4 Mindset Shifts Every Former Athlete Needs to Hear

Decoding Excellence

In this episode of the Decoding Excellence Show, I’m sharing a solo Q&A I originally recorded for the Former Athlete Society. Whether you're freshly out of sport or years removed, this one cuts deep into what really matters: rebuilding discipline, identity, and structure after athletics.

I break down four of the most common (and crucial) questions I hear from former athletes navigating life after sport:

1. How do I stay motivated like I was in college?
   → The truth: motivation fades—systems stick. I explain how to build a personal structure that keeps you consistent.

2. How can I bring that game-day mindset to real life?
   → Simple: Sunday is your new game day. Learn how to plan your week like you used to prep for an opponent.

3. Why does my nutrition fall apart now?
   → You had structure before—training tables, team lifts, accountability. Here’s how to replicate that for real life.

4. I feel like I peaked in college. Now what?
   → That athlete? Still in you. I’ll show you how to reframe your identity as a competitive edge, not a memory.

Whether you're in the gym, on a walk, or commuting—this is your reset button. Listen in. Take notes. Let’s get better.

Additionally, I share details about the Former Athlete Society—my community designed for former college athletes looking to level up their fitness, training, and recovery. Don’t miss this value-packed episode!

If you haven't already, you can head over to ⁠⁠AdamRingler.com/Newsletter⁠⁠ and sign-up for my weekly newsletter. This is a newsletter for the curious. It's chalked full of interesting articles I've read through the week, things I'm exploring and finding fascinating through my week, and a collections of thought experiences and resources I've cultivated.

If any of the material resonates with you, I'd love for you engage with me at ⁠⁠@AdamRingler⁠⁠

Thanks again for listening to the Decoding Excellence Show! I appreciate all the support growing this Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning, and High-Performance Coaching resource. If you have taken anything away from the show, please login to iTunes and navigate to ⁠⁠Decoding Excellence⁠⁠ page and leave us a FIVE STAR ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review.

🔥Join the Former Athlete Society! 🔥I built a private community exclusively for former college athletes who want expert coaching, a competitive environment, and the structure they’ve been missing.

Inside, you'll get:

✅ A community discussion board to connect & share wins

✅ A full classroom with education modules on training & performance

✅ A leaderboard to reward engagement & consistency

✅ A calendar for live coaching calls & Q&A sessions

🔗 Join the Former Athlete Society Here

⁠⁠https://adamringler.com/formerathlete

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