What is your next career?

I often get connected to other pro athletes transitioning out of their sport to help them figure out their next step.? There are some common themes that have emerged out of these conversations that I thought I would share to help others athletes looking to find their next venture.?

Theme #1 - To make it to the highest levels, there is an extreme focus and commitment to their sport that starts from a very young age.? These athletes have dedicated their lives to their sport.? They have done it for decades. They are scared about the unknown of what lies ahead.

Theme #2 - They do not have much experience outside of their sport. Many have never had a job other than being a professional athlete.

Theme #3 - As their sports career comes to an end, they have an identity crisis. They are no longer the big man on campus (or in their town). All of a sudden, for the first time in their lives, they are not “special”.? They are just like everyone else and believe it or not, that is a big adjustment.?

It is ok to have these feelings, but it's also very important to understand that you DO have some elite qualities that the sport has taught you.? This is not the time to panic, this is the time to determine how you can find your next passion that is a natural extension of your experience, interests and skill set.??

In 2018, I knew I was in my last season playing professional hockey so I started thinking about the next chapter of my life. In a personal brainstorm session, I drew three large overlapping circles on a piece of paper to help articulate my thoughts.? In the first circle I wrote “I want to help people”.? In the second circle, “I wanted to build an impactful business”.? In the third circle, “I wanted to make enough money to support my family”.? It was a simple exercise that provided me with great clarity.

As I reflected on the last 25 years of working with some of the best performance professionals in the world to optimize my physical and mental condition to play hockey at the highest levels, I realized that the health and wellness world was a perfect fit for me. It was the perfect combination of my skill set and passion.? It allows me to stay connected to sports, help make a difference in my community and, as a business owner, control my own destiny.

As you are looking for your next chapter, I encourage you to try this simple exercise and think about what type of role would be a natural transition for you.

Step 1: In three big circles, try to write down your goals and impact you want to have.

Step 2: Think about how your experience and skill set can help you accomplish those three goals. Then figure out what industry that falls into.

Step 3: Connect with people in that industry and see if there are roles that can satisfy those goals. (If doesn't exist, do what I did, find a great partner and start the company.)

Feel free to reach out to me anytime. I am always eager to help other athletes any way I can.

Good luck!

Ryan?