Recreating that Locker Room Feeling

Annette Huygens-Tholen

One of the things mentioned by retired athletes about what they miss about sports is "locker-room" camaraderie that sport offers. As an athlete you hang a supportive sports community with like-minded friends and colleagues. All share a common goal and passion in life. It is not uncommon for sporting relationships to extend beyond the field of sport for personal life, and this may result in an athlete's life, built around the sport and its contacts.

So what happens when the athlete retires? Will they stay within the sport? Many do, and go on to become coaches and mentors. Some imminent and could even come out of retirement. I know because I did it twice!

Many athletes, including the collegiate athlete, leaving the sporting community to pursue new goals and a career. How can they recreate the same feeling of camaraderie, to encourage and support them in the sport?

I did not think too much of a support network when I left the sport. Actually, I used to pride myself on my independence and all the goals I have achieved all of my own. Now I can see how they held me back from restoration success beyond sport. You see, it takes a supportive network to reach most dreams. No one really does it well alone. All the major results were achieved through teamwork.

You may need to be pro-active in creating a new network of friends and peers who can relate to your new career and interests. Hanging with supportive people to believe in yourself and your dreams. As you grow and develop you may even find that you grow some friends and make new ones. You can now have people in your immediate circle that shoots down your ideas and goals. They often have your best interests at heart and can not wish that you risk failure. As an athlete, you know, the more you fail the more you will succeed.

The more people you have in your network, and know your goals and dreams, the more likely you will achieve what you want to achieve. Start sharing your dreams with others. You will be amazed when you come across people who know someone who know someone who can help you.

How can you create a supportive environment for yourself? What networking opportunities are available to you? Take note that when it comes to network and develop business relationships, think about what you can give more than what you can get. Be supportive, and you will get support. Be a good friend and you'll make friends.

Create an entirely new support community and find joy and passion in your new career. Like-minded people will help you get through the downturn and continue until you achieve your goals. Who do you need to hang around to begin to realize your dreams?

Annette Huygens Tholen is a former international beach volleyball player and participated in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. She experienced problems with the transition from sports and is currently a Master Results Coach and International speaker using her learnings and experiences that allow athletes to reproduce the emotional and financial success in their life after sport. Annette also teaches seminars for the world's largest NLP Coaching and Training Organization-The Christopher Howard Companies. For more information on how to successfully transition after sport, visit www.annetteffect.com and join the free mini-eCourse.