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“It Was Like the Floor Had Gone Out from Underneath Me”: Why Athlete Transitions Don’t Need a Safety Net

“It was like the floor had gone out from underneath me.”

Kate Bailey, Paralympian and educator, nailed it. That’s the line everyone nods along to, the one that gets quoted in every talk about life after sport. But let’s be real: is losing your footing always a bad thing? Or is it just the moment you finally get to see what you’re made of?


The popular story is that when athletes step away from sport, they’re lost without their support systems. The team vanishes, the routine dissolves, and suddenly you’re meant to feel fragile, even broken. But maybe that’s just the easy narrative. Maybe it’s time to question the obsession with “support” and ask if it’s actually holding you back.


Is Support Overrated?


I know this isn’t what you usually hear from a career coach. But after years of working with athletes, I’ve seen the other side. Too much focus on support can become a crutch. It’s comfortable to believe you need a safety net before you leap. It’s comforting to wait for the right mentor, the perfect group, the community that “gets” you. But what if that’s just another way to delay the hard work of reinvention?


Danielle Jordan, who played netball for England and rugby for Jamaica, didn’t wait for anyone to give her permission. She didn’t buy into the idea that only the “talented” or the “lucky” get to succeed after sport. “I am just like you. If you want it as much as I did, you could achieve it. You just have to work hard.” That answer might not win applause at a networking event, but it’s the truth most people don’t want to hear[1].


The Myth of the Team Huddle


Sure, the locker room feels like family. The routine gives you a sense of purpose. But clinging to that can keep you stuck. Aleisha McCall, who went from elite figure skater to running her own media company, didn’t have a ready-made support crew when she landed in Sydney. She built her business from scratch, took out a loan, and learned new skills by mirroring the best in the industry—not by waiting for a team to rally around her [2].


Lewis Paris, after a football injury ended his dream, didn’t find solace in a support group. He found his way by getting uncomfortable, trying new things, and pushing through the awkwardness of starting again. He didn’t need a cheer squad—he needed a challenge[3].


When the Floor Drops Out, What’s Left?


Here’s the uncomfortable truth: when the floor drops out, you’re left with yourself. And that’s not a weakness. That’s the opportunity. Support can help, sure. But it’s not the answer. The answer is what you do next.

  • Are you willing to put yourself in rooms where you’re not the most experienced?

  • Will you try, fail, and try again without applause?

  • Can you ask for feedback and actually use it, rather than just seeking comfort?


Three Contrarian Steps for Athlete Transitions


If you’re serious about moving forward, stop waiting for the perfect support system. Here’s what to do instead:

  • Lean into discomfort. Go where you feel out of place. Trial for the job you think you’re not ready for. Apply for roles that scare you. Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone.

  • Build, don’t borrow, your network. Instead of searching for people who “get” you, show up and prove yourself in new environments. Offer value first. The right connections will follow.

  • Own your story—flaws and all. Stop hiding behind the athlete identity. Talk about your setbacks, your learning curve, the things that didn’t work. That’s where your new edge comes from.


What If You Don’t Need the Net?


The floor dropping out isn’t the end. It’s the start of something you control. The world doesn’t owe you a soft landing. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the best thing that could happen.


If you’re ready to stop waiting for support and start building your next chapter, dive into the stories of athletes who’ve done just that. Listen to Kate Bailey, Danielle Jordan, Aleisha McCall, and Lewis

Paris on the 2ndwind podcast. You’ll hear the unfiltered version—the one where real growth starts when the safety net disappears.


And if you’re ready to talk about what’s next, you know where to find me.


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