Athlete Transition Coaching

The athlete journey is distinct from other career paths in that, for most athletes, their journey begins at a much younger age than the typical career, often resulting in sport becoming an integral part of one’s identity. Many athlete journeys involve reaching their career pinnacle in their 20s, a similar time to when traditional careers are often just beginning. Kristin’s entire elite career in rhythmic gymnastics ended by the time she was 21. Given the limited career span, unique to the athlete journey is the understanding that the athlete’s end point is often not decided by them, but by whether they can remain competitive at the highest level.

The athlete journey takes a toll on one’s physical and emotional being that is unmatched and cannot be “turned off.” Every decision an athlete makes has the potential to influence how they perform. When Kristin’s body was not able to reach her optimal performance level when she needed it to, mentally and physically, she had to make the decision to transition out of competitive sport and into an athlete support role. It is often for love of sport and the feeling one experiences while competing that draws athletes to be so dedicated, rather than what might come from the prospect of a larger paycheck in another career. That leaves the potential for transitions to be either highly fulfilling or exponentially challenging.

It is important to acknowledge that everyone handles transitions differently. While some may thrive once becoming part of a high school, college, or elite team, for others, this transition may produce new pressures as they enter a much larger competitive world. Equally, some may move on to their next endeavor with ease, while retirement for others may bring heightened levels of anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. It is essential that athletes have a network of readily available resources and referrals for when they are ready, be that medical and mental health support, social interaction, or future career and financial guidance. Most importantly, though, athletes need to know they can and are receiving helpful and trustworthy guidance when they are ready to process their transition, and people care for their overall well-being no matter how long the adjustment period is for them. There cannot be a time limit on these available resources—athletes do not need the added pressure of figuring out their new lifestyle by a deadline. If they have invested years of their life into the success of their team, the impact on retirement also has the potential to take years. As a former World Championships team member, and one who is married to an Olympic medalist, Kristin has learned that specialized support begins by building trust with athletes early-on so they feel reassured they are seen as more than an athlete, and they will not be abandoned when they are no longer producing results.

With the ultimate goal of seeing athletes succeed both in sport and as individuals out of sport, discussion of what is next for athletes can begin as early as when they first transition to a new level of competition. Joining a college or elite sports team is often a monumental step in one’s athletic journey, and it may seem contrary to think beyond sport at that moment; however, all too often there are unexpected transitions in one’s journey—be it injury or loss of funding—and an athlete does not know how to answer the question: "What would I be doing if not for sport?” Kristin found herself facing this question when she was 15 and told she could no longer represent the U.S. without getting help for an eating disorder. One day she had her identity in sport; the next day she was searching for her purpose in life. Kristin’s story turned out to be one of triumph and return to sport, but it was not without valuable time spent figuring out who she was apart from sport. This does not need to be discovered only through the absence of sport. Rather, specialized support around identity and purpose when one is just beginning a new level of competition can potentially build one’s confidence in who they are and impact success in all areas of life.

Whether new to a team and trying to understand team dynamics or used to training every day with teammates and then retirement leaves you feeling as though you’ve lost your purpose, Kristin desires to be a committed and trusted ally with you as you discover your full potential.

Disclaimer: KJ Olsen Coaching, LLC is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. As a non-clinical coaching service, we provide emotional support and guidance within the scope of our training. If at any point your needs extend beyond this scope—such as requiring clinical diagnosis, trauma processing, or treatment for disordered eating—we will recommend that you seek support from a licensed therapist or medical professional. Specific to eating disorder meal support and recovery integration coaching—this is a non-clinical service. This is designed to complement—not replace—licensed therapeutic or nutritional care. This service is intended for emotional support only and does not include medical advice, nutritional counseling, or therapeutic intervention. You are encouraged to maintain care with licensed professionals and to consult your providers before making any changes to your recovery plan. Additional support throughout the week in this way can be an integral part of your recovery journey but not the only part.