"Sport is one of the few career paths where you know you will have to pivot to something else around 15-20 years in - and maybe a lot sooner. The lifespan of an athlete's career can be very short."
"You might get injured; you might have to balance an entirely different career alongside your chosen sport for financial reasons . . . you might not even make it to where you want to go. And for women, the challenges are harder still; the climb to the top, or even close to the top, is steeper."
Sport careers typically last only around 15-20 years and often require an early pivot to a new profession. Athletes face risks such as injury, financial instability, or failure to reach elite levels, any of which can force an abrupt career change. Many athletes must balance a secondary career alongside training to maintain income. Women athletes encounter additional barriers, including steeper pathways to elite success and greater structural challenges. Early planning, skill development, and preparation for post-sport careers can smooth the transition and reduce the shock of retirement or forced career change.
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