Syd Soloski Discusses Helping Gymnasts Retire and Move On In Healthy Ways -

Today on the podcast we have a super important and must-hear episode about gymnasts and athletes of all sports retiring or transitioning out of gymnastics, or their sport.

This is not commonly talked about but is hugely important because of its devastating impact on athletes, who have a sudden, abrupt end to their sport.

You go from being super regimented, having a plan, training toward a goal, and you have an identity and a community tied to the sport so when it goes away you have a void, feel lost, and don’t really know what to do.

I recently saw a tweet from former National Canadian Team Member and Utah Gymnastic alumni Syd Soloski:

“Retired athletes!! Do you feel like your university/college/program/coaches etc prepared you for life after sport? The transition, identity crisis….??”

So I invited her onto the podcast to discuss this issue as she has experienced this tricky transition firsthand.

Exploring a better offramp system for gymnasts and athletes moving on from their sport.

We discuss:

There’s an onramp system for College, but why isn’t there an offramp?
How to find a new purpose in your life after sport.
Coach because you’re passionate about it not because you’re trying to fill a void.
The importance of having conversations with your kids about who they are.
How do you shift your training mentality and motivation from being an elite athlete to living a ‘normal’ healthy lifestyle?
How to come to terms with the goals that you didn’t accomplish.
What to do when coaches aren’t supportive of athletes quitting?
How to cope with having to medically retire. And…
Why therapy is like prehab.