We sit down with Don Armand, former Exeter Chiefs and England international rugby player, to unpack his journey beyond professional rugby.

Don shares what it really takes to transition out of elite sport, the challenges, the mindset shifts, and the lessons learned along the way. He opens up about stepping into the unknown, building a new sense of purpose, and the things he wishes he had considered earlier in his career.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start preparing early
2. Take ownership of your transition
3. Develop an identity beyond sport
4. Transition is a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity

About the hosts

James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.

Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a national team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter

If Don’s insights resonated with you, here are a few more episodes you won’t want to miss:

Chris Cook

Chris shares his unique journey from elite swimming to life beyond the pool, emphasising the importance of dialling up your agility, exploring new passions and opportunities while still competing.

Nick De Luca

Discover how Nick prepared for life beyond rugby, the mindset shifts that helped him transition, and the lessons he now applies in his career.

Connect and Contact

Website:

www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com

LinkedIn:

Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/

James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/

Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10

Instagram:

@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator

Email:

support@athletetransitionaccelerator.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sit down with Robert Van Der Horst, former Dutch Olympic hockey player and World Player of the Year, to explore his journey beyond elite sport.

Robert opens up about the challenges of leaving professional hockey, the mindset shifts required to navigate life after sport, and how he found his new purpose in the world of business and coaching. From the highs of being the best in the world to the uncertainty of what comes next, he shares invaluable lessons for athletes at any stage of their careers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Success in sport doesn’t guarantee success afterward.
2. Be willing to explore.
3. Rebuild your competitive edge.
4. Embrace the unknown.

About the hosts

James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.

Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a national team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter

If Robert’s insights resonated with you, here are a few more episodes you won’t want to miss:

Gareth Steenson

Gareth shares his unique journey from professional rugby to life beyond the pitch, highlighting the importance of adaptability, exploring new passions, and seizing opportunities while still playing.

Alex Tait

Explore how Alex navigated his transition from professional rugby, the key mindset shifts that shaped his journey, and the valuable lessons he's carried into his next chapter.

Connect and Contact

Website:

www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com

LinkedIn:

Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/

James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/

Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10

Instagram:

@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator

Email:

support@athletetransitionaccelerator.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sit down with Chris Cook, former Olympic and GB swimmer, to dive into his journey beyond the pool.

Chris shares his experience of stepping away from elite competition, the mindset shifts needed to embrace new opportunities, and how he applied lessons from swimming to life and business. From reaching the highest levels of sport to navigating the uncertainty of what comes next, Chris offers invaluable insights for athletes at any stage of their careers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Success comes from consistency.
2. Adaptability is key.
3. Find your 'why'.
4. Keep learning and growing.

This episode is packed with real-world insights and practical advice for any athlete preparing for life beyond the game.

About the hosts

James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.

Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a national team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter

Episodes you won’t want to miss:

Don Armand

Don shares his unique journey from professional rugby to life beyond the pitch, emphasising the importance of adaptability, embracing new challenges, and proactively preparing for the future while still playing.

Nick De Luca

Discover how Nick prepared for life beyond rugby, the mindset shifts that helped him transition, and the lessons he now applies in his career.

Connect and Contact

Website:

www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com

LinkedIn:

Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/

James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/

Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10

Instagram:

@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator

Email:

support@athletetransitionaccelerator.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.