with a coach and/or a team to achieve goals. Who is helping you now?

Game Over! What do I do now?

You've retired from sport and there is still so much of your life ahead of you. What are you going to do? What is going to inspire and motivate you at the same level sport did?



Sign up for my free E-course at www.successbeyondsport.com to find out more. Please post your comments and questions here.

Who am I now that I no longer play sport?

A common issue faced by retiring athletes is a loss of identity. How do you cope?




To get your question about athlete retirement answered, comment here or write to admin@successbeyondsport.com

Retire from Sport...Not from Winning!

The new home for retired athletes is ready and waiting for you. Rather than retiring to pasture, this virtual home is for those athletes that still have a fire within to achieve success. Perhaps you don't have that fire right now, but I'm betting you wish you did.
You didn't play sport just to have fun and participate. You played sport because of the thrill of competition and the rewards attained. Even when you lost you were still a winner because how you played the game.
How are you playing the Game now? Are you still playing in life like a winner? When you realise that you can still create success in something new, then you will also realise you have all the resources inside to play a big game in life.
The problem for retiring athletes is that they forget to set new goals or to even dream of succeeding in something new. They may focus on getting a new job or career but if their heart is not in it, then what is driving them?
I want to help because I went through the struggles of life after sport. It wasn't until I found a new passion and relit the fire inside that I was once again a goal-seeking missile achieving everything I set my heart to. You can too.
Find out how you can be supported and learn the tools to unlocking the fire within by visiting www.successbeyondsport.com now. There is a free Ecourse to get you started.

Recreate that locker room feeling

One of the things mentioned by retired athletes about what they miss about sport is the ‘locker-room’ camaraderie that sport provides. As an athlete you hang around a supportive sporting community with like-minded friends and colleagues. Everyone shares a common objective and passion in life. It’s not uncommon for sporting relationships to extend beyond the sporting field to personal life and this can result in an athlete’s life revolving around sport and its contacts.
So what happens when the athlete retires? Do they stay within the sporting community? Many athletes, including the collegiate athlete, leave the sporting community to pursue new goals and a career. How can they recreate that same feeling of camaraderie that encouraged and supported them during sport?
It's time to create a new community and a new network of friends and like-minded people that can relate to your new career and interests. Hang around with supportive people that believe in you and your dreams.
The more people you have in your network, and know about your goals and dream, the more likely you will achieve what you want to achieve. Start sharing your dream with others. You will be amazed at how you come across people who know somebody who knows somebody that can help you.
Like-minded people will help you to push through the setbacks and persist until you do achieve your goals. Who do you need to hang around to start realizing your dreams? Read more

Dajka,Darcy - there is life after sport

I'm saddened to hear that another athlete has succumbed to the negative pressures of sport. A talented Australian cyclist, Jobie Dajka, was found dead on 8 April seemingly unable to deal with the aftermath of expulsion from the 2004 Olympic team for lying to a doping enquiry. The following year, an altercation with the Australian track cycling coach, Martin Barras, added to his woes which included depression and alcoholism.
Australian Swimmer Nick Darcy now faces a similar life situation - expulsion from the Australian Swimming team for a criminal conviction. What choices will he make with his life? Does he know that he has choices?
Dajka apparently warned Darcy of the dangers of bottling things inside and not seeking help. Its a shame that Dajka didn't take his own advice and seek help for his inner demons.
There is more to life than sport but when an individual's identity is so wrapped up with being an athlete it can be hard to consider the life outside. Identity governs everything we do, and when that is lost a person will feel confused and lost. They might make the mistake of thinking that without sport they are nothing.
In fact the opposite is true. They can do so much more, if they choose to, and seek the help to discover a new passion and most importantly, a new identity.
Yes, it is possible to change but it takes awareness of the need to change, a desire to do something about it and seeking help and support.

Model greatness - Michael Jordan to be Hall of Famer

If you want to get better results than you want to model the actions of others who have achieved those results. If you're going to model greatness in sport, than you would want to consider studying the likes of Michael Jordan. It was announced this week that he will be a Hall of Famer, to be inducted in September.
Jordan had certain qualities which brought him success - these included work ethic, responsibility, determination, persistence and competitive drive. These are qualities of a champion.
These same qualities can produce results on and off the field, which is why athletes can go on to recreate success in new areas IF they remember to apply themselves in the same manner.
Sometimes the persistence and determination goes missing when an athlete retires. It could be a lack of direction, or it could be that new goals do not ignite the same passion and excitement that the sporting goals did. In order to effectively live a fulfilling life after sport, its important to find goals that excite you and drives you to move forward to it each and every day. Once again, like sport, it won't feel like work, but a natural part of life. How would you like to live every day like that?
You can find out more during a free teleCall - find out details at www.successbeyondsport.com
You can reinvent your life with a new path and belief in your new goals. What do you think? How are you coping with life after sport?

It's scary AND exciting - Positive Change

I have had an amazing past month where I was in Maui, Hawaii, which has become my new home. One day my partner and I went out on his sea kayak and had a close encounter with a family of humpback whales – they surfaced just 5 meters (25 feet) away from us, and one of them even swam beneath us. I felt a combination of trepidation, awe and excitement.
It’s the kind of feeling that you might even feel when doing something new. It can be a little scary going through change but positive change is also awe-inspiring and exciting.
I’m excited about the changes I continue to make and I would love to hear about what changes you are making for your future. How have you dealt with change in the past? Whether you are changing out of a sporting career or in some other context, please make a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Who are you now that you no longer player sport?

A retired athlete can face challenges in moving on beyond sport regardless of how prepared they think they are. A life committed to sport can result in a strong identification as an athlete or sportsperson and even specifically with the sport that they play.

Rather than looking forward towards a new career, a retired athlete might find themselves looking to the past at how they were, and what they did achieve. They may even make the mistake of thinking that’s all there is.

An individual’s identity has a strong influence over their actions, decisions and even beliefs. Identity is an “I am” statement and a person can have several. A person may identify with their job (I am an electrician), their hobby or interests (I am a good cook) or even their emotions (I am depressed).

Your identity has overarching control over everything you do.... Read more

How identity can affect transition

Many athletes can get stuck on their identity as an athlete or sportsperson. I know I did. For years I kept returning to my sport beach volleyball because that was what I knew and loved and it was also what I was! A strong attachment such as this can prevent someone moving on, particularly if it precludes the individual from being anything other than a sportsperson, for example a business person.
With a change of career on retirement from sport, it takes more than taking on a new job for a successful transition. A retired athlete needs to 'be' the person that goes with the new role. One needs to relate completely in order to be successful and find fulfillment.
What identity do you need to create success in your new career?
As long as an athlete still has the attachment to being a sportsperson, it prevents them from looking ahead to the future new success. Whether the past success was great or magnificent, what matters more is how you use it to create your future.
What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now. ~Author Unknown