How You Can Use Your Athlete Skills in Business?

Transitioning from sports to business might feel overwhelming, but here’s the good news: the skills you’ve developed as an athlete are not only valuable - they’re highly transferable. From teamwork and discipline to resilience and problem-solving, your athletic background has equipped you with abilities that can drive success in the business world.

So, how can you use your athlete skills in business? It all comes down to recognising how the core strengths you honed in sports can help you thrive as an entrepreneur.

Bet on Yourself: A Message for Athletes Moving Into Business

As what 2ndwind’s recent podcast guest James Hilovsky, a former athlete turned entrepreneur, advises: athletes should set aside fear and bet on themselves. The skills you developed in sports—discipline, resilience, and leadership—are the same traits that can fuel success in business. He emphasises that athletes have the entrepreneurial spirit and should take the leap, find something they're passionate about, and translate their experiences into a thriving business venture.

How Your Athlete Skills Translate to Business Success

So, how do can you as former or current athletes use your skills in business?

1. Teamwork: You excel at collaborating and leveraging others' strengths which is key when building a business or working in a team.

2. Discipline: The consistency and focus you develop help you stay on track and push through challenges in business.

3. Resilience: Athletes can you bounce back from failure, and this ability to persevere is crucial for overcoming setbacks in business.

4. Adaptability: Just as you adjust to new strategies and competition, entrepreneurs must be flexible and ready to pivot.

5. Leadership: Athletes like you learn to motivate and lead, skills that are vital when guiding a team and building company culture.

   
   

Athletes like Matt Mooney and Alex Opacic have used their athlete skills in business to launch successful ventures. Matt Mooney applied his strategic thinking from basketball to create a thriving tech company. Alex Opacic leveraged his resilience and teamwork to build a successful business. These examples show that athletes can use their skills in business to excel as entrepreneurs.

Here are some of the recent guests that have been on the show demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit:

🔥 Kari Mills - a former professional player in Europe who built business in the sports marketing industry.

🔥 Jori Davis - a seasoned professional basketball player and founder of WeVolv.

🔥 Rahhim Shillingford - college football star turned real estate broker.

🔥 Taj Dashaun - from football to building his business–Thrive After Sports.

🔥 Frances Garcia - a former Division 1 volleyball athlete, the co-founder, and Chief Growth Officer at Postseason, an experienced marketing professional and strategist.

🔥 Lee Grantham - who has shaped his business to fuel his elite running career.

Your athletic background is filled with transferable skills that can drive your business success. By recognising the value of teamwork, discipline, resilience, and adaptability, you can transition seamlessly into entrepreneurship. Instead of focusing solely on the results, think about how to apply your athlete skills in business to overcome obstacles and achieve long-term success.

If you're ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship, remember that skills-based career guidance for athletes focuses on how to harness your strengths. Like Matt and Alex, you can use your experience in sports to fuel your business journey. The athlete mindset is a powerful tool, apply it and set yourself up for entrepreneurial success.

Ready to venture into business?

Let’s chat!