My name is Julie Schladitz and I am a career coach for athletes. I’m not an athlete, but I understand what you’re going through.
When I scaled down my international career to spend time with my children some years ago, I went through a similar period of transition. In my former life I’d been travelling the globe and taking important decisions. Suddenly, I found myself alone preparing toddler-friendly meals. I felt lost and sad about the life I’d left behind. My identity had become closely linked to my job and without it I felt worthless.
This loss of identity is something you probably feel too. I had to work out what really motivated me and how to change my environment, goals and direction to feel fulfilled again.