On 1st September 2022, Tom Bosworth woke up unemployed for the first time in his life.
For thirteen years, he had been an athlete. A Double Olympian, a three-time World Record holder, a six-time British Record holder, the captain of England's athletics team at the Commonwealth Games, TeamGB's first ever openly gay track and field athlete. Someone who always had something to aim for, a big race, a championship, a personal best to chase.
And then, suddenly, nothing.
\"From September the first I was basically unemployed, and I'd never been in that position before. I always had something to aim for. So it was daunting. It was terrifying.\"
We sit down with Tom Bosworth MBE for one of the most candid, wide-ranging conversations we've had on this podcast. Tom talks openly about the terror of stepping into the unknown, the challenge of learning to communicate in a world that doesn't operate at the pace and intensity of elite sport, the identity that comes with being an athlete, and why he believes most athletes don't celebrate their achievements nearly enough.
Tom's post-sport journey has taken him into sports media, commentary, broadcasting, and athlete management as a Sports Agent at Blue Carpet Sports Management, as well as founding Walking With Purpose, a movement championing the transformative power of walking for mental and physical health. A campaigner for LGBTQ+ equality in sport, and having faced his own battle with depression in 2018, Tom is also one of the most authentic voices in conversations around mental health in elite performance environments.
Key Takeaways from Tom Bosworth MBE
• Retirement can feel like sudden unemployment, even for a Double Olympian, the first day after sport ends can be terrifying
• Entering the workplace as an athlete is a collision with a world that doesn't operate at high-performance speed and learning to adapt is its own skill
• Athletes carry an abundance of skills most people don't have - commitment, dedication, resilience, the ability to show up and figure things out
• Identity in sport is powerful but limiting
• Elite athletes don't just accept difficulty, they expect it and move forward anyway
• The best days in sport should be celebrated more
• Dragging out a career past its natural end serves no one
• The values that drive an athlete – self-motivation, discipline, resilience, are exactly what the business world struggles to develop
• Sport helps you become you. What you do next builds on that foundation
Find Tom Bosworth: LinkedIn | Instagram | walkingwithpurpose
About the hosts
James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.
Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter.
Connect and Contact
www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com
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