Identity and life beyond sport

Being an athlete can feel like it is everything you are - the training, the competing, the winning and losing. It is worth remembering, today and always, that you are more than your sport.

What it is

Athletic identity is the part of you that is shaped by being a competitor. It is a source of pride and purpose, but when it becomes the only part of how you see yourself, it can leave you vulnerable. If an injury, a bad season or the end of a career suddenly takes sport away, a narrow identity can leave very little sense of self standing underneath it. Sport psychology increasingly encourages athletes to build a fuller identity - one that includes sport, but is not defined only by it.

Signs to notice

• Feeling like you "don't know who you are" when you're injured, on the bench or between competitions
• Your mood rising and falling entirely with results
• Struggling to talk about anything other than training, matches or rankings
• Avoiding hobbies, study or relationships because "there's no time" or "it's not important"
• A sense of dread about what happens after your playing days end

What helps

• Deliberately invest time in something outside sport - study, a skill, a creative interest, volunteering or family time
• Notice and name your qualities that exist independently of performance - your humour, curiosity, loyalty, work ethic
• Keep relationships with people who knew you before you were an athlete, or who don't only talk to you about sport
• Reflect after both wins and losses: ask "what does this say about my results" rather than "what does this say about me"
• Speak to a sport psychologist or EAP counsellor about building a broader sense of identity while you are still competing, not only when a crisis forces it
• Set goals outside sport as deliberately as you set training goals, whether that's a qualification, a language, or a skill you'd like to build
• Notice when you use sport-only language to describe yourself, and practise adding to it - "I'm a competitor, and also a friend, a student, a brother"

When to reach out for help

If an injury, a dip in form or time out of the team leaves you feeling empty, directionless or like you have lost yourself, that is a sign to talk to someone. This is also worth addressing proactively, well before a crisis - the earlier you build a fuller sense of identity, the more resilient you'll be through the setbacks every sporting career includes. A professional can assess what you are experiencing and support you to rebuild a sense of self that isn't entirely dependent on results.

Getting help in South Africa

Cleared Mind's EAP counsellors offer confidential support for athletes navigating identity, performance and life pressures, and can connect you with sport psychology support where useful. SADAG's Mental Health Line (011 234 4837) is also available for general support and guidance.