Life transitions are messy, what's your story?

To all my former Student-Athletes,

When I graduated college, it felt as if my life had hit the proverbial fan. It was a total crap show. I had a degree in one hand, and no plan for my life in the other. I knew that day was coming too, but somehow, I kept thinking I could convince time to slow down. It didn’t, and for the first time in my life, I had to forge through life on my own. No more classes. No more baseball. No more coaches. No more schedules. I had a whole world of opportunity in front of me. And it was terrifying. It felt as if I was stuck in a choose-your-own-adventure book, afraid to pick which page to turn to next. Should I cling to my athletic identity and try out for a semi-pro team? Or maybe I could protect my ego and try to be a ringer in the local beer league? Should I lean into my nomadic inclinations and pick up cross-country couch surfing? Or should I listen to my stubborn heart and finally ask a friend for help? The truth is, it was a mixture of all four, with lots of fits and starts. It wasn’t pretty…but that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

I’ll share more later, but for now, I wanted y’all to know that I’m working on a project. I’m collecting life transition stories to fine-tune what we do in the field of student-athlete development, and I’m certain you have a story to share. Think back to when you graduated college and entered into the “real world” for the first time. Was it a surprisingly smooth experience or, like mine, did it look like another episode of the crap show? Either way, you likely experienced decisions, feelings, opportunities, and challenges unlike any previous time before. Life transitions tend to amplify a full range of highs and lows…

My Ask:

I want to know your story since our paths last crossed. I want to hear about your transition away from college athletics. I want to hear about your struggles. I want to hear about your successes. Even though your story is still being written, I’d like to do my best to connect the dots as I learn from each of you. I want to piece together common themes, to make more sense of the work we do, to better help our current student-athletes, and maybe, if needed, find a way to continue to help you…

In my roles over the years, I’ve attempted to be “a guide in the hero’s story.” You are that hero. And now I want to hear your story. My goal hasn’t been to take away the dragons that you get to slay, because those challenges sharpen the hero. My goal instead has been to give you tools to prepare for and navigate those challenges and adventures with competence and confidence. Hopefully, we have positively impacted your journey along the way. But, maybe not, maybe you or we have fallen short. All this dragon-slaying hero training can be tricky. Some days it feels like we’ve got it down and other days it feels like we are winging it. I just know we can always get better, which is why I want to hear from you…

So, what’s your story? I’d love to hear it! The good, the bad, and the ugly…

What hurt or helped you in your own life transition? What do you wish you would have done differently? What are you thankful you did do or know as you look back at your transition from college? What area of personal growth are you most proud of?

If you are interested in sharing a part of your story, send me a message or leave a comment and I’ll send you a link to connect. The nature of this project is both public and private, so whatever you share can be as public or private as you’d prefer. It’s all good either way, just don’t be a stranger. What I’m most interested in with this project is reconnecting with many of you. It will be fun, I'm excited to catch up!

While this effort is specifically targeting student-athletes I've crossed paths with, this story collection effort is an OPEN INVITE to any former student I’ve worked with. Every life transition story is different but there is a common language we can pull from each of their lessons. I’d love to chat, help dust off your story, connect some dots, and if possible, continue to be of service to you.

I’m honored to have known you, I look forward to hearing your story, and I hope our paths cross again one day!

AP