Alex Darbon-Cole’s Post

You are not what you do! For many elite athletes, stepping away from the game means losing a huge part of who you are. The sense of purpose and achievement that came with competing can vanish overnight, leaving many to wonder… ‘’What’s next?” “Who am I?” The Betway 12th Man Programme was designed for exactly this moment. The aim is to equip and empower former sports professionals from a variety of sporting codes with the necessary skills and knowledge to aid them in creating their own career 2.0 in Sport or Business. 💼 During my presentation of “Becoming Unbreakable - Mental Resilience for Transitioning athletes”, I shared my inspirational journey and introduced the Become Unbreakable 5-Step Process. We explored key questions: 🏁 How do you build a new identity? 🎯 How do you use the skills you’ve mastered in sports in a new field? 🤝 How do you reframe your experiences and challenges to shift your perspective so that you are able to build resilience and adaptability in your new career 2.0? The change from elite sports to a new career isn’t easy. It's about learning how to transfer the skills you learnt in your sporting career and combine them with an added skillset for your career 2.0. Keep pushing, stay resilient, and become unbreakable. 💪✨ How do you stay resilient and adapt in your career? Drop your thoughts below. 👇 Thank you Ashley Kotzin, Seth Pearson & Forwardzone team for this opportunity!!

Reflecting on my journey since retiring from my professional rugby career.  I have learned so much and grown in unexpected ways. Here are four lessons that have shaped my post athlete life:  🛜 Lean on your network - Transitioning from the world of sports to a new career can be daunting, but leaning on your network for support and guidance has been invaluable. Do not underestimate the value of a quick coffee to share ideas ☕️💡 ✔️ Just Do It - I wish I had just done it. As cringe as this sounds, if you just do it, what’s the worst that could happen? As athletes, we take so many risks during the game. Some come off, some don’t. Learn and embrace the learnings and move on to the next IF you make a mistake. We already have the courage to “just do it” so (sorry to say it again) give it a go! I am still reminding myself of this daily 😂 🔋You Are More Than An Athlete - While our athletic career has been a significant part of our identity, I have been reminded that we are so multi-dimensional with a range of skills and talents. The skills you have gained over your career will serve you well and you are by no means behind your peers!  🚗 Embrace The Journey - Celebrate your successes and learn from your setbacks. This next chapter has so many twists and turns and I’m excited for the journey.  If you’re thinking about retirement or just want to get yourself ready, please reach out as I would be delighted to share what I have learned. 🚀🔋💡

Later... Later...it won't matter. Later it won't matter if they were the best on the team, if they were the fastest on the field, or if they had the most impressive stats. It won't matter if they were recognized for their accomplishments or if they ever received the title of "MVP". It won't matter if their travel team was the best in the league, or if other coaches ever pointed them out and said, "Keep an eye on that kid." It won't matter if they started every game or scored the game-winning touchdown. Don't get me wrong, I'm every ATHLETE'S biggest fan. I LOVE watching them in all of their PURSUITS. I'm proud and honored to do so. And yes, I believe YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME... (and I think that's okay!) But sometimes, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that so much of this sports-life and the sports seasons are indeed temporary! We get caught up in the competitiveness of wanting to be the best, when really it's kind of insignificant in the bigger picture of life. Later, the things that WILL matter are the other skills we as Athletes are learning during our time playing ball! The skills we'll only learn if we put our egos aside and have fewer conversations about stats, offers and nil, and more conversations about things like— Faith in God. Kindness to others. Community Impact. Humility. Hard work and Smart work. Being a team player. Supporting our peers. Enduring when things don't go our way. Pain & Purpose. Right now, sports are such a big part of our culture; our life; our world. From the outside it seems like all we do as athletes is work on things like proper technique and fundamentals of the game—and that's part of it, sure. But really, this is an even bigger chance for us to learn lessons about life. And when we've hung up our cleats for the very last time, I hope to help empower every athlete to walk into the next season of their life knowing they haven't just forged themselves into an accomplished athlete, but more importantly an incredible human being. Leauxve, Coach Orlando Gunn s/o to Casey Huff #PositionToWin

‘If you’re going to have a career in professional sport, then you’re going to have a second career’. It feels like a fitting time for this clip of England boss Gareth Southgate to resurface. This message is incredible and should be shared with every single professional athlete, and their parents, at the beginning of their careers. Educating younger players, in particular, and opening up their minds to the reality of a second career can be a real challenge, as their focus rarely sways away from fulfilling their dreams as a footballer. But creating a safe space to have those conversations inside and outside of the club environment, while proactively laying the foundations for the second phase of their lives, is fundamental to a smooth transition. My advice to the athletes is to put time and effort into discovering a passion away from the pitch - something other than playing that you love and care about - then with the support of others, explore ways of turning that into a career, whether that’s with our help as a business owner, or as an employee or consultant. The earlier an athlete begins that process of self-discovery and exploration of alternative career pathways, the more equipped they will be to deal with the transition, whenever the day arrives. 🎥 Steven Caulker / Behind The White Lines #transition #secondcareer #athletes #careerchange

Gareth is absolutely spot on. Joe is absolutely spot on. This is exactly the type of messaging and advice younger players need to hear and listen too. There is so much life to live post-sport and our second careers will be more than likely be far longer that our first. I always challenge my teammates to look inward early and really start thinking about their futures and the purpose they might long for once they hang up their boots. Spin your plates early. Budget. Plan. The importance can't be overstated. Once you hit 30, I always say every year is a cherished year in professional football. The contracts get shorter and smaller and for many it can be a real slippery slope. The numbers for athlete's retiring, not just in football but across the board makes for terrifying reading. An estimated 40% of footballers go bankrupt within 5 years of their playing days ending. 80% of NFL players and 60% of NBA players face serious financial hardship within 5 years of retirement. It's unfathomable, but as a player, I can totally understand how it happens. Gareth is totally right when he says we need to do so much more as a network of players, ex-players, unions, governing bodies and industry experts to actually shift this long-standing narrative and truly support players in meaningful and impactful ways as they close in on the end of such a fantastic chapter of their lives. Well done Steven Caulker on highlighting a really important coversation.

🌟 The Power of Sports in Enhancing Teamwork and Decision-Making 🌟 As I observe the energy and enthusiasm of young people at 📍Košutnjak in the morning, I’m reminded of the profound impact sports have on our lives—also when it comes to fostering teamwork, resilience, and collaboration. Engaging in sports isn’t just about physical fitness. It’s about building teamwork, developing resilience, and making sound decisions. These qualities are crucial in our professional lives, where effective collaboration and mutual support lead to success. Seeing so many children participate in sports each morning is a testament to the enduring value of an active lifestyle. It’s a reminder that the habits we form early on can shape our approach to teamwork and decision-making throughout our careers. Let’s continue to champion the benefits of sports and an active lifestyle, not just for our physical health, but for the strength it brings to our professional relationships and work environments. 🏅 I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. How has sports influenced your teamwork and decision-making skills? Share your experiences in the comments below! #HealthyLiving #Sports #Teamwork #Resilience #Collaboration #Košutnjak #MorningRoutine #Inspiration

🌟 What’s Your Why? 🌟 In the world of Recruitment and Sales, we often hear this question: “What is your why?” For me, my "why" has always been cheerleading. It’s been a part of my life since I was 13 years old, and it has shaped who I am today. Cheerleading, is a sport that doesn't get much recognition and often has a lot of misconceptions about it but it has given me incredible opportunities: ✨ Traveling to Florida annually since I was 15 to compete at the World Championships (Which I won earlier this year😉) ✨ Competing all across the UK ✨ Building friendships and memories that will last a lifetime It’s not just a sport to me—it’s my passion. I spend five hours commuting to and from training every Friday after work, and most weekends are dedicated to training instead of relaxing. But honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way. That brings me back to the question: why do I stay in a challenging, fast-paced industry like Recruitment? The answer is simple: freedom to pursue my passions. Cheerleading isn’t cheap—training fees, international travel, and competition costs quickly add up. Working in Recruitment allows me the financial freedom to invest in the sport I love so much. Sure, there are ups and downs in this industry, but having a "why" that motivates and grounds me makes all the difference. So, what’s your "why"? I’d love to hear what keeps you going, even when the hurdles seem high. #Motivation #WhyPower #SalesLife #Cheerleading #PassionAndPurpose #LinkedInCommunity

Reaching the crux, she took a deep breath and made a dynamic move to the next hold, feeling the pump in her forearms. With a solid heel hook and careful smearing on the slab, she managed to maintain her balance. Topping out, the rush of adrenaline was evident as she clipped the anchor and surveyed the route she had just conquered. Rock climbing is not just an exhilarating sport; it’s a testament to strategy, resilience, and precision. Much like in marketing and business, each move in climbing requires careful planning, adaptability, and a keen sense of timing. Every ascent is a journey, mirroring the challenges we face in the corporate world where success is achieved by overcoming obstacles and navigating uncertainties. Recently, the US athletes faced a significant setback at the World Cup in Briançon, unable to compete in the Lead category due to a failure to confirm their attendance. This incident, while heartbreaking, underscores the importance of meticulous planning and communication—key tenets in both sports and business. The longer-term implications of this missed opportunity are yet to be fully understood, but such experiences remind us of the critical nature of preparation and responsiveness. I have cheered for, encouraged, and appreciated photographing some of these athletes for close to 10 years. It is heartbreaking to see such a dedicated team face this setback. I want to take this opportunity to celebrate these athletes for their hard work, dedication, and determination. USA Climbing 🇺🇸 Lead Team, men: Nathan Sato, Declan Osgood, and Hugo Hoyer, and women: Alyssa Keanini, Analise Van Hoang, Olivia Ma, Melina Costanza, and Adriene Akiko Clark. Despite the heartache and challenges, we must press on with determination and learn from these experiences. As Jess Sato said, encouraging the team and her son, Nathan, “Onward.” ⁉️As athletes, leaders, and professionals, how can we ensure that we learn from these setbacks and emerge stronger, both in sports and in our professional lives? Link to more climbing photos: 📸 https://lnkd.in/em6Gpf_8 Link to my instagram and photos: 📸 https://lnkd.in/gi_c6Bn5 #RockClimbing #SportsStrategy #LeadershipLessons #AthleteInspiration #MarketingStrategy #OvercomingChallenges #TeamUSA #Climbing #StayCurious

I've always supported physical activity for my children, encouraging them to participate in sports. For them, success isn't about reaching the Olympics or Wimbledon but about discovering early the capabilities of their bodies and the joy of movement. Equally important are the life lessons sports impart - teamwork, endurance, and gracefully handling both wins and losses. These lessons are universally applicable and especially resonant in my professional life. In my career, the principles of team dynamics, resilience, and shared successes, all rooted in my early sports experiences, have been indispensable. Whether navigating projects or leading teams, the parallels between sports and business management are striking. What lessons from your sporting experiences have influenced your professional journey?

🏅 How being an athlete may help you at work 🏅 Like most folks, I'm obsessed with watching the Olympics this summer. It's so satisfying seeing people who are best at their craft experiencing what might be the highlight of their careers. I was a competitive fencer in high school. I was nowhere near as good as the folks competing in Paris but I was the captain of my high school team and traveled for lots of national competitions. When talking to college hires and early in career folks who don't have a lot of work experience, I like to compare some of the learnings I got from being an athlete on a team to what I've learned at work. ⏱ Putting in the time & work - When you first start training or when you first start in your career, there's nothing more important than just putting in the time and getting experience under your belt. Sometimes that means doing the same thing over and over until it's muscle memory. Sometimes that means competing against a lot of different people to get experience with lots of different situations. Same goes for career - nothing can take the place of time, practice, and experiences. 👯♀️ It's all about the team - Fencing is a funny sport because you compete as an individual but there are team competitions where the total score of the team matters. You have to carry your weight as an individual, but you need to rely on the other folks on your team to win. You learn from, practice with, and compete against your teammates. Same goes at work - you get better because of the folks on your team, you learn from them, rely on them, and yes, there's still that aspect of competition when it comes to promotions, rewards, etc. 🌍 Communities are small - The fencing community in New York City was small. Every competition had the same folks, every training camp I went to had the same group of coaches, and even in national competitions, I'd compete with the same people often. This community ended up helping me get better through competition, practice, and in many cases, became my good friends. Same goes for work - the community I've built has been an awesome resource for mentors, friends, new jobs, advice, learning, etc.