Why This Work Matters

Supporting the whole athlete — before, during, and after sport.

The Old Story

There’s a narrative in high-performance sport that goes something like this:

“You’re here to win. You’ve got one shot. Give everything. And when it’s over — figure out the rest.”

And for a long time, that story looked like it worked.

But behind the scenes?
Athletes are struggling.
With pressure. With purpose. With identity.
With what comes next.

Why I Started Thrive After Sport

I’ve worked in sport for most of my life — across high-performance environments, sports administration, and now as a performance life coach. I’ve supported Olympic athletes, rising stars, and athletes navigating transition. I’ve also lived this life personally, as the partner of a former professional cricketer.

I’ve seen what happens when athletes are given the space to grow as people, not just as performers. And I’ve seen what happens when they’re not.

That’s why I created Thrive After Sport.

Not just to support the transition out of sport — but to start the real work during it.

Why This Work Matters

We help athletes reconnect with who they are, reflect with honesty, and lead themselves with confidence — in and beyond sport.

Because when athletes are grounded in their values and supported in their growth:

• They perform better.

• They relate better.

• They transition more easily.

• And they thrive long after the game ends.

Too often, identity and wellbeing are compromised in the pursuit of excellence.
This work is about changing that story.

The Hidden Cost of Success

In high-performance environments, it’s easy to suppress what’s real.
Push through. Stay focused. Don’t rock the boat.

It may drive short-term results — but it often leads to long-term cost:

• Burnout

• Anxiety

• Disconnection

• A crisis of identity when the sport ends

Too many athletes leave sport asking:
“Who even am I now?”

But what if that wasn’t the first time they asked that question?

Our Approach: The CORE Process

At Thrive After Sport, everything we do is built around our CORE framework — a heart-centered, self-leadership model that helps athletes grow from the inside out.

🌀 CONNECT
Build self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Connect with identity, values, and inner voice.

🌀 OWN
Take responsibility for your story, mindset, and potential. Embrace strengths and challenges alike.

🌀 RESPOND
Develop self-leadership. Strengthen communication, planning, and resilience.

🌀 EMERGE
Move forward with clarity and confidence. Redefine success beyond results and take aligned action.

This is about more than planning for life after sport.
It’s about building the inner foundations to lead it well.

A New Way Forward

The landscape is changing.

More athletes are speaking openly.
More coaches and parents are asking better questions.
More systems are realising: developing the human is not separate from developing the athlete.

This work matters because the old story no longer serves us.
It’s time for a new one — one that embraces:

✔️ Performance and wellbeing
✔️ Ambition and authenticity
✔️ Competition and connection

Ready to Thrive?

If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or part of a sporting organisation and this resonates — I’d love to connect.

Let’s support the human behind the performance.
Let’s help athletes lead themselves well — in sport and in life.

📩 ellie@thriveaftersport.com or explore Our Services