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Beyond the Game: The Hidden Struggles of Professional Athletes and What Sporting Clichés Reveal About the Psychology of Sport

“If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; if you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same.” — Rudyard Kipling

The Olympic medal haul fills us with national pride, with more to come from the Paralympics. This success sparks renewed calls for increased participation and praise for lottery funding, which has been instrumental in Team GB’s achievements. While the benefits of sporting triumphs are evident, the hidden costs often go unnoticed. What are the downsides of being an elite athlete? The demands of a professional sports career—physical, mental, and emotional—are intense. These pressures can lead to burnout, anxiety, depression, and identity crises, issues often overlooked in the glamour of sports.

The Benefits of Sport

The joy of sport is evident even in a toddler’s first steps: “That’s me doing that, my feet, my legs.” For children and adults alike, games and sports help master the body, understand one’s limits, and navigate the external world. Lessons range from the technical—how to clear a bunker or strike a cross—to broader concepts like resilience after a missed penalty and social dynamics like knowing when to pass.

Sport is a "hothouse for life skills," offering profound experiments in thought and experience, essential for resilience. Tony O’Reilly, the Irish rugby winger turned businessman, once said, “You win, and you lose, and if you don’t know how to lose, you don’t know how to live.” Sport builds both physical and mental resilience and puts life’s trials into perspective. Business problems can fade during a round of golf, and family issues can momentarily disappear on the tennis court.

The Dream of Sporting Success

The allure of sporting success often leads families to make significant sacrifices, from relocating for a tennis academy to spending weekends shuttling between tournaments. A child’s identity can become intertwined with their sport: “Oh yes, the rower.” Mike Friday captures the essence of balance, noting, “Sport is what you do, not who you are.”

Parents play a crucial role in shaping their child’s development, balancing athletic excellence with personal growth. Their influence can either nurture resilience or create undue pressure, rooted in their own insecurities. External pressure alone doesn’t build the internal resilience needed for a sports career’s inevitable ups and downs. Andre Agassi’s autobiography illustrates this struggle, where his father’s push into tennis led to rebellion before Agassi eventually rediscovered his passion on his terms. Successful athletes often experience this transformation, driven by internal motivation rather than external pressures.

Elite academies thrive on nurturing dreams of success, but the reality is stark. For every Jonny Wilkinson, thousands of young athletes never reach that level. Many who fall short give up the sport entirely, rarely continuing even at an amateur level. The singular focus required for elite success often leaves them unprepared for adult life after losing the dream. An 18-year-old who was once the best in their district might feel lost and ashamed if they don’t make it. School sports directors often try to encourage parents to think holistically about their child’s development before giving up education for a slim chance at professional success. Yet the intoxicating promise of sporting glory can cloud reason.

While some former athletes transfer competitive skills into business, others falter, lost in their identity and place in the world. In extreme cases, they may struggle with addictions or even suicidal thoughts.

The Politics of Professional Sports

Navigating a healthy relationship with sport is a delicate balance. If it consumes you, it can be destructive; if it doesn’t mean enough, the game exposes you. Young athletes often envy established stars and may play cautiously to protect their positions, risking stagnation against fearless newcomers. External factors, like coaching changes, can disrupt careers. Should athletes adapt or risk falling out of favor? Luck plays a role too—a fortunate bounce can change outcomes.

Athletes often say, “You learn more from your defeats than your successes,” but fear of failure can be crippling. The drive for perfection, essential for success, can morph into destructive self-criticism if not managed. Yet athletes push forward, demonstrating resilience that inspires us all.

The Demands of Professional Sport

Top athletes walk a tightrope between striving for perfection and avoiding destructive self-criticism. Jack Nicklaus claimed he never missed a three-foot putt, showcasing the selective memory that can benefit athletes. But those who don’t learn from failure won’t last. Successful players constantly reinvent themselves, seeking improvement while balancing self-reflection without letting setbacks dominate their psyche. Overthinking can lead to rumination and a loss of focus. Many athletes adopt mantras like “Stay in the moment, one shot at a time,” clichés that mask profound strategies for mental health in high-pressure environments.

Development of an Identity

Sport offers insights into oneself, but a narrow sporting identity can stifle personal growth outside the arena. The demands of professional sports can impede off-field relationships, leaving athletes reliant on admiration in social settings. Developing interests beyond sport is crucial for balance and well-being. Athletes often grapple with external expectations from parents, partners, and coaches, and must find mental space to perform for themselves—a journey sometimes mistaken for arrogance. This process is necessary to maintain personal identity amidst external pressures.

Dealing with Loss

Handling loss is crucial for athletes. The ability to let go and move forward differentiates constructive learning from destructive rumination. Dwelling on mistakes can lead to self-harm and eroded self-worth. Athletes combat this with mantras like “Let it go” and “Don’t overthink it.” Recognizing that they are more than their sport helps ease the fear of failure and fosters resilience.

Life After Sport

The end of a sporting career brings new challenges. Some athletes transition smoothly into business or other fields, leveraging skills learned in sport, while others struggle with the loss of identity and competition. The thrill of the game and public admiration can leave a void, leading some towards addiction. Yet the discipline, self-reliance, and adaptability developed in sport can become assets in the workforce if athletes can transfer these qualities.

Conclusion

While we champion greater involvement in sports and its benefits, we must also recognise the psychological toll high-level competition can take. Athletes, parents, coaches, and institutions should focus on holistic development alongside dedication to sport. A broad foundation equips athletes not only for the highs and lows of competition but also for life beyond it. For every Federer, thousands of talented players never reach the elite level. Their journey should be seen not as a failure, but as a valuable experience in personal growth.

Marcus Evans is a fellow of the Institute of Psychoanalysis with an interest in the psychology of sports.