Transitioning Out of Competitive Sports: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Source: Morghan King

The Decision to Retire

Leaving the world of competitive sports is similar to jumping off a cliff into the water. The panoramic view is gorgeous at the top, I wanted to continue to take it in, soak up every last bit of that ocean breeze but my feet longed for excitement of the unknown. To expose myself to something new and refreshing. I wanted the new neural patterns of creativity to flow throughout my body again.

For years, my identity was intimately woven with my achievements as an Olympian. The demanding training regimes, the thrill of competition, and the tunnel vision focus required to excel at the highest levels of sport were all-consuming.

The same repetitive motion everyday for 10 years. Yet, stepping away from that world, and COVID, has offered me an opportunity to deeply reflect on the invaluable skills I acquired and the transformative power of sports. 

Initially, the transition felt like a free fall. I experienced a profound sense of loss, as if a part of me was missing. Grief takes over your whole body, a weighted vest constantly pulling your body down. The routine and discipline that once defined my days were suddenly absent, replaced by a vast expanse of time that I struggled to fill. However, in this period of uncertainty, I discovered that the skills I had honed as an athlete were not confined to the weightlifting platform—they were versatile assets that could be applied to many facets of life. 

Reflecting on Rio 2016 

Source: Morghan King

Walking up the green, soft carpet at the 2016 Rio Olympics, I gazed out at a sea of faces, each one a witness to the culmination of my journey. The countless hours spent in the gym, the eleven training sessions a week, the methodical analysis of film and technique with Dean Kruse — all of it had led me to this moment. This is why we do what we do.

My memory of my last attempt was remembering technical chaos in the back and was given the choice to choose my own number. A rare occasion at the highest level. I chose the 83K snatch to break a 16-year-old American Record, understanding that I had one chance to make it happen. The pressure was immense, but that’s what made it special. The Olympics occur every four years, a lifetime in some sports. Weightlifting has no offseason. Sometimes it is only in this moment, in this cycle, on this stage that it will happen. It may never come again, and I loved that pressure. The intoxicating feeling of that pressure sent me to try and go on and make a second game appearance, in my opinion, the hardest games to make of your career. 

Source: Morghan King

Embracing New Passions 

Post-competition life brought new passions. Coaching and mentorship became my new callings. Sharing my journey, the challenges I faced, and the skills I developed allowed me to give back to the community that shaped me. Through these avenues, I strive to raise awareness about the importance of mental health support for athletes, the need for comprehensive career transition programs, and the value of sports in developing life skills. 
I am finding joy in activities that promote a balance between life and sport, such as painting and beach soccer. Breathwork and meditation continue to be integral parts of my daily routine as an athlete, helping me stay grounded and focused. Exploring the outdoors and doing more sports introduced a more balanced approach to my post-athletic life, fostering a sense of adventure and well-being. Sports will always be my passion in my life whether I’m learning a new one or watching thousands of hours of them on TV, they just serve a different purpose now. The drive comes from the conversations that I am willing to have with my body now. 

Pursuing A New Path in Somatic Psychology 

Source: Morghan King

Driven by my passion for psychology, I embarked on a new educational journey. I returned to school last year to study somatic psychology, focusing on how body-centered approaches can aid in emotional healing and transition management for athletes.

This decision was not just about acquiring knowledge but about equipping myself with the tools to make a tangible difference in the lives of athletes facing similar transitions. I believe as forever athletes, that we owe it to our younger generation to do the work that wasn’t done for us.

This includes continuing paving the path of life outside of sport and the challenges that come with professional athletic retirement.

The Importance of Athlete Equity 

Athlete equity holds profound importance as sports careers evolve and age catches up with athletes. While we may no longer embody the peak athleticism of our competitive days, the mental and physical skills gained through sports remain invaluable for sustaining a healthy and fulfilling life beyond the playing field. Promoting equity within and outside of sports begins with prioritizing self-care — an ongoing commitment to our functional well-being. It is important to recognize that being functional in a specific sport does not mean it is functional for the rest of your life. Engaging and retraining the body to move through space, in all directions, is imperative for longevity and health. We know as athletes that when we move well, we breathe and function at a more optimum level. 

Source: Morghan King

Transitioning out of competitive sports has been a journey of profound self-discovery with bouts of loneliness. It had been a leap into the unknown that has reshaped my understanding of identity and purpose.

For years, my life revolved around the demands of being a weightlifting Olympian, from rigorous training to the intense pressures of competition and qualifying systems. Stepping away felt like losing a part of myself, yet it opened doors to new passions and opportunities. Embracing the love of the sport by coaching, mentoring, and being in graduate school to study somatic psychology has allowed me to give back, in hopes to help support fellow athletes in their transitions. I’m so honored to be in such great company where we have lived the transformative power of sports and we continue to watch it shape lives, foster resilience, and build bigger dreams for future generations.

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