... That being said, my retirement has not been all sunshine and roses.
Like my former teammates O’Brien and Merriman, I find it challenging to truly connect with people outside of skating and I, too, have grappled with feeling left behind by my former classmates, who are now well established in their professional and adult lives. Like Edmunds, I often wonder if I will ever find something I love as much as I loved skating. And like Abbott, I am uncertain of who I am if I am not a skater.
If I learned anything from my conversations with these athletes it is that who you surround yourself with during any major life transition can make a huge difference. And, it makes no difference whether someone was a World or Olympic champion or came 20th at a World Championships. Every athlete experiences a loss of direction when they retire and that experience is different for everyone.
The best advice from all of us is not to hesitate to reach out for support. As we have all learned, there is a good chance that a fellow athlete has gone through the exact same thing and will be more than willing to help guide you through the maze of life beyond the boards.
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Power forever! 