If you’re an athlete approaching the end of your sporting career, there’s a question that inevitably shows up:
“What are you going to do next?”
It might come from a coach, a parent, a teammate, or a friend and even if they mean well, it can feel like a weight. Especially if your honest answer is: “I don’t know.”
Here’s the truth we want to say clearly at LAPS: It’s okay not to have a plan. In fact, sometimes, it’s better.
Elite sport is all-consuming. Training. Competing. Recovering. Living to the schedule. That’s the life. So when you start to look beyond it, it’s no wonder the path ahead feels a bit foggy.
We’ve supported thousands of athletes who’ve been there. And one thing we’ve learned is that not having a perfect plan straight away isn’t a sign of failure, it’s part of the process.
You’ve likely never had to think about what a CV looks like, or how to explain your skills in a job interview. But you have built discipline, resilience, teamwork, communication. All of which are hugely valuable.
You’re not behind. You’re just transitioning.
When people rush to fill the space after sport with a job, a course, or a “next step,” they can end up in roles that don’t fit, simply because they feel they should be doing something. Fast. But that’s like taking a penalty without deciding where to aim! You’re reacting, not choosing.
Giving yourself permission to pause, explore, and test things out can lead to a better long-term fit. It’s not wasted time. It’s research.
You don’t need a ten-year strategy. But here are some low-pressure things you can do now to help guide your next step:
You committed to being an athlete for years. You trained through setbacks, injuries, and uncertainty and dedicated your life to reaching your potential, so it’s okay to take your time with this next step.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start exploring. And we’re here to help when you’re ready.