Transition Talks: Recent Episodes
Athletes Soul
Stories of athletic retirement from collegiate, professional and Olympic athletes. In Transition Talks, former athletes share their stories of athletic retirement and transition, and give practical advice on how to mitigate the challenges athletes face when they retire from athletic competition. Each episode focuses on one athlete's journey after sports and a specific challenge they struggle with.
Paralympic Tennis Player Nick Taylor talks to Athletes Soul about his athletic career, his retirement from tennis and his transition to Boccia. This is a really interesting interview which provides insights into Paralympic Sports and helps us understand the impact of rule changes on athletes' sporting career. Nick also talks about the perseverance and obsessional behaviors that make elite athletes exceptional individuals.
Megan Rose, former professional tennis player, talks about the difficulty of knowing her worth and how to interact in the world outside of sports, when tennis is all you have ever known. She recommends to athletes to expand their life outside of sport and start planning before the end of their career, when they have access to people and organizations.
Jill Craybas played on the professional tennis tour for 17 years and played in all major tournaments. Her career highlights include the 2005 Wimbledon tournament where she beat Marion Bartoli and Serena Williams reaching the fourth round and playing at the 2008 Olympic Games. Since her retirement, Jill has worked as a commentator and also started her own chocolate making company. In this interview with Donna Kelso, she shares about her experiences post-tennis.
Joanne Wallen enjoyed a 14-year professional tennis career on the International Tennis Federation and WTA tours before switching to the coaching and administration side of the sport. She worked in various positions for US Tennis Association, successfully using the many skills she developed as a player in her new positions. In this interview, Joanne Wallen talks about the soft skills that make athletes great hires and how to utilize them in life beyond sports.
Following a successful professional tennis career with the WTA, Katrina Adams was the first African American to lead the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and to hold that position for two terms. In this interview, Katrina Adams talks about the character traits - determination, confidence, careful planning - that helped her be successful in her athletic and after in her professional endeavors.
Former international diver for Canada, Megan Parker (nee Gordon) talks about her athletic journey and her retirement from sport. Megan missed her ticket to the Olympics twice and suffered multiple injuries the years prior to retiring. She talks about the difficulty of not achieving your dream goal, the wear and tear on her body, and her relationship with her sister who was her competitor too.
Canyon Ceman had a successful 15-year professional beach volleyball career that allowed him to travel the world and made a living from his sport. During his transition from sports, he faced an incredibly difficult economy (2008) and the loss of identity that lots of retired athletes experience. Now with perspective and experience, he shares some great advice on how to manage that period of uncertainty.
This is an inspiring talk from Chandler Gull, former collegiate soccer player and founder of the MindPower Foundation and Athlete Mentor. In this Transition Talks, he speaks about his personal transition from soccer but also his philanthropic drive and efforts related to mental health and community. Chandler leads and inspires other athletes with a refreshing personal, quiet, kind, and compassionate touch.
Connor Dietz, former collegiate football player, is the co-founder of GMTM, a platform that connects athletes with opportunities. In this Transition Talk, he talks about community and the importance of developing and maintaining relationships with inspiring individuals to move you forward. He also talks about the character traits and lessons sport taught him and that he uses every day in life and work.
Christos Papadimitriou interviews British Olympian and Olympic gold medalist in rowing Mark Hunter about his transition to life after sport. Mark talks about career preparation and taking steps to facilitate an athlete's future transition away from sport. And he touches on the need to mitigate the impact of the "Olympic Blues" especially when it is combined with athletic retirement.
Founder of Swim like a Fish and former collegiate swimmer, Abbie Fish speaks about her injury-related retirement and her transition to becoming a coach. She shares the wave of emotions she felt, how she dealt with them and the importance of spending time talking with others about how you feel and seeking help if you need it. She also talks about the amount of personal growth she has experienced since retiring.
In this Transition Talk, current baseball player and intern of Athletes Soul, Tyler Keysor speaks with former professional baseball player Richie Shaffer. Richie talks candidly about the rapid change his sporting career took and how, after being a free agent in 2019, he eventually retired. Richie is still going through his transition but now has more clarity about who he is without baseball and where he is going. A great interview with an athlete who is still exploring and trying to figure out what his next passion is.
Discover Neha Uberoi's early path to academic and athletic success. She joined Princeton University as a tennis student-athlete at 15 years old and the women professional tennis circuit a year later. After five years on the Tour, she found herself isolated, depressed and battling an eating disorder which eventually led her to early retirement. She shares details of what happens and how she felt in this intense interview.