We sit down with Joe Jacobi, Olympic gold medallist and former USA Canoe/Kayak CEO, to explore his journey beyond elite sport.

After reaching the pinnacle of performance at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona with his teammate, Scott Strausbaugh, Joe faced the same questions that confront every retiring athlete: What now? What does the world want from me? Who am I without the sport?

Joe shares how he navigated uncertainty, embraced reflection, and rebuilt a life of purpose and impact. From leading a national sports body to creating Thinking in Waves, a weekly performance and mindset newsletter, Joe has made it his mission to help others move through transition with clarity and intention.

Key Takeaways:

• You'll finish your career and ask a lot of questions, that’s normal.
• Reflect often, what would you tell your younger self?
• Find the people doing what you want to do and learn from them.
• Get clear on what brings you joy.
• Diversify your interests, each experience teaches you something.
• Reframe your journey, your story has power beyond the podium.

Learn more about Joe, explore his book - Slalom and subscribe to his newsletter – Thinking in Waves at www.joejacobi.com

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

Website:

www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com

LinkedIn:

Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/

James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/

Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10

Instagram:

@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator

Email:

support@athletetransitionaccelerator.com

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