Finding My Ikigai: A New Chapter Begins

Radio silence—yeah, that’s on me. But I’m back, and a lot has changed. I have some big announcements to share, and over the next few newsletters, I’ll walk you through them—how I got here, where my head is at, and why I made the decisions I did. So, let’s dive in.

At the end of this past baseball season, after a lot of reflection, I made the difficult decision to move on from my career in baseball with the Colorado Rockies. This wasn’t easy. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love what I do. I love working with athletes. I love the game. I love being an athletic trainer. The training room, the daily grind, the highs and lows—I loved it all.

But then, a book changed everything.

In January 2024, I read Ikigai, a book about finding purpose—what truly motivates you to get out of bed every morning. I first came across the concept in Blue Zones, a Netflix series that featured a small town in Japan where people spoke about their ikigai, whether it was making paintbrushes, gardening, or simply caring for family. The idea stuck with me, and I started to ask myself: What is my ikigai?

Of course, my first instinct was to say athletic training and baseball—the things that had defined me for the past seven years. But then I asked a harder question: Is this who I’m going to be for the rest of my life?

The more I thought about it, the more my ikigai started to shift.

I realized my purpose wasn’t just about work—it was about family. My nephew, who’s almost three, whom I only see for a couple of weeks a year. My girlfriend, whom I’d go weeks or even months without seeing because of baseball’s demanding schedule. The outdoors, where I’ve always felt most at home, but rarely had the time to fully enjoy. Sure, I could fish on my one day off a week, but what about camping, backpacking, and truly immersing myself in the places I love? And beyond that—what about simply having a life outside of work?

Because in baseball, especially during the season, there isn’t much life outside of it. Six days a week at the field. Sometimes traveling on the off day. Early mornings, late nights, long hours. It’s an incredible job, but it’s consuming.

So, I started asking bigger questions. What does my future look like? Where do I want to be in five, ten, fifteen years?

If I stayed in baseball, I was confident I’d eventually reach the major leagues. I knew I had the skills, the work ethic, and the drive to get there. But one of the biggest skills required to be a major league athletic trainer is time—and that was something I wasn’t sure I was willing to give up anymore.

So, I took a step back. I thought about my values, my passions, and the kind of life I wanted to build. Not just for me, but for my family and friends. I explored other career paths and imagined different possibilities, and for the first time, I saw a future outside of baseball—one with more freedom, more balance, and, yes, even better financial stability.

It’s funny how one book can completely shift your mindset. Though it took months of reflection, It changed the way I think, the way I approach each day, and ultimately, the path I’m now on.

And this next chapter? It’s loaded. But exciting.

I’ve accepted a job at UCHealth as a clinical athletic trainer, bringing me back to my home state of Colorado—closer to the people I love, the nature I crave, and the freedom I’ve been seeking. This is just one piece of what’s next, but for now, it’s the perfect place to start.?

Over the next few newsletters, I want to explore how I ended up here—the key moments, the people who influenced my decision, what I’m going to miss the most, what I already miss, and, most importantly, what’s next. There’s more exciting news ahead as my career shifts and I continue to grow.

At the end of it all, I’m excited. And right now, I feel content. Even though spring training is just a few days away, and my muscle memory is telling me I should be packing, there’s a sense of relief knowing that I’m not. Because I made the decision that was best for me. And ski season just got a whole lot longer.

So, follow along. Stay with me as I get back to writing, share more about this transition, and explore what’s ahead in my career—and in life.

To the grind and the glory,

Coy Coker