You’re More Than an Athlete – Here’s How to Prove It (to Yourself)

As athletes, we’re conditioned from a young age to lead with our sport. Our routines, our identities, even our social circles - everything revolves around the game. And that can serve us well while we’re playing.

But eventually, every athletic career winds down - sometimes on your terms, sometimes not - and when it does, a lot of athletes find themselves asking the same question:

Who am I now?

In Win Again, I talk about the shift from “athlete” to “what’s next,” and how that’s not a drop-off - it’s a launchpad. You’re not starting over; you’re starting ahead.

The same skills that made you successful in your sport - discipline, resilience, coachability, competitiveness - are the very ones that companies, organizations, and clients value most.

Those aren’t just “sports traits” - they're business and life superpowers.

But unlocking your true identity outside of sports starts with a bit of soul-searching. Here’s the key: to build a fulfilling life after sports, you need to reconnect with who you were before the uniform - and who you’ve become beyond it.

Start by exploring your secondary passions.

Maybe you were the go-to player helping teammates with their finances. Maybe you always loved graphic design, coaching, or giving back to the community.

What else do you enjoy doing? What have people always come to you for? What excites you when no one’s watching?

Those interests weren’t side hobbies - they were glimpses into your next chapter.

Take Leah Amico OLY - she didn’t just win three Olympic gold medals in softball. She found her post-sport purpose by mentoring young women, speaking about leadership and faith, and sharing her journey.

Rhonda Rajsich, SDL dominated the racquetball court, but her greatest victories came after injury and adversity, when she began motivating others to find their fight.

And LaVonne Idlette, OLY, MBA, JD, an Olympic hurdler, used her curiosity in law and global business to launch a career that now impacts people far beyond a track.

Here’s what they all understood: being an athlete was part of their story - not the whole thing. They used their platform as a springboard, not a final destination. Their common thread? They didn’t wait for permission. They pursued their next passion with the same fire they brought to competition.

So how do you get started?

1. Inventory your interests. Think back to what you've loved doing before sports consumed your life—and what you naturally gravitate toward now.

2. Talk to people who’ve been there. Ask questions. Get mentored. Most athletes-turned-professionals love sharing how they made the leap.

3. Start exploring before you “retire.” Whether you're at the start, middle, or end of your career, it’s never too early—or too late—to start planting seeds for what's next.

Remember, you're not limited by what sport you played. You're empowered by how you played it—and how you're wired to win.

Your value doesn’t disappear after your last game - it evolves.

Own it. Shape it. And most of all - believe in it.

It’s time to Win Again. And this next chapter might be your best one yet.

Let's have an intro chat about how to leverage your athletic mindset and skill set into business success. All it takes is a few short minutes to flip that light switch to ON and make your next venture more fulfilling and rewarding than you ever imagined.

Reach out to me directly at mark@winagainacademy.com!

Leah, Rhonda, & LaVonne in the Clubroom!

Watch the replay of my chat with Leah Amico, Rhonda Rajsich, and LaVonne Idlette here!

How can you overcome the challenges faced when leaving a career in sports as an elite athlete to compete in the business world?

Hear and see how these amazing female sports icons have done it and hear how you can leverage what you gained in sports to business success!

Leah Amico – 3x Olympic Gold Medalist - USA Softball | Public Speaker

Rhonda Rajsich – 4x World Champion - Racquetball | Public Speaker & Coach

LaVonne Idlette – Olympic Hurdler | Attorney | Entrepreneur

You'll hear:

• Exclusive insights: Lessons from the three female sports icons

• Actionable advice: Strategies for navigating transitions and building success

Whether you're an athlete preparing for your next chapter or a professional looking for inspiration and connections, this conversation is the perfect blend of insight and opportunity.

Give this one a watch, you'll be thrilled you did!

The Win Again Clubroom

Do yourself and your business / career a favor and join the Win Again community, you'll be thrilled you did! Not only will your network grow and become more valuable, but you'll be able to share your expertise with your fellow members and learn a bunch along the way.

See why we've had 1000+ impressive athletes, entrepreneurs, business owners and executives attend our 200+ Clubroom events which have led to over $1.5 million in deals!

The Win Again Clubroom platform is revolutionizing virtual networking because of the “live event” experience it emulates and the ease with which you can meet others and take your businesses and careers to a whole new level!

If you haven't been to the Clubroom, you'll be amazed at how easy it is to move table to table, speaking with whoever you want, whenever you want, not being stuck in breakout rooms here!

Develop valuable relationships that become collaborations - it's been such a great way to expand our networks!

For those of you who have, feel free to tell a friend or three who you believe could use an upgrade in their circle of connections!

Read more about it here: https://www.winagainacademy.com/the-clubroom

30 Seconds with Mark

Stop Overthinking. Start Doing.

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis—waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect plan, the perfect circumstances. But the truth is, action beats perfection every time.

The most successful business owners aren’t the ones who sit and overanalyze. They’re the ones who take the leap, learn as they go, and keep moving forward no matter what.

So, if you’re waiting for a sign… this is it. Go for it.

What’s something you’ve been holding back on?

Go get 'em!

Be sure to check out the Win Again YouTube channel for more quick tips!

Win Again Assessments

Are you ready to launch a new chapter in life, and need the guidance, tips and strategies to truly catapult you forward?

Then let's partner up!

I'm certified in offering valuable assessments that feature Axiology, the study of values.

Wait until you see how they highlight not just your strengths and how to leverage them, but also some of the things that you could use some work on.

Ask to see a sample report, you'll be amazed at how thorough and accurate they are!

Whether you are a graduating student, a seasoned professional, a retiring executive or member of our military, or a current or retired athlete, there are assessments that fit your background and future careers and businesses.

Check out a few of the most valuable and insightful assessments here: https://www.winagainacademy.com/assessments

Reach out to me directly at mark@winagainacademy.com.

WIN AGAIN! - The Job Search Playbook

WIN AGAIN! The Job Search Playbook, is filled with over 150 pages of my proven WIN AGAIN methodology, where you’ll discover how to define your true identity outside of being an athlete, plan your path towards an ideal job and business and work towards it.

You’ll turn strangers into allies and grow your network as you position yourself for meetings and interviews, negotiate offers, and anticipate your prospective client's or employer’s needs.

WIN AGAIN helps you transition from the playing field to the boardroom. Yes, there’s competition in the corporate world, but you’re used to competing.

You’ve already got an edge!!

You can join the WIN AGAIN social media pages, its LinkedIn Group, Facebook page and follow on Twitter to be able to access exclusive content just for you.

Order your copy of Win Again! here: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Again-Athletic-Excellence-Business/dp/0999387103/

ABOUT ME

Combining my passion for sports and a desire to help others succeed, I founded Win Again, where current and former athletes can discover their identity beyond sports, develop the structure needed to succeed again, and receive the tips, strategies and actionable advice that allows them to WIN AGAIN and be elite in their next great career.

Over the past 20+ years as a business advisor and career coach, I have guided athletes and executives, holding them accountable during their transition.

The Win Again Clubroom events, "Make Your Mark" podcasts, and MYM Live webinars highlight athletes who are making a positive impact post-playing career, and my book “Win Again!” is a job search playbook for athletes, equipping them with strategies needed to land their ideal job or boost their entrepreneurial ventures.

As a graduate of Colgate University and a longtime Manhattan resident with my wife, kids, and Duke, I enjoy playing ice hockey, softball and golf, along with the guitar and piano.

Reach out to me anytime and let me know how I can be of service!

If you've read this far, many thanks for sharing your time with us at Win Again and have a great rest of your day!

Thanks to our Win Again partners!