Julia and I started Athletes Beyond the Game podcast to create the community we wish we had after college athletics.
The idea for ABG was born on a deserted beach in Southwest Florida in the summer of 2020, where Julia and I sat wondering what our next steps were during a time when everything—from athletics, to careers, to where we were going to live—felt uncertain. Julia was entering her senior year of college at Florida Gulf Coast University, and I had just graduated. We sat on the beach talking about our fears of what no longer being an athlete would look like, laughing about our wild tennis experiences, and discussing our next steps. Over the next several years, we each struggled with various aspects of athletic retirement, but we also realized we weren’t the only athletes struggling.
For many athletes, the sport we play becomes part of our identity and governs our daily routine, from practice times and tournament travel to sleep schedules and diet. So, when a sports career ends, athletes often struggle with a shifting identity and sudden change in lifestyle, as Julia and I did as we navigated life after Division 1 and professional tennis. Yet, this challenging transition is often not talked about, leaving many athletes to struggle silently.
This is why Julia and I created Athletes Beyond the Game, to continue the conversation we started in 2020 at the beach. To provide a space for diverse athletic stories. To start honest conversations about the wide range of athlete experiences—during and after a sports career—and create a community to help athletes navigate life beyond the game.
Thanks for visiting our site. We’re so glad you’re here!
- Sara
