Take a Walk in an Elite Athlete’s Shoes
From Joy and Passion to Life Beyond Sport: A Framework for Understanding — and Supporting — Every Step of the Athlete Journey
We often talk about “the athlete journey” like it’s a straight line — you start young, train hard, achieve success, and then…move on. But if you’ve lived it, or parented through it, you know that it’s anything but linear.
It’s a winding road. Full of highs, lows, pivots, and moments that shape a person far beyond the playing field.
I’ve spent the last few months listening to athletes from all levels — youth, collegiate, professional, and beyond. Different sports. Different outcomes. But the patterns? They’re eerily consistent.
The Road Athletes Walk : A Framework Shaped by Real Stories and Lived Experiences
Stage 1 : Love of the Game, Joy of the Sport
This is where it begins. Backyard games. Pickup matches that last until dark. The pure, raw joy of movement, belonging, and discovery.
Many athletes describe this stage as the most carefree. Where they are playing with kids who are more friends than teammates.
It where they first discover a natural inclination for success on the field or raw talent in their sport. In this stage, passion and fun prevail. They fall in love with the sport.
Stage 2 : The Pursuit of Excellence
The stakes rise. Joy turns into discipline. Play becomes practice. And often, identity begins to narrow: “I am my sport.”
At this stage, most athletes pour everything into one sport. It’s demanding for the whole family — travel, late nights, early mornings, the best gear, the best training. It often becomes all-consuming.
Parents and coaches have an enormous role here: creating an environment built for high performance — nutrition, safe training, recovery, and mental support — while also providing the perspective that life and success is bigger than sport.
Because as an athlete, you can’t see beyond your dream.
Stage 3 : Injuries, Setbacks & Mental Blocks
No one escapes this. The body slows. The mind spirals. The comeback feels heavier than the setback.
I’ve heard athletes say this is where resilience is forged — or where doubts start to linger. Goals and expected outcomes need to be reframed and mental support matters as much as physical therapy.
Stage 4 : Playing on the Big Stage
The dream becomes real — and so does the pressure. Every performance matters, and, by the end, burnout quietly creeps in.
Many athletes describe these years as a highlight of their life.
The celebration. The teammates. The pressure personified.
Yet most athletes don’t feel prepared for the demand of competing on the collegiate stage - both athletically and academically. It takes a while to find their footing with new coaches, intense schedules, demanding coursework.
And, by the end of it, there’s one common word : relief.
Stage 5 : The Void
When it ends, it’s quiet. Almost too quiet. The routine disappears. The cheering stops.
This stage can last months, years or even decades, but I have not met an athlete who didn’t experience it in some form - regardless of the level of competition. It is defined by an intense searching.
Who am I in this world with my sport?
How do I ever top the accomplishments I’ve already achieved?
What the heck to do I eat when I’m not training all of the time?
Athletes describe this as disorienting and many struggle with depression or attachment to unhealthy behaviors.
Stage 6 : Life After Sport
With time — and effort — they begin to rebuild. They find stability, confidence, and purpose in new arenas. They redefine what health and performance look like outside of sport.
Athletes live an entire lifetime of challenges and accomplishments before reaching this stage. But in the end, it’s about living a meaningful, fulfilling life — something we all aspire to do.
Every athlete’s journey beyond the game is different. Some find their footing quickly. Some wander for years. Others always wrestle with what “once was.”
But those who thrive? They lean on the same traits that made them great athletes: courage to try new things, willingness to seek support, and a refusal to settle for anything less than joy.
Why This Matters
Athletics teaches discipline, leadership, teamwork, resilience. But without preparation for each stage, the very qualities that make someone great in sport can make them struggle without it.
I believe we can do better.
For athletes. For parents. For coaches who carry so much influence but don’t always have the tools to help.
The Athlete Identity Project exists to change that — by mapping the journey, sharing real stories, and building resources that support athletes and their families at every stage.
I’d Love Your Input
Do these stages resonate with you? Is there one that hits home?
Is there a stage missing?
Where are you in your journey? Or where is your child?
What resources do you wish you had — or still need?
Drop a comment, send me a message, or share this with someone who needs it.
Let’s build this together.
