Sasha Cohen: An Olympian’s Guide to Retiring at 25

[Aussie Willy]

A really good article written by Sasha Cohen about retiring. It is a big concern when athletes dedicate their lives to their sport and then don't cope after they finish.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/02/...yeongchang.html?referer=http://m.facebook.com

 

[NinjaTurtles]

Sasha wrote an opinion piece for The NY Times about retiring as an athlete at 25.

Some good and timely empathetic advice for athletes, given we’re now at the conclusion of the 2018 Olympics.

About the upcoming documentary she’s in: The Weight of Gold. There isn’t an exact release date published, but seems like it’s soon?

It’s interesting to think of athletes as an at risk group when we generally see sports as very positive for mental and physical health. That transition period is a critical, vulnerable point and it seems like athletes don’t prep themselves for it. Not sure if they even really can, since their mental space and focus has to be so singular to win. Double-edge sword and all that.

 

[Coco]

Loved this article by her. So much compassion and hard earned maturity bursting out of this by the end, I teared up. LOL

I do think it applies to all of us on some level, though, and not just Olympians. Anyone who's had to give up a sport, no matter what level they reached, or give up studying (even if a degree was achieved) so they can earn, can relate to this.

 

[Nadya]

That was very good and pleasantly candid. I appreciate how open she was about receiving a subpar education. Good for her for making it up later. It should also be said that Cohen had opportunities that most skaters just would not have, on account of both family connections and smart management when she was still eligible. Most skaters won't be able to intern at a major network, or to enter Columbia, or to get to work at a bulge bracket bank, where competition from top schools is fierce. That's the reality. Good for her for navigating her ass out of the expected future of coaching no-name skaters at a no-name rink somewhere.

 

[Imagine]

It should also be said that Cohen had opportunities that most skaters just would not have, on account of both family connections and smart management when she was still eligible.

Well, most skaters aren’t World/Olympic medalists either so, that probably is a factor as well.

 

[Nadya]

Well, most skaters aren’t World/Olympic medalists either so, that probably is a factor as well.

In that case, let me restate this with lawyerly accuracy that I didn't think would be necessary: most World and Olympic medalists do not get these opportunities just because the field is crowded, and they are competing with thousands of people who received an excellent education, not a subpar one. But do please feel free to talk about other World/Olympic medalists who are similarly situated, and those who aren't.

 

[Imagine]

And why wouldn’t most World/Olympic medalists have the same, or comparable opportunities? The program she went into at Columbia was designed to admit nontraditional students like herself, coming from various walks of life, in which case the quality of her prior education, or lack thereof, wouldn’t even have been the most important factor to consider. It’s not like the acceptance rate to that particular program is extraordinarily low (relatively speaking), or as if she was competing with thousands of high school valedictorians with perfect test scores. What got her through the door was obviously her career in skating, so why is it so difficult to imagine other esteemed skaters doing the same? Why the implication that certain things were gifted to her through assumed “family connections,” and how she was managed during her skating days of all things? Is it not possible that she created the later internship/employment opportunities for herself, as many talented and hardworking young people do in school?

I mean, if you had said she gained lots of opportunities because her family is wealthy, well I’ll give you that to some extent. It doesn’t erase the hard work she still had to put in, both in skating and afterwards, but that’s obviously how she was able to have the career she did, or even attend school later (but that’s just pure speculation, as I’m also assuming she must have earned quite a lot from shows/endorsements). But where’s the proof of these “family connections and smart management” she enjoyed during her competitive career, and how they’ve directly resulted in her success? Did she only start taking advantage of these circumstances after she was done competing or during too, cause oh boy, that’d be a major scandal wouldn’t it? So again, why can’t other skaters do the same? Could it be...that not everyone is looking for a cushy Wall St. job, and that teaching “no-name skaters at a no-name rink” can be a perfectly satisfactory career choice? Wow, imagine that.

So, just because life turned out well for Ms. Cohen, everything must have been due to sheer luck. Her family must have had some very important connections, and she was lucky to have been so well-managed when she was younger. Heaven knows how she might have turned out otherwise, for she was only a washed up former-skater with a subpar education afterall. I mean, that’s one way to see things I guess.

 

[love skating]

I think this is an important article for athletes everywhere to read. I read about the American slopestyle skiier who won bronze last Olympics and silver at this Olympics and how he had contemplated suicide a couple years ago cause he had post-Olympics depression. Thankfully he got help and came back to win another medal and hopefully will be better equipped to deal with the post-Olympics aftermath. He bravely told his story and I thank Sasha for sharing hers as well!

 

[Aussie Willy]

I did read her autobiography written at the time she was still competing. It had been lent to me and at the time I commented it was very poorly written. Now I understand why.

I do remember seeing an interview with her a while ago where she was talking about investing and the stock market. I was very impressed.

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

It’s interesting to think of athletes as an at risk group when we generally see sports as very positive for mental and physical health. That transition period is a critical, vulnerable point and it seems like athletes don’t prep themselves for it. Not sure if they even really can, since their mental space and focus has to be so singular to win. Double-edge sword and all that.

This transition issue is true for dancers as well, who likewise have to train with singleminded focus, and usually must retire young. It is possible to prep for the transition, in some cases with some help. In dance, for example, there are now programs designed to do just that - to help dancers think about and prepare for what they'll do after dance, and to help them transition. Athletics/skating could do similar.

In dance, they formed the "Career Transitions for Dancers": https://actorsfund.org/services-and-programs/career-transition-dancers

It's now part of the Actor's Fund, which is a charity. I wonder if USFS or the USOC or etc. might be interested in starting such a program, and raising funds to support it? It would take some resources to start the program, keep it going, and raise funds, but it's worth it, to provide athletes with some support as they move on from their sport.

 

[Debbie S]

I did read her autobiography written at the time she was still competing. It had been lent to me and at the time I commented it was very poorly written. Now I understand why.

I would be quite surprised if she wrote it herself. As with every other athlete and celebrity "autobiography", it was likely written by a professional writer.

I wonder if USFS or the USOC or etc. might be interested in starting such a program, and raising funds to support it? It would take some resources to start the program, keep it going, and raise funds, but it's worth it, to provide athletes with some support as they move on from their sport.

I recently read about such a program that USOC now offers....I think it was a blog on the Team USA website, not sure...that provides career counseling for Olympians and I think mental health counseling/referrals too. Several former Olympians started it a few years ago.

 

[Nadya]

And why wouldn’t most World/Olympic medalists have the same, or comparable opportunities? The program she went into at Columbia was designed to admit nontraditional students like herself, coming from various walks of life, in which case the quality of her prior education, or lack thereof, wouldn’t even have been the most important factor to consider. It’s not like the acceptance rate to that particular program is extraordinarily low (relatively speaking), or as if she was competing with thousands of high school valedictorians with perfect test scores. What got her through the door was obviously her career in skating, so why is it so difficult to imagine other esteemed skaters doing the same?

Because not every esteemed skater would have the money to fund a Columbia degree taken at a leisurely pace plus life in NYC. Because not every skater is raised in a family environment that sees Columbia as a possibility.

Why the implication that certain things were gifted to her through assumed “family connections,” and how she was managed during her skating days of all things? Is it not possible that she created the later internship/employment opportunities for herself, as many talented and hardworking young people do in school?

I am not sure how to explain this to you because most people take it for granted that children from upperclass families are better equipped to lead to upperclass lives. But let me try. Cohen received massive publicity starting very early in her skating career that was out of proportion with her actual skating achievements or earnings at the time. This was a direct result of smart, professional management and press team that her parents had a good sense to hire and underwrite - think of all the human interest vignettes involving Cohen. Sasha taking a walk in Paris! Sasha making cookies! Sasha lolling on the beach! You don't think this footage makes itself, do you? Or that someone at NBC wakes up one day and says, gee, that girl is cute, let's film her and not the other girl? Anyone in the comms/marketing/PR arena would understand immediately that these stories were professionally pitched, packaged, produced and placed by highly paid professionals. Professional web/social media management at the era when that wasn't really done. Photo shoots. Endorsements and speaking engagements. You don't think this was just about someone phoning her up? Don't you understand that professional, highly paid management and agency can squeeze out opportunities out of every medal (not necessarily gold one!) that the lack thereof can't?

Just to make it perfectly clear, this is in no way a criticism of Cohen or her family. They did what they thought was best. I would have done the same for my child. And she still had to put the work in. Let's just admit that her family was in the position to underwrite this in the way that other families might not have been. It didn't make her a better skater - that was Cohen's job alone. But it definitely made her more famous, more marketable, and therefore, better positioned for money-making and publicity opportunities, both now and in the future.

I mean, if you had said she gained lots of opportunities because her family is wealthy, well I’ll give you that to some extent. It doesn’t erase the hard work she still had to put in, both in skating and afterwards, but that’s obviously how she was able to have the career she did, or even attend school later (but that’s just pure speculation, as I’m also assuming she must have earned quite a lot from shows/endorsements). But where’s the proof of these “family connections and smart management” she enjoyed during her competitive career, and how they’ve directly resulted in her success? Did she only start taking advantage of these circumstances after she was done competing or during too, cause oh boy, that’d be a major scandal wouldn’t it? So again, why can’t other skaters do the same? Could it be...that not everyone is looking for a cushy Wall St. job, and that teaching “no-name skaters at a no-name rink” can be a perfectly satisfactory career choice? Wow, imagine that.

I don't understand what you mean about "proof" or "scandal". Proof of her family's means? Proof of her highly skilled agents, press people, media people? Isn't that kinda obvious? What scandal?

The other skaters can't do the same because their families aren't in that position, aren't that way inclined, or aren't raised to aim for upperclass life. This is not a dig against Cohen. That's a statement of fact.

So, just because life turned out well for Ms. Cohen, everything must have been due to sheer luck. Her family must have had some very important connections, and she was lucky to have been so well-managed when she was younger. Heaven knows how she might have turned out otherwise, for she was only a washed up former-skater with a subpar education afterall. I mean, that’s one way to see things I guess.

Again, I'm not sure why it is so controversial that upperclass families have the means to provide more opportunities for their children and to take advantage of their achievements and guide them in a way that families of modest means don't.

 

[Gazpacho]

I do remember seeing an interview with her a while ago where she was talking about investing and the stock market. I was very impressed.

Her husband is a hedge fund manager, so that would explain it.

 

[Gazpacho]

Really great article. I'm very impressed with her honesty and introspection.

One thing she doesn't mention - perhaps she didn't personally experience it - is the loss of social circle when you retire. I've heard other athletes speak about it. When you're competing, especially if you're in a team sport but even if you're in an individual sport, you have a social circle and community that understands the unique lifestyle and culture of your sport. When you retire, you lose that unless you stay in the sport, and even if you stay in the sport it's different.

 

[AJ Skatefan]

Her husband is a hedge fund manager, so that would explain it.

They’re divorced.

 

[jenniferlyon]

I would be quite surprised if she wrote it herself. As with every other athlete and celebrity "autobiography", it was likely written by a professional writer

I looked up the book on Amazon. Yes, Sasha used a ghostwriter. Also, it's a children's book with a target audience of 8-12. Not many celebrity "autobiographies" aimed at this age group are especially deep or insightful.

 

[ballettmaus]

Good for her for navigating her ass out of the expected future of coaching no-name skaters at a no-name rink somewhere.

That's quite the condescending attitude. Some people might actually enjoy coaching and they might also take pleasure in coaching no-name children in no-name rinks. Unless you're a skaters kid, everyone starts out as a no-name skater.

 

[Gazpacho]

They’re divorced.

Wow that was short!

 

[Nadya]

That's quite the condescending attitude. Some people might actually enjoy coaching and they might also take pleasure in coaching no-name children in no-name rinks. Unless you're a skaters kid, everyone starts out as a no-name skater.

I am sure they do but you don't really have to kill yourself as a competitive skater, forgoing education, healthy joints, and any sort of normal childhood, to qualify for this type of employment. It's not condescending, hell, my kids are glad to have access to good skating teachers. I'm just not sure that this is seen as a good payoff to the incredible investment, sacrifice, and effort required for the competitive skating career.

 

[Skittl1321]

I think this is an important article for athletes everywhere to read. I read about the American slopestyle skiier who won bronze last Olympics and silver at this Olympics and how he had contemplated suicide a couple years ago cause he had post-Olympics depression. Thankfully he got help and came back to win another medal and hopefully will be better equipped to deal with the post-Olympics aftermath. He bravely told his story and I thank Sasha for sharing hers as well!

He's not the only one. Michael Phelps had suicidal thoughts after the Olympics too.

 

[berthesghost]

Yeah I’m pretty sure Greg lugaines and Tom Dailey said similar things too

 

[Jaana]

An Olympian does not sound the right word in connection with a person who is much more = an Olympic silver medalist like Sasha Cohen, IMO.

 

[Sylvia]

An "Olympian" is any athlete who has qualified for an Olympic Games.

ETA:

... You know, it’s not necessarily the medalists who get the most out of the Olympics. It’s those who are willing to strip down to nothing and bear their soul for their love of the game. That is so much greater than Gold, Silver, or Bronze.
We all want a medal, but not everyone will get one. Some are going to leave here feeling like heroes, some will leave heartbroken, and some will have had moments when the felt both- because we care. That is real. That is life. It’s amazing and terrifying and wonderful and brutal and exciting and nerve racking and beautiful. And honestly, I’m just so grateful to be part of that.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfTDAn5l1fI/?hl=en&taken-by=mikaelashiffrin

 

[MacMadame]

Because not every esteemed skater would have the money to fund a Columbia degree taken at a leisurely pace plus life in NYC. Because not every skater is raised in a family environment that sees Columbia as a possibility.

But quite a few of them are. Many skaters come from upper-middle-class and upper-class backgrounds. And most skaters with Cohen's track record have the money to fund a Columbia degree on their own regardless of who their parents are.

Her husband is a hedge fund manager, so that would explain it.

She studied finance and had a job doing that. And did these things before she got married.

 

[Skittl1321]

But quite a few of them are. Many skaters come from upper-middle-class and upper-class backgrounds. And most skaters with Cohen's track record have the money to fund a Columbia degree on their own regardless of who their parents are.

Certainly if they could fund skating, they could have funded Columbia... (Maybe not both though.)

She studied finance and had a job doing that. And did these things before she got married.

Seriously! Give the woman credit for her own skills. Her knowledge of finance isn't solely from her former husband at all.

 

[xxibjt]

Sasha is my all time favorite American lady and one of my all time favorite skaters, so I love anything Sasha related. Speaking of her and finance, here's another recent article where she talks about how Warren Buffet inspired her to Wall Street.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/21/war...sasha-cohen-former-olympic-figure-skater.html

"Asked about her other business heroes, Cohen cited billionaires Elon Musk founder of Tesla and SpaceX, and Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.

"People who can be visionary and see beyond the next quarter and what they're trying to create in this world; so definitely people like Bezos and Musk," she said.

Cohen, who graduated from Columbia University in 2016, is about seven months into her job as an associate at Morgan Stanley in investment management."

 

[ballettmaus]

I am sure they do but you don't really have to kill yourself as a competitive skater, forgoing education, healthy joints, and any sort of normal childhood, to qualify for this type of employment. It's not condescending, hell, my kids are glad to have access to good skating teachers. I'm just not sure that this is seen as a good payoff to the incredible investment, sacrifice, and effort required for the competitive skating career.

It is when you want to do it. You're making it sound like it's some kind of punishment for competitive skaters when they're too stupid to do something else.
Every skater and athlete has tremendous knowledge about their sport and some take enjoyment out of passing that knowledge on to the next generation and it gives them pleasure to see kids grow as skaters and they find it rewarding to help them develop their talent.

If I look at former skaters, I see skaters who went into coaching and others who didn't. Some were even studying while they were skating or knew what they wanted to do once they were done with their competitive career.
I'm sure there are some who go into coaching because they don't know what else to do. And there are others who need help figuring out what they want to do with their life. But you have to be pretty passionate about any sport if you're competing in it at the Olympic level, so I find it very natural that there are skaters who want to stick with the sport after they stop competing. I'd say which way you go simply depends on the person you are.

 

[MacMadame]

Certainly if they could fund skating, they could have funded Columbia... (Maybe not both though.)

I meant skaters like Cohen can fund their own education. She'd made enough in shows and endorsements for that as have other skaters in her position such as Kwan, Wagner (when she retires) and a few others.

 

[Nadya]

Certainly if they could fund skating, they could have funded Columbia... (Maybe not both though.)



Seriously! Give the woman credit for her own skills. Her knowledge of finance isn't solely from her former husband at all.

I never said that it was. Just that competition for entry-level analyst jobs at bulge bracket banks is brutal amongst Ivy League graduates with stellar records.

 

[Sylvia]

I recently read about such a program that USOC now offers....I think it was a blog on the Team USA website, not sure...that provides career counseling for Olympians and I think mental health counseling/referrals too. Several former Olympians started it a few years ago.

It's the Athlete Career Education (ACE) program: https://www.teamusa.org/athlete-resources/athlete-career-and-education-program

January 18th article: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...E-Program-Helped-Team-USAs-Best-Make-A-Living

In 2017, the program helped a total of 1,673 athletes with services such as job placement, college education services, personal branding and life skills. More than 50 athletes who have benefitted from the services provided by ACE will compete in PyeongChang, including figure skater Mirai Nagasu, bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, curler Becca Hamilton, ice hockey player Alex Rigsby, luger Erin Hamlin, sled hockey player Brody Roybal and long track speedskater Erin Jackson.
They are part of one group of athletes that the ACE program assists, those still actively training and competing.
“For a large group of those athletes, they need jobs to be able to continue to support their training at the level they need to in order to improve,” said Leslie Klein, a 1984 Olympic canoeist who has served as director of the ACE program since mid-2015.