The Death of an Athlete

It’s said that athletes die twice: once at retirement, and again at the end of their lives. This isn’t surprising, considering the amount of time and energy these individuals have committed to their sport or art form. In fact, for many, athletic pursuits become their entire lives, almost synonymous with their personal identities. It is for this reason that so many retired athletes suffer from depression and a painful sense of loss, making a tricky transition to a “normal” life all the more difficult.

We like to think that the most legendary athletes are set for life, but it seems that even those who are rich and famous at the time of retirement aren’t exempt from the struggle:

Athletes and dancers retire for many different reasons, but according to a study at Princeton University, health and age account for over 50% of retirements. The following infographic helps to further break down the most common circumstances surrounding retirement:

They might not technically be considered “professional”, but student athletes can face similar challenges after leaving school. In this video, a former University of Michigan swimmer explains that “Sports have been part of who I am for as long as I can remember.” After struggling to find positive outlets for stress and anxiety in retirement, she eventually seeks professional help and learns how to cope with the loss of her sport more effectively.

Here, Sarah, a friend and fellow COD student, shares the story of her life as a former ballet dancer. She reveals the cause of her early retirement, as well as some of her most personal struggles, and offers valuable advice to anyone going through a similar transition.

Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. The following infographic maps out a few essential steps to take in this tumultuous time, such as discovering new interests and maintaining a reliable support system:

According to Psychology Today, it generally takes between four and eight years for an athlete to adjust to their new life. In the following clip, Anna Turney, a former Paralympic monoskier, tries to approach her own retirement with a plan and a positive outlook.

The following Powerpoint presentation provides a summary of the main points of this article, from the challenges of retirement to a list of effective coping mechanisms:

… and never discount the importance of maintaining a sense of humor!

A comprehensive (and extremely practical!) list of ways to spend your time in retirement can be found here:

To reiterate: it’s not all bad! (i.e., PIZZA.)

The end of an athletic career is not the end of a life. The experience can be likened to a difficult breakup; you know it’s time to move on, but that doesn’t make dealing with the heartbreak any easier. Still, even in the most painful of times, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. For an athlete or dancer, retirement can mean an exciting new adventure, filled with unimaginable opportunity and self-discovery, if only he or she embraces it with open arms.