Retiring and Retired Athletes!! Keep the Backroom that made you Successful.

Why Retiring Athletes Shouldn’t Go It Alone: The Case for Business Coaching

For professional athletes, the journey to the top is paved with relentless training, strategic guidance, and the unwavering support of coaches. From early morning drills to championship victories, coaches have been there every step of the way, offering advice, strategy, and motivation. But when the time comes to hang up the jersey and step into the business world, many retiring athletes make a critical mistake: they attempt to go it alone.

?The Challenge of Transitioning from Sport to Business

Transitioning from a sports career to entrepreneurship can be daunting. While athletes are well-equipped with qualities like discipline, resilience, and a competitive spirit, the business world presents a whole new set of challenges. Navigating market dynamics, understanding financial statements, developing marketing strategies—these are areas where even the most successful athletes can find themselves out of their depth.

In sports, the goalposts are clear: win the game, beat the record, or secure the championship. In business, the targets are often more complex and less defined. Success requires not just hard work and determination, but also a deep understanding of the industry, a clear vision, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Reading and reacting to the "business scoreboard" is a process many businesses neglect and is usually the reason they stagnate or fail. Without the right guidance, even the most talented individuals can struggle to make the transition.

?Why Coaching is Just as Essential in Business

Just as in sports, having a coach in business can be the difference between success and failure. A business coach provides the same kind of strategic insight, accountability, and external perspective that a sports coach offers. What often gets confused is partnerships, investments and coaching, leading to financial ruin and bankruptcy. ?They help entrepreneurs set realistic goals, identify potential pitfalls, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles. For retiring athletes, the need for a business coach is particularly acute. Unlike those who have spent their careers in corporate environments, athletes often lack experience in the business world. A coach can help bridge that gap, providing the knowledge and expertise needed to turn a great idea or massive personal human capital into a successful enterprise. Moreover, the business landscape is filled with complexities that athletes might not be familiar with—legal regulations, tax considerations, and the intricacies of supply chains, to name just a few. A business coach can help navigate these challenges, ensuring that the transition from the field to the boardroom is as smooth as possible.

?The Psychological Shift: From Team to Solo

Another critical aspect is the psychological shift that comes with retirement. Athletes are accustomed to working within a team, surrounded by peers and mentors who share their goals. Entrepreneurship, on the other hand, can be a lonely journey. A coach can provide the support and encouragement that helps athletes stay motivated and focused, even when the going gets tough.

?Additionally, a coach can help athletes leverage their unique strengths—such as their competitive nature, ability to perform under pressure, and experience in goal-setting—in a business context. They can also assist in identifying and addressing any gaps in knowledge or skills that may hinder success.

Recognising their own human capital half life as they get older and leave the shop windows of their sports can be a painful but essential realisation. One that will probably need external inputs. The key is to establish a business model and an income stream that minimises the negative impacts of the passing time and life events.

Success Stories: When Athletes Partner with Coaches

There are numerous examples of athletes who have successfully transitioned to business with the help of a coach. Take, for instance, Magic Johnson, who turned his basketball fame into a multi-million-dollar business empire. Johnson openly credits much of his business success to the mentors and coaches who guided him along the way.

Mathieu Flamini used to play for AC Milan and Arsenal at the peak of his career. After his retirement, he took on a business but unlike most former footballers doing business, his company does nothing related to football, fashion or sports in general.?

Instead, he nurtured a burning ambition, developing a sustainable alternative for oil-based products. His company GFBiochemicals is the pioneer that mass-produces in the levulinic acid market – a market with the estimated value of $33 billion by Forbes. Surrounding himself with the right people made his dream a billion dollar reality.

?Conclusion: Don’t Go It Alone

For retiring athletes, the move from sports to business is a life changing transition that should not be underestimated. Just as they relied on coaches throughout their sports careers, they should recognise the value of having a coach to guide them in their new ventures. With the right support, athletes can successfully translate their sports skills into business success, building a lasting legacy beyond the field.

In the end, the message is clear: don’t go it alone. Whether on the field or in the boardroom, success is a team effort—and having a coach in your corner can make all the difference.

?If you are a retiring or retired athlete with business aspirations or opportunities to evaluate I would love to hear about it – Book a Discovery Call

Julian Holmes +44 744 8694394 or DM me here.