Navigating Life After Sport: Embracing Your New Identity

When I finally chose to hang up my skates, I thought I was ready.

I’d spent years chasing the dream — early morning workouts, long practices, late-night games, and the adrenaline that only competition brings. Hockey wasn’t just what I did — it was who I was.

But here’s the truth nobody prepares you for: the hardest part isn’t leaving the game. It’s figuring out who you are without it.

No more practices. No jersey with your name on the back. No teammates waiting in the locker room. No set schedule telling you what comes next.

For a while, I felt lost. I knew I had discipline, resilience, and skills that could translate — but without hockey, I didn’t have a clear picture of what I wanted or how to get there.

And here’s what I realized: leaving sport isn’t only about identity. It’s about losing the structure that once held everything together.

The Identity Shift After Retiring

For me, the toughest part of retiring wasn’t just losing the structure — it was redefining who I was without the game.

As athletes, our identity often fuses with our sport. When people asked me who I was, my answer always started with, “I’m a hockey player.” It wasn’t just what I did — it was how I measured myself, how I earned recognition, and how I connected with others.

When that identity was suddenly gone, I felt a deep sense of loss. Without the jersey, the title, and the clear role, I started questioning: Who am I now?

And that’s the part few people talk about. You’re not just stepping away from competition — you’re stepping away from the version of yourself you’ve carried for years. The version that woke up before dawn for training. The version that sacrificed weekends, holidays, and social events to pursue a dream. The version that thrived on being part of a team.

The shift is disorienting. Some days, I felt like I was starting from zero, even though I had years of experience, skills, and discipline behind me. It took time — and a lot of reflection — to understand that while my identity as an athlete was ending, my identity as a leader, teammate, and disciplined professional was only beginning to take shape.

That’s the real work of life after sport: honoring the athlete you were while creating space for the person you’re becoming.

When the Structure Disappears

As athletes, our lives are built around rhythm and repetition: wake up, train, compete, recover, repeat.

Every day has a plan. Every season has a goal. Every year has an outcome you’re chasing. And then, one day, it all stops.

When that structure disappeared for me, the days felt empty. I suddenly had all this freedom… but also uncertainty. It was overwhelming to be the one responsible for creating my own accountability and vision of success — especially after spending years chasing a dream that had always given me direction.

Maybe you’ve felt this too. Maybe you’re still competing but already wondering what comes after. Or perhaps you’ve already stepped away and are now in that “what now?” stage.

What I’ve Learned Since

Through my own transition — and now through coaching other athletes — I’ve learned three powerful truths:

✨ Your identity doesn’t vanish — it evolves. You’re more than an athlete. The confidence, focus, and resilience you’ve built can fuel your next chapter.

✨ Structure doesn’t disappear — it just needs to be rebuilt. The same discipline that drove you in sport can help you thrive in business, school, or any new pursuit.

✨ Support matters. Having tools, guidance, and a community makes the transition less overwhelming and far more empowering.

Why I Built EmpowerHER

I don’t want other women athletes to go through this transition feeling as lost as I once did. That’s why Kalis Loyd and I created the EmpowerHER 12-Week Transformation Program.

We designed it for athletes who want to:

💛 Reconnect with their identity beyond sport

💛 Rebuild clarity, structure, and confidence

💛 Create a roadmap for success that feels exciting and sustainable

📌 You can explore the program here: https://www.empowerhercoaching.co/empowerher

Not Ready for the Full Program?

If you’d like to start small, we also built the EmpowerHER Transformation Workbook — a 70-page guided resource packed with the exact tools and frameworks we use with our athletes. It’s the resource I wish I had when I stepped away from hockey — and it can help you start building clarity right now.

👉 Get the workbook here

Embracing Change: A New Perspective

Transitioning from an athlete to a new identity can feel daunting. However, it’s essential to embrace this change. It’s not just about moving on; it’s about evolving into a more complete version of yourself.

Finding Balance

One crucial aspect of this journey is finding balance. As athletes, we often focus intensely on our sport. After retirement, it’s vital to explore other interests, hobbies, and passions. This exploration can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Building a Support Network

Surrounding yourself with supportive people is crucial. Seek out mentors, friends, and communities that understand your journey. Sharing experiences and challenges can provide comfort and guidance.

Setting New Goals

Just because your athletic career has ended doesn’t mean you should stop setting goals. Whether they are personal, professional, or related to new hobbies, having goals gives you direction. It fuels your motivation and keeps you engaged in life.

Final Thoughts

Leaving sport doesn’t mean leaving behind who you are — it means redefining who you can become.

Yes, your jersey comes off. The title “athlete” may not be front and center anymore. But the mindset, the discipline, the leadership, and the resilience you built in sport? Those don’t disappear. They evolve with you.

Your identity isn’t lost — it’s shifting into something new. And that shift is where the real growth happens.

If you’re navigating that in-between space — whether you’re still competing, recently retired, or somewhere in between — remember this: you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Because your game-day discipline isn’t gone. It’s simply waiting to be repurposed into the next version of who you are becoming.